By Joel Reyes, Big Sur Elopement Photographer
Last updated: March 2026
One of the most common questions I get from couples is: how much does a Big Sur elopement actually cost? The answer depends on how you want your day to look, but I’ll give you real numbers based on what my couples typically spend.
The Quick Answer
A Big Sur elopement typically costs between $5,000 and $15,000 all in. That includes photography, permits, officiant, florals, lodging, and dinner. A simpler elopement (just the two of you, minimal extras) can come in under $5,000. A luxury experience with a full day of coverage, premium lodging, and all the details can run $15,000 to $20,000+.
For context, the average American wedding costs over $30,000. Even a premium Big Sur elopement is less than half that, and you get a far more personal, meaningful, and adventurous experience.
Cost Breakdown by Category
Photography and Videography: $3,490 to $8,500+
This is typically the largest single expense. Big Sur elopement photography packages vary widely:
Budget ($1,500 to $3,000): A newer photographer with 1 to 2 hours of coverage. You’ll get good photos but limited planning support and no videography.
Mid-range ($3,500 to $6,000): An experienced photographer with 4+ hours of coverage, planning help, location scouting, and a polished gallery. My half-day packages start in this range.
Premium ($6,000 to $10,000+): A full-day experience with both photography and videography, drone coverage, complete elopement planning, permit assistance, and vendor coordination. This is where you get the cinematic, multi-location Big Sur elopement you see on Instagram. My full-day package at $8,500 includes photo, video, drone, planning, officiant, bouquet, boutonniere, and permits.
Permits: $400 to $900
If you’re eloping on California State Park land (Garrapata, Pfeiffer Big Sur SP), permits are required.
Garrapata State Park:
The most common permit is the Large Elopement permit (up to 25 guests, 1 hour): $150 + $250 admin fee = $400. Plus a $500 refundable deposit. So $900 out of pocket, with $500 returned after the event.
Pfeiffer Beach (US Forest Service):
Separate permit through the Monterey Ranger District. Fees vary.
Private venues (Glen Oaks, etc.):
No state permit needed. Venue rental fees apply instead.
My packages include permit assistance. I handle the application process for my couples.
Officiant: $300 to $800
California does not allow self-solemnization (unlike Colorado), so you need an officiant. Options:
Budget ($150 to $300): A simple, no-frills officiant who performs the legal ceremony.
Mid-range ($400 to $600): A professional officiant who writes a personalized ceremony based on your relationship.
Premium ($700+): An officiant who’s also a storyteller. They interview you both, write custom vows assistance, and create a ceremony that feels deeply personal.
My full-day package includes a complimentary officiant.
Florals: $200 to $1,500
Bouquet and boutonniere only: $200 to $400. This is all most elopement couples need.
Bouquet, boutonniere, and small ceremony arrangement: $400 to $800.
Full florals (arch, aisle, arrangements): $800 to $1,500+. Only needed if you’re having a larger setup at a venue like Glen Oaks.
My full-day package includes a bouquet and boutonniere.
Lodging: $200 to $2,000+ per night
Big Sur lodging ranges dramatically:
Camping: $35 to $65/night at Pfeiffer Big Sur or Andrew Molera State Parks. Book through Reserve California months in advance.
Glamping: $200 to $400/night at Treebones Resort (yurts with ocean views).
Mid-range: $300 to $700/night at Glen Oaks Big Sur or Big Sur Lodge.
Luxury: $1,000 to $3,000+/night at Post Ranch Inn or Alila Ventana Big Sur.
Nearby (Carmel/Monterey): $150 to $500/night with far more options. A practical choice if Big Sur lodging is sold out.
Hair and Makeup: $300 to $800
Most hair and makeup artists in the Monterey/Big Sur area charge $300 to $500 for a single person, or $600 to $800 for two. They’ll come to your cabin or hotel room.
Dinner: $100 to $500
Casual: Big Sur River Inn or Big Sur Deli. $50 to $100 for two.
Mid-range: Big Sur Bakery. $100 to $200 for two with wine.
Upscale: Nepenthe ($150 to $250) or Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn ($300 to $500 for two).
Total Cost Scenarios
The Simple Elopement ($4,000 to $6,000)
Just the two of you. Photography coverage (2 to 4 hours), a simple officiant, a bouquet, and one night at a mid-range lodge. Dinner at Big Sur Bakery.
The Full Experience ($8,000 to $12,000)
A full day of photography and videography, professional officiant, florals, hair and makeup, two nights at Glen Oaks, a sunset ceremony in the redwoods followed by coastal portraits at Garrapata, and dinner at Nepenthe.
The Luxury Elopement ($15,000 to $20,000+)
Everything in the full experience plus luxury lodging at Post Ranch Inn, high-end florals and ceremony setup, a two-day timeline covering both Big Sur and San Francisco, and dinner at Sierra Mar.
How to Save Money on a Big Sur Elopement
Elope on a weekday. Some vendors offer weekday discounts. State park permits are also easier to get on weekdays.
Skip the arch and elaborate setup. Big Sur IS the decoration. You don’t need an arch when you’re standing under 200-foot redwoods or on a cliff overlooking the Pacific.
Book a photographer who includes planning. My packages include planning, permits, officiant, bouquet, and boutonniere. That eliminates 3 to 4 separate vendor costs.
Stay in Carmel instead of Big Sur. Lodging is 30 to 50% cheaper with 10x more options. It’s only a 30 minute drive to the best Big Sur elopement locations.
Elope in the off-season. Winter (December through February) has lower lodging rates and easier availability for everything.
Is a Big Sur Elopement Worth the Cost?
Honest answer: yes, if this landscape speaks to you.
Big Sur offers something you genuinely cannot get anywhere else: the combination of ancient redwood forests, dramatic Pacific coastline, and golden California light, all within a few miles of each other. You’re not paying for a ballroom with tablecloths. You’re paying for one of the most stunning natural settings on earth as your backdrop.
And compared to a $30,000+ traditional wedding where you spend most of the day talking to distant relatives, a Big Sur elopement gives you a full day focused entirely on you two.
[Ready to plan yours? Get in touch →]
Read the Comments +