Big Sur Elopement Packages

Because we’re in California with the gorgeous weather, you want to come to the Big Sur area anytime! However, to beat the crowds and get the most of Carmel and Monterey, the best time to visit is April through May and September through November.

Also, because this is a coastal region, it can be overcast sometimes well into the afternoon. This means very cool mornings, warm afternoons, and cool to cold evenings. In fact, temperatures range from 44 to 77° F (6° to 25° C).

You will need a permit to elope in any of the California State Parks. Click here to learn more. The permit is $275 plus a refundable damage deposit.

Big Sur proper is only 30-45 minutes away from Carmel and Monterey by car despite having next to no cell signal. This means Big Sur is a super convenient place for elopements that give you the best of both worlds — some sense of solitude while also providing tons of fabulous hotel, Airbnb, and camping options nearby.

Heads up: If you’re flying into the area, you can fly into San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and drive the 3 hours south or fly into San Jose International Airport (SJC) and drive the 2 hours south. Or you can fly into the local Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) for more direct travel.

Yes! Carmel and Monterey offer the best of both worlds — beautiful coastlines and forests with all the conveniences of a metropolitan area with some of the best seafood, shopping, and entertainment around.

First, most places where elopements happen only allow about that many people. Elopement permits in the Big Sur area vary from 6 people total (including you two, me, and the photographer) to roughly 15 people (including you, me, and the photographer). Having 10 guests puts us at around 14-15 people total to remain in compliance with the most common permit limits.

Secondly, remember when you said you wanted something simple? Well, an event with more than a dozen people is no longer simple. It’s like herding cats to get that many people to move even 50 yards. Plus, the more people you invite, the more expectations are heaped onto your elopement. Suddenly your Mom is asking why you don’t have seating for Grandma? Who is walking you down the aisle? What do you mean there’s no aisle and no music??

Every couple this has happened to thinks they’ll be the exception, but it happened to them too!

That’s why there is a hard limit of 10 guests, no exceptions to ensure I can provide you the amazing Big Sur elopement experience I promised.

Special note specifically for the Epic Elopement Experience and Ultimate Adventure Elopement services:

Of the time we schedule together, your loved ones are going to only be with you for maybe 30 minutes of it. For the other 1.5 hours of the Epic Elopement Experience™ or 3-5 hours of the Ultimate Adventure Elopement, your guests will be braving the elements, standing around waiting for you as you have the time of your life without anything to entertain them. They won’t have food or drinks, no cell signal, and no seating but the car. And when our time is done (usually sunset marks the end of our time together), they will then have to drive a fair distance just to get to wherever you all are congregating to celebrate afterward (hotel, Airbnb, restaurant, etc.). Elopements are designed for YOUR enjoyment, not that enjoyment of your guests. 

I’ve also noticed that the more guests a couple has at their elopement, the more stressed and less present. Instead of savoring their newlywed state and feeling like supermodels with our awesome photographer, they’re focused on the relative who got lost and freaking out because none of us have cell signal to get a hold of them. Or worried about the friend showing signs of heat exhaustion from standing in the sun instead of finding shade despite my multiple warnings. Or fielding the complaints that their loved ones are demanding to leave early because they are starving even though we still have 40 minutes of photos during golden hour left.

Yes, those are all real examples. 

In short, hell yeah!

I offer full service elopement options that include photographers because so many couples felt lost and wanted something all-inclusive. Plus I LOVE working with rad photographers, so when I find someone I adore, I want to keep working with them over and over.

But if you have found a photographer who rocks your world and you’re super excited about, then hire them! In fact, I demand an email introduction to the artist who won you over with their awesome work. 

No. After having performed over 700 elopements, I know every aspect of what you need to have an amazing, chill adventure elopement without stress. That’s why I’ve designed these packages intentionally and with great care and introducing variables with unknown vendors means I can’t promise easy or stress-free. I only include the most amazing photographers and florists with whom I have a solid working relationship in these packages so that I can ensure you have an easy and unforgettable time with us.

Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest days everywhere, but most especially the busiest in a highly-trafficked tourist destination like Big Sur. Highway 1 is jammed and parking is a nightmare during those times.

That’s why I won’t do elopements on Fridays and Saturdays, because they are so busy that it makes for a stressful experience for everyone involved, which is the OPPOSITE of what an elopement is meant to be! That’s why I only do elopements midweek and Sundays, no exceptions. I want you to roll up relaxed, smiling ear to ear, and ready to say your vows in an awesome place with your favorite person, not stressed out and late because of traffic.

I mean that elopements with me do not have any of the following: an aisle, music or sound amplification, arch or arbor, strewn petals, candles, chairs (except for the elderly or disabled), etc.

There are two reasons I don’t allow any setup (no exceptions):

1. A set-up means you’re having a wedding, not an elopement. Most State Park permits don’t even allow this kind of stuff anyway!
2. It’s stressful and unnecessary.

I know that arch you saw on Instagram or Pinterest looked amazing, but I can guarantee it did not add to the experience even though it made a great photo. Why can I say that with such confidence? Well, someone had to haul that thing down to onto the beach or into the woods from the parking lot. That’s either going to be you in your wedding gear (now setting up instead of enjoying the experience) or you’re going to be paying a vendor a good chunk of change to tie us to a specific spot we can’t leave until the set-up is broken down and removed, even if that spot proves problematic for photos. It’s just not worth it! 

The bottom line:

I’m a hiker and my elopements are designed with the “pack in, pack out” mentality, meaning we carry in and carry out whatever we bring, leaving nothing but footprints and taking nothing but photos. Because we literally go into places as beautifully dressed hikers. It is deeply important to me that we respect the land while making your elopement experience stress-free and awesome. That’s why I’ve designed my Big Sur elopement packages this way – so they are fun, joyful, and relaxed because you don’t have to worry about anything!

The short answer is you can’t.

The long answer is that I am often speaking with 6-30 prospective couples at any given time, so it’s simply impossible for me to save the date while you decide. I also require a consultation before I invite you to book with me, so keep an eye out for that email with the link to schedule that!

To keep it easy, I break it up into payments.

For the Run Away with Me:

• I require 50% of the total price to reserve the day.
• The remaining balance is due 2 weeks before the elopement.

For the Epic Elopement Experience and Ultimate Adventure Elopement, I break it up into three payments.

• I require $999 USD to reserve the date.
• A midway payment of half the remaining balance is due at the halfway point between the date you book and your actual elopement date.
• The final balance is due 2 weeks before elopement day.

My system is fully online, so you can make your payments online anytime once you’ve booked with me.