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:

• Can I get married at a state park?
• What are the best places to elope?
• How much does it cost to elope in Big Sur?
• What's the best time of year to elope?

As a local photographer specializing in Big Sur elopements, I've had the honor of helping plan and photograph over 200 weddings and elopements here. But if you're like many of the couples I work with who have never visited Big Sur or planned an elopement before, you might feel a bit overwhelmed by all the things you need to know. Don't worry, that's totally normal. That's exactly why I wrote this guide - as the perfect starting point to determine if eloping in Big Sur is right for you!
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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

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.

Nestled in the small town of Pacific Grove is Asilomar Conference Grounds and Asilomar State Beach, two of the best hidden gems of the Monterey Bay and Central Coast. While most people may know the white sands of Carmel Beach, the playful otters of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, or the rugged coastline of Big Sur, Asilomar holds its own with its rich history and beautiful architecture. Spend enough time with locals and you'll find that its the spot to watch the sunset. Besides its rocky beach, the nearby conference grounds serves as a community gathering place, with live music nights, fire pits, and pool tables. The buildings were designed by Julia Morgan, who is best known for her work at Hearst Castle. So if you're looking for an all-in-one wedding venue that has beach and coastal views, lodging, and historical architecture, this is the place for you!

If you're dreaming of getting married on the California coast, there's no better place than Big Sur. A stunningly beautiful destination surrounded by towering redwoods and coastal cliffs, this destination makes for an unforgettable backdrop. Here's a list of top 10 Big Sur wedding venues to help you get started!

Big Sur has long been a perfect location for romance - with its towering redwood forests and rugged coastline, it's no wonder that so many couples choose to propose here! Its remote location and otherworldliness makes it an ideal location for proposals. If you're thinking of getting engaged in Big Sur, check out the guide below for tips on how to choose a location for your proposal and important things to consider when travelling to this area!

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.

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.

If you're choosing to elope, chances are you're already wanting to get married in a nontraditional way! So why not personalize your day and truly make it feel unique to who you two are as a couple? There are endless ways to add your own personal touch - from documenting everyday moments hanging out in a cabin in the woods, to picnicking with your favorite foods, to keeping morning traditions of doing crosswords or playing Wordle. Check out these 30 creative ways to make your intimate wedding day special!

When you're looking to hire a photographer, you'll quickly notice that a photographer's editing style is one of the most important aspects that differentiates one from the other. But for most people, trying to identify and narrow down a preferred style can be overwhelming, especially if it's their first time hiring a professional photographer. Disagreements over editing are common pain points, and sometimes can lead to negative experiences if realized too late. The best thing you can do to ensure that you love your photos is to do your research and spend time looking at multiple photographer's portfolios, paying special attention to how their style translates across different settings.

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.