Big Sur California wedding

Alen and Christina’s Big Sur wedding at Henry Miller Library was full of laughter and love…with a sprinkling of Wes Anderson. Based in Palm Springs, these guys had many happy memories of weekends spent along this stunning stretch of coastline—with its open roads leading to jaw-dropping vistas, the sea air, the smell of pine and the exhilarating feeling of being completely surrounded by nature. When it came to choosing a location for their wedding venue, Big Sur was the obvious place.

The Henry Miller Library is an oasis of quirky calm on the coast that feels a bit like it’s frozen in time—a place that makes us say, “Oh THIS is what I imagine of when I think of ‘Big Sur!’” The library was founded in the 1980s by Emil White, a friend of Henry Miller, as a place for creative collaboration where all kinds of magic can happen. It retains its distinctive, beatnik vibe today: if Wes Anderson designed a wedding venue, it might look like this! Alen and Christina worked with their wonderful wedding planner, Sabrina to craft a day that was a totally unique reflection of their love.

Their wedding day dawned peacefully, with the slightest hint of sea-mist hugging the coast. Christina and her bridesmaids began their morning preparations at Glen Oaks Big Sur, while Alen and his groomsmen groomed-up at the Big Sur River Inn. Christina chose a beautiful bohemian wedding dress by Odylyne the Ceremony and a palate of warm autumnal colours for her flowers.

Their moving wedding ceremony took place in the tranquil gardens of the Henry Miller Library in the shade of the magnificent redwood trees. After a moving ceremony, Alen and Christina snuck away from guests to take a few quiet moments by themselves to watch the sun set over the Pacific. We cannot recommend this highly enough! Sunset our favourite time to shoot couples portraits—it’s when you get the softest and most flattering light, but in the joyful whirl of your wedding day it’s also a moment to pause, let it all sink in, and really be present with each other.

After the sun had slipped below the horizon, it was back to the Henry Miller Library for speeches, a delicious feast of paella, and one heck of a party! In a nod to the Wes Anderson vibe of the venue, Alen & Christina had sourced some amazing animal masks which came out to play after dinner. They looked awesome! The super-cool cats from The Cosmo Alleycats kept everyone dancing under the stars late into the night.

Our memories of Alen & Christina’s weekend—the warm and heartfelt welcome that we received from their friends and family, and the epic views that we encountered on our Big Sur road trip—will stay with us for a long time to come. It was a true joy to be part of their special day.