Wedding Guide
C ontents
6 9
Less is More
Welcome to the Wedding Guide
The Wedding Painter
Sasha Lyth captures the moment
Committing to your Partner …
And the planet — creating an eco-friendly event
Small, Sweet Pocket of Posies
A tiny florist shop with big style
A Little Bit Country
Gallery from local photographers
James Zeller‘s Horns and Harmony
Sweet wedding music
Photographer Showcase
Gallery from local photographers
Featured Listings
Local vendors
Ever After
Art by Sasha Lyth
Less is More
DIZZY YET? Planning a big event, even without the immense significance of a wedding, can be overwhelming. When you feel that spinning sensation, it’s time for some deep breaths and a little refocusing. Instead of getting caught up in trends and traditions, take a moment to think about which ones really fit you both. What are your values? What really makes you happy?
In this edition of the Wedding Guide , we’re sharing ideas for how to make lasting memories without making lasting garbage. As fun as all the glitz and gli er can be, it can also leave a lot of unneeded waste that ends up in the ocean and as landfill — microplastics aren’t romantic, trust us. But that doesn’t mean your wedding has to be Spartan. In fact, taking the planet into consideration can lead you to some sweet alternatives that make the day even more beautiful.
Speaking of beauty, we’ve got a line on a local artist who not only paints portraits of the happy couple (as well as any kids and/ or pets) but does so at the wedding. Friends and family can watch as Sasha Lyth works at her easel to capture the scene and all the joy in a work of art.
Another place for personal touches is
the flowers. Big things come from the small flower shop Pocket of Posies, a petal-packed li le powerhouse. (Another good opportunity to breathe deep — it smells great in there.) Maybe you have something very specific in mind, but the sta there can work with your chosen flowers, a color or texture theme, or even just a vibe for bouquets and arrangements that you’ll love.
Just as personalized is the sweet, vintage sound of James Zeller, whether he’s playing solo, as half of a duo, with his trio or adding a drummer to get the dancing going. We’ll introduce you to this wedding pro with jazz roots, a roster of talented fellow musicians, a setlist of romantic tunes from the 1920s to 1950s, and a knack for finding harmony with the guests of honor.
There’s plenty of inspiration in our local photographers’ gallery, where you can peruse the colors, se ings and style captured by some of our county’s best. And, of course, our directory of wedding professionals in the back of the issue is an easy place to find everything you need from cakes and catering to jewelers and planners. It’s everything you want for your wedding, without all the stu you don’t.
— Jennifer Fumiko CahillHumboldt's Hidden Gem
Famed architect Julia Morgan’s “Redwood Grove” is a stunning example of combined Craftsman & Tudor styles which embrace her trademark references to nature throughout the home. The privately owned 3-acre estate boasts an indoor chapel/great-room and garden perfectly sculpted to host a wedding or other celebration. Intimate lodging available for honeymoons, anniversary celebrations, vacations, and short-term stays.
Famed architect Julia Morgan’s “Redwood Grove” is a stunning example of combined Craftsman & Tudor styles which embrace her trademark references to nature throughout the home. The privately owned 3-acre estate boasts an indoor chapel/great-room and garden perfectly sculpted to host a wedding or other celebration. Intimate lodging available for honeymoons, anniversary celebrations, vacations, and short-term stays.
255
707.272.8668
@juliamorganredwoodgrove
@juliamorganredwoodgrove
Scenic Venue Do What Moves You
Wedding Guide
Publisher Melissa Sanderson melissa@northcoastjournal.com
Editor Jennifer Fumiko Cahill jennifer@northcoastjournal.com
Contributing Writers
Doranna Benker-Gilkey, Jennifer Savage, Collin Yeo
Photography
Annika Botha Photography, CKC Image, Aoife Malloney, Sarah Something Photography, Dave Woody
Production Manager Holly Harvey
Graphic Design/Production
Heidi Bazán Beltrán, Dave Brown, Rory Hubbard
Account Executives
Linus Lorenzen linus@northcoastjournal.com
Heather Luther heather@northcoastjournal.com
Bryan Walker bryan@northcoastjournal.com
Classified Advertising Mark Boyd
Bookkeeper Deborah Henry billing@northcoastjournal.com
O ce Manager Michelle Dickinson michelle@northcoastjournal.com
The
Wedding Painter
By Doranna Benker GilkeyTHERE ARE MANY WAYS TO CAPTURE SPECIAL MOMENTS at your wedding for posterity. A professional photographer will take care of posed and candid moments of your big day, sending the best ones to you to languish in boxes or digital storage until you have time to put together that scrapbook. (It’s only been 15 years. I’ll get to it soon.) You can try counting on your guests, their phones and varied skills to document everything you didn’t know was happening while you were focused on your betrothed. Or, how about setting out disposable cameras on all the tables that result in a pile of blurry shots with no context and questionable content? It seems like a fun way to include the guests in the festivities but may be more work than it’s worth.
Photos and videos are an important part of documenting your big day and should always be planned for. Embracing the communal aspect of the shared experience of a wedding is also worthwhile. There’s a recent trend for a creative and impactful way to capture everything such a momentous event means: live wedding painting, an artist creating a portrait of the couple live on site.
“I first heard about it from a friend
I was visiting on the East Coast,” says Sasha Lyth, local artist and art educator. She was enchanted by the idea and decided to bring it to the Redwood Coast. As a life-long artist with a BA in studio art and an MA in education, both from Humboldt State University, who has been teaching art to local youth, she certainly has the skill set for her new endeavor. Last year, she o ered to do a live painting for a friend who was ge ing married. The experience went well, and she’s been booking events ever since.
A client starts by filling out the contact form on Lyth’s website. They will have a consultation before the wedding day to determine details. That’s when Lyth gets a “vibe” for her client and the kind of aesthetic the ceremony will have. She and the client will decide on the background and what moment they want to capture. In this way, the portrait can capture more than a snapshot, representing the whole event and what it means to the people ge ing married. Lyth will come two to four hours early on the wedding day to set up somewhere guests can watch her work without being disruptive. Then she gets the background started. Guests are encouraged to watch her and ask questions. Children especially seem entranced by watching someone painting. She is happy to talk and explain the process, having had years of experience as the art teacher at Redwood Coast Mon-
Sasha Lyth
sashalyth.com
Instagram @sasha_allanja
On Facebook
tessori School. As guests arrive, she’s noting special li le details to add to the portrait.
When the agreed-upon moment happens, Lyth will take a snapshot to refer to, then continue to paint. This way lovely details, such as a pet or falling flower petals, can be added. Sometimes guests influence the painting in some way, like the time the children were allowed to add a few brush strokes of their own. Lyth will continue her live painting performance until the end of the reception. The portrait won’t be completely done at that point, so she takes it back to her studio for finishing touches. After about two weeks, the finished, ready-to-hang, one-of-a-kind piece will be ready for the clients.
Weddings are a communal event where precious memories are made for everyone involved. A live wedding painting by Lyth enhances the moment and the memory of it for the guests and the couple. She captures not just the people and place, but the spirit and emotion of a very important day.
Lyth is having a great time with her new endeavor, and the opportunity to be a practicing artist as well as an art educator. “I love to work with the couples and get to know people,” she says. Her painting captures a special moment in a way no other medium can, by becoming a part of the important, communal experience that is a wedding. ÷
TO Your CommittingPartner
… AND THE PLANET
By Jennifer SavageWEDDING TRENDS MAY SHIFT WITH THE SEASON but a couple bits of advice remain evergreen. The first is to remember that by the day of the event, the plans that you’ve put into place will either unfold as hoped or they won’t, so the best course of action is to savor what goes right and laugh about anything that goes awry — this advice may come in useful for the actual marriage, too. The second piece of guidance applies universally as well: Align your celebration with actions meant to preserve the planet, not harm it. This may require a bit more thought, but it won’t mean lessening the charm, beauty or meaning of your special day.
First, decide what you need. What you really, truly, need. Hint: An o ciant, a witness and some vows, plus a place to recite them is all ge ing married actually requires. Of course, most people want to share the day with a proper party, which requires a venue, flowers, decorations, food, drink and music. Consider what you want the day to be about. Is your primary goal to impress people with how much money you spent on the event? Or is it celebrating your commitment to another person with the friends and family you love the most?
Venue
Destination weddings can be a kick, but if you’re inviting more than your immediate family, consider holding the ceremony closest to where most guests live to reduce the overall carbon footprint of your nuptials. If you can find a venue that emphasizes sustainability, even better. Look for LEED certification, solar panels or other ways a place shows evidence of environmental stewardship. Book somewhere that works for both the ceremony and the reception to avoid additional driving. Venues that o er in-house rentals for chairs, linens and decor will also help reduce driving and shipping.
Flowers
Humboldt boasts several floral designers who grow their own flowers. Use them and request that they don’t use Styrofoam in their arrangements.
Have friends with large gardens? Ask them for flowers. Have your own backyard and green thumb? Perfect. You might also consider working with a local expert to incorporate native plants into your design. In addition, there are many ways you can reuse flower pieces from the ceremony for the reception, so nothing goes to waste.
Decorations
Whether your vibe is rustic or posh, get creative by searching our many local thrift shops or putting the word out to locally focused social media buy/sell/trade groups to find items that can be repurposed for your big day. Glean ideas o the internet beforehand or, if you doubt your own creative skill, hit up your artsy friends. If you must buy new, choose items that can be reused. Remember: Plastic is nobody’s friend. Whatever you do, skip the balloons. They’re literally li er on a string.
Dishes, utensils and drinkware
Plastic trash lasts forever, breaking down into tinier and tinier pieces that have infiltrated every aspect of our planet. Show the world some love and avoid the temptation to bring single-use plastics into the dining portion of your guests’ experience. Besides, nothing says tacky like plastic plates and forks. If you’re able to rent, great. If not, opt for non-plastic reusables. If you must go single-use, →
look for items made from minimally processed, naturally occurring materials, such as paper-based items, bamboo plates and wooden utensils. Beware of plastic-lined paper items, as these are neither recyclable nor home compostable. Stainless steel cups — perhaps customized with your and your loved one’s names — are a win. Even aluminum cups can be reused multiple times and are typically easily recycled.
Menu
Planning enough-but-not-too-much food challenges even the most experienced party thrower. If you’re hiring a caterer, pick one that focuses on local, seasonal fare — easy to do in Humboldt — and work with them to figure out how to ensure everyone is fed and what
will be done with leftovers. Venues that compost food scraps are a bonus. To really go green, skip the meat and dairy. If a vegan reception is a no-go, at least minimize the animal o erings by emphasizing local produce and plantbased proteins.
Wedding favors
You don’t have to give people gi s for a ending your wedding. This is a contrived trend dreamed up by those in the wedding industry who make more money by convincing you to buy more stu . That said, if you want guests to have souvenirs, strive for simple, practical, reusable, sustainable. Consider writing handwritten notes for each guest or provide reusable straws that can be used at the event and beyond.
Align your celebration with actions meant to preserve the planet, not harm it.
Wedding gi s
Getting married means receiving gi s. Sometimes those gi s turn out to be items that are bad for the planet. Help make sure presents align with your values by providing sustainable suggestions. Have a registry? Make sure items are eco-groovy and span a range of price points. Or, while less exciting than unwrapping, you might encourage people to contribute to a honeymoon or household fund, giving you more control over consumption and avoiding packaging waste.
A er all, you want your memories and your marriage to last, not the trash from the party. ÷
Pocket OF Posies Small, Sweet
By Doranna Benker Gilkey • Photos by Aoife MalloneyAT THE SOUTH ENTRANCE TO EUREKA IS A CHARMING LOCAL FIXTURE. No, not the gi ant hammer looming over U.S. Highway 101. Look lower and just to the north. A small, unassuming building when closed transforms into an oasis of plants, cut flowers, vase arrangements and ready-to-go bouquets during business hours. Pocket of Posies, a full-service florist, has been Pierson Building Center’s big hammer’s little neighbor for decades. It has changed hands a few times since it began and April Reynolds is the owner these days. She’s always been artistic and crafty. When the opportunity presented itself through
a mutual friend of the previous owner, she felt it was a good fit. “It just kind of happened, to be honest,” Reynolds said of her business adventure. She was new to the floral industry seven years ago when she bought Pocket of Posies. “I’ve learned on the job and have amazing employees,” whom she said she kept on when she took over.
Since Victorian times, flowers have been an integral part of the wedding landscape. They once were chosen for their symbolic meanings: roses for love, peonies for wealth. The season the event took place had a big impact as well. Now the choices pertain to style and color schemes:
the unique look of the bridal bouquet, a romantic flowery arch framing the couple, sweet, fresh scents wa ing from the table arrangements. And who doesn’t love rose petals strewn down the aisle by a wide-eyed flower girl? Whether pastels or jewel tones, featuring traditional roses or something unexpected like herbs and textured greenery, florals set the theme. “Bridal bouquets are very personal,” said Reynolds. A reliable florist who values your vision and is able to make it more than you imagined is key to a successful wedding event.
Pocket of Posies has a variety of options and price points. You can order arrangements
Pocket Posi
4050 Broadway, Eureka (707) 496-5146
On Facebook Popfl orals.com
online or stop by their unique open-air retail shop to pick up a bouquet. The shop also has what Reynolds describes as a “flower bar” that allows customers to be spontaneous. The sta loves to do custom work. Just set your price point and the on-site designer will help you pick out specific flowers and elements for a one-ofa-kind bouquet or arrangement. Or you can pick a color or flower for a theme and let the designer work their magic on the spot. It’s an excellent way to get an elopement bouquet on your way to the courthouse! Just because you want to avoid a big, planned event doesn’t mean you have to go without a signature bridal bouquet and groom boutonniere. If a full formal wedding is your dream, Pocket of Posies can help you there, too. With a wedding package, the florists will design, arrange and set up the flower schemes of your dreams. Table centerpieces, arbors and, of course, the bouquets. “Bridal bouquets are so very personal,” said Reynolds. She and her crew will make sure your flowers will match your style and budget. They also o er bulk flowers for the couple who wants to create their own bouquets and arrangements. They always stock fresh, seasonal flowers and hand deliver locally.
The business has been around so long, Reynolds has had older customers reminisce about their high school prom corsage from Pocket of Posies. This pocket-sized shop is ready to fulfill your floral dreams, big or small. ÷
Country
James
&Horns
Harmony
By Collin Yeo Photographs by Dave WoodyWHEN JAMES ZELLER LEFT HIS HOMETOWN of Eugene, Oregon, for New York City at the tender age of 18, it was to pursue a single vision: to work his way through the live music scene in the big city of culture in America to become a professional musician. It was 2000, and New York had a vibrant live jazz scene, mostly situated in an archipelago of clubs in lower Manhattan.
He quickly fell in with the scene at Small’s, a club in the West Village with a reputation for excellent jazz played by top musicians in an intimate se ing. Over the years he honed his cra as a trombonist, playing in studio sessions and even a performance with Wynton Marsalis as part of his acclaimed “Jazz at Lincoln Center” series of big band music. It was during this time he began playing weddings, eventually performing at hundreds of them as a sideman in the horn section of dozens of groups. At the end of the decade, he found himself as a regular member of the group The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn, whose old-time, New Orleans-style sound fit Zeller’s tastes. Informed by the approach of the Vipers, Zeller started booking weddings with his own trio in 2011, where he quickly found success using emerging social media advertising and his preferred repertoire of vintage jazz and pop songs, which he would both play horns on and sing.
“When we play for weddings, I like to play classic love songs. Really, the 1920s to 1950s is my favorite era,” he says. “But I love any beautiful song and we’ve done a wide variety. For the ceremony itself, I like some-
thing slow and romantic. I want to play or sing something really meaningful and personal to the couple. We’ve done ‘You Send Me,’ ‘At Last,’ ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ and ‘La Vie En Rose.’ I like when someone wants something more obscure, like ‘Stairway to the Stars.’”
Feeling a desire to return closer to home, “but not too close,” Zeller relocated in 2017 to Arcata, where he successfully kept up his gigging schedule by changing his online advertising from New York to the San Francisco/Bay Area market. He also found work as a musical instructor at Cal Poly Humboldt, and fell in with the people at the Sanctuary, Arcata’s unique artist residence and venue. Before long, he was in a Sanctuary-centered group called the J Street Regulars, a rotating cast of musicians dedicated to playing the kind of early to mid-century jazz that he adores. Weddings still loomed large on his ledger of desired gigs, and in the years since his relocation to Humboldt, he has set himself up as a wedding musician with a good reputation and steady bookings.
“The group I have booked the most
over the last decade is the James Zeller Trio,” he says. “We have played probably over 150 weddings in that time, I’ve lost count.”
The trio, composed of a rhythm section of Bri Smith on guitar, Lee Phillips on upright bass, and fronted by Zeller, who handles lead vocals inspired by Chet Baker and Frank Sinatra, with his trombone providing a mellow melodic style influenced by the work of Jack Teagarden, J.J. Johnson and early Miles Davis. However, Zeller enjoys various configurations and options, noting he has also played weddings solo and in duos, his most recent called “The Ponies of Harmony,” and featuring Sanctuary co-owner Katie Belknap.
“She sings beautiful harmony, plays guitar and clarinet, and composes music as well,” he raves.
“We’ve played a few weddings, and I imagine we’ll be playing weddings for a long time. I think harmony vocals on love songs are very romantic. Guests love them and, in my opinion, the Ponies are kind of a perfect match for many weddings.”
Lately, his booking options have included this duo, his standard trio and the trio with Belknap and a rotating cast of guest musicians. “I like to o er some simple options,” he notes, adding that for some weddings, the duo is preferred
for the ceremony itself, while a erward it makes sense to add musicians to get the dance floor moving.
“If our client wants us to keep playing for dancing, we can add drums and even another horn player for the rest of the reception. It all depends on the venue, the number of guests and the atmosphere that’s desired. For cocktail hour and dinner, it tends to be all about upbeat love songs like ‘Fly Me to the Moon,’ and ‘Beyond the Sea.’ It’s really all about communicating and figuring out how to make magic happen.”
Zeller says he is dedicated to being a ordable and, while he has a bo om line, costs can shi dramatically based on booking times. For instance, if someone is booking a year in advance, that requires more cost upfront to guarantee the band’s availability and to allow him to book his year around the saved dates. Only about 5 percent of his weddings get booked that far ahead, however, while the bulk of them get booked around three to four months in advance. He enjoys working with each new client and has unique memories from his years of performances that still bring an emotional reaction on recollection.
“I love weddings. I always say it’s the biggest honor and that’s not hyperbole. It really is, and I give my heart and soul to the music to any wedding I’m hired for.”
Check out jameszellertrio.com for booking and performance information. ÷
Photographer Showcase
Featured Humboldt County Wedding Professionals
Cher Bloss Past Shop
Eureka, (707) 443-0576
cherryblossombakery.weebly.com
Find Us on Facebook
Ram e's Bake
Arcata, McKinleyville, Eureka (707) 442-6082
ramonesbakery.com
Sugar Bear Baking C pany
sugarbearbakingco.com
Find us on Facebook and Instagram
Talya's Cak
Eureka, (707) 502-2131
Find us on Facebook
CATERING
Bre Shuler Fine Cate ng
Arcata, (707) 822-4221
shunada@att .net
Find us on Facebook
Cassaro's Cate ng
Arcata, Humboldt County, (707) 845-2255
chris@cassaroscatering.com
cassaros.net
DAY SPA
Sa r Laser A thetics and Medical Spa
Eureka, (707) 441-8670
saffronaestheticsspa.com
Find us on Facebook and Instagram
DJ + SOUND EQUIPMENT RENTAL SERVICES
Taharba Jam |
DJ Sove -T (808) 927-1330
djsovernt@gmail.com
Instagram @DJSovernt
ENTERTAINMENT
The Axe Box
Arcata, Humboldt County (707) 502-9151
axebox707@gmail.com
theaxebox.com
FLORISTS
Mo st e in Blo
Trinidad, (707) 601-6729
724trinidad@gmail.com
Arcata,
hollyyashi.com
Find Us on Facebook
Tranquility Lane Flowers
Whitethorn, (707) 923-7877
tranquilitylanefl owers@gmail.com
Humboldt County, (707) 499-6227
tranquilitylanefl owers.com
sashalyth@gmail.com sashalyth.com
Find us on Instagram
FORMAL WEAR
Arcata Tuxedo
Arcata 826-2645
arcatatuxedo@gmail.com
arcatatuxedo.com/
Trinidad, (707) 677-3425
info@lostwhaleinn.com
lostwhaleinn.com
INSURANCE
Traci Day State Fa
Arcata, (707) 822-7077
traci@calltracitoday.com calltracitoday.com
INVITATIONS
Scrapper's Edge
Eureka, (707) 445-9686
copy.stop@yahoo.com
scrappersedge.net
JEWELRY & GIFTS
Abraxas Jewelers
Eureka, (707) 443-4638
abraxasjewelers@sbcglobal.net
abraxasjewelers.com
McKinleyville,
Eureka,
stephanie_arrington@aol.com zen-lash.com
Trinidad,
(707) 845-1788
jeinem@humboldt1.com
Find Us on Facebook
OFFICIANT
Paul Marsh
Redwood Coast, Humboldt and Del Norte counties, (307) 690-6333
WildernessWed@Gmail.com WeddingsInTheWild.com
PHOTOGRAPHY
Angela Tellez Photography
Northern Humboldt (Fortuna to Trinidad), (707) 273-9360
angela@tellezphotos.com
tellezphotos.com
Find us on Instagram
Darci Dalt Photography
McKinleyville darcidaltonphotography@yahoo.com darcidaltonphotography.com
Mo st e Imag
Trinidad, (707) 834-1835 info@moonstoneimages.com moonstoneimages.com
RENTALS
The Pa y Place
Eureka, (707) 443-0833 thepartyplaceeureka@gmail.com partyplaceeureka.com
→
THE LOST WHALE INN
3452 Patrick’s Point Drive Trinidad, CA 95570 (707) 677-3425
www.lostwhaleinn.com
Providing luxurious accommodations for your honeymoon, wedding party, wedding planning services, reception catering, flowers, decorations and personal attention to every detail.
Specializing
Cakes
Open: Tue.-Fri. 6 am-6 pm, Sat. 6 am-5 pm
cherryblossombakery.weebly.com
HUMBOLDT COUNTY LOCAL MAKERS 394 MAIN STREET, FERNDALE Check hours on our website www.humboldtshometownstore.com
Wedding Gifts
Shower Gifts
Wedding Party Gifts
Jewelry
Personalized Items
Beauty Products
Brett Shuler
Fine Catering
F resh s easonal o rganic
(707) 822-4221
www.brettshulerfinecatering.com
TRAVEL AGENCIES
Talya’s Cakes and Treats
( 707 ) 502–2131
talyascakes
@outlook.com
Find us on
Dalian Travel
Eureka, (707) 445-3245
debbie@dalianes.com dalianes.com
VENUES
Azalea Hall
McKinleyville, (707) 839-3251
mcsd@mckinleyvillecsd.com
mckinleyvillecsd.com/azalea-hall
Fieldbrook Wine
Fieldbrook, (707) 839-4140 fi eldbrookwinery@gmail.com fi eldbrookwinery.com
Fo una River Lodge
C ference Center and Gift Shop
Fortuna, (707) 725-7572 riverlodgepc@ci.fortuna.ca.us friendlyfortuna.com
Julia Morgan
Redwood Grove
Garberville, (707) 272-8668
tanya@juliamorganredwoodgrove.com juliamorganredwoodgrove.com
Mo st e Beach T nidad
Trinidad, (707) 616-7102
stacie@moonstone-beach.com
moonstone-beach.com
Mt. Shasta R o
Mount Shasta, (530) 926-3030
suzanne@mountshastaresort.com
mountshastaresort.com
The Ba by Fe b dge
Ferndale, (707) 599-5111
leacahill@msn.com
Find us on Facebook and Instagram
The Car age House
Arcata, (707) 840-6062
carriagehousearcata.com
T nity River Fa
Willow Creek
(530) 629-3200 (days) (530) 629-3327 (evenings)
trinityriverfarm.com
WEDDING PLANNING
Gala Events & Weddings
(707) 502-2105
galaeventsandweddings@gmail.com galaeventsandweddings.com