Brothers Ranch Watsonville Wedding

Kelsey & Michael

The Brothers Ranch Watsonville, Ca

Some weddings just feel like an extension of the couple, like the love and care they put into building their life together somehow spills into every detail of the day. That was Kelsey and Michael’s wedding at Brothers Ranch in Watsonville, California.

This wasn’t just a wedding day. It was an art project, a garden experience, and a dance party rolled into one. From Kelsey’s handmade, life-sized floral backdrop to her show stopping veil lined with bright-Colored flowers, every part of this day bloomed with intention, creativity, and heart.

A Ceremony Framed in Color

Surrounded by bold, joyful florals created thanks to Rosalea Design, the ceremony felt alive with color and intention. Kelsey walked down the aisle in a simple, elegant dress which perfectly highlighted her veil finished with bright floral appliqués tracing up her back like a garden blooming in real time.

Handmade (Yes, She Made That)

So let’s talk about the photo booth floral installation, or, really, the handmade masterpiece Kelsey spent hours creating. Imagine life-sized flowers, sculpted by hand, surrounding guests in a custom-designed photo spot that was equal parts playful and artful and absolutely stunning!

Everywhere you looked, color popped against the soft tones of the ranch—wild bouquets, layered textures, and artful touches that brought out the couple’s personalities. Kelsey’s vision was loud in the best way: joyful, honest, unapologetically vibrant.

A Private Dance Party in a Bamboo Grove

After the ceremony and just before the reception began, we slipped away to the bamboo grove tucked on the property, a hidden little corner of Brothers Ranch that feels like another world. As we wAndered through, Kelsey and Michael started dancing.

Just the two of them. No music playing.

It was pure joy. A little moment of freedom and movement before the party kicked off. The grove, the glow, the laughter—it was one of my favorite parts of the day to photograph.

Reception LOve

The reception rolled out in the open-air courtyard and barn. tables dressed in color, glow sticks at the ready, and guests already buzzing from how meaningful the ceremony had been. There were heartfelt toasts, belly laughs, and the kind of dancing that makes your cheeks hurt from smiling.

Kelsey and Michael created something that felt less like an event and more like a living, breathing piece of them. Their wedding didn’t try to be anyone else’s—it was completely original, right down to the handmade flowers and custom dance moves!

Planning a Brothers Ranch Wedding of Your Own?

I’d love to help you photograph it. I specialize in capturing honest, colorful, imperfectly perfect moments for couples who don’t want cookie-cutter. If you’re bringing your personality, your people, and your creativity to the day—I’ll meet you there, camera in hand.

Vendor Credits

• Venue: Brothers Ranch, Watsonville, CA

• Planner:Sarah Elizabeth Events

• Floral Installation & Photo Backdrop: Handmade by the bride (!)

• Florals & Floral Design: Rosalea Design

• Catering: Humble Bumble Catering

• Hair and Make up: Kate Miller

• DJ: DJ Shazam

Danielle & Max’s Celebration Under the Trees | A Redwoods Wedding at Waterfall Lodge In Ben Lomond, Ca

Danielle & Max’s

Celebration Under the Trees

Tucked deep in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Waterfall Lodge in Ben Lomond, California offers one of the most magical redwood wedding venues in Northern California—and Danielle and Max’s heartfelt celebration was the perfect example of why this spot is such a hidden gem.

Surrounded by towering trees, cozy A-frame cabins, and the softest of forest light, their wedding was intimate (but not in size), emotional, and uniquely them. With their two beautiful children—baby Jack and their daughter Noa—by their side the entire day, it was more than a wedding... it was a family celebration woven into nature itself.

Getting Ready in the Redwoods

The day began slowly and sweetly, with morning light filtering through the redwoods as guests settled into the A-frame cabins onsite. This is one of the most special things about having a Waterfall Lodge wedding: the entire property becomes a weekend retreat. From the rustic cabins to the lodge itself, guests are immersed in nature—and in each other.

Danielle got ready just steps away from the ceremony site, her energy calm and full of love. Noa twirled around in her flower girl dress while baby Jack charmed everyone with sleepy smiles.

A Ceremony That Celebrated Family

Set beneath a canopy of towering redwoods, the ceremony was simple, emotional, and absolutely stunning. Danielle and Max exchanged vows surrounded by the people who mattered most—and when they walked back down the aisle, guests greeted them with a joyful shower of bubbles, floating through shafts of light in the trees. It felt like a scene from a forest fairytale.

Of course, one very special “guest” made an appearance: Max’s prized white Porsche, gleaming beneath the trees and adding a touch of modern cool to the woodsy scene. The car, like the couple, was polished, meaningful, and completely authentic.

Reception Vibes: Pressed Flowers, & A Giant Handmade Charcuterie Table

The reception that followed was full of laughter, music, and forest air. One of the most jaw-dropping details? Their wedding cake—covered in delicate, dried pressed flowers by Melinda’s Gluten Free Bakery. It was almost too beautiful to eat (but yes, everyone did, and it was delicious). Another show-stopper, the giant table-length charcuterie the bride and her friends prepared for the guests to enjoy. And they did! Not one morsel was left standing!

Guests mingled under string lights, wandered between cabins, enjoyed handcrafted beverages from the amazing bar cart Movin and Shakin Cocktail Company and tons of fresh seafood and oysters from H & H Fresh Fish CO and soaked in the magic of the forest. Kids played on the grass, Noa danced barefoot, and baby Jack was passed between relatives and friends like a little bundle of joy.

Why Waterfall Lodge is One of the Best Wedding Venues in Santa Cruz County

Waterfall Lodge is that Santa Cruz redwoods wedding venue that feels like stepping into another world. It’s located just outside the small mountain town of Ben Lomond, tucked away enough to feel private, but still close to town for vendors and guests.

It offers:

• Onsite lodging in charming A-frame cabins

• A secluded redwood ceremony grove

• A covered reception space with wooden Lodge and forest views

• Easy access to nearby towns like Santa Cruz with beaches and the Boardwalk for ACTIVITIES, Felton with roaring camp railroads, and Boulder Creek with plenty of nature

• A true “wedding weekend retreat” experience

Whether you’re planning an intimate elopement or a full weekend wedding, Waterfall Lodge offers something rare: quiet, grounding magic.

Danielle & Max’s wedding was the perfect reflection of what that can look like when love and family are at the center of it all.

Planning Your Own Santa Cruz Redwoods Wedding?

If you're dreaming of a wedding among the trees—whether it's an elopement with just the two of you or a celebration with all your favorite people—I'd love to help document it. As a local Santa Cruz wedding and elopement photographer, I specialize in capturing honest, heartfelt moments in the most magical corners of California’s coast and redwood forests.

Reach out to see if your date is available—I'm currently booking Waterfall Lodge weddings, Big Sur elopements, and ANY other Santa Cruz AND beyond sessions if you need help for the upcoming season.

Vendor Love

• Venue: Waterfall Lodge, Ben Lomond, CA

• Cake: Melinda’s Gluten Free Bakery

• Florals:WIld Iris Floral

• Bar Cart: Movin and Shakin Cocktail Catering

• Seafood & Oyster Bar: H & H Fresh Fish CO

Big Sur Wedding Venue Spotlight -- Loma Vista Gardens, Dana & Josh's Epic Boho Wedding

Loma Vista Gardens wedding in Big Sur, California photographed by Santa Cruz wedding and Elopement photographer Kassandra Thomsen Photography.

Dana and Josh are a dream couple, free spirits who embraced the idea that a wedding day can look and feel any way you want it to! From the beautiful boho decor, to the adult only guest list( complete with Cannabis/Marijuana bar), Danna and Josh made their wedding day a perfect party that represented their love.

Dana and Josh’s wedding at Loma Vista Gardens in Big Sur, California, was seriously the best vibes. As a Santa Cruz wedding photographer, I’m always stoked to work with couples who do their wedding day their own way—and Dana and Josh took that to a whole new level. They’re a couple of magical humans who wanted their wedding to be a true reflection of who they are—adventurous, fun, and just a little bit unconventional.

Set against the jaw-dropping views of Big Sur, Loma Vista Gardens was the perfect spot for their whimsical wedding. We’re talking unique Big Sur touches, towering trees, and that wild California beauty you just can’t get anywhere else. If you’ve been dreaming of a Big Sur elopement or wedding, this spot is all kinds of magical.

A Wedding Full of Heart and Personality

Dana and Josh didn’t want your typical wedding day—they wanted something that felt authentic to them. And boy, did they deliver. From the boho decor (think flowing fabrics, dreamy florals, and earthy vibes) to the adult-only guest list with a custom cannabis/marijuana bar, everything about their day was 100% “them.” It was chill, personal, and way more fun than your average wedding.

Their decor, by Chic Event Rentals. Absolutely stunning. Soft, earthy tones with pops of wild florals by Peaches and Poppies Floral made the whole space feel like an intimate, cozy dream. Whether you’re planning a Carmel Valley wedding, a Monterey wedding, or just dreaming of a relaxed Big Sur wedding, the details really set the vibe. Dana and Josh nailed it—showing that your wedding can be whatever you want it to be. And the the team behind the relaxed vibe and handling all the amazing details for the month of coordination was my talented friend and Addy , whose talents will help you plan and coordinate the day of your dreams.

The Cannabis Bar – California Style

Okay, let’s talk about the cannabis bar. The couple wanted their wedding to be as laid-back and fun as they are, so they created a full-on cannabis bar for their adult-only crowd. This isn’t something you see every day at weddings. The guests were all about it, and it made the party feel like a true celebration of Dana and Josh’s unique style.

Big Sur Elopement Vibes

For couples looking to elope in Big Sur, or tie the knot somewhere equally rad like Santa Cruz, Monterey, or Carmel Valley, Dana and Josh’s wedding shows how you can make your day as unique as you are. No rules, no pressure—just a whole lot of love and a good time. Big Sur is such a great place to say your vows, whether you're just the two of you or bringing a group of your favorite people along. And if you’re all about that relaxed vibe with the backdrop of coastal cliffs and forests, you’re in for a treat.

Loma Vista Gardens is one of those venues that makes you feel like you’re part of something bigger than just your wedding day. It's the perfect spot for anyone wanting a little more than your typical Carmel Valley or Monterey wedding, but still with that California dream vibe.

Capturing the Magic of Big Sur and Santa Cruz Weddings

As a photographer specializing in Santa Cruz elopements, Monterey weddings, and Carmel Valley elopements, my goal is to capture the real moments—the laughs, the glances, the fun little details that make your day one-of-a-kind. Whether you’re dreaming of a Big Sur elopement or a low-key Santa Cruz wedding, I want to help you tell your story in a way that feels authentic to you.

Big Sur is one of those places that brings the magic all on its own—wild cliffs, endless ocean views, and an energy that’s hard to beat. If you’re looking for a wedding or elopement that captures that adventurous spirit, authenticity of your love, I’m here to help you make it happen.

Meet Kassandra

Hey, hey!

Thanks for stopping by and getting to know me.

A few quick things about me:

I officially have teenagers…send tips and help 🫠

I love nature, hiking, exploring, finding banana slugs, tide pooling for nudibranchs and sea glass.

I happily carry these loves on with my kids. Our favorite— an annual camping trip with 50 of our close friends for our first Summer week at Big Sur Campground. Hiking, hunting for crawdad’s and abalone shells, swimming and cooking over the campfire.

Slowly trying to learn Swedish so I can speak when I visit my boyfriend’s family, but oh my gosh have you tried to speak Swedish?!

Yoga, weights, pilates are my recharge.

Delicious food and traveling to old cities for museums and art or sunning on a warm sandy beach and snorkeling are my favorite vacations.

My passion for photography was ignited by my nature loving, Ansel Adams super fan of a Dad. This man shot film photos of my childhood and all our adventures in Yosemite and Big Sur growing up. There are even a few that pre-date me where he and his friends stand toe to the edge of Halfdome and Glacier Point! Though I get my passion for photos from him, I definitely am not the risk taker he was and you will see when we photograph together my mom side as I don’t let anyone go to close to the edge of the cliffs lol

My mom, a talented actress among many other talents, also had a hand my passion for cameras. She recorded VHS tapes of the many performances my cousins and I forced our family to gather in the livingroom and watch. In one of these memorable shows I decided at 9 years old, our tiny living room would be the ideal stage to show off my newfound cartwheeling skills! One broken toe and cast up to my knee later, the shows in the living room were put on mega hold for me and I began to hop behind the camera instead.

By High School I was enamored with movies and how they were made, this prompted me to take my first photo class at Santa Cruz High School. I loved dramatic, moody black and whites making classmates seem like characters out of Pride and Prejudice. Dressed in ornate costumes and buried in wisteria bushes and ivy walls we scouted near school. My girl friends and I even designed, and shot an entire fashion magazine on sleepover weekend just for fun! Nerd alert… yep I know! I’m proud of it!

As High School graduation approached, 17 year old Kassandra didn’t feel her passions could be a “real” job. Instead of pursuing my passion, I decided to pick the safe path and went to college with the goal of a Business degree. 😅 At one of the biggest party schools in the state…. 20 year old Kassandra soon realized she couldn’t let it go! Thank gawd! and by 24 I had transferred to San Francisco State’s Film and Tv Production program. After struggling in my first college, almost dropping out completely! At this new college I felt absolutely inspired and motivated to learn and grow. Even interning at an amazing non-fiction tv production company Hoff Productions that produced shows for National Geographic, History Channel, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and more. I learned the importance of storytelling through imagery, how great lighting can change a picture completely, the power of editing, and how to make non-actors comfortable in front of a camera. I graduated with a 4.0 and was the one of the only graduates in my class to get hired into a real film and tv job. I was in the right place. This was the life I was meant to have, or so I thought. I soon realized being at a production company learning to be a Producer was not for me. The office space wasn’t made for a nature loving, camera nerd from Santa Cruz.

I wanted to be back behind a camera.

At 27 I moved to Los Angeles and by the luck of connections landed with some rad colleagues who brought me along to learn the camera department on some big shows, music videos and commercials. I met Ozzy Osbourne and his whole family, Allan Ball and Ben Whishaw. I worked 15 hour days. I worked weeks at a time and then not at all. I was hazed by the patricharcial men on set, and attempted to be saved by the ones who saw it happening. I was constantly belittled and asked why I wasn’t in front of the camera instead of behind it, misogyny at its finest! It slowly tried to devour me— the hustle life—the “movie biz”, the “if you won’t do it someone else will” mentality…. Part of 27 year old me loved it! It felt cool to be a part of things so famous, recognized for work so many people see. But the part of me who was raised by a brillant, liberal, feminist CEO mother. A woman who taught and practiced ‘People over Profit”, “Caring Capitalism”, and the importance and benefits of including women in all business spaces…THAT young woman was grappling with how often I was the only woman on set… besides the hair and make up ladies or the actresses themselves. How often I was asked to get coffee, or assumed I was the make-up artist or costume designer, that woman was grappling!!! And at that very pivotal moment the universe threw me the biggest curveball of my life—

I was pregnant.

My partner of many years and I had some tough decisions to make. He was a new nurse trying to get hired and I was visibly pregnant trying to get hired. It was tough! We made the call to move to Santa Cruz where our families both were and where he was being offered a job. I was 28 years old. The first of our friends to have a baby. The first of our friends to get married. I didn’t quite understand at that time the pressure on a young woman to figure out how to give up my career for my child and my partner. It sounds harsh but that is the reality of the position I found myself—have my child and give up my passion. At that time it was relatively easy choice as I did truly want my child AND no one would hire me with my baby belly on full display. Thankfully shortly after my son began to move and kick inside me, the minute I felt him for the first time I knew there was no other choice. The universe had made it for me and I have been beyond grateful ever since. I felt a love I have never been able to adequately express with any words that can do it justice. I felt whole and purposeful on a level I didn’t even know was possible. I was a mom. And damn ….I was MEANT to be a mom!

Over the next few years my beautiful children inspired me to again pick up a camera. This time a still camera where I could freeze every stage of their precious ages to hold onto and relive because it was just happening so fast. I wanted to memorize every new face they made, every new emotion as it emerged from their first smile to their first babble of “mama”. I wanted to tell the story of my love for them and their love for me. This blossomed my most true love and new career —photography.

From my images I hope you truly feel the moment. You are transported back to it. I want you laugh at the silly drunk groomsmen dancing to “get low” with Grandma. Feel the emotions and love of a mom and daughter dance as they remember a father gone to soon and embrace each other a little tighter. The braveness of the shy 5 year old flower girl walking down the isle all eyes on her and being encouraged with glee filled claps and cheers. These are your memories and I hope through my camera to freeze them for you, to always have, to relive over and over and look back on forever.

thanks,

Kassandra