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Last Updated November 2025
Big Sur is one of the most popular 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 process trying to figure out how to get married here. You might have questions like:
Big Sur Elopements At-A-Glance
Permit Costs: $400-$425, Venues: $0-$9,375, can be less if working with a photographer/planner
Best Time of Year: April-November Planning Timeline: 3-12 months ahead, book photographer first Guest Count: Up to 25 people, more options if less than 10 people Need Permits? Contact f[email protected] for coastal elopements, Contact [email protected] for redwoods elopements
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 If you fell in love with the Twilight wedding, this wedding inspo is for you. These two always envisioned a barefoot wedding in the redwoods, and what better place to get married than the campground in Big Sur that M used to spend her childhood memories at. It was everything they imagined - all their guests hanging out in the cabins and campgrounds for a few days, adventuring barefoot in the redwoods and on the coast, and the most dreamy evening spent under the stars and twinkle lights amongst the redwoods with good food and good company. Check out the rest of their October fall wedding below!
 J + R had never seen the redwoods, so they came to Big Sur to elope. They couldn’t have picked a more perfect day - the sun danced through the trees for their intimate redwoods ceremony, then the fog rolled in as they made burgers on the beach followed by the most incredible mix of sun and cloud on the coast. We couldn’t help but just end the day with taking a moment to stand in awe of the landscape. Check out the rest of their Big Sur elopement below!
If you're dreaming of a redwoods and coast elopement, this one's for you! These two always dreamed of getting married in a place surrounded by natural beauty, and Big Sur was the perfect place! They spent their day walking under the towering redwoods, sharing pizza on the beach, exploring sea caves, and saying their vows at sunset over the coast. Check out the rest of their elopement below!
 J + A were travelling all the way from Australia to visit the West Coast - a place they had always dreamed of visiting. As big outdoor lovers, they set their sights on all the major parks, from the moody forests of the Pacific Northwest to the grand mountains of Yosemite to the diverse coastline of Big Sur. Since they were staying at Alila Ventana Big Sur (one of my favorite properties in the area!), he knew that this part of the trip was the perfect place for a surprise proposal. I walked him through the perfect timing for that dreamy sunlight through the trees, and it turned out exactly how he had always imagined! Though we originally planned to stay on the property for more photos, I mentioned that on the drive down, I noticed an incredible fog layer over the coastline that would be so amazing for them to see. Since they didn't get to see any of it on the drive down due to the fog, we decided to make a last minute change of plans to drive up to Bixby Bridge - and it certainly didn't disappoint! Check out the rest of their proposal below.
Few places in the world capture romance quite like Big Sur. With its rugged coastal cliffs, towering redwood forests, and stunning sunsets, this stretch of California’s Highway 1 feels like it was made for couples. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, celebrating an anniversary, or simply looking for a place to reconnect, Big Sur has a magical way of slowing everything down. And the best part? You don’t need an unlimited budget to experience it. From cliffside luxury resorts to cozy cabins tucked in the forest, here are five of the most romantic places to stay in Big Sur for every budget.
 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!
 One snowy fall down a hill in college, and these two have been falling for each other ever since. You can’t be around these two and not smile, and it was true on their wedding day in downtown Monterey where they brought their family and friends from all over the country to celebrate with them. There was so much thought put into all the details of their day, from the colorful florals adorning the grounds, to the handpicked books they covered in floral wrapping paper as a seating chart. Check out the rest of their Barns at Cooper Molera wedding below!
 Since these two were considering eloping in Big Sur, they figured why not take their engagement photos at the same time while they were scouting out the area! These two flew across the country to capture their engagement photos in the redwoods and coast of Big Sur. Check out the rest of their high fashion engagement session below!
Carmel was always these two’s happy place - a coastal getaway from the Bay Area, where they’d stay at their favorite hotel, grab a cup of coffee, and take slow walks along the beach. They always knew they wanted an intimate, private elopement, so they chose to come back to Carmel to celebrate in a way that felt meaningful and authentic to them. To start the day, they got ready in separate rooms at La Playa, a gorgeous property in Carmel-by-the-Sea, and rented a rad Corvette to drive down Highway 1 to the coast of Big Sur for their elopement ceremony. They closed the night with dinner at a local favorite La Bicyclette. Check out the rest of their Big Sur elopement below!
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