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!
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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!
How to Plan a Big Sur Elopement: The Ultimate Guide for 2025
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:
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.
 When G + C visited Big Sur together for the first time, they fell in love with the redwoods and coast here. He had memories camping in Big Sur before they had met; she had grown up in Colorado and missed the nature there. Big Sur was the perfect new place that was theirs, where they got to celebrate their wedding day with an intimate group of family and friends. Check out the rest of their Alila Ventana Big Sur wedding below!
 M + E visited Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz for the first time with their kids and felt like it was an absolutely magical place. They knew they had to come back someday, so when it came time to plan their elopement, they couldn't think of a more fitting place. They chose details that were meaningful to them - her veil had embroidered greenery as a nod to M's background in the Pacific Northwest, and they brought their family heirloom china and silverware for their picnic on the coast. It was so sweet to be a part of their day. Check out the rest of M + E's Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park elopement below!
If you've ever dreamed of getting married in the forest like a Disney fairytale, this elopement is for you. When S + T first reached out, they told me that after trying to plan a traditional wedding, they felt like the full-circle redwoods elopement truly felt more "us." It couldn't have been more true - there was just pure joy when S + T walked into the redwoods for the first time. I could just feel their childlike awe and wonder of being surrounded by the towering redwoods above them. It felt exactly like what they dreamed of all long, and was made even more perfect by the beautiful sunset that they got to see at the end of the day! Check out the rest of their Glen Oaks Big Sur elopement below.
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