Inspiration: Big Sur
Marina Voloshina
"This is the California that men dreamed of years ago, this is the Pacific that Balboa looked out on from the Peak of Darien, this is the face of the earth as the Creator intended it to look."
-Henry Miller
Big Sur has been on my travel list for some time and this summer I finally got a change to fly out to Long Beach, where I met my good friend Lauren, and we set out along Highway 1. As we drove the landscape transformed from golden rolling hills to sheer cliffs and dense forests. Our first stop was Lucia Lodge, a small no frills hotel with the most breathtaking views.
The misty sky and coastal mountains were the perfect backdrop to the Annabelle dress. The floral embroidery blended with the serenity of the natural landscape while the tulle skirt beautifully caught the breeze. It was easy to imagine the magic of a sunset ceremony with the Pacific ocean as your backdrop.
The following day was spent at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, where a short hike will take you to the iconic view of McWay Falls.
Point Lobos State Preserve was another worthwhile stop with tide pools and hiking trails along the rocky coastline. The patches of indigenous wildflowers looked as if they were purposely arranged to complement the landscape. Subtle pinks, splashes of yellow, and green succulents would be perfect inspiration for capturing the effortless beauty of the coast.
After stopping in Carmel, we made our way back south and took a small detour from HWY 1 to discover the quirky charm of Harmony, Ca (pop. 18). The town is just a small handful of buildings that have been preserved in their rustic state. There's a wedding chapel, garden, pottery and glass shops, and some great photo ops-basically everything you need for an intimate, nature-filled wedding.
