How we love a stylish elopement around here. This editorial by Christina McNeill and Smith + James Events at the maximalist Madonna Inn (where each guest room has a different theme!) is the recipe for a playful and celebratory elopement: a road trip along the coast, vows at the beach, dinner and cake at the Inn, and more. To top it all off, Christina captured the newlyweds’ joy as they headed back to their hotel room in cute matching PJs with one last slice of cake. Prepare for some seriously cool California elopement inspo…

The Elopement Venue
The Madonna Inn is located in San Luis Obispo along the central coast, about halfway in between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Each of the 110 guest rooms is decorated with a different bold theme, from jungle rock to sugar and spice to merry — the glittering suite featured here! They’ve been a wedding destination since 1958 with several venue spaces on-site and tons to do around the property. 
The Road Trip
Christina says, This epic road trip elopement to The Madonna Inn was a dream come true. No idea was too big, no detail too small for this editorial I created alongside Smith + James Events. From a dreamy ride in a creamy white 1971 Corvette Stingray convertible (including my favorite detail, a keychain created by Idea Emporium and Amber Moon Design) to a custom powdered sugar stencicled pancake breakfast (specially made by the same designers) at the Madonna Inn restaurant, to the oceanside cerem...