Big Sur Wedding Planner
Big Sur is one of the most beautiful places in California to get married, and one of the trickiest to plan. There's one road in, spotty cell service, and permits that depend on exactly where you stand. As a Big Sur wedding planner based on the Monterey Peninsula, Chloe handles all of that so your day runs smoothly.
The coast here doesn't follow a schedule. Fog can roll in at noon and burn off by golden hour. Highway 1 can close for repairs with little warning. Many of the most stunning ceremony spots have strict guest limits, blackout dates or permit deadlines that catch couples off guard. None of that should keep you from getting married here. It just means the planning matters more than usual.
Whether you're planning a full wedding at a coastal venue or an elopement with just the two of you on a bluff, we'll help you pick the right spot, get the permits sorted, and build a timeline that works with the fog instead of against it. We coordinate your vendors, plan how guests will get up and down the coast, and have a backup ready for the things Big Sur likes to throw at you.
We've planned both weddings and elopements along this stretch of coast, and we know how much it means to get it right. You bring the vision, and we'll take care of the rest.
Featured Weddings in Big Sur
Big Sur Elopement Packages
Not every love story needs a crowd. Our Big Sur elopement packages are made for couples who want the cliffs, the redwoods and the ocean with just a few people they love, or no one but the two of you. We help you pick the right spot, sort out permits and timing, and handle the details so the day feels easy, whether it's a sunrise elopement or a small micro wedding on the coast.
Planning a Wedding in Big Sur
Big Sur is worth every bit of planning, but the coast has its own rules. Here's what we tell every couple before they pick a date.
Best time of year: September through November usually brings the clearest skies and temps in the 60s and 70s. Spring has wildflowers and fewer crowds but foggier mornings, and summer often means a thick marine layer.
Permits: Getting married in a state park takes a special event permit. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park offers elopement permits for 10 people or fewer, doesn't allow events Friday through Sunday from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, and rejects applications made within 30 days of the date. Julia Pfeiffer Burns and Garrapata have their own permits and guest limits.
Beaches: Pfeiffer Beach doesn't allow ceremonies from March 15 to October 15. Alcohol isn't allowed on state beaches, and confetti, petals, candles and sparklers are out because of fire risk.
Getting there: Highway 1 is the only road in, and it closes at times for slides and repairs. We check Caltrans before every Big Sur wedding and plan a backup route when needed. Monterey Regional Airport is about 30 miles north.
Cell service: Expect little to none in much of Big Sur. We plan the day so no one depends on their phone, with a printed timeline, set meeting times and a clear plan for every vendor. Where guests stay: Big Sur lodging is limited and books up fast, so many guests stay in Carmel or Monterey and drive down. Reserve room blocks early.
Big Sur Wedding Venues
From redwood groves to cliffside estates, Big Sur has a spot for every kind of celebration. These are some of the venues and ceremony sites couples ask us about most. Each one has its own rules, guest limits and logistics, and we'll help you find the one that fits.
Glen Oaks Big Sur
A historic inn tucked among the redwoods in the Big Sur valley. Great for couples who want a forest setting with lodging right on site.
Point 16
A cliffside ceremony site overlooking the ocean. One of the most dramatic backdrops on the coast for an elopement or micro wedding.
Alila Ventana Big Sur
A luxury resort set high on the ridge above the Pacific, with sweeping ocean and mountain views. A polished, full-service option for an intimate celebration.
Big Sur Lodge
A rustic lodge inside Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, surrounded by redwoods and trails. Easy to pair with a state park ceremony nearby.
Big Sur State Parks
Pfeiffer Big Sur, Julia Pfeiffer Burns and Garrapata State Parks all allow small ceremonies with a special event permit. Guest limits and dates are strict, so plan ahead.
Wind & Sea Big Sur
A private oceanfront estate with wide-open Pacific views. A good fit for small weddings and elopements that want total privacy.
Big Sur River Inn
A relaxed riverside inn along the Big Sur River, with a lawn by the water. Laid-back and welcoming for a casual celebration.
How We Can Help With Your Big Sur Wedding
Every couple needs a different level of help. Whether you've planned most of it yourself or want someone to handle it all, there's an option that fits.
Elopements
Just the two of you, or a handful of your people. We find the spot, sort out permits and timing, and keep it simple so you can take in the view.
Day-Of Coordination
You've done the planning. We make sure it all happens. We confirm vendors, run the timeline, and handle the curveballs Big Sur likes to throw, like fog, late shuttles and no cell signal, so you never have to.
Partial Planning
For couples who have a start but want a pro to fill in the gaps. We help with venue and vendor choices, permits and logistics, then carry it through to the day itself.
Full-Service Planning
We plan it all from the first call to the last dance, from finding the right spot on the coast to guest travel, vendors, design and the full day-of run.
Big Sur FAQs
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In state parks, yes. Private venues handle it themselves. We'll tell you which one applies to your spot.
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Early fall usually has the best weather. Summer is foggier and busier.
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Yes. Several parks have small-group or elopement permits for 10 people or fewer, including the photographer and officiant.
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We watch Caltrans closures before your date and plan a backup route or location if needed.
Planning a Big Sur Wedding? Let's Talk.
Whether you're dreaming of a cliffside elopement or a weekend in the redwoods with everyone you love, Chloe and Cici will help you figure out the where, the when and the how. Tell us a little about your plans and we'll get back to you within a day.