If getting married barefoot on a Malibu beach with 20-ish of your favorite people sounds 900x better than a ballroom, a Point Dume beach wedding deserves a spot on your list. But (and this is a pretty important but), this isn't a traditional wedding venue. There are permits, public access, parking, tides, weather, and approximately seven other things I want you to think about before showing up in a wedding dress and hoping for the best.
As a Southern California wedding photographer who loves small beach weddings, I'm breaking down what I'd actually consider when planning a Point Dume beach wedding, plus Ashley and Ryan's real day here!
2026 note: Point Dume is currently closed with no scheduled re-opening date, but I will provide updates as they come!
Why Choose a Point Dume Beach Wedding?
Point Dume quite literally has it all. Dramatic cliffs, oceanfront views, peak California sunshine… What more could you want??
Seriously, though, Point Dume is perfect for that kind of private, intimate wedding that feels totally unique, totally personal, and totally effortless to live in. It brings its own kind of magic, which is something I’m ALWAYS looking for in a wedding location.
Point Dume is one I'd recommend most to couples who care way more about the view, being with their people and having a relaxed experience than having all the conveniences of a traditional venue.
Wanna see what a wedding with me could look like?? Check out more dreamy coastal days just like this on my blog.
How to Plan Your Point Dume Beach Wedding (The Easy Way)
Since you’re not at a traditional venue, planning a Point Dume beach wedding can be a liiiittle tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing. Luckily, though, I’ve captured like 567 weddings just like this, so I know all the little details you need to know.
Here are the steps to planning a beach wedding on Point Dume that don’t make you want to rip your hair out. You’re welcome!!
Permits for a Point Dume Beach Wedding
First on the list: permits.
If you hear the word permit and immediately feel like canceling your whole wedding, take a deep breath. It’s not as hard as it sounds, I swear.
Permit rules depend on exactly where at Point Dume you're planning to hold your ceremony. Parts of the beach area are operated by LA County, while Point Dume State Beach/Natural Preserve falls under California State Parks. Before making plans, confirm your exact ceremony location with the appropriate special-events office. LA County currently requires wedding permit applications no earlier than 90 days and no later than three weeks before the event.
How Many Guests Can Come to a Point Dume Beach Wedding?
For the ceremony area Ashley + Ryan used, the permit allowed up to 25 people, including vendors. Just like with permits, every area can be a little different, so I’d always check before sending out your invites.
No matter what spot you’re in, though, micro weddings do tend to work best. Less chaos, less stress, less of your phone ringing in the middle of your vows for your grandma to ask you where to park.
The Best Time of Year for a Point Dume Wedding
SoCal has good vibes and good weather basically year-round, but each season brings its own ‘lil bit of magic.
Spring? Perfect for soft, romantic days that move really slowly and have warm but mild temps. Summer brings peak Southern California vibes that feel a little electric, perfect for long, hot evenings!! Fall is another slower season, and the ocean breeze during these months?? It’s like actual cinema. Winter is severely underrated if you love cozy days that are a little chillier. Just pleaseee keep an eye on the forecast if you plan a wedding in the winter, since it has the largest chance of rain!!
From a weather perspective, you’ll get the mildest, most reliable weather in late spring, summer, and early fall. Plus, you’ll get golden hours and colorful sunset skies that make you want to dance and squeal and jump for joy all evening long!!
Honestly, I wouldn't choose your Point Dume date based only on which season sounds prettiest. I'd look at sunset time, tides, expected crowds and what temperature you're actually comfortable standing outside in while the wind is doing whatever the wind feels like doing that day.
The Best Ceremony Time for a Point Dume Beach Wedding
While you can’t really go wrong with scheduling your ceremony time on Point Dume, there are a few things to always consider before you set your timeline in stone:
Tide schedules – because if I had to guess… You probably won’t wanna get washed away while you’re in the middle of saying your vows.
Sunlight considerations – the sun rises and sets at a different time allll throughout the year, so always check to make sure that you’ll have some of that golden Cali goodness!!
People – since Point Dume is a public spot, trying to avoid crowds by going at a time when there are fewer people is probably gonna be the way to go.
Traffic and parking – Point Dume has limited parking, so if you plan to go when there are fewer people there, more of your guests will have space to park. Parking and access can change at Point Dume, so this is one thing I would absolutely check again in the week leading up to your wedding. Parking is limited even under normal conditions, and construction, erosion or beach conditions can affect access.
I'm a BIG fan of mornings here if avoiding crowds is one of your top priorities. You get the ceremony done early, have the whole day ahead of you, and aren't fighting peak beach traffic in the same way. But the right ceremony time still depends on your date, tides, light and what kind of celebration you're planning afterward.
A Sample Timeline for a Point Dume Wedding
The best weddings give you time to relax, breathe, kiss a little, soak it all in, and say, “Ummm… We just did that!!!” and that’s exactly how Point Dume beach weddings feel. When I capture days here, they usually end up looking something like:
7:00 am: Get ready in a nearby hotel (which we’ll get into!)
8:45 am: Head to Point Dume
9:00 am: Beach ceremony
9:30 am: Portraits with your lover + your guests on the beach
And then a celebration, whatever that looks like for you!!
How to Celebrate Your Point Dume Wedding
Let’s get into the fun stuff: the celebration. Because whether it’s a dance party or an outdoor dinner… Malibu has the BEST energy for celebrating love.
Here are a few ideas for things you could do to celebrate your Point Dume beach wedding!!:
Do a simple champagne toast with your ceremony guests on the beach
Have a picnic on the beach (like Ashley and Ryan)
Plan a full reception at a venue
Plan a dinner with your closest people
Leave for your honeymoon immediately
Literally go get in PJs and snuggle on the couch
One thing I love about Point Dume weddings is that you get to make it totally yours down to how you celebrate, so whatever you choose, just make sure it feels true to you!!
If you’re considering a full-blown party after, here are some of my fave Malibu wedding venues that work so well for weddings like this.
Where to Stay Near Point Dume
If you’re looking for more of a full experience than just a quick ceremony, getting a nearby hotel is the best way to do it. It adds convenience for you AND your guests, and that’s just one of those quiet little luxuries that make your day go a whole lot smoother.
Here are some hotels near Point Dume that are incredible for you and your wedding guests!!:
Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel – this is where Ashley and Ryan stayed, and it was perfect for their relaxed morning spent getting ready together
Malibu Beach Inn – an upscale boutique hotel with STUNNING ocean views and luxurious rooms
The Surfrider Malibu – if you want something chic, modern, and right across from the iconic Surfrider Beach, this is the one
Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club – for a more tucked-away feel, this one is a rustic, elegant hotel settled in the Malibu hills (with private beach access!! Sooo nice)
Ashley & Ryan’s Beach Wedding (+ Picnic Celebration!)
Okay, Ashley and Ryan had the kind of day on Point Dume that feels made up. So much intention, so much love, so much fun!! It feels more like something I dreamt than something that actually happened.
My #1 favorite thing about the day was how relaxed everything felt. They woke up, they got ready, they hit the beach, said their vows, and then had the CUTEST little picnic celebration (shoutout to Blush and Ivy)! Give me comfy pillows and some donuts, and I am thereee.
The picnic felt so personal with intimate tables, the sweetest champagne toast, and the best company. I’ll be dreaming about it forever!!
FAQs About Getting Married at Point Dume
Since I’ll try and talk ANYONE into having a Point Dume Beach wedding, I come prepared for the many questions that may come, so let’s get into what couples ask me all the time:
What Happens if It Rains at my Point Dume Wedding?
You’re in luck, because I’m a rainy wedding day truther. As a wise woman once said, “There’s something ‘bout the way the street looks when it’s just rained,” and she was so right. It applies to beaches, too.
Seriously, though, if you’re planning a Point Dume beach wedding and you wake up to a 60% chance of rain, the best thing you can do is embrace it. Rain can be so beautiful, and the pics we can get of you two dancing around???? Literally so cute. I’m forever obsessed.
If you don’t believe me, just look at how perfect Natalie and Henry’s rainy wedding day turned out!!
Light rain? I'm absolutely down to play in it. Actual unsafe coastal weather, high surf, lightning, access issues, or conditions that officials are warning people about? That's when the backup plan wins. For that, you can always look into a small public indoor space or something like a courthouse wedding.
What if It’s Windy?
Again… SoCal weather is just something you’ve gotta embrace, and as a Southern California wedding photographer who loveeees beach weddings, I know how to work around the wind to get some super cinematic, super romantic shots. Don’t fret too much!!
Is Point Dume Beach Accessible?
Point Dume has accessible bluff-top trails and overlooks, but that does NOT mean that every beach ceremony location is easily accessible. Some routes down to the sand involve stairs or steeper terrain, so if you have guests with mobility needs, choose your exact ceremony spot with accessibility in mind and check current trail conditions with State Parks before the wedding!!
What to Wear for a Point Dume Beach Wedding
As long as you’re comfortable and feel 100% like yourself, wear whatever you want!! For beach weddings, soft, light fabrics like satin or chiffon always work really well, and I’m a sucker for a pop of color in your shoes or accessories.
I will say, you might not want to spend your ceremony sinking into the sand, so a flat shoe, bare feet, or a chunky heel might be the best way to go!!
What Decor is Allowed for a Point Dume Beach Wedding?
Decor rules depend on your permit and exact ceremony location, so confirm what's allowed before spending $3,749 on rentals. Point Dume is also a protected natural area, so whatever you bring in needs to comply with current park/beach rules and leave the area exactly as you found it.
Cambria Shelley | Southern California Wedding Photographer
If a Point Dume beach wedding is kind of sounding like your perfect match… I can almost bet that we’re basically soulmates. If you want this kind of day captured with lots of intention and lots of love, you can inquire about booking me as your Southern California wedding photographer here!!
