wedding
photographer
by Wade Snider
coloma, California
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic ParkCOLOMA
WEDDING
PHOTOGRAPHER
Coloma is a small Gold Rush town on Highway 49 in El Dorado County. About 45 minutes from Sacramento and 45 minutes from South Lake Tahoe. The South Fork of the American River runs through it. Most of the historic town is inside Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, where James Marshall found gold in 1848 and started the whole thing.
The park has two 19th century churches available for weddings. Saint John's Church seats around 50. Emmanuel Church seats 150 and runs year round. Both are genuine historic buildings from the 1850s. No decoration required. They look the way they look and that is the point.
I have photographed weddings in Coloma. I am based in Truckee and shoot throughout Northern California including Gold Hill Gardens, Silverthorn Meadows, and the Mountain Terrace in Woodside. The El Dorado foothills are part of my regular market.
Most couples do the ceremony and portraits here and take the reception somewhere else. That is the right move. You get the setting and the history for the ceremony without being stuck with the park's limitations for dinner and dancing. See what Sasha and Kyle did here.
COLOMA
SAMPLE GALLERIES
SASHA & KYLE
SAINT JOHN'S CHURCH, COLOMA
Built in 1856SAINT JOHN'S
CHURCH
Small historic wooden church on the hill above Coloma. Seats around 50 guests. Reserved in 3-hour slots. No ADA access, no restrooms, no heating or AC. It is an 1850s church and it looks like one. The ceremony is intimate by design.
Most couples who book Saint John's do the ceremony and portraits at the park, then move the reception offsite. That is exactly what Sasha and Kyle did and it works well. You get the history and the setting without being constrained by the park's reception limitations.
Built in 1856EMMANUEL
CHURCH
The larger of the two churches in the park. Seats 150 and is available year round. Has hosted hundreds of couples since 1856. Close range to strong reception locations in the surrounding area. A $500 refundable cleaning deposit and liability insurance are required.
PHOTOGRAPHER'S TAKE
Saint John's Church is small and genuine. Built in 1856, it looks like it. Wooden pews, a simple altar, natural light through narrow windows. No decoration required. It photographs the way it is and that is the point.
The portrait options in the park are genuinely good. The South Fork of the American River is steps away. The historic buildings throughout Coloma give you layered, textured backgrounds that a blank field or ballroom cannot replicate. The light on the river in the late afternoon is some of the better natural light in the foothills.
The smartest way to use this venue is what Sasha and Kyle did. Ceremony in the church, portraits on the grounds, then move the whole group to a private venue or restaurant for dinner and dancing. You get the history and the setting for the ceremony without being constrained by the park's limitations for the reception.
One thing to know: this is a public state park. Other visitors will be on the grounds during park hours. The church is reserved exclusively for your event but the surrounding park is shared. Plan for it and it is not a problem.
COLOMA WEDDING FAQ
WHERE IS COLOMA, CALIFORNIA?
Coloma is on Highway 49 between Placerville and Auburn in El Dorado County. About 45 minutes from Sacramento and 45 minutes from South Lake Tahoe. It sits in the Sierra Nevada foothills along the South Fork of the American River.
WHAT WEDDING VENUES ARE IN COLOMA?
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park has two historic churches available for wedding ceremonies — Saint John’s Church which seats around 50, and Emmanuel Church which seats 150 and is available year round. The park also has three riverside picnic sites for outdoor receptions. Many couples use the churches for the ceremony and head to a private venue nearby for the reception.
CAN WE DO THE CEREMONY IN COLOMA AND THE RECEPTION ELSEWHERE?
Yes. That is one of the best ways to use these venues. Get married in the church, spend golden hour doing portraits on the park grounds and along the river, then move the group to a private venue or restaurant for dinner and dancing. It opens up your vendor options and gives guests a proper sit-down dinner.
IS MARSHALL GOLD DISCOVERY PARK A PRIVATE VENUE?
No. It is a public California state park. The church is reserved exclusively for your event but the rest of the grounds are shared with other park visitors during open hours. Plan for it and it is not a problem.
HOW DO I BOOK A WEDDING AT MARSHALL GOLD?
Contact the park Special Events Coordinator at in**@**********ld.com or (530) 295-2174. Download the wedding packet from marshallgold.com before reaching out so you know the full requirements.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I BOOK A PHOTOGRAPHER?
Spring and fall Saturdays in the El Dorado foothills book 12 to 18 months out. If you have a date in Coloma confirmed, reach out as soon as possible.
Getting married in Coloma?LET’S TALK
I photograph weddings throughout El Dorado County and know the Coloma area well. Get in touch with your date and I will let you know if I am available.