A Local Big Sur Photographer's Planning Guide to Eloping in Big Sur

When it comes to elopement locations in the US, Big Sur is one of the top places people come to get married. With its vast coastal views and redwood forests, it's a place full of wonder and natural beauty. As a local Big Sur elopement photographer who has helped plan and photograph over 200 elopements here, I'm here to help you craft an epic day that feels genuine to your love story. Check out this guide for how to elope in Big Sur, including location recommendations, best months to elope, day-of timelines, and planning tips!

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.

If you're dreaming of a fairytale redwoods elopement or wedding, Glen Oaks is one of the best venues for getting married in Big Sur! This property's main draw is its modern redwood cabins, many of which have private patios where you make s'mores by the fire. Its natural beauty is undeniable as well, with trails weaving in and out of the redwood forest, chairs to sit by the river, and even a 150-foot suspension bridge you can cross. Whether you're eloping with just the two of you, having an intimate ceremony with your closest loved ones, or having a traditional wedding, Glen Oaks might just be the perfect venue for you! For a more comprehensive guide, check out the Big Sur Elopement Guide which includes helpful tips and information on getting legally married in California, other elopement locations and venues in Big Sur, budget breakdowns, best time of year to elope, and sample timelines.

Never one to be the center of attention, L + M knew that they wanted to elope. As avid outdoor lovers, they spent much of their relationship hiking, spending time at the lake, and just being outside. So it only made sense to get married in a place that encompassed all of that! They said their vows privately at the quaint, rustic Deetjen's Big Sur Inn, with the sound of a waterfall as the background music to their day. One of the other things they specifically loved about Deetjen's was the neighborhood cats, so when I arrived and M was just petting one of the cats who had decided to make a new home on the top of his car, I knew that it was the start to a good day. Check out the rest of their Deetjen's redwoods elopement below!

These two had a true meet-cute story - they met on the set of Weeds, working as extras as none other than a bridesmaid and groomsman who were paired up together. And then they became a screenwriter duo, winning an incredible fellowship that would start the day after their wedding. So instead of a honeymoon, they were off on a new grand adventure pursuing their passions together - talk about an incredible power couple!

For their wedding day, they wanted to come back to a place that held memories for them. They had spent weekend trips driving up Highway 1, exploring the small town of Carmel-by-the-Sea and hiking along the coast. They loved the Monterey cypress trees and the way the woods meet the coast. To encapsulate everything they loved about this area, they chose to get married in the redwoods at Glen Oaks Big Sur with their immediate families. It was such a sweet ceremony, followed by adventuring on the coast and walking through a cypress tree tunnel that reminded them of their trips together. For their reception, they rented out The Village Big Sur for private dining with an incredible multi-course menu prepared for them. Check out the rest of their Glen Oaks and The Village Big Sur intimate wedding below!

There were a few things really important to S + D for their wedding day: that it would be a relaxed day, that their pup and family pups would be present, and that nobody went hangry. So their day started out at Henry Miller Library with setting out a charcuterie board for their family to snack on while they got ready for their ceremony (the board was strategically set up near the ceremony site, of course!) When it came time for the ceremony, the light shone through the trees just perfectly, making for the most magical backdrop as they said their vows to one another. After spending some time with their family and getting their pups to pose for a family photo, they drove up Highway 1 to chase the sunset overlooking the water. Check out the rest of their Big Sur wedding below!

If you love cozy cabin vibes, this Big Sur elopement is for you. L + M loved the outdoors - they shared many memories hanging out at lakes, hiking in the forests, and cozying up by the campfire. When they started planning their elopement, they found the perfect place to stay. This historic inn was full of charm, from the cozy fireplace to the wood-panel walls to the dappled light through the window. But most importantly, it was home to several cats, which made L + M all the more excited as proud cat parents. The moment I arrived, I saw M petting a cat, who had found a new home lounging on their car. It was the best way to start the day - and that same cat followed us to the little redwood grove where they said their vows! They continued on to the beach and coast for the rest of their day, where they raced each other on the beach and took Polaroids of each other to remember the day. Check out the rest of their Deetjen's Big Sur Inn elopement below!

K grew up in California and spent many summers camping in Big Sur as a child. She treasured these childhood memories fondly - days spent hiking in the redwoods, exploring the coast, and running on the beach. When K + T met in Virginia, she knew she had to bring T to this magical place she loved so much. It was the perfect place for these two avid birdwatchers, who even brought their binoculars and called out the birds they recognized. Since their first date was at a brewery, they also stopped by Big Sur Taphouse for a beer. It was a day that just felt like them. Check out the rest of their Big Sur elopement below!