Whatever you need, A Big Sur Affair LLC offers full-service event planning, wedding coordination, and catering in beautiful Big Sur and the greater Monterey Peninsula. We provide our clients with the most creative and professional vendors available. Whether it's entertainment, site selection, flowers, transportation, or accommodations, we can coordinate or facilitate every detail to suit our clients needs. We proudly serve premium, locally-sourced, organic ingredients from local family farms and artisan producers.
Services
Whatever your guest count, whatever the season, we will make sure that beauty and comfort rule the day. Some of our standard rentals include: chairs, tables, heaters, teak market umbrellas, tents, wine barrel cocktail tables, 50' strand cafe lights, shepherds hooks with lanterns, candles, Mexican blankets, and easy-to-use audio including an ipod docking station with speakers and microphone.
Reviews (17)
C. B.
Apr 23, 2022
Extremely unprofessional. We emailed Cheri to book Point 16 for our wedding, since we were over the capacity permitted at Post Ranch Inn which has been our first choice but which only accepts 20 people. Our date was on a Monday a year and a half from now. She initially emailed back and the venue was available (obviously, a Monday that far ahead, which any other venue would be eager to get booked since Mondays usually remain open) and the price worked for us. However, when we emailed back with questions about some details like did she have a picture of the facilities for freshening up, she failed to respond.
We booked elsewhere instead. Looking at reviews, it sounds like this is not a unique occurrence. A Big Sur Affair is obviously an amateur job, I don't know why anyone would trust someone as unprofessional as Cheri to handle their wedding. Glad we found out before paying them money!
We booked elsewhere instead. Looking at reviews, it sounds like this is not a unique occurrence. A Big Sur Affair is obviously an amateur job, I don't know why anyone would trust someone as unprofessional as Cheri to handle their wedding. Glad we found out before paying them money!
Annabel L.
Oct 31, 2019
Sharon E.
Oct 29, 2019
Ashley W.
Jul 23, 2019
Man oh man I wish there was an erase button for the 1 star reviews on this, because working with Cheri and hosting our wedding at Point 16 was the best decision we ever could have made. Firstly, Point 16 is heaven on earth. You will be hard pressed to find anywhere as beautiful as this place. Secondly, Cheri is a legit super woman. She is both the lead coordinator for the venue & the head chef. She's not just any chef, she's gourmet with a focus on local, sustainable items and her food is drool worthy. Thirdly, Cheri's Staff are so kind, accommodating and don't miss a beat, they are ON IT.
Every single detail. Fourthly, working with Cheri was a breeze. She has a very laid back approach when it comes to the pre-wedding stuff which might stress some people out, but don't let it. She is on top of every last detail. I found that communicating with Cheri over phone was easier than email and she will tell you not to hesitate reaching out whenever you need her and it was true. Fifthly, Cheri's suggested vendors are also amazing.
Go with them. You don't be disappointed. I could go on and on, but at the end of the day, our guests left telling us it was the best wedding they had ever been to, the best wedding food they've ever had and one of the most epic venues they'd ever seen. If that's the kind of wedding you want, then call Cheri today.
Every single detail. Fourthly, working with Cheri was a breeze. She has a very laid back approach when it comes to the pre-wedding stuff which might stress some people out, but don't let it. She is on top of every last detail. I found that communicating with Cheri over phone was easier than email and she will tell you not to hesitate reaching out whenever you need her and it was true. Fifthly, Cheri's suggested vendors are also amazing.
Go with them. You don't be disappointed. I could go on and on, but at the end of the day, our guests left telling us it was the best wedding they had ever been to, the best wedding food they've ever had and one of the most epic venues they'd ever seen. If that's the kind of wedding you want, then call Cheri today.
Eric L.
Jun 04, 2017
Unethical. Despite repeated requests to return my $3,700 deposit (which is obligated per the contract clause regarding acts of mother nature) following the unfortunate Big Sur bridge collapse, the owner has not returned my deposit. I tried to work with the owner originally following the bridge's collapse, but she never returned my communications in a timely manner and ran around flustered and unable to ever propose a credible and certain alternative.
While I feel very bad for her misfortune, her crisis management was dreadful - never proactively called to work with me on alternatives, just complained about her misfortune and kept my money. Stay away.
While I feel very bad for her misfortune, her crisis management was dreadful - never proactively called to work with me on alternatives, just complained about her misfortune and kept my money. Stay away.
Angelica A.
Oct 12, 2016
Barbara G.
Aug 24, 2016
Call me crazy, but when I was invited to a party in a field on the Big Sur coast, I expected something really rustic. Instead, it was more like a Michelin-starred restaurant transported into a beautiful natural setting, complete with white table cloths and fine wines to complement an innovative fresh menu. First, how do you find Halibut that fresh unless you catch it yourself, and second, how do you serve it prepared perfectly and hot in the middle of nowhere? Somebody else, please PLEASE host a party using A Big Sur Affair and invite me!
Heather K.
Sep 24, 2015
My husband and I had our dream wedding at Point 16 on 9/3/15. When looking for a venue our top two priorities were picturesque surroundings and delicious food. WOW, I'm so glad I found Cheri Gladstone! We live in Chicago so a site visit was inconvenient, but as soon as I spoke to Cheri I knew it was perfect and booked our date within hours. She is connected with everybody in the community and has great suggestions for vendors (I used flower/hair makeup/baker) and logistics in the area.
She even went above and beyond to help me deal with poor service from our lodging option. The whole process was very easy and often said to my husband during the planning "Everybody is always so stressed planning weddings, are we forgetting to do something?" My husband runs several 5 star luxury trips for very high end clientele per year. He has to be very critical with service in his role and he was over the moon with Cheri and her team.
They were professional, attentive to guests, and felt like friends by the end of the wedding! Especially Ashley, Cheri's assistant, who is sweet as pie! 95% of our guests had never been to Big Sur. Logistically it is not the easiest location to get to, but everybody that attended our wedding was blown away. The pictures do not do the beautiful views justice. Guests have sent me reviews including - best wedding ever, epic, food was delicious, and another wedding can never top it. Thank you to Cheri and her team for making our special day AMAZING and WOWING our guests!v
She even went above and beyond to help me deal with poor service from our lodging option. The whole process was very easy and often said to my husband during the planning "Everybody is always so stressed planning weddings, are we forgetting to do something?" My husband runs several 5 star luxury trips for very high end clientele per year. He has to be very critical with service in his role and he was over the moon with Cheri and her team.
They were professional, attentive to guests, and felt like friends by the end of the wedding! Especially Ashley, Cheri's assistant, who is sweet as pie! 95% of our guests had never been to Big Sur. Logistically it is not the easiest location to get to, but everybody that attended our wedding was blown away. The pictures do not do the beautiful views justice. Guests have sent me reviews including - best wedding ever, epic, food was delicious, and another wedding can never top it. Thank you to Cheri and her team for making our special day AMAZING and WOWING our guests!v
Skye B.
Nov 12, 2014
My husband and I just got married in October, and A Big Sur Affair did our catering and our coordinating. I don't know how I would have organized a wedding in Big Sur (we live in Los Angeles) without Cheri Gladstone (the owner). Her knowledge, advice, suggestions, and organizing skills made the whole process as simple as it could possibly be.
She did the food, all the rentals (chairs, tables, linens, etc.), the staff, the lighting, heaters, blankets, and vases, organized the shuttle bus, and even the (amazing) wedding cake! She and her amazing assistant Vanessa also planned our day-of schedule, and gave great advice for the ceremony and the rest of the events of the day and night, and made sure it all happened as we wanted it on the day.
The food was AMAZING, from the oysters and appetizers during cocktail hour (and the cocktails themselves) to the gorgeous buffet feast laid out for the dinner. I highly recommend the ribs and the salmon (though I am sure everything is equally as amazing). The dessert table was such a beautiful sight! Everyone just LOVED the food, which made us so happy!
You should also know that Cheri is a speedy communicator/email replier, which is very needed when planning a wedding with someone! I emailed her soooo many times (many, many questions!;) throughout the months that I worked with her, and I always appreciated so much how quickly she would get back to me - often within minutes. Cheri and Vanessa (and all the staff) were so friendly and so helpful.
I just loved them both as people! I really can't recommend them enough. They are sooooo experienced with Big Sur weddings, and yet at the same time they went above and beyond to incorporate the special and particular things I wanted incorporated into my wedding day. Very grateful to them for helping make it so magical for my husband and me!
She did the food, all the rentals (chairs, tables, linens, etc.), the staff, the lighting, heaters, blankets, and vases, organized the shuttle bus, and even the (amazing) wedding cake! She and her amazing assistant Vanessa also planned our day-of schedule, and gave great advice for the ceremony and the rest of the events of the day and night, and made sure it all happened as we wanted it on the day.
The food was AMAZING, from the oysters and appetizers during cocktail hour (and the cocktails themselves) to the gorgeous buffet feast laid out for the dinner. I highly recommend the ribs and the salmon (though I am sure everything is equally as amazing). The dessert table was such a beautiful sight! Everyone just LOVED the food, which made us so happy!
You should also know that Cheri is a speedy communicator/email replier, which is very needed when planning a wedding with someone! I emailed her soooo many times (many, many questions!;) throughout the months that I worked with her, and I always appreciated so much how quickly she would get back to me - often within minutes. Cheri and Vanessa (and all the staff) were so friendly and so helpful.
I just loved them both as people! I really can't recommend them enough. They are sooooo experienced with Big Sur weddings, and yet at the same time they went above and beyond to incorporate the special and particular things I wanted incorporated into my wedding day. Very grateful to them for helping make it so magical for my husband and me!
Danielle B.
Sep 11, 2014
I am surprised that there are not more reviews for A Big Sur Affair. We got married on September 6 and I am still over the moon about the whole event. Cheri Gladstone and her team made the night magical. TRUST her recommendations - she's been part of the community for a long time, knows what she's doing and can help you with everything you need from finding a trustworthy florist to arranging shuttles for the big day.
Our wedding was everything we could hope for. And our guests not only loved this beautiful property, complete with whales breaching in the ocean during our vows (not sure how Cheri arranged that :-) ) and the food was delicious. Not something you can say for every wedding. Specifically I am still raving about the Niman Ranch steak and the mushroom risotto.
Their staff will set aside plates of the appetizers and desserts if you haven't had a chance to grab any because you were too busy socializing with guests. Super attentive - they will let you into the property early on the day of to get ready early, do yoga there or just relax before the festivities begin. **Just know this property isn't in what people may consider the heart of Big Sur (around the cluster of hotels). it is about 40 minutes south. It's well worth it - but just know that if you have guests that may get motion sickness and have them stay as close to the property as possible.
Also they let you come back to the property the next day to gather anything that may have been left or any alcohol that wasn't polished off. I couldn't be happier with my experience.
Our wedding was everything we could hope for. And our guests not only loved this beautiful property, complete with whales breaching in the ocean during our vows (not sure how Cheri arranged that :-) ) and the food was delicious. Not something you can say for every wedding. Specifically I am still raving about the Niman Ranch steak and the mushroom risotto.
Their staff will set aside plates of the appetizers and desserts if you haven't had a chance to grab any because you were too busy socializing with guests. Super attentive - they will let you into the property early on the day of to get ready early, do yoga there or just relax before the festivities begin. **Just know this property isn't in what people may consider the heart of Big Sur (around the cluster of hotels). it is about 40 minutes south. It's well worth it - but just know that if you have guests that may get motion sickness and have them stay as close to the property as possible.
Also they let you come back to the property the next day to gather anything that may have been left or any alcohol that wasn't polished off. I couldn't be happier with my experience.
Shannon B.
Aug 09, 2014
Jenae G.
Jun 24, 2014
Our wedding was at Point 16 about a week ago, with Cheri Gladstone's A Big Sur Affair as our caterer, and her assistant Ashley as our day of coordinator. The venue and Cheri's team totally blew us away. Our wedding was so much more than we expected - it felt like a dream! You know it's a magical place, when at the end of the night, the owner of Point 16 comes up to join your reception & take a picture with you.and you want to thank HIM for LETTING you pay him a nice chunk of change for the privilege of having your wedding on his property!
It will forever be the most beautiful, special place on earth for us. Cheri is the required caterer/coordinator for Point 16, and she responded quickly to my first email. There weren't too many dates left for 2014, so we booked one right away sight-unseen, as we were from out of state. I will agree that communication after that was frustrating, as Cheri is very busy and half the time when she's in Big Sur, there is no cell reception.
Communication did get better within the month of the wedding. When we finally did meet with her in person right before the big day, I realized that she does have an assistant. When communication had been touch & go, I had wondered why she didn't have one. Turns out she does - enter Ashley! Ashley actually ended up being our day-of coordinator, which we didn't realize until the day of, and Cheri was working at another wedding.
It was a little surprising because we hadn't expected that, but it turned out totally fine. Ashley was super professional and so sweet, and we were extremely happy with how she helped set everything up & run the day. Just kind of wish that had been communicated to us clearly beforehand, as there is a coordination fee required that is a percentage of the total event.
I hope the majority of that fee went to Ashley, because I certainly planned our entire wedding myself! I probably could have asked Cheri for more help, but I was under the impression that when you book Point 16, you're on your own, which was fine with me.but if you're the type who needs to know exactly where your money is going, maybe ask about the breakdown of that fee. Overall, we felt that every penny we spent was worth it.
The view at Point 16 is incredible, we lucked out with fantastic weather and no fog, Cheri's event staff and bartender were friendly and professional.and the FOOD! We had some definite foodies in our group, and they were raving about the quality and taste of everything served. To put it in perspective, I don't even like risotto.but couldn't get enough of it at the wedding!
You really can't go wrong with A Big Sur Affair. If you just prepare yourself with the mindset that it IS Big Sur, where everything moves a little slower (and is a lot more expensive) than other places, you will not regret any part of hiring this team for the best day of your life!
It will forever be the most beautiful, special place on earth for us. Cheri is the required caterer/coordinator for Point 16, and she responded quickly to my first email. There weren't too many dates left for 2014, so we booked one right away sight-unseen, as we were from out of state. I will agree that communication after that was frustrating, as Cheri is very busy and half the time when she's in Big Sur, there is no cell reception.
Communication did get better within the month of the wedding. When we finally did meet with her in person right before the big day, I realized that she does have an assistant. When communication had been touch & go, I had wondered why she didn't have one. Turns out she does - enter Ashley! Ashley actually ended up being our day-of coordinator, which we didn't realize until the day of, and Cheri was working at another wedding.
It was a little surprising because we hadn't expected that, but it turned out totally fine. Ashley was super professional and so sweet, and we were extremely happy with how she helped set everything up & run the day. Just kind of wish that had been communicated to us clearly beforehand, as there is a coordination fee required that is a percentage of the total event.
I hope the majority of that fee went to Ashley, because I certainly planned our entire wedding myself! I probably could have asked Cheri for more help, but I was under the impression that when you book Point 16, you're on your own, which was fine with me.but if you're the type who needs to know exactly where your money is going, maybe ask about the breakdown of that fee. Overall, we felt that every penny we spent was worth it.
The view at Point 16 is incredible, we lucked out with fantastic weather and no fog, Cheri's event staff and bartender were friendly and professional.and the FOOD! We had some definite foodies in our group, and they were raving about the quality and taste of everything served. To put it in perspective, I don't even like risotto.but couldn't get enough of it at the wedding!
You really can't go wrong with A Big Sur Affair. If you just prepare yourself with the mindset that it IS Big Sur, where everything moves a little slower (and is a lot more expensive) than other places, you will not regret any part of hiring this team for the best day of your life!
Heather F.
Jul 11, 2013
This is NOT a review for her actual wedding services, which look incredible! The problem is my fiance and I have tried to get in touch with her many times over the course of the last few months -- by phone (left messages) and by email. If someone told me she accepts pigeons, I'd figure out how to send one with a little "CALL ME!" note attached to its creepy looking foot. If someone knows how to get in touch with her, please let me know!
Danielle B.
Sep 12, 2012
Cheri is as good as it gets. She catered our wedding (at Point 16) and afterward my dad asked me if she would do another one for my sister (who isn't engaged), another friend asked her to do her wedding also, and tons of guests commented on how amazing the food was, how hard Cheri works, and how perfect the setting was (which was largely Cheri's doing as well). Cheri has a great team that she's worked with for years, and she knows everyone in the area.
She was able to help me come up with a wedding that was absolutely perfect for us, even though I have absolutely no party planning or decorating skills. Her food is amazing- cooked on the spot, fresh, local ingredients, imaginative. Get the tuna and lamb appetizers. When little snafus came up, Cheri fixed them without any problem at all. She's amazing! She also did our rehearsal dinner and did a fabulous job on that as well.
She was able to help me come up with a wedding that was absolutely perfect for us, even though I have absolutely no party planning or decorating skills. Her food is amazing- cooked on the spot, fresh, local ingredients, imaginative. Get the tuna and lamb appetizers. When little snafus came up, Cheri fixed them without any problem at all. She's amazing! She also did our rehearsal dinner and did a fabulous job on that as well.
Shilpa P.
Sep 04, 2012
There are no words to express how Big Sur Affair (and Cheri Gladstone to be specific) helped create the most amazing wedding I could have imagined. I'm a perfectionist and was (of course) a bit skeptical of the food, the venue, etc. etc. But I must say that the food was incredible (hard to believe wedding food can be good - and even my mom and my aunt - fabulous cooks and foodies said the food was delicious).
And Cheri's attention to detail is flawless. We were married at Point 16 (such a magical venue) and I can't say enough about Big Sur Affair - they are amazing. From the buses to the food (she did our rehearsal dinner too) to helping us find babysitters and picking up our wedding cake - everything was handled with the utmost of care. Wonderful experience!
And Cheri's attention to detail is flawless. We were married at Point 16 (such a magical venue) and I can't say enough about Big Sur Affair - they are amazing. From the buses to the food (she did our rehearsal dinner too) to helping us find babysitters and picking up our wedding cake - everything was handled with the utmost of care. Wonderful experience!
Adrienne D.
May 02, 2011
If you want to have your dream wedding/event in or around Big Sur, call Cheri! My husband and I just got married in April at a property only available through Cheri, Point 16. We had already decided on another wedding venue in Big Sur but after seeing Point 16, we fell even more in love! Cheri went above and beyond her duties to give us our dream wedding and to save-the-day on several occasions.
The highway one north of our wedding site falls into the ocean and the rental company can no longer deliver any of our rentals to the wedding.no problem, Cheri drives her horse trailer all the way to Santa Cruz and back on a windy 4 hour detour and hand delivers our rentals free of charge! Oh no, Big Sur is having several mudslides and the roads are only open for a restricted period of time per day. Cheri calls to inform us of the details of all the road closures and the various detours our guests can take to still make it to the wedding.
Oh no, our band cancels last minute because they are unwilling to make the detour to our wedding site, Cheri knows everyone in the area and recommends several musicians. She also offers discounted hotel rates if we have to lodge any of our vendors. Theres even more, our shuttle is also unable to make it to the wedding site. Cheri finds a new company that can come in from the south but throughout the whole process assures us, "no worries, if it comes down to it, we'll borrow the local school bus and I can help transport people in my truck!" Needless to say, Cheri is a wedding angel and while the roads of Big Sur were busy falling into the ocean, I never lost a wink of sleep because I knew Cheri was taking care of it!
I can't say enough about her and I'm unsure why one of the other reviewers said she was impossible to get a hold of. I feel the opposite, Cheri was by far my easiest vendor to get a hold of. I talked to her on the phone and over email all the time! Although Cheri's company is in the catering business, she is basically a free built in wedding coordinator and even takes care of your rentals and shuttle service.
She knows everyone and can hook you up with the best florist, photographers, officiants, etc in the area. On top of all this, she is so nice and basically feels like a friend. I don't necessarily want to leak the secret of Cheri and especially of Point 16 (now forever my sacred wedding site) but I was so upset that someone only gave her one star on here! She deserves ten! Treat her well if you can get her, because the secret is getting out and she can now choose who she wants to work with! Love you Cheri!
The highway one north of our wedding site falls into the ocean and the rental company can no longer deliver any of our rentals to the wedding.no problem, Cheri drives her horse trailer all the way to Santa Cruz and back on a windy 4 hour detour and hand delivers our rentals free of charge! Oh no, Big Sur is having several mudslides and the roads are only open for a restricted period of time per day. Cheri calls to inform us of the details of all the road closures and the various detours our guests can take to still make it to the wedding.
Oh no, our band cancels last minute because they are unwilling to make the detour to our wedding site, Cheri knows everyone in the area and recommends several musicians. She also offers discounted hotel rates if we have to lodge any of our vendors. Theres even more, our shuttle is also unable to make it to the wedding site. Cheri finds a new company that can come in from the south but throughout the whole process assures us, "no worries, if it comes down to it, we'll borrow the local school bus and I can help transport people in my truck!" Needless to say, Cheri is a wedding angel and while the roads of Big Sur were busy falling into the ocean, I never lost a wink of sleep because I knew Cheri was taking care of it!
I can't say enough about her and I'm unsure why one of the other reviewers said she was impossible to get a hold of. I feel the opposite, Cheri was by far my easiest vendor to get a hold of. I talked to her on the phone and over email all the time! Although Cheri's company is in the catering business, she is basically a free built in wedding coordinator and even takes care of your rentals and shuttle service.
She knows everyone and can hook you up with the best florist, photographers, officiants, etc in the area. On top of all this, she is so nice and basically feels like a friend. I don't necessarily want to leak the secret of Cheri and especially of Point 16 (now forever my sacred wedding site) but I was so upset that someone only gave her one star on here! She deserves ten! Treat her well if you can get her, because the secret is getting out and she can now choose who she wants to work with! Love you Cheri!
Emilia D.
Oct 20, 2010
Words cannot capture what Cheri created for our wedding, but I will try. First of all, her services came highly recommended. We had a small event, 58 people, many of whom were very picky eaters. For us, food quality is very important, and Cheri did not disappoint. Our guests were smitten with the experience and especially the food. I had no idea how enjoyable this day would be, and I have a Big Sur Affair to thank for this. Thank you Cheri.
