“Undocumented” Redwood Weddings

Several years ago, I asked the park service how many weddings happen in Redwood National and State Parks, and was surprised to learn how few. But after a few years I learned that far more weddings happen than most people or the parks realize. I’ve been photographing some redwood weddings and keep track of couples who employ the permit. But I also browse Facebook, Instagram and 500px every week and see that there are many more weddings than the number of permits. My estimate is 10 “undocumented” weddings for every permit wedding. From the couple’s standpoint, I can’t blame many for going under the radar. But from the park’s point of view, I understand their aim. Suppose 2 non-permitted 50 person weddings entered Stout Grove the same July afternoon and overwhelmed busy tourist parking. It would be chaos. On the other hand, I think the parks is in the dark ages by not making exceptions in the same way Sequoia National Park has guidelines for cremation ashes without permits required every time.

Redwood National and State Parks should consider an exemption for wedding groups of about 10 people or less. Provided there are a few basic guidelines. There’s few good reasons not to provide exemption because scores of couples are bypassing permits anyway. When so many people are breaking the rules, it may be better to revise the rules so the parks team appears to be managing the situation more fully.