Why They Chose a Two-Day Elopement on the Coast

Alexa and Caine had a pretty clear vision for the overall vibe of their wedding. They knew if they had planned a big wedding, they would likely end up stressed out and focused on hosting, instead of focused on celebrating their love in the intimate way they wanted to.

They fell in love with the wild coastline and luscious forests of Big Sur, and knew from the very start they wanted to explore as much nature as they could.

We photographed Alexa and Caine’s engagement in Big Sur exactly one year before their wedding, so this place already held deep meaning for them. Getting to photograph a couple’s engagement as well as their elopement is always such a blessing and special time!

Day One: Getting Ready, Ceremony, Dinner, and Sunset

Morning Walk with Their Fur Children

If there’s one thing Alexa and Caine REALLY love, it’s their precious fur children. So they started their wedding day by casting aside all stress and just walking their dogs along the beach, complete with matching sweatsuits and custom Air Force 1s.

Getting Ready

Alexa and the other ladies got ready together at a rented-out salon, sipping drinks and chatting. Caine got ready in his room, building excitement for the day ahead and sharing touching moments with his father.

Ceremony at Garrapata State Beach

The staircase down to the beach is frequently washed out, but this group came prepared with a ladder and even Alexa in her gorgeous gown didn’t let the obstacle stop her as she climbed down with help from her parents.

The sun danced on the crashing waves as Caine waited eagerly for Alexa. She was stunning in her regal gown and he was head over heels for the millionth time. After a touching ceremony from Alexa’s own aunt, their guests left them to soak in the very first hours of their marriage alone on this wild coast.

Dinner and Sunset

After dancing along the beach, they swung by a gorgeous coastal park for some sunset photos, then met up with their guests to share dinner, sign their license, and laugh the night away with a view of the ocean.

Day Two: Art on the Beach and Lots of Nature

Morning with Family

They wanted to continue sharing things they loved with their family, so being big art lovers and super creative, their second day they set up a table and painted on the beach with their guests! Before they parted ways, Alexa and Caine gave a handwritten “message in a bottle” filled with touching words to each of their family members there with them.

Redwood Forest Hike

Then it was time for their adventure alone together. From the moment we met them, Alexa and Caine knew they wanted to explore the coastal cliffs and the redwood forests of Big Sur, so off we went! We hiked along a trail in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park flanked by towering redwoods and ending at a peaceful waterfall.

Full Circle at the Coastal Cliffs

We had to go full circle and end their two-day wedding in the same way we ended their engagement session exactly one year before – a wild coastal drive in a convertible to an even wilder coastal cliff at Garrapata State Park. We used our wide-angle lens to capture them in the convertible, wind in their hair and joy on their faces.

Surrounded by massive rocks and crashing waves, they watched the sunset on the final day of the wedding and the first day of the rest of their lives.

How We Helped Plan Their Two-Day Elopement

Alexa and Caine came to us knowing they wanted Big Sur, so we knew immediately got excited to recommend our favorite spots along the wild coastline and luscious forests! We helped guide them through the permit process and constructed a timeline that wove across two days, multiple locations, and multiple activities – from beach walks with their dogs to painting with family to hiking through redwoods.

We used poses and prompts that brought out Alexa and Caine’s natural joy and the way they interact with each other. March was a great season for their elopement – fewer crowds than summer while still offering beautiful warm weather.

These two are something so special, it has to be said that the innkeeper at their hotel absolutely loved them – he went above and beyond to meet their needs and was incredibly sweet. That’s just the kind of people Alexa and Caine are: the type who make everyone around them want to celebrate their love.

Thinking about eloping? Let’s make it 100% YOU.

Photos From Their Amazing Elopement: