Someone please help me!!

OOPS: California, not Canada! Never mind!

I had friends that literally hiked into the woods, inviting 20 other people on the hike (those that could go did, many couldn't), and were married overlooking a valley. They had a friend that was ordained, wrote their own vows, and a week later had a small reception at a local grange hall. They did not need permits to hike in the woods with friends. This couple wanted super low budget and didn't have a pro photographer or anything. They just wanted to be married and have their closest friends and family there.

We had other friends that did have it at a state park campground. The wedding was held under this group site gazebo, followed by a short reception, and those that wanted to stay and party got camp sites. Again, no permits needed.

It depends on your goal. If you just want to get married, no muss, no fuss, then do exactly what you want. you don't have to please people with your wedding, especially if those people that want the huge thing aren't paying for it.

A restaurant, a park, a community center, a barn? I don't see why you couldn't set up in the woods. You could set up a tent, some chairs, and a wedding backdrop.

It's difficult because we live in California and there's not many wooded areas.

Santa Cruz has wooded areas that are nice

Can you just walk into the woods and set up a party like that?

Um.... There are LOTS of wooded areas in California. Look for state and national parks. Depending on what part of California you are in, there is everything from the Redwoods to the Sierra, Mendocino, Lassen, Tahoe, Sequoia, Cleveland...ALL national forests... There are so many more, but those are off the top of my head and I only lived in the state for 2 years. Those don't even include some of the smaller parks, either.

ETA: Depending on how many people and what kind of a party and the forestry rules and regulations for October, it is possible. If you are talking hundreds of people, why would you do that? It completely defeats your desire for a small, rustic wedding. Find a farm or ranch you might be able to have it at in the woods...or a camp ground...if at a campground, you ask the rangers or parks department.

Yeah no, we live near Los Angeles in the Inland Empire. There are NOT many wooded areas. We are also in our early twenties with a very small budget and are paying for everything ourselves. We can't afford to travel to San Fransicico to get married at a national park.

Please Google "California National Forests" You will find Angeles National Forest, San Bernardino National Forest, and maybe even Los Padres within your area... Not including STATE forest lands... and camp grounds. Most people here are or have paid for their weddings themselves (we did). There are about 12 national forests and 15 national parks in California. Only 4 of the parks are in the San Fransisco area. Chino Hills State Park is in your area as well, though less wooded. Mount San Jacinto State Park may be a little drive, but looks lovely.

The issue isn't finding wooded areas. It's how to go about having a wedding in those areas without venues. Not here to argue about wooded location s.

I told you in my first response and you said you couldn't because you don't live near woods. Damn. You say "someone please help me!" which is exactly what I am trying to do, and then you cite lack of woods as a reason why you can't have a wedding in the woods. If it is small and just a handful, no, you don't need a permit. Hike in, say I Do and host a reception elsewhere or later or not at all. Or find a nice campground and host it there and ask the parks department about their regulations. They may require you rent a group space.

Are we talking about hosting a full ceremony and reception in the woods?

This could be really beautiful if done right. The first thing you'd need to do is call the park you're looking at and see if it's even possible. Then you'll need to rent everything- shelter (tent), catering, etc. It definitely won't be cheap.

If you just want to do a ceremony in the woods and take everyone to dinner, I think that would be more realistic for you. Hire an officiant, rent some chairs and have them set up in a small clearing or something (again you'll have to call and find out if this is allowed/if you need permits, etc) and there you go. Then you can find a nearby restaurant and take everyone out to a nice dinner.

For someone asking for help you're being pretty confrontational.

California native here! And yea plenty of beautiful locations all throughout the state.

My recommendation is to call the park department and just ask? You won't be the first person with this request

Contact your local state parks

Are there any Boy Scout or Girl Guide camps near you? They will usually rent out their facilities for weddings in the off seasons and allow outside catering. Their dining halls are usually beautiful and fully amenable. They also tend to have a chapel on site.

You dont need any permits to set up a tent or alter in the woods

Hi Perry. You can go about this 1 of 2 ways :

- find the ideal location first, find out who owns it, get permission. Expect to pay, have parking logistics figured out, and time set. If I were the property owner and willing to let a ceremony take place on my private property, at the very least I would expect the couple to provide me proof of insurance.

- contact the Parks and Rec office in that area for information. By going through the Parks and Rec, parking will be taken care of and bathrooms might be readily available. You will need to pay at the very least for a "day pass' for every car that comes in.

I do not recommend just showing up (and especially setting stuff up) for a ceremony. If you are not on your own property, you are on someone else's private property or state property. Paperwork, permits, and fees need to be filled out, filed, and paid for.

This really depends on which national or state park you're looking at. I assume that's what you mean by "woods." Some national parks are so busy that they require a permit (which is pretty cheap) even for tiny groups standing up, if they're planning on being at an overlook or popular place. Keep in mind that is very weather-dependant. Even So Cal can have rain.