A Local Big Sur Photographer's Planning Guide to Eloping in Big Sur

When it comes to elopement locations in the US, Big Sur is one of the top places people come to get married. With its vast coastal views and redwood forests, it's a place full of wonder and natural beauty. As a local Big Sur elopement photographer who has helped plan and photograph over 200 elopements here, I'm here to help you craft an epic day that feels genuine to your love story. Check out this guide for how to elope in Big Sur, including location recommendations, best months to elope, day-of timelines, and planning tips!

We're back for Iceland Round 2! On our first trip to Iceland 3 years ago (you can check out our 7-Day Iceland Campervan Ring Road Itinerary), we hit up all of the major tourist spots - the famous waterfalls, the glacier lagoons, the black sand beach. This time, our goal was to explore the Icelandic highlands. The only way to get there was to drive f-roads into the mountains, or take river busses specifically designed to ford rivers. It was quite the different adventure indeed - full of mountain hikes, hot springs, and remote huts. We did explore a few glaciers and black sand beaches along the way as well (even we needed a break from all the hiking!) If you're looking for true adventure and are willing to put in the steps to see the most incredible views, this is the itinerary for you!

​You wouldn’t even know that K tore his Achilles tendon 5 days before their elopement. When A + K delivered me this news, I told them to keep me posted and that we could play it by ear - whatever was safe and comfortable for him. Luckily his doctor gave the approval to continue with the elopement, so these two carefully made their way to the beautiful Big Sur coastline that they had fallen in love with on one of their early road trips together. We had planned to have their ceremony at low tide, specifically so we could access this sea cave and the giant rock formations at the end of the beach. Since we couldn’t make it to some of the steeper paths, we spent more time exploring the beach which they absolutely loved. They laughed, they cried, they dipped their toes in the ocean as they said their vows to each other, and they shared giant Oreo cookie sandwiches topped with a model of their pup Finn. To top it off, we saw countless whale spouts in the distance as they picnicked on the beach and explored the coast - a beautiful way to watch the sunset! Check out the rest of K + A's Big Sur elopement below!

It was March 2020. Sparks flew when R + M glided past each other on roller skates one afternoon at Venice Beach. They went on three dates in one week, immediately connecting and knowing that they found something special. After all, it's not everyday that you meet someone rollerskating! R was a yoga and spin teacher, a talented performer both off and on skates. M was an entrepreneur and DJ, owning multiple businesses and the music to her moves. But as we all know - March 2020 was when the world shut down. They decided to take a chance on each other even though they had only known each other for a few weeks. Four and a half years of shared adventures and laughter later, they eloped in the redwoods of Big Sur, California. These two couldn't keep the grins on their faces, a reflection of the incredible love story they had found in each other. R giggled and danced her way down the trail to see M for their first look, they couldn't help but tear up during their ceremony even though they didn't choose to say personal vows, and they laced up their skates for the most epic dance moves in the redwoods I had ever seen. We continued to the beach and the coast, where they shared cupcakes for a sweet little picnic, ran along the shore, and even explored a sea cave. Their elopement ended with a foggy day on the coast, a perfect end to a magical day. Check out the rest of R + M's Big Sur elopement below!

The historical La Playa Hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea was recently remodeled in 2023, making it a perfect setting for couples wanting to get married in a place reminiscent of Europe. This hotel felt like a secret getaway, with elements drawing influence from Spanish, Italian, and French architecture. As S + M walked around admiring the arched windows, colorful garden courtyard, and iron staircases, they felt like they were in their own little world. They didn't need much else - the backdrop spoke for itself so they chose to skip any florals and decor. That didn't make it any less special, as they shared many tears during their ceremony. After a sweet congratulations with their family, we adventured to the Big Sur coast and redwoods, and they ended their day with dinner at Michelin star restaurant Chez Noir. Check out the rest of their La Playa wedding below!

When A + J had planned to get married in Maui last year, they never could've imagined that their dream elopement on the cliffs and in the forests of Kaanapali would be devastated by the Maui wildfires. They spent days evacuating the island. They ended up eloping in Vegas, but never got a chance to wear their wedding outfits. A year later, A + J decided to reclaim their wedding day by adventuring in Big Sur. Though not the original Maui landscapes they planned, Big Sur reflected their love of the trees and the ocean that had drawn them in the first place. Check out the rest of their wedding portraits session below!

​When E + J met, it felt like fate. A series of coincidences let them to connecting on Hinge, and since then, they’ve adventured across the world from scaling Angel’s Landing in Zion to visiting her family in Seoul. Since their families and friends were from all over, they decided to bring them all together to California, which became their new home just a few weeks before the wedding! It was a celebration for the ages - so much laughter and tears, and incredible toasts that so clearly showed the love they had for each other and their loved ones. Check out the rest of E + J's Hyatt Carmel Highlands wedding below!

G + M were introduced to each other through their parents, but it was their immediate strong connection that drew them to starting a relationship while in different countries - M, in California on the West coast, and G, in Toronto on the East coast. But distance couldn't keep them apart, and through their visits across the country, they found so much joy in getting to spend time with each other. It couldn't be more evident when I adventured with them in Big Sur. The moment their feet hit the sand on the beach, they were chasing each other, jumping into the water, splashing water everywhere, and laughing until they couldn't anymore. Check out the rest of their Big Sur engagement session below!

With Big Sur, you never know what the weather's going to be like - the weather often changes by the minute, and even by the mile. But the best part is that no matter what the weather's like, you can't go wrong. When I was driving down Highway 1 to L + G's engagement shoot, I was immediately excited when I saw the fog banks rolling over the mountains. They told me the same thing when they parked, that one of the reasons they chose to get married here on the coast was because they loved way the fog made the coastline so magical, like it couldn't be real time. When we ventured out to the rocky cliffs, we were greeted with the most incredible view - golden rays of sun shining through the misty fog, the rocks fading into the distance. The mountains came in and out of the fog throughout their session, and we had to just stop and take it all in. It was truly an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime sunset (even with the hundreds of sunsets I've seen over this exact same coastline!) Check out the rest of L + G's Big Sur engagement session below!

K had spent a few summers working at the Big Sur State Parks, and those memories spent hiking in the redwoods and in the mountains stayed with her. Though she had travelled to over 50 countries and seen so much, Big Sur remained as one of the top 3 most beautiful places she had ever been. Her fiancé, however, had never been, and this was the perfect opportunity for her to show him why she fell in love with the California coastline. On a warm summer day in Big Sur, these two got married at a private estate overlooking the ocean, with seals barking in the distance, birds flying overhead, and wildflowers dotting the paths. It was the spiritual experience she had remembered from all those years ago, made all the more magical because she got to share it with her loved ones. Check out the rest of their Wind and Sea intimate wedding on the Big Sur coast below!