Planning a Big Sur wedding? Alila Ventana (formerly Ventana Big Sur), situated on dramatic cliffs overlooking the Pacific and surrounded by ancient redwoods, provides a breathtaking and unforgettable backdrop. Here’s your definitive guide to tying the knot at one of California’s most spectacular wedding destinations.

Carmel, California, is a stunning place for engagement photos. Picture yourselves surrounded by tall redwood trees with thick trunks, all basking in golden sunlight. The fresh, earthy scent creates a truly magical atmosphere for couples. Let this breathtaking scenery set the stage for unforgettable moments.

K + K came to Carmel from the UK to elope and chose me as their photographer! I felt so honored to show them around and do all the California things, from driving a vintage Mustang to going to In-N-Out and saying their vows on the cliffs. I loved where they stayed in Carmel, California, the Le Petit Pali Hotel was full of charm and unique design. Thank you both so much for including me in your day.

Brandon and Kathryn had the most beautiful Big Sur Proposal. Originally Brandon wanted to propose at Ventana, but decided to switch it last minute to a surprise photo shoot with a proposal during it. I had so much fun planning with Brandon and showing them some views they hadn’t seen before. From their cliff proposal to running on the beach, it was the perfect combo of epic views and lots of movement, playful fun. I’m so honored Brandon trusted me with his Big Sur proposal.

Emily and Austin eloped at Jedediah Smith Redwoods this week in California. With a private ceremony surrounded by massive redwoods, they continued their day with a beautiful first dance on the beach, followed by a picnic, where they mixed custom cocktails, surrounded by my favorite feature, beach grass. They had such a beautiful day crossing back and forth between the Oregon and California border.

Borgo Sant’Ambrogio is such a beautiful wedding venue in the rolling hills of Tuscany, Italy. From its old-world charm to its many lawns and swimming pool, it offers a unique and beautiful backdrop for any wedding. I absolutely loved the proximity of Borgo Sant’Ambrogio to small, unique towns like San Quirico d’Orca and Bagno Vignoni for a relaxing night in the hot springs to a plethora of Michelin Star restaurants, and a perfect setting for a day before photography session. Running through the quiet streets of San Quirico before heading to a wonderful dinner.

Rebecca and Julia are engaged!!! Rebecca reached out to me a few months before their trip to Big Sur with a plan to surprise the love of her life. I absolutely loved working with Rebecca she was so intentional and decisive in what her vision was. Deetjens was the perfect proposal spot, easy to meet, and plan with a beautiful backdrop. Julia plays the guitar, and I loved that they included that as part of their story. Rebecca proposed right in front of their cabin, the Castro cabin and then we adventured to the mountains and meadow for some couples portraits after. Congratulations you two!!!

The day before Victor and Hannah’s wedding in Tuscany, Italy, we met for some portraits around San Quirico d’Orcia. San Quirico was one of my favorite towns we visited in Italy, from no crowds to beautiful cobblestone streets and the most Michelin-Star restaurants in one block I’ve ever seen. We ran through the streets and explored the gardens, it was sooo much fun getting to capture them before their wedding day. San Quirico is such a beautiful town to explore and a perfect spot for engagement photos, with fewer tourists than bigger towns, it offers an opportunity to find quiet streets and beautiful gardens.

Victor and Hannah had their beautiful wedding at Borgo Sant’Ambrogio in Tuscany Italy. Victor and Hannah are huge fans of Tuscany and have visited often they knew that May was the perfect month, balancing low season with perfect weather. From shooting their engagement session I knew their wedding would be beautiful with Hannah having such a good sense of style. Her dress with the shoulder wrap was one of my favorite things! Such a fun way to make a classic dress have a more dramatic look. They got ready separately surrounded with their family and friends and one of my favorite moments of the day was watching her best friends tear up seeing her for the first time. V + H had their first look in a courtyard followed by many family shots allowing them to review and relax during their reception. As you would expect with a wedding in Italy the food was incredible including a butcher cutting fresh Charcuterie, and the most amazing appetizers and cocktails. Side note: I have NEVER been fed so well as a vendor, with wine on the table, formal setting, 4 courses. I felt so lucky to be there and refreshed in between capturing speeches spread out over dinner.

C + N eloped last week at the beautiful Cannon Beach in Oregon. The fog slowly rolled in on their wedding afternoon as they got ready amongst their closest family members. They stayed at an Airbnb right on Cannon Beach, which was perfect for their first look. They had their ceremony with family and friends on Indian Beach with the beautiful black pebbles and driftwood, and shared cake on the tall beach grass. I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful wedding day!

In my opinion, one of the most beautiful places along the Oregon Coastline to elope would have to be Cannon Beach. The romantic coastline with its sandy beaches and large rock formations makes for a beautiful backdrop for your elopement. This guide will help you envision your dream elopement.

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!

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.

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!

Deetjens will always be my absolute favorite place to photograph eloping couples. The history, roaming cats, old leaded windows, unique styling and natural light make it such a fun place to start a wedding day. I loved that J +K also appreciated Deetjens and had stayed there before ! We stopped at the redwoods on the way to their ceremony on the coast, where their friends met up with us for the most windy and beautiful ceremony where her best friend and now husband dueled post ceremony. We ended the night at the beach overlooks as the sun set and it was absolutely beautiful !!