A Mendocino Headlands Adventure Engagement Session
Some couples just know how to do it right—and Jane and Eric are one of those couples.
With their wedding day just a few weeks away in the Bay Area, they decided to carve out some time just for them—a romantic and adventurous pre-wedding weekend getaway to Mendocino. It wasn’t about timelines, to-do lists, or seating charts—it was about reconnecting, being present, and celebrating this beautiful in-between moment before becoming husband and wife.
And it made for the dreamiest (and one of the silliest) engagement session.
An Early Morning Start at the Mendocino Headlands
We met at the Mendocino Headlands just before sunrise. There’s something incredibly peaceful about being at the edge of the world while most of it is still asleep. The air was crisp, the cliffs quiet, and the first light of day started to spill across the sky with just the softest touch of fog—classic Mendocino magic.
Jane and Eric walked hand in hand along the rugged cliffs, taking in the views and letting the moment sink in. As the sun rose, they danced through fields of wildflowers, laughed until they couldn't breathe, and held each other with that just-before-the-wedding kind of glow.
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From Clifftops to Driftwood Beaches
After exploring the headlands, we made our way down to a hidden beach tucked away just below the cliffs. The shore was scattered with driftwood, giving everything an ethereal, almost otherworldly feel. The tide was low, and the couple wandered barefoot in the sand, pausing every now and then to just take it all in.
There were no rules. No stress. Just joy and connection.
Ending in a Calla Lily Field
Our final stop was a blooming calla lily field, tucked away and bursting with color. It felt like a fairytale ending to a morning full of magic. Jane and Eric danced, twirled, and soaked in those last few moments as the sun warmed the day.
The entire shoot was the perfect balance of silly and romantic—totally them.
Why You Don’t Have to Choose Between Adventure and Your Wedding Day
Jane and Eric’s Mendocino adventure is the perfect example of why you don’t have to choose between a traditional wedding day and an adventurous, meaningful experience. You can have both.
An adventure session like this gives you the space to slow down, be playful, and capture your love in a place that speaks to your soul—without the structure and time limits of your wedding timeline. Whether it’s a pre-wedding getaway, post-wedding honeymoon shoot, or a just-because session, these moments become part of your story forever.
Planning an Adventure Engagement or Elopement in Mendocino?
Whether you’re dreaming of cliffside vows, a cozy beach session, or a sunrise adventure like Jane and Eric, Mendocino offers endless possibilities for romantic and breathtaking photography. I’d love to help you plan your own unforgettable session along the Northern California coast.
