Bride and groom standing between wooden buildings at Sea Ranch Lodge during sunset, Double Exposure. Photographed by Will Khoury for Sea Ranch elopement.

An Intimate Coastal California Elopement

Sea Ranch is the kind of place that makes you forget there’s a world beyond the trees and cliffs. It’s quiet, remote, and a little wild, in the best way. When Lelaine and Noah reached out about planning a Sea Ranch elopement, I knew this would be a day built around what truly matters: being present, feeling connected, and spending quality time together without the extra noise.

Their elopement was simple by design; no guests, no pressure, and no rigidity. We had a timeline and a plan, but it never prevented the day from flowing naturally. Being immersed in nature at Sea Ranch certainly helps make it easy to slow everything down and gives couples space to just be. If you're planning an intimate elopement on the California coast, Lelaine and Noah’s Sea Ranch elopement is a great example of how to make the day uniquely meaningful, relaxed, and a little luxurious, too.

Bride and groom standing on the coastal cliffs at Sea Ranch Lodge at dusk, modern lodge buildings in the background. Photographed by Will Khoury for Sea Ranch elopement.

Why Elope at Sea Ranch?

There’s no shortage of beautiful places to elope on the California coast, but Sea Ranch is its own kind of magic. It’s tucked far enough up the coast that you leave behind the crowds and traffic, but gain quiet coastal trails and some of the most peaceful forest-meets-ocean views I’ve ever seen. For couples planning a Sea Ranch elopement, that slower pace invites more one-on-one moments, which is often the biggest draw.

Lelaine and Noah chose Sea Ranch for that exact reason. They wanted their day to feel grounded, personal, and entirely about them. Early on, they told me what they wanted most was "to feel in tune with each other and the natural surroundings." The raw, relatively untouched beauty of Sea Ranch. Think rugged cliffs, wide-open meadows, and stretches of coastline where you might not see another soul all day; it held massive appeal. With no service and spotty reception, they had the rare gift of truly unplugging, just being together without distractions.

What makes Sea Ranch especially unique is how it blends wild landscape with intentional design. The architecture at the lodge feels like an extension of the land, simple, modern, and quiet in the best way. Whether you're hiking, kayaking in a tucked-away cove, or just taking it easy at the Lodge, everything about Sea Ranch invites you to pause and take it in.

Bride and groom outside the iconic chapel at Sea Ranch Lodge in elegant wedding attire, sharing quiet and joyful moments. Photographed by Will Khoury.

How to Plan a Sea Ranch Lodge Elopement

One of the best things about planning a Sea Ranch elopement is how naturally it lends itself to a slower, more intentional experience in nature, but there are still a few moving pieces to consider. Since this stretch of the California coast is remote, a little extra prep goes a long way.

First, book your lodging early. Many of the cabins and vacation homes here are privately owned, and the best ones, especially those with ocean views or nestled in the redwoods, get scooped up quickly. Of course, the Sea Ranch Lodge is itself a great option if you’re looking for something with on-site amenities and a bit more structure.

Second, plan for limited service. Most of the area has little to no cell reception, which honestly adds to the experience! Just make sure to download your maps, music, and anything else you might need ahead of time. I also recommend printing a timeline or directions, just in case.

While you’re here, take time to explore the outdoors. Sea Ranch has over 50 miles of hiking trails, hidden beaches, scenic ocean overlooks, and even tide pools to wander through. You can kayak, picnic in the meadows, or just relax and watch the deer roam past your cabin.

Bride and groom enjoying a sunset picnic on the cliffs at Sea Ranch Lodge, sharing cake and champagne. Photographed by Will Khoury for their elopement.

And finally, work with vendors who know the area. From understanding local ceremony permits to knowing where the fog tends to roll in first, local insight can make a big difference. As your Sea Ranch elopement photographer, I’ll help you navigate all the logistics so your day can stay relaxed and aligned with your vision.

Not sure if you need an elopement planner or photographer or both? Here are the key differences to help you decide what will serve your day in the best way!

Because here’s the thing: one of the best parts of eloping at Sea Ranch is the flexibility. You’re not locked into a strict timeline or big production. With the right plan, you can build in space to explore, take breaks, shift with the weather, and get photos that feel genuinely like you. (More on that next.)

Bride and groom in the redwoods near Sea Ranch Lodge, dancing and sharing quiet moments in golden light. Photographed by Will Khoury for their elopement.

Half-Day Sea Ranch Elopement Timeline

The beauty of a Sea Ranch elopement is that it doesn’t have to feel rushed or overly structured. With fewer guests (or none at all), your timeline can center around the moments you care about most, not a packed schedule.

Lelaine and Noah told me early on, “We want it to be just about us and our love for each other. Relaxing, beautiful, joyous, exciting.” That vision shaped their entire elopement day. It wasn’t about cramming things in…it was about slowing down, creating space to breathe, and being fully present with each other.

Want to find that perfect balance of relaxed and meaningful on your elopement day? It’s absolutely possible with a little forethought - here’s how to plan a stress-free elopement, based on years of experience with elopement couples!

Stress-Free Wedding Planning Tips

We built their timeline around that feeling, starting with a quiet, private first look and a heartfelt ceremony at the chapel. After portraits and some time exploring the forest, they took a break for dinner, off-camera, just for the two of them. We regrouped later for golden hour portraits and a celebratory champagne toast on the coast. That flexibility made everything feel more intentional and true to them.

Here’s what their Sea Ranch elopement timeline looked like:

2:15 PM – Ready to go! Gather details + get ready for the first look
2:30 PM – Head over to the chapel
2:45 PM – First Look at the chapel (I'll help set the scene)
3:15 PM – Ceremony begins
3:45 PM – Ceremony ends + portraits outside the chapel
4:00 PM – Head to the nearby forest area for portraits
5:30 PM – Off-camera dinner break at Sea Ranch Lodge
7:30 PM – Regroup for sunset portraits on the coast + cake & champagne
8:40 PM – Sunset photos
9:00 PM – End of Coverage

Because I offer custom elopement photography coverage, we were able to create something that truly reflected their vision. Whether you want a half-day, full-day, or a timeline with intentional breaks like this one, I’ll help you plan a flexible photography experience that feels natural, meaningful, and fully you.

Planning your elopement timeline? Here are the 7 steps I’ve found are essential to plan your perfect elopement!

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How to Plan an Intentional Elope

Bride and groom walking across a fallen log in the redwood forest near Sea Ranch Lodge, surrounded by ferns and tall trees. Photographed by Will Khoury.

A Spirit of Adventure on Elopement Day

Even with a slower pace, Lelaine and Noah’s Sea Ranch elopement was anything but boring. They built in space to explore, wandering forest trails after their ceremony, following the light, and embracing the fog as it rolled in over the cliffs. That flexibility gave them room to experience things at their own pace.

That’s one of the biggest benefits of eloping here: nature sets the tone, and the best moments often aren’t scripted. When couples trust the process and allow space for the unexpected, like a moody sky or a last-minute hike. the photos end up feeling more real and personal.

Sea Ranch invites you to embrace nature and its quiet wildness. That mix of calm and adventure is what makes it so special, and why no two elopements here ever look or feel the same.

Bride and groom posing along the wooden pathways and architecture of Sea Ranch Lodge, showcasing modern coastal design. Photographed by Will Khoury for their elopement.

Forest + Coast: Other California Elopement Locations to Consider

If you're dreaming of a wedding day that blends redwoods and rugged coastline, Sea Ranch is an incredible choice, but it’s not the only one. One of the best things about eloping in California is how many places offer that forest-meets-ocean backdrop, often within just a few miles of each other.

Here are a few other coastal elopement spots with a similar vibe:

Jenner – Just south of Sea Ranch, this tiny coastal town has dramatic cliffs, quiet beaches, and redwoods nearby. It’s ideal for couples who want a low-key feel with epic views.
Big Sur – A more well-known option, Big Sur delivers towering redwoods, ocean cliffs, and iconic Highway 1 views. It’s popular for a reason, but still full of hidden gems if you know where to look. Check out this two-day redwoods elopement in Big Sur!
Santa Cruz – Great if you want easy access to both the forest and the beach, with a slightly more vibrant town nearby. Redwoods, surf spots, and sunset cliffs are all within reach. I had a lovely time with Jenni & Chris during their forest elopement in Santa Cruz, surrounded by family and nature!
Jedediah Smith Redwoods & Crescent City – Up near the Oregon border, this area is more remote and wild-feeling. Massive redwoods, a misty coastline, and a true sense of solitude.
Southern Oregon Coast – If you're open to crossing the state line, the southern stretch of Oregon’s coast offers a similar combo of lush forest and dramatic ocean cliffs, with fewer crowds and a slightly different kind of charm.

So if that redwoods + ocean pairing is your dream, you’ve got options. Whether you’ve already fallen for Sea Ranch or you're still weighing your options, I’m here to help you figure out what location fits best. In the end, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to eloping.

Best Places to Elope in California

Bride and groom sharing champagne and a small cake during their cliffside picnic at Sea Ranch Lodge. Photographed by Will Khoury for their elopement.

Testimonial: Kind Words from Lelaine & Noah

“We couldn't have asked for a better person to photograph our remote elopement.”

“Our experience with Will was exactly what we were looking for and then some. His communication before the event was incredible and thorough, and during the day, we couldn't have asked for a better person to photograph our remote elopement. Not only are the photos beautiful, he is also a genuine, kind, and brilliantly creative professional who made us feel comfortable and like we didn't need to worry about anything. If you're on the fence, don't be. We literally have ZERO complaints, only heaps of praise. You will never regret working with Will.”

More kind words here!

Silhouette of bride and groom holding hands under a crescent moon at dusk on the cliffs of Sea Ranch Lodge. Photographed by Will Khoury for their elopement.

Your Sea Ranch Elopement Photographer

Whether you’re set on a Sea Ranch Lodge elopement or still exploring your options along the California coast, the right location is the one that feels like you. From coastal cliffs to quiet redwood trails, this stretch of the West Coast has no shortage of beautiful, intentional spaces to exchange vows.

If you’re dreaming of a day that’s relaxed, personal, and grounded in nature, I’d love to help bring your vision to life. From location scouting to timeline planning to documenting every part of the experience, I’m here to guide you at every step. Let’s create a day that’s unique, unforgettable, and completely yours.

Bride in a modern white cape gown on the cliffs of Sea Ranch Lodge, joined by groom at dusk. Photographed by Will Khoury during their elopement.

Sea Ranch Elopement Vendors:

Location: Sea Ranch - Website // Instagram
Photography: Will Khoury Photography - Website // Instagram
Planning: Will Khoury Photography - Website // Instagram
Venue: Sea Ranch Lodge - Website // Instagram
Chapel: Sea Ranch Chapel - Website // Instagram
Officiant: Rev. Richleigh Powers (Chaplain) - Website
Cake: Franny's Cup and Saucer - Website // Instagram