Monterey Wedding Planner
Waterfront weddings planned by a local who lives on the Peninsula
Monterey has a little bit of everything for a wedding: the bay, historic adobes and gardens, Cannery Row, and hotels that can host a big crowd. It's also a busy tourist town, which means timing, parking and hotel blocks can make or break a wedding weekend. As a Monterey wedding planner who lives on the Peninsula, Chloe knows how to work around all of it. Most couples don't realize how much the calendar matters here. Summer weekends fill up fast, Car Week in August takes over every hotel and road for miles, and the morning fog has its own schedule. Picking the right date and building the day around those rhythms makes everything easier for you and your guests. From intimate ceremonies by the water to big celebrations downtown, we help you choose the right venue, line up vendors who know the area, and keep the whole weekend on time. We handle the permits, the shuttles and the backup plans so you can actually be present for it. We've planned multiple weddings in Monterey, and we'd love to plan yours.
Featured Weddings in Monterey
Monterey Elopements and Small Ceremonies
Not every wedding needs a ballroom. Monterey is a beautiful place to elope or keep it small, with quiet coves, gardens and waterfront spots that feel private even in a busy town. We help you choose the spot, sort out permits, and plan a simple, stress-free day for just the two of you or a handful of the people you love.
Planning a Wedding in Monterey
Monterey is easy to love and easy to underestimate. Here's what we tell every couple before they pick a date.
Dates to plan around: Monterey Car Week takes over the Peninsula every August, with heavy traffic, full hotels and high prices. Summer weekends are busy in general, so book venues and room blocks early. Weather: Mornings are often foggy, even in summer, and it usually clears by midday. September and October tend to be the warmest, clearest months. Plan for wind near the water and have layers ready for evening. Beach ceremonies: The City of Monterey requires a beach permit for groups of 10 or more. Chairs, arches, musicians and florals aren't allowed on the sand without a wedding or special event permit, and alcohol isn't allowed on public beaches unless it's permitted. The city recommends applying about four months ahead. Getting there: Monterey Regional Airport is minutes from downtown. San Jose is about an hour and a quarter by car, and San Francisco about two hours. Where guests stay: Downtown and Cannery Row hotels are walkable to many venues. Pacific Grove and Seaside have more affordable options just a few minutes away.
Monterey Wedding Venues
Monterey's venues range from historic gardens to waterfront hotels. Here are a few couples ask us about most.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
A one-of-a-kind evening reception surrounded by the bay and its sea life. Unforgettable for guests of every age.
Memory Garden at Monterey State Park
A walled historic garden in the heart of Old Monterey, with adobe walls, trees and plenty of room for a reception.
Portola Hotel & Spa
A downtown hotel steps from Fisherman's Wharf, a practical choice for bigger guest lists and easy logistics.
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
A waterfront hotel on Cannery Row with bay views and space for larger weddings, plus rooms for guests on site.
InterContinental The Clement
A polished Cannery Row hotel right on the water, with views of the bay from its event spaces.
How We Can Help With Your Monterey 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 enjoy the moment.
Day-Of Coordination
You've done the planning. We make sure it all happens. We confirm vendors, run the timeline, and handle the curveballs, from late shuttles to fog that won't lift, 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 venue search to guest travel, vendors, design and the full day-of run.
Monterey Wedding FAQs
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For groups of 10 or more on a city beach, usually, yes. If you want chairs, an arch or music on the sand, you'll also need a wedding or special event permit. We help you figure out which one applies and get it filed in time.
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September and October usually have the sunniest, warmest weather and fewer crowds than summer.
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In most cases, yes. Mid-August brings packed roads, full hotels and higher prices across the Peninsula.
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Marriage licenses are issued by the Monterey County Clerk-Recorder. In California, both of you apply in person with valid photo ID, and the license is good for 90 days. Check the county's website for current hours and fees.
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Not at all. We offer day-of coordination, partial and full planning, and elopements, so we can help whether you're inviting 10 people or 200.
Planning a Monterey Wedding? Let's Talk.
Whether you're picturing a waterfront celebration or a small ceremony in a historic garden, Chloe 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.