If you’re dreaming of a fairytale Northern California wedding nestled in the redwoods with a touch of whimsy and a whole lot of heart, this Nestldown wedding in Los Gatos was exactly that. It had everything from bubble exits, choreographed first dances, and a corgi carrying the rings. Yes, really.
Before all the wedding magic, Iris and Daniel’s story started in the most modern of ways: they met online. Their first date was at an arcade, where Daniel sealed the deal with his Dance Dance Revolution skills. It made perfect sense that when we did their engagement session later, we circled back to that same arcade.
Iris and Daniel are one of those couples who are quiet and low-key… until the music starts. Then, they’re all in with singing, dancing, laughing, and fully living their best lives. Their love is sweet, joyful, and refreshingly down to earth and their wedding day reflected that beautifully.
A Dreamy Garden Wedding in the Santa Cruz Mountains
Nestldown is one of those Northern California venues that feels like a secret garden tucked into the forest. Towering redwoods, winding paths, a fairytale-worthy staircase, it’s a total hidden gem. The vibe was very storybook princess meets romantic garden party, and Iris and Daniel leaned into it in the best way.
Instead of walking down a traditional aisle, Iris descended a long staircase surrounded by redwoods to the sound of a live string quartet playing the Final Fantasy theme song. Yes, you read that right! It was a moment.
And their corgi? Dressed for the occasion and absolutely crushing the role of ring bearer.
Between the bubble-filled ceremony exit and the custom boba tea bar at cocktail hour, the day was full of little personal touches that made the whole experience feel like them. And, for me, as a California wedding photographer, those are the best weddings and moments to capture.
Personal Details That Made This Wedding Unforgettable
- The Dress: Iris skipped the classic white gown and went with a floral-embroidered beauty that felt straight out of a fairytale.
- The First Dance: Fully choreographed and so much fun to photograph, especially with Nestldown’s stunning chandelier as the backdrop.
- The Menu: Daniel’s favorite meal is Thanksgiving dinner, so they served roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy. Total comfort food, and yes, it was delicious.
Why Staying Until the End of a Wedding Matters
People sometimes ask if I really need to stay until the end of the night. And honestly? This wedding was a perfect example of why the last song matters. At the end of the night, the couple was surrounded by guests, all arm-in-arm, singing Journey at the top of their lungs. It was pure magic. You can’t recreate that energy and you definitely don’t want to miss it!
Wedding Vendor Dream Team
- Venue: Nestldown
- Hair & Makeup: Sun Beauty Studio
- Catering: Poetry in Motion Catering
- Florals: Celestial Petals
- Boba Bar: Mr. Sun Tea
- Bar Service: Bacchaus
- DJ: Big Fun DJ
- Live Music: Musical Heart Strings
- Transportation: Corinthian Transportation
- Video: VR Squad
Planning a Wedding at Nestldown or in the Santa Cruz Mountains?
Whether you’re looking for a Los Gatos wedding photographer or planning a whimsical forest celebration in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this is one of those venues that just delivers. From the natural light to the built-in fairytale vibes, Nestldown is a dream to photograph.
If you’re planning a celebration filled with personality, romance, and the people (and pets!) who make your story special, I’d love to capture it. Learn more about my wedding photography services here!
