Planning a wedding is about telling your love story. For each of us, our wedding became reflections of the trails we’ve walked, the coasts we’ve wandered, and the wild places that helped shape our love stories.
Our Love Story
KRISTIN ♡ MITCH
"Our love story has always been rooted in nature. We planned a hike for our first date. Our first photo together was snapped on the beach. He met my best friend, Alana, and brother, Ryan, on a camping trip. We got engaged at the summit of Mount Baldy (photo above). We feel most alive, and most in love, when we’re hiking mountains like Mount Whitney, watching waves crash along the coast, or falling asleep under the stars. So naturally, our wedding became a reflection of the places and moments that have shaped our love story." - K♡M
ALANA ♡ NAM
“From the start of our relationship, we’ve enjoyed spending time outdoors together. We got engaged on a quiet stretch of beach in Big Sur, CA and an intimate seaside wedding among the redwoods with our immediate family felt authentic to us.” – A♡N
Nature-inspired Wedding Tips
Whether you’re planning a beachside celebration with family and friends or mountaintop elopement, these nature-inspired ideas will help you craft a wedding rooted in your love story:
1. Choose a Location That Holds Personal Meaning
We each met our husbands in California and thought this would be the perfect location to let our love grow.
“Our ceremony took place in North County San Diego, where there are rolling hills and a venue surrounded by trees. We said “I Do” and had an outdoor reception with beautiful weather on an evening in July. My parents also married on a golf course, which gave the setting added significance while staying close to nature.” – K♡M
“Our ceremony took place along the coast of Big Sur, where the redwoods meet the ocean. We said “I Do” with our immediate family and a breathtaking backdrop.” – A♡N
2. Make the Wedding a Weekend Celebration, Not Just a Day
Extending the wedding celebration over a few days gives space for more meaningful moments.
“We hosted a welcome dinner Thursday night in Carlsbad, CA. We got married Friday evening in Fallbrook, CA! Then we hosted a backyard BBQ on Saturday in Carlsbad, CA at a cozy beach bungalow we found through booking.com (affiliate link). We gave everyone time to connect over three days and also traveling time back home.” – K♡M
3. Personalize the Ceremony with Shared Experiences
By grounding words in shared memories, this gives you and your guests a clearer sense of who you are together and the adventures you’ve had along the way.
“Our vows were woven with stories from the trail — our engagement on Mt. Baldy and the journey of summiting Mount Whitney.” – K♡M
4. Include a Ritual That Symbolizes Love
A simple act, such as, planting a flower, packing a time capsule, sharing love letters, can reflect the slow, patient kind of love we admire in relationships.
“Together, we planted a California lilac during our wedding ceremony. Afterwards, we transplanted the plant into our backyard. Everyday, we see a reminder of the our commitment to love and the continued growth of our relationship.” – K♡M
5. Choose Music That Resonates With Your Love Story
“Our first dance was to Yoke Lore’s acoustic version of Truly Madly Deeply. The rhythm and lyrics ‘I wanna stand with you on a mountain, I wanna bathe with you in the sea, I wanna lay like this forever’ reflected the the environment we chose to celebrate our love story and steady vibes of our relationship.” – K♡M
6. Reflect Adventures Through Decor
Elements like trip photos and outdoor gear can turned your love for the outdoors into something visual and shared.
“We had a custom cake topper of us with our backpacks!” – A♡N
“Trail maps from our recent hikes became part of the welcome display, setting the tone for a weekend rooted in nature.” – K♡M
7. Guide Guests with Playful Table Assignments
“Each guest was directed to their seat with the prompt ‘Take a Hike to Your Seat,’ paired with landscape photos from our hikes. Then each table displayed a unique snapshot of us on the trail, bringing stories into the room without needing to say a word.” – K♡M
8. Offer Gifts That Keep Growing
These small, symbolic gestures can be an optional way to thank your guests.
“We gave guests forget-me-not seed packets as parting gifts.” – K♡M
9. Take a Quiet Moment, Just the Two of You
After saying “I Do”, carve out time to step away together. Walk along the beach at sunset, sit beneath the trees, or gaze at the stars. Let this time be a moment to reflect on the lovely day.
“We said ‘I do’ among the redwoods, then drifted into married life with a sunset stroll on the beach.” – A♡N
10. Share Your Love Story
Bring people back into the experience, reminding the collective celebration.
“We hand wrote thank you notes to guests, sharing our favorite memory from the wedding weekend.” – K♡M
11. Keep the Traditions Alive Every Year
A nature-inspired celebration is less about the aesthetics and more about honoring connection, growth, and shared intention.
“Each anniversary, we return to the mountains or beach. Whether hiking a familiar trail or sleeping beneath the stars, like at an IIdyllwild campground, these moments bring us back to our love story.” – K♡M
Summary
We hope our love story and tips for a nature-themed wedding inspire yours. For adventurous couples, remember the setting and vibes matter. Choose a place that already holds meaning – whether framed by trees, waves, or wildflowers. During the celebration, stay present with your favorite people. Notice the breeze, the laughter, the faces of those who’ve been part of your love story. Connection always matters more than perfection. And after the wedding, keep returning to those landscapes that shaped your love. Let them remind you of how far you’ve come and inspire where you’re headed next.
What are your favorite ideas for nature-inspired weddings? If you’ve walked a similar path or are just starting to plan your own wedding, we’d love to hear your in the comments.
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