5 Reasons Why Mammoth Lakes is Perfect for Your Elopement

Dreaming of a picturesque wedding nestled in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains? Whether you are throwing a grand party with hundreds of guests, an intimate dinner party at a lodge at June Lake, or wanting a courthouse wedding in the center of Bridgeport, the Mammoth Lakes area has all the options you might need. Just far enough outside of major cities, Mammoth Lakes, Bridgeport, and Bishop offer breathtaking backdrops but with an added dash of serenity that Tahoe doesn’t quite have.  Stunning mountain vistas?  Check.  Pristine alpine lakes?  Check.  Hot springs?  Check.  I’m here to give you all the reasons why you should consider a Mammoth Lakes wedding over a Tahoe one and to ensure every moment is skillfully captured, raise my hand and suggest that you hire me as your Mammoth Lakes elopement photographer.

Here are five reasons why Mammoth Lakes is the ideal location for your elopement or wedding.

1. Natural Beauty and Intimate Settings

Mammoth Lakes boasts some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in California. To this day, I maintain that the drive down 395 through the Mammoth and Bishop area is the most stunning drive in all of the US.  Either way, it’s a great backdrop for your elopement or wedding.  The mountains near Mammoth tower slightly higher than those in Tahoe and with the abundance of tiny alpine lakes seemingly everywhere, it’s borderline straight out of a fairy tale.  With a Mammoth Lakes elopement photographer in tow, you’re going to have the perfect day.

Although I’ve had clients rent out larger lodges along the lakes for their weddings, if you’re doing something more intimate, a courthouse wedding or rogue ceremony on forest service land will do.  Whether you envision an intimate ceremony surrounded by towering pines or a secluded spot beside a babbling brook, this area offers countless locations for your event.  Vito and Shelby, who hired me as their Mammoth Lakes elopement photographer, were doing things a little backwards, as they confessed.  They had a precocious daughter first and a courthouse ceremony second. We spent the second half of their afternoon taking photos that were stunningly beautiful but literally just on the side of the road while their daughter napped! She woke up just in time for us to head up to a nearby alpine lake for a champagne celebration.

2. Four Seasons!

You want a winter wedding?  No problem.  Mammoth actually frequently gets so much snow because of it’s altitude that you can ski through July in some years!  From snow-covered landscapes in winter to vibrant wildflowers in summer, each season brings its own beauty to this mountain paradise. Whether you’re planning a cozy winter elopement or a sun-drenched summer celebration, Mammoth Lakes is a great choice.

3. Affordability and Budget-Friendly Options

Eloping in Mammoth Lakes not only offers a stunning setting but also provides budget-friendly options for couples looking to tie the knot without breaking the bank like Shelby and Vito. Unlike traditional weddings, elopements typically involve fewer guests, which means lower costs for venues, catering, and other expenses.  You can rent out a large home for everyone to stay in and cater a dinner in, or, simply head to the Bridgeport Courthouse as Shelby and Vito did.  Additionally, although many vendors in Mammoth Lakes offer elopement packages specifically designed to accommodate small ceremonies, making it easier to stick to your budget while still creating a memorable experience, Shelby had a difficult time finding a photographer who was willing to work for only 2 hours.  Since I believe that everyone deserves photography on a budget and offer an hourly rate with no minimum required, we were the perfect fit for each other. Y’all – I’m here to tell you that elopements are amazing – it’s the perfect way to celebrate your union while keeping costs manageable.