La Playa Hotel Carmel Wedding

Elopementwedding
Written By Flora Gibson

J +K had a beautiful intimate elopement this week at the La Playa Hotel in Carmel California. Surrounded by J’s best friends and K’s siblings. They had a beautiful first look at the hotel before heading off for a cliffside ceremony and a beachside picnic, followed by a first dance on the cliffs as the sun set. La Playa Hotel in Carmel is such a beautiful hotel in Carmel By The Sea that is perfectly close to many of my favorite restaurants and beautiful cliffs and beach access 15 minutes up the road. If you aren’t wanting redwoods for your Carmel elopement I always suggest staying in Carmel as it’s so much easier to find fun accommodations and places to eat. J+K ‘s day was so full of laughter and joy I felt so honored to be their photographer.

Venue: La Playa Hotel

Picnic: Forage Vintage Rentals

MUAH: Malina terra Hair and Makeup

Florals: Fleurs du soleil Monterey

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California Couples Photography
California Couples Photography

I’ve been shooting non stop weddings and elopements lately and even my adventure shoots have been arriving in long dresses which has made it hard to capture movement. I really wanted to have a full session shooting with a slow shutter, ZERO expectations of anything being perfectly in focus. I wanted rolling in the grass, running as fast as you can and gripping each other tightly. I was so excited when this couple responded willing to do it! With a brain that immediately wants to create when inspiration hits, I was so grateful for them coming out to spend the afternoon with me!

Big Sur Wedding Venue’s
Big Sur Wedding Venue’s

K & G booked me for two-day wedding coverage over their wedding weekend in Big Sur. I had so much fun getting to hang with them the day before their wedding for portraits; It’s always so nice to be able to do portraits in a relaxed way . This allowed K & G to really get to know me and relax on their wedding. K allowed me to really just document most of her day which allowed so much opportunity to be creative, have a relaxed loose timeline without rushing from one thing to the next. I loved how they utilized the Wind and Sea property with most of their wedding day happening outside. Using the grassy lawn for the ceremony, the deck for dancing and cocktails, and the fire pit lawn for beautiful farm-style dining. It’s exactly how I think the property should be used.

Vintage Car Engagement Session
Vintage Car Engagement Session

When B reached out to me, his immediate love of vintage cars came through. His question was how he could include a vintage Porsche during his engagement session and I connected him to Monterey Touring Vehicles locally. When he showed up with this beauty I was sooo excited, their willingness to sit down in the dirt and drive a little farther really paid off. Their shoot feels so editorial to me, and I was so excited they chose me for this one!

Flora Gibson
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