If you’re dreaming of a wedding that feels wild, romantic, and completely unforgettable, let me introduce you to Big Sur. Big Sur is one of those places that hits you the moment you arrive. With towering redwoods, rugged cliffs, the sound of the Pacific crashing below, it’s raw and breathtaking in the best way. As a wedding photographer who’s lucky enough to live and work here, I’ve captured love stories on these cliffs, in these forests, and everywhere in between. Couples travel from across the world to get married here, and I totally get why. Whether you’re looking for something epic and coastal or cozy and tucked away in the woods, Big Sur wedding venues are just built different! In this post, I’m sharing my favorite spots (some iconic, some hidden gems) plus a little insight on what it’s actually like to get married in this dreamy slice of California. Let’s dive in.

1. Glen Oaks Big Sur

Glen Oaks Big Sur is such a hidden gem. It’s a beautiful hotel and campground tucked right into the forest in Big Sur, surrounded by massive redwoods and overlooking the Big Sur River. If you’re dreaming of an intimate, nature-forward wedding with serious green forest vibes, this is definitely a venue to check out. The rooms have this cozy, cabin-in-the-woods feel, some more rustic, others more elevated and private. The Bunk House has an outdoor tub on the back patio that made for some of my favorite shots of the day at one of the elopements I’ve shot there. So iconic. Their ceremony was held right outside the Bunk House in a redwood grove called the Fairy Circle, and it was absolutely magical. Glen Oaks really nails that outdoorsy charm without feeling like you’re roughing it.

I’ve also had a couple who stayed at the Glass House which is one of the nicest offerings from Glen Oaks. The ceremony took place in their meadow and dinner was up at the restaurant called Big Sur Roadhouse. A handful of different options to choose from, without a single bad one in the bunch.

2. Garrapata State Park

Garrapata is my go-to spot for elopements and small cliffside shoots. It’s everything you imagine Big Sur to be, sweeping coastal views, epic cliffs, and that feeling like you’re standing on the edge of the world. Truly a magical experience to behold. Every single shot here is gorgeous, and there’s nothing quite like taking it all in with a full 360 view of California’s most iconic coastline. People travel from all over the world to shoot here with me, and I get why. You can even reserve specific overlooks for your ceremony so you have the space to yourselves. It is a public park, so we may have some foot traffic, but I always work around it and can edit people out if needed. If you’re dreaming of a Big Sur elopement with jaw-dropping cliffside views, this is hands down my favorite place to shoot. I’d gladly bring any couple here, any day!

3. Pfeiffer Beach

Pfeiffer Beach is absolutely insane! It’s a lot deeper into Big Sur than Garrapata (about an hour south of Carmel, CA) but totally worth the trip. You’re rewarded with a vast sandy beach surrounded by the ocean and one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the area: The Keyhole Arch. We typically take a few shots in front of this famous rock, and during certain times of year, the sunset will hit just right and create a stunning beam of light that shoots through the keyhole. It’s incredible, and photographers travel from all over to witness this phenomenon.

One thing I love about this beach is that there’s a path that leads up a hill (a short hike) and it takes you to this incredible rocky cliff that overlooks the beach. I take couples up there all the time and it’s the best. You get an amazing view of the beach and the sunset, and it’s the perfect spot for some amazing couple portraits.

4. Henry Miller Library

Henry Miller Library is super cool. It’s one of the few places in Big Sur where you can actually have a wedding ceremony surrounded by those towering redwoods. You can rent the space out for a couple hours or a full day, depending on your elopement or wedding plans. They bring in caterers and more if you’re doing a full-day celebration. The library itself is a tiny little bookstore and memorial space dedicated to Henry Miller, a well-known author who lived in the area, so that’s a fun, quirky detail. Most couples choose to host their event on the front lawn or behind the library where you get those magical redwood elopement vibes. It’s a peaceful, tucked-away Big Sur wedding venue that gives you that true forest feel.

5. Deetjen’s

Deetjen’s is a lovely little hotel in Big Sur that’s perfect for getting ready on your elopement or wedding day. I love when couples stay here because the rooms are dark, moody, and give off the coolest hippie-meets-dramatic vibe. It’s super atmospheric in the best way. It’s really common for couples to get ready here and then head out with me to the redwoods or cliffs for their ceremony and portraits, so you could do the same!

6. Soberanes Canyon

Soberanes Canyon is my secret weapon. It’s probably the only public spot in a full one-hour stretch of Big Sur where you can find redwoods without needing to rent a venue or stay at a hotel. All the other forest spots require booking something, but not this one. Soberanes is special because it’s a public hiking area where you can park and walk up into the mountains. It’s about a 0.75-mile hike (20–30 minutes each way), with some light elevation gain and a few creek crossings, but totally doable. And if you’re down to get your shoes a little dirty, the payoff is 100 percent worth it. You end up in this magical grove of towering redwoods. No permits, no fees, just you and the forest. I’ve got a few favorite fallen logs where I love to place couples for those epic wide shots, and the energy out here is just unreal. If you’re up for a bit of an adventure, this is one of my go-to spots for couples who want that redwood magic and don’t mind a hike.

There you have it! some of the most stunning Big Sur wedding venues, each with its own kind of magic. Whether you’re planning a mountaintop elopement or a redwood ceremony that feels straight out of a fairytale, Big Sur has something special for you. And if you’re looking for someone to help capture it all, someone who knows this coastline like the back of their hand and can scout the perfect light in any corner of the redwoods, I’d be honored to be part of your day. Big Sur is my home, my backyard, and my favorite place in the world to photograph love. If it’s calling your name too, reach out and let’s make something beautiful together!