Sand Rock Farm Wedding in Aptos, CA | Rylynn + Tyler

Bohemian Wedding at Sand Rock Farm in Aptos CA

Tyler and Rylynn enjoy the outdoors and surrounding ourselves with nature. Tyler’s love for surfing and Rylynn's love for redwoods made Northern California a prime location. They planned a wedding day focused on locally sourced food, craft cocktails, jewel tone floral arrangements, and a free spirited boho vibe. Tyler and Rylynn are infectiously kind and boldly adventurous. It was such an honor getting to know them and capturing their love story.

Venue: Sand Rock Farm // Coordinator: Duke and Pearl // Venue Coordinator + Florals: Jen Hagglof + Amanda Connors // Officiant: Christa Mercado // Videographer: A Little Long Distance // Paper Goods: Honey Hue Paper Co. // DJ: Brigido Bautista // Rings: South Coast Jeweler // Groom Attire: J. Crew // Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell // Dress: BHLDN //

This wedding was also featured over on Green Wedding Shoes.

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All About Weddings at Sand Rock Farm

As a wedding photographer, I know I have so much experience shooting various locations and venues. So I thought giving some thoughts about each venue I’ve shot would be helpful to potential couples locking down all their wedding plans. So here are all my thoughts after shooting at Sand Rock Farm!

“Intimate, effortless, nature-filled” – those are the words that Sand Rock Farm like to use to describe their venue. And after visiting, I could definitely understand what all the hype was about. The venue has several locations that are completely stunning for backdrops for ceremonies. And for photos, of course. 

Just south of Santa Cruz, you’ll find a spot that’s probably one of California’s best kept secrets. Sand Rock Farm is a luxurious and private ten-acre compilation of rooms and suites surrounded by California Redwoods, oak trees, gardens, and eucalyptus. But it wasn’t always so! 

In fact, this gorgeous venue was built in the 1880’s, and used to be a ranch and winery. In 1999 however, it was transformed into a place perfect for those looking for a getaway in nature. 

So, let’s get into the good stuff…that is – getting married at Sand Rock Farm! This boutique B&B doubles up as a destination wedding venue that’s fairly exclusive. And they’re all about lending a helping hand when it comes to the hard stuff. 

Sand Rock Farm have a team of professionals with more than two decades of experience in the event planning and wedding industry. They have inclusive packages that assist in everything from airport transfers and pre-ceremony trinkets, to wedding planning and catering.

For me however, the service and high standard of this B&B doesn’t even compare when it comes to the sheer beauty of the venue itself. There are tastefully-landscaped pathways, gorgeous trees that create even more beauty when the sun shines through them, and a few carefully-curated outdoor and indoor spots – all excellent backdrops for your wedding photos.

For the ceremony: an intimate and minimalistic space in nature, a space that is decorated harmoniously with flowers and greenery, and a wedding ceremony area surrounded by Redwood trees. 

For the dinner: the outdoor space, aka the Old Barrel Room, is structured around old-stone walls decorated with ivy, giving off simple yet natural elegance. It’s decorated with wooden farm tables and chairs, and by choosing a neutral, nature-inspired color palette, you can brighten your space with fresh and colorful flowers on each table.

And for the dance party: their indoor spaces resemble that of a barn slash old-fashioned farmhouse with rustic charm. There are cozy common rooms that are spacious yet private.

When it comes to those who’ve been married at this incredible wedding spot – they’ve used adjectives such as: magical, picturesque, peaceful, and intimate to describe it. I wholeheartedly agree. After shooting over 200 weddings, this venue remains at the very top of my list. 

What’s also amazing about choosing Sand Rock Farm as your wedding venue, is that there are a ton of cool things to do in the area. And if you don’t feel like doing the research yourself, Sand Rock Farm offers organized activities and packages, according to your interests. From wine tasting and massages to hiking, biking and boating, you can turn your wedding into a mini vacation and enjoy a few fun activities.

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About the Author: Catalina Jean loves anything sci-fi, has little sense of direction, and spends her free time snuggling her crazy Boston Terriers. She is a wedding photographer based in Portland, OR specializing in capturing artistic portraits paired with unique storytelling moments to produce natural, emotional wedding photography.