When you’re knee-deep in wedding planning, it can seem like everyone is bombarding you with wedding questions. Some may be people you’re super close with, like your bridal party and family members, while others may be complete strangers or acquaintances you strike up conversation with at Starbucks or your office.

Some of their questions may make you totally excited and throw you into a 30-minute rant on the different flowers in your bouquet or what kind of jazz band you booked to play during cocktail hour. But some questions may be unwelcome and make you feel, well, downright awkward. The most appalling of those queries?

So, how much does your wedding cost?!

Um, don’t go there.

Shockingly, this uncouth question might come from both people you’re close with and people you’ve never spoken to before. Yes, seriously. Even though talking money is usually something that’s totally taboo, for some reason folks think it’s appropriate to ask how much you and your family are forking out for food and flowers. Just like how they think it’s totally okay to ask how much your fiancé paid for your engagement ring.

So how are you supposed to respond to this super awkward query? Basically, don’t. Don’t feel obligated to respond. Instead, try to dodge the question and give a vague response like: “We’ve definitely become good at negotiating with vendors!” Or try to laugh it off with a simple: “Ugh, weddings man!” Answers like that don’t talk specific figures, and they allow you to bring up weddings as a general topic, and take the focus off the cost of yours specifically.

If they keep pressing you for a number, you can dodge it again by saying you’re unsure — let them know that wedding budgets are complex, adding in a joke about your color coded budget excel sheet. Or you can just be honest and let them know that you don’t feel comfortable giving them an amount. Either way, it’s your choice. If you feel comfortable divulging the price tag of your party, you can take that route also.

See More: 7 Tricks to Slashing Your Wedding Reception Rental Costs

Jen Glantz is a “Professional Bridesmaid” and the founder of Bridesmaid for Hire. She’s the author of All My Friends Are Engaged and frequently wears old bridesmaid dresses to the grocery store and on first dates.

“All you need is LOVE” … right? Not so much.

Many of us grow up being taught that when we grow up, we’ll fall in love and everything will end in a blissful, fairy tale ending. Except, they forgot about the rough, tough, and downright IMPOSSIBLE spots along the way. We were never prepared for the REAL side of life that challenges even the BEST of relationships.

The idea that love is really all we need is just a childhood dream — not an adult’s reality. Love needs love to survive — and then some.

These four ingredients — along with love — are needed in the recipe for a REAL, successful relationship:

1. Good, natural communication.
Partners who can communicate effectively are a match made in heaven. Good communication should essentially be clear, calm and direct.

A partner who can openly discuss their feelings — and who can handle disagreements without a huge conflict — is a clear keeper. If there is defensiveness, criticism, or an unwillingness to listen to each other, it becomes impossible to navigate the struggles of life that will inevitably arise over time.

Love is easily suffocated when there is poor communication.

2. Ultimate trust.
Trust is essential. If you don’t have trust, it becomes impossible to grow into a committed relationship. Dependability and consistency are characteristics of a trustworthy person, and their actions should match their words.

If someone talks a good talk, but doesn’t walk the walk, it is a sign that they aren’t worth trusting. Trust comes from taking a risk with someone and then learning that it was safe to take that risk.

See more: I Refuse To Let My Wife’s Depression Ruin My Marriage

3. Plain old compatibility.
If your differences are so great that you can’t spend time together or share mutual interests and passions, your future together will be tested over time. Things initially may seem acceptable because you’re “in love” with someone, but once the initial excitement wears off and you’re trying to maintain a relationship for the long haul, these differences can create disconnection.

See more: 50 Love Quotes That Express Exactly What ‘I Love You’ Really Means

4. TOTAL respect.
Respect is critical in the foundation of a healthy relationship. You may get annoyed with little things here and there, but a love killer is disrespecting and devaluing your partner.

It’s important to be with someone who you admire and feel a sense of positive regard for. If you start off with someone you don’t respect, love won’t be enough to sustain your relationship over time.

Without these essential ingredients, the flames of your love will die out. Always start with love, but make sure it’s a relationship filled with everything it needs to survive and thrive.

See more: These 20 Quotes Explain Why We Need Unconditional Love So DAMN Much

This article originally appeared on YourTango.

Iggy Azalea and Nick Young’s called off engagement just continues to break our hearts. The Australian rapper and the NBA player first postponed their wedding due to the performer’s work schedule, then Azalea wrote a tear-jerking Instagram post announcing their broken engagement, and now Azalea is publicizing making the tragic reason behind their split: She caught Young bringing another woman into their home.

A little more than a year after their engagement was first announced &mdaash; and Azalea was flashing that ENORMOUS yellow diamond engagement ring in a slew of Instagram selfies — the couple called it quits. And now, less than two weeks after her split from the basketball player, Azalea is speaking out about why. “I broke up with Nick because I found out he had brought other women into our home while I was away and caught them on the security footage,” the 26-year-old rapper, who is currently judging The Voice Australia in her home country, wrote in a tweet on Thursday.

And that wasn’t all she wrote. These tweets come amid tabloid reports that Azalea called it off with Young, 31, because he cheated on her with his former girlfriend — and mother to Young’s 4-year-old son, Nick, Jr. — who is now allegedly pregnant with their second child, People reports.

Another one of Azalea’s tweets revealed that she had no knowledge of the pregnancy rumors. “I have never even been told by nick that his baby mother is pregnant so if this is true I’m finding out via E news,” she tweeted, referring to an E! News report about the alleged pregnancy.

In a follow-up tweet, the “Fancy” rapper wrote: “This is just like a second shot to the chest. And I feel like I don’t even know who the hell it is I’ve been loving all this time.”

According to People, Young has not yet commented publicly on the pregnancy rumors.

Just last week, Azalea announced their split via Instagram. “Unfortunately although I love Nick and have tried and tried to rebuild my trust in him — it’s become apparent in the last few weeks I am unable to.” She went on to share that she has nothing but love for her ex, stating, “I genuinely wish Nick the best. It’s never easy to part ways with the person you’ve planned your entire future with, but futures can be rewritten and as of today mine is a blank page.”

The New York Post reported that the Australian rapper was unable to regain her trust in her fiancé after he was secretly caught on video by his teammate D’Angelo Russel while talking about his relations with other women.

See more: Our Favorite Celebrity Engagement Rings

Taylor Swift is heading to a wedding! No, it won’t be the pop star’s own wedding to her current boyfriend and total heartthrob Tom Hiddleston — they only just started dating, guys, come on — but rather for the wedding of her BFF, Abigail Anderson. And we are seriously crossing our fingers in the hopes that we’ll get yet another epic Taylor Swift maid of honor speech.

But, hey — we’re getting ahead of ourselves in picking out Anderson’s bridal party. The bride-to-be only just got engaged! And with a totally stunning engagement ring selfie, we might add. Last Tuesday, Swift’s BFF — who went as the pop star’s date to the 2015 Grammys — took to Instagram to announce the happy news that she’s engaged to her photographer love Matt Lucier, People reports.

“Tonight I answered the easiest question I’ve ever been asked. Without any doubt and without fear — I am so excited for this next chapter in our lives @mattthephotographer,” Anderson wrote, adding a bride emoji (AKA our favorite emoji). “Thank you to my family & all of my friends that went the extra mile to make sure this night was everything I’ve ever imagined. #HePutARingOnIt.”

In the photo, Anderson, in a pretty floral dress with a slightly open back, and her now fiancé are seen in a super sweet embrace, with Lucier holding up his bride’s hand and showing off that gorgeous engagement ring — an oval-cut diamond set on a what appears to be a pavé rose gold band. Through some social media digging, we were able to find a close-up of the bling via an apparent engagement ring selfie Snapchat from the bride-to-be (that was uploaded to the ‘Gram by Taylor Swift fans across the Internet), which shows her new rock and sparkly red manicure with the caption: “A MILLION TIMES, YES” with the ring emoji (AKA our second favorite emoji).

We’d be shocked if Swift wasn’t called upon to be a bridesmaid in her BFF’s wedding. According to People, these two have been friends since high school — Anderson even made a cameo in the lyrics to one of Swift’s hit songs, “Fifteen.” “You sit in class next to a redhead named Abigail/And soon enough you’re best friends…Abigail gave everything she had to a boy who changed his mind/We both cried.”

If Swift was to serve in Anderson’s nuptials, she would certainly be a candidate for the “always a bridesmaid” title. Back in February, Swift took on the ultra-important role of being maid of honor at her childhood friend Britany Mack’s wedding.

See more: Our Favorite Celebrity Engagement Rings

“I’ve never been a maid of honor before,” Swift revealed to People. “This is my first time, and it’s really important to me because this is my best friend, who I’ve known since I was born. And she’s marrying someone I’ve known since I was 4.”

Swift totally slayed as MOH, rocking not only one of the most stunning bridesmaid dresses we’ve ever seen, but also giving a totally tear-jerking toast to the bride and groom, which went viral after the couple’s wedding video was released a few weeks after the wedding.

Congratulations to Abigail and Matt! See more of their sweet engagement photos below.

Got t to help a couple friends get engaged today. @mattthephotographer & @abigail_lauren love you guys

A photo posted by Abby Frenes (@abbyfrenes) on Jun 28, 2016 at 8:36pm PDT

@abigail_lauren lucier… Has a nice ring to it… Boom!pun of the day goes to me #dreamgirl

A photo posted by M A T T L U C I E R (@mattthephotographer) on Jun 28, 2016 at 8:18pm PDT

Tonight I answered the easiest question I've ever been asked. Without any doubt and without fear – I am so excited for this next chapter in our lives @mattthephotographer ???????? Thank you to my family & all of my friends that went the extra mile to make sure this night was everything I've ever imagined. #HePutARingOnIt ????: @abbyfrenes

A photo posted by Abigail Anderson (@abigail_lauren) on Jun 28, 2016 at 8:08pm PDT

You may feel confident with your moves at the club, but when all eyes are on you during your first dance, this is one area to leave to the pros. Get your spouse-to-be involved choosing a song and style you both feel comfortable with while waltzing around the dance floor. With the help of these Florida dance pros, you’ll look just as hot as one of the couples on Dancing with the Stars as you grace the floor for your first song together as newlyweds.

Arthur Murray Dance Center
South Florida-based couples can choose from two of Arthur Murray’s studios: Boca Raton up north or Coral Gables in the south. While the studios specialize in everything from slow and Viennese Waltz to the Fox Trot and Argentine Tango, let the onsite wedding consultant help customize the moves you’re after for your first dance. They’ll take everything from your personal styles to that of the venue into consideration when helping map out a lesson plan to prep for your debut dance number. Read real brides’ reviews here!

Miami Ballroom Dance Studio
Go for traditional steps or work out choreography with an instructor to your first dance with private lessons at the Coral Gables-based dance studio. The 4,500-square-foot studio is lined with hardwood floors and gives couples the option to go one-on-one with an instructor to fine-tune their moves with dance specialties that include ballroom, as well as swing, salsa, cha cha and tango.

Your Wedding Dance
With a combined experience of 50 years, the instructors at Your Wedding Dance will ensure that even if couples are convinced they have two left feet, they’ll be dancing gracefully in no time. In just three lessons, couples will have the moves down to their first dance that takes into account everything from the shoes you’ll be sporting to your dress train and tiara. Busy couples don’t have to worry about making time to drive out to the studio, either. An instructor can come straight to you, fitting right in to all of your other pre-wedding scheduling.

See More: Now That You’ve Got the Steps Down Pat, Browse These Local Wedding Musicians and Get Ready to Dance the Night Away!

Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Coral Gables
Founded by one of Hollywood’s best dancers himself (and star of 33 musicals!), the Fred Astaire Dance Studios are all about maintaining elegance when hitting the dance floor, and no time is more important than your wedding day. Instructors trained in the Fred Astaire method can help with everything from getting the basics down to choreographing an entire number for both you and the wedding party if you’d like to get them involved in the action. Read real brides’ reviews here!

Dance Sport USA
Couples going classic can perfect their ballroom moves at Dance Sport USA in Delray Beach, known as South Florida’s top ballroom dance studio school. Don’t be intimidated by the professionals waltzing around here — the award-winning team of instructors will have you looking just as smooth on the dance floor when your wedding day roles around. Read real brides’ reviews here!

Click here to find other local wedding vendors who can help make your first dance flawless and all the rest of your big day dreams come true!

Break out the traditional paper gift, Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher are celebrating their first wedding anniversary! The adorable couple married last year with a top secret 4th of July wedding. No doubt they have plenty to celebrate — Mila is expecting their second baby this year. But how did That 70’s Show‘s Kelso and Jackie finally end up getting together to tie the knot? Read on to find out!

It was the real life couple of everyone’s dreams — Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher met on the set of That 70’s Show where they played our favorite on-and-off couple, Kelso and Jackie (he was her first kiss!). Who would have guessed that 16 years later, they would finally get together! Following his split from Demi Moore and her split from Macaulay Culkin, the couple began dating in 2011, and would make their official debut in 2012. We’ve been sighing “awwwwww” at their adorableness ever since — mostly on the kiss cam at Lakers games and other PDA at various sporting events.

The Ring

After making a splash attending both his and her brother’s weddings the question became “when will Ashton and Mila get engaged?” Ashton finally got down on one knee (we hope!) and popped the question to Mila in February 2014, phew! “We all get movie star crushes. I’m marrying mine,” Mila told W magazine in August 2014.

Of course the under-the-radar duo chose a classic engagement ring — a 5-carat round cut solitaire diamond. Elegant and timeless, just like Mila.

The Wedding

Following the birth of their daughter Wyatt on October 1, 2014, rumors swirled for months that the couple had secretly gotten married. Mila didn’t help matters by wearing a wedding ring or sending a holiday card signed “The Kutchers.”

It was finally revealed that Mila and Ashton got married on fourth of July weekend, 2015, at the Secret Garden at Parrish Ranch in Oak Glen, California (pictured above a different wedding at the Secret Garden, we can only imagine M+A’s!) in a top secret low key ceremony. The couple stocked the lush grounds, which had been playfully dubbed “Camp KuKu” for Kunis and Kutcher, with outdoorsy activities, set up among rows of tents serving as a luxe glamping campground for partygoers.

While we haven’t seen any photos of what we’re sure was a fun-filled wedding, Kutcher finally revealed a few details of the affair’s secrecy on the Ellen Show earlier this year. “It was a ninja effort,” The Ranch star told Ellen. “We really didn’t want helicopters at our wedding and it’s a legitimate concern. So I was like posting things on social media that we were in different locations to avoid that, we didn’t want to be screaming our vows at each other.”

When you eat lunch next to Ashton Kutcher & Mila Kunis in Yosemite,and he shakes ur hand but doesn't take a pic w/ u pic.twitter.com/z6RLEw93d2

— Ellie Byrd (@_elliebyrdiii_) July 8, 2015

The Honeymoon

The Kutchers then set off with baby Wyatt for a California road trip in an RV. Yosemite Valley National Park was the first stop on their sweet family vacation. And they finished off with a quintessential honeymoon location — Napa Valley. They were even spotted by some fans, but politely declined to take pictures — it was their honeymoon after all!

Married life hasn’t taken the romance down for these sweet newlyweds. They continue to PDA their way through various Los Angeles-based sporting events, in case you were worried. #KelsoandJackie4Ever

Creating a registry is all about personal style. And if yours is of the Southern variety, it’s easy to find great items that embrace charm over trend. From mason jars to sweet tea pitchers, each of these items from Belk are registry must-haves for a couple who loves to entertain Southern style.

Nothing says Southern entertaining like mason jars. Give the glassware a twist and register for a multipurpose mason jar caddy instead of glasses. You can use this set as a centerpiece filled with flowers, to hold utensils for an outdoor party, or as a condiment holder for a barbeque. Home Essentials Country Chic Mason Jars Caddy Set, $19.99

A crystal pitcher is a must-have on any registry, and the green glass handle on this one brings it up to date. But what any Southern bride and groom will love most about this gift is the extra-long stirring spoon, perfect for sweet tea or home squeezed lemonade. Kate Spade New York All in Good Taste Pretty Pantry, $30

If long Southern dinners are more your speed, consider this dinnerware set a must-have for your registry. Combining wood and porcelain gives this casual dinnerware pattern a farm to table look. Villeroy & Boch Artesano Dinnerware 4 pc. Place setting, $62.40

Even if you don’t live on the water, incorporating coastal elements into your home is always a southern entertaining staple. Your guests are sure to sigh at the cuteness of this fish serving bowl. Lenox British Colonial Carved Fish Serving Bowl, $59.99

Nothing like a copper beverage tub to keep the party rustic and cool all night long. Inspired by Biltmore Estate, a southern landmark, this pieces is just what every hostess needs to add a dash of Southern charm to their festivities. Biltmore Hammered Copper Beverage Tub, $51.60

Want to inject a breath of fresh air into your wedding? Then swap the freshly picked flowers for potted plants that, like your marriage, are destined to last a lifetime (well, you know, that is if taken care of properly)! The growing greenery trend has caught the attention of eco-friendly couples, modern minimalists and bohemian brides alike. From teeny tiny succulents used as reception place cards to towering trees that beautifully break up a ceremony space, here’s how to put down some roots and channel the potted plant trend at your own wedding.

Line your ceremony aisle.
Instead of candles or flowers, wedding and event planners Natasha Burton and Jennifer Arreguin, co-founders of Swoon California, suggest lining your ceremony aisle with low trees or potted plants of your preference. Dramatic planters placed at the beginning of the aisle are always a good call too. “Urns are great vessels for live trees and plants that can decorate an aisle or even create an organic background for the ceremony altar,” adds event planner Kristine Cholakian Cooke, owner of Simply Charming Socials.

Use them to break up a space or hide unsightly features.
Believe it or not, trees work great to help shape an event space and create pretty borders and barriers for your venue, particularly if there are columns or any other unpleasant features you’d like to hide or distract attention from, point out Burton and Arreguin. Larger potted plants can also be used in lieu of pipe and drape for screening purposes, says wedding planner Leah Weinberg, owner of Color Pop Events.

Bring the outdoors in.
If a bride is looking for a more botanical look but the venue doesn’t accomplish this due to location or season, potted plants can work really well to bring the outdoors in, notes Cooke. “For example, live trees add a grand and lively touch to any reception area. Potted citrus trees or olive trees are a favorite for their true green leaves, fantastic aroma and narrow trunks, plus they add height and interest in the corners of the room or in a lounge.”

Use them as place cards and favors.
Why not go ahead and kill two birds with one stone (or uh, plant)! According to Cooke, small potted plants make the perfect place cards for seating that can then double as favors for guests to take home and enjoy. “Succulents and fresh herbs are always a popular choice.” For a fun pop of color, consider itsy bitsy bright cacti.

See More: The 9 Biggest Black Tie Wedding Mistakes Brides Make

Decorate your dinner tables.
Feel free to go big or small with this idea! For a more simple, chic yet utterly romantic vibe, Burton and Arreguin recommend succulents of all different types (think spiky ones, ones that droop over the pot, etc.) nestled in with tea lights and lanterns. Potted hydrangeas, pretty azaleas and kalanchoes, which all come in striking colors of corals, pinks and whites, look stunning on tables, too as long as they’re low enough to avoid obstructing the view across the table, tells Lucy Diaz-Flores, Creative Director of Bella Flora in Dallas. For the more daring bride that wants to make a big statement, Cooke says to try potted trees as centerpieces on long estate tables. “Be sure to trim the lower branches so that guests can see each other during dinner though,” she warns.

Create a focal point.
Want to dress up the entrance to your reception space or give guests a pretty welcome into the church? Potted plants make for a beautiful grand focal area, according to Diaz-Flores. “Use a mixture of both blooming and greenery plants, such as large overflowing ferns, a variety of potted hydrangeas, pretty English ivy or other trailing foliages for a nice cascade feel,” she says. “For focal areas in the ballroom, place combinations of potted plants in mass on pedestals or tables.” Smaller potted plants also look great on food stations and bars.

Not sure where to get your potted plants? Here’s how to decide whether to buy or rent.
If you have space to plant the plants after use or are giving them away as favors, then definitely purchase them from your local gardening center, advises Holly Chapple of Holly Heider Chapple Flowers LTD. However, if you don’t really have “green fingers” or a space to plant, then she suggests renting. Some florists offer this option, she says, so call around to find the right fit.

A lot of brides and grooms will plan summertime weddings if they’ve got a bunch of children on their guest list, as it tends to be the easiest way to avoid most school and athletic conflicts, and make sure as many children as possible can attend. Some couples aren’t thrilled about having little ones attend their wedding, but the brides and grooms who are excited to include children keep the kids in mind when they do their wedding planning.

The key, in my professional opinion, to having every guest enjoy the wedding festivities is to have one or more babysitters on hand (depending on how many children attend, and the ages) to keep a general eye out, and help facilitate special planned activities. In addition, here are five fun and easy ways to make sure that your littlest guests have as much fun as the big ones:

1. Have a “Kids-Only” table at the reception, and cover the entire thing with brown butcher paper and boxes of crayons, markers, and stickers. You can put seats at the regular tables for them during the actual dinner if they need assistance from their parents, but having an activities table available gives them a quiet spot to entertain themselves when they lose interest during long toasts.

2. Offer a special kids’ meal to your younger guests. Most of them won’t appreciate the regular dinner menu, especially if you have fancy foodie tendencies. If you’re having a buffet, ask the caterer if they can provide a children’s buffet as well, on a lower table the kids can reach to make their own selections. It makes the children feel special, and guarantees they’ll actually eat.

3. Consider offering an interactive dessert display. Let the kids decorate pre-frosted mini cupcakes with sprinkles, sparkles and other edible décor. Set up a table with all the fun stuff and let them have at it. It gives the children something to keep them busy for awhile after dinner so they’re not running around when their parents take to the dance floor. And if you’re having a dessert buffet, you can offer the kids’ creative designs as well. It will make your guests smile.

4. Every child loves a lemonade stand. For a daytime wedding, build a little booth using your wedding colors, and assign the children the task of serving drinks in little cups decorated with fun straws and umbrellas. True, most of the adults will be cocktailing, but nobody will be able to resist the little ones and their pop up business. No payment required, of course!

5. Set up a “Fun Room” in another part of the venue with a Disney movie and some other quiet activities. The goal isn’t to keep the children corralled for the duration of your party, but rather to have a cool, quiet place for them to go (or be taken) if all the activity is a little too much. It’s great to do it in a bedroom, if one is available, because the little ones can simply crash whenever they get tired.

See More: How to Decide Whether or Not to Invite Children to Your Wedding

Sandy Malone is the owner of Sandy Malone Weddings & Events and author of How to Plan Your Own Destination Wedding: Do-It-Yourself Tips from an Experienced Professional. Sandy is the star of TLC’s reality show Wedding Island, about her destination wedding planning company, Weddings in Vieques.

Beach towns, off-the-grid escapes, wine country — the Golden State has no shortage of honeymoon-worthy destinations. The grande dame of them all, however, is not so much a destination as it is a journey: California’s Pacific Coast Highway offers a taste of all of the above, along with some of the state’s finest panoramas.

Departing from Los Angeles, the PCH winds north at a leisurely pace, hugging California’s coastal curves for roughly 500 miles before arriving in San Francisco, passing through Malibu, Santa Barbara, Big Sur and looping around Monterey Bay along the way. Already California dreaming? Use this itinerary as a starting point for planning what is sure to be a honeymoon road trip to remember.

Day 1: Arrive in Los Angeles
Collect your rental car and head straight for the coast: There’s nothing like toes in the sand to mark the start of any vacation, let alone your honeymoon! Settle in for the evening at the beachfront Hotel Casa del Mar in Santa Monica, where suites offer 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean. Walk out onto the Santa Monica Pier to catch your first — of many — West Coast sunsets.

Pro tip: Look into one-way car rentals between Los Angeles and Bay Area airports (San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose). There is an additional fee but it’s worth it.

Day 2: Santa Monica to Santa Barbara (85 miles)
It’s time to hit the road! With sights set on arriving in Santa Barbara by late afternoon, plan for at least one beach stop and a lunch break somewhere along Malibu’s 18-mile stretch — from Nobu to Neptune’s Net, there are plenty of options. Where to stay: With in-room yoga mats, record players, and a fleet of beach cruisers, The Goodland is SoCal cool at its finest. Also: the Canary Santa Barbara, with its rooftop deck in the heart of downtown, or Bacara Resort & Spa for a dose of luxury.

Day 3: Santa Barbara to San Louis Obispo (100 miles)
Today’s agenda: wine country and California nostalgia. Stop for lunch at Pea Soup Andersen’s in Buelton, founded 1924, before detouring through Solvang, a historic Danish village that feels untouched by time. Sample local wines at one of the town’s tasting rooms or head to the source itself: The Santa Ynez Valley is home to more than 100 vineyards and wineries. Post up for the evening at the iconic Madonna Inn, a fabulous throwback to another era.

Day 4: San Louis Obispo to Big Sur (120 miles)
Along this stretch of Highway 1 you’ll want to stop for scenic Morro Bay, Hearst Castle and to see the elephant seals of San Simeon. The road gets quite curvy; take it easy and enjoy the views. Aim to arrive in Big Sur well before sunset to get settled in the Ventana Big Sur, a luxe zen retreat set amid meadows and redwoods, or the Post Ranch Inn, which is perched on 1,200 foot high cliffs overlooking the Pacific.

Day 5: Big Sur to Carmel-by-the-Sea (50 miles)
Big Sur is a magical place, stick around for a while today to explore — hiking trails are plentiful and reward with incredible views. Alternatively, take time for a little R&R; the Ventana offers yoga, Tai Chi, and pilates classes and has an incredible spa. Idyllic Carmel-by-the-Sea is the perfect stop for the evening; boutique stays include the new Hotel Carmel, a cozy, cottage-style hotel, or Tradewinds Carmel, a tranquil, East-meets-West oasis.

Day 6: Monterey to San Francisco (120 miles)
If time allows, take the 17-Mile Drive, a scenic loop through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach that finishes not far from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. After an aquarium visit and lunch at Fisherman’s Wharf, it’s time to hit the road. The most direct route to the Bay Area is to take the Santa Cruz highway north through the redwoods into the South Bay. If time allows, stay on Highway 1, which eventually drops into San Francisco before continuing north over the Golden Gate Bridge — a grand finale, if there every was one.

See More: A 5 Day Itinerary for a California Road Trip Honeymoon