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Planning the Perfect Wedding Season in Carmel
After working her first wedding at the age of 16, Heidi Sebok fell in love with the event industry. Now the planner behind Coastside Couture, Heidi has orchestrated hundreds of high-profile weddings and events for professional athletes, actors, and more. She often uses the California coastline as inspiration for her event designs, and loves celebrating all that the Monterey Peninsula has to offer, with expertly curated recommendations for her clients. Especially in the fall, when, she says, “the retreat of fog at the coast makes it the most temperate time of the year. The vineyards start to turn yellow, and the tourist crowds lighten.” Here, she shares her top spots for visiting wedding guests and locals alike to take full advantage of the season.
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Start the day with:
A bacon avocado breakfast burrito at Kathy’s Little Kitchen in Carmel Valley Village—my go-to pre-wedding breakfast. On a busy workday, I also like to stop for coffee at Carmel Valley Roasting Company in The Crossroads Carmel, paired with an oatmeal cream sandwich cookie from Sweet Reba’s just next door. Such an amazing pick-me-up!
Always essential to visit:
Carmel Valley Village! Everyone loves Carmel-by-the-Sea, but the Village is just beautiful. The warm weather, the hiking trails, the wineries, and all the amazing outdoor tasting rooms and restaurants. You might even snag a tractor wagon ride with Cowboy Pete down the center of town.
Try these spots specifically:
In the fall, the weather is just spectacular here (hence, our busiest wedding season), so a drive out to Carmel Valley for lunch at Corkscrew Cafe or Cafe Rustica, followed by a late afternoon sitting by the fire pits at The Wine House is just perfect. Pelio Estate Wines, Albatross Ridge, Joyce, and I. Brand are all favorite wine tasting rooms. If you’re looking for something a little more active, the trees in Garland Ranch Regional Park start to turn yellow in October, which makes fall hikes there so colorful. All great activities for family and friends arriving pre-wedding.
Best local gift for a bride or couple:
I love the eclectic glassware at Tancredi & Morgen. You can never have enough beautiful glassware! I also love to include a good bottle of Caraccioli bubbles.
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Best spas for a bridal party (or just a little pampering)?
The Spa at Pebble Beach or Spa Alila Ventana in Big Sur. Adding lunch and rosé is always a good idea.
Most requested wedding-week beauty treatment:
Spray tans. We send all our clients to Bronzed Babe Airbrush Tanning in Monterey. They are the absolute best. (Get your spa and pool days in before spray tanning!)
Favorite locations for:
A bridal luncheon: Grasing’s rooftop, Pelio Estate Wines, or Il Fornaio's deck.
A welcome party: Hog’s Breath Inn, La Playa, The Wine House, Albatross Ridge’s Tasting Cottage.
A rehearsal dinner: Lately, I’m loving Toro Sushi. They have a darling private room that fits 30 people, and their sushi is soooo good!
My go-to local gift for the holidays:
I love to give big armfuls of fresh flowers. My favorite floral shop is Burst + Bloom in The Crossroads. They carry some of the most beautiful blooms around. I also love to give gift certificates to the Refuge. If you haven’t been there, put it on your list! To me, it’s all about giving something pretty or an excuse to relax.
End the day with:
A cocktail at Cypress Inn. This dog-friendly spot is as quintessential Carmel as it gets. The people (and animal) watching is the absolute best, and the cocktails are delish.
Hotels worth recommending:
Carmel Beach Hotel is just beautiful. I love the location, steps from the beach! Sea View Inn, which is an 8-room bed and breakfast, is my favorite for the right group. The rooms are beyond charming, and the owners are delightful and great to work with. La Playa is a great slice of vintage Carmel; I’ve had a long love affair with the property. Their included breakfast is one of the best in town, and Bud’s bar at La Playa is the perfect place for a night cap.
PLAN YOUR DAY
on the Peninsula
- Kathy’s Little Kitchen
Carmel Valley, CA - Corkscrew Cafe
Carmel Valley, CA - The Wine House
Carmel Valley, CA - Pelio Estate Wines
Carmel Valley, CA - The Spa at Pebble Beach
Pebble Beach, CA - Spa Alila Ventana
Big Sur, CA - Bronzed Babe Airbrush Tanning
Monterey, CA - La Playa
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA - Toro Sushi
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA - Carmel Beach Hotel
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA - Sea View Inn
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA - La Playa
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA - Tancredi & Morgen
Carmel Valley, CA - Burst + Bloom
Carmel, CA - Refuge
Carmel Valley, CA - Cypress Inn
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
