Issuu

Wedding Guide

Publisher Melissa Sanderson melissa@northcoastjournal.com

Editor Jennifer Fumiko Cahill jennifer@northcoastjournal.com

Contributing Writers

Tamar Burris, Olivia Gambino

Photography

Carrie Mayﬁeld Photography, Darci Dalton Photography, Moonstone Images, Parky's Pics, Sam Starns, Zulie Blair Photography

Production Manager Holly Harvey

Graphic Design/Production

Heidi Bazán Beltrán, Dave Brown, Rory Hubbard

Account Executives

Asia Benoit asia@myhumboldtlife.com

Bryan Walker bryan@myhumboldtlife.com

Classiﬁed Advertising Mark Boyd

Bookkeeper / O ce Manager Michelle Dickinson billing@northcoastjournal.com

Distribution Katrina Miranda distribution@northcoastjournal.com

2025 • VOLUME XVIII ON THE COVER

Taresah and Tyler of Eureka take a stroll after their marriage at the Humboldt County Courthouse. PHOTO BY ZULIE BLAIR PHOTOGRAPHY

310 F St., Eureka, CA 95501 (707) 442-1400 | fax (707) 442-1401 | www.northcoastjournal.com

Wedding Guide 2025 is a publication of North Coast Journal Inc. It is distributed free throughout Humboldt County and the surrounding regions.

Perfectly Paired

PERFECT PAIRINGS aren’t always obvious to us all. It takes a perceptive set of senses and a li le imagination, sometimes, to see how things might work in harmony. This issue of The Wedding Guide exercises those senses with unexpected combinations and perfectly imperfect ﬁts.

If the thought of bridesmaids and groomsmen bookended on either side of the happy couple in monochromatic, descending height order feels a bit staid, you’re not alone. We’ll show you how to loosen up the dress code to allow members of a wedding party more individuality, not to mention the couple ge ing married. A broader palette, a variety of cuts and fabrics? How about a theme open for interpretation?

Those having their big event recorded on video will want to make sure they match with whoever is behind the camera, personally and aesthetically. A er all, they’ll be with you through the whole thing and there are plenty of ways to preserve the memories. We talked to a local ﬁlmmaker with an intriguing point of view that goes

beyond the angle on the cake cu ing and ﬁrst dance.

And let’s talk cheese. Even a “simple spread” can be overwhelming without some guidance. Luckily, we’ve got our sources, including an experienced cheesemonger who can help you sort out the flavors and combinations that speak to your unique tastes. (It’s also a great excuse to sample a good deal of cheese.)

As always, we’ve got an array of gorgeous photos from Humboldt’s talented cadre of photographers who’ve shared their work with us and now with you. In these, you’ll ﬁ nd plenty of inspiration as you scan the breathtaking locations, beautiful ensembles, bountiful tables and joyous celebrations they’ve captured. And, of course, our list of featured advertisers and vendors at the back of the issue will get you started on making your vision happen.

We can’t wait to see your photos in next year’s issue and how it all came together.

— Jennifer Fumiko Cahill

C ontents

22 31

Perfectly Paired

Welcome to the Wedding Guide

To Tell a Story

Justin Grimaldo’s wedding videography

Unmatched

Joyfully abandoning wedding party rules

Say Cheese

Setting out a spectacular spread

Photographer Showcase

Gallery from local photographers

Featured Listings

Local vendors

Justin Grimaldo’s wedding videography

By Tamar Burris

To Tell a Story

SUBMITTED

BEING A WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHER was never a life goal for Justin Grimaldo. Yet, in the last several years, wedding videos have become the bread-and-butter for his Sightseer Productions. And he couldn’t be happier about it.

Before entering the wedding world, Grimaldo worked on music videos and other productions, eventually landing a job with a church where he dealt with all facets of video production — including music videos, livestreaming events and more. His filmmaking trajectory changed, however, when a close friend asked him to film his wedding some seven years ago. At first, Grimaldo refused the gig. A er all, he knew absolutely

nothing about wedding videography. But his friend persisted and eventually he relented.

To his chagrin and the temporary detriment of that friendship, Grimaldo sucked at wedding videography.

“To be fair,” chuckled Grimaldo, “It wasn’t that bad. I missed the audio of the vows because I didn’t know how to capture it at the time. Even though I had tons of ﬁlming experience, I had no idea how to cra a wedding video.”

Despite striking out, there was something about ﬁlming a wedding that hooked Grimaldo. As a person who loves a good challenge and takes pride in be ering himself, he took

Justin Grimaldo with clients on their big day.

it as an opportunity to learn more about this genre of ﬁlmmaking. He turned to others with more experience in the wedding videography world for guidance and kept at it, becoming more obsessed with honing his skills at every turn.

(707) 498-6019

sightseerproductions.com

Initially, Grimaldo approached wedding ﬁlms like music videos, something he says he sees a lot in the wedding world. The videos are full of slow-motion shots, short snippets and close-ups of dresses and cakes and whatnot, all accompanied by cinematic music. About two years ago, though, something snapped in him. He was bored with the format and felt it was not capturing the essence he truly wanted on ﬁlm.

“I realized that there is nothing in these videos to pass down to future generations. There is nothing about legacy or real memories of the day,” said Grimaldo. “I’m huge on legacy. My parents never passed anything down from their wedding or their story … there are no family photos or videos or anything about how my parents met and fell in love. I think that

inspired this idea of really ge ing to the story for people.”

Pondering how to create more of a family legacy, Grimaldo thought about his other cinematic work. Much of it was with narrative, story-driven documentaries. He thought to himself, why am I not doing this in wedding ﬁlms? Why am I not capturing the actual story? And that was when everything changed. From there, Grimaldo and his Sightseer Productions started playing with more documentary-style ﬁlming, growing ever more interested in creating story-driven wedding videos.

Prior to the big event, Grimaldo likes to deep dive into the story of a marrying couple. He peppers them with questions, not just about how they met or what their wedding vision is, but also about which family members and friends will be at the wedding, who means a lot to them and why, or what love stories in their families have inﬂuenced them the most and whether these inﬂuencers will be at the wedding.

“If I get short answers from a client, I’m like ‘No. I really need to know how you met. I real-

Above and opposite: Grimaldo’s Sightseer Productions takes a behind-the-scenes approach to the wedding. SUBMITTED

ly need to know your vision and how I can serve it,’” says Grimaldo. “Most people don’t need quick cuts of cake or dresses. They want to remember. When you watch your wedding video ﬁve, 10 years from now, you want to relive the day. That’s what I want to give my clients.”

During any given wedding, Grimaldo will microphone about 15-20 guests to get as many contributions to the wedding ﬁlm as possible. He isn’t looking to create a perfect looking film with touching background music; in fact, he says some of his shots are decidedly imperfect. But that doesn’t bother him. Grimaldo’s goal is a well-cra ed, authentic story that stands the test of time.

“I’m huge on the story end of things and trying to push this evolution of wedding filmmaking with more of a story,” says Grimaldo. “I’ve go en things from interviewing grandparents and couples and friends, things I take into my own relationship, and I feel like that’s more meaningful than just having a highlight video of three-and-a-half minutes of beautiful slow-motion shots.”

The main thing Grimaldo prioritizes with potential clients before they work together is to make sure their vibe feels right. The wedding day is most likely going to be chaotic, and couples need someone who makes them feel

comfortable on that day. “It’s not normal for people to feel comfortable with a big camera in their face. But that’s what needs to happen. So, make sure you are comfortable with your videographer,” he says. “If I am with you for this lengthy amount of time, and if I am going to be able to drag a story out of you and your entire family and friends, I’ve got to be likable to you.”

At the end of the day, Grimaldo sees

wedding videos as catering to the future versions of the bride and groom rather than their present selves. When they sit down to relive their special memories, what will they want to watch? Will they want to see the cake? Or hear from their grandmother who maybe has since passed away? To Grimaldo, it is surely the la er. “That’s what I am all about,” he said. “Capturing the day, the moment and mostly the people.” ÷

Unmatched

Joyfully abandoning wedding party rules

By Olivia Gambino

THE DREADED BRIDESMAID DRESS. An unholy artifact of the thrift store. Congratulations, you spent $200 on a grotesque amalgamation of taffeta and chiffon that at least six other women in your town own. So unless you were trying to start a fancy gang, you were out of luck re-wearing it. You said you would modify it but you never did. The best future those dresses could see was being found by a local repertory theater costume designer or a creative high school student looking for a prom dress. Fortunately, these days are behind us. The time of the considerate, budget-conscious bride is upon us. No longer are

Bride Olivia Gambino’s eclectically styled wedding party.

Photo by briar Fontaine

bridesmaids subjected to looking like they are in the wedding party of Shelby Eatenton from Steel Magnolias. We are now seeing the rise of color palettes, and dresses now come in different cuts, styles and shades that complement each of the bridesmaids. This approach gives bridesmaids resource flexibility.

I remember in the ’90s when every bridesmaid had to go to the same David’s Bridal or similar shop and get fitted for the exact same dress at the same price point. Now, with simple color palette guidance, bridesmaids can find dresses they love that also fit their budgets. Gone are the days of going into debt for a dress you will only wear once.

Not only are non-traditional bridesmaid dresses on the rise, but so are non-traditional wedding priorities in general. I married in September of 2023, and my wedding party was free to wear what they felt best in. We also defied social norms by including men and women — I know, jaws on the floor, y’all! — with both a Maid of Honor and a Butler of Honor. (Shout out to those two for planning my bachelorette party, which was indeed epic.) My husband’s side had a similar setup. His party was based on who he was closest to and celebrated how they chose to present themselves. We were blessed with the most fantastic people in our parties and, more importantly, we avoided putting the people supporting us into uncomfortable situations or, even worse, debt.

In the last two years, I’ve seen friends embrace this same ethos with much success. Caroline Needham had a lovely bridal party that utilized pastel colors in tones of pinks, peaches and blues. Another friend Nichelle McCovey had her bridal party dressed in scarlet red, with each dress chosen to flatter the shape of the woman wearing it. Speaking of non-traditional, Nichelle absolutely floored us all by reserving black for the bride — a bold choice with even bolder rewards. Her wedding was one of the most pleasurable events I’ve attended, complete with tacos →

FROM THE NEWEST STYLES AND DESIGNS TO DESIGNING YOUR VERY OWN ONE OF A KIND PIECE ... ABRAXAS IS HERE FOR ALL YOUR BRIDAL NEEDS

OPEN TUESDAY-SATURDAY 10:30AM-5:30PM 425 3RD STREET,EUREKA,CA 95501 (707)443-4638 abraxasjewelers.com

by Los Giles Taqueria and a selfserve Margarita bar.

It seems that what used to be the dreaded bridezilla is giving way to a more understanding, budget-conscious bride who wants to see her friends, family and loved ones have a good time without breaking the bank. Furthermore, strict rules for attendee dress codes have been thrown out the window. More and more, engaged couples are encouraging their guests to be creative.

In the case of my wedding, the dress code was “Feel Your Fantasy.” It was my hope that people would come to our party and let their light shine. Luckily for me, I had the requirement that you bring your children. So we had a few princesses and even a Bowser. Some guests dressed in high glamour, some came looking like elves and others wore what made them comfortable.

ridezilla is giving way to a more understanding, budget-conscious bride ….

On the horizon, another girlfriend of mine is having her wedding as a Summer Solstice camp-out at Pamplin Grove. Honestly, what could be more Humboldt than that? Swimming, barbecuing and listening to jams in the redwoods, from sunup to sundown. I tell you, folks, we have the life here.

More and more, I am seeing Humboldt couples take the next step in their relationships

Nichelle McCovey in dramatic black with her bridal party's varying crimson dresses.

Photo by Kathryn Mitchell

by supporting their friends, family, local businesses and the community overall. The brides I’ve spoken to have a deep dedication to creating events centered around joy and the abundance that exists right here in our county. Weddings here have a much more egalitarian, budget-friendly sensibility. A wedding is so much more than a dress. It is a celebration of families joining and a community coming together to support the union with joyful abandon. ÷

Photo by Eyelight Photography

Caroline Needham with her bridal party in soft sunset colors.

Photo by e van Wishero PP

Say Cheese

AT THE RECEPTION

Story and photos by Jennifer Fumiko Cahill

EYES HIDDEN BY THE TILT OF HER CAP, Veronica Rudolph pulls a cheese wire steadily through a piece of cheddar the size of a cinder block. As head of the Arcata North Coast Co-op’s cheese department, she’ll likely slice, chunk and otherwise divvy up a couple hundred pounds of cheese, from soft logs of chèvre to hefty wheels of aged Gouda.

And after two decades in the cheese business, including a stint on the co-op’s cheese-centric

podcast, Rudolph knows her stu . “It’s been mostly me looking things up and seeking opportunities for learning when I can and going to cheese shows.” Recently that included an invitation from the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin to see where the magic is made. She also tastes a lot of cheese, though she says it’s less than people might imagine and mostly so she can ensure customers get something they enjoy. “I am constantly trying to inform and train sta so they know what things are like,” she says.

Cheese, whether arranged on a charcuterie board or stacked like a tiered wedding cake, makes for a delightfully social grazing opportunity among your guests. But approaching the bevy of bries and burratas to make your selections can be dizzying. Luckily, Rudolph has some time-worn tips for pu ing together a swoon-worthy spread.

“You probably wanna stick to just four or five di erent cheeses,” says Rudolph. Too much variety “can be overwhelming.” Label each cheese so guests can see what they’re trying and find favorites in the shop on their own later. “People will appreciate that.” Serious aficionados might want to add a couple more, but consider what else is on the table, like bread, fruit and the meal to follow. As for how much to order, 3 ½ ounces per person is a good guideline.

Among that variety of cheeses, consider featuring contrasting density, texture and flavor. Something ﬁrm and aged to counter something so , rich and spreadable. “You can make things more visually interesting, too,” says Rudolph, a hunk of Maytag bleu on her le and a round of honey-dosed Gouda on her right. →

Wedding Cakes

A mix of ﬂavors, textures and colors at the Arcata North Coast Co-op.

YPairing your cheese selection with wine doesn’t have to be a trial. “That’s where tasting ahead of time comes in,” says Rudolph, who believes in trusting your own palate. Ideally, “the best parts of the wine are highlighted by the cheese and the best parts of the cheese are highlighted by the wine.” She notes there are plenty of recommendations online and likely from your favorite cheese counter, but it’s really up to you. Yeah, keep tasting.

In fact, taste early and o en. You’ll want to give your cheesemonger at least a month of lead time to maximize your chances of ge ing exactly what you want. They’ll know how long it will take to arrive from a supplier and how long it can be stored, as well as which varieties are tricky to get ahold of. Last-minute cheese orders narrow your options.

“Vegan cheese deﬁnitely has its place,” says Rudolph. “There are a lot of pre y good options for vegan cheese now. They’re a li le pricey but we have a whole section [at the North Coast Co-op], and I try to stay up on options.” When laying out the spread, make sure the non-dairy options are well separated so they and their accompanying serving cutlery don’t get mixed up with the dairy and meat utensils, which tend to dri as the party continues.

A kid-friendly cheese wouldn’t be a bad idea, either. “Though some Humboldt County kids have some fancy taste,” Rudolph says with a chuckle. They might end up reaching past the Monterey jack for the Humboldt Fog. Still, she says, “Port Salut is a really mild and creamy cheese that adults and kids alike appreciate.”

Aim for quality with condiments and sides, too. “Have a nice mustard, maybe some di erent nuts, some chutneys, maybe some cured meats,” advises Rudolph. Adding things like dried fruit is less about hard and fast rules, and more about exploring what you like alone and in

Imported French brie hearts and local Cypress Grove goat cheeses.

Veronica Rudolph in her element at the cheese counter.

combination with the cheese. And pro tip: “You can never have enough crackers and bread.”

As for ease of serving, “If you’re pu ing out hard aged cheeses, like Parmesan or a pecorino with peppercorns in it, chunking those up ahead of time is a good idea,” says Rudolph. You don’t want anyone slipping with a sharp knife or accidentally hacking o way more than they can chew. Even a ﬁrmer brie can be a ractively scored or cut to suggest portions for guests to scoop, perhaps with li le spreaders.

Having tools out is good, Rudolph says, but “think of the ease of people serving themselves with one hand as they hold a drink or a plate.” Likewise, consider the throng heading for the bu et all at once. It will be far less congested and more enticing to spread the cheeses and accompaniments out — perhaps separated by ﬂowers — so people aren’t on top of each other, vying for a piece of Manchego.

And most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy the fruits and cheeses of your labor. “You spent all this time making sure it’s just right,” says Rudolph, “set some aside for yourself for later.” Or have a friend ﬁx you a plate to relax and enjoy once the frenzy of activity has se led. You don’t want to miss the cheese. ÷

Photographer Showcase

CARRIE MAYFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

SAM STARNS

PARKY'S PICS

CARRIE MAYFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

PARKY'S PICS

MOONSTONE IMAGES

SAM STARNS

ZULIE BLAIR PHOTOGRAPHY

DARCI DALTON PHOTOGRAPHY

MOONSTONE IMAGES

ZULIE BLAIR PHOTOGRAPHY

Humboldt County Wedding Professionals

BakerieS

Cherry Bloss�

Pastry Shop

Eureka, (707) 443-0576 cherryblossombakery.weebly.com

Find us on Facebook

Ram�e's Bakery

Arcata, McKinleyville, Eureka, (707) 442-6082 ramonesbakery.com

Sugar Bear Baking Company

SugarBearBakingCompany@gmail.com sugarbearbakingco.com

Find us on Facebook and Instagram

catering

Bre� Shuler

Fine Cate� ng

Arcata, (707) 822-4221

brett @brett shulerﬁ necatering.com

Find us on Facebook!

Celebrati� Blvd.

Eureka, (707) 845-7243 carolecrossleygift s@gmail.com celebration-blvd.com

Pizza Gago Mobile Wild Fire Oven

McKinleyville, (707) 273-8687 pizzagago@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook

Magic Touch Aesthetics

Eureka , (707) 497-9909 magictouchaesthetics@gmail.com magictouchaesthetics.com Instagram fLoriStS

Eureka Flo�st & Fine Gifts

Eureka, (707) 443-4811

eurekafl oristanddesign @gmail.com eurekafl orist.net

cherryblossombakery.weebly.com

JAMESON CREEK RANCH, LLC

Locally Grown

Specialty Cut Flowers & Greens

Wholesale To The Floral Trade

Retail Florist - Floral Design

Text or call: (707) 502-6242

leslie@jamesoncreekranch.com

@jamesoncreekranch

Jameson Creek Ranch

www.jamesoncreekranch.com

Azalea Hall

in Pierson Park

* Facilities for 200

* Commercial Kitchen

* Lighted Stage

* Sound System

* Reasonable Rates 1620 Pickett Road McKinleyville, CA 707-839-9003 mckinleyvillecsd.ca.gov

fL or i St S , cont.

Jameson Creek Ranch

(707) 502-6242

leslie@jamesoncreekranch.com

jamesoncreekranch.com

Find us on Facebook and Instagram

Mary Hanas Flowers

(707) 296-0522

maryhanasflowers@gmail.com

i n Su rance

Traci

Day State Farm

Arcata, (707) 822-7077

traci@calltracitoday.com calltracitoday.com

i n vitation S

Scrapper's Edge

Eureka, (707) 445-9686

copy.stop@yahoo.com scrappersedge.net

JeweL ry & gi ft S

Abraxas Jewelers

Eureka, (707) 443-4638 abraxasjewelers.com

Holly Yashi

Arcata, (707) 822-5132 hollyyashi.com

North

Coast Jewelers

Eureka, (707) 599-2941

contact@northcoastjewelers.com northcoastjewelers.com

Lodging & B&BS

Best Western Country Inn

Fortuna, (707)-725-6822

mgt.apexgroup@gail.com tinyurl.com/bw-fortuna

Lost Whale Bed & Breakfast Inn

Trinidad, (707) 677-3425

info@lostwhaleinn.com lostwhaleinn.com

Makeup & Hair

Cydney Nicole Makeup Artistry

McKinleyville, (760) 803-9603

cydneynicolemua.com

Pure Makeup Boutique

Eureka (707) 442-9200

puremakeup@me.com

puremakeupstore.com

Find us on Facebook

Zen Lash

Eureka, (707) 499-2183

stephanie_arrington@aol.com zen-lash.com

MuSic & entertainMent

Ferndale Music Company

Ferndale, (707) 786-7030 ferndalemusic@yahoo.com ferndalemusiccompany.com

The Flying OmsSt� ng Duo Plus!

(707)845-1788 Rob Diggins (707) 834-2479 Joli Einem @fl ying_oms the.fl ying.oms@gmail.com jeinem@sonic.net

Henry Schuyler

Guitarist Classical, Jazz, Contemporary Eureka, (707) 498-6136 HenrySchuyler.com

officiantS

Aleg�a Sita (707) 502-2105 galaeventsandweddings.com

Paul

Marsh

Redwood Coast, Humboldt and Del Norte counties, (307) 690-6333

WildernessWed@Gmail.com

WeddingsInTheWild.com

pHotograpHy

Amy Lundstr�

Photography

Shelter Cove, (805) 637-1933 Amylundstromphotography.com

Car�e Mayﬁeld

Photography

Willow Creek carriemayﬁ eld.com

Darci Dalt�

Photography

McKinleyville darcidaltonphotography@yahoo.com darcidaltonphotography.com

Moonstone Images

Trinidad, (707) 834-1835

info@moonstoneimages.com moonstoneimages.com

The Barn by Fernbridge

Welcome to our farm ~ the perfect venue for your wedding day! Visit our Instagram & Facebook pages to see gorgeous weddings at our beautifully restored dairy barn!

26 Goble Lane, Ferndale

707-599-5111 thebarnbyfernbridge com

rentaLS

Queen of Thrones

Humboldt, (707) 499-9871 queen95503@gmail.com queenofthrones.net

traveL agencieS

Dalianes Travel

Eureka, (707) 445-3245 debbie@dalianes.com dalianes.com

venueS

Azalea Hall

McKinleyville, (707) 839-3251 mcsd@mckinleyvillecsd.com mckinleyvillecsd.com/azalea-hall

The

Barn by Fernbridge

Ferndale, (707) 599-5111 leacahill@msn.com

Find us on Facebook and Instagram thebarnbyfernbridge.com →

NEUROMODULATORS • DERMAL FILLERS MICRONEEDLING • SCULPTRA IV VITAMIN THERAPY • BODY SCULPTING (707) 497-9909 magictouchaesthetics.com

Sandi Peterson Photography

DARCI DALTON PHOTOGRAPHY

venueS, cont.

Blue Lake Casino

Blue Lake, (707) 688-9770 ext. 3234 smatzen@bluelakecasino.com bluelakecasino.com

Farmland Events

Ferndale, (707) 499-1241 www.atthebluﬀ.com Instagram

Fern Co�age Museum

Ferndale, (786) 4835 ferncott agefoundation@gmail.com ferncott age.org

Fort una River Lodge C�ference Center and Gift Shop

Fortuna, (707) 725-7572

riverlodgepc@ci.fortuna.ca.us friendlyfortuna.com

Humboldt Cider Company

Eureka events@humboldtciderco.com humboldtciderco.com

Ma�ole Camp & Retreat Center

Petrolia, (707) 629-3308 info@mattolecamp.com MattoleCamp.org

Moonstone Beach T� nidad

Trinidad, (707) 616-7102

stacie@moonstone-beach.com moonstone-beach.com

Singing Tree Gardens

Photography venue McKinleyville, (707) 839-8777 singtree.com Find us on Facebook

T� nity River Farm

Willow Creek (530) 629-3200 (days) (530) 629-3327 (evenings) trinityriverfarm.com

wedding pLanning

Farmland Events

Ferndale, (707) 499-1241 www.farmlandevents.com Instagram

Gala Events & Weddings

(707) 502-2105

galaeventsandweddings@gmail.com galaeventsandweddings.com

MOONSTONE IMAGES

CARRIE MAYFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY