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Join my lovely couple Rebecca & Tyler on their incredible destination elopement in Big Sur, and discover the story behind their wedding photography.
As an elopement photographer in California, I’m blessed with an abundance of stunning scenery to backdrop my couples against. From the never-ending beauty of Yosemite National Park, to the incredible desert cliffs of Malibu Canyon to the classic California desert vibes at Joshua Tree National Park – we’re spoiled, that’s for sure! But nowhere else makes my photographer heart aflutter more than Big Sur, a goldmine for the destination elopement couple. This wondrous stretch of coastline is home to beautiful seaside cliffs, epic forests filled with huge redwood trees and adorable little cottages. It’s an oasis for couples who want to truly get off the beaten track, and find a space all of their own to tie the knot in. And it’s here where Rebecca & Tyler decided they wanted to exchange their vows.
Big Sur, a Dream Location for an Elopement Photographer
If you’ve already had a sneaky browse of Rebecca and Tyler’s California wedding, I’m guessing you already understand why an adventure elopement photographer like me would love Big Sur so much! It’s got everything a couple looking to marry in the great outdoors could dream of. Rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, spectacular forests and endless horizons – it’s a destination that has never failed to impress my clients. And this was especially true of Rebecca and Tyler, as they had never visited this area of California before, and were blown away by its scenery.
A California Road Trip
Both Rebecca and Tyler reside in Laguna Beach, California. Rebecca is from southern California, and Tyler is from Arizona. This couple, like so many of my past clients had never been to some of the States most well-known areas. Which is fair enough, as California is just so vast, and it’s understandable that folks might forget what’s in their own backyard. Especially when you consider that some destinations are a very long drive, or even a plane ride away. As an elopement photographer in Big Sur, I’ve met many California residents who take their elopement as an opportunity to travel somewhere in the state they’ve never been before, or check off somewhere big on their bucket list! Like a California road trip! And this is exactly what Rebecca and Tyler did. From their home in Laguna Beach to Big Sur, they passed many stunning landmarks. Like the quaint little town of Carmel, or Paso Robles, a popular area considered part of wine country, and where they decided to take their honeymoon. The route ended up being a really memorable journey, traveling up the iconic Hwy 1 (voted #1 scenic hwy) and looping over to the 101 on the way back down. I, personally, love both highways for different reasons. Hwy 1, Pacific Coast Hwy or PCH never disappoint with dozens of turnouts to pull into for picture taking, and 65 miles of coastal views. Hwy 101 is particularly gorgeous, with scenic rolling hills and a much quicker, straighter route going north.
An Intimate Wedding
Rebecca and Tyler chose a ‘just us’ adventure elopement wedding, which meant that on the day they were only joined by me, their Big Sur photographer/ officiant. Becoming ordained has given me the ability to gift my couples with a unique experience – one that promotes intimacy, and provides privacy. Because of this, Rebecca and Tyler were able to be totally present with each other throughout the day, and simply enjoy each other’s company, without any outside distraction. This was a priority for them in fact, and was something they made clear during our first discussions. It was during these chats I was able to determine which location would fit them best, based on their personality and their desire to celebrate alone. Together, we landed on Big Sur, and decided to book the big day for a Monday in May. The area is a very popular tourist destination on the weekends and especially during the summer. But fortunately, at the very beginning of the week, you can have this natural wonderland to yourself!
So What does an All Day Elopement Look Like? Here’s a timeline from Rebecca and Tyler’s Day!
7:30 – hair and makeup arriving
9:00 – Begin Coverage, arrive at Glen Oaks Cabin for getting ready photos
9:30 – Done with hair and makeup
10:00 – First Look Outside of Cabin
10:30 – Ceremony
-First Dance
-Photos around Glen Oaks
-Marriage License paperwork
-Celebrate with Champagne
1:00 – Conclude morning Coverage
Break
4:30 – Meet at Creek Bridge
5:30 – Garrapata State Park photos
7:00 – Garrapata State Beach
8:10 – Sunset
8:30 – Conclude Coverage
A Cozy Wedding Morning Sound Tracked by Nature
Glen Oaks was the base for Rebecca and Tyler on their big day, and they settled on this elegant coastal retreat during our planning process. As an experienced elopement photographer in Big Sur, I have worked at many different locations across the area, and I always try and use my local knowledge to find couples the best possible accommodation. I gave them some other suggestions of places to stay in the area based on price, geography, and what the property had to offer, and they ultimately landed on Glen Oaks. We picked out a charming little cottage for their getting-ready photos, and it sat directly underneath a vast canopy of redwoods. Both Rebecca and Tyler were calm and relaxed throughout the wedding morning. Rebecca was so adorable, listening to her favorite Disney songs as her hair and make-up were getting done, while Tyler relaxed in front of the fireplace, or out on the porch.
That Perfect First Look Shot
Once Rebecca’s hair and makeup was complete, I helped her get into her wedding dress and tie it up! During my first phone call with Rebecca, she said, “as long as you’ll tie up my dress, I’m good to get married!” – and I loved that carefree attitude! After so many Big Sur elopement destination weddings, I’ve realized you have to be so much more than just a photographer. You need to be a support network for couples, both emotionally and physically. Because, I’m the only other girl around to help with bridesmaids duties, and groomsmen tasks – someone has to help with that boutonniere too! Once they were both ready, we made our way outside the cabin, and prepared the first look shot, one of my favorite moments. We kept the whole setup quite simple by having Rebecca come out of the cabin door, and walk outside to meet Tyler. I kept my distance with the camera, so they could have their moment together, and so as not to put any pressure on Tyler, and force him to react unnaturally. Through the years, I’ve found this method garners much more authentic results, and a memorable moment for my couples.
A California Elopement Surrounded by Ancient Redwoods
Following the first look shot, we made our way to a big grove of redwood trees, a stunning spot that drove me to suggest this Glen Oaks property in the first place. As a rule, Glen Oaks does not allow more than 4 people in an elopement group. And as Rebecca and Tyler had chosen a ‘just us’ Big Sur elopement, they and their photographer and officiant (me and me!) were free to roam the grove, and hold the ceremony whenever, and wherever we pleased. This is a special perk of eloping to Glen Oaks, and removes the sometimes complicated process of obtaining special permits. Rangers have been known to be on the lookout for people getting married on public land, and they will not hesitate in stopping your ceremony if you don’t have an awkward encounter
with a ranger right in the middle of your ceremony! However, if you do want to get married along one of the public trails, you can find more information about permits here. It’s always best to book a room at a recommended hotel, and hold your ceremony on their property.
Personal Vows Shared in a Serene Setting
The ceremony was held in a small clearing, surrounded by hundred foot tall redwoods and wild greenery as far as the eye could see. Once settled in the perfect place, they took a moment to center themselves, to embrace each other, and then they began to exchange their vows. The natural soundtrack of the forest soon became peppered with the raw emotions of Rebecca and Tyler sharing their promises to each other. Again, I shot from a distance during their exchange, and simply captured their laughter, smiles and sometimes tears, without fear of encroachment. Once their vows and rings were exchanged, I put my officiant hat on (not literally!), and pronounced them married. They played their song and embraced each other as they danced their first dance under the canopy of birds softly chirping, and in the midst of a charm that only a forest can provide. Their first dance song echoed through the treescape, and sent happy chills down my spine as I photographed them during their first few married moments together.
Portraits, Champagne & Paperwork…
After their first dance, we casually walked around the grove of Redwoods and backdropped by some adorable winding paths through the trees as we took photos. Back at the cabin, we celebrated their nuptials with chilled champagne and signed the necessary paperwork. It was at this point I left Rebecca and Tyler, so they could have lunch at Fernwood’s Restaurant down the road, and just chill. In my experience as an elopement photographer in Big Sur, I have found that my eloping couples really appreciate some time spent alone together on their big day. After all, they’ve chosen an incredible location to tie the knot in, and they’ve decided to do it alone, so they might as well fully embrace it for a few hours together. That is why I do ‘split day coverage’ because this way the couple can have getting ready and ceremony photography coverage and sunset photography coverage with a substantial break in the middle of the day. (After 10 years of photographing large traditional weddings, it was impossible to schedule more than 15 minutes into the timeline for the bride and groom to spend alone time due to all the formalities and posed pictures in a traditional wedding. Having 2 or 3 hours of time together is a true luxury and one of the best reasons to elope! During their break, I drove up to the Big Sur post office, mailed off their marriage license, had lunch and prepared for the evening session.
Sunset Photo Session on the Beach
Once Rebecca and Tyler were ready, we met up again at my favorite bridge to take some photos. By this point, it was evening, and a magical glow had descended over our next destination, Garrapata State Park. A popular spot for any Big Sur elopement photographer, as it offers vast views out to the pacific via miles of rugged coastline. The happy couple made their way along lots of colorful trails, and stopped occasionally to embrace, and appreciate the natural scenery. Tyler even spotted some sea lions! From there, and as evening turned into night, we headed to Garrapata State Beach. In May, the beach can become pretty chilly at night, so we didn’t stay for too long. But it’s one of my favorite beaches and made for a romantic ending! Rebecca and Tyler, thank you so much for choosing me to be your photographer to craft and capture your California adventure elopement!
Book an Experienced Elopement Photographer for Your Big Sur Adventure
I hope you have enjoyed finding out about Rebecca and Tyler’s big day! If you have been inspired to create your very own Big Sur adventure elopement, I would love to be your local, California photographer! Please don’t hesitate to get in touch via my contact page, find out more about the elopement photography experience here and learn more about my pricing right here. Plus, please bookmark my blog because I’ll be sharing many more real weddings, encouraging advice and guides on how best to elope in California.
