Together with their families

Amayah and Jon Henry

Are getting married

Our Story Schedule Travel RSVP
Amayah and Jon Henry

Our Story

How it all began

Jon Henry grew up in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Amayah grew up in the city below. An only child and the baby of her family — two people who spent years in the same small orbit without ever quite colliding. There was even a forgotten blind date at Hula's, years before either of them thought much of it.

Then came Tinder, a match, and a second chance at a first date. Amayah arrived thirty minutes late. It didn't matter. The whole evening was nothing but laughter.

It was only after they started dating that the pieces fell into place. Amayah's best friend had worked under Jon Henry. His best friend had gone to school with her. They had been in each other's world for years — sharing friends, sharing mountains, sharing a town — without ever knowing it.

Some people find each other. These two were always nearby.
Our

Ceremony

Our ceremony is woven from two rich traditions — Jewish and Thai Buddhist — held beneath a canopy of ancient redwoods. Guests of all faiths and backgrounds are warmly welcomed.

Jewish Tradition

Beneath the Chuppah

Amayah and Jon Henry will be married beneath a chuppah — a canopy of white roses and trailing greenery. They will sign a ketubah before the ceremony. It closes with the breaking of the glass, followed by Mazel Tov.

Thai Buddhist Tradition

The Monk Blessing

At dawn on the wedding day, monks will offer sacred chants and a water blessing. Lotus and jasmine will fill the space. Family and close friends are welcome to attend in quiet witness.

I

The Chuppah

White roses and trailing greenery — the symbolic home they enter together

II

The Monk Blessing

Sacred dawn chants and a water blessing offered by Thai Buddhist monks

III

The Ketubah

A hand-illustrated marriage contract, signed before the ceremony

IV

Floral Symbolism

White roses alongside lotus and jasmine — each tradition in bloom

V

Breaking the Glass

The ceremony closes in joy — Mazel Tov in the air

VI

Redwood Cathedral

Ancient trees as silent witnesses — sacred ground for all

The

Wedding Party

Amayah's Side
Her People
Amber Darnley
Helen Dillman
Isabel Eliscu
Maggie Farley
Courtney Poncini
Maddie Shandrew
Stevie Singh
Christine Ueberrhein
Jon Henry's Side
His People
Micheal Burirak
Jonathan Cosentino
Jack Fitzgerald
Matt Galvan
Nate Hansel
Dale Manis
Chris Svendson
The

Celebration

Wednesday
April 7th — Arrival & Welcome
3:00 pm

Venue Access & Check-In

Waterfall Lodge & Retreat · 325 Hidden Falls Trail

The wedding party begins setup. Guests are welcome to arrive and settle into their cabins.

3:00 pm

Jon Henry's Welcome Drink

Henflings of Ben Lomond · 9450 Highway 9

Jon Henry would love for those who are up for it to join him at his favorite local dive bar.

Casual
5:45 pm

Welcome Dinner

Waterfall Lodge & Retreat

A casual dinner for all guests — the first meal together as a gathered family.

6:30 pm

Toasts

Waterfall Lodge & Retreat

Parents, wedding party, and close friends raise a glass during dinner.

7:30 pm

Fireside Social

Waterfall Lodge & Retreat

Drinks, mingling, and lawn games by the fire.

9:30 pm

Wind Down

Waterfall Lodge & Retreat

Rest up — tomorrow is the big day.

Thursday
April 8th — The Wedding Day
7:30 am

Breakfast

Waterfall Lodge & Retreat

Available for all overnight guests.

At Dawn

Monk Blessing Ceremony

Waterfall Lodge & Retreat

A sacred Thai Buddhist blessing. Family and close friends are warmly welcome.

Thai Buddhist Tradition
2:30 pm

Guests Arrive & Are Seated

Redwood Cathedral · Waterfall Lodge & Retreat

Please be seated by 3:00 pm.

3:00 pm

Ceremony

Redwood Cathedral · Waterfall Lodge & Retreat

The processional begins. The bride is walked down the aisle by her aunt and uncle.

Black Tie
3:30 pm

Cocktail Hour

Waterfall Lodge & Retreat

Champagne and hors d'oeuvres beneath the trees.

5:00 pm

Dinner & Reception

Waterfall Lodge & Retreat

Seated dinner, toasts, and dancing to follow.

8:30 pm

Late Night Snacks

Waterfall Lodge & Retreat

S'mores by the fire.

9:50 pm

Reception Wind Down

Waterfall Lodge & Retreat

Music ends. Final shuttle departs at 9:50 pm.

Friday
April 9th — Farewell Day
10:00 am

Checkout

Waterfall Lodge & Retreat

All guests check out by 10:00 am. But the day isn't over.

11:00 am

Pool Day at Trout Farm

Trout Farm Inn · 7701 East Zayante Road, Felton

A heated saltwater pool among the redwoods. Cabanas, snack shack, cold drinks, and a diving board. Come as you are.

Casual
Getting

To Ben Lomond

Waterfall Lodge & Retreat

On-site lodging for up to 80 guests across 32 private cabins nestled among the ancient redwoods. Please reach out to us directly to reserve a cabin — we will thoughtfully assign them and share the private booking link.

325 Hidden Falls Trail · Ben Lomond, California 95005

Nearest Airports

San Jose International (SJC) is closest at approximately 35 miles. San Francisco (SFO) and Monterey (MRY) are also accessible. A rental car is recommended for the mountain roads.

Shuttle Service

A private 14-passenger shuttle runs continuously during the two hours before the ceremony for off-site guests. Return service runs through reception, final shuttle at 9:50 pm.

Nearby Accommodations

Brookdale Lodge11570 Highway 9 · 10 min
Dream Inn Santa Cruz25 min · Oceanfront
Hotel Paradox, Santa Cruz28 min · Design Hotel
Chaminade Resort & Spa30 min · Full Resort
Things

To Do

Henry Cowell Redwoods

101 North Big Trees Park Road, Felton

Stunning old-growth redwood groves, lush creekside trails, and scenic picnic spots just minutes from the venue.

Roaring Camp Railroads

5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton

Scenic steam train rides through towering forests and up to breathtaking mountain views — a beloved local adventure.

Henflings of Ben Lomond

9450 Highway 9, Ben Lomond

Jon Henry's favorite local dive bar. Live music, a relaxed crowd, and unpretentious charm. You'll already know where it is.

Garden of Eden

Highway 9, Felton · Henry Cowell Park

A beautiful natural swimming hole along the San Lorenzo River, surrounded by redwoods and smooth rock formations.

Trout Farm Inn

7701 East Zayante Road, Felton

Heated saltwater pool, cabanas, and a snack shack in the redwoods. We'll be here on April 9th — join us!

Santa Cruz Boardwalk

400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz · 30 min

The iconic California beach boardwalk. A classic way to spend an afternoon before or after the weekend.

Dress

Code

Black tie in the redwoods — elevated and elegant, with the forest as your backdrop.

For her & them

Gowns & Formal Wear

Floor-length gowns — the ideal choice. Flowing silhouettes, column gowns, or lace details.
Formal midi dresses — elegant and appropriate for a garden setting.
Block heels or wedges — the venue is on a natural hillside. Stilettos at your own discretion.
Wrap or jacket — April evenings in the mountains are cool.
For him & them

Tuxedos & Formal Suits

Tuxedo — the classic black tie choice. Black or midnight navy with a bow tie.
Dark formal suit — charcoal, deep navy, or black with dress shirt and tie.
Dress shoes — oxfords or formal loafers. Solid soles are practical on natural terrain.
Overcoat or blazer — evenings get cool. A fitted overcoat is both warm and elegant.
Color palette

What Reads Beautifully in the Forest

Encouraged
Deep jewel tones — forest green, burgundy, deep plum, midnight navy.
Neutral elegance — champagne, taupe, blush, warm grey.
Black — always appropriate for black tie.
Metallics — gold, bronze, antique silver glow beautifully by candlelight.
Please avoid
All white shades — white, ivory, cream, off-white, and champagne white are reserved for the bride.
Casual fabrics — denim, cotton sundresses, or anything beach-adjacent.
Neon or very bright colors — they clash with the moody forest setting.
Espresso
Forest
Burgundy
Midnight
Gold
Champagne
Ivory*

* All white shades — white, ivory, cream, off-white — are reserved for the bride.

Most importantly — we want you to feel confident, beautiful, and ready to celebrate.
When in doubt, go one step more formal.

A gift,

If You Wish

Your presence at our celebration is the greatest gift of all. For those who wish to give, we have a registry on Zola.

View Our Registry
Join

Us

We would be so honored to have you with us in the redwoods. Please use the link below to let us know you'll be there.

RSVP Here

Kindly reply by February 1st, 2027

Good

To Know

Are children welcome?+
Absolutely — children are warmly welcomed and we truly look forward to seeing families together on the dance floor. If there is anything we can do to make your family's experience more comfortable, please let us know.
What is the dress code?+
We kindly request formal attire — suits, tuxedos, gowns, and elevated evening wear. To our she's, they's, and gays — our venue is on a hillside with natural terrain, so please wear heels at your own discretion. We want you feeling fabulous and steady on your feet.
What time should I arrive?+
Guests staying two nights can check in as early as 3:00 pm on Wednesday, April 7th — we hope you'll join us for the full weekend! Guests staying one night check in from 1:00 pm on Thursday, April 8th. For off-site guests, a private 14-passenger shuttle runs continuously during the two hours before the ceremony from a designated pickup location (TBA). We recommend arriving early to allow for multiple runs. Final return shuttle departs at 9:50 pm.
What should I know about the ceremony?+
Our ceremony weaves together Jewish and Thai Buddhist traditions. No prior knowledge of either practice is needed. Guests of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed — simply arrive present and open-hearted.
Can I attend the monk blessing ceremony?+
The dawn monk blessing on April 8th is open to family and close friends. We ask that attendees dress modestly — covered shoulders and knees — and be prepared to remove shoes. Full details will accompany your formal invitation.
How do I book a cabin on-site?+
We would love for you to stay on-site with us for the full weekend! Cabins are $300 per night and range from sleeping 2 to 4 guests. Bookings open 4 months before the wedding date, and we personally assign all cabins — so please reach out at your earliest convenience if you'd like to stay on property. Do not book directly through the lodge. The sooner you let us know, the better your chances of securing your preferred cabin size.
Still have questions?+
We are happy to help with anything at all. Please reach out and we will be in touch as soon as possible.