Elope Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay

Pricing

Prices start at $1,300

About Elope Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay

Elope Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay

Officiant & Photographer Elopement Package

Donna and Rebecca are an officiant + photographer duo creating stress-free elopements and intimate weddings along the California coast since 2013. Together, they handle everything from the ceremony to the photography, so couples can relax and enjoy the experience. Donna Rose Gardner of Honey in the Heart Ceremonies is an award-winning officiant known for heartfelt, personalized ceremonies, vow writing, and expert guidance through permits, licenses, and planning details. Rebecca Stark is a seasoned wedding photographer specializing in natural, relaxed imagery along the redwoods, beaches, and hidden coastal gems from Santa Cruz to Big Sur.

Together, we've worked together for years offering seamless, all-inclusive elopement packages; Sweet & Simple to fully custom experiences. We have covering Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, and beyond. We handle permits at exclusive discounted rates (including Garrapata State Park and Carmel River Beach), carry liability insurance, and have scoured every breathtaking corner of this coastline so you don't have to.

In three words: Calm, Collaborative, Creative

Services

Ceremony types

  • Civil Union
  • Commitment Ceremony
  • Elopement
  • Legal License Signing
  • Multicultural Weddings
  • Non-religious Ceremony
  • Other
  • Vow Renewal Ceremony

Religious affiliations

  • Other
  • Pagan
  • Spiritual

Reviews

Write a review
Rating: 5.0

5.0 out of 5

3 reviews

  • DM

    Dee M.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •May 24, 2026

    True Magic in the Redwoods

    I truly cannot believe how seamless, beautiful, and completely stress-free my wedding day was - and it’s all thanks to the incredible team with Donna and Rebecca at Elope Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay! Our officiant and ceremony coordinator, Donna, was nothing short of magical. When we mentioned our deep desire to be married in the Redwood Forest, she not only acknowledged it, but she helped us with securing the perfect spot! And, she took care of the paperwork to secure our permit! She wrote a beautiful piece about being married with the Redwood Trees as our witnesses that touched our hearts. Our ceremony felt so personal to us. Donna is kind, warm, genuine and really easy to work with, making the whole experience feel effortless and meaningful. From the very beginning, Rebecca made us feel comfortable in front of the camera. As someone who can feel a little self-conscious being photographed, that comfort level meant everything. She had a natural gift for working with our guests - effortlessly guiding family and friends while keeping the energy light and fun. The confidence she brought out in us is something I will always be grateful for. Our photos were delivered in a downloadable format to us within three weeks. We loved going through them to share an announcement that we “tied the knot”. Together, Donna and Rebecca created a day that was everything we dreamed of and more. No stress, no chaos- just pure joy and love. This is a day that we will carry in our hearts forever and we have Elope Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay to thank for that. If you’re thinking about eloping or planning an intimate ceremony, do not hesitate-you are in the absolute best hands with them!

  • MR

    Mary Jo R.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •May 20, 2026

    A spectacular wedding!!

    I wrote this myself- feel free to edit Elope Santa began with a vision — from the beginning it was about creating a bespoke experience for couples who want an intimate, soulful connection with each other and their loved families and friends. Donna takes time getting to know each couple and crafts beautiful vows that encapsulates their relationship. She pours herself into the ceremony and brings forth a magical spirit. Rebecca has a special talent for seeing the beauty in each moment and meticulously captures the right seconds to catch the beauty of every moment. A review can’t do justice for the quality and depth of their offerings.

  • T

    Tina

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •May 19, 2026

    Sunset, flowers, chocolate, and sparkling wine

    We are so thankful for Elope Santa Cruz! We live on the East Coast, but wanted to return to the college town where we first met and fell in love. From the moment I spoke with Donna, I knew we were in great hands. She was incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and truly knew the Santa Cruz area inside and out. Planning from across the country felt easy and stress-free because of her guidance. Donna and Rebecca made such an amazing team. Everything felt seamless, personal, and relaxed, and the photos captured the day beautifully. We couldn’t have imagined a better experience and can’t recommend Elope Santa Cruz enough!

We don't provide pre-marital counseling. We can recommend people who do.
We've helped couples elope since 2013 - 13 years!
We've helped over 100 couples elope.
Yes you can.
Rehearsals are rarely needed for rehearsals. We can help with coordinating a rehearsal for an additional fee if needed.
Yes - we have done this for couples! The license is the legal part, the ceremony is the beautiful ritual that brings your hearts together in a deeper commitment.

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