La Playa Carmel Wedding - An Intimate Carmel-by-the-Sea Celebration
- jody holman
- Apr 22
- 2 min read
As a Carmel wedding photographer, I love days that feel unhurried and deeply personal—and this La Playa Carmel celebration was exactly that. Sunlight drifted through the gardens, sea air softened the edges of the afternoon, and every moment unfolded with an effortless sense of joy.
The bride prepared in a quiet upstairs room at La Playa Carmel, where soft window light created the perfect glow as she finished getting ready. Her sleek satin gown, loose curls, and classic red lipstick echoed old-Hollywood glamour—timeless, elegant, and beautifully self-assured. Downstairs, her groom waited in a sharp black suit with pops of bold red, matching the bridesmaids’ bright bouquets and the joyful spirit of the day.
Their Carmel-by-the-Sea wedding ceremony took place in the hotel’s intimate courtyard, surrounded by rosemary-draped walls and ocean breeze. Friends laughed easily, the bridal party gathered close, and the couple exchanged vows in front of the ivy-lined arches that make La Playa so iconic.
After the ceremony, we wandered the grounds for portraits—quiet corners, tiled staircases, sunlit pathways, and that iconic Mediterranean architecture. The combination of soft coastal light and the couple’s playful ease made every frame feel natural and warm. One of my favorite images: the groom ribbed a little by his groomsmen, each holding a photo of his doppleganger—pure joy, pure personality.
Dinner and toasts followed in the dining room, where guests lingered long after sunset. The day felt relaxed, romantic, elegant, and exactly right for an intimate Carmel wedding.
If you are planning your own celebration in Carmel or anywhere along the coast, you can explore more of my work here:
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