Do you know that feeling when you see something in nature and instantly feel inspired? That was the case for Maddie and Adam, who felt deeply inspired by the beauty of Big Sur!
It was the first road trip we took as a couple, and we knew we wanted to get married there! Its natural beauty mixed with its laid-back vibe was really something that we wanted to incorporate on our wedding day – elegant, but fun and relaxed.
The planners behind Big Sur Weddings helped the happy couple find their dream wedding venue – a private residence perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Every detail was immaculately planned! The DeLauras were the exact photography duo the couple needed to make each photo beautiful and memorable for years to come. Wanna see more? Let’s get into it!
Maddie was an absolute vision in her wedding gown – and there’s a super unique story behind it!
I knew I wanted something that wasn’t super “bridal”. I made an appointment at a wedding dress boutique and arrived with a few ideas in mind, but every dress I tried was just okay. My bridal stylist kind of knew what I was going for and was like ‘Why don’t you come to the Gahlia Lahav flagship store in LA, I am working tomorrow and I think they will have more of what you’re looking for. So, we trekked up to LA on a Saturday and tried on several more dresses. Again, they were just ok. Finally, she pulled one out that she thought I was really going to like. And at this point, I didn’t believe her, haha! But she was right! I put it on and immediately I knew it was the one! It was SO different than the others that I tried on. I walked out and I was like “I think this is the one”!
Perched on a Cliff
Onto the ceremony! Maddie and Adam chose to have an increasingly popular “unplugged” wedding ceremony, where guests are asked to put their phones away to enjoy a more immersive experience.
Processional: Crystal by Stevie Nicks
Recessional: The Best by Tina Turner
First Dance: Beyond by Leon Bridges ft. Luke Combs
These flowers lining the aisle are amazing! The team behind Barefoot Floral designed unique arrangements that didn’t follow the usual cadence of wedding flowers. We’re loving the extra touch of placing them in woven baskets. It’s a boho dream come true!
All eyes were on Maddie and Adam as they said their vows to one another. Oh – and did we talk about these amazing florals hanging from the tree branches?!
Give it up for the bride and groom!
After the ceremony, the married couple ventured onto the rocks to soak in this once-in-a-lifetime moment.
There are two memories that really stand out to me. The first one was after we were done with the ceremony and family pictures, I looked at Kendall, our fabulous photographer, and said “are we done?!” She said “you're done!” and Adam and I took off running up the hill towards all our friends and family. Since we had postponed our wedding an extra year due to COVID, it was like this huge wave of relief came over us and we were so happy to just finally be married! It was like all the planning and waiting was finally worth it!
The second, and most surreal, was sitting on the whalebone bench overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it was like time stood still. There was a whole party and team of vendors behind us working and enjoying cocktail hour yet it seemed like Adam and I were the only two on the whole property. It was magical!
Party Like None Other
It doesn’t get much better than a grazing table – trust us! This beautiful spread crafted by A Taste of Elegance was the perfect snack for guests to much on. The sun umbrellas were a much welcome styling addition!
Subtle boho details, like this egg-shaped rattan chair, were integral to building a cohesive and stylish wedding design.
Spruce up your escort cards with greenery and branches in place of traditional florals!
The days of the anti-tablecloth trend have arrived! More and more couples are opting to show off their wooden table rentals for a more rustic and relaxed feel. Sleek details, like ghost chairs, offer a fresh modern touch to balance out the look.
Talk about mixing and matching trends! The much-beloved shade of terracotta joins forces with a watercolor design method to create this ultra-unique wedding cake.
HAVE FUN, and roll with the punches! Having a wedding in Big Sur is not for the faint of heart. There are mudslides, wildfires, road closures, local ordinances, and insane logistics to deal with. You have to hope and pray those don’t occur during your wedding weekend! Also, it is you and your partner's day, so don’t stress about the little things and don’t worry about impressing other people. Make it all about you and your significant other. After all, nobody will care a month down the road what color your linens were or what song was playing when the bridesmaids walked down the aisle. Oh, and BE NICE to your vendors, they are there for YOU. Your entire planning process will be so much more pleasant if you are cooperative to work with!
If your venue has a noise ordinance after a certain time, look into doing a silent disco. People still talk about how fun that was and how much they enjoyed that part of the reception! I highly recommend!
Congratulations to Maddie and Adam! We wish you endless love and fortune! P.S. If you’re in the mood to shed happy tears – check out their wedding video below!
photography: The DeLauras // venue name: Private Estate, Big Sur, California, USA // event design: Big Sur Wedding By Elegant Events // planning: Big Sur Wedding By Elegant Events // florals: Barefoot Florals // wedding dress: Galia Lahav // bride's shoes: Lulus // bride's ring: Nathan Alan // hair stylist: Julio Martinez // groom attire: Grooms Grotto // groom's shoes: Vans // groom's ring: Thorum // videography: The DeLauras // catering: A Taste of Elegance Catering & Events // cake: Edith Meyer // desserts: Edith Meyer // tabletop rentals: Chic Event Rentals // furniture rentals: Elan Event Rentals // linen rentals: La Tavola // music: Dna Entertainment // cocktails: Pour Girl // getting ready + first look location: Glen Oaks // restroom rentals: Oes Luxury Mobile Restooms // shuttle: Aits // plate rentals: Standard Party Rentals
Congratulations
Finaly! Very happy to see you dreams come true. Many Congratulations both of you.
What a wedding! all natural, the perfect combinaison
Congratulations..