Your Ultimate Guide to Planning A Perfect Glen Oaks Elopement
Throughout the years, Big Sur has become a bucket list destination for people all over the world and the US. This stretch of coast is the perfect backdrop for everything from road trips to beach adventures, and Glen Oaks is the best spot to stay throughout it all. As Big Sur elopement photographers, we love helping our clients discover the magic of this area so they can have their dream celebrations. Here’s what you need to know about a Glen Oaks elopement!
Your Ultimate Guide To Planning A Perfect Glen Oaks Elopement
When You Should Elope in Glen Oaks & How to Pick Your Date
The first step? Picking your date. While Glen Oaks doesn’t get a lot of cold weather, they do get a ton of rain throughout winter and spring. Because most weddings happen outdoors, you are going to have to deal with some mud if you choose this time.
Late spring through the summer brings warmer temps to Glen Oaks and fewer rain clouds for an elopement. The only issue is that you will have to deal with extra crowds. If that’s not a concern, this is a great time to host your wedding!
If you ask us, fall tends to be the ideal season. This is the time when you can ditch all the crowds while still enjoying the mild weather. The months of September, October, and November are our favorites!
The Legalities of Eloping in Big Sur
Next, let’s chat about what you need to do to make your wedding day happen. While you will require a permit to get married in Big Sur, Glen Oaks is going to work with you to handle it, so you won’t have to stress too much on that front. After getting legally married at the lodge, we can go explore some beautiful trails along Highway 1, which is exactly what we did with Abbi and Andy.
From there, you will need to follow the California laws. You don’t need to be a resident of the state to get married, but you will need to get your marriage license here. You can use any county and can get it up to 90 days ahead of your wedding. There is no waiting period. You will need to have an officiant as well as 1-2 witnesses to sign off on your license.
How Much Does a Glen Oaks Elopement Cost?
How much you spend on your wedding is going to come down to how many people you have present. Weddings with only four people max just need to pay the price of a cabin or room, which will be anywhere from $300-$3000. If you do have a larger wedding, you will need to rent a ceremony site. This will cost anywhere from $2000-$9000, plus you will need to add in the price of a room.
While it may seem or sound pricey, Glen Oaks really is worth it.
- It has beautiful rooms for your getting-ready moments and images
- It has privacy for your first look and ceremony
- It’s surrounded by nature and massive redwood trees while being a private lodge
- It has a great number of photo spots
- It’s right in the middle of Highway 1, which allows us to explore other locations in Big Sur
The average cost of a wedding venue in California is between 15,000 and 25,000 USD, so when you put things in perspective, Glen Oaks is a gorgeous and not-so-expensive option.
Glen Oaks Elopement Locations
Glen Oaks has some positively magical locations. Here are our faves:
- Fairy Circle: this woodsy spot lets you tie the knot between the redwoods alongside up to 20 guests.
- Redwood Grove: This spot still gives you the redwood views, but gives you an open grassy lawn for up to 100 guests.
- Big Sur Roadhouse: This on-site restaurant is ideal for your reception.
For events with only four guests, you can literally get married anywhere on the property! Abbi and Andy chose to elope just the two of them, and it was such a beautiful and relaxed day. After the ceremony, we chose to explore an amazing trail nearby with ocean views and champagne pops!
Hiring a Big Sur Photographer
One of the most important things you can book for your elopement is a photographer ready to capture every second of your adventure. Big Sur is a pretty majestic spot, and you need a photographer who knows how to document it while still keeping you as the star of the show. This is where we come in! As Big Sur elopement photographers, we spend a lot of our time working with couples to tell every chapter of their love story. We would love to have a conversation and tell you all about our packages so you can find out how we can help you with your dream wedding! Send us a message and let’s chat 🙂
We Can’t For The Adventure Of Your Stunning Glen Oaks Elopement
If you could use some help planning your Glen Oaks elopement, we really hope this guide helps you out! And if you do want to learn more about booking with us, shoot us a message so we can tell you all about it!
