California is one of the most perfect places to elope. It’s the heart of the west coast, every corner has hidden gems waiting to be explored and can serve as a backdrop for your elopement. It has endless beaches, quaint coastal towns, thriving desert landscapes, and mountain ranges full of wonder.
The west coast states of California, Oregon, and Washington have become synonymous with eloping because of its natural beauty. Couples from all over have come to California specifically to elope and have an adventurous wedding day. We have been fortunate enough to help so many couples elope in California, so if you have questions — we’re here to help!
"Having a “traditional” wedding was our attempt to please lots of other people... Eloping allowed us to make the day truly just about us and what we both hold most dear."
-Audrey + Kate
"We want to enjoy each other's company without the stress of a showy wedding... We would like to share some time together doing what we enjoy most, going on an adventure."
-Karina + Gabriel
Hi! I’m Sienna, born and raised in California, and I’ve been a professional wedding and elopement photographer since 2010. I started off my profession shooting traditional weddings where the hectic nature of a wedding taught me to quickly adapt to any situation. My love for working with couples led me to seek out a more intimate way of photographing such a sacred event for two people. So many of the couples I had worked with were happy to get married, but felt overwhelmed on their wedding day to the point that they were ready for it to be over. So, I transitioned to elopement photography where couples could focus on each other and go at their own pace!
A little about me: I have an infant son, a wonderful + supporting husband Christopher, and two kitties. I love hiking, dancing, gaming, and vegan food!
Consider me your elopement day BFF, personal trail navigator, and relationship hype woman: here to be not only your California elopement photographer but to help with locations, vendors, and your California elopement timeline but to help with locations, vendors, the planning process and your California elopement timeline!
Proud to be a Latina woman and LGBTQ-owned business that celebrates inclusivity + diversity.
When you consider eloping, you’re likely posed with certain questions and considerations. Where to begin?!
That’s why we’ve committed to being more than just California elopement photographers, we’re also there to help guide you through as much of the process as you need! After all; the most important part of your day should be enjoying it with your partner.
We help you:
- Location scout (what are your “must haves” for your California elopement?) We help put together a list of spots for you to choose from!
- Create a timeline for your elopement day
- Navigate any permits and laws surrounding your big day
- Find an officiant (or handle the officiant paperwork for you)
- Source vendors like hair, makeup, florists, where to stay, and more
- Answer any and all questions about eloping!
We are dedicated to helping you create the perfect elopement day in California. We’ve helped couples live out their dream weddings with our passion for documenting love stories, hiking experience, and invaluable knowledge that comes with being in the world of eloping! That leaves you and your partner to enjoy an effortless day to focus on yourselves adventuring together, and let us capture your California elopement in a way that truly showcases your love.
We specialize in adventure, destination, and elopement photography.
Click here to read more about us!
We believe in keeping things simple. Our pricing and packages reflect this approach and help us to ensure that each couple gets the same level of care without upselling you on a package by package level of pricing.
We always offer two photographers (Sienna + James in Washington + Oregon, or Sienna + Josh in California), all edited images with print rights (with no limits on how many images we deliver), personalized location suggestions, vendor recommendations, and support through the whole process. To see a full breakdown of our pricing and our most frequently asked questions, you can find that on our FAQ & investment page.
We have been fortunate enough to shoot the most scenic areas of California and when we work with you + your partner, we are so stoked to share all the hidden gems with you! But for those just beginning your journey, here are some of the top places in California to consider for your wedding day!
California is an elopement heaven to anyone wanting to use the beach or coastline as part of their day. If California is synonymous with anything, it’s the beach culture and the major cities located just off the coast.California is an elopement heaven to anyone wanting to use the beach or coastline as part of their day. If California is synonymous with anything, it’s the beach culture and the major cities located just off the coast.
Big Sur offers a balance between immersion with nature with proximity to lovely accommodations and nearby activities. A quick trip on the 1 freeway from Carmel by the Sea and Monterey, Big Sur is miles of rocky coastlines that change with every bend. Trails are abundant in this corridor which offer plenty of options to switch up the view.
Santa Barbara is a favorite of ours as it’s one of the most beautiful places in all of California. Couples looking to elope have plenty of options here and even some great options for intimate/micro weddings.
The Santa Barbara courthouse is an iconic historical building with its mission style architecture and abundant spots for pictures. There’s the mural room, a special room you can rent out for your ceremony, which is a vibe of its own. The grounds of the courthouse are very well maintained with a huge variety of plant life and architectural gems that make it feel timeless. Inside the courthouse are sprawling hallways of tile, spiral staircases, and a view from atop the clock that looks out across the city and coast.
California has many deserts but Joshua Tree and Death Valley are our favorites. We know what you’re thinking; deserts are hot and void of any life. Well, not exactly. Let us explain.
Joshua Tree has a huge and sophisticated ecosystem that goes beyond endless sand. In fact, while there’s no shortage of sand there are also tons of giant rock formations carved over time to make for an out of this world experience. The Joshua Tree’s themselves are beautiful and plentiful, surrounded by the cacti and fauna that this unique area supports. Depending on the time of year the temperatures can be hot, cold, or just right.
Death Valley is maybe an unexpected elopement site for some, but it has some killer views. The flatlands give expansive views backed by mountains for an epic backdrop. The colorful ridges show just how involved nature can be in the most remote areas. The sand dunes and valleys will have you feeling like you just got put on the set of a movie.
California is a very big state with so much to offer. The benefit of having us as part of your team is that we’ve traversed the state from top to bottom many times over and are passionate about the locations here. Our time spent traveling has led us to discover places off the beaten path that are just as stunning as the others on our list. But for these hidden gems, we make sure to help keep them protected.
Check out some of our most recent elopements in California on our blog. Read about the adventures of our couples, how we made the day happen, and gather some inspiration for your own California elopement.