A Magical Campout Wedding at Heartwood in Mendocino
An Awesome Heartwood Wedding: Julia & Travis’ Magical Celebration
If you’re looking for a charming wedding venue where you can camp with friends and family in style along the California Coast, look no further. Have an awesome wedding at Heartwood in Mendocino. Heartwood is a thoughtfully designed, beautifully built venue just 10 minutes from the town of Mendocino. The property features unique touches like an outdoor shower built into the trunk of an ancient redwood tree, sweet little tent cabins, a 1920s farmhouse, and many more wonderful amenities. If you need extra beds beyond what’s available onsite, there’s plenty of space to pitch tents, or folks can stay at one of the hotels in town.
Julia and Travis’ wedding at Heartwood left me spinning (in the best way possible). The day was packed with so many meaningful moments and thoughtful details. Everywhere you looked, there were personal touches they had lovingly considered. Yes, they had friends to help, an event planner to coordinate things, and a fantastic venue—but even with all that support, planning a wedding is no small feat. Julia and Travis were intentional with every detail, yet somehow managed to stay relaxed and enjoy their incredible camping celebration. I have no idea how they pulled it off, but kudos to them!
Getting Ready in the Redwoods
Heartwood’s layout offers both space and intimacy. Julia and her bridesmaids got ready in the farmhouse, while Travis and his groomsmen dressed just a two-minute walk away in one of the glamping tents provided by Wayward Glamping. Friends and family helped set up tables, added finishing touches, and enjoyed lunch around the outdoor kitchen. Golden Bell Music worked on their DJ setup at the farmhouse, Shani’s Sweet Creation arranged the dessert table, Hitch Photo Booth parked their trailer, and Mendocino Outland Bartender set up the bar trailer. Mendoughs, the caterer, arrived with their wood-fired pizza oven, creating a brief traffic jam—but everything fell into place. Despite all the hustle, folks were chill and cheerful.
A Wedding Filled with Thoughtful Details
If “the devil is in the details,” Julia and Travis made it seem effortless—or at least that’s how it felt from my perspective. Weddings can become stressful with the endless list of decorations, flourishes, and personalized elements, but Julia and Travis pulled it off without sweating the small stuff. Their creativity shone through in everything: custom keys to the cabins and tents, a selfie station in the woods, a vintage telephone that recorded voice messages for the couple, the cheeky “Pour Decisions” beverage sign, hidden photos of their cat in the redwoods, and beautifully designed table settings. The personal touches were everywhere.
Family and Wedding Party Pics in the Redwoods
The day started calmly, but as the ceremony time approached, I could feel the usual shift in energy. We ran a bit behind schedule, but I knew we’d catch up. I found a stunning spot in the redwoods for family and wedding party portraits, with the sunlight filtering through the trees, adding a perfect backlit glow. It was one of those moments where the light was just right. By the time portraits were done, we were back on schedule.
Ceremony in the Secret Garden
About 15 minutes before the ceremony, we made our way along the wooded path to the Secret Meadow. Guests paused at the handkerchief station and hat tree to prepare for the sunshine, but the real attraction was Jay Shatnawi, the magician Julia and Travis had hired. I stopped by briefly, and within seconds, I was captivated. His performance was on another level (more on him later). The ceremony itself was beautiful, with carpets lining the aisle and adding a cozy, whimsical touch.
Cocktail Hour in the Area by the Outdoor Kitchen
After the ceremony, guests gathered around the outdoor kitchen area. It was a charming space, with a camp stove placed atop a vintage blue-and-white enameled stove from the early 1900s (or so I guessed). Guests snacked on dried fruit, fresh seasonal produce, cheeses, and bread while sipping signature cocktails. And then, there was Jay. I’ll admit, when I hear “magician,” I usually think of children’s party performers, but Jay Shatnawi brought humor, charisma, and real showmanship. Certainly a magician for adult parties. The guests were mesmerized.
Toward the end of cocktail hour, Julia, Travis, and I wandered the property for some couple portraits. We finished just in time for one final magic trick before dinner on the lawn outside the farmhouse.
Dinner, Toasts, Dancing, and a Hilarious Party Game
If you know me, you know I love good food. The wood-fired pizza and salads were phenomenal. There’s something special about enjoying pizza at a wedding in Mendocino—it just hits differently. After dinner and toasts, Julia and Travis introduced a game called “Bring Me.” It was my first time experiencing it, and it was a blast. The game was fast-paced, hilarious, and provided the perfect segue into dancing and dessert.
A well-paced wedding flows seamlessly from one moment to the next, and Julia and Travis nailed it. They kept the momentum going, making each part of the day feel organic and engaging. I was thrilled to be a part of their celebration—what an awesome day!
If you’d like to see more from another magical Mendocino wedding, be sure to check out Fiona and Elijah’s wedding at the Oz Farm, where Golden Bell Music rocked the party until the wee hours of the morning.