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Get Married at Carmel Beach Self-Book Venue Guide
Here's exactly how to get your permit, what it costs, and what to expect, from the Our Little Wedding team.
Carmel · Self-Book Venue Guide
Can you get married at Carmel Beach?
Yes. A Carmel Beach micro wedding is one of the most rewarding self-book ceremonies in Carmel, you handle the permit, and the setting does the rest. Capacity is up to 100 guests.
Carmel-by-the-Sea has no street addresses. Residents navigate by landmarks. Give guests the cross-street nearest your ceremony spot on Scenic Road rather than a numbered address.
In brief
Carmel Beach micro wedding: book it yourself with a permit, keep it to 100 guests or fewer, and bring everything in. We can coordinate the permit, the vendors, and your day if you’d like a hand.
The Details
What to know
Capacity
Up to 100
Guests for an intimate ceremony at Carmel Beach. We usually recommend 20–30 for the best experience in this kind of setting.
How to book
Permit required
Groups of 100 or more (including all event staff) also require a Coastal Development Permit from the City of Carmel Community Planning and Building Department. Contact the city for the current fee.
Good to know
Bring it in
Carmel-by-the-Sea has no street addresses. Residents navigate by landmarks. Give guests the cross-street nearest your ceremony spot on Scenic Road rather than a numbered address.
Ceremony spaces
On the land
Apply for a Beach Event Permit through the City of Carmel Community Activities Department: communityactivities@ci.carmel.ca.us or (831) 620-2020. Permit page: ci.carmel.ca.us/event-permits.
How to book
How to book Carmel Beach for your ceremony
The exact process, sourced from the permit office and verified by our team.
1
Step 1
Apply for a Beach Event Permit through the City of Carmel Community Activities Department: communityactivities@ci.carmel.ca.us or (831) 620-2020. Permit page: ci.carmel.ca.us/event-permits.
2
Step 2
Permit fee: $211 for a standard Beach Event Permit. A permit is required if (a) any paid service provider is involved, caterer, coordinator, officiant, photographer, or any vendor regardless of group size, OR (b) total guest count exceeds 75 people. Small elopements with no vendors and under 75 guests do not require a permit.
3
Step 3
Groups of 100 or more (including all event staff) also require a Coastal Development Permit from the City of Carmel Community Planning and Building Department. Contact the city for the current fee.
4
Step 4
Ceremonies must be held on Scenic Road beach south of 10th Avenue. No tents, canopies, or arches on the beach. No DJ or live bands; sound equipment limited to a 25-foot radius. Alcohol permitted on the beach (not on streets, stairs, or bluffs) between 7 AM and 10 PM. The beach is public, so you cannot cordon off an area.
From the Team
Things the permit office won’t tell you
OLW tip
Carmel Beach is one of California's most reliably gorgeous ceremony spots: white sand, cypress trees framing the bluffs, turquoise water. It photographs beautifully in any light.
OLW tip
Small elopements here (just the two of you + officiant) often don't require a permit at all, one of the few places in California where that's true. Ask us if your setup qualifies.
OLW tip
Dogs are allowed off-leash at Carmel Beach, which is charming, unless you don't want a golden retriever photo-bombing your ceremony. Know your risk.
Where to go for dinner after
A couple of favorites near Carmel Beach for celebrating once the ceremony’s done.
Aubergine at L'Auberge Carmel
Michelin-starred tasting menu, intimate and perfect for a post-ceremony dinner
5 min walk from the beach
Vesuvio
Romantic Italian, Carmel-by-the-Sea, private dining room available
Other self-book venues
More venue guides to explore
A starting point for your shortlist. Every one is a real place we've planned or scouted, permit info, costs, and insider tips inside each guide.
Garrapata State ParkPfeiffer Big Sur State ParkRoberts Regional Recreation Area
Questions
Carmel Beach wedding questions, answered
Do I need a permit to get married at Carmel Beach?
Yes. Groups of 100 or more (including all event staff) also require a Coastal Development Permit from the City of Carmel Community Planning and Building Department. Contact the city for the current fee. Apply for a Beach Event Permit through the City of Carmel Community Activities Department: communityactivities@ci.carmel.ca.us or (831) 620-2020. Permit page: ci.carmel.ca.us/event-permits.
How many guests can I have at Carmel Beach?
Carmel Beach accommodates up to 100 guests for a ceremony. Our Little Wedding recommends keeping it at or under 100 for a comfortable, intimate micro wedding at this site.
How far in advance do I need to book Carmel Beach?
Apply for a Beach Event Permit through the City of Carmel Community Activities Department: communityactivities@ci.carmel.ca.us or (831) 620-2020. Permit page: ci.carmel.ca.us/event-permits. We recommend starting the process at least 6–8 weeks before your date, or earlier for peak summer weekends.
What can I bring to Carmel Beach, chairs, decor, flowers?
Carmel-by-the-Sea has no street addresses. Residents navigate by landmarks. Give guests the cross-street nearest your ceremony spot on Scenic Road rather than a numbered address. Check with the permit office for the current list of allowed and prohibited items for your specific date and location.
You found the spot. Now let's make it happen.
Want us to coordinate the permit, vendors, and your day?
Our packages start at $4,500 for up to 10 guests. You make the calls, venue, photographer, caterer. We coordinate everything else, from the paperwork to the walk-through.
Free consultation · No obligation · We reply within 24 hours
Carmel coast photo: Gregory Ford Henderson, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
