A Carmel Elopement at Golden Hour: Two Playlists and the Pacific

Getting Ready at Bernardus Lodge

Sam got ready at Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley, vanity mirror, hair and makeup at the lodge, the bouquet laid out nearby: dahlias, anemone, roses, eucalyptus, built from the Pinterest board she'd sent the florist. A video call ran while she got ready, family watching from home. The dress was strapless lace with a long train. Scott was outside in his blue suit and boutonniere, waiting in the garden.

They did their first look on the lodge grounds, in front of a tall green hedge with a pergola behind them. No guests, no processional, just the two of them, the playlists already going, the Carmel Valley hills in the distance.

Vows on the Carmel Coast

They set the ceremony for late afternoon so the light would be at its best, and it was, golden hour on a rocky bluff above the ocean, the officiant facing them, the Pacific behind everyone, the wind moving through Sam's veil the whole time. They exchanged rings, said their vows, and laughed, more than once, during the vows themselves, because that is what happens when two people are that ready.

It was a true elopement: no rows of chairs, no aisle, no crowd. The only witnesses were the officiant, the photographer, and the birds on the rocks below.

“They laughed during the vows, because that is what happens when two people are that ready.”

Portraits Along the Coast

After the vows, they moved along the coastal trail, rock formations, cliffside overlooks, a wooden bench on the hillside looking out at the water. The photo-session playlist took over as the light went warm and the veil caught the wind. Sam held her bouquet. Scott held her hand. They kissed on the rocks with the ocean birds wheeling past.

The session stretched until the sun was low enough to silhouette the horizon. There was no reception to get to, no schedule to keep. For an elopement, that is the whole point, the day belongs entirely to the two of you.