Big Sur Elopement & Micro Wedding Photographer

For couples looking to have a beautiful experience on their own terms

Photograph 3R8A2262 from Anna Perlman’s Upwork collection

From Coastal Cliffs to Redwood Forests

You already know the experience is what matters most. You also know that a traditional wedding and all of the expectations that go with it are not for you. You’re craving a way to celebrate that feels fresh, unique, and authentic to who you are as a couple.

Maybe that looks like exchanging private vows on a cliff overlooking the ocean with the wind in your hair. Maybe it’s driving down highway 1 and pulling off the road to explore different viewpoints and trails with each other, enjoying the spa or the pool at your hotel, or having a dinner party at a nice restaurant in Carmel with your favorite people.

Turning these ideas into a real wedding day that feels natural can be overwhelming, but you don’t need to have it all figured out. Whatever you’re envisioning, I'm here to help you bring it to life!

Couple kissing in the redwoods in Big Sur
Holding hands on a cliff in front of the ocean in Big Sur

Why Big Sur is The Perfect Place to Elope or Have a Micro Wedding

Big Sur is so fun because there are so many experiences you can have in one region. There’s a variety of landscapes like dramatic oceanside cliffs, moody redwood forests, quiet beaches, and the iconic highway 1 that allows you to weave your way through all of it.

The region is also built for privacy and seclusion with limited cell service and beautiful coves and trails that are tucked away, which make intimate celebrations feel so natural.

And while Big Sur certainly has a rustic vibe to it, there are actually a lot of upscale accommodation and dining options in the area.

It’s perfect for couples who are looking to:

  • Be fully immersed in nature but still want a king bed, shower, and maybe a spa treatment at the end of the day.
  • Have an elevated micro wedding reception or celebration with their closest people.
  • Combine their elopement and their honeymoon into one trip!
Anna Perlman holding her camera beside coastal rocks

Hey, I'm Anna!

Your Big Sur elopement and micro wedding photographer

In addition to photographing your day, I also help you design and plan it so the whole experience is seamless. I’ll take your ideas, your personalities, your likes and dislikes, and combine them with my expert knowledge of eloping in Big Sur to plan a day that is exciting, realistic, and unique to you.

I'm your planning partner, adventure guide, and the friend you text for the best restaurant recommendation in a city you've never been to. Need the trailhead with the best view for your vows? I'll have three in mind. Need the best glass of wine after? Already know the spot.

That same instinct shapes your whole day — the hike, the backup-weather plan, the small timing decisions all get the same care as knowing the best coffee order to have waiting for you at 6am before a sunrise hike. I want you focused on each other, not managing logistics. The result is a day that actually feels like you, and a gallery that pulls you right back into it.

Get To Know Me

When you work with me you'll get beautiful photos but you'll also get

elopement ceremony on a cliff in Big Sur

In Depth Planning Assistance:

I’ll create a custom timeline for your elopement or micro wedding that flows naturally and gives you space to feel present, enjoy the experience, and soak it all in. Activities or places that are important to you, the best lighting, distance between locations, and other logistics will all be taken into consideration.

Location Scouting & Activity Recommendations:

Whether you’re wanting ocean views, desert landscapes, city lights, mountains or anything else Big Sur has to offer I’ll help you find the best locations for your elopement. I’ll also give you ideas for how to spend your time in these locations so that your elopement is a full experience and not just a ceremony and some photos. If you’re looking to have a micro wedding celebration then I’ll help you find venues that can fit your guest count too.

Couple embracing underneath the vail on a cliff in Big Sur
Couple jumping on a cliff in Big Sur next to the ocean

Permits & Logistics:

If you want to have your ceremony outside a permit is likely needed. Understanding state/national park rules and regulations can be overwhelming and time consuming so you can rely on me to guide you through the process and make sure nothing is missed. I’ll help you navigate all of these boring logistics in a way that feels super manageable.

Vendor Reccomendations:

I’ll provide you with a list of trusted vendors that align with your vision so you can close out of your endless Google searches!

Back-Up Plans:

Part of planning support is having back up plans in place in case there is bad weather or another unexpected disruption. I’ll have plans B and C in my back pocket ready to go so that you never have to scramble or feel stressed.

Kind words

“Her photos are so dreamy and she is so talented and sweet!”

“Anna was a dream to work with start to finish, she made our elopement planning so easy and stress free. She did a beautiful job capturing our day at Garrapata state park over the cliffs and on the beach. Her photos are so dreamy and she is so talented and sweet! We 1000% reccomend her to anyone thinking about eloping.”

Jhona & Cameron
Big Sur wedding and elopement photograph 18 by Anna Perlman

Every package also comes with film.

I actually started my photography journey shooting exclusively on film and film is still a big part of my creative process! Every package includes a few rolls of film that will be seamlessly integrated into your gallery.

Film has a beautiful way of capturing color, tone, texture, and light. Film photos have a depth and emotional quality that is hard to replicate on digital, and using film requires a very intentional approach since you can’t easily recreate a shot. These are some of the reasons I love including film in every gallery.

Examples of film photos are below.

Every Experience Includes

  • Coverage ranging from 4 hours to multiple days.
  • Questionnaires and unlimited planning calls and communication to create your highly personalized dream day.
  • Permit assistance and location scouting.
  • Vendor and accommodation recommendations.
  • Timeline creation and management.
  • A high resolution professionally edited digital photo gallery that tells the story of your wedding day.
  • Sneak peek photos within 24 hours.
  • All travel fees included.

Starting at $4,500

Choose the experience for you:

Elopements and micro weddings are similar but there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to deciding which route you want to go.

Eloping couple running on the beach in Big Sur

Elopements:

Best for couples who are seeking an intentional experience with flexibility, entirely centered around the two of you. Elopements can include up to 15 guests and start at 4 hours of coverage so there’s time to relax, be present, and have a full experience instead of just a quick ceremony.

micro wedding ceremony in Big Sur

Micro Weddings:

A larger celebration with up to 50 guests and may require a venue for your ceremony, reception, or both.

I recommend full day coverage for a micro wedding so that you are able to have both quality time with each other and with your guests.

Photograph 3R8A1678 from Anna Perlman’s Upwork collection

You can also do both!

A fully private experience with each other earlier in the day and a celebration with guests later. Or you can split this into 2 days if you want more time for both.

This gives you the best of both worlds without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

The process

What it's like to work with me.

Wedding and elopement portfolio photograph 10 by Anna Perlman
Wedding and elopement portfolio photograph 23 by Anna Perlman
01

Let’s Start with a Conversation

Fill out my contact form and we’ll connect over a video call. This gives us a chance to get to know each other a bit, see if we're a good fit to work together, and start talking about some ideas for your day. If you’re ready to move forward you can secure your date and we’ll jump right into planning!

02

Designing Your Experience Together

I’ll take your ideas and help you put them together to form the experience that you’re looking for. I’m here to guide you on locations, timelines, and all the other important details so that the planning process is simple and easy and you can make decisions with confidence.

03

The Big Day!

Once your day arrives you’ll know exactly what to expect so you can be fully present and enjoy the experience from start to finish! I’ll be there to guide you but also give you space, and capture the whole thing so you can remember all the important moments.

Frequently asked questions.

Big Sur wedding and elopement photograph 11 by Anna Perlman
Photograph 3R8A1546 from Anna Perlman’s Upwork collection
Can we include guests?

Of course! Guests are always welcome, however please note that some locations have limits on the number of guests that are allowed. This is something we can discuss in more detail when we dive into planning mode.

When will we receive our photos?

You will receive a handful of sneak peek photos within 24–48 hours of your elopement so you can share the news! A final high resolution gallery will be delivered in 4–6 business weeks.

How many photos will we receive?

I don't have a specific number of photos I deliver every time, but generally you can expect to receive about 50–100 images per hour of coverage.

Are travel fees included?

Yes, all of my travel fees are included in every elopement package!

Can you help us plan from scratch?

Absolutely! You do not need to have anything figured out before reaching out to me. I am happy to help you plan an elopement from scratch based purely on your likes and interests as a couple. I can help with everything from picking the right location, finding other vendors, recommending places to stay nearby, building an entire day around what you like to do and the area, and more!

Do we have to hike or be outdoorsy?

Not at all! Your elopement day can truly be anything you want it to be. Some of my favorite elopements have actually been city elopements. You can also have an all day outdoor elopement in nature with beautiful views that doesn't require much hiking or getting dirty.

Ready to book?

Is this exactly what you've been dreaming of?

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