Santa Cruz Elopement Photography- Sherriee & Sammy!

Santa Cruz Elopement Photography

Ready for some romance? Nothing quite as romantic as a Santa Cruz elopement! 2 weeks ago Sherriee and Sammy were planning a getaway trip to Santa Cruz for his birthday when Sammy announced that for his birthday he also wanted to marry Sherriee! Now there was much more to plan for than just packing up some flip flops and sunscreen! They went into overdrive buying a ring, a dress, and sorting out logistical things such as someone to marry them and someone to photograph it!  And then to figure out where!

Santa Cruz Elopement PhotographySanta Cruz Elopement PhotographySherriee knew she wanted to get married near a lighthouse as lighthouses are something very dear to her heart as they remind her of her grandmother. They chose the Surf Museum Lighthouse at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz! Sherriee had told me over the phone that it would just be her and Sammy at the wedding. Sherriee has an 18 year old daughter but she was busy at school with finals. We had found our location for the ceremony on the beach when all of a sudden Sherriee said’ “Is that?!?!….OMG!!!!!”Santa Cruz Elopement PhotographySherriee’s daughter and her best friend were walking towards Sherriee on the beach! Sherriee’s best friend pulled her daughter out of school and they followed them to the location of the wedding! SURPRISE! And what a beautiful one it was too! The minutes that followed were a combination of hugs, laughter and tears! (the good kind)
Santa Cruz Elopement Photography- Susannah Gill_0130Santa Cruz Elopement Photography- Susannah Gill_0131Whew! NOW it was time to start the wedding!Santa Cruz Elopement Photography- Susannah Gill_0132The setting was just perfect, the air was warm, the breeze was gentle and these animal lovers didn’t mind at all the dogs running on the beach, the birds swooping through the air, the barking of the seals and later you will see, dolphins swimming by in the ocean! Santa Cruz Elopement PhotographySherriee looks over to her daughter with so much love in her heart!Santa Cruz Elopement PhotographySanta Cruz Elopement PhotographySanta Cruz Elopement Photography- Susannah Gill_0137Hands waiting for rings, so sweet!Santa Cruz Elopement Photography- Susannah Gill_0169So grateful that Greg joined me for this wedding, who else would have quickly climbed up the cliffs and photographed the ceremony from afar! Thank you Greg for capturing this unique angle of the wedding ceremony!Santa Cruz Elopement Photography- Susannah Gill_0140Sherriee and Sammy exchanged vows that they wrote themselves. They were tender, funny and extremly touching, a perfect touch to this intimate ceremony. Santa Cruz Elopement Photography- Susannah Gill_0170Santa Cruz Elopement Photography- Susannah Gill_0142Santa Cruz Elopement Photography- Susannah Gill_0143The rings were exchanged and then after the official announcement KISS THE BRIDE!!!Santa Cruz Elopement Photography- Susannah Gill_0144Santa Cruz Elopement PhotographyAnd then hug the bride!  These two are huggers- nothing better!!!Santa Cruz Elopement Photography- Susannah Gill_0171Santa Cruz Elopement PhotographySanta Cruz Elopement PhotographyWe took some time to take some family and some traditional bride and groom photographs! I think they are important for the family history books! I like a balance between old school and new school when it comes to wedding day portraits!Santa Cruz Elopement Photography- Susannah Gill_0150Santa Cruz Elopement Photography- Susannah Gill_0172The dolphins came to say congratulations!Santa Cruz Elopement Photography- Susannah Gill_0152Sherriee made her beautiful bouquet!Santa Cruz Elopement PhotographyIt was now time to take the newlyweds away for a little bit to photograph their love and laughter, always such a fun part of a getting married!  They were troopers about the water, California waters are not exactly warm but the temps were in the 90s that day and after the initial shock of the water it was actually quite refreshing! Ha, says the one who was not standing in it!Santa Cruz Elopement PhotographySanta Cruz Elopement Photography- Susannah Gill_0155Santa Cruz Elopement Photography- Susannah Gill_0156Between rounds of hysterical laughter there were these beautiful quite moments of connection.Santa Cruz Elopement PhotographySanta Cruz Elopement PhotographySanta Cruz Elopement Photography- Susannah Gill_0160Neil Diamond’s “Love on the Rocks” was playing throughout my head and I even had a few out loud moments where I serenaded the newlyweds.  I’m sure that was a highlight of their day 😉Santa Cruz Elopement Photography- Susannah Gill_0161Santa Cruz Elopement Photography- Susannah Gill_0162So cute!Santa Cruz Elopement PhotographySanta Cruz Elopement Photography- Susannah Gill_0158Santa Cruz Elopement Photography- Susannah Gill_0165Santa Cruz Elopement PhotographyCompliments of Sherriee’s daughter and a few doggy foot prints! Congratulations Sherriee and Sammy!  Keep laughing, loving and hugging- you two are awesome at it!Santa Cruz Elopement PhotographyOff in the distanced there was the Santa Cruz boardwalk- where these two were headed next- remember it was Sammy’s birthday too- it was time for a double celebration! Happy Birthday Sammy!

 

I would also like to mention Rev. Janet King who did such a wonderful job with the cermony!

 

 

 

Susannah Gill is located in El Dorado Hills CA. She photographs weddings, families & babies in Tahoe, San Francisco, the Bay area and is always looking to travel! Phone:1-916-936-7363 Email: susannah@susannahgill.com