Saying "I Do" In Stunning Big Sur

The number one rule when wedding planning: make your wedding your own. Whether it's in front of two people or 200, across the world or across the street, make this once in a lifetime celebration truly represent you and your partner. And that's exactly what these two did. They let go of all details that weren't "them" and embraced what was when they eloped to Big Sur and said "I do" among these stunning sites. Winsome and Wright captured every magical moment for us to ooh and aah over - see them all right this way!

From the Bride... If you ask my husband how we met he would say, “She just showed up at my house!”. We grew up a block from each other, and our paths had crossed a few times before, yet when I went to his house for his sister's birthday a few years ago, we both felt it instantly, we were ready for each other. The saying really is true, when you know, you know… and we both knew that day. Our wedding day was so meaningful because we stayed true to who we are as a couple. Our day wasn’t inspired by anything super tangible, it was a reflection of who we are, what we believe in, and our deep, mutual commitment to mindfulness and gratitude in our relationship and life. We even skipped the whole “We’re Engaged” bit. Instead, Chad surprised me with a ring a month before our wedding date, on my 30th birthday trip in Joshua Tree, while we were laying in a hammock under the stars. We are private people, so a small intimate ceremony was always the plan. Chad and I wrote our own vows, and chose to have a double ring ceremony, staying authentic to us as individuals and as a couple. We had no decorations other than the beauty of Big Sur surrounding us, and my only accessory was my gorgeous bouquet by Wilder, made from all locally sourced stems. No lace, nothing borrowed or blue, just the beauty of our love and the landscape (I even went barefoot!).We had never seen the exact location of our ceremony until the day before our wedding. The photos we had seen were by Faith, of Winsome + Wright, and they were insane! There was so much beauty in her photos of the cliffs, river and forest, we knew we wanted her to capture our day. We wanted to find magic in the loving of each other and the landscape, and that’s what we were able to do. Faith is super talented, but more than that, her passion is contagious. Her enthusiasm was infectious (and much needed!), allowing us to stay in our blissful state despite nearly freezing on the windswept cliffs. Our advice to those planning now: if you’re considering eloping, DO IT! Keep the day true to who you are, and take moments to breathe. It all goes so fast!

Photography: Winsome And Wright | Floral Design: Wilder Floral Co. | Wedding Dress: Tara Lauren | Ceremony Venue: glen oaks motel | Ring: Heidi Gibson | Calligraphy: Kelly Patrice | Groom's Attire: TopShop | Makeup + Hair Artist: Amanda Olsen