BIG SUR and MONTEREY ELOPEMENTS
A Helpful Guide From a Local Officiant
A Few Favorite Locations
Garrapata State Park: Wild,Rugged, and Endlessly Romantic
A Sanctuary of Untamed Coastline and Breathtaking Beauty on the California Coast
For couples who want wildness, and raw natural beauty, a Garrapata State Park elopement is nothing short of extraordinary. With its dramatic rocky coves, kelp-draped sea stacks, and sweeping Big Sur coastal views, Garrapata State Beach is one of California's most stunning and sought-after elopement locations — rugged, romantic, and utterly unforgettable.
I Can Handle the Permit — At a Discount
Planning a California coastal elopement comes with logistics, but we make it effortless. When you book my Elopement Package, I secure your special event permit on your behalf for just $125 — that's 50% off the standard $250 fee. We also include liability insurance, a separate requirement that couples arranging permits independently must source and pay for on their own.
What's Included:
Covers up to 10 guests
No permit paperwork to navigate on your own
Liability insurance included at no extra cost
A reserved, fully legal ceremony space on one of California's most breathtaking coastlines
More money left in your budget for the moments that matter most
Carmel-by-the-Sea: Storybook Village, White Sand, and Toes in the Pacific
Some beaches demand a permit. Carmel-by-the-Sea Beach is not one of them — and that's just one of the many reasons couples fall in love with it twice.
Nestled at the foot of one of California's most enchanting villages, Carmel-by-the-Sea offers a rare combination of effortless beauty and zero red tape. Picture white sand so fine it squeaks beneath your bare feet, cypress trees framing the horizon, and the kind of light that makes every photograph look like a painting.
Exchange your vows with the Pacific at your feet, then celebrate the threshold you've just crossed into marriage at one of the village's excellent restaurants — where the food is as memorable as the day itself.
No permit required for ceremonies. Just bring your love and leave your heels in the car.
Glen Oaks Big Sur: A Dreamy Boutique Elopement Venue Nestled in the Redwoods
Glen Oaks Big Sur
No Big Sur elopement guide would be complete without mentioning the enchanting Glen Oaks Big Sur — a gem that is so much more than just an elopement venue. This charming boutique hotel offers retro-inspired cabins nestled among towering coastal redwoods, serving as both your lodging and private ceremony location in one. Wake up on your wedding morning surrounded by ancient trees, exchange your vows in a lush, secluded grove, and fall asleep as newlyweds without ever leaving your romantic sanctuary.
What makes Glen Oaks one of the most sought-after Big Sur elopement locations is its unmatched sense of seclusion. The property is dotted with intimate groves where the outside world simply disappears — just the two of you, breathing in crisp forest air, listening to the rustle of redwood canopies, and soaking in one of the most breathtaking and private settings Big Sur has to offer.
And the details matter here. The cabins are thoughtfully designed — warm, unhurried, and quietly luxurious — so your entire wedding day feels intentional from the moment you wake up to the moment you close your eyes as newlyweds. No rushing to a venue, no coordinating rides, no chaos. Just you, your person, and the forest.
Whether you're dreaming of a redwood elopement, a romantic Big Sur wedding, or a California coastal elopement on a budget, Glen Oaks delivers a once-in-a-lifetime escape that feels both effortlessly beautiful and deeply personal.
Wind & Sea Big Sur: A Sanctuary of Raw Nature and Quiet Intimacy at the Edge of the Pacific
For couples dreaming of a completely intimate Big Sur elopement, Wind & Sea is in a league of its own. With a thoughtful one-guest-at-a-time policy, this breathtaking private estate is entirely yours — no interruptions, no strangers, just you and your partner lost in the magic of Big Sur.
Wind & Sea is a private estate set along the Big Sur coastline, where people come together in rhythm with the land and the light.
As a family-owned estate, they are honored to offer a space for meaningful time spent in one of the most extraordinary places on the coast. Prepare for your ceremony in a gorgeous, spacious home, then celebrate your love with a private dinner in the gourmet kitchen. As the sun sets over the Pacific, unwind together in the outdoor hot tub, relax in the sauna, or gather around the fire ring in the amphitheater as the Big Sur coastline glows around you.
Whether you're envisioning an intimate cliffside ceremony or a romantic Big Sur wedding getaway, Wind & Sea delivers a one-of-a-kind elopement experience with unmatched privacy, luxury, and natural beauty at every turn.
Perfect for an intimate gathering with family and friends.
John Denver Memorial Beach: Dramatic Coastline, Crashing Waves,
Tucked along one of the most scenic coastal roads in all of Central California, John Denver Memorial Beach in Pacific Grove is a hidden treasure that checks every box for an unforgettable elopement.
The setting is pure Monterey Bay drama — powerful ocean waves crash against ancient rocks in the distance while you stand at the water's edge, the salt air wrapping around you and the sound of the Pacific filling every quiet moment between your vows.
What makes this spot especially beloved is its ease. No permits required, ample parking right along the road, and a location that feels both wild and wonderfully accessible. You can arrive, breathe it all in, and be fully present without a single logistical worry.
After your ceremony, the charming village of Pacific Grove is steps away — boutique shops, beloved local restaurants, and the unhurried pace of a town that has always had a soft spot for love stories.
No permit required. Ample parking available. Just bring each other.
Planning Tips
State Park Permit for Your Elopement with up to 10 people
Most of Big Sur's coastline falls within the State Park system, requiring a permit for any ceremony. Securing one doesn't have to be complicated — as a local, I handle all the paperwork on your behalf. The permit fee is simply added to your elopement package, no hidden costs.
I offer an exclusive discounted permit rate of just $120 for ceremonies at Garrapata State Park and Carmel River Beach — roughly 50% off the standard fee. My liability insurance included, so you can focus entirely on your day.
Guest List
Most Big Sur ceremony sites have very limited parking — some just a handful of spaces. We recommend keeping your guest count intimate, both for the logistics and for the magic. A small gathering always feels more personal anyway.
Weather
Big Sur's coastline is beautiful in any weather, but the Pacific breeze can catch guests off guard. I recommend using Weather Underground for forecast - and you can look 10 days out! https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/ca/big-sur
Dress in Layers and Ditch the Heels
Leave the heels at the hotel. Ceremony paths are hard-packed dirt trails, and the coast has a way of humbling even the most determined stiletto. Sparkly tennis shoes? Absolutely. Cowboy boots? Perfect.
Give your people a heads up to bring layers — a shawl, shrug, or nice jacket can make all the difference between shivering and savoring every moment.
Allow Extra Travel Time
Big Sur is a destination in itself — drivers slow down to soak in the views, and summer weekends can stretch a 20-minute drive into much longer. Plan to leave early and check Waze or your favorite navigation app before you head out for a real-time arrival estimate. And a heads up — cell service is limited or nonexistent at many ceremony sites, so plan your route before you leave. Arriving relaxed is the best way to start your ceremony.
