Carmel is famous as a premiere wedding destination and hosts both opulent, private estate formal events and intimate, beach-side 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 Mission Inn 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 and 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 resorts to Bernardus Resort in Carmel Valley and Quail Lodge, as well as, Clint Eastwood's newly developed resort, Tehama. From Mission Ranch's country 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 private homes such as "Stonepine" in Carmel Valley have hosted Brooke Shields and Andre Agassi's wedding party complete with private helicopter service from Monterey airport. 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 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:

• Quail Lodge & Golf Resort
• Bernardus Lodge
• Carmel Valley Ranch
• Georis Winery & Corkscrew Restaurant
• Holly Farms
• Holman Ranch
• Stonepine
• Pasadera Country Club
• Los Laurelis Lodge
• Rancho Canada
• Fine Dining in Carmel

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.

• The Lodge at Pebble Beach
• The Stillwater Bar & Grill
• The Beach Club
• Roy's Restaurant
• Peppole's