Ventana Big Sur Weddings
Alila Ventana is a luxury resort along the coast of Big Sur, a perfect venue for couples who are drawn to the beauty and adventure of this iconic coastline, but are looking for a unique and romantic way to really elevate their experience. Ventana offers all-inclusive elopement and wedding packages depending on your guest list size. This means in addition to having a space for your ceremony and reception, you get to enjoy the many amenities of the property and experience the full magic of a stay onsite.
Ventana Elopement and Wedding Spaces
Nestled in the heart of Big Sur, Alila Ventana is a place of unmatched beauty, with redwoods, mountains, ocean views, and lush, well-kept plants lining every walkway. The wedding sites on the property are ideal for couples who want to incorporate this natural beauty into their celebration, while keeping their experience unique and elevated. Below you’ll find a brief description and photos of each space and an overview of Ventana’s wedding packages.
Sur Vista
This outdoor stone terrace overlooks the Pacific and provides a beautiful backdrop of mountains and trees. It’s tucked away on the edge of the property away from the main resort so it provides a romantic and private space to share your vows. The lush path leading to the terrace makes a perfect aisle for entering with your family or wedding party. This is also a great space to take portraits or share a first look if you are having your ceremony at another site.
Circle of Life
This quiet little space surrounded by redwoods is ideal for intimate elopements with 10 guests or less. The path to access is short but slightly steep in some areas, so it may not be a good fit for those with mobility concerns. If you’re having your ceremony elsewhere, this spot is also great for just portraits.
Sky Terrace
Sky Terrace is a secluded outdoor space with views of the mountains, forest, and ocean. It’s the perfect spot for an intimate dinner with up to 25 guests.
The Glass House
Perched on the edge of the coast, this intimate space is available for private dinner experiences (up to 12 guests). Views from the outdoor balcony are some of the best that the entire property has to offer. Depending on availability this space may also be reserved for photoshoots and proposals.
Redwoods Cathedral
This large outdoor space is surrounded by trees and provides plenty of room for a ceremony with 80 - 100 guests. If you’re just interested in taking portraits in the redwoods, the Circle of Life feels a bit more magical. This spot is easier to access, though.
Ocean Meadow Lawn
Located at the heart of the resort, this 7000 square foot lawn offers views of both the forest and the ocean. It’s available for property buyouts only and can host ceremonies with up to 175 guests.
Sur House Restaurant Terrace
Sur House is Ventana’s on-site restaurant, complete with a beautiful outdoor dining space with incredible views of the coast. Depending on your guest list size, this area can be used for your reception or cocktail hour.
Ventana’s Elopement and Intimate Wedding Packages
All of Ventana’s wedding packages include a 2 night minimum stay, with the number of required rooms depending on your guest list size. Your ceremony and reception options also depend on your guest list size.
Elopements:
If you’re having a simple elopement with under 10 guests, you can have your ceremony in the redwoods at the Circle of Life or at Sur Vista. Or you can upgrade to a private dinner at the Glass House for an extra fee.
Intimate Weddings:
If your guest list is between 10 and 25, your ceremony and reception spaces with be Sur Vista and Sky Terrace. For weddings with up to 50 guests, Sur Vista will also be your ceremony site, but your reception will be in a larger indoor space called The Loft. Or you can upgrade to a reception at one of the outdoor terrace spaces.
Larger Weddings:
For larger weddings, the Redwoods Cathedral (up to 80 guests) and the Ocean Meadow (up to 175 guests) are available for ceremonies. Receptions are held at the Sur House Terraces. A full property buyout is required for Friday and Saturday dates and still recommended for other days of the week if you are having a wedding of this size.
More details about each package can be found on the official Ventana website.
Ventana Big Sur Wedding and Elopement Photography
A wedding experience at Ventana wouldn’t be complete without a photographer to capture all the memories! I highly recommend working with someone who is familiar with the property and can provide guidance on best lighting and spots for photos. This is something I can personally offer as I’ve visited Ventana as both as a guest and a vendor. Additionally, I have years of experience photographing weddings in Big Sur, throughout all of California, and around the world. My style is a mix of documentary and editorial, which means I focus on capturing candid, authentic moments, while also providing guidance when needed for portraits and more artistic shots.
My photography packages range from a half day of coverage, ideal for a simple elopement, to full wedding weekend coverage to capture all the events and magic of your celebration. Pricing ranges from $7500 to $12k.
Other Vendors for Your Ventana Wedding
While Ventana itself is a stunning property that will provide your accommodation and wedding spaces, you will likely need to bring in a few extra vendors (including a photographer) to round out your day and create the best experience possible. Depending on your vision here’s what I recommend:
Day of coordinator / Planner
Florist
Hair/Makeup Artist
Officiant
Videographer
Musician
Note: A day of coordinator is required for all weddings at Ventana, however, I personally recommend a full service planning and design team if you’re having both your ceremony and reception on-site. In addition to day of coordinating, they will also take care of a lot of the other logistics leading up to the wedding and help you bring a unique vision to life for your wedding day.
Property Amenities & Highlights
Part of the beauty of having your wedding at Ventana is that this is not just a venue! It doubles as your accommodation, which is a luxury in itself, and you get to enjoy all the perks the resort has to offer.
Heated outdoor pools
Japanese Hot Baths
In-room & poolside dining
On-site restaurant
Fitness facilities
Outdoor fire pits
Private hiking trails
Outdoor spa & sauna
Guided wellness focused activities
Where to Start?
Your first step to planning your wedding at Ventana Big Sur should be to reach out to the property to inquire about your desired date and get a quote. Next, you’ll want to book your major vendors! This will be your planner and photographer. From this point, you will likely work closely with them to iron out the other details of your day and finalize the rest of your vendor team.
If you’d like to chat with me about my photography options, you can reach out using the form below!
