I'm including everything you need to know about planning a Big Sur Wedding. I am a Southern California wedding photographer who has documented several weddings in the Big Sur. Let's get started!

Step 1: Decide on Your Guest Count

Your Big Sur wedding guest count will determine what venue will work best! Some venues only allow for intimate weddings, whereas others are great for larger weddings.

Most Big Sur Hotels / Venues have packages for elopements or large weddings. There aren't as many options for middle range guest counts (25 - 50 people). When it comes to a Bi Sur elopement, it's easiest to go really small and intimate OR go large with something like 75 people ore more.

Once you select your guest count, that will guide everything else since it will determine the "elopement" or "big wedding" route, which affects the venue choice.

If you're undecided on whether to elope or have a larger wedding...

I recommend having an elopement on public land or at a state park when:

You have a guest count of 10 people or less

Pros: More budget friendly, breathtaking views of the sea, adds variety, can emphasize feelings of spontaneity or a connection with nature.

Cons: Less privacy, can be somewhat difficult to access, you'll often need to obtain permits to have a ceremony at a state park.

Something to Note: here are only a few publicly accessible beaches in Big Sur. In part, that is because the coastline is extremely steep, so the shore is not easily accessed. However, there are incredible, sweeping views of the coast from trails and vista points within the parks as well as from turnoffs on Highway 1.

I recommend having a larger wedding at venue when:

You have a guest count of 10 people or more

Pros: More privacy, easily accessible, keeps things simple and stress free since venues often are all inclusive and provide dinner and lodging options.

Cons: More expensive

Step 2: Set Your Budget for Your Big Sur Wedding

A Big Sur wedding can range from $2,000 - $55,000 depending on the amount of guests and your venue.

A higher guest count will always = higher cost. With a guest count of 10 or less, the cost will range between $2,500 - $15,000. This price range typically includes photography, wedding day outfits, accommodations, and food/drink for your 10 guests. For an average guest count, the average cost of a Big Sur wedding is about $45,000.

Step 3: Check Out Big Sur Wedding Venues

Below are 10 of my personal favorite Big Sur wedding venues, great for intimate weddings and larger weddings alike!

Glen Oaks Big Sur Wedding

★ For large weddings, intimate weddings, or elopements | Max Capacity: 100

Glen Oaks is a perfect option for a Big Sur wedding because of its beauty and versatility. The great thing about this venue is that you can plan a 100 guest wedding here or simply stay the night with your partner and elope. It offers a ceremony site for big weddings and a ceremony site for intimate weddings or elopements. In my opinion, it's the best private redwood grove in all of Big Sur. The backdrop includes the magical Redwoods and Pfeiffer Beach is located nearby, a perfect place to stop for some more breathtaking Big Sur wedding photos.

This venue also has wonderfully cozy cabins on site, making everything very convenient. These cabins woodsy, but also, modern, hip, and comfortable.

Ventana Big Sur Wedding

★ For large weddings or elopements | Max Capacity: 1000

When it comes to Big Sur weddings, La Ventana is a luxurious resort that offer both high end hotel rooms and hip, glamping sites. This venue is perfect for larger scale weddings as it can hold up to 1000 guests. The backdrop is the ocean/coast and Pfeiffer beach, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, and Partington Cover are all nearby for other photo locations. This is a pricier venues, but well worth it for the spectacular views.

Holman Ranch Vineyards & Winery Wedding

★ For large weddings! Max Capacity: 300

This venue is set on 400 acres of vineyard and is a great option for wine lovers.

Loma Vista Gardens

★ For intimate or large weddings | Max Capacity: 300

This venue is a little different than the rest in that it showcases the forest, rather than ocean. It sits on the edge of redwoods, which is actually a plus to a lot of Big Sur wedding photographers because it gets better access to sunlight, making for brighter for more ethereal photos.

Pheiffer Beach is nearby and overall, I'd say this venue has a lovely rustic and intimate quality that a lot of people adore.

Big Sur Grange

★ For intimate weddings | Max Capacity: 85

Big Sur Grange is surrounded with large redwood trees. There are plenty of areas around this location that are perfect for ceremonies, receptions, and pictures

Wind and Sea Wedding

★ For intimate weddings | Max Capacity: 70

This place is great for intimate weddings as it has a maximum of 70 guests. It has gorgeous views of the coast; Partington Cove and Julia Pfeiffer Beach are nearby!

Point 16

★ For large and intimate weddings | Max Capacity: 160

Point 16 is secluded and offers breathtaking views of the mountainsides and dramatic cliffs.

Henry Miller Memorial Library Wedding

★ For intimate or large weddings | Max Guest Count: 200

This is a unique Big Sur wedding venue with a bookshop and art exhibit. There is a canyon filled with redwoods right behind it. This venue has a laidback vibe, great for couples looking for a some private space to say "I do" while avoiding all the expenses that come with larger scaled venues.

Post House Inn

★ For intimate weddings | Max Guest Count: 40

This is great for intimate weddings of up to 40 people. It sits on the coat and offers amazing panoramic views.

Big Sur Lodge

★ For intimate and large weddings | Max Guest Count: 120

Your ceremony at the Big Sur Lodge will be surrounded by majestic redwoods and the peaceful Big Sur River and your reception can be held in their indoor space with catering offered by their staff. Big Sur Lodge also offers accommodations with family style rooms, including kitchenettes and fireplaces.

Step 4: Select the Time of Year/Date for Your Big Sur Wedding

Fall

September - October (Fall Time): 60 - 70 degrees / 10% change of rainy days

The best time to elope in Big Sur is definitely the Fall, specifically September - October.

The pros of eloping in the Fall include the following:

• The fog disperses, so it's lifted
• The beaches are less crowded
• Venues are less expensive
• The weather is still nice

Winter

November - February: (Winter Time): 50 - 70 degrees / 30% change of rainy days

The one major pro of eloping in December is that you'll avoid the crowds. However, this is when it tends to rain the most in Big Sur, so a backup plan for rain & wind is highly recommended.

Spring

March - May (Spring Time): 60-70 degrees / 15% chance of rainy days

Big Sur is so lovely during the spring time. This when the waterfalls are at their peak, the wildflowers are out, and the temperature beings to get warmer. Please keep in mind it still tends to rain around this time, so a backup plan is also recommended for a Spring Big Sur wedding.

Summer

June - August (Summer Time): 70 - 95 degrees / 5% change of rainy days

Summer is the most popular season in Big Sur, meaning you'll have crowds. There is also a ton of fog during the mornings that doesn’t go away until midday, so if you’re not a fan of fog, I recommend choosing a different season to have your wedding. However, if you love foggy images with a soft, dreamy, muted look summer may be the best season for you.

Step 5: Book Your Vendors

After selecting your wedding venue and date, it's time to start selecting your vendors. Vendors typically include:

• A Photographer
• Wedding Day Coordinator
• Florist
• Hair & Makeup Artist
• Officiant
• Caterer (if the venue doesn't provide this)
• Live Music or DJ

I always recommend reaching out to vendors as early as possible, as they tend to book up to a year in advance.

If you're looking for wedding photography, feel free to reach me HERE!

Step 6: Complete the Paperwork to Make Your Big Sur Wedding Legal

Your officiant will help guide you with this, but you'll need to apply for a marriage license in advance so that it's ready to be signed right after your wedding ceremony. Your officiant will then take this paperwork and mail it for you. From there, you'll receive all of your legal documents within a few weeks!

Below are the steps on how to do this:

1. Contact your County’s Clerk Office to get your marriage license

Every County is different. Some require appointments and some don’t. In some counties, the marriage license costs $55, and in some cost $100. Once you’ve picked your elopement location and date, you can start doing your research to find what are the requirements for the Clerk’s Office you’ll use.

For a Big Sur wedding specifically:

A marriage license can be obtained from the Monterey County Clerk’s office. Applications can be submitted in advance online, but keep in mind that both parties must go into the clerk’s office within two weeks of submitting or your request will be cancelled. Both parties must present proof of age and identification such as a driver’s license or passport and pay the $90 application fee. Once you have been issued a marriage license, it is valid immediately and there is no waiting period, however, the ceremony must take place within 90 days or else you will need to re-pay the application fee obtain a new license.

2. Bring the documents needed

• Both of you must be present when picking up your marriage license!
• Government-issued ID for both of you
• Cash for the application fee (which will vary county by county)
• You’ll need to know the full name, birthplace, and birth date of you, your partner, and your parents!
• If you’ve been married before, you’ll need to show proof of divorce

Important things to know:

• Same-sex marriages are allowed in California!
• In California, you must request to have a copy of your marriage license sent to you, it is not automatically sent. The fee for that may also vary.
• If you wish to do so, you may apply for a confidential marriage license.
• Your marriage license is valid for 90 days. If you don’t get married within 90 days, you’ll have to apply for a new one.

3. Secure an Officiant

This can be a close friend or family member who is over 18 years old and has been ordained online, a professional officiant, a minister, priest, or rabbi!

Once you’re married, you’ll need your witnesses signatures, and your officiant will be responsible for taking the license back to the Clerk within 10 days.

Step 7: Obtain Necessary Location Permits

If you're taking all of your Big Sur wedding day photos at your venue, you most likely won't need any permits. However, if you're going off site to take photos at a state park (usually on the beach or somewhere in the mountains), a permit is often required to be able to take photographs there. Keep in mind that permit rules often change, so I always recommend checking out the sites on where to obtain the permits (provided below) for the most recent and accurate information!

The following State Parks require permits:

• Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park - Permit Cost: $300 | Apply for Your Permit Here
• Andrew Molera State Park - Permit Cost: $300 | Apply for Your Permit Here
• Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Permit Cost: $300 | Apply for Your Permit Here
• Garrapata State Park - Permit Cost: $400 | Apply for Your Permit Here
• Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Permit Cost $300 | Apply for Your Permit Here

Limekiln State Park and Pfeiffer Beach DO NOT require permits

Step 8: Create Your Big Sur Wedding Timeline

Below is a sample timeline!

Intimate or Larger Wedding Timeline

8 HOURS
12:00 - 1:30 Getting Ready (Together, Separately, Whatever You'd Like!)
1:30 - 2:30 First Look + Portraits in the Redwoods at the Hotel/Venue
2:30 - 3:00 Ceremony Details
3:00 - 3:30 Ceremony
3:30 - 4:15 Family/Group Photos
4:15 - 4:45 Travel to Coast for Couple Portraits
4:45 - 6:30 Sunset photos
6:30 - 7:00 Travel to Reception
7:00 - 8:00 Toasts + Dances + Guest Candids

Accommodations For Your Guests to Stay At

In most scenarios, your guests will stay at the venue that you're having your Big Sur wedding ceremony at. This is because most Big Sur wedding venues also serve as hotels. However, if this isn't the case, here are some great options!

Big Sur Airbnbs

• Carmel Oceanview Charmer
• Big Sur Cabin in the Redwoods
• Quaint Countryside Cottage
• Home in Carmel by the Sea
• Big Sur Dream Home 
• 5 Acre Home

Big Sur Hotels

• Post Ranch Inn 
• Hyatt Carmel Highlands
• Glen Oaks Big Sur
• Big Sur River Inn
• Carmel Fireplace Inn
• Big Sur Lodge
• Ventana Big Sur
• Ripplewood Resort
• Treebones Resort

Big Sur Camping Sites

• Ventana Campground
• Andrew Molera State Park
• Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground
• Fernwood Campground and Resort
• Kirk Creek Campground
• The Village RV

Big Sur Wedding Photography Tip

I recommend having your ceremony at a venue and then taking some portraits there and then some more portraits on the coast. Since these hotel venues offer private access to the redwoods, your can take gorgeous portraits in the redwoods, while having intimacy. Then you you can travel to the coast for some portraits for variety in backdrop!

However, if you prefer everything taking place in one location to spend more time with your loved ones, it isn't necessary to leave the venue.

Important Info to Know About Your Big Sur Wedding

1. There's Little to No Cell Phone Service

Cell phone service and wifi is tricky in the Big Sur. For this reason, it's important to get everyone the information they need in advance. Great communication is key here! Download Google Maps Offline & favorite your meeting location ahead of time. If possible, I recommend driving WITH your photographer in the same car; this dramatically simplifies things.

2. There's A lot of Hiking

Wear comfortable shoes. Many of the trails for the best photo locations are somewhat steep. It's no fun being in pain on your elopement or wedding day.

3. It Gets Crowded!

Big Sur attracts a ton of visitors, especially during summer time. This causes a lot of traffic since many of the roads only have 1 - 2 lanes. Make sure to allot additional time between locations for travel on your Big Sur wedding day!

4. It Can Get Very Windy

The Big Sur is notorious for its fog, chilliness, and wind. If wind is something you don't prefer, I recommend the following:

1. Stick to photos in the redwoods over photos at the beach as it is always much windier at the beach
2. Elope during Summer time when it isn't as windy. Just keep in mind there tends to be a lot of fog until around midday during Summer. This is almost the most crowded season.
3. Pack layers for warmth!

5. Plan to Bring Extra Cash

Big Sur is a touristic destination, so everything costs more than usual. Keep this in mind when planning for activities, meals, etc.

6. Don't Forget to Secure Permits!

Many beaches require permits to photograph at. Please make sure to research location permits in advance so that you're not fined at any of the locations. This prevents a lot of potential stress!

Big Sur Wedding Activities for Your Guests!

• Enjoy beautiful, scenic views of Big Sur going on a hike with your guests. Some great hiking options include:
  • 1. McWay Falls - This is one of the shortest and most popular hikes in the area. It’s only about .5 miles to the vista point, which showcases an incredibly bright blue waterfall nestled in a little cove.
  • Soberanes Canyon Trailhead - This is a 6 mile loop that offers a lot of variety - a bit of everything that Big Sur has to offer.
  • Beach, Bluffs, Panorama, Ridge, and Creamery Meadow Loop - Enjoy this 8.0-mile loop trail that takes an average of 3 h 48 min to complete. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail.
  • Jade Cove - Enjoy a hike to this beautiful cove!
• Rent a boat and enjoy beautiful sea views with your friends and family at Sail Monterey.
• Explore the charming coastal town of Carmel by the Sea.
• Enjoy a scenic drive with the 17 Mile Drive Route. This is a privately owned road with plenty of spaces to stop. It's scenic and can be done at a slow, relaxing pace to take in all of the sights!
• Take in the sights of a spectacular castle by visiting Hearst Castle.
• Enjoy a fine-dining experience at the Sierra Mar for dinner.
• Visit a small, but quirky bookstore nestled in the forest by stopping at the Henry Miller Memorial Library. It has a great atmosphere to sit and read or just for a quick stop.
• Tour the amazing Monterey Aquarium.
• Learn about some history at Point Sur Lighthouse.
• Relax by soaking in some hot springs.
• Enjoy a picnic on the cliffsides of Big Sur.
• Grab a bite to eat at Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey.

Restaurants for Your Guests to Eat

Deetjen's

Deetjen's has quaint English decor mixed with a rustic quality. Imagine walking into a charming cottage in the English countryside. This place serves delicious eggs benedict, homemade granola, and more.

Lucia Lodge

This is a more casual restaurant that is right on the coast and has beautiful views of the Ocean.

Big Sur Roadhouse

This restaurant is nestled in the redwoods and has wonderful food!

Post Ranch Inn

This restaurant is more upscale. it's surrounded by luxury treehouses that one can rent!

California Wedding Guide

Planning a California Wedding, but unsure on exactly where to have it? Check out my complete California Wedding Guide below!

California Wedding Guide

Big Sur Wedding Photographer

Are you in need of a Big Sur wedding photographer? Feel free to get in touch about photography for your Big Sur Wedding! I offer the following package!

• 4 Hours of Coverage to Full Day Coverage by Elyana in the Big Sur
• Photo Editing Time
• All of the Edited, High Resolution Image on an Online Gallery
• Image Download, Print, and Share Rights

Get in Touch!