A Roaring Camp Wedding in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Tucked into the Santa Cruz Mountains, Roaring Camp Railroads offers something that very few wedding venues can. For Dylan and Aevery, their Roaring Camp wedding wasn’t just about having their ceremony among the redwoods — it was about bringing their people along for the ride, literally.

With historic steam engine trains, towering redwood groves, and access to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Roaring Camp offers a sense of wonder that naturally allows guests to feel fully immersed in their experience. Dylan and Aevery leaned into the magic of this, planning a wedding weekend that felt immersive, playful, and deeply connected.

Getting Ready & a First Look Among the Redwoods

On their wedding day, Dylan and Aevery chose to get ready separately before meeting for a first look underneath the redwood trees on the Roaring Camp property. The quiet stillness of the redwood forest offers a unique opportunity to pause and become grounded in preparation for the day ahead. It was a beautiful, quiet moment just for them. They were in awe of seeing one another and the trees towering overhead.

After their first look, they returned to their families for portraits around the venue before boarding the historic steam train that would take everyone up into Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park for their ceremony. Guests climbed aboard the train buzzing with excitement — exactly the type of energy Dylan and Aevery were hoping to achieve with this entire wedding experience. The journey to the ceremony location is a fully immersive trip, with open-air train cars inviting in fresh mountain air and the scent of the surrounding redwood forest.

A Redwood Cathedral Ceremony at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

The ceremony site is nestled deep within the state park, and feels like a natural cathedral, also known as a “fairy ring”. With the massive redwoods rising overhead, and soft forest light filtering through the canopy, this space is the kind of quiet that invites presence. Roaring Camp’s designated ceremony area within Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is truly one of a kind!

Dylan and Aevery’s ceremony was heartfelt and intentional, and the setting allowed their guests to fully take in the towering tree canopy. After exchanging vows, they shared a toast with everyone, followed by a large group photo — a moment that perfectly captured the spirit of the day.

It was time to return to Roaring Camp. Everyone boarded the train for the ride back down through the forest, continuing to marvel at their surroundings.

An Energetic Reception Back at Roaring Camp

Back at the reception, you could tell this group was on another level of connection. It was high energy, the kind of celebration that happens when people come together to celebrate love. Lots of conversations and dancing carried late into the night.

It was the kind of reception that didn’t have, or need, much structure — people were simply happy to be there, enjoying one another’s company.

Ending the Weekend at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk

Dylan and Aevery are big kids at heart. Their energy is addicting, spending the day with them is like remembering all of the things you loved to do as a child. Nostalgia and pure joy. The next day, they invited friends and family to join them at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for rides, games, and one final shared adventure.

This additional day felt like the perfect extension of their wedding, and is a strong reminder that weddings don’t have limits. Bringing your favorite people together and sharing experiences with them will create truly lasting memories.

Why Roaring Camp Is Ideal for Experience-First Weddings

Dylan and Aevery’s Roaring Camp wedding is a reminder that the most memorable weddings often consider the guest’s experience just as much as the couple’s! When a venue offers something interactive, like a historic steam engine train ride through the redwoods, it naturally creates presence and moments of connection.

Instead of asking their guests to simply attend a wedding, Dylan & Aevery asked them to come be a part of this one-of-a-kind experience to celebrate their wedding!

Planning a Roaring Camp Wedding in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Are you in search of an experience-first venue with guests in mind? Then Roaring Camp is a strong contender for anyone looking to get married in California. Here are some of the highlights of this venue, and why we love it for weddings!

Experience-First: The steam train ride is a core part of the experience and adds time, flow, and excitement to the day. This trip to the ceremony location is a unique experience that is not only fun, but celebrates the history of this technology, all while leaving a lasting impression on guests as you ride through the redwood forest.

Redwood Forest Setting: Roaring Camp has access to a dedicated ceremony location within Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, specifically a cathedral of Redwoods! This is a perfect place to gather people and experience an outdoor, nature-forward ceremony space.

Multi-Day Celebrations Work Well: Welcome parties and next-day activities (like the Santa Cruz Boardwalk) pair beautifully with a Roaring Camp wedding weekend, with proximity to the ocean and Santa Cruz proper allowing guests to enjoy all kinds of experiences within a weekend.