Weddings in Carmel

Carmel is famous as a premiere wedding destination and hosts both opulent, private estate formal events and intimate, beachside affairs of the heart. Many hotels and restaurants have banquet facilities and have relationships with wedding planners, officiates, florists, dress designers, hair and spa salons and are happy to assist you in your time of need. Many of the local shops carry couture designer gowns and accessories for the bridal party or the guest attending. You will also be able to find that one-of-a-kind ring or you can drop by Tiffany's in Carmel Plaza on Ocean Ave for that traditional item to celebrate your blissful moment in time.

Brides can choose from country elegance at the Bernardus Lodge to the beach wedding overlooking Bird Rock, or high above the crashing waves at Wedding Rock. Carmel beach, Big Sur cliffs, Pacific Grove’s Lover’s Cove & Pacific Coast Church’s sanctuary on the Monterey Bay are some of the world’s most beautiful wedding spots. Special 'wedding' packages are available at many of the spa resorts such as the Pebble Beach resort in Carmel Valley, as well as, Clint Eastwood's newly developed resort, Tehama. From Mission Ranch's rustic elegance to La Playa Hotel's historic stately presence, you will have a variety of styles to choose from for your special day. All of these luxury properties have world-renown restaurants that cater the best that Carmel can offer. Many venues offer spa services and ultimate experiences in the natural surroundings of Redwood and Pine forests or atop rugged, wind-swept cliffs with endless views of the Big Sur coastline. Be sure and plan ahead if you are celebrating with family and friends or if you prefer just you two, you can find all you will need in this accommodating village by the sea.

You may also prefer to host your special day at a local winery as several in the Carmel area have 'wedding coordinators' to help you plan and choose your look and style. Wine weddings have become popular and estates such as Chateau Julien Estate offer verdant vineyards, tasting room and wine cask facilities with a coordinator on staff to make your party complete. You can choose from a rustic French outdoor feel at Georis Winery and Corkscrew, their signature-adjoining restaurant, to Bernardus' outdoor vineyards for your wedding service and/or wine reception for the ultimate experience of Carmel Valley.

Monterey Bay Weddings
Old Monterey has many adobe locations that can be elegant alternatives to a wedding or bridal event for your special day. Be sure and book in advance as many are small and have limited dates. Locations with historical significance also host many local celebrations such as Christmas in the Adobes so scheduling your ceremony and reception around holidays has to be given special consideration in booking.

The many larger hotels on the Wharf area and smaller, boutique hotels have full bridal services and can arrange everything from ceremony to reception. All bridal or wedding services can be arranged on the Monterey Peninsula and all have suggestions for good planning and are helpful to the bride in making this a special experience for the newly wed.

Big Sur Weddings
Big Sur weddings run from the barefoot couple on the white sand beach to the opulent elegance of a private event overlooking the crashing waves against the rugged coastline of this magical and scenic area of Northern California. The posh resorts of Big Sur offer everything from catering to spa treatments for your bridal or honeymoon needs. Fine dining is exceptional, as is, the local cuisine such as the Big Sur Bakery which offers its fare on a daily basis. No visit to Big Sur would be complete without stopping at the breath-taking watering spot of Nepenthe which is rich in history from the days of Henry Miller and the many artists, poets and philosophers of days past.

Post Ranch Inn
Ventana Inn
Pfeiffer Beach
Andrew Molera State Park
Nepenthe Restaurant
Deejen's Big Sur Inn
Highland's Inn
Tickle Pink Inn
Julia Pfeiffer State Park
The Church in the Forest
Carmel Valley Weddings
As popular as Carmel and Big Sur, is Carmel Valley's many exquisite choices for your bridal, wedding or anniversary event. Several of the resorts have special coordinators for your special event and are wine properties that can arrange your ceremony in a vineyard or wine cask room.

Some of the exceptional choices for your Carmel Valley celebration are:

Bernardus Lodge
Chateau Julien Wine Estate
Gardiner’s Ranch
Carmel Valley Ranch
Georis Winery & Corkscrew Restaurant
Holly Farms
Pasadera Country Club
Los Laurelis Lodge
Rancho Canada
Pacific Grove Weddings
Located between the Pacific Ocean and the Del Monte Forest on the rugged rocky shores overlooking Monterey Bay, the beautiful Victorian village of Pacific Grove offers an unparalleled setting for coastal weddings. One well-known outdoor wedding destination is the famed Lover’s Point Park, which almost always features panoramic ocean and village views. Another popular option is 107 protected acres of beaches and forests at the Asilomar Conference Grounds. In addition to traditional weddings, non-denominational unions and unique spiritual ceremonies can be facilitated at the Pacific Coast Church, which boasts a naturally lit sanctuary, a spacious reception room and striking gardens. Pacific Coast Church is within walking distance of the water’s edge, Lover’s Point Park and the “Monarch Butterfly” Village. Fine dining, bridal services and shops providing for all your wedding needs are also located within walking distance of this Pacific Grove wedding location.

Pacific Coast Church
Asilomar Resort
Pebble Beach Weddings
Some of the best chefs of the Monterey Peninsula practice their culinary magic at Pebble Beach restaurants. World-class events bring gourmets from around the world to sample the tastes of Pebble Beach's finest dining establishments. From the Pebble Beach Lodge's fine collection of restaurants to Inn at Spanish Bay and into the forests of Pacific Grove, you will find every palate will be pleased by the array of talent and epicurian flavors available in and around Pebble Beach, which is why many brides pick these locations for their grand affairs of the heart.

The backdrop of the expansive Pacific Ocean against the rugged pine cliffs and sprawling greens of the world's finest golf, you can picture the awesome beauty of the Pebble Beach wedding and reception. Private estates that are fully furnished are available for the affair and for the honeymoon couple's private time on the Monterey Peninsula. With every sport, spa, shopping, wine and fine dining experience at your fingertips, no wonder many brides and grooms choose to begin their life together, in the grand style of a Pebble Beach wedding event.

Pebble Beach Company offers these locations and fine dining options for events of all types:

Inn at Spanish Bay
The Lodge at Pebble Beach
The Stillwater Bar & Grill
The Beach Club
Roy's Restaurant
Peppole's