Wedding Guide
FOUNTAIN RANCH About us
Established in 1911, Fountain Ranch is a living legacy of family, land, and tradition. For over a century, this working cattle ranch has been stewarded by the Fountain Family, with the sixth generation continuing the care and preservation of this extraordinary property. Today, we are honored to share this land for weddings and special events, inviting others to celebrate life’s most meaningful moments in a place rich with history.
ESTABLISHED IN 1911
WEDDING EVENTS LODGING
Our Venue
Where Faith, History, Nature, and Love come together
Nestled on the Trinity and Humboldt County line, Fountain Ranch captures the heart of God’s country. Sweeping mountain terrain, open meadows, peaceful ponds, and breathtaking overlooks of the Trinity River create a collection of stunning natural settings—each with its own unique charm. From wide-open fields to scenic overlooks, our venue offers multiple locations to celebrate, ensuring a backdrop as unforgettable as your special day.
Wedding Guide
Publisher Melissa Sanderson melissa@northcoastjournal.com
Editor Jennifer Fumiko Cahill jennifer@northcoastjournal.com
Contributing Writer Sasha Senal
Photography
Bethany Joy Photography, Carrie Mayfield Photography,, Liz Loran Photography, Moonstone Images, Omorfia Photography, Sam Starns, Production Manager Holly Harvey
Graphic Design/Production
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
Just the Way You Pictured It
SURE, SOME OF US DRESSED UP or arranged stu ed animals, action figures and Barbie dolls for elaborate weddings as kids. Others among us never saw this day coming. But if you’re flipping or scrolling through these pages, you’ve got some ideas about what you want.
From vows to celebrations, you’ve got some mental images flashing, perhaps yet unarticulated or already delineated in spreadsheets and Pinterest boards. Stately and formal? Sun-dappled and relaxed?
Private and minimalist? Barefoot and ocean-misted? A revel to rival Mardi Gras?
Lucky for those of us behind the Redwood Curtain, there’s no shortage of venues for your I-dos, on land or at sea. The Humboldt County Clerk Recorder’s O ce — which honestly has a lovely li le wedding spot of its own on the fi h floor of the courthouse — has recently started o ering its services at a few sweet spots on holidays. This Valentine’s Day, couples made it o cial aboard the Madaket as it sailed Humboldt Bay and under the high windows and wooden arches of the Humboldt County Library’s Humboldt Room. Halloween nuptials were o ered for love-bats at the Humboldt
County Scaregrounds in Ferndale, as well.
In this issue, we’ll give you a look at how it works and how surprisingly a ordable and sustainable it is.
Now how do you get pictures of what you pictured? We caught up with Chantele Leatherwood of Moonstone Images to talk about how she captures the story and the emotion of the day. She’s also got some solid advice on choosing the right photographer for you, whether for your wedding or to immortalize your proposal. (Will she actually hide behind a rock to get the perfect shot? Yes. Yes, she will.)
Even if you’ve got the whole thing planned out already, there’s inspiration to be found in our local photography gallery, showing the work of some of our county’s best shooting in the most beautiful places on the North Coast. Flip to the list of local wedding professionals in the back and you’ll have a solid start on finding everything you need to make your vision a reality.
It’s going to be beautiful — we can see it now.
— Jennifer Fumiko Cahill Editor, Wedding Guide
North Coast Hitching Post sits atop 5 acres of meadows with spectacular ocean views. Featuring a beautiful 1914 Redwood barn with a big wooden dance floor. Toast your guests at the saloon, stargaze around the fire, and enjoy beautiful sunsets from the cottage. Seating for 200 is included.
6 10 14 17 21 30
Just the Way You Pictured It
Welcome to the Wedding Guide
Moonstone Images´ Human Touch tktktktkt
Set for Celebration tktktktkt
Valentine Venues TKTKTK
Photographer Showcase Gallery from local photographers
Featured Listings
Local vendors
MOONSTONE IMAGES’
Human Touch
By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill
CHANTELE LEATHERWOOD’S EARLIEST MEMORY behind a camera was at 11 years old with a disposable one at a dolphin show, where she filled the whole roll. “I got the film developed and the pictures were horrible,” she recalls. Instead of tossing the photos, she spent time critiquing them, figuring out she needed to get closer to do better next time.
When she took on shooting for her high school’s yearbook, Leatherwood’s mother bought her a camera. She later learned to develop the photos and started working in a darkroom. It was a modest beginning to Leatherwood’s eventual career as a professional photographer, starting her business Moonstone Images in 2009 and being voted Best Wedding Photographer by North Coast Journal readers four years running.
In the late 1990s, Leatherwood says, “I really thought that I’d be doing something with photography but I wasn’t sure what. Then I had four children with my husband.” She laughs and ra les o her detours in the travel industry and forest service, all of which she enjoyed. But in 2008, she says, she took some family portrait photos for a friend, followed by a wedding. They were favors between friends, but she had a wonderful time. “I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I could do this every day.’”
When her youngest started kindergarten, Leatherwood tested the waters with an architectural shoot at no charge to see how it suited her. Those images got into Fine Home Building magazine and won an editor’s award. The architect for whom she was shooting hired her for more work and she was o cially a professional. While she has a knack for capturing the lines and structure of a building, she found herself gravitating to more emotional subjects, to humanity and, eventually, to weddings.
“There’s something about skin, the eyes, wrinkles —
things that I really enjoy about photography,” she explains. “And being able to see the emotion through faces, and you get a lot of that in weddings.”
A scroll through the Moonstone Images Instagram page reveals Leatherwood’s eye for human elements and the particular humans before her. “I don’t want to be capturing my story, I want to be capturing their story,” she says, whether that shows in visible nerves, an adoring look or a ta oo. No two couples are alike in her portfolio, “and I think that has to do with love; love is really diverse,” she says with some wonder. Those planning destination weddings from out of town, Leatherwood says, tend to get in touch and start talking about plans a year in advance. Locals
are more relaxed, ge ing in touch a few months ahead. She advises couples to book their wedding or event photographer, caterer and venue first, as spots on their schedules can disappear quickly.
Surprise proposal photos, on the other hand, are sometimes scheduled with lots of lead time or as li le as a week. Sometimes, Leatherwood says, the person being asked the big question knows they are going to be having a photo shoot of some kind, but sometimes they have no idea. If the proposer doesn’t have a particular spot in mind, especially if they’re from out of town, she’ll talk with them about what they picture in the background — the ocean, the redwoods — and se le on a spot, sometimes marked with an X, to bring their
MOONSTONE IMAGES
OPEN MONDAY-SATURDAY 10:30AM-5:00PM 425 3RD STREET,EUREKA,CA 95501 (707)443-4638 abraxasjewelers.com
Adestinationwherelovefeelstimeless. DesignedbyJuliaMorgan,thisCraftsman–Tudorprivateestaterestsamongtheredwoods alongtheEelRiver.Withanindoorchapel-style greatroom,sculptedgardens,andintimate lodging,RedwoodGroveoffersrareprivacyand romance—anunforgettableNorthernCalifornia settingfordestinationweddingsand celebrations.Here,yourvowsareframedby nature,history,andasenseofplacethatfeels entirelyyourown.
soon-to-be-betrothed to. “I call those my Scooby-Doo sessions because I’m hiding behind a rock or behind a tree,” she says. “These are like the ultimate romantics, like this is their gig.” So far, everyone has said yes.
Handpicking locations is important to Leatherwood, who maintains a catalog of places and their corresponding seasons and times for the best lighting. Some locals have very specific requests or a couple areas they’re thinking about, and she wants to make the most of the views while keeping everyone safe and happy. For family portraits, that means considering where a toddler won’t tumble or grow overtired getting there. “Or maybe a bride wants to do this really great [high location], but what kind of shoes do you want to wear?” she asks.
People don’t get lost in the majestic scenery of Leatherwood’s photos, which is saying something, given the rugged vistas of our coast and the breathtaking scale of our trees. It’s the people that draw the eye in her images. “I see a story now,” she says, “they just happen to be in this magnificent location.” And since it’s about people for her, less epic backgrounds still make for compelling shots. Along with cli tops and remote trails, she’s shot at the courthouse, too. In fact, it’s where her son tied the knot.
When choosing a photographer, Leatherwood suggests going beyond looking at their work. “Ask if they provide prints, or if they can make a photo album or an online gallery to share with family and friends, or if you can order prints, what’s al-
lowed within the contract,” so there are no surprises. It’s important to see how you and the photographer vibe together, too. Experience might not be as crucial as whether their work speaks to you, and you’ll need to be comfortable with them.
Leatherwood prefers not to bombard people with too much flash, though there are times and places for it, as it can be jarring. And while not required for great wedding photos, she recommends an engagement party shoot as a trial run. “If we show up at the wedding as friends, we already know how we are with the camera between us,” she says.
Once the ice is broken, observing how everyone interacts at a wedding — not only the happy couple but kids, stepparents and cousins — helps Leatherwood find the emotions and stories that will come through in her photos. “I’m totally in love with love,” she says. “I believe in love and I think that’s the key to success. You have to be able to see it.” ÷
info@moonstoneimages.co moonstoneimages.co
Instagram @moonstoneimages (707) 834-1835
Chantele Leatherwood
PHOTO BY ZULIE BLAIR
MOONSTONE IMAGES
SET FOR Celebration
The table you lay out for your wedding sets the mood. Whet your appetite and find inspiration in the sweet (and savory) se ings local photographers have captured around the county.
CARRIE MAYFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY
LIZ LORAN PHOTO CO.
CARRIE MAYFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY
SAM STARNS
CARRIE MAYFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY
SAM STARNS
Valentine Venues
By Sasha Senal
“MY WEDDING DAY WAS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE,” says Humboldt County Clerk Recorder Juan Pablo Cervantes. This might be why he was so excited about the clerk recorder’s o ce o ering a special opportunity for couples looking to wed on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, in civil ceremonies aboard the iconic Madaket or under the historic arches of the Humboldt County Library’s Humboldt Room.
“Part of the goal is to really showcase that we live in paradise,” says Cervantes. And what be er way than tying the knot in these quintessential locales? Couples climbing aboard the storied
The County Library's Humbolt Room.
PHOTO BY JENNIFER
FUMIKO CAHILL
Madaket vessel, built in 1910 and refurbished in 1989, for their special day are sure to encounter some of the county’s most romantic views. The tour o ers couples the option to set out to a variety of scenic locations, such as Oyster Beach, Tuluwat Island and even close to the mouth of the bay. According to owner Dalene Zerlang, this cra featuring California’s smallest bar, is no stranger to weddings. But this was the first time the company conducted multiple weddings in a single day with the recorder’s o ce allo ing 45 minutes per couple.
a dramatic frame for a path toward a wall of glass that overlooks the natural beauty of the bay, surrounded by shelves of historic books.
Couples who wedded there this year received a keepsake book with artfully folded pages and, of course, a stamped due-date card.
Ivy. Valentine’s Day is only one piece of the clerk-recorder’s vision of sustainable weddings. It has also conducted Halloween weddings and there are plans for a Winter Wonderland wedding promotion. In the bigger picture, Cervantes would like to see the o ce provide pop-up weddings in the far reaches of Humboldt’s rural communities like Alderpoint, Hoopa and Shelter Cove, so that celebrations of love can reach all corners of the county.
Should a windswept, oceanic romance not strike a chord with a respective couple, they also had the option of the Humboldt Room, a delightful dark horse of a venue that offers elegant hardwood craftsmanship and mesmerizing views of the bay. Sandra Borba, senior recordable documents examiner (and “wedding guru,” according to Cervantes), has a ended many weddings, some as o ciant, and has long believed the Humboldt Room on the library’s second floor would be “an incredible location for a wedding.” High ceilings with wooden arches form
Beyond what is already clearly enticing about these ceremonies, Cervantes made it clear that these weddings are also about sustainability. Sustainability can be characterized by consideration of equity, economy and environmental impact; this goes for agriculture, business management and weddings. These local destination weddings cost a flat rate of $100, an accessible expense for a beautiful wedding. All other expenses related to the ceremony, other than the marriage certificate, are included and reused for all the day’s ceremonies to limit waste. This includes flowers provided by Pocket of Posies and decor from North Coast Events and Rentals, pu ing money into the pockets of purveyors in the local economy.
“A hundred dollars and it’s still as pre y as you can make it,” says Recordable Documents Examiner Brynn
These civil wedding ceremonies can only be booked in person at the Humboldt County Clerk Recorder’s office, and couples must present a marriage license on the day of the wedding. For special events like Valentine’s Day weddings on the Madaket and at the library, spots are limited so make note of application deadlines. Spanish language services are available upon request at no additional charge. Whether it’s this Valentine’s Day or any other day, the county clerk recorder’s o ce is commi ed to “figuring out what the community wants,” and making dreams come true. For more information, call (707) 445-7593 or visit HumboldtGov.org/ Clerk-Recorder. ÷
MV Madakt.
PHOTO BY SASHA SENAL
Humbolt Room.
PHOTO BY JENNIFER FUMIKO CAHILL
OMORFIA PHOTOGRAPHY
MOONSTONE IMAGES
SAM STARNS
CARRIE MAYFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY
LIZ LORAN PHOTO CO.
BETHANY JOY PHOTOGRAPHY
CARRIE MAYFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY
OMORFIA PHOTOGRAPHY
CARRIE MAYFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY
SAM STARNS
CARRIE MAYFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY
SAM STARNS
MOONSTONE IMAGES
BakerIes
Ramone's Bakery
Arcata, McKinleyville, Eureka, (707) 442-6082 ramonesbakery.com
Sugar Bear Baking C�pany
SugarBearBakingCompany@gmail.com sugarbearbakingco.com
Find Us on Facebook
BeautY & estHetIcs
Beauty By Moiya
Eureka (530) 921-0551 beautybymoiya@gmail.com beautybymoiya.square.site
Find us on Facebook & Instagram
Esthetics By Amy
Eureka (209) 329-7881 smithamy500@gmail.com facebook.com/smithwise2017
Find us on Facebook & Instagram
Featured Humboldt County Wedding Professionals
Beverages
Fe�dale Lıquors
Ferndale (707) 786-4555
caterIng
The Appetizer Guy (760) 223-5510
jandsappetizers@gmail.com theappetizerguy.com
Bre� Shuler
Fine Cate� ng
Arcata (707) 822-4221
brett @brett shulerfi necatering.com brett shulerfi necatering.com
Find us on Facebook & Instagram
Lost Coast Cate� ng
(Formerly Uniquely Yours Catering) Eureka lostcoastcatering.com
Find us on Facebook & Instagram
Over the Ridge
Mobile Bar Co. (707) 496-1202
overtheridgebc@gmail.com overtheridgebc.com
Find us on Facebook & Instagram
Pineapple Expres s (808) 392-3359
pineappleexpressrestaurant@gmail.com
pineappleexpresseureka.com/catering
Find us on Facebook & Instagram
Pizza Gago Mobile Wild Fire Oven
McKinleyville (707) 273-8687
pizzagago@gmail.com
Find Us on Facebook
Blackberry
Bramble Cate� ng
Blue Lake (707) 668-1616
blackberrybramblebbq@gmail.com blackberrybramblebbq.com
Find us on Facebook
Peaches & Pearls
Arcata (707) 502-2859
peachesandpearls.net
Find us on Facebook & Instagram flowers
James on Creek Ranch (707) 502 6242
leslie@jamesoncreekranch.com jamesoncreekranch.com
Find us on Facebook & Instagram
Insurance
Traci Day State Fa�
Arcata (707) 822-7077
traci@calltracitoday.com calltracitoday.com
Inv I tat Ions
Scrapper's Edge
Eureka (707) 445-9686 copy.stop@yahoo.com scrappersedge.net
Jewelers
Abraxas Jewelers
Eureka (707) 443-4638 abraxasjewelers.co
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
Follow Us To See What’s Blooming Now
Thank you for voting us as Humboldt’s Best Indoor Venue, as well as Best Outdoor Venue!
Visit us on our Instagram & Facebook pages for beautiful photos of our Humboldt weddings, and let us help make your Wedding Day Dreams come true!
The Barn by Fernbridge 26 Goble Lane, Ferndale • 707-599-5111 thebarnbyfernbridge .COM
Liz Loran Photo Co.
Memorable Feast for the Eyes & Palette
PHOTO BY
Sandi Peterson Photography
North Coast Jewelers
Eureka (707) 599-2941
Contact@northcoastjewelers.com northcoastjewelers.com
l odgI ng & B&Bs
Inn at 2nd & C
Eureka (707) 444-3344
info@theinnat2ndandc.com theinnat2ndandC.com
Inn of the Lost Coast
Shelter Cove (888) 570-9676, (707) 986-7521 innofthelostcoast.com
Lost Whale
Bed & Breakfast Inn
Trinidad (707) 677-3425
info@lostwhaleinn.com lostwhaleinn.com
Makeup & Ha I r Pure Makeup Boutique
Eureka (707) 442-9200 puremakeup@me.com puremakeupstore.com Find Us on Facebook
Cydney Nicole
MusIc & e nterta I n M en t
DJ Kev, Kevin Held
Eureka (707) 832-2513
donsneighbor@yahoo.com
kevinheldtunes.com
Dr. Squid (707) 834-8204
Turosabs@hotmail.com
Find Us on Facebook
Pandemonium Jones (609) 235-6456
pandemonium.jones@gmail.com
Rob Diggins
Trinidad (707) 845-1788
Find Us on Facebook
Makeup Artistry
Serving Arcata, Eureka, and Humboldt County on location (760) 803-9603 cydneynicolemua@gmail.com cydneynicolemua.com Find us on Instagram
off IcI a nts
Gala Events & Weddings
Alegria Sita (707) 502-2105
galaeventsandweddings@gmail.com galaeventsandweddings.com
donsneighbor@yahoo.com
3452 Patrick’s Point Drive Trinidad, CA 95570 (707) 677-3425 www.lostwhaleinn.com
Providing luxurious accommodations for your
wedding party, wedding planning services, reception catering, flowers, decorations and personal attention to every detail.
Paul Marsh, Weddings In The Wild
(307) 690-6333
WeddingsInTheWild.com @WeddingsInTheWild
pHotograpHY
Amy Lundstr�
Photography (707) 798-0011
info@amylundstromphotography.com amylundstromphotography.com
Find us on Facebook & Instagram
Car�e Mayfield
Photography
carriemayfi eld.com
Find us on Facebook & Instagram
Evan Wish Photography (916) 475-9213
evanwish@gmail.com evanwishphotography.com
Moonstone Images
Trinidad (707) 834-1835 info@moonstoneimages.com moonstoneimages.com
* Facilities for 200
* Commercial Kitchen
* Lighted Stage
* Sound System
Omorfia
Photography
(707) 327-6401
omorfi aphotography1@gmail.com
omorfi aphotography.com
Find us on Facebook & Instagram
planners & coordInators
Celebration
Boulevard (707) 845-7243
CaroleCrossleyGift s@gmail.com celebration-blvd.com
Find us on Facebook & Instagram
Gala Events & Weddings (707) 502-2105
galaeventsandweddings@gmail.com galaeventsandweddings.com
Sea + Cedar Wedding Coordination
(707) 502-2557
seaandcedarweddingco.com
seaandcedarwedding@gmail.com @seaandcedarweddingco
venues
Azalea Hall
McKinleyville (707) 839-3251
mcsd@mckinleyvillecsd.com mckinleyvillecsd.com/azalea-hall
The Ba�
By Fe�b�dge
Ferndale (707) 599-5111
thebarnbyfernbridge.com
Find us on Facebook & Instagram
Blue Lake Casino
Blue Lake (707) 668-9770 Ext. 3234
smatzen@bluelakecasino.com bluelakecasino.com
Camp Bauer
Korbel (707) 668-4401
CampBauer@greendiamond.com
Carrville Inn
Coffee Creek, CA (530) 266-3000
info@carrvilleinn.com carrvilleinn.com
Find us on Facebook & Instagram →
Where Adventure and Connectivity
* Reasonable Rates 1620 Pickett Road McKinleyville, CA 707-839-9003
mckinleyvillecsd.ca.gov
oMorFia PhotoGraPhY
modern hawaiian fusion
pineappleexpresseureka.com pineappleexpresseureka
venues, cont.
Crook Point
Pistol River, OR (541) 425-1300 crookpoint.com
Fort una River Lodge
Conference Center and Gift Shop
Fortuna (707) 725-7572
Jennifer Lourenzo, Manager riverlodgepc@ci.fortuna.ca.us friendlyfortuna.com
Fountain Ranch
Salyer (707) 499-1471 info@fountainranch1911.com fountainranch1911.com
Find us on Facebook & Instagram
Humboldt Cider C�pany
Eureka events@humboldtciderco.com humboldtciderco.com
Julia Morgan Redwood Grove
Garberville (707) 272-8668 juliamorganredwoodgrove.com
Find us on Facebook & Instagram
Ma�ole River Camp and Retreat
mattolerivercamp.org
Moonstone Beach T� nidad
Trinidad (707) 616-7102
stacie@moonstone-beach.com moonstone-beach.com
Nort h Coast Hıtching Post
Loleta (707) 954-2771
northcoasthitchingpost@gmail.com northcoasthitchingpost.com
Find us on Facebook & Instagram
Ridgefield Events
Arcata (707) 822-1552
info@ridgefi eldweddings.co
ridgefi eldweddings.co @ridgefi eldweddings
The Old Steeple
Ferndale (707) 786-7030
ferndalemusic@yahoo.com ferndalemusiccompany.com
Find us on Facebook & Instagram
T� nity River Fa�
Willow Creek (530) 629-3200
Weddings@trinityriverfarm.com trinityriverfarm.com
CarriE MaYFiELD PhotoGraPhY
