Sure, some of us dressed up or arranged stuffed animals, action figures and Barbie dolls for elaborate weddings as kids. Others among us never saw this day coming. But if you’re flipping or scrolling through these pages, you’ve got some ideas about what you want.
From vows to celebrations, you’ve got some mental images flashing, perhaps yet unarticulated or already delineated in spreadsheets and Pinterest boards. Stately and formal? Sun-dappled and relaxed? Private and minimalist? Barefoot and ocean-misted? A revel to rival Mardi Gras?
Lucky for those of us behind the Redwood Curtain, there’s no shortage of venues for your I-dos, on land or at sea. The Humboldt County Clerk Recorder’s Office — which honestly has a lovely little wedding spot of its own on the fifth floor of the courthouse — has recently started offering its services at a few sweet spots on holidays. This Valentine’s Day, couples made it official aboard the Madaket as it sailed Humboldt Bay and under the high windows and wooden arches of the Humboldt County Library’s Humboldt Room. Halloween nuptials were offered for love-bats at the Humboldt County Scaregrounds in Ferndale, as well. In this issue, we’ll give you a look at how it works and how surprisingly affordable and sustainable it is.
Now how do you get pictures of what you pictured? We caught up with Chantele Leatherwood of Moonstone Images to talk about how she captures the story and the emotion of the day. She’s also got some solid advice on choosing the right photographer for you, whether for your wedding or to immortalize your proposal. (Will she actually hide behind a rock to get the perfect shot? Yes. Yes, she will.)
Even if you’ve got the whole thing planned out already, there’s inspiration to be found in our local photography gallery, showing the work of some of our county’s best shooting in the most beautiful places on the North Coast. Flip to the list of local wedding professionals in the back and you’ll have a solid start on finding everything you need to make your vision a reality.
It’s going to be beautiful — we can see it now.
This article appears in 2026 Wedding Guide.
