Skip to main content
Weddings

About

<p><span>Elope Santa Cruz is a wedding officiant service based in Santa Cruz, California, that serves the Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay areas. This team specializes in elopements and micro weddings and provides a range of wedding services to make every celebration special. Lead officiant Donna welcomes couples of all faiths and cultures and loves to assist couples in creating a ceremony that is unique to them. </span></p> <p><strong>Services Offered</strong></p> <p><span>Donna aims to reflect the love and beauty of each couple through her personalized ceremonies. She is happy for couples to perform their own vows and can also advise on the practical and legal aspects of getting married in Santa Cruz. In addition to officiant services, this company also offers a photographer to capture heartfelt ceremonies and wedding portraits. They can also provide wedding florals such as bouquets and boutonnieres. For out-of-town couples, the Elope Santa Cruz team can advise on picturesque ceremony spots and can also assist with live streaming ceremonies. This company’s services can be booked as a package or couples may pick and choose the aspects that best suit their needs. </span></p>
  • Woman-owned
illustration popular

Vendors you may like

See other vendors that are popular with couples right now

Frequently asked questions

Does starting price include the ceremony rehearsal?

No

What is the starting price for ceremony rehearsals?

$100

What types of weddings and events do you provide services for?

Non-religious
Interfaith
Ceremony Rehearsal
Vow Renewal
Civil Union

What religious affiliations do you serve?

Agnostic
Anglican
Baptist
Earth-Based
Episcopalian
Lutheran
Methodist
No Denomination
Pagan
Presbyterian
Unitarian

On average, how long are wedding ceremonies you officiate?

Less than 30 mins.

In which states are you licensed?

CA

What languages do you speak?

English
Spanish
illustration question

Any other questions?

Message vendor

Reviews of Elope Santa Cruz

5.0 out of 5 rating
5.0 out of 5 rating
12 Reviews
100% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.9 out of 5 rating
Annamarie
Annamarie A. Sent on 12/18/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing elopement package serving Northern CA coast!

I cannot say enough about how great our experience with Donna and Rebecca at Elope Santa Cruz was! We were in a bind in September as our previous officiant fell through so we emailed Donna and she promptly set up an appointment to see what we were looking for, with our COVID elopement in November fast approaching. Throughout all the planning, Donna always responded so quickly, and the whole process was so organized with clear timelines of decisions we would need to make and things we would need to send her. We ended up eloping in Big Sur with just us and Donna and Rebecca since we wanted to have the safest ceremony during COVID, and it was perfect. Donna's elocution is really amazing and I didn't realize how drawn in I would be!! She is just so warm and made what could have been a lonely experience without our friends and family, instead, so loving. Rebecca's photos are incredible- her shots of us in a redwood grove were already great, but she knew the perfect nearby beach to go to at sunset for the extra hour we purchased. The icing on the cake was that the turnaround time for the photos was only 2 weeks! I am so thankful my husband found this company online since it was exactly what we wanted for our wedding day!
H
Halie G. Sent on 12/02/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Just perfect

We decided to go with the small elopement package, it being my husband and I, Donna and Rebecca. Donna was super sweet and helped me with any questions I had. Donna provided a questionnaire that let us choose our wedding ceremony word for word. Rebecca is an awesome photographer! My husband and I are not photogenic and we usually take silly pictures but these photos turned out beautiful! Rebecca helped us feel comfortable and lead us to gorgeous areas in the redwoods. The ceremony was quick and felt authentic. We got married, took pictures and still had more then enough time to change and go have some burgers and beers. If you want a stress free genuine wedding in a gorgeous spot, do yourself a favor and book these wonderful ladies. I would 100% recommend Donna and Rebecca to anyone, (I already have)
Desiree
Desiree Sent on 08/03/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Highly Recommend Donna!

We were put in touch with Donna through the Dream Inn, where we got married using their Horizon beach-front wedding package. We met with Donna several times via Zoom, and she supported us every step of the way through the process of deciding our ceremony, writing our vows, and ensuring our ceremony went through seamlessly. She was supportive of us as a couple, and was sure to rock her pride for us too! I couldn't suggest a better officiant for your big day. Thank you so much, Donna!
illustration message bubble

Are you interested?

Message vendor

Awards

12
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2021 Winner

Team

Donna Rose  Gardner
Donna Rose Gardner
Partner, Officiant and Elopement Coordinator

I was ordained to perform ceremonies as a non-denominational and cross-cultural minister in 2009 through the Center for Sacred Studie, Since my ordination, I’ve helped hundreds of couples from many different beliefs, cultures and genders cross the threshold into marriage. We are here to be Love and when couples join together in marriage they’re bringing this gift into the world.

I love creating a connection with each other. On the day of your wedding, we all feel this as I help you step into becoming a married couple. My sense of humor is often sprinkled into ceremonies. Love is like that…it manifests joy, happiness and beauty into our hearts.

Ensuring that a couple’s expectations are met is something that is taken very seriously. My desire is that both the ceremony planning process and the day that I say the words, “Family and Friends, I now introduce to you as a married couple…” are an incredible, memorable and fun experience!

Rebecca Stark
Rebecca Stark
Partner and Photographer

I became passionate about photography at a very young age (my Father was a photographer and my Mother was an art teacher). Growing up in front of a camera made me dislike having my portrait taken. For a long time I believed that I was an unphotogenic person, and I preferred to be behind the camera rather than posing in front of it. After studying photography extensively, I have come to realize that in the right hands, there is no such thing as an ‘unphotogenic’ person. I pay a great deal of attention to posing and lighting, so that my clients look as radiant in my pictures as they do in real life.

I consider my style to be eclectic as I’ve been trained in studio portraiture as well as photojournalism. I’m always learning new techniques and attending photography workshops when I can. I’m flexible, fun, and my focus is on your needs. I have over 15 years experience photographing weddings, portraits, and events. I know how to make sure that you look your absolute best, whether it’s indoors or outdoors.

Preferred Vendors

Donna Rose Gardner - Honey In The Heart Ceremonies
5.0 out of 5 rating , 87 Reviews
· Wedding Officiants
seascape flowers
4.9 out of 5 rating , 45 Reviews
· Wedding Florists
Rebecca Stark Photography
5.0 out of 5 rating , 31 Reviews
· Wedding Photographers

Map

Other vendors in Monterey for your wedding

Wedding Vendors