 D reached out to me as he started planning his proposal, and knew he wanted an intimate spot away from the crowds to ask the love of his life to marry him. I had the perfect spot in mind, so we planned to meet up in the same spot so that I could photograph his surprise proposal! It was such a sweet moment, and we got to chase the sunset on the beach after. You wouldn't even know how cold and windy it was with how gorgeous the view was! Check out the rest of their proposal below.
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If you're looking to propose on the California coast, you definitely can't go wrong with Big Sur! A surprised P with a proposal on the coast, then we continued to beach for sunset portraits. Check out the rest of their proposal and engagement session below!
 Who says unpredictable weather is a bad thing? Just as we drove down the coast for these two's engagement session, a thick layer of fog settled over the coast. We couldn't see a thing - the coastline was entirely covered in a blanket of white. But then we drove around the corner, and the coast revealed itself in the most incredible way. We couldn't believe the incredible mix of sun and fog that covered the cliffs. Check out the rest of M + O's Big Sur engagement session below!
November is one of my all-time favorite months in Big Sur - it brings the most stunning sunsets of the year, a breathtaking golden glow that paints the sky with the most glorious light. And yes, there's a chance of rain - in fact, it had rained just the day before - but with the rain came a fog layer that made K + T's intimate wedding day so beautiful. They got married with a small group of family and their precious dog of course! Check out the rest of the California coast wedding below!
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
 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.
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