One thing about me is that I’ll never say no to a Big Sur elopement! Big Sur may be one of my favorite locations to shoot a Nothern California elopement in! Elopements like this always have me in awe! What was so unique about Nicole and Jake’s elopement was that Nicole’s Mother planned most of it! I felt like this was such a special thing to share as Mother and Daughter. Rather than hiring a professional elopement or wedding planner they were able to share such a beautiful momentous day that was planned solely by her own mom!
Not only that but, this elopement was 5 months in the making! Usually, it can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to 3 months to plan an elopement depending on how elaborate you want it to be! Nicole and Jake are expecting their first child in February so it took them some time to plan! Nicole’s mom was the one who reached out to me shortly after Nicole and Jake found out they were expecting and was ready to help plan their Northern California elopement in Big Sur, CA immediately!
What’s so cool about photographing couples for elopements is that you meet so many couples from all over! Nicole is from southern California, and Jake and his parents came out from Virginia. This makes two couples from Virginia that I’ve photographed their elopement in Big Sur! Big Sur is truly such a big elopement location, especially for those coming from out of state! It’s a whole new and magical experience many people haven’t gotten the chance to have!
Northern California Elopement Itinerary
We started Nicole and Jake’s Northern California elopement day out with getting ready photos! One thing I love about Big Sur elopements is that many couples choose to stay in a cabin especially if they are making a long trek out here, Nicole and Jake stayed at Glen Oaks. Each cabin is so unique and gorgeous surrounded by towering redwoods and greenery. It truly is such a beautiful experience! Nicole got ready in the main cabin while Jake got ready in a separate little container cabin just around the corner! Each cabin came with a s’mores package too which was such a cute touch!
Following getting ready photos was the ceremony! Nicole and Jake’s ceremony was early afternoon and instead of doing a first look, they saw each other for the first time during the elopement ceremony! First looks aren’t for everyone, especially if you are having such an intimate elopement like Nicole and Jake opted to do, it was as if they were having a first look with themselves and their parents. They had their ceremony in such a magical spot surrounded by large Redwoods not far from their cabins! It was extremely intimate with Jake’s parents on one side and Nicole’s mother and brother on the other side.
One of the most touching moments of Nicole and Jake’s elopement was when they set out a third chair for Nicole’s late father. I loved how they did this as it meant so much to them! They hired an officiant to perform the ceremony and it was beautifully executed with Nicole and Jake both shedding tears as they shared their intimate vows.
After the ceremony, they did their first dance and celebrated with champagne out on the lawn. As everyone was casually hanging out drinking champagne, we took family photos. By that time it was mid-afternoon and everyone was ready to take a break and eat at Big Sur Bakery! The family members enjoyed having the option to take off their formal clothes and relax by the fire (which Jake’s dad loved, he was in heaven!) while Nicole, Jake, and I headed out to take some epic pictures around Big Sur!
Bride and Groom Portraits
We took pictures all around the cabins where you could hear the sound of the river creek in the background and on a beautiful swing bridge that you had to cross to access their cabins. We of course couldn’t miss out on taking photos of the coastal views so Nicole’s brother came with us to drive them to some special spots! We took pictures through sunset and blue hour and experienced an amazing bright red and orange sunset! Sunsets aren’t always guaranteed when eloping in Big Sur due to its unpredictable weather but if you want the chance to elope during a really vivid sunset with incredible views November and December are the times to elope!
To conclude, Nicole and Jake’s Northern California elopement in Big Sur we headed back to the main cabin after bride and groom portraits and hung out by the campfire while the chef they hired prepared dinner. I was so surprised when I heard that the chef was preparing muscles for dinner and even more surprised when they were kind enough to ask me to join them for both dinner and cake! I love not only photographing couples in absolutely breathtaking locations but also getting to know each one of them individually and spending quality time with them and their loved ones.
Side note; since you can make up your own rules for an elopement, I’ve noticed that eloping bride and groom love to change out of their formal attire for dinner and get as comfortable as possible. I’m pretty sure every single eloping couple has done this so far. I’m totally amused by this because back in the day, I always remembered seeing brides and grooms seated for dinner at traditional weddings and looking uncomfortable in their tight clothes. So, PSA, you can totally change out of your wedding dress and suit while you eat dinner and so can your guests!!
Capturing Nicole and Jake’s Northern California elopement in Big Sur was one to remember! If you’re looking for a Big Sur elopement photographer contact me on my website!
Need convincing Big Sur is one of the best places to elope in California? Check out Beatriz and Justin’s Intimate elopement in Big Sur.
