Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey Wedding Venues

9/8/2023

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!

Venue	Type click to sort	Guests click to sort
Glen Oaks Big Sur	Redwood	100
Big Sur Lodge	Redwood	80
Henry Miller Library	Redwood	150
Big Sur River Inn	Redwood	200
Big Sur Grange	Redwood	100
Ventana Big Sur	Redwood / Ocean	40
Loma Vista Gardens	Garden	210
Wind and Sea	Ocean / Garden	70
Coast Big Sur	Ocean / Garden	60

Glen Oaks Big Sur | Big Sur, CA

Check out photos from A + J's Glen Oaks Big Sur wedding and A + C's Glen Oaks Big Sur wedding.

Big Sur Lodge | Big Sur, CA

Check out photos from F + A's Big Sur Lodge wedding and E + J's Big Sur Lodge Wedding.

Henry Miller Library | Big Sur, CA

Check out photos from N + M's Henry Miller Library Wedding.

Big Sur Grange | Big Sur, CA

Check out photos from R + M's Big Sur Grange wedding.

Ventana Big Sur | Big Sur, CA

Check out photos from A + D's Ventana Big Sur wedding.

Loma Vista Gardens | Big Sur, CA

Check out photos from B + S's Loma Vista Gardens wedding and S + B's Loma Vista Gardens wedding.

Wind and Sea | Big Sur, CA

Check out photos from L + R's Wind and Sea Wedding.

Carmel Wedding Venues

Just north of Big Sur lies Carmel-by-the-Sea, a historic coastal town reminiscent of Europe, and Carmel Valley, a mountainous area reminiscent of Napa. Carmel-by-the-Sea is the perfect gateway to Big Sur, just 15 minutes from the start of the coastline (which is perfect if you love the idea of sunset overlooking the coast!) Carmel Valley brings you inland, where the sun shines more days of the year which makes for great weather for wineries and ranches. You'll find many venues suited for larger, luxury weddings in Carmel Valley. Check out Hyatt Carmel Highlands for one of the best sunset ocean views, La Playa Carmel for a European feel, or Carmel Valley Ranch for a wine country retreat.

Venue	Type click to sort	Guests click to sort
Hyatt Carmel Highlands	Ocean	150
La Playa Carmel	Garden	200
Gardener Ranch	Garden	150
The Holly Farm	Garden	250
Bernardus Lodge and Spa	Garden / Mountains	150
Carmel Valley Ranch	Garden / Mountains	300
Holman Ranch	Winery / Mountains	400
Joullian Vineyards and Winery	Winery / Mountains	150
Folktale Winery	Winery / Mountains	300
The Camp at Carmel Valley	Rustic	120
Stonepine Estate	Estate	300
Santa Lucia Preserve (Membership Required)	Redwood	300

Hyatt Carmel Highlands | Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Check out photos from D + C's Hyatt Carmel Highlands wedding, B + A's Hyatt Carmel Highland wedding, and A + K's Hyatt Carmel Highlands wedding.

La Playa Carmel | Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Check out photos from C + A's La Playa Carmel wedding.

Bernardus Lodge and Spa | Carmel Valley, CA

Check out photos from L + R's Bernardus Lodge and Spa wedding.

Carmel Valley Ranch | Carmel Valley, CA

Monterey Wedding Venues

Monterey is known for its diverse aquatic life. You'll often find harbor seals right at the wharf, otters diving for food, or even humpback whales and dolphins as you walk along the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail. Right next to Monterey is also Pebble Beach, famous for its golf courses and access to the 17-mile-drive, and Pacific Grove, a small town dotted with Victorian houses and coastal views that get covered in purple iceplants every spring (it's known as the magic carpet - you can look it up!) Most venues in Monterey are connected to hotels or historic landmarks. Check out the Barns at Cooper Molera for a hidden gem right in downtown Monterey (also next to Alta Bakery!) or the Memory Garden for a budget wedding venue.

Venue	Type click to sort	Guests click to sort
Barns at Cooper Molera	Rustic	300
Sanctuary Beach Resort	Beach	175
Monterey Tides Hotel	Beach / Ocean	250
Monterey Plaza Hotel	Ocean	300
InterContinental The Clement	Ocean	240
Portola Hotel & Spa	Garden	300
Memory Garden	Garden	150
The Perry House	Garden	130
The Club at Pasadera	Garden	150