How To Elope In Big Sur (2024 Update)

May 13

Written By Will Khoury

How to Elope in Big Sur

A Complete Guide to Planning Your Big Sur Elopement in 2024

If you’re planning to elope in Northern California, then you need to consider eloping in Big Sur! This area has everything from beautiful coastline beaches to shady redwood forests. Spanning over 90 miles and located just off California’s scenic Highway 1, this area of the coast is filled with hidden gems perfect for a Northern California elopement!

Why Elope in Big Sur?
When to Elope in Big Sur?
Choose between an elopement and an intimate wedding
How to Elope in Big Sur?
- Choose an elopement location (plus a list of my favorite Big Sur locations)
- The three ways to get married in California
- Apply for the right marriage license
- Big Sur Elopement Permits
- How to navigate Big Sur
- Choose where you want to stay
- Set a budget
Find the right Big Sur Elopement Photographer
Big Sur Environmental Awareness

Don’t forget to use the comment box at the end of this blog!

This blog is here to help you plan an awesome experience for your Big Sur elopement, and while I know it might not answer all your questions on how to elope in Big Sur, I’d be happy to answer your specific question and guide you in planning your Big Sur Elopement.

Let’s dive in!

Why Plan a Big Sur Elopement?

Big Sur is known for its epic coastline and stunning views! The beaches are full of dramatic cliffs and rock formations and everywhere you turn there is beautiful scenery all around you.

Not only is Big Sur beautiful, but it is also diverse in landscape. The land stretches beyond the coast into the Redwood forests so you can get the best of both worlds for your elopement! Why not see all Big Sur has to offer and have a first look among the redwood trees and then hold your ceremony along the coast at sunset?

One of my favorite things about the Big Sur area is that it is remote, making it a relatively quiet place no matter when you visit. Aside from main attractions like Bixby Bridge, it’s not hard to find a private location for your elopement.

If you’re unsure what exactly is an elopement, make sure to check out this detailed blog.

Whats an elopement

When is the Best Time of Year to Elope in Big Sur?

In short, there really is no bad time of year to elope in Big Sur! In Northern California, the weather is relatively mild year-round and that goes for Big Sur too. Keep in mind though, that doesn’t mean that every day is going to be clear and sunny. While you may experience some cloudy days in Big Sur, that’s ok. Slightly overcast days are actually perfect for photographing!

Some of the best months to visit Big Sur are April to October. The temperatures are at their highest averaging between 60-80 degrees, but this is also peak season in Big Sur meaning the area will be more crowded. November - March is the area’s off-season with temperatures averaging in the low 60s. Though the days are colder, the skies tend to be clearer allowing you still get amazing photos!

The time of year can also change the flow of your elopement day as sunset time dramatically changed between seasons and that could be anywhere between a 4 to 5-hour difference on what time the sun sets. This is important to keep in mind because the golden hour time can happen late in the day during summer and very early in the day in winter.

Another important thing to keep in mind is California’s wildfire and rainy/landslide season. Wildfires generally take place in the late summer-fall months, while rainy/landslide season takes place in January - March. Areas of Big Sur are more likely to experience road closures, so I always advise couples to keep an eye out for updates and have backup plans in place.

No matter what time of year you plan your elopement in Big Sur, the main thing to keep in mind is that the weather can be unpredictable. Sometimes it rains, sometimes it's cloudy and that’s ok! Some of the best elopements I’ve been a part of are the ones where couples simply go with the flow and embrace whatever comes their way. At the end of the day, your love is what matters most, so spend your time focusing on that, let go of what you can’t control, and let me take care of the rest!

Choosing Between a Big Sur Elopement or an Intimate Wedding

Oftentimes, when planning an elopement one of the first questions couples have to consider is whether to plan an elopement or an intimate wedding. I’ve written an entire blog post about the difference between the two which you can check out here, but one of the main differences between the two is guest size.

When planning a Big Sur elopement, how many guests you plan to invite may determine where you can get married within the Big Sur. Some areas, like public lands, may only allow a certain number of guests while private land may be more flexible in what you are allowed to do. Keep reading for more information about the difference between public and private lands.

The type of event you plan may have other effects on your day. Things like budget, whether or not you need a venue, or how much time you need to build into your wedding day timeline may change depending on which option you choose. There is no right or wrong way to go. It all simply comes down to what you envision for your day and who you want to share it with.

Elopement vs. Intimate Wedding

How to Elope in Big Sur

Choose Your Elopement Location

When it comes to planning a Big Sur elopement, there are two location options to choose from public land or private land.

Public Land

Public land is simply land that is owned and operated by the government. This land consists mainly of state parks and each park comes with its own set of rules and regulations. While there are some restrictions that come with choosing to elope on public land, the plus side is that many of these locations are filled with some of the best views and sceneries along the coast! Below are a few of my favorite locations for elopements in Big Sur.

— Benefits of holding your ceremony on private lands:

Location if you have a specific view in mind.
Experiencing nature and adding an adventurous element to your day
A relaxed, no-decoration approach (let the backdrop be your decoration)
Affordable (possibly free) to elope on Public Lands
Being Spontaneous - be one with nature, enjoy the elements around you, feel the wind, hear the waves, or feel the warm sun peeking through the redwoods - this is all that makes eloping in nature so special.

Private Lands

Private land is land owned by a company or individual. Think Airbnb, wedding venues, resorts, etc. You may want to choose a location on private land if you want to invite more guests than public land allows, or if you simply want a little more privacy for your ceremony. Private land can also have some hidden gem locations that you may not have seen on the internet, giving you a more unique elopement experience. Eloping in Private Lands can sometimes double as the place you’re staying, which makes your experience so much more convenient and relaxed.

— Benefits of holding your ceremony on private lands:

Convenience for your day
Doubles as your getting-ready location
Privacy and seclusion
Accessibility and dedicated ceremony locations
Ability to have a few more guests
Avoiding Public Lands permits

Obtain a Marriage License & Public Land Permit

The three ways to get married in Big Sur:

**1. THE MOST MEANINGFUL**

A ceremony officiated by an ordained family member or close friend. This option holds the most significance if you wish to have someone incorporate stories, laughs, memories, and important relationship elements into your ceremony. This option is ideal for intimate weddings where parents, close friends, or a special person in your life is already part of the day. If you choose to officiate your marriage is traveling to California, you can check out and share all California Wedding Laws & have them become ordained online before your wedding day so that they’re ready to marry you and your partner.

**2. THE MOST CONVENIENT**

Hiring an independent wedding officiant from Big Sur or nearby areas. This option is very common for eloping couples who wish to get married (legally) in California. A wedding officiant can guide you with all the necessary steps that are needed to take for your wedding day, as well as help you file any necessary paperwork. This is a wonderful option for couples who wish to simplify the process while still holding symbolic meaning when exchanging wedding and personal vows. Many officiants will meet with couples individually to incorporate sentimental elements and make the ceremony much more meaningful and personable.

**3. THE SIMPLEST**

(especially if you’re traveling internationally) - This approach is the most ideal if you don’t like to deal with paperwork and appointments while traveling. The simple solution to this is to have a civil ceremony in your country/state’s courthouse when you’d officially be married, and then, when arriving to your Big Sur’s elopement, to hold a meaningful ceremony in a location of your choice for a symbolic vow exchange. Pro Tip: hiring an officiant in this instant, or having one of your guests perform the ceremony can bring so much more meaning, emotion, and symbolic significance to the ceremony as this will be the official day you’re celebrating your marriage.

California/Big Sur Marriage Licenses

In order to get legally married in Big Sur, you will first need to obtain a California marriage license. California offers two different types of marriage licenses, public and confidential. Public (or regular) marriage licenses are the most common, so for the sake of this blog post, we will focus on those. A public marriage license allows you to get married anywhere within the state of California and it requires you to have 1-2 witnesses present as well as an officiant to officiate the ceremony.

Public marriage licenses can be obtained from any county clerk’s office in California. For Big Sur weddings, you’d go to the Monterey County Clerk's Office. In order to obtain a marriage license, you will need to submit an application in person or online and you and your partner will need to go into the County Clerk’s office to complete the process and present valid proof of ID. Licenses are effective immediately and are good for up to 90 days.

Learn more about obtaining a California marriage license here.

—

Monterey County Clerk’s Office address: 168 W Alisal St # 1, Salinas, CA 93901 // Hours: Mon-Sat: 8 am - 12 pm, Sunday - Closed

Big Sur Elopement Permits

As mentioned earlier, you will need to obtain a special event permit if you are eloping on any public land in Big Sur. Depending on how many people you plan to invite will determine whether you need to apply for a standard or elopement special event permit. Applications should be submitted no later than 45 days prior to the event to avoid additional fees or rejection.

Big Sur is a popular tourist location so the day of the week you elope matters. I typically recommend couples plan their elopement on a weekday to help avoid the weekend crowds but this is especially true if you are planning a Big Sur elopement on public land. Big Sur limits their permits to Monday-Thursday, so unless you choose to elope on private land, you will not be able to obtain the necessary permit for a weekend in Big Sur.

Learn more about Big Sur's special event permits here.

Note - there are four different areas within Big Sur (Andrew Molera State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park & Garrapata State Park) Each has separate permit restrictions so make sure you select the correct one.

How to Navigate Big Sur for Your Elopement Day

One of my favorite things about Big Sur elopements is that there is the option to tackle multiple locations on your wedding day! Some of the best views in the park are relatively close to each other, giving you the chance to experience multiple photo locations all in one day!

Once you’ve decided on a few elopement locations within Big Sur, you’ll want to start looking at nearby areas for places to stay. Some popular nearby towns are Monterey and Carmel as they are within close driving distance to many of the scenic locations within Big Sur. You can also look at hotels and Airbnbs within the Big Sur, but more on that later.

Driving around Big Sur can take up a large portion of time and nobody wants to spend their whole elopement day in a car, so choose lodging that is closest to your photography locations to help ensure you get the most out of your elopement day.

One thing I also tell couples to keep in mind is that Big Sur can be very remote. Cell service can be spotty so it’s best to create a plan ahead of time and build in buffer time so you don’t have to rush from one spot to the next.

Big Sur Elopement Timeline Example

You may be wondering what an elopement day in Big Sur actually looks like. Below, I’ve added some photography-based Big Sur elopement timeline samples to help you get an idea of what is often included and how much time to plan for a Big Sur elopement.

8-Hour Elopement Timeline Example

12:00 n: Coverage Begins
1:00 pm: Details & Accessor photos
2:00 pm: Hair & Makeup Final touches
2:30 pm: Getting ready
3:00 pm: Head to Ceremony Location in the Redwoods
3:30 pm: Ceremony
4:00 pm: Photos in the Redwoods
4:30 pm: Head to the coast
5:15 pm: Arrive at coastal local
5:30 pm: Private vows, Champaign pop, Cake, First dance
6:30 pm: Sunset Golden Hour photos
Sunset Time: 7:10 pm
7:30 pm: Twilight/Blue Hour creative photos

6-hour Elopement Timeline Example

12:00n: Coverage Begins with Hair & Make up final touches
12:30 pm: Detail photos
1:00 pm: Getting fully ready - separately at the cabin
2:00 pm: First look & Redwood Photos
3:00 pm: Ceremony
3:30 pm: Pack up and head out to the coast
4:15 pm: Arrive at the coast for a private vow exchange
4:45 pm: Head to the cliffs area for Golden Hour photos
Sunset Time: 4:50 pm
5:15 pm: Creative photos during Blue Hour
6:00 pm: End of Coverage

Pro tip: Timelines should always be created around what matters the most to you and how you want to spend your day. This is your day, so create it around the things you want to do and in the way you want to celebrate.

Find a Place to Stay in Big Sur

The good thing about planning a Big Sur elopement is that there are so many lodging spots to choose from. Where you decide to stay for your elopement all depends on the vibe you want to experience. Popular lodging options include a hotel or resort, an Airbnb, and even campsites! Your Big Sur elopement can be as glam or as adventurous as you want! Below is a list of some of my favorite Big Sur hotels that can also double as your getting ready/ceremony/reception spot!

Glen Oaks Big Sur (Retro-inspired cabins)
Ventana Big Sur (Luxury resort, glamping & campsite)
Post Ranch Inn (Upscale, boutique, luxury resort)
Big Sur River Inn (Laid-back lodge & restaurant)
Fernwood Resort (Campground and resort)
Tree Bones Resort (Premier glamping resort)
Lucia Lodge (Cliff-side resort)
Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn (Unique and historic hotel)
Any Big Sur or nearby Airbnb or VRBO

Set A Big Sur Elopement Budget

How much money you spend on your elopement ultimately depends on what you want to plan for your day. Some of the main things to think about are where do you want to get married? Where do you want to stay? Do you want to have a luxury experience at a resort or an adventurous stay at a campsite? How many guests do you want to invite? What details do you want to splurge or save on? What vendors will you hire? These are all important questions to keep in mind when creating your elopement budget.

Oftentimes, elopements are less expensive than traditional weddings. You can legally elope for just the cost of a marriage license, however, your elopement day is more than just a day where you sign papers. It’s a day to celebrate the two of you. Your wedding day is one of the most important days in your life, so spend it doing things you love.

How much does it cost to elope?

Environmental Awareness for Public Lands

As an adventure photographer and a couple who are considering eloping in one of the most beautiful places on earth, environmental awareness and Leave No Trace principles should be followed. Big Sur is a super convenient place to visit and while its harsh dramatic cliffs make it seem like a tough place, there are so many fragile wildlife and plant life that exists in the area that need to be respected and taken care of. Accessing places like Big Sur is a huge privilege and in return, we have to make sure we take care of these places as much as possible, which is why The 7 Principles of LNT are very important to follow.

A few quick things to keep in mind when eloping in Big Sur to minimize environmental impact:

Pack it in, pack it out
Avoid florals that are not native to the area.
Stay on dedicated paths
Avoid confetti, rice, flower petals, smoke bombs, etc.
Follow signage and plant re-habilitation areas
Respect others on trails and have fun

Choose a Big Sur Elopement Photographer

Planning a Big Sur elopement isn’t complete without choosing your elopement vendors! Elopement vendors are so important in helping you bring your elopement dreams to life!

One of the first vendors you will want to consider is an elopement photographer who is familiar with the Big Sur area. Not only will the right Big Sur elopement photographer give you amazing photos to remember your wedding day by, but they will also be able to help you throughout the planning process as well.