James and Desiree knew they wanted a wedding day that felt beautiful, relaxed, and full of adventure. And their redwoods elopement in Big Sur was all of that and more! From slow coffee in the hills of Carmel to private vows in the redwoods, a picnic on the sand, and ending the day at the cliffside, it was a day designed just for them. Every single moment was intentional, and, dare I say, absolutely stunning!

The Vision Behind Their Redwoods Elopement in Big Sur

When James and Desiree first reached out, they told me they were dreaming of something relaxed, adventurous, and for just the two of them. Desiree was finishing nursing school, and they didn’t want the stress of planning a big wedding. They loved how personal and private their proposal had been (in Rome! at Villa Borghese!), and they wanted their wedding day to have that same kind of vibe.

They also knew EXACTLY the kind of scenery they were after! They wanted redwoods, coastal views, and lots of space to soak in the moment. I created a custom location guide for them, helped them narrow down the perfect redwood trail, and shared suggestions for where to stay, where to picnic, and how to time their day so they could just show up and enjoy it. I even got to sign as their officiant!

Their Big Sur Redwoods Elopement Timeline

Morning Coffee + Getting Ready in Carmel

The day started slow and sweet, just like they’d envisioned. They stayed at an incredible Airbnb tucked into the hills of Carmel, surrounded by oak trees and gorgeous natural light. I arrived with pastries and coffee from Mad Dog Coffee (@maddogscoffeebar), which was the perfect way to ease into the day.

Staying in Carmel like these two did? It’s such a charming spot to start your adventure. I’ve got a full breakdown of cute places to stay, eat, and elope in my How to Elope in Carmel-by-the-Sea guide!

HMUA: Klose Up Beauty, Flowers: Flor de Monterey

First Look at the Airbnb

Once they were both ready, they met for a first look on the back deck surrounded by dappled forest light. 

Private Vows in the Big Sur Redwoods

Next, we drove down the coast into Big Sur for their private ceremony. I found them a peaceful redwood trail where they could exchange vows in total privacy. The walk was short and easy, and the forest was bathed in the afternoon light filtering through the trees.

It was such a sweet ceremony with just the two of them, standing under towering redwoods, reading the words they had written to each other.

Elopement Picnic at Garrapata Beach

After the redwoods ceremony, we headed down to the beach, where Carmel Boho Picnics had set up a sweet picnic for the couple. There, James and Desiree laughed, listened to music, shared snacks, and let the coastal wind tangle their hair while they soaked in the view.

And after running wild in the sand, we went up top to the bluffs for their first dance.

Sunset + Lanterns at Soberanes Point

We ended the day at one of my favorite locations along the Big Sur coast—Soberanes Point. It’s rugged and romantic, with crashing waves and dramatic cliffs, and the perfect spot to roam around with lanterns glowing in the dusk.

Kind Words from the Couple

“These are so amazing, Christina! We’re excited to see the rest!! I’m obsessed with the little videos you sent us already ☺️☺️”

Tips for Planning a Redwoods Elopement in Big Sur

Dreaming of your own vows beneath the redwoods? I’ve got a whole guide just for that! From the best trails to privacy tips and how to navigate permits, check out How to Plan a Big Sur Redwood Elopement here!

You may also like:

• Big Sur Elopement Guide
• Best California Redwood Elopement Locations (in case you’d like to head outside Big Sur)
• Redwood National Park Elopement Guide

My Big Sur Redwood Elopement Packages

Hi! I’m Christina, your Northern California and beyond adventure 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 Redwood 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:

• Help you hand pick a location
• Provide resources and custom location guides on lodging, activities, and the best places to indulge in delicious foods
• Scout locations with boots on the ground to find the best places and lighting for your ceremony and photos
• Secure the right location permits to make sure your wedding is legal!
• Recommend vetted vendors to help make your dream of a day come true. 
• Create your custom timeline (there are 2-3 options to choose from!) with room to breathe and enjoy your day.
• Deliver a joyful experience along with swoon-worthy photos in your own online gallery!
• Have a backup plan for it all!
• Deliver sneak peeks within 72 hours and a full wedding gallery within 6 weeks! 
• Provide a Fine Art Wedding Album design for you to print and hold onto your photos to thumb through for years to come.