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. Big Sur Wedding Venues
For couples looking for a nature-centered wedding, it doesn't get better than Big Sur. A destination in its own right, Big Sur is home to a small number of wedding venues, all with stunning views ranging from redwoods to coast to beach to mountains. One important thing to note is that Big Sur is best for smaller weddings. Its remoteness and limited amenities and accommodations make planning for larger weddings more complicated (and of course, expensive!) Hiring local vendors is highly recommended, as the area can be difficult to navigate and has almost no cell service. Check out Glen Oaks Big Sur for a romantic cabin-in-the-woods feel (don't worry, the cabins are modern and some even have outdoor bathtubs!) or Wind and Sea for fulfilling that dream of having a luxury home rental overlooking the ocean if only for a few days. If planning a larger wedding is out of the budget, consider eloping or having an intimate wedding in Big Sur!
alila Ventana Big Sur | Big Sur, CA
Check out photos from G + C's Ventana Big Sur Wedding and B + D's Ventana Big Sur Wedding.
Loma Vista Gardens | Big Sur, CA
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Venue | Type | Guests | Good for Microweddings |
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Hyatt Carmel Highlands | Ocean | 150 | Yes |
La Playa Carmel | Garden | 200 | Yes |
Gardener Ranch | Garden | 150 | No |
The Holly Farm | Garden | 250 | Yes |
Bernardus Lodge and Spa | Garden / Mountains | 150 | Yes |
Carmel Valley Ranch | Garden / Mountains | 300 | No |
Holman Ranch | Winery / Mountains | 400 | No |
Folktale Winery | Winery / Mountains | 300 | No |
Gathering Ground Events | Mountains | 70 | Yes |
The Camp at Carmel Valley | Rustic | 120 | Yes |
Stonepine Estate | Estate | 300 | No |
Mission Ranch | Farm | 184 | No |
Wedgewood Carmel | Garden / Beach | 270 | No |
Venue | Type | Guests | Good for Microweddings |
---|---|---|---|
Barns at Cooper Molera | Rustic | 300 | No |
California Seltzer Co. | Ocean | 150 | Yes |
Sanctuary Beach Resort | Beach | 175 | Yes |
Monterey Beach Hotel | Beach / Ocean | 250 | Yes |
Monterey Plaza Hotel | Ocean | 300 | Yes |
InterContinental The Clement | Ocean | 240 | No |
Portola Hotel & Spa | Garden | 300 | Yes |
The Perry House | Garden | 130 | Yes |
Wave Street Studios | Rustic / Industrial | 135 | Yes |
The Club at Pasadera | Garden | 150 | No |
State Park | Location | Type | Guests | Chairs | Restrooms | Reception |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park | Big Sur | Trees | 150 | Benches | Yes | No |
Garrapata State Park | Carmel | Coast | 25 | No | No | No |
Garrapata State Beach | Carmel | Beach | 200 | Yes | Port-a-Potty | No |
Carmel River State Beach | Carmel | Beach / Trees | 200 | Yes | Some | No |
Asilomar Conference Grounds | Pacific Grove | Beach / Trees / Historic | 120 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Lover's Point | Pacific Grove | Ocean / Trees | 100 | Yes | No | No |
Berwick Park | Pacific Grove | Ocean / Trees | 100 | Yes | No | No |
Cypress Cove | Pacific Grove | Ocean / Trees | 50 | Yes | No | No |
Point Pinos Lighthouse | Pacific Grove | Ocean / Trees | 100 | Yes | No | No |
Jewell Park | Pacific Grove | Lawn / Trees | 100 | Yes | No | No |
Memory Garden | Monterey | Garden | 150 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Stevenson Garden | Monterey | Garden | 75 | Yes | Yes | No |
Custom House Plaza | Monterey | Historic | Depends | Yes | No | No |
As a local Big Sur wedding photographer who's helped plan and photograph over 200 elopements and weddings here, I've explored this area inside and out. This beautiful destination on the California coast is not just I work - it's where I call home. So if you've always dreamed of a day surrounded by nature, I'm here to capture all the magic that inspired you to get married here in the first place.
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I love your photos! Where is the very first picture on the website taken? It looks like such a gorgeous wedding spot !