When Hayley and Claire first reached out from the UK, they told me they wanted a day that felt romantic, adventurous, and completely their own. A luxury elopement celebration that mixed jaw-dropping scenery with slow, intentional moments. A day where they could feel totally relaxed, taken care of, and deeply present with each other.

Big Sur ended up being the perfect answer.

With its epic cliffs, moody redwoods, luxurious hotels, and charming towns, it gave them everything they dreamed of: forest, ocean, mountains, and a touch of posh. We worked closely over several months to bring their vision to life down to every last detail, dinner reservations, vendor referrals, scenic stop, and even pre-booking a cab for their late-night dinner pickup (because booking one last-minute is not gonna happen!).

If you’re dreaming of getting on a plane for a luxury elopement in Big Sur, just like Hayley and Claire did, this is what’s possible when you have a local California elopement photographer in your corner.

A Slow Morning at Bernardus Lodge in Carmel

Their day began tucked into the hills of Carmel Valley at Bernardus Lodge, one of the most luxurious and serene hotels in the area. Hayley and Claire chose it over an Airbnb because they wanted to feel totally spoiled, and it delivered. The Lodge features a spa, stunning views, and cozy rooms, which were perfect for taking photos.

Hayley and Claire had also prepared intentional details, including their custom wedding shoes, matching rainbow socks, a rainbow flag, and a card from their pups waiting for them back home.

It was so funny hiding them from each other all morning until the first look! Overall, the morning was so sweet with them seeing each other for the first time at the courtyard, exchanging thoughtful gifts, and lots and lots of joy.

Big Sur Cliff Elopement Ceremony

From the hotel, we headed just minutes down the road into Garrapata State Park, which is home to all the vistas, sprawling beaches, secret trails, and Calla Lilly Valley. They exchanged their vows on a cliff overlooking the ocean, with Officiant Dean officiating their ceremony. These two were just beaming. It was everything they’d hoped for—romantic, stress-free, and all about them.

We followed that with a cozy picnic I had set up for them. They’d mentioned how important it was to slow down and be in the moment, so I made sure we took time to breathe, laugh, cry, snack, and simply enjoy the day together.

And yes… they brought the rainbow flag with them. I nearly cried watching them wrap themselves in it, laughing and twirling on the cliffs with the Pacific behind them.

Garrapata State Park is an incredible location for your elopement, and I have the perfect planning guide to help you make the most of your special day here!

Roaming Around Bixby Bridge & Pfeiffer Redwood State Park

Then we continued exploring the bluffs above the water. Of course, we also stopped at Bixby Bridge for some cinematic moments and soaked up the wild beauty of Big Sur’s coastline. They both really wanted to check out this iconic bridge, and I loved getting to make their dream come true!

After that, we wandered into Pfeiffer Redwood State Park for a peaceful forest walk. We’d initially planned for sunset at Pfeiffer Beach, but Hayley hadn’t felt great all morning, and with high winds on the radar, we pivoted (one of the perks of having someone local to guide you!) and slowed things down in the woods instead.

A Private Luxury Elopement Dinner at Sierra Mar

To close out the evening, I dropped them off at Sierra Mar, the jaw-dropping glass restaurant at Post Ranch Inn. It’s perched above the cliffs of Big Sur with panoramic ocean views, making it one of the most romantic spots for an intimate dinner. And since you can’t just call a cab out here, I had their ride pre-booked and ready to go, which was one less thing for them to worry about.

Planning Your Own Big Sur Luxury Elopement?

Big Sur is unlike anywhere else in the world. You get the drama of the cliffs, the calm of the redwoods, the charm of Carmel, and the luxury of places like Bernardus and Post Ranch Inn—all within a short drive of each other.

But planning a destination elopement here (especially from abroad!) can be overwhelming. That’s where I come in.

Hayley & Claire’s day wasn’t just about showing up and taking photos. I helped:

• Scout every location to match their vision
  
  
• Handle vendor referrals and timelines.
  
  
• Coordinate transportation, dinner, and permits.
  
  
• Create space for personal moments like vow recordings and a custom picnic.
  
  
• Keep the day flexible so they can relax and just enjoy it all.
  

Here’s what they told me when planning:

“We want to feel relaxed, stress-free, in awe of each other, and like we’re having our biggest adventure in the space of one day.”

And that’s exactly what we created together.

Big Sur Elopement Planning Tips

• Plan for more than 8 hours if you want space to breathe. First looks, quiet moments, gifts, and meals take time—and they’re so worth it.
  
  
• Be ready for any weather. Big Sur can serve up sunshine, mist, wind, or all of the above in one day. Always have a backup plan in case you need to find cover, and bring layers!
  
  
• Treat yourself. Whether it’s a luxury hotel like Bernardus or dinner at Sierra Mar, include something indulgent in your day! You both deserve it!
  

Check out my full Big Sur elopement planning guide for more tips and inspiration!

Kind Words from the Couple

“Ahhhh Christina, we love the photos SO much! Thank you for getting them over before our wedding party and for generally being the most amazing support, planner, driver, dress steamer, coffee bringer and generally wonderful person on our day 🥹”

“It was the best day of our lives, thank you so much” 

H&C x

My Big Sur Elopement Packages

Hi! I’m Christina, your Big Sur Elopement Photographer. Planning, traveling, and finding beautiful locations and experiences are my jam. Helping you create and document the celebration of a lifetime brings me the utmost joy! I want you to make the most amazing memories and have stunning photos that you can share with all of your loved ones. This is a day where you get to look back and say, “Wow, we did that!”

My Big Sur elopement packages offer a half-, full–, or multi-day experience! I offer a ton of flexibility in designing our time together and would love to get to know you more to help you plan! To learn more, head over to my contact form, and we can get together on a call!

Every elopement package includes:

• Custom location scouting and on-the-ground research
• Timeline options that create breathing room and magic
• Permitting help, vendor recs, and meaningful add-on options
• Joyful guidance from the start, along with swoon-worthy photos in your own online gallery (plus sneak peeks in 72 hours)