Jess & Ted’s Wedding

Waterfall Lodge, Santa Cruz Redwoods, California

If love makes the world go ‘round, people who love well are doing much of the life-giving spinning.

Meeting Jess and Ted is meeting instant love and light. We’re never surprised, and always delighted, when two hearts like theirs find home in the other. Because when that happens, everyone in their path gets more of their glow, and an invitation to help the world spin for the better.

Their wedding was so full of light, so full of love, and so Jess and Ted. My mind jokingly kept the phrase “Jess and Ted’s Excellent Adventure”, but their life together can’t be anything less than that. Their thoughtful spirits, their kindness, their fun energy, their joy - gifts to all worth celebrating, excellently!

Surrounded by majestic redwoods with light bursting through the branches, they prepared for their day with those they hold dear. Jess and Ted make you feel seen, because they really see you, and you can see in their eyes they genuinely care. The people in their lives are similar souls, exuding goodness like the couple they came to celebrate. Waterfall Lodge & Retreat, their gem venue in Santa Cruz, California, was electric with joy.

A tear-filled first look took place beneath the tiny cabins in the woods. She didn’t care about the stain on her dress, and she absolutely wowed him. They embraced, maybe knowing this moment would be revisited for years to come in their life more vibrant than the flowers in her hands. (Don’t miss that bouquet, by the way. Give me a life with all those colors.)

Their ceremony had more tears, this time shared by loved ones. Iron and Wine echoed through the forest as Jess walked down the aisle, wowing Ted again. A relative officiated, and hearing how their paths crossed and enriched the other’s from the altar ignited tears and joy all the more. The result of sharing is always that - more. Jess and Ted will never go without, because they have so much to give.

A lively reception had guests donning colorful, festive paper crowns. Cheers and clapping welcomed the bride and groom, who joined their company with a first dance for the ages. Phenomenal food, heart-felt speeches, a roaring bonfire, and a dance floor always hosting dancing shoes or bare feet - all makings of a night everyone present won’t forget.

Ted and Jess, your wedding for us felt less like work and more like a gift. Thank you for letting us share in your glow. We hope your love and your joy grows taller and stronger than all the redwoods in the world. And like us, we hope you look back on your day and say it truly was, “Excellent!”