R + N, two Canadians who found their way to the Bay Area, knew that they wanted an intimate ceremony in their new home state of California. They were perfect opposites that balanced each other out, with R being an introverted librarian and N being an extroverted engineer. Together they loved to travel and binge watch the British baking shows, so of course some delicious donuts made it into their wedding day as the best way to end their day! They also included their sweet mini dachshund Arthur, who got to be a part of their first look in the lavender fields of Carmel Valley Ranch. The summer fog rolled in for their ceremony on their coast, but it made their day all the more magical with her veil flying in the wind. Though they had brought a picnic with them, they decided to just pop the champagne and eat donuts by their car. We chatted and laughed until it got dark before saying goodbye as friends and sending them on their way to grab s'mores back to Carmel Valley Ranch. What an incredible way to celebrate their wedding day! Check out the rest of R + N's Big Sur elopement below.
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For anyone who has ever come to Pfeiffer Beach, you might notice a sign at the entrance noting how windy it can be, and that there are no refunds once you enter. And when they say windy, they mean it (think sand blowing into your eyes and mouth - not the most pleasant experience!) Out of the countless times I've been here, I've only had 2 days where it hasn't been insanely windy - A + S' elopement coincidentally being one of them. It was the perfect setting for these two who always had a connection to the ocean. We spend the rest of the day driving up Highway 1, where an epic fog drifted over Bixby Bridge and along the coastline. Check out the rest of their Big Sur elopement below!
Some couples worry that their wedding day won't feel like a wedding day if they choose to elope, but I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that this is just a myth. You only need to look at J + J's elopement to see how emotional, momentous, and special their wedding day was. They chose to spend their day with just their parents to witness the day. It allowed them to take in each and every moment, and there wasn't a single person who didn't cry on their wedding day. It started with J's dad saying in tears, "I can't give you away" as he saw her in her white dress for the first time. Then it was time for J + J's first look, where they were both filled with such joy. The ceremony and the parent dances were full of so much laughter (and of course many tears) - even the groom's dad who had a military background couldn't hold it in. It was so sweet getting to see them all gathered around the dining table, eating sandwiches after and just enjoying each other's company. We then headed out to the coast for sunset, where we saw the most insane waves. I let them just sit and watch the sunset together, making for the perfect end of the day. Check out the rest of J + J's redwood cabin elopement in Big Sur, California below!
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 spends countless roadtrips exploring the endless trails in the area, I'm here to help you craft an epic day that feels genuine to your love story. Check out this guide for location recommendations, best months to elope, day-of timelines, and planning tips!
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 When K + T reached out to me saying they wanted to get married in a month, I said let's do it!! Though they had never been to the California redwoods before, I knew that we could put together an incredible day celebrating their 10 years together. They rented a beautiful redwoods cabin, where they got ready with just their parents and had an intimate ceremony on a deck under the towering redwood trees. It was everything they imagined - surrounded by the beauty of nature, in a place that they had only seen in pictures and now got to experience in person. Though the groom had thrown out his back that morning playing golf, he was such a trooper as we made our way to the coast. We adventured on the cliffside and climbed down rocks, exploring the epic views that left them in awe and wonder. To end the night, they hosted a dinner reception at a friend's house, where they shared moments of tears and laughter with their parents and enjoyed a beautiful night under the stars. Check out the rest of K + T's Big Sur redwoods cabin elopement below!
 It was a week before their elopement, and I checked the weather forecast - sunny every day until Saturday...and then an all-day rain forecast. So they made a last-minute purchase for clear umbrellas, and we got ready for their day just as planned. Together with their family, they started their wedding day in a beautiful home just off the coast of Highway 1. We then all drove over to the Big Sur coast, where they had their ceremony overlooking the ocean, listening to the sounds of the raindrops on their umbrellas. Just as they started their vows, we noticed the rain stopped. As luck would have it, we got to spend the rest of the day completely dry - and even saw a bit of sun! Check out the rest of their Big Sur elopement below!
 Who says you only have to have one wedding outfit - even for an intimate wedding or elopement? B + A knew that they wanted to celebrate their cultural traditions when they planned their intimate wedding in Big Sur. They started off their wedding day with a first look in their white dress and blue tux, and then had a beautiful ceremony overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Hyatt Carmel Highlands Inn where they said their vows to one another in a traditional American ceremony. After cocktail hour started, they slipped out for an outfit change and returned in their Nigerian attire, dancing to a special song they had picked out while the groom's parents showered them with money. And to make the most of getting married by the Big Sur coast, they changed into one last outfit that was perfect for adventuring for sunset. Check out the rest of their Big Sur intimate wedding below!
 A midnight kiss on New Year's Eve, a sunset ride on the ferris wheel with Calvin Harris' "Summer" playing in the background, and a romantic getaway at Ventana Big Sur...these were just a few of the magical moments from M + R's love story. After they got engaged in Osaka, Japan, they started thinking about what they envisioned for their wedding day. They thought back to their trip to Ventana, and soon got excited at the idea of eloping in Big Sur, California. Together we crafted a day starting off at the resort, then continuing to a few new places in Big Sur that they had never been. It was such a relaxed, fun day - they ran around with their dog Miso on the beach, picnicked with pastries from Big Sur Bakery, and ended the day with sunset on the coast. Check out the rest of their Ventana Big Sur elopement below!
N + T proved that first impressions aren't everything. When they initially matched online, she was skeptical of him. But he didn't give up, and she eventually warmed up to him. With their shared love of travelling the world, exploring the outdoors, and trying new foods, they quickly found in each other an adventure partner through life. When it came time to planning their wedding, they knew they wanted to keep it simple. A day focused on what mattered to them, without all the complications and stress of planning a traditional wedding. Together we planned an epic adventure in Big Sur!
Their day started off with getting ready separately, N with his dad and her dad, and T with her mom and his mom. With just their parents attending, it was such a beautiful intimate setting for them to say their vows (cue all the tears!) After a short and sweet ceremony, I took them adventuring in the redwoods and on the coast. I had such a blast showing them my favorite spots and still remember them saying "This is the most beautiful place I have ever seen" - especially coming from world travellers! They wrote their new names in the sand, and she surprised him with a tiny diamond that she had put into his ring. Those were the little moments that made their day so unique to their own love story. We ended with sunset on the cliffs, where I gave them a moment to just watch the waves crash against the rocks and soak it all in. Check out the rest of their Big Sur elopement below! |
