Big Sur Elopement: The Ultimate 2021 Guide to Big Sur Elopement Packages

Places to elope in Big Sur

Places to elope

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Carmel River State Beach

This mile-long beach features a bird sanctuary in a lagoon, several different rocky outcroppings where the waves clash, and beautiful...

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Glen Oaks Big Sur

Commit to each other in a redwood grove that has grown for centuries. In the small hamlet of Big Sur,...

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Loma Vista Gardens

Located in the heart of Big Sur along California Highway 1, the historic Loma Vista gardens offer spectacular views of...

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Carmel redwoods cabin

Celebrate outside a Carmel cabin nestled in the redwoods! Enjoy peaceful solitude with just the two of you and any...

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Big Sur Lodge

The redwood grove at the Big Sur Lodge is a serene spot near the Big Sur River. Venue rental and...

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Big Sur

Our Big Sur elopement packages include everything you will need to have a relaxed Big Sur wedding ceremony in a beautiful, natural setting.

Seed

Officiation services Personalization of vows
Enactment of ceremony
Advice on obtaining wedding license
Advice on ceremony locations

Starting at

$675

Sprout

Everything from the
SEED PACKAGE
Photography of ceremony
Brief portrait session after
(up to one hour of photography)
Digital transfer of 75+ edited images
Delivery of Photos (15 days or less after ceremony)

Starting at

$1,350

Bloom

Everything from the
SPROUT PACKAGE
Nosegay bouquet & boutonniere of your choosing

Starting at

$1,750

Oasis

Everything from the
BLOOM PACKAGE
One hour of videography
Long-form video of ceremony & 1-2 minute highlight reel
Hair & Makeup for one person
Carmel Beach Permit
Day of helper

Starting at

$4,675

Featured Vendors

Joshua, Photographer

What do you think makes eloping in Big Sur so special?

Big Sur has the most majestic landscapes on the west coast. You can’t beat the ocean, cliff, & redwood views all in one drive along highway 1!

What’s your favorite elopement venue in Big Sur?

Carmel River Beach is amazing for ocean backdrops & Glen Oaks Big Sur has charming cabins under the redwoods which offers an amazing setting in the forest!

What’s a fun fact about you?

I’m a wine nerd.

Featured Vendors

Denise, Officiant

What do you think makes eloping in Big Sur so special?

The natural beauty in this area is some of the most exquisite anywhere.

What do you love about the work you do?

Its such a joyful celebration. During a wedding, nothing is happening in the world except that beautiful hopeful moment.

What’s your favorite elopement venue in Big Sur?

Glen Oaks, serene and very private. You can’t surpass the magnificent splendor of those redwoods.

Featured Vendors

Molly, Photographer

What do you think makes eloping in Big Sur so special?

Big Sur is such a magical place! Whether you choose to say “I do” under a canopy of giant redwoods or on the beach with the sound of waves crashing at sunset, you can’t go wrong.

Tell us about one of your most magical elopements in Big Sur!

In the woods without any guests and we had the chance to chase the sun for the perfect sunset session. The soft golden glow and the dramatic cliffside made for some memorable moments!

How to elope in Big Sur

Eloping in Big Sur is hands down a magical experience. From the deep redwood groves to dramatic cliffside overlooks, there is no shortage of amazing places to elope in Big Sur. However, choosing your stunning venue or location is just a fraction of the aspects of your elopement that you will need to figure out. Read on for our top tips on ensuring you have the perfect Big Sur elopement!

Finding the right Big Sur vendors

We like to say that you should be able to get a cup of coffee with each of your vendors for an hour and have a really good time. The collection of professionals that work your elopement ceremony should feel like your best friend for a day; should make you feel at ease and secure. From your photographer to your officiant, videographer to hair & makeup artist, each person has a very important piece of the look, feel and function of your big day. Beyond just budget and style, make sure you feel some sort of personal connection with your vendors! It’s important!

Finding the perfect Big Sur elopement location

Finding the Big Sur elopement venue of your dreams won’t be hard as there are many options for many vibes. When you imagine your elopement do you see a private redwood grove with only plantlife and animal life to witness your ceremony? Do you want to dip your toes in the sand while the cool ocean tickles across the tops of your feet? Are you set on a cliffside venue with an epic view of the sunset? Big Sur elopements offers vibes of all kinds. There may be permitting to look into (which we cover as part of your package in many instances) or reservations with private property owners to arrange and we can walk you through the details of each! No matter what you envision, we’re here to help you find the perfect scenic setting for your Big Sur Elopement. You can see our top recommendations by clicking here

Making it legal

California, more specifically Monterey County, makes it pretty easy to acquire your marriage license. You will each need a form of identification – Driver’s License, official passport or military ID. In addition, if either of you have previously been married you will need an officiant copy of your divorce decree. The state of California only requires one witness for your ceremony and there is no waiting period between when you get your marriage license and hold your ceremony. You will need a certified officiant to perform your ceremony and sign off on your marriage license. When you book with us, we’ll send you a guide with specific instructions on how to get your marriage license to ensure your ceremony is legal.

When to Elope in Big Sur

In addition to determining your venue, vendors and getting a plan in place to obtain your marriage license, we have specific tips for time of year and day to elope in the area. While eloping in Big Sur is stunning year-round there are high volume seasons of tourists and each year offers a different vibe in regards to weather. Read below for our top tips when considering season or time of day when eloping in Northern California.

What time of year should you elope in Big Sur?

Picking what time of year to elope in Big Sur really comes down to what type of vibe you’re seeking for your big day. Do you envision foggy skies and rainy moments? Are you wanting an epic sunset on a warm evening? If you’re a rain lover you’ll definitely want to elope in February or March. During the summer weather is surprisingly unpredictable: sunny one day, foggy the next. If you’re wanting to avoid tourist season, we recommend straying away from September – November. While these are for sure really lovely months in the area, they’re also the busiest so finding your vendors and venue will be a bit more of a challenge just due to sheer competition.

What time of day should you elope in Big Sur?

Picking the time of day to elope in Big Sur is actually a critical part to ensuring your big day goes off without a hitch. Eloping in the early or late morning will ensure your lighting is soft and your vibe is quiet. Not many folks are visiting the beach or forest in the morning. We recommend avoiding afternoons – unless it’s a foggy or cloudy day – as the lighting can be harsh and generally unflattering for your pictures. Evenings can offer either stunning fog or epic sunsets but they will also be well-visited by tourists. It’s also great to consider what your activities will be before and after, such as hair & makeup prior or a celebratory dinner after, so you’re putting in place the whole schedule of your big day.

How far in advance should I start planning my Big Sur elopement?

We get this question frequently: how far in advance should I plan by elopement? We generally recommend three to nine months so you have ample time to plan all aspects of your trip such as locking in hotel, flights and any activity or dinner reservations. However, we’ve planned ceremonies with as little notice as a week! As long as you have a plan in place to acquire your marriage license, we can tackle the rest such as securing vendors, permits and getting your timeline into place. Whatever best suits you, we can accommodate!

Article written by

Janessa White

Janessa White is the co-founder of Simply Eloped and has helped thousands of couples plan elopements. Janessa thinks elopements are the ultimate way to tie the knot. She feels her happiest when building - teams, programs, ideas