Plate
$345
Hotel Avg
$520
Best Month
September
Airport Dist.
50km
Estimated Budget
Price converted to USD from the EUR base. Indicative exchange rate.
Plan my Wedding in Big SurComplete guide for your wedding in Big Sur
If you are thinking of celebrating your wedding in Big Sur, you have chosen one of the destinations with the most personality in the country. Dramatic Pacific cliffs and ancient redwood groves along Highway 1. In this guide we analyze all key aspects so your big day is perfect.
Romance Factor
With a score of 10/10 in romanticism, Big Sur offers incomparable settings for your "I do". From magical sunsets to charming historical corners.
Party and Celebration
If you look for a big celebration, Big Sur has excellent leisure infrastructure (6/10) which guarantees your guests enjoy to the max before and after the banquet.
The best and worst of marrying in Big Sur
Main advantages
- Most dramatic and breathtaking natural coastal landscape in California.
- Absolute privacy for intimate elopements or ultra-luxury destination weddings.
Points to keep in mind
- High costs and strict environmental event permit requirements.
- Limited mobile reception along stretches of Highway 1.
The style in Big Sur
Dominant Style
Boho Coastal & Eco-Luxury
Local Tradition
Intimate elopement ceremony under giant redwood canopies echoing the Pacific surf
Weather month by month
Top Venues in Big Sur
Post Ranch Inn
World-renowned luxury oceanfront cliffside resort for elopements.
Ventana Big Sur (Alila Resort)
5-star redwood-surrounded sanctuary with ocean views.
Glen Oaks Big Sur
Designer rustic cabins immersed in nature alongside the Big Sur River.
Wedding traditions in United States
What a local guest expects to see on the wedding day.
Rehearsal Dinner
Informal dinner held the night before the wedding with close family and friends.
First Look
A private moment where the couple sees each other dressed up for the first time before the ceremony.
Legal requirements to marry in United States
Application steps, timing and paperwork for foreigners.
Civil authority
County Clerk's Office
Minimum notice
3 days
Witnesses per spouse
1
Key steps
- Apply for a marriage license at the local County Clerk's office.
- Submit passport, birth certificate, and affidavit of single status.
- Wait the mandatory waiting period (varies between 24 and 72 hours in some states).
- Solemnize the marriage with a certified officiant and register the certificate.
Extra documents for foreigners
If you do not reside in United States- Certified translation of the birth certificate if not in English.
- Apostilled decree of previous divorce (if applicable).
- Valid passport with visa or ESTA.
How to get there from United States
Main airports
Rail
Amtrak
Common departure points
Madrid · Barcelona · London · Paris · Frankfurt
Typical vendors in United States
What American couples ask most
Dreaming of a wedding in Big Sur?
Get our free month-by-month wedding checklist in your inbox.
Alojamiento para tu boda en Big Sur
Precio medio: ~480€/noche
Los mejores hoteles para invitados y novios. Compara precios en Booking, Expedia, Agoda y más en una sola búsqueda.
Comparamos precios en +100 webs de reservas
Vuelos a Big Sur
Encuentra los mejores vuelos comparando cientos de aerolineas y agencias. Alertas de precio incluidas para que reserves en el mejor momento.
Búsqueda en tiempo real con Google Flights
Que hacer en Big Sur
Actividades para invitados que viajan a la boda: tours guiados, experiencias locales y planes para los dias previos o posteriores.
Cancelacion gratuita en la mayoria de actividades
Preparativos esenciales
Seguro de viaje
Imprescindible para viajar tranquilos
- Cobertura medica
- Cancelacion de vuelos
- Equipaje perdido
- Asistencia 24h
eSIM internacional
Internet sin roaming ni sorpresas
- Datos ilimitados
- Sin cambiar de SIM
- Activa al instante
- Cobertura en +190 paises
Enlaces de afiliados — nos ayudan a mantener estas guias gratuitas
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a wedding in Big Sur cost?
Plated dining starts around $300 per person. A 20-guest elopement ranges from $20,000 to $45,000, while an 80-guest wedding easily exceeds $75,000.
What is the best time for a wedding in Big Sur?
September and October bring the clearest skies, avoiding summer coastal fog.
Are outdoor ceremony permits required?
Yes, state parks and nature venues require event permits typically managed by your resort or planner.
Destinations with a similar vibe
Portovenere
Genoese seaside charm, dramatic cliffs, and poetic romance on the Ligurian coast
Medellin
Romance in the city of eternal spring, hosting banquets among orchids and lush green mountains
Skiathos
Endless turquoise waters, pine-covered hills, and the romance of the Sporades islands
After the wedding? Honeymoon ideas
You know where to get married — now pick your perfect honeymoon.
Estimated Budget
Price converted to USD from the EUR base. Indicative exchange rate.
Plan my Wedding in Big Sur
