Marissa and Jake
If you’re thinking about a Big Sur elopement, this is exactly the kind of day I always come back to—simple, relaxed, and actually centered on the couple.
Marissa and Jake chose to spend their day in Big Sur surrounded by redwoods, starting in a cozy cabin and ending on the cliffs at sunset. Nothing felt rushed or overplanned. It was just intentional, easy, and really fun to be a part of.
Starting the Day in a Cabin in the Redwoods
Marissa and Jake started their day in a small cabin tucked into the redwoods at Glen Oaks, which is honestly one of the best ways to do a Big Sur elopement.
No strict timeline. No pressure. Just a quiet space to get ready and take everything in.
Cabins like this are perfect because:
- You get privacy
- You’re right in nature
- The whole day feels slower and more grounded
It sets the tone for everything that follows.
Cake, Chess, and a Slow Afternoon Together
After getting ready, they stepped outside where a small table had been set up with a cake. It was simple and thoughtful—nothing overdone.
They cut into it, fed each other a few bites, and couldn’t stop laughing. It didn’t feel staged or like something they had to “perform.” It just felt like them.
At one point, they pulled out a chessboard and started playing. That’s one of my favorite parts of days like this—when couples bring in something personal.
During a Big Sur elopement, there’s space for that. You’re not rushing from one event to the next. You can actually spend time together doing something you enjoy.
Sunset on the Cliffs
Later in the day, we made our way out to the cliffs—because you really can’t come to Big Sur and not experience both the redwoods and the coast.
The light started shifting into that soft golden glow, and everything opened up. The ocean, the cliffs, the sky—it all felt completely different from the quiet forest earlier.
Marissa and Jake popped champagne and just went for it. Spraying it, laughing, not worrying about anything being perfect.
It was messy and fun and loud—the total opposite of the calm redwood moments, which made it even better.
That contrast is what makes a Big Sur elopement so special.
Why Big Sur Is Perfect for Elopements
There’s a reason so many couples choose Big Sur.
You get:
- Redwood forests
- Dramatic cliffs
- Ocean views
- And space to just be together
All within a short distance.
It gives you the flexibility to build a day that feels like an experience instead of a production.
Making the Day Feel Like You
What stood out most about Marissa and Jake’s day wasn’t just how beautiful it was—it was how relaxed it felt.
They weren’t focused on traditions or timelines. They just:
- Spent time together
- Did things they enjoy
- Let the day unfold naturally
That’s always the goal.
As a Big Sur elopement photographer, I’m there to help create space for those kinds of moments—not to direct or turn the day into something it’s not.
A Simple, Meaningful Way to Get Married
Marissa and Jake’s elopement is a good reminder that your wedding doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful.
A cabin in the redwoods, cake in the forest, a game of chess, and champagne on the cliffs—that’s more than enough.
If you’re planning a Big Sur elopement, this is the kind of day that feels real, personal, and honestly… a lot more enjoyable.
