A Local Big Sur Elopement Photographer's 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 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!

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!

Imagine standing amongst the giant redwood trees, a quiet stillness in the air, with just you and your partner breathing in the mountain air. The moment you look into each other's eyes, you know - you are so lucky to have found each other. No other eyes on you, no months of stressing over planning, no need to worry about tablecloth colors or chair types, just the two of you coming together to celebrate what your wedding day is all about. As a California wedding and elopement photographer, my goal is to help you create a day that reflects all the things you love about each other - a day that captures genuine and authentic moments. If that sounds like your perfect wedding day, read on for everything you need to know about planning an elopement in the California redwoods! P.S. Planning a larger wedding? Check out the blog post on Redwood Venues in the Bay Area & Santa Cruz.

As the #1 most visited state in the United States, California is undoubtedly one of the most popular places to elope. Known for its sunny weather and diversity of landscapes, it's a place where you can go from redwoods to coast, from big city to small town all within a matter of hours. Having lived in California all my life, I've spent years exploring all the different parts of the state, from road tripping down Highway 1 to Big Sur, to camping in Yosemite in the snow, to finding hidden gems dotted throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. It's that passion and love for the outdoors that has brought me to specializing as a Northern California elopement photographer - that plus my obsessive love of planning and many Google Sheets. So if you're thinking about eloping, here's everything you need to know on where to elope and how to plan an elopement in Northern California!

Halfway between the Bay Area and Big Sur is the town of Santa Cruz. It's one of my favorite coastal towns, with laid back outdoors vibe. Imagine staying in a treehouse, brewing coffee in the morning to start your day as you breathe in the fresh mountain air. You walk outside and the giant redwoods surround you everywhere you look. A short drive up the coast and you'll find yourself gazing at coastal bluffs that jut out to the ocean. As a Santa Cruz elopement photographer, I'm here to help you craft your dream elopement day! Whether you imagine adventuring in the redwoods to say your vows, having your first dance and ending the night with a bonfire on the beach, or even starting your day surfing in the ocean, you get to choose what you want your wedding day to look like. Check out this Santa Cruz elopement guide for more ideas on how to plan your Santa Cruz elopement!

There's no surprise that San Francisco - a place that often tops lists for best places to visit - is also a favorite for many couples choosing to elope. Whether it's a destination you've always wanted to travel to or a place you call home, this city is a cultural hub with things to do for everyone. Imagine exploring the coast with just the two of you, the ocean breeze in your hair as you read your vows to each other, sand in your toes as you run into the ocean after. Or this - a weekend getaway with just 10 of your closest friends and family, having your favorite people witness you get married and sharing memories together over good food and good company. As a Bay Area elopement photographer, I'm here to help you craft your dream San Francisco elopement - a day that feels genuine and authentic, a day that encompasses everything you think about when you hear "Best Day Ever." Check out the guide below for more information on where you can elope and how to plan your elopement!

If you've looked at wedding blogs or Pinterest, you've likely seen posts like "50 Must-Have Wedding Photos" or "The Ultimate Wedding Shot List." These posts provide you a comprehensive list of standard photos you might want on your wedding day. And while they can be a good place to start, I challenge you to re-think the list. Your wedding is not like everyone else's - it's your own unique day that celebrates all the amazing things that make your love story special. It's one that celebrates the ways you wrestle each other in a cuddle fight, the inside jokes with your best friends that should never be revealed to anyone else, the memories growing up with your crazy but still kinda cool family. So why should your wedding photos be any less unique? Dive into this step by step guide to rethink how to capture genuine, authentic memories of your wedding day.

Northern California is famous for its redwood forests, so it's no wonder that redwood wedding venues are one of the first options couples look at when planning an outdoor wedding. As a Bay Area wedding photographer, I've captured so many beautiful redwood weddings and am here to help you get started on your search! Check out this guide on Bay Area and Santa Cruz redwood wedding venues with information on pricing, guest capacity, location, and sample wedding galleries.

If you ask me if you can include your dog (or dogs!) in your engagement session, my answer is always "YES!!" Ok, it might just be my excuse to cuddle your fur baby, but as a former pet owner, I know how precious our animals are. From seeing W + T's sweet labradoodle Matilda on all their Instagram stories, I knew that we had to include her in their engagement session. Check out their San Jose engagement session below and tips on including your dog in your engagement photos.

San Francisco City Hall is one of the most beautiful places to get married with its grand staircase, elegant architecture, and romantic light streaming through the windows. As a local San Francisco City Hall wedding photographer, I've worked with so many couples to capture all the big and small moments of their wedding day. Whether you're looking to elope with just the two of you or want to have a full day wedding, check out this guide on how to get married at San Francisco City Hall for more info on common questions like different options (civil ceremony vs. 1-hour ceremony), costs, logistics, and sample timelines for photography coverage.