I always feel extra lucky when adventurous people ask me to photograph their wedding in far off places. Okay, maybe the California Coast isn’t a ‘far-off place’ but it is one of the most amazing places in the world and the setting of Conor and Katherine’s Elopement.
Conor + I met years ago doing the College Program at Disneyland. I got to meet Katherine on a video call about a year ago and was taken by her bubbly and kind-hearted nature. The two are national parks enthusiasts and love exploring. They wanted their wedding day to be an intimate celebration in Big Sur.
Getting ready, a beautiful first look and ceremony took place at a rented home in Carmel-by-the-Sea. I always recommend unique Airbnb or vacation homes as they are unique, spacious and usually cost as much as hotels. Makeup by MUAH , based in Carmel.
The wedding guest list was small, a true micro-wedding of just parents. The couple embraced a few Scottish and Irish traditions. Katherine wore a sixpence coin in her right shoe, to summon good luck on the Wedding day. Conor’s parents gifted the two with traditional silver coins, one being in the year the bride was born. Succulent bouquet and boutonnieres from Euuca Floral. Their cake celebrated the skyline of their city, San Francisco, and was made from pure butter by Butter&.
After the ceremony, we drove to Garrapata for a few family photos. The bride and groom and I then continued on our planned itinerary down to Pfieffer State Park.
I live for adventures like this. Each stop held it’s own bits of wonder. The two were so carefree and Katherine was beaming all day. My favorite moment was back at Garrapata State Park for sunset. As we strolled through the trails we started to talk about Broadway shows. Sweeny Todd and Hamilton chatter while I directed the two under the glowing coastal sky. It’s the little moments that make what I do so special and couples like this that make my job easy.
Press play to hear the song Katherine walked down the aisle to and enjoy some of my favorites from this day.
