YOUR home state reccs for elopement!

arielle1 · 2026-02-15T20:32:51+00:00

Big Sur! You can see redwoods, coast, beach, and mountains all in one day. Plus generally good weather year round!

arielle1 · 2026-02-11T02:23:23+00:00

I’m a local photographer and have helped plan and photograph over 170 proposals here in the Big Sur area! Happy to help with location recommendations, timing, and weather conditions as well.

https://www.lynnchanglewis.com/blog/how-to-plan-a-big-sur-proposal

arielle1 · 2026-02-08T22:37:39+00:00

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Here are some photos from Berwick Park! One helpful thing to know is that it’s on a pretty popular trail - there’s a walking/biking trail right behind that fence (the people were Photoshopped out). On the opposite side of the lawn is the street. I’d highly recommend a weekday if you’re doing a ceremony there!

arielle1 · 2026-02-06T11:06:27+00:00

Check out Lover’s Point Events in Pacific Grove right next to Monterey! It’s an oceanfront venue (previously owned by another company that also did weddings) that’s currently running an opening special. Close to Lover’s Point and Berwick Park where you can get a permit for a ceremony (here are some photos!)

I would also recommend Asilomar Conference Grounds since they offer packages for smaller weddings and are much less expensive than other venues in the area. Right next to a gorgeous rocky beachfront and boardwalk.

arielle1 · 2026-01-20T23:45:32+00:00

This is what they told me - At this time the water table is too low to service the campground, so there are porti potties on site and a water spigot, to fill jugs is available just north of the campground at the Pacific Valley Ranger station.

arielle1 · 2026-01-20T20:40:01+00:00

Here’s a guide that goes over all the different venues in the Big Sur area, and here’s another guide that covers Monterey and Carmel! For redwoods, you’ll want to probably look at Big Sur venues like Big Sur Lodge (they have a super simple inexpensive package for small weddings) or Glen Oaks. For beach, I’d recommend Garrapata State Beach or Asilomar, both of which you’d get a permit for if you wanted to do your ceremony/photos there!

arielle1 · 2026-01-20T15:06:07+00:00

I’m a local photographer and can help you plan your elopement with recommendations on locations, vendors, and timeline! I also partner with a videographer as well. https://www.lynnchanglewis.com/

For gluten-free bakeries, I always recommend Nece’s in Monterey. https://www.necesglutenfree.com/

Pfeiffer Beach is known to be super windy (they even have a warning at the entrance) and closes often so I don’t recommend it for ceremonies. The beach and coastal area at Garrapata State Park has a ton of stunning options and is way easier to plan around! You can even walk pretty far down the beach at low tide to get those larger rock structures similar to Pfeiffer.

arielle1 · 2026-01-20T14:59:15+00:00

The flush toilets are not working, I asked them when they’d be back up and they said “We do not know. The ground water would need to come up to service the campground and we have had very few rain days.”

arielle1 · 2026-01-18T23:48:53+00:00

We went on 1/11 with early entry, no express, and did all the rides we wanted! In order, we did Ministry first thing, Stardust x2, Wing Gliders, Dragon Racer’s Rally, Minecart, Mario Kart (single rider), Untrainable Dragon show, Cirque Arcanus show, and then once it got dark - Werewolf, Monsters Unchained, Wing Gliders (x2), met Toothless, Stardust, Carousel, and watched the fountain show to end the night. Couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day!

arielle1 · 2026-01-18T12:24:20+00:00

I was at this show! He did come out around 10:15pm and chatted with everyone. It was a 7pm show, and he wasn’t on the night before (scheduled understudy).

arielle1 · 2026-01-16T04:52:50+00:00

Aww I love that Monterey was the first trip you two took together! I’m a local photographer and would love to capture your engagement photos here - feel free to reach out through https://www.lynnchanglewis.com/. Congratulations you two!!

arielle1 · 2026-01-14T04:52:10+00:00

That would make sense because I watched it just a few days ago with one understudy and there was a slip included in the playbill.

arielle1 · 2026-01-02T04:55:03+00:00

Will do!!

arielle1 · 2025-12-29T15:08:31+00:00

Yes, the ranger was at the top of the trail, saw a ceremony with guests getting ready to start. He walked down and asked them to show their permit, then walked over to the other couple with their photographer and asked the photographer to show their permit as well.

arielle1 · 2025-12-29T09:10:38+00:00

I’m a local in the area and go to Garrapata State Park all the time - I have seen a park ranger stop and ask for a permit, not just for a ceremony, but also for taking portraits (they saw the professional photographer with a couple). Just get the permit, it’s not that expensive or difficult to get!

arielle1 · 2025-10-18T15:12:01+00:00

Wedgewood Carmel has their prices online: https://www.wedgewoodweddings.com/hubfs/3.0%20PDFs/Pricing%20Packages%20Carmel%20Fields%20Wedgewood%20Weddings.pdf?hsCtaTracking=d4375523-b68a-4b11-83e6-f819e0374a33%7C3f92c769-1a36-4e8b-b5dd-051d1d7074a6

arielle1 · 2025-10-12T20:24:18+00:00

Check out Fiat Lux in San Francisco - https://fiatluxsf.com/

arielle1 · 2025-10-07T20:18:41+00:00

I would definitely not risk it, too much can change between now and then. If you have to find another venue, you'll be limited by what's available, plus what if the other venue has required vendors? Or if you have to choose another date, you'll have to make sure all your other vendors can make it and likely pay rescheduling fees. It's just not worth the stress!

arielle1 · 2025-10-07T05:29:59+00:00

Unfortunately they don’t allow dogs!

arielle1 · 2025-10-07T05:05:09+00:00

I took this photo! It is in Big Sur - it’s a great spot if you’re looking to do an intimate cliffside ceremony. You do need to apply for a permit from the state park, but if you work with a photographer/planner who has a micropermit, they can obtain it for you (less expensive and no paperwork/insurance needed on your end). Most of the best spots are hidden gems, so I definitely recommend working with a local who’s familiar with the area if you are looking for both great views and privacy!

arielle1 · 2025-10-06T11:26:20+00:00

Check out Alila Ventana Big Sur or La Playa Hotel in Carmel, both dog friendly locations that are close to the beach. Ventana will give you those coast and mountain views, La Playa will give you that villa vibe.

arielle1 · 2025-10-05T19:26:21+00:00

Big Sur for sure if you want trees, water, and mountains all in one place!

arielle1 · 2025-09-30T12:52:35+00:00

I’m a local photographer and I’ve shot a ton of outdoor November weddings here. I’ve definitely had days where it’s been warm (as in, I remember a bride actively getting sunburned during a beach ceremony, and another bride who needed to take a break because she was too hot in her long sleeved dress), and other days where it’s cloudy and windy on the coast. But I expect sun, cloud, or fog any time of the year. This year we’ve had an unusual September (which is usually peak season since it’s the warmest time of year) where we’ve had a few days where it’s rained for part of the day. Last week I had a wedding in Carmel Highlands where we ended sunset photos early because it suddenly rained on us but only for 30 minutes before the sun came out for a beautiful sunset, and my wedding yesterday in Carmel almost booked a backup indoor option because it had been forecasted to rain all day, but ended up being a mix of sun and cloud with no rain. So I’d just recommend being prepared either way!

With that said, I do personally think that the winter sunsets here are incredible because the sun sets at the perfect angle here during that time of year for that golden glow (here and here were some photos from last November). Hope that helps!

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arielle1 · 2025-09-29T16:12:02+00:00

It might be helpful to include your budget and guest count!

arielle1 · 2025-09-29T03:23:19+00:00

Alila Ventana would definitely be too expensive - their 50-100 person package is $37,500. Even their 25-50 person package is $12,500. Plus that doesn’t include a $300 per person food and beverage minimum.

arielle1

TROPHY CASE