Pfeiffer Beach Elopement
Jenna and John eloped this week at Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur. Coming all the way from Kansas City to Carmel for the first time, I was so excited to show them the coast. They chose to get ready together which I think is such a sweet moment, John struggled with the buttons and Jenna couldn’t stop laughing. Most of their wedding day was full of laughter. They stayed at a guest cottage in a house in Carmel and followed me to the cliffs and Pfeiffer beach afterward. I absolutely loved their ceremony on the cliffs as the fog rolled in and the pelicans showed up as guests. Jenna was a little fearful of heights so this was the perfect combination of cliffs and beach for couples a little more timid on heights and hiking ( minimal required). Their sweet cake cutting on the beach was so beautiful and simple and I loved that they chose carrot cake! They followed up their cake cutting with a first dance on a Pfeiffer beach overlook and it was a perfect combination of private moments and beautiful memories.
If you’ve ever dreamed of an intimate, wildly romantic day surrounded by redwoods and crashing ocean waves, this Glen Oaks elopement in Big Sur will steal your heart. Glen Oaks is one of the most magical elopement venues on the California coast — offering the perfect blend of rustic charm, cozy modern cabins, and private access to the serenity of Big Sur’s redwood groves for the ideal elopement day!
If you’re looking for a wedding venue that feels like a secret tucked away in the woods—with towering redwoods, eclectic charm, and a whole lot of soul—the Henry Miller Library in Big Sur might just be it. It’s one of my favorite hidden gems to photograph, and every time I shoot a wedding here, it feels like stepping into a storybook.
Planning a Carmel, California elopement? Discover dreamy locations, expert tips, and cinematic photography to help you create the perfect coastal wedding day.