Big Sur is one of the top places people come to elope, and for good reason! With its epic coastal views and redwood forests, this gem on the California coast is a place full of wonder and natural beauty. But it can also be a daunting and overwhelming process trying to figure out how to get married here. Common questions that pop up:

• Can I get married at a state park?
• What are the best places to elope?
• How much does it cost to elope in Big Sur?
• What's the best time of year to elope?

As a local photographer specializing in Big Sur elopements, I've had the privilege of capturing over 200 weddings and elopements, from spontaneous cliffside ceremonies to intimate redwood settings, and even luxury elopements at the area’s high-end resorts. But many of the couples I work with have never visited Big Sur or planned an elopement before. If you're in that same boat, this guide is the perfect starting point to determine if eloping in Big Sur is right for you and what steps to take next. I'll show you what's possible here, but don't worry about finalizing all the details on your own - I'm here to fill in the gaps with customized insights, recommendations, and tips based on your unique story to ensure your Big Sur elopement reflects exactly what you envision. Ready to begin planning your perfect day? Let’s dive in!

These two environmental scientists knew they wanted to get married somewhere that celebrated their love of nature - so Kennolyn Camp Hilltop Hacienda in Santa Cruz was the perfect backdrop for their wedding day! They added so many personal touches to their day, from crystal beads throughout the florals representing water droplets as a nod to his job, to leafy earrings representing the redwood trees, to monarch butterfly placecards on their reception tables as a nod to her job. And even though it rained on them a bit throughout the day, that didn’t deter them at all - it was the happy, joyful day they had always dreamed of, surrounded by the outdoors and the people they love. Check out the rest of their redwoods wedding at Kennolyn Camp!

Ever wondered what an 8-hour elopement looks like? Instead of having a traditional wedding at a venue, R + C choose to have otters and birds witness their wedding day. It was such an intentional and meaningful day in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea, starting with a tea ceremony and getting ready with their 2 brothers and 2 sisters. After a sweet first look, these two shared a few private moments making coffee together, a favorite morning tradition of theirs. Their families joined them on the cliffs of Big Sur for an intimate ceremony on the coast, followed by picnicking on the beach with their two pups. And though we had a mostly cloudy day, the sun even peeked out in the last minutes of sunset as the perfect way to end the day. Check out the rest of R + C's intimate California coastal wedding below!

Most couples dream of watching the sunset over the coast, but foggy days can be just as beautiful - if not even more incredibly stunning! And as most photographers might tell you, foggy days are their favorite. For P + G's proposal, we got to explore the changing cliffs as the fog moved in and out of the mountains, the colorful wildflowers dotting the beach, and even the seasonal calla lillies that filled the valley. Check out the rest of their proposal below!

A + G met in high school, but went on to their separate ways. As luck would have it, they reconnected after he had a dream of her, and the rest is history. Check out this emotional proposal on the California coast - you can't help but smile at these two!

​When K planned a weekend getaway to Carmel with their friends, little did J know that it was all a guise to throw her off his scent of planning a surprise engagement in Big Sur. He told her that they were meeting up with some friends on the beach before a group dinner, so she followed his lead. He led her to a secluded spot away from the crowds, and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect as the waves glistened in the sun and crashed against the rocks. With such a beautiful setting behind them, of course she said yes!

If you're dreaming of getting married on the California coast, there's no better place than Big Sur. A stunningly beautiful destination surrounded by towering redwoods and coastal cliffs, this destination makes for an unforgettable backdrop. Here's a list of top 10 Big Sur wedding venues to help you get started!

Nestled in the small town of Pacific Grove is Asilomar Conference Grounds and Asilomar State Beach, two of the best hidden gems of the Monterey Bay and Central Coast. While most people may know the white sands of Carmel Beach, the playful otters of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, or the rugged coastline of Big Sur, Asilomar holds its own with its rich history and beautiful architecture. Spend enough time with locals and you'll find that its the spot to watch the sunset. Besides its rocky beach, the nearby conference grounds serves as a community gathering place, with live music nights, fire pits, and pool tables. The buildings were designed by Julia Morgan, who is best known for her work at Hearst Castle. So if you're looking for an all-in-one wedding venue that has beach and coastal views, lodging, and historical architecture, this is the place for you!

Just 2.5 hours south of San Francisco, there's a magical place on the California coast where the redwoods meet the ocean and the ocean meets the mountains. The Monterey Bay has grown more and more as a destination over the years - and for good reason! People come from all over the world to see the abundant wildlife and drive down Highway 1 to see the views that California is known for. It's not a surprise that this area is also popular for weddings. Surrounded by such a diverse range of landscapes, there's wedding venues for every type of couple - redwood forests for a fairytale wedding in Big Sur, ocean-view terraces for romantic sunsets overlooking the Pacific Ocean, gardens flourishing against the Santa Lucia Mountains. And the best part is that oftentimes you don't have to choose just one! You could get ready in a redwoods cabin, say your vows in a garden, and chase the sunset on the coast all in one day if you wanted to. If that sounds like your dream wedding, out this guide on Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey wedding venues!

Planning an elopement or intimate wedding instead? Check out the Big Sur Elopement Guide for more information specifically for wedding days with smaller guest counts.

One of my favorite times of year is November and December when the fall crowds die down. We locals living in the Central Coast all know the truth - that winter sunsets are truly the most beautiful. The sun sets over the coast at a certain angle that just highlights the cliffs in the most stunning way. Every once in a while, you'll also get massive waves that crash into the rocks, creating a landscape that just feels like a painting. N + J took their engagement photos in November and luckily got to see one of those beautiful winter sunsets! Check out the rest of their engagement session below.