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!
For more planning resources on how to elope in Big Sur, check out the Big Sur Elopement Guide, which covers everything you need to know from the differences between state parks and venues, to best time of year to elope, to how to create a day-of timeline, to planning tips specific to this area!
Glen Oaks Big Sur
At the top of the list is Glen Oaks Big Sur, one of my favorite all-time wedding venues. As a local photographer who's photographed all over Big Sur, I always recommend Glen Oaks for the best redwoods portraits. A 20-acre property with multiple cabins to choose from, this location is perfect for those who want to stay overnight or even book room blocks for their guests. Glen Oaks has two different ceremony sites available to rent - a redwoods fairy circle for up to 20 people and a redwood grove for up to 100 people. If you're hosting a reception, you can also book the Big Sur Roadhouse, which is walking distance from Glen Oaks. For more info, check out the Glen Oaks Wedding Guide, or A + D's wedding and D + A's wedding for examples of weddings photographed there.
Garrapata State Park
If you've seen photos of the Big Sur coast, you've likely seen photos of Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, or Garrapata State Park. And since the first two are tourist landmarks, the third one - Garrapata State Park - is the one to look at when considering a coast or beach ceremony. This park has 19 different entrance points, all of which diverge into various other paths. That's my favorite part about Garrapata State Park - you'll rarely run into crowds here, because there are simply so many different trails to explore! However, that also means you'll want to hire a local photographer who knows the trails. Since I photograph in Big Sur so often, I obtain a micropermit every year which means that I can obtain permits for couples eloping with under 10 people. For weddings, I can help walk you through the permit for up to 25, 50, or 100 people. The one tip I always tell couples is to consider the accessibility factors for their guests. Coastal ceremonies are best for under 10 people due to the uneven ground, whereas beach ceremonies are best for weddings with larger guest counts due to the open space. If you want chairs, you can also rent chairs for the beach. Check out the M + M's Garrapata State Park Wedding, A + K's Garrapata State Park Elopement, and C + C's Garrapata State Park Elopement for examples of a wedding photographed there.
Wind & Sea
Wind and Sea stands out as one of the most unique wedding venues in Big Sur. If you love the coastal views of Garrapata State Park but are looking for a venue that offers accommodations, ceremony site, and reception site, this is the place for you. My one takeaway from photographing here? There is no better venue if you're looking for a luxury experience for your guests. One important thing to keep in mind is that Wind and Sea is very remote and much farther from town than any of the other Big Sur venues, so bringing in vendors can add up in cost. Check out the K + J's Wind and Sea Wedding for an example of a wedding photographed there.
Alila Ventana Big Sur
Alila Ventana Big Sur typically tops the lists of best resorts to stay at, and for good reason. What I love about this venue is the variety of views you get. My favorite place to take couples for first look is the redwoods trail, where you can hike down about 10 minutes and find yourself standing in the middle of a circle of redwood trees. For ceremonies, Ventana has two sites, the Sur Vista, which has ocean views, and the Redwood Cathedral. Whether you're planning a small or large wedding, Ventana offers intimate wedding packages for up to 25 guests, wedding packages for up to 50 guests, and full buyout packages for up to 175 guests. Plus it's one of the most dog-friendly resorts in Big Sur! Check out the G + C's Alila Ventana Wedding and B + D's Alila Ventana Wedding for examples of a wedding photographed there.
Hyatt Carmel Highlands
If you love the Big Sur coast but don't want your guests to have to trek all the way down to Wind and Sea, then Hyatt Carmel Highlands is what I would recommend. The ceremony takes place on the gazebo, which has ocean views on all sides. And while it doesn't show off the best parts of Big Sur (don't get me wrong, it's still absolutely beautiful!), it's only a quick 5-minute drive from Garrapata State Park. I'll usually recommend most of my couples do their first look and couples portraits down the coast so they can have the best of both worlds - and every single one of them has raved about it! Hyatt Carmel Highlands can host up to 150 guests, but they also offer a microwedding ceremony-only package for smaller weddings. Check out the E + J's Hyatt Carmel Highlands Wedding and L + G's Hyatt Carmel Highlands Wedding for examples of a wedding photographed there.
The Village Big Sur
This new gathering space, restaurant, and bodega was one of the places I looked most forward to when they opened up in 2024. Big Sur was in need of a new wedding venue - a place that offered a unique culinary experience and a well-designed, multipurpose space with character and charm. As the only wedding venue in Big Sur that has a highly curated, locally sourced in-house catering menu, the Village is definitely what I would recommend if food is high on your priority list. For packages, the Village offers various wedding packages ranging from a smaller garden party for up to 40 guests to a full buyout for up to 150 guests. Check out the A + D's The Village Reception for an example of a wedding photographed there.
Loma Vista Gardens
The only garden venue in Big Sur, Loma Vista Gardens is one of the most whimsical wedding venues you'll find. Similar in the charm and rustic feel of The Village Big Sur, this venue has a lot of character, with multiple levels to explore and lush greenery everywhere you look. One of my favorite parts about photographing weddings here is capturing cocktail hour. I know - that might seem odd, but this venue just offers so many different spaces for guests to mingle, making it a fun place for both adults and kids. Loma Vista Gardens offers elopement packages for up to 12 guests, mini-micro packages for up to 20 guests, microwedding packages for up to 50 guests, and large wedding packages for up to 210 guests. Check out the S + B's Loma Vista Gardens wedding for an example of a wedding photographed there.
Henry Miller Library
Glen Oaks might be my favorite redwoods venue for couple portraits, but Henry Miller Library is my favorite for smaller redwoods ceremonies. A little tricky to get to but worth the short hike down and creek crossing, the redwoods canyon at Henry Miller Library is perfect for their elopement package for up to 30 guests. Its lush forest surroundings truly make you feel like you're deep in the redwood forest rather than on curated trails. For wedding packages for up to 150 guests or if your guests need a more accessible ceremony site, the lawn next to the library also serves as a ceremony site. Check out the S + D's Henry Miller Library Wedding for an example of a wedding photographed there.
Big Sur Lodge
Big Sur Lodge is perfect for those looking for a simple redwoods ceremony site. With elopement packages for up to 10 guests and wedding packages for up to 80 guests, this venue can serve as the gateway for all your Big Sur adventures. It's walking distance to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, where you can explore its trails within a few minutes of the ceremony site, and has accommodations, ceremony, and reception all in one place. Check out J + M's Big Sur Lodge Wedding for an example of a wedding photographed there.
Big Sur Grange
Last but not least is Big Sur Grange. This volunteer-run community site is a gathering place for Big Sur locals, but it also offers site rentals for weddings up to 100 guests. The best part about this venue? It's walking distance to Glen Oaks Big Sur. So if you're staying at Glen Oaks Big Sur and want to take your couple portraits there, you also have the option of hosting your ceremony at Big Sur Grange instead of at Glen Oaks (whether for budgetary reasons or other!) Check out R + M's Big Sur Grange Wedding for an example of a wedding photographed there.
Planning to elope or have a small, intimate wedding? Check out the Big Sur Elopement Guide for more info on where and how to elope in Big Sur. Or if you're looking outside of Big Sur, you can also check out the guide on Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey Wedding Venues.
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