Have you ever dreamed of a coastal California Elopement? Being surrounded by wild ocean and miles and miles of untouched coastline? With redwood forests within arms reach? Well, Big Sur is your new best friend. And as a Big Sur elopement photographer, I can help you navigate the somewhat ambiguous process of planning your Big Sur elopement.

What is Big Sur?

Big Sur is a wilderness area about two and a half hours south of San Francisco. It’s closest towns are Carmel by the Sea and Monterrey (Big Little Lies anyone??) and consists of state and federal lands within the area. So, depending on where you elope in Big Sur, we will be connecting with the the appropriate parks personnel. More on that later.

It’s most sought after area is Garrapata State Park, and for good reason. Garrapata has so much to explore, and a lot of it consists of these dramatic bluffs looking over the coastline. It’s impossible to get a bad photograph here, which makes my job SO fun.

Yes, the pelicans are always flying overhead. Yes, the sky is always moody and dramatic. Yes, the waves give main character energy. What’s not to love?

Well, maybe the permitting process lol. But that’s what I’m here for!

Permits in Big Sur

Now this is where things can get a little tricky. I’ve had couples express confusion about this, and rightfully so. The California Parks Department is wildly understaffed and the communication systems are antiquated. But don’t let that scare you! With a little help and patience, your Big Sur elopement dreams are just within arms reach.

When it comes to permits, you first need to decide what location you want to elope in. The area is divided into two different sectors: Private and Public lands. A majority of the land is going to be public, where you will need to acquire permits. Private land will consist of resorts such as Glen Oaks and Alila Ventana where if you stay there, you can also have your ceremony there. You will be traveling more into intimate wedding territory though just FYI.

The public lands are where you acquire your permit. And a portion of the cost comes down to how many guests you intend on having for your ceremony. For an elopement (up to 25 guests), the cost breakdown is as follows:

For 1 hour- $150 + a $250 non-refundable administration fee. You can tack on more time for and extra $150 per hour. But I find that one hour is generally enough time for a ceremony and family photos. There is also a separate $500 fully refundable deposit to be made, in addition to liability insurance, which usually costs around $150.

This all seems pretty straightforward and it is in theory! There are forms to fill out for your application, which ARE confusing, but having been through it myself, I’ve got it all figured out to help you along the way.

Something to note: State Park elopement permits are only issued for Monday-Thursday. If you want to elope on a weekend, you’ll need to either seek out private land such as the resorts linked earlier, or seek out spots that do not require any permitting, such as Limekiln State Park and Pfeiffer Beach.

When should we apply for our Big Sur elopement Permit?

You can submit an application for up to 6 months in advance. I recommend applying as early as possible just to give us plenty of time to navigate the system and any set backs that might come our way. They do not allow any submissions less than 30 days prior to your date, so if we’re cutting it close, you can always submit a rush application for a $75 fee.

When is the best time of year to elope in Big Sur?

That all depends on what you’re going for!

Summer will have the most crowds but the warmest weather and least amount of rainfall. It’s also the height of wildfire season, so that is a factor to consider when planning your Big Sur elopement.

Fall will have less crowds but still very pleasant weather. Kinda the sweet spot if you ask me!

Winter is quiet and dramatic, but can lead to heavy rainfall, which can cause landslides and road closures.

Springtime is when the wildflowers begin blooming and the weather is mild, but the marine layer tends to linger longer throughout the day. Which can be epic but can also obstruct your ocean views.

The Getting Married Part!

In order to make it legit, you must have an officiant and one witness to sign off on your license. If you’re looking to elope just the two of you, I can officiate for you and we can find a victim on the trail to witness!

You can apply in any county in California, so I just tell people to apply at their county of residence if you reside in the state. If you are coming from outside of California, you can apply online at any county’s recorders website, but you must pick it up in person. So, depending on where you are staying, I would recommend applying in Monterey County Clerks Office which is north of Big Sur, or San Luis Obispo County Clerk’s Office, which is just south of Big Sur.

Where To Stay In Big Sur

There are lots of beautiful places to stay in or near Big Sur. Here are some of my favorites:

Highlands Inn– Owned by the Hyatt. Located in idyllic Carmel-by-the-Sea, this is a wonderful boujee option if you want to remain within a town that has all the creature comforts you can think of!

Glen Oaks– A cottage retreat just about 15 miles south of Garrapata State park. The rooms are thoughtfully designed rooms with mid century modern touches. Nestled amongst redwood trees, this resort is a delight. It kinda takes the cake for me!

Alila Ventana Big Sur- Also owned by Hyatt, this resort screams luxury. If you’re wanting to ball out then this might be your jam. However, they also have a gorgeous campground with impeccable sites, clean bathrooms and glamping tents as well!

Big Sur River Inn– Located in the heart of the redwoods in Big Sur. A bit of rustic luxury in the middle of the wilderness.

Deetjens Big Sur Inn– Historic, rustic, and ensconced in a gorgeous, well-tended to garden year round.

Can We Bring Our Dog?

You can at certain locations! The trails at the bluffs do not allow dogs, but Garrapata Beach and other public beaches in the area allow on leash dogs. As always, be mindful of their impact and clean up after them!

What’s Next?

If all of this sounds like your vibe and you’re ready to start planning your Big Sur elopement, then lets get to it! You can contact me here in order to get the ball rolling!

I’m so excited to start planning your Big Sur elopement with you!

xoJordan

www.jordanleonephoto.com