A Carmel Wedding at Hyatt Carmel Highlands
Carmel is one of those places that just works for a wedding. It has some of the most iconic hotels on this stretch of coast, a coastline that photographs itself, Big Sur right next door, and weather that tends to stay cool and comfortable almost no matter when you book your date.
Long before I ever photographed a wedding here, I was going to Carmel as a kid with my parents. We used to stop at a little Italian deli, I honestly can’t remember the name anymore, and I don’t think it’s even there anymore either, and get our favorite sandwiches to take to a park nearby. Carmel was usually one stop on a bigger loop: Monterey for the aquarium, Santa Cruz for the boardwalk, all up and down Highway 1. So getting to photograph a wedding here isn’t just work in a pretty location for me, it’s a place I have real history with.
Portraits at Garrapata State Park
The wedding started at a friends house along the Cabrillo Highway, the local name for this stretch of Highway 1. The couple got ready there and did their first look right on the property before heading out for portraits.
From there, we drove out to Garrapata State Park, specifically Gate 6, for bridal party and couple portraits. It was an extremely windy day, and because it was a weekend, there were many hikers out on the trail with us. Every single one of them was genuinely kind about sharing the space and staying out of the shots. It’s a stretch of coastline that doesn’t need much help looking good in a photograph.
The bride had brought a white parasol with her, along with an idea of putting her veil over it. We went with it for a few editorial, fashion-forward portraits. That was entirely her idea, and even with the wind working against us, the photos turned out amazing. If anything, the wind ended up being kind of a blessing in disguise. Instead of fighting it, we played with it.
The Ceremony and Reception at Hyatt Carmel Highlands
The ceremony and reception both happened at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands. The hotel is set on the cliffs above the coastline with its own viewpoint looking out over the water. Carmel tends to be overcast, so a sunny, cool day like this one is something to appreciate rather than assume you’ll get. The ceremony took place on the property, moved into cocktail hour, and then everyone headed upstairs to the main dining room for the reception.
That reception room is all windows, which is a big part of why the light in there is so good, and it’s also worth knowing about if you’re planning a day here. On a warm day, that room heats up fast, and depending on the time of day, some of the light can go into backlit territory. This particular wedding was designed with so much color and character that it more than held its own against all that light and glass. It made for one of the better-looking reception rooms I’ve photographed in a while.
Planning a Wedding at Hyatt Carmel Highlands
The Hyatt Carmel Highlands sits on Highlands Drive above the coastline and has been hosting weddings for around a century. The outdoor Wedding Deck is redwood with glass railings and ocean views, and holds up to 150 seated guests. Indoor reception space also holds up to 150 seated, with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the cliffs. Rental fees run $3,500 to $19,000 depending on the space and package, meals run $165 and up per person, beverage packages run $110 to $130 per person for five hours of service, and there’s a 22% service charge on top of that. The venue also offers a smaller elopement package for 2 to 20 guests. Confirm current pricing and availability directly with the venue, since these numbers can change.
Garrapata State Park is organized into numbered gates along Highway 1, generally marking trailheads and parking areas, and Gate 6 is one of them. It’s public land, so plan around regular park visitors and parking that can fill up fast on weekends if you want portraits there as part of your day.
Where to Stay for a Carmel Wedding
There aren’t many other large hotels immediately in Carmel itself. A few well-known options in and around Carmel and the Big Sur corridor are Mission Ranch and Cypress Inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Further south toward Big Sur, there’s Ventana, Treebones Resort, and Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn.
One thing worth knowing if you’re pointing guests toward a short-term rental, as of early 2026, short-term rentals under 30 days are restricted or banned in Carmel-by-the-Sea and in unincorporated Monterey County. This covers the Highlands and much of the Big Sur coastline. Your guests should plan on hotels and inns in the immediate area rather than counting on Airbnb.
Monterey, about 15 minutes away, has more hotel options. A few worth knowing: InterContinental The Clement Monterey and Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, both on the water. Portola Hotel & Spa downtown, within walking distance of restaurants. Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa for larger groups. Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa and Spindrift Inn for something smaller and more boutique.
If you want to turn the whole trip into a weekend, Santa Cruz is about 45 minutes north. It’s actually the one nearby city where a short-term rental is still a realistic option, though supply is limited, so book early. It also has its own boardwalk and beach town feel, if your guests want a change of pace. It’s the same boardwalk I grew up visiting as a kid.
And if anyone in your group wants to make more of a trip out of it, Carmel Valley has a real wine country scene close by, with tasting rooms like Bernardus Winery and Joullian Vineyards. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is worth the visit too. Both are within about 45 minutes, good options for anyone extending their stay into a full vacation weekend.
Thinking About a Carmel Wedding?
I’d love to come back here. If you book my full-day package for a wedding in the Carmel area, I’ll add film coverage on top of it at no extra charge.
Inquire about your Carmel wedding
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a wedding at Hyatt Carmel Highlands cost? Rental fees run $3,500 to $19,000 depending on the space and package, with meals starting around $165 per person and beverage packages running $110 to $130 per person for five hours. Confirm current pricing directly with the venue.
Can I stay in an Airbnb near Carmel for my wedding? It’s genuinely limited. As of early 2026, Carmel-by-the-Sea, unincorporated Monterey County, and the City of Monterey all restrict or ban short-term rentals under 30 days. Santa Cruz, about 45 minutes away, is the one nearby city where a short-term rental is still realistically available, though supply there is limited too.
Can I get wedding portraits at Garrapata State Park? Yes. The park is organized into numbered gates along Highway 1 that mark trailheads and parking areas. It’s public land, so plan around other visitors, especially on weekends.
Do you shoot Carmel weddings on film or digital? This particular wedding was shot entirely on digital. Film can also be added to coverage, see the full film guide linked below.
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My photography is a blend of art, experience, and instinct, a little bit of this, a little bit of that. It started 22 years ago, the first time I stepped into a darkroom, a moment that sparked a lifelong pull toward capturing the world through a lens. That pull eventually led me into the fine art space, collaborating with artists, managing studios, and working alongside galleries and museums, studying art and photography through both undergraduate and graduate school, where my aesthetic developed under the influence of critical theory and contemporary art. I found myself drawn to the intersection of documentary photography and the spontaneous, unfiltered moments of real life. My goal has always been the same: images that are raw, honest, and deeply human.
I founded Teresa LoJacono Photography in 2013, and started experimenting with wedding photography in 2019, on purpose, and differently than what I’d been trained to expect from the industry. Travel plays a huge role in my creative process too, I find inspiration in the unfamiliar, letting light, movement, and emotion guide my eye. With a camera in hand, everything becomes a canvas and a chance to catch what’s actually happening, not what’s staged for it. If there’s one belief that’s driven all of it, it’s this: have fun, and let it be what it’s going to be. I’ll be there to catch whatever happens.
