August 11, 2026

An Intimate, Rainy Wind and Sea Estate Wedding in Big Sur | Alyssa and Bailey

Alyssa and Bailey traveled from Texas with their entire family for their Wind and Sea Estate wedding, the iconic cliffside property perched right over the Pacific Ocean in Big Sur. 

Because the venue is known for its dramatic outdoor spaces, the stakes were high when it rained nearly all day. What could have derailed the whole thing turned into one of the most memorable, intimate weddings I’ve been part of.

Bride and groom embracing on the cliffside lawn at Wind and Sea Estate during a rare clear-sky window in their otherwise rainy Big Sur wedding.
Groomsmen gathered on a wooden deck overlooking the Big Sur coastline before the ceremony.
Bride smiling and holding a white bouquet, misty coastal hills behind her on an overcast Big Sur morning.
Bridesmaids first look on a wooden deck toward the bride, with the Pacific Ocean visible beyond the railing.
Bride sitting on the bed in her wedding gown during quiet getting-ready moments, reflected in an oval mirror.
Groomsman laughing while helping the groom adjust his collar during getting-ready moments indoors.

Inside This Wind and Sea Estate Wedding

Wind and Sea Estate sits on roughly six acres of cliffside in Big Sur, right next to McWay Falls, with Pacific Ocean views from nearly every angle of the property. 

It’s family-owned, built to hold onto Big Sur’s wild, remote character rather than smooth it over, and it’s designed for intimate weddings, capped at around 100 guests. 

The main house is modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the ocean, and the grounds are layered with pine, eucalyptus, and succulents down toward the water.

Because it’s remote (about 45 minutes from the nearest beach access, and reached by Highway 1) and because it only sleeps a small group overnight, a Wind and Sea Estate wedding tends to draw couples who want a true destination celebration for their closest people, not a large guest list. 

Alyssa and Bailey’s day, 40 guests who’d flown or driven in from all over, was exactly the kind of celebration this property is built for.

The Pivot

With rain in the forecast most of the day, we made the call to start the ceremony early to catch a rare, one-hour window of clear skies. It paid off completely. 

Alyssa and Bailey got married outside against Wind and Sea’s cliffside backdrop without a hitch, and we even had enough time to get through all of their portraits before the skies opened back up. 

Big Sur weather doesn’t wait for anyone, and that one hour ended up being everything.

Bride twirling on a wooden deck overlooking the ocean, her veil caught in the coastal wind.
Groomsmen standing on a wooden deck under an overcast Big Sur sky, ocean visible below.
Aerial view of the bride and a bridesmaid descending a wooden stairway through the garden.
Bridesmaids helping the bride down stone garden steps, surrounded by greenery
Bride and groom exchanging vows at their Wind and Sea Estate wedding ceremony, the Pacific Ocean stretching out behind them.
Newlyweds waving to guests as they walk across the cliffside lawn after their ceremony.
Bride and groom kissing at the cliffside ceremony amphitheater at Wind and Sea Estate, overlooking the churning Pacific during their brief window of clear skies.
Bride glancing back and laughing while walking hand in hand with the groom through lush garden greenery.

The Wind and Sea Estate Wedding Details

Alyssa stole the show with her styling. She got married in a pair of green floral Tabi boots, which gave the whole look a high-fashion, personal edge against the moody, overcast coastline. It’s the kind of detail that makes a wedding feel unmistakably like the couple who planned it, not like every other cliffside ceremony.

The Intimate Reception

Once the rain moved back in, the reception for their 40 guests and vendors shifted entirely inside the estate’s house. It was a tight squeeze, but it turned out stunning. 

Alyssa and Bailey set up candlelit dining in front of the home’s floor-to-ceiling windows, so their guests still had a full view of the cliffs and ocean straight through dinner and toasts, storm and all.

Long candlelit dinner table set beneath skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows during the intimate indoor reception at Wind and Sea Estate.
Private caterer serving plates to laughing guests seated at the reception table.
White floral centerpiece detail with candlelight on the reception table.
Wide view of the reception dining room at Wind and Sea Estate through the window.
Place setting detail with a wood charger plate, menu card, and white floral arrangement.

The Celebration

Alyssa and Bailey brought in a private caterer for an elevated dinner with a curated wine pairing, and the night closed out with everyone dancing inside the cozy estate, completely unfazed by the rain pouring down just outside the windows.

Vendor Credits

Venue: Wind and Sea Estate

Second shot for Sun and Soul Photo

More from the Gallery

Bride relaxing on an indoor couch after the ceremony, having changed into a shorter dress.
Guests in suits standing on a wooden deck under an overcast Big Sur sky.
Bride laughing with bridesmaids in mismatched pastel dresses on the wooden deck."
Bride and groom visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the reception space at Wind and Sea Estate, reflected over the set dinner table.
Detail of a wedding guest's sage green dress, woven clutch, and drink on the deck railing.
Reception table detail with taper candles, white florals, and wood charger plates.
Bride laughing on the wooden deck, tall trees framing the background
Bride and groom walking hand in hand toward the lawn at Wind and Sea Estate, the ocean visible in the distance.
Groom standing alone on a covered wooden porch overlooking the ocean
Groomsmen walking together along a cliffside path overlooking the ocean.
Groomsmen laughing together indoors while getting ready.
Bride and groom kissing on the cliffside lawn at Wind and Sea Estate, string lights and coastal mountains behind them."
Bride laughing and dancing with a glass of champagne, guests celebrating around her
Black and white photo of guests raising their wine glasses in a toast.
Bride and groom laughing while dancing together indoors during the reception.
Black and white photo of the groom sharing a dance with his mother.
Guests laughing together at the reception under warm indoor lighting
Bride and groom laughing together while holding drinks during the reception, cozy indoor lighting

If you’re planning a Wind and Sea Estate wedding, or want to see more Big Sur wedding photography before you book, I’d love to hear about your day.