A scenic coastal view of Bixby Bridge in Big Sur, California with green cliffs and a dramatic coastline below.

BIG SUR ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHERS

 

Based in California - Available worldwide

 

You found each other. Let's find you the place that feels as big as that.


Big Sur is one of the most breathtaking places on earth to get married. Ancient redwoods. Rugged coastline. Golden California light that makes everything feel cinematic. If you are dreaming of an elopement or intimate wedding in Big Sur, you are in the right place.

A wedding couple poses against the stunning backdrop of a mountain lake with dramatic peaks and turquoise waters.
Let's start with an introduction

MEET YOUR

BIG SUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS

We are Nico and Maddie, a couple and photography team based out of a van on the California coast.


We have spent years exploring every trail, overlook, and hidden beach along Highway 1, and we know Big Sur in a way that most photographers simply do not. That local knowledge is not just a bonus. It is what makes your day run smoothly and your photos look extraordinary.


When you ask us to you to be part of your day, you get so much more than just great photos. We will be your location guides, adventure planners, and hiking buddies!  


We are certified memory makers that are fully committed to telling your story the way it should be; Free flowing love surrounded by breathtaking landscapes.



Scenic coastal views of a rocky beach with cliffs and waves crashing along the California shoreline at sunset.

BIG SUR ELOPEMENTS ARE TRICKY

A black and white photograph of a couple in wedding attire standing in front of a dramatic arched bridge.

WE MAKE THEM EASY

Planning a Big Sur elopement is more complicated than most people expect.


Public land permits. Parking restrictions. Fog that rolls in without warning. Trails that look short on a map and take three hours to hike. We have navigated all of it, and when you book with us we guide you through every single step.


Here is what is included with every Big Sur elopement package:


A custom timeline built around golden hour, tides, and your vision.


Big Sur location recommendations tailored to exactly the vibe you are after.


Permit assistance so nothing catches you off guard.


Vendor and accommodation recommendations from glamping in the redwoods to cliffside cabins.


A backup weather plan, because Big Sur fog is real and we always have a plan B.


A curated packing checklist specific to your season and location.


20 sneak peek photos within 24 hours.


A full high-resolution gallery delivered within six weeks.

Misty coastal waterfall cascades down rugged cliffs to the ocean along a foggy Pacific coastline.

WHERE WILL YOU ELOPE IN BIG SUR?


Big Sur stretches 90 miles along the California coast and every mile offers something different. Bixby Creek Bridge for drama and scale. Pfeiffer Beach for purple sand and sea stacks. McWay Falls for a waterfall that pours directly into the Pacific. The redwood groves of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park for couples who want something intimate and forested.


Not sure which Big Sur elopement location is right for you? That is exactly what the discovery call is for. We will talk through your vision, your comfort level with hiking, the time of year, and point you toward the spot that fits your story.


A couple sits together on a coastal cliff overlooking the ocean at sunset while embracing each other.
A couple in wedding attire embraces on a scenic coastal hillside with mountains in the background during golden hour.
Check out these

Big Sur Elopement and Intimate Wedding Resources

A black raven with a long beak illustrated in a circular frame against a grey-blue background.
Dramatic waves crash against rocky cliffs along the rugged Big Sur coastline on a cloudy California day.
Someone wearing a gray Quiksilver sweatshirt sits on a rock with a camera amid blooming calla lilies on a coastal hillside.

Why book a Big Sur elopement photographer who actually lives here?

We did not discover Big Sur through a Pinterest board. We live and work along the California coast and have explored Big Sur since we were kids!

We know where the crowds are and how to avoid them. We know which permits take weeks to process and which locations are first come first served. We know where  to stay and where to be at golden hour.

On top of that, we have spent years working in the wedding industry in every capacity possible. We understand how a wedding day flows, how to keep things on time without it feeling rushed, and how to make two people who hate being photographed feel completely at ease in front of a camera.

What you get with Finch and Fern is not just a photographer. It is a team that genuinely loves Big Sur, loves elopements, and is going to make your day feel effortless.

Dramatic coastal landscape with waves crashing against rocky cliffs during golden hour as figure stands on rugged terrain.

ELOPEMENT & INTIMATE WEDDING PACKAGES

 

TWO DAYS

12 HOURS OVER 2 DAYS

 

This package is designed for couples who want to spend their wedding day with friends and family but want a day for just the two of you!


Splitting your elopement over two days gives you maximum flexibility to customize your elopement experience.


Couples who opt for this package usually start by having a ceremony and reception at a venue. Then the following day, we take you out and explore California's best coastline.


With this package, you don't have to pick between guests and adventure... You get both!


Another example of the Two Day package is an epic 20 mile backpacking trip to Sykes Hot Springs.

 

 

 

$7500

 

SUNRISE & SUNSET

8 HOURS

 

✨Most popular✨

 

Since most elopements take place on public land, choosing a time outside the middle of the day greatly increases your chances of privacy. On top of that, your photos will look even better when shot in the golden California light!


Couples will usually spit this up in 4 hour chunks and leave the middle of the day open for grabbing lunch and a cocktail, taking a nap, or if you have family and friends around this is a great time to hang out with them!

Eight hours give you enough time to explore multiple locations, say your vows, portraits, and some hiking.


We will have time built into your timeline for some flexibility throughout the day. This way, you can fully immerse yourself in each moment without worrying about the clock.


 

$5500

 

MINI DAY

4 HOURS

This package is designed to embrace the moments that matter most.


Think hiking a short distance to a breathtaking viewpoint, exchanging heartfelt vows in a private location, and popping open a bottle of champagne to celebrate your love.


For this package i'd recommend choosing between an early morning or an evening to avoid the crowds and get the best lighting conditions.


Short and sweet!

 

$4300

 

A couple walks along a scenic coastal trail near Bixby Bridge in Big Sur with dramatic cliffs and ocean views.
Dramatic coastal cliffs along Big Sur meet turquoise waves with orange ice plant in the foreground and mountains in the distance.
A couple in white outfits share an intimate moment among towering redwood trees in a sunlit forest.
A black and white photograph showing layers of tulle wedding dress fabric and elegant heels on a stone surface.
A couple enjoys a scenic hike along a coastal cliff trail overlooking the Pacific Ocean on a sunny afternoon.
Golden sunset illuminates rolling hills covered in wild grass and silhouetted trees against a warm orange sky.
Couple embraces on rocky coastal shore at sunset near crashing waves and cliffs.
Scenic waterfall cascades down rugged coastal cliffs into misty Pacific Ocean as sunlight filters through evergreen trees.
Long tables set for a intimate wedding at Wind and Sea Estate with white tablecloths on a scenic coastal cliff overlooking the ocean.
Sunlight streams through a natural rocky arch formation over turbulent ocean waves crashing against coastal rocks.
A elopement couple poses on a scenic trail overlooking the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge in Big Sur, California.
A couple embraces on their wedding day in an outdoor garden setting wearing a navy suit and white gown.
A couple in wedding attire walking along a coastal path at sunset, casting long shadows against the ground.
An oceanside wedding ceremony setup on a cliff overlooking the Pacific coast with tall trees framing the view.
A romantic outdoor photo of a couple embracing in a white dress and light colored shirt among sunlit trees and foliage.
Ocean waves crash against rocky coast viewed through silhouetted tree branches along a scenic coastal overlook.
A lone figure stands on rocky tide pools with rugged coastal cliffs and crashing waves at a scenic California beach.
Diamond engagement ring nestled in blue ring box surrounded by blooming purple wildflowers in a garden setting.
An elopement couple poses together at sunset on a coastal cliff overlooking the big sur coastline in wedding attire.
A white calla lily flower blooms against dark green foliage in an artistic macro photograph.
A romantic couple embraces on rocky coastal cliffs during golden hour sunset as ocean waves crash behind them.

READY TO SAY I DO?

We help couples tie the knot in some of the most breathtaking locations on the California coast. we’re here to capture every moment and make your dream wedding a reality!
Two hikers stand on rocky terrain by a frozen lake with snow-capped mountain peaks rising dramatically in the background.

Why us?


We've been working in the wedding industry for most of our careers, whether its bartending weddings, serving, coordinating,  planning, or photographing we've worked hundreds (maybe thousands?) of weddings and know them in and out. We've carved out our own path by combining that industry knowledge with our passion for the outdoors, travel, and photography.


By combining the knowledge of the weddings, Big Sur, and travel, we are an elopement dream team that makes wedding planning stresses melt away.



Contact us below!

Wind and Sea Wedding Photographer

What's next?

 

The Plan:


After receiving your inquiry We'll reach out via email to schedule a time when we can meet. This allows time to get to know each other and discuss some details about your day. After that, I'll send out a contract for both of us to sign and then collect a 50% deposit OR we can set up a payment plan.


Once all this is done, your date is officially on our books! We then help plan your elopement day to be exactly what you want.


The Day:


With all the preparations in place, you can sit back, relax, and savor the beautiful day you've been dreaming of.  


We will meet you at your hotel, campground, or a specified pin and Maddie and I will start capturing every magical moment to ensure the memories last a lifetime.


The Memories:


Knowing that every couple is eager to see what we have captured, we'll send you some highlights of the day within 24 hours. A full gallery will follow 6 weeks after that. If I finish editing your gallery sooner, I will not hesitate to send it to you earlier.


You'll be able to download your photos in high res, share the photos with anyone you want, and order prints straight from your gallery.

White hand-drawn feather sketch with delicate details and wispy edges on black background.
Gray vintage logo design with fern leaf motifs and text reading Finch & Penn Photo Co on black background.

 

About

 

 

portfolio

 

 

Offerings

 

 

testamonials

 

 

Contact

 

A digital illustration of a crow or raven with dark plumage and a long beak in profile against a gray-blue circular background.