Loading...
Get Married at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park 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.
Big Sur · Self-Book Venue Guide
Can you get married at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park?
Yes. A Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park micro wedding is one of the most rewarding self-book ceremonies in Big Sur, you handle the permit, and the setting does the rest. Capacity is up to 50 guests.
Big Sur restaurants are limited and fill quickly. Make dinner reservations the same day you book your permit, especially if you're planning a weekend before or after Memorial Day.
In brief
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park micro wedding: book it yourself with a permit, keep it to 50 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 50
Guests for an intimate ceremony at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. We usually recommend 20–30 for the best experience in this kind of setting.
How to book
Permit required
Two permit tiers: Elopement permit (10 people or fewer, including all vendors), approximately $425; Standard permit (11+ people), contact the park for current pricing. A $75 rush fee applies if requested less than 45 days out.
Lead time
Plan ahead
Only one Special Event Permit is issued per day in the Big Sur Sector. No event permits are issued on weekends (Friday–Sunday) from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, or on any holiday weekend.
Good to know
Bring it in
Big Sur restaurants are limited and fill quickly. Make dinner reservations the same day you book your permit, especially if you're planning a weekend before or after Memorial Day.
How to book
How to book Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park for your ceremony
The exact process, sourced from the permit office and verified by our team.
1
Step 1
Email BigSurEvents@parks.ca.gov or call (831) 667-0507 to begin your Special Event Permit application. The official page is parks.ca.gov/?page_id=29834.
2
Step 2
Two permit tiers: Elopement permit (10 people or fewer, including all vendors), approximately $425; Standard permit (11+ people), contact the park for current pricing. A $75 rush fee applies if requested less than 45 days out.
3
Step 3
Only one Special Event Permit is issued per day in the Big Sur Sector. No event permits are issued on weekends (Friday–Sunday) from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, or on any holiday weekend.
4
Step 4
Applications accepted up to 1 year in advance. Minimum 30 days before your event date. Your permit specifies an exact designated location.
From the Team
Things the permit office won’t tell you
OLW tip
Pfeiffer Beach is a 10-minute drive from the park and offers purple sand and sea stacks, one of the most distinctive ceremony backdrops on the California coast. It's a separate CA State Parks reservation but we love combining the two.
OLW tip
The no-weekend-in-summer rule actually works in couples' favor. Weekday Big Sur ceremonies are quieter and more intimate. Thursday or Monday are ideal.
OLW tip
Big Sur has no cell service. Have a physical map and meeting point for guests. Inform vendors in advance.
Where to go for dinner after
A couple of favorites near Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park for celebrating once the ceremony’s done.
Big Sur Roadhouse
Casual and excellent, Gulf Coast-inspired cooking, wood-fired grill
5 min drive from Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn
Cliff-edge dining with ocean views, private dining 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 ParkRoberts Regional Recreation AreaBrazilian Room at Tilden Regional State Park
Questions
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park wedding questions, answered
Do I need a permit to get married at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park?
Yes. Email BigSurEvents@parks.ca.gov or call (831) 667-0507 to begin your Special Event Permit application. The official page is parks.ca.gov/?page_id=29834. Email BigSurEvents@parks.ca.gov or call (831) 667-0507 to begin your Special Event Permit application. The official page is parks.ca.gov/?page_id=29834.
How many guests can I have at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park?
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park accommodates up to 50 guests for a ceremony. Our Little Wedding recommends keeping it at or under 50 for a comfortable, intimate micro wedding at this site.
How far in advance do I need to book Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park?
Email BigSurEvents@parks.ca.gov or call (831) 667-0507 to begin your Special Event Permit application. The official page is parks.ca.gov/?page_id=29834. We recommend starting the process at least 6–8 weeks before your date, or earlier for peak summer weekends.
What can I bring to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, chairs, decor, flowers?
Big Sur restaurants are limited and fill quickly. Make dinner reservations the same day you book your permit, especially if you're planning a weekend before or after Memorial Day. 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
Big Sur River photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
