Big Sur Elopement | Pfeiffer Beach With Kids • Xsperience Photography

Big Sur is one of the most iconic destinations for an elopement within the United States. The rugged coast, rolling waves, lush green trees and mountain views make it undeniably intriguing, and impossible to forget. Alicia and Ben’s Big Sur Elopement took place in the southern part of the Big Sur Coast at Pfeiffer Beach. They started with getting ready photos at their Airbnb in Carmel by the Sea before driving south along the Coastline. We immediately had the intimate ceremony in hopes of keeping the boys attention…and to capture photos before they got dirty playing in the sand. Boys will be boys!! After the ceremony we took photos WHILE they played. It was the best of both worlds. They had fun. The bride and groom had fun. And I was a happy, giddy photographer capturing authentic connections and fond memories in the me in a beautiful scene.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE XSPERIENCE PHOTOGRAPHY TO DOCUMENT YOUR ADVENTURE WEDDING IN BIG SUR?

We knew we wanted Trisha with Xsperience Photography for our photographer years ago. We share Minnesota roots so that made it easy to get to know one another before heading across Country to the magical West Coast. When she shared that she was going to be in Big Sur in April, everything just fell in place.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO HIRE ELOPE WEST AS WELL? (Elope West is an all-inclusive elopement team consisting of Xsperience Photography and a team of creatives wanting to bring meaning and fun back to weddings. White Loon Events, a professional wedding planner also based in Minnesota, styled and officiated this Big Sur Elopement!!)

Ben and I knew we needed simple. So it was an easy decision to book with ELOPE WEST. Honestly, I didn’t have any expectations and having two boys I was just hoping for a “functional” wedding. Kari (White Loon Events) and Trisha exceeded what I ever thought was possible. From the picnic to the epic photo shots. It was just so perfect, and I know that because I literally am wanting to do it all over again.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE BIG SUR FOR YOUR ELOPEMENT DESTINATION?

Big Sur has such breathtaking views, and it was the combination of being connected to a beautiful place and exchanging our vows at the same time — it just felt right to be there. Trisha recommended Pfeiffer Beach so that the boys would have a place to run free and enjoy the experience as much as we would. Kari found us an adorable Airbnb in Carmel By The Sea. It’s about 40 minutes north of Pfeiffer Beach, but the drive along the scenic coast was an adventure of its own.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR ELOPEMENT DAY ON PFEIFFER BEACH

Our wedding was so simple, and so “us”. We exchanged our written vows and it felt like we were the only people on the earth. Our children just ran around us and played and it was true, authentic, and connected all at the same time. My favorite part of the day was when Ben read his vows to me. How he was able to connect with himself and write in such a poetic way made the whole day absolutely perfect.

Following the ceremony we walked down the beach to a styled picnic. Kari did an amazing job setting it up. It was aesthetically appealing and had just enough sweet treats. We enjoyed cake, the views, and warmed up with some wine.

Mother Nature decided to rain on our day. But we embraced the rain, ran in the ocean and it ended up being one of the highlights of the day.

WHAT DID YOU DO AFTER THE CEREMONY?

We decided to take a quick trip up to Napa Valley for a mini-moon and spent a few days there while the kids were with their grandparents (thank goodness for grandma and grandpa!). Ben’s parents flew all the way from Minnesota to San Francisco, California to help us with the kids while we had some much needed alone time. They actually drove to Pfeiffer Beach, gave us our private time for the ceremony and picnic, and then took the boys from there. That’s when we were able to focus on one another, sip some wine and play in the rain. I recommend this 1000 times over to anyone with kids wanting an intimate experience.