Big Sur Elopement Photographer
Serving Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey County, and surrounding areas
Meet Will Khoury
Big Sur isn't just a backdrop. It's an experience. Towering cliffs, quiet redwoods, rivers that meet the ocean. This coastline is iconic for a reason, and there's no single right way to elope here. Whether you're drawn to a luxury resort, a private cabin in the trees, a glamping stay close to the wild, or a cliffside at golden hour with no one else around, that's the point. Your day should feel like you chose it on purpose.
My role isn't just to take beautiful photos, though we'll definitely do that. I'm here to guide you through the planning, help you shape a day that actually feels like you, and be someone you can fully trust in the process. From timelines to trailheads, I've got you.
Awards & Accolades
People Magazine
Cosmopolitan
Junebug Weddings Best of the Best
Rangefinder’s 30 Rising Stars
Wedding Wire Couple’s Choice
& More
Why I Care About Being Your Big Sur Elopement Photographer
Planning intentional, meaningful elopements in Big Sur is what I love most. I help couples create a day that feels true to them, from picking the right location to building a timeline that keeps things calm and easy.
Getting married is about far more than a ceremony. It's about presence, connection, and making space for real moments. That's the mindset I carry into every elopement I photograph, and it shapes everything from how I plan with you to how I move through the day alongside you.
I'm here to help you create an experience that speaks to who you are, build a day you can actually enjoy from start to finish, and capture it in a way that's grounded and honest. If it's important to you, it's important to me.
What Makes a Big Sur Elopement Photographer Different?
Photography is one key ingredient in the full experience, not the whole thing. Before your elopement, I invest time getting to know you both. Your story, your priorities, what you want the day to feel like, and how you are together in a beautiful place. That's what allows your photos to look and feel like you.
Big Sur is iconic, and it's so much more than a backdrop. The coastline, the cliffs, the redwoods, and the pace of the place create space to slow down, be present, and let go of expectations. Whether you're planning a two-person elopement at sunset, a micro wedding at a private estate, or an intimate gathering of your closest people, your day should be intentional and built around your values. I'm here to help you shape your experience and guide you through making it happen.
Your photos will become the legacy of your wedding day. They carry forward the feeling of the vows you exchanged, the people who were there, the quiet moments in between. Whether you're honoring family traditions or creating new ones, I'm here to guide you through it all, from location scouting to timeline planning, so you feel ready every step of the way.
How to Plan Your Big Sur Elopement
(Permits, Locations & Timeline)
Planning a Big Sur wedding is an adventure, and knowing where to start makes all the difference. From choosing a ceremony location to navigating permits and logistics, this guide covers everything you need to shape a day that's genuinely yours. You'll find the best locations with sweeping ocean views, tips for building a seamless timeline, and a clear sense of what sets an elopement apart from an intimate wedding.
Visit the full How to Elope in Big Sur guide to start planning. Let's make it more than a day.
Steps on How to Plan Your Big Sur Elopement
Eloping in Big Sur is one of the most magical ways to get married in Northern California, but it does require some planning to make sure your day runs smoothly. Here are the key steps every couple should know when planning a Big Sur elopement.
Step 1: Choose your Big Sur elopement location
Start by deciding where along the coast you want to say your vows. Big Sur offers everything from redwood groves and hidden beaches to dramatic cliffside overlooks at sunset. I've put together a full Big Sur Elopement Guide with location recommendations to help you get started.
Step 2: Take care of the legal details
You'll need a valid California marriage license and, depending on your ceremony location, a permit for public lands. These steps are straightforward, but handle them early so everything is in place well before your day.
Step 3: Plan your logistics and timeline
Big Sur's terrain and winding coastal roads add their own considerations. This is where I help most, building a timeline around the best light, traveling between locations, and keeping the day feeling unhurried. You show up ready, and I take it from there.
Step 4: Book your lodging
Where you stay shapes the full experience. Options range from cozy redwood cabins to beachfront properties to luxury resorts with sweeping ocean views. I'm happy to share recommendations that fit your plans.
Big Sur Weddings General & Free Resources
Why Choose Will Khoury as Your Big Sur Elopement Photographer?
I've photographed countless elopements along this coast, and I know the area well enough to work with it rather than against it. The best spots for every kind of experience, whether that's a quiet redwood ceremony, a dramatic cliffside at sunset, or a hidden beach that takes a short trail to reach. Knowing how to navigate the terrain, timing, and light is what turns a good day into one you'll actually remember.
As your Big Sur elopement photographer, I don’t just show up with a camera. I help with:
Location scouting: from iconic Big Sur cliffs to off-the-beaten-path hidden gems
Timeline planning: choosing the right time of day for perfect light and fewer crowds
Travel and logistics: how to navigate Big Sur’s winding roads, parking, and access points
Permits and prep: what you need to know so your elopement runs smoothly
My goal is to make your Big Sur elopement seamless, intentional, and easy to be present in.
When you look back on your day, I want you to remember how effortless it felt from start to finish, not just how the photos looked.
How I Help You Create an Unforgettable Big Sur Elopement Experience
Every elopement starts with getting to know you. Before your day, I take the time to build a real connection so that when I show up, I'm not just your photographer. I'm someone you know and trust. That comfort is what allows me to capture the most candid and real moments, the ones that actually feel like you.
I care about more than the photos. I care about the bigger picture: an intentional, intimate day that reflects who you are as a couple. From helping you feel at ease in front of the camera to making sure every logistical detail is handled, my goal is for your experience to feel effortless and genuinely enjoyable.
When you look back on your Big Sur wedding photos, I want you to see more than the stunning cliffs and redwoods. I want you to relive how comfortable, connected, and present you felt on one of the most important days of your life.
Signature Editing Style
All Inclusive Wedding Collections
Pre-Scouted Location Guidance
Super 8 Films & Ceremony Videography
Flexible Booking Options
Film/Analog Photography
Permit Guidance & Assistance
Creative Drone Photography
Personalized Wedding Experiences
Included with your Big Sur Photography Collection
Signature artistic and documentary photography
Creative direction and posing guidance
Personalized timeline built around your day
Location recommendations and scouting guidance –
Permit and marriage license guidance
Analog film photography
Creative drone photography
Multiple planning meetings and ongoing support
Beautifully curated digital gallery
Heirloom album design consultation
Print options for tangible memories
Meet Your Big Sur Elopement Photographer
I'm based in Northern California, and I've been photographing elopements and intimate weddings in Big Sur for years. What keeps me here isn't just the scenery. It's the couples who choose this place because it means something to them, and the trust they put in me to help them document it well.
If you're looking for a Big Sur elopement photographer who's just as invested in your experience as your photos, you're in the right place.
What’s the Next Step?
1
Get in Touch
Head to the contact page and share what you're thinking. Early stages are completely fine. You'll get clear, personalized guidance to start shaping your day.
2
Let’s Talk
We'll get on a call to go through your vision, ask the right questions, and figure out what your ideal Big Sur elopement actually looks like. You'll leave with a clear direction.
3
Plan Together
Once you're booked, I'm in it with you. Timeline, locations, permits, logistics, and every detail in between, so your day feels effortless from the moment it starts.Download your free Wedding Planning Checklist
Planning your elopement or wedding in Big Sur?
Download the free 27-page guide & checklist to help you get started.
DOWNLOAD HERE
Named one of “30 Rising Stars of Wedding Photography” by Rangefinder Magazine
Rangefinder Magazine
Big Sur & other elopement stories on the blog
Big Sur Elopement FAQ
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Absolutely! Elopements are no longer just for couples; they can include your closest friends and family, too. How many guests you invite, however, will determine whether your celebration is considered an elopement or more of an intimate wedding. While these two events share similarities, there are key differences to keep in mind, such as location logistics, permits, and guest accommodations.
To help you decide what works best for your vision, I’ve written a detailed blog post about the differences between intimate weddings and elopements. Click here to read it. Whether it’s just the two of you or a small group of loved ones, your Big Sur elopement can be tailored to fit exactly what you imagine.
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It depends on what you want the day to include. A focused half-day covering your ceremony and portraits is complete and meaningful on its own. A full day allows for getting-ready moments, multiple locations, and a celebratory dinner. Most Big Sur elopements land somewhere between six and ten hours. Get in touch, and we'll talk through your plans to find what actually fits.
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Yes, and it's one of the most valuable parts of working together. I know this coastline well, from the iconic overlooks to the spots that don't show up on a quick search. I'll guide you toward locations that actually fit your vision, whether that's a secluded beach, a redwood grove, or a cliffside at golden hour, so you can focus on each other rather than the logistics.
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Yes. Getting the logistics right is a big part of what I do. From finding the right ceremony location to recommending trusted vendors like officiants and florists, I'm here to guide you through the details so you can stay focused on each other. Permits, timelines, access points, vendor referrals, all of it is part of the process.
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100%! It’s one of my favorite services that I offer!
Every elopement is unique, and as part of the planning process, I’ll work with you to create a custom timeline tailored to your vision. Whether it’s capturing a sunrise first look, exploring hidden trails, or timing your vows perfectly with a Big Sur sunset, we’ll make sure your day flows smoothly and includes all the moments that matter most to you.
My goal is to ensure you have enough time to soak in the beauty of Big Sur, enjoy your wedding day to the fullest, and still have space for those spontaneous, unforgettable moments. Together, we’ll craft a timeline that makes your elopement stress-free, intentional, and magical.
Quick Tips for Your Big Sur Elopement
Planning an elopement in Big Sur is exciting, but a little preparation goes a long way toward making your day feel effortless and stress-free. Here are a few key tips every couple should know when planning a Big Sur elopement:
1. Apply for your California marriage license early
Issued by the county clerk's office. Handle this well before your elopement date. The process is simple but time-sensitive.
2. Check Big Sur elopement permit requirements
Many of Big Sur's most popular public locations, including Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Garrapata State Park, require permits for ceremonies and professional photography. I'll walk you through exactly what's needed for your specific spot.
3. Plan around Big Sur's coastal fog
Fog rolls in fast, especially in the mornings. Early afternoons and golden hour windows typically offer the clearest skies and the most dramatic light. Your timeline will be built around this from the start.
4. Bring layers for changing weather
Big Sur's climate shifts between warm sun, coastal wind, and rolling fog, sometimes all in the same afternoon. Layers keep the day comfortable regardless of what comes in off the water.
5. Practice Leave No Trace principles
Big Sur is a fragile and protected environment. Stay on trails, pack out everything you bring in, and leave each location exactly as you found it.
Get in touch for more detailed info and full guidance on how to get married in Big Sur.
Will Khoury provides Big Sur elopement photography services across Monterey County, California, and beyond.
Available by appointment only, all services are location-based and tailored to your plans
(no physical office)