Recommended Vendors For Big Sur
These are a few of my personal favorite vendors to work with. However, these are ideas and suggestions only. I do my absolute best to vet everyone who is on this list, but ultimately it’s your responsibility to do your own research, contact vendors directly, and to make your own decision on who you feel is best to hire. This is a constantly evolving list, so if you have a personal experience with a vendor that you’d like to share, I’m all ears!
Permits: For any group over 2 people. Contact Fleccia Wilson
831-624-3407 or fleccia.wilson@parks.ca.gov
Below map are some of the "Gates" to choose, generally I prefer gate 9 with groups as there is no fencing rails and a coastal view. I call this soberanies point, but she will refer to it as Garrapata. Per our timeline Garrapata will be the beach portion ( not at this stop).
From gate 9 you have the option of Overlook a which is located on the Soberanes Point Trail or Overlooks B or C located on the Bluff trail
I prefer Option A on the overlook.
Here is the GPS pin for where we will park and walk down
Florists:
Julie with Williwildflower
www.williwildflower.com - I'm obsessed with her wild bouquets. Out of Santa Cruz comes to Big Sur. Makes amazing pocket meadows. Where the flowers look like they are coming out of the suit pocket, so you don't have to mess with pins and boutonnières falling. Starting at $350, special pricing for my brides and really specializes in elopements.
Kate Healy with Big Sur florals http://www.bigsurflowers.com
Christine Cater with Bare Foot Floral www.barefootfloral.com
Tips: I do not recommend dried or fake flowers. They do not photograph well and the wind and elements in Big Sur often ruin them. If you are concerned about flying back with them. I suggest bringing a small flower press! I would personally prefer no flowers over a dried bouquet or man made flowers. Ask your florist for a pocket meadow over a boutonniere, much easier to attach and looks better longer.
If you want to make your own; go to Elroys in Monterey. They have BEAUTIFUL options at affordable prices. My husband often buys me flowers from here. Tip: cut the stems much shorter than they come. Bring LONG thick ribbon in two colors. https://www.elroysfinefoods.com
Malina : my all time favorite!
https://www.malinaterrahair.com
Kelly JO
https://kellyjomakeupandhair.com
Kiomi Sanada
Notes: Almost every time a client hires an artist that is not local or doesn't work in Big Sur regularly the artist runs late because Big Sur traffic isn't predictable. This also applies to officiants.
Makeup and Hair
Picnic:
Michelle: Forage vintage rentals
Will set up a picnic of your dreams and knows all my favorite spots. STARTING AT $675
Shes notorious for not responding through her website so please reach out via instagram www.instagram.com/foragevintagerentals
Car:
Monterey Touring Vehicles for vintage cars
Rentals Boat Charters:
Monterey boat charter https://montereyboatcharter.com
From whale watching to sipping champagne boat side I've heard really good things!
Sup / Kayak Rentals
Monterey Bay Kayaks : www.montereybaykayaks.com
phone: 831.373.5357
Rentals / Picnic
VIDEOGRAPHER
Josh Harney www.joshharney.com
We work well together, kind and punctual!
Noelle Smith super 8 - vintage film without sound, my favorite.
www.noellemsmith.com
@nmsmithsuper8films
NOTES: Specifically for elopements; if using another videographer I am not comfortable bringing you to more hidden locations. When using videographers we generally have to "share" posing time and location so overall you will have less photos as I will have less time. I ask that if looking for a videographer not on my list they shoot on gimbals, no tripods, or your photo quality ( especially big wide shots ) will not be possible. I also ask that you hire single video teams as teams of two or more can often get in your shots.
Ventana -
I love the glamping sites with full access to hotel amenities. The redwoods here have the best light and the Yurts are so pretty.
Post Ranch-
can be difficult to work with, please reach out to their venue coordinator and make sure its ok for me to shoot your getting ready here, ask for confirmation in email/ writing. Very close to a beautiful redwood grove we dont have to use theirs.
Glen Oaks -
Some rooms have private outside tubs! Beautiful forest groves for ceremonies! No extra payments are needed if only two are eloping I love the bridge house!!! I do not recommend the Archies cabin or any of the rooms on the left side of the highway. You want to be in the forest on the right by the river.
My least favorite: Archies, The Cottage, sky view ( it has a tub but its not a cute one, and the light isn't good!)
Favorite: Big Sur Cabin (#1) two outdoor tubs! Bridge house ( #2) and Bunk house (#3)
Deetjens: Classic Big Sur, really amazing restaurant, nestled in the woods, VERY funky. No wifi MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE HOTEL IN BIG SUR
Favorite rooms at Deetjens: Antique apartment, really cool liight and decor, Castro cabin right in the woods, the chalet.
have not shot at upper creek or lower creek cabins yet,
would stay away from fiasco cabin, just because of light direction.
Tree Bones: Super south coast Big Sur ie. you have to eat on property. 2 hours from Carmel but really rad yurts and amazing fixed-course sushi dinner. Awesome forest and landscapes nearby. Tree house and human " bird nests" also an autonomous yurt thats very fancy. SECOND FAVORITE VENUE BIG SUR but most prone to being affected by slides.
NOTE: I DO NOT recommend Tickle Pink Inn, or Highlands Inn Carmel. They are both my least favorite option and I strongly encourage any other option.
Where to stay: Big Sur
If you are not interested in having redwoods or any forest on your day, staying in Carmel is a great option for easy access to beaches and cliffs in Big Sur.
Villa Mara Carmel - new hotel, looks uber cute.
Le Petit Pali- newly re-designed, looks so cute, love the green walls and bed frames for writing vows.
Mission Ranch- the outside of the buildings are cute and classic ranch styles, insides are dated.
La Playa- rooms have very low light but the outdoor space is beautiful with tons of blooms. I havent seen all the rooms but I recommend room 109! and staying at the ground level by the garden.
Where to stay: Carmel
Officiants
Officiant :
I am an ordained officiant and can legally sign paperwork as one! This is always an option free of charge if you want to exchange vows, rings and kiss . if you want a more in depth, customized ceremony I suggest these officiants ! There are two types of licenses in California, confidential and public. Confidential does not require a witness, public does. It's never any trouble finding a witness, usually a makeup artist signs or even a passing hiker.
Dean Lapis
wonderful intentional ceremonies great laid back attitude.
Keith Lewis
https://bigsurofficiant.com
H Jackson Events-
Lots of experience catering In Big Sur and California. Always solid food.
https://www.cheftoddfisher.com
He has only catered one elopement I was shooting but it was some of the best food. I go to his wine and food nights and always love his take.
Salt and Stone: Catering Saltandstonecatering.com
Full service small deluxe events, based in Santa Cruz. Choosing quality over quantity.
Michelin starred chef - Justin Cogley @justincogley
www.chefjustincogley.com Chef at Auberge, has done private events at wind and sea
Desserts + Wedding Cakes
Tart and Tin : https://www.tartandtin.com
I still havent tried these but they look beautiful!!!
Parker Lusseau: https://parkerlusseau.com
one of my favorite bakeries locally !
Catering - Food
Brandi Jane Events: Sarah
https://www.instagram.com/brandijaneevents_sarah/
https://www.brandijaneevents.com
Mariah Green Events:
so sweet local to Big Sur.
Bigger weddings: love working with them, they travel all over the world not local to big sur.
Golden Coast Planning : Calm, collected, helpful, friendly, team players.
Planners
Top Elopement Day Mistakes To Avoid
I’ve been shooting elopements for several years now and I’ve noticed some common questions and mistakes when it comes to elopements. Keep in mind, this is just my opinion and your style may be VERY different from mine! But as a photographer in the wedding industry who shoots in wild places I’ve noticed some common mistakes that brides regret later.
Fake flowers, just don’t photograph well, and they often fall apart in the wind. I hear from a lot of brides who want fake flowers so they can “ keep it forever”. There are a few ways to preserve live flowers, including bringing a small flower press or hiring a person who preserves flowers in acrylic. My personal favorite is pressing your flowers and putting them in a glass frame once home. If the cost of a live bouquet is preventing you from getting one, that’s ok! Not every couple opts for a bouquet, but stay away from anything dried/ fake.
HEELS: Wear flat shoes with grip. This doesnt mean boots with a heel, this means flat shoes WITH GRIP. If you are envisioning steep cliffs and standing on rocks on the cliffs or going for a long walk down to the cool beaches in Oregon you need FLAT SHOES. The secondary problem with getting boots with a heel is having your dress hemmed for those boots. That means when you're not wearing them on the beach you won’t be able to walk or run easily because you cant wear heels on the beach, chances are you are going to want to be barefoot.
Bringing a change of shoes once you're at the location. You will NOT use them. It’s flat shoes with grip straight to barefoot.
Having a “ pretty “ shoe just for getting ready. The whole point of getting ready is to capture some realness, you're going to look back on those photos and they won’t make any sense.
A dress you cant squat or sit in. or one that isn’t hemmed to your flat shoes.
Bringing a bag of things. The bag will be in your photographs since I like to document from mostly the moment you're out of the car.
Paying for a bustle or a dress “ handle” For a long night of dancing it's nice, but for an elopement day I will always suggest a long dirty dress, it’s dramatic and beautiful, I dont personally think a bustle photographs well. I usually suggest throwing the train over your arm vs. any kind of handle in photographs.