Nicki & Jake – The Ultimate California Elopement in Big Sur
Big Sur is my favorite place in the entire world. There are a lot of places that I love, but Big Sur tops them all. Any time I get to plan and photograph an elopement in Big Sur, it is truly a dream come true.
I was so excited to spend the morning with Nicki and Jake. They are kind, fun, easy going, and they didn’t care at all when I freaked out about a California Thrasher that we spotted at the beach (I’m a total bird nerd, and thrashers are REALLY cool…). We love nature-lovers.
Getting Ready at Bixby Bridge
Meeting at sunrise was our original plan, but with clouds in the forecast, we pushed the timeframe juuuust a little. It was still an early morning, and when I arrived at Bixby Bridge, the weather was a patchwork of clouds, light rain and sunrise rays. I was greeted with an early morning rainbow over the canyon.
Being so early, we started slowly, with some coffee in the bed of their Jeep– their super rad Jeep. Snuggle up in the wind, we enjoyed the views of Bixby Bridge with the waves crashing down below.
This is my favorite part about elopements– there is no strict timeline or list of events that need to happen. You can do whatever you like, and really take the time to enjoy the moment and time together.
Properly warmed, it was time to get ready. This was delayed slightly by a short deluge, but Nicki & Jake were just changing into their elopement outfits in their Jeep anyway. They sweetly helped each other with zippers and fastenings, joking lovingly with one another at the absurdity of changing into a wedding dress on the side of the Pacific Coast Highway.
Their florals were grown and designed by Frog & Feather Flowers in Watsonville, CA. This flower farm is owned and run by my good friends. I met them while teaching outdoor education in the redwoods, and they are committed to farming and running their business organic, sustainable, and ecologically-minded practices. Bonus: every time I visit them, Bryan shows me all the cool wildlife he caught on his trail cam! If you’re eloping in Big Sur, I can’t recommend them enough.
Before heading out for the Big Sur ceremony of their dreams, we HAD to get some portraits at Bixby Bridge– the most iconic location in Big Sur.
Ceremony at Calla Lily Valley
Calla lilies! A beautiful bloom that can be found all along the coast of California. While it is an invasive species, it is still a beautiful sight to behold a canyon full of them.
Calla Lily Valley is a short walk from the highway, at the southern end of Garrapata State Park. *This is where we saw the California Thrasher.*
Once down in the valley, we were once again hit with a downpour… really, quite terrible timing, honestly. We were the exact right distance from the car for it to be a maddening choice whether or not to run for it.
Driving down the coast from Bixby Bridge, we could see the storm out over the ocean, but it was tricky to tell how fast it was moving, and whether or not it would hit us… well… it did. Once in the valley, we were just close enough to the car that we thought we could make it, but far enough that it would be hard work to get there– and there’s NO cover along the trail, where in the valley, we could kinda squeeze up again he shrubs and canyon walls to semi-alleviate the pounding rain.
Well, as previously mentioned, Nicki and Jake are very easy going, with very good attitudes. And the rain passed rather quickly, thank goodness. Though rain can literally and figuratively dampen a day, elopements (especially adventure elopements) are all about embracing the moment and celebrating time together. Nothing will pull you into the moment like being caught out in a rainstorm.
Perhaps my favorite unique touch to this elopement was taking some time to gather lilies for Nicki’s bouquet. She had that gorgeous crown from Frog & Feather Flowers, but opted to pick some of these wildflowers to carry during their vow exchange.
Before you freak out!! As I mentioned, calla lilies are invasive, so you can harvest without qualms. Just know that a lot of people visit this spot so grabbing all the blooms in an area may ruin the aesthetic for other visitors…
In this stormy, high tide morning, Nicki and Jake made their way down to the sandy stretch of beach, past the opening of the canyon. With the waves crashing and wind blowing, they made their most important promises ever to each other. Truly an epic scene– one they’ll certainly never forget.
Breakfast Burritos in Monterey
I truly do believe that leaning into less-than-ideal weather conditions is the best way to have an epic elopement day. That being said– it was pretty chilly with the rain and wind.
We were pretty glad we had built a little break into the timeline. Mostly so that Nicki and Jake could check on their dogs and let them go potty (since the spots we were visiting were not the most dog-friendly).
It gave them a chance to warm up and change into more comfortable clothes. The final thing on the agenda– breakfast burritos.
As a native Californian, I am a big fan of Mexican food… living in Central Oregon now, I don’t have the same access to my favorite dishes, and I have yet to find a proper breakfast burrito. Needles to say, I was excited I’d been able to convince Nicki and Jake to hit up my favorite taqueria in Monterey.
Monterey is the largest town North of the stretch of coast known as “Big Sur.” (Technically speaking, Big Sur is a little town, but the coastline where highway 1 winds high above the ocean with massive mountains that plunge more or less directly into the water is referred to as “Big Sur.”) There are some other little towns– Carmel Valley, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Pacific Grove to name a few.
During my early and mid 20s, I spent many days out and about in these towns, hitting some of the best scuba diving sites on the West Coast. Naturally, after a long day of diving, my friends and I craved tacos. I got to know the spots for Mexican food around here.
Those chorizo and bacon burritos, with authentic salsa, were the perfect way to celebrate.
This taco shop is near the famous Cannery Row, making it an ideal, fun place to wander around and explore. We found a beautiful set of stairs around the corner, amongst beautiful live oak trees, to start feasting. Later, when the sun came out and things warmed up, we went down to scope out the classic blue waters of Monterey.
I am completely enamored with this city and this ocean. This elopement was a freaking DREAM. The only thing that could have made it better woold have been a trip to the aquarium…
Big Sur Elopement Photographer
Hey, y’all. As previously stated, Big Sur is my favorite place in the world. I have scuba dived, backpacked, hiked, camped, etc. all over those mountains and beaches.
If you find yourself looking for a photographer for your Big Sur elopement, I’d be honored to be considered. Whether you want to hike, frolic, surf, paddle, dive, backpack, camp, climb trees, or whatever… I’d love to help you dream and plan the thing.
If you’re ready to start planning, or even if you’ve just got some questions, get in touch 🙂
I am currently based in Oregon, but frequently travel to and explore California– especially the coast from the San Francisco Bay Area through Big Sur. But if you’re still deciding on a location, and need inspiration, check out some of these amazing spots in the PNW!
Top 16 Places to Elope in Oregon
Elope in the Columbia River Gorge
Some Oregon Elopement Examples
