Ellwood Bluffs Wedding | Julia and Max

Elopements must run in the family—I was so honored to photograph this intimate Santa Barbara elopement for a previous bride’s brother. Max and Julia dreamed of a ceremony surrounded by sweeping coastal cliffs and panoramic ocean views, and Ellwood proved to be the perfect location.

A rare March heatwave in Santa Barbara brought ideal conditions for an outdoor elopement: warm 80-degree weather, golden sunset light, and clear skies with no marine layer in sight—creating a truly magical backdrop for their day.

One of the biggest takeaways? You don’t have to travel far to experience dramatic coastal scenery. Locations like Ellwood Mesa offer some of the most stunning cliffside views near Santa Barbara, making it an incredible choice for couples planning a California coast elopement.

~ Missy