A Festival-Inspired Wedding in the Woods: B and J's Burning Man Style Celebration in Nevada City, CA

Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to photograph a unique and unforgettable wedding that perfectly blended the spirit of Burning Man with the serene beauty of the woods in Nevada City. As a traveling and destination photographer newly based in Utah, coming home to California and capturing B and J's vision was a truly special experience. This fun filled couple, who regularly attend Burning Man, wanted to bring the festival's vibrant, community-focused atmosphere to their wedding. They succeeded spectacularly, creating a weekend-long celebration that was as much about connection and creativity as it was about love.

A Festival Built from the Ground Up

In true Burning Man fashion, B and J, along with their dedicated community, built their festival wedding from the ground up. Guests were invited to camp on-site, dance under the stars, and immerse themselves in the joyous atmosphere of community building. It felt like an adult summer camp, with the tall trees providing much-needed shade during the hot days and adding to the ambiance of the event.

Themed Nights and Wild Costumes

Each night of the wedding had a unique theme that encouraged guests to express themselves in their wildest garb. From disco cowboys to solstice fairies and all-out glam and sequins, the creativity on display was truly remarkable. Friends and family from all walks of life came together, meshing and connecting over the three days in a way that felt both organic and magical, for those who had to pack light a glam closet was available on site to make sure that no one was left without costume necessities in the woods.

Day One: Mushroom Tea Party, Crafts, and Dancing

The festivities kicked off with an introduction mushroom ceremony that set the tone for the weekend. This was a time for everyone to gather, share intentions, and start the celebration with a sense of unity and openness. As the ceremony progressed, guests participated in various crafts, adding their personal touches to their heavily used and much needed fans and reusable mugs, and danced as the sun set, marking the beginning of an unforgettable weekend.

Day Two: Solstice Celebrations and Indonesian Culture

The second day was dedicated to morning yoga, port-o-potty decoration and celebrating the solstice and Indonesian pre wedding tradition that close family friends wanted to share with the guests. Including a beautiful ceremony that asked for permission for marriage from the parents, delicious Indonesian food prepared with love, followed by a variety show hosted by the incredibly talented guests (Think opera, stand-up, musicians, and poetry). This day was a vibrant mix of cultural celebration and personal expression, with everyone contributing to the festive atmosphere in true Burning Man fashion,.

Day Three: The Wedding Day

The final day was the wedding day itself, a culmination of all the love, joy, and community spirit that had been building over the weekend. Everyone played a part in creating a relaxing and ease-filled environment, making the day as smooth and enjoyable as possible. When I tell you I cried about 84 times that day, and then upon editing the photos, and then upon delivering the final photos I mean it. The ceremony was a heartfelt exchange of vows, strong family participation of warmth of fun surrounded by the love and support of a close-knit community who have had days if connection. B and J have really spent their lives cultivating this kind of love in their community and it’s no wonder that so many people came together in celebration from all over the world.

Reflecting on an Incredible Experience

As a destination photographer I am in awe of the variety that each wedding represents and tells the story of each couple. Over the three days, I felt DEEPLY welcomed into their community, experiencing firsthand the connection, love, and fun that defined their celebration. This wedding was a true testament to the power of community and the beauty of a festival-style celebration in the woods. Personally I love weekend long weddings, it creates for beautiful work that builds trust over time. It leaves with a sense of friendship and understanding of my client’s world that I find so inspiring.

B and J’s wedding was incredibly memorable, so memorable I hope they do it again next year for their first anniversary. It was so incredibly special I hope to find myself at Burning Man one day and let them show me the ropes.