Lake Tahoe Elopement Packages
As a Lake Tahoe wedding photographer, I love photographing big, traditional weddings, but not all weddings are lavish affairs. I have a soft spot for small, informal weddings and elopements.
Whether it’s a last minute decision, or something you’ve been planning for months, eloping to Lake Tahoe is as dreamy as it sounds. These intimate weddings focus on you, and maybe also your closest friends and immediate family in one of the most beautiful places on Earth (I’m definitely biased). Not only are elopements less stressful than taking the traditional route, they’re usually less expense (woohoo!).
There are no hard and fast rules to eloping in Lake Tahoe, but there’s one thing that’s for sure: if you’re the adventurous type, or just want to do things differently, you’ll want a local photographer (*cough cough*) who knows the ropes to capture your day as authentically as it unfolds.
Location, location, location
So you’ve seen the breathtaking Tahoe views for yourself (or on social media), and you want a beautiful backdrop for your elopement? You may have a spot in mind, or, as a local, I can help you brainstorm your ideal location, whether you’re looking for privacy in a secluded cove or the wide open sky at the top of our mountains.
Investment
Unlike most Lake Tahoe wedding and elopement photographers, I don’t require a minimum. I do recommend at least two hours of coverage, so I have time to photograph your elopement ceremony and time afterward for formal photos. Elopement coverage is $800/hr.
No matter what you decide, booking elopement photography with me includes high-resolution image downloads and a print release. You’ll also have the opportunity to add on prints, albums, and more. Albums range in price from $550-$1150.
Questions? Let’s work together to build a completely customizable elopement photography package that suits your needs.
Getting to Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is pretty accessible, with a few airport options if you’re visiting from afar. Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is the closest and has transportation options to get you all around the lake.
If you’re looking for a deal, coming from NorCal, or just want to take the scenic route, you can fly into Sacramento International Airport (SAC), which is about a two-hour drive from the lake. I wouldn’t recommend San Francisco International Airport (SFO) or Oakland International Airport (OAK) unless you have several hours to spare.
Other important considerations
Elopements take a lot of stress out of a wedding day, and that’s one reason they’re my favorite. That doesn’t mean they’re without planning. If you’re planning your elopement without the help of a planner, make sure you’re up to date on any permits (Special Use) and vendor requirements, especially if you plan on getting married in a national park. If you want to make your day a breeze and pair great locals who love working together, then here is my list of my favorite and the best Tahoe wedding vendors.
Keep in mind that depending on where you tying the knot, you’ll need either a California or Nevada marriage license. There are five counties surrounding the lake, so double check that you’re getting your marriage license from the right place. You’ll also need to have a witness or two, depending on the county and I’m always happy to oblige if it’s just your officiant, y’all, and myself.
Lake Tahoe is a prime destination year round, so if you’re looking to secure a reservation, you’ll want to get on that as soon as you can. If you’d rather have someone work out the details for you, check out these local planners and vendors I’ve enjoyed working with.
Elopement photography in the US and beyond
If you’re thinking about eloping somewhere other than Lake Tahoe, keep in mind that I travel anywhere within the continental US for free. Yup, you read that right. Passport required? No problem. Travel arrangements for Alaska, Hawaii and outside the US are arranged on a case by case basis.
Featured Wedding and Resources
Cave Rock Elopement | Glenbrook, NV | Annie + Carter
Couples choose elopements for a variety of reasons over traditional weddings, and now, in light of current events, I think that many couples may be forced into elopements over weddings for financial reasons. This is not a bad thing! Living in such an incredible, epic location, I have the good fortune to photograph a LOT of elopements and I absolutely love them. Annie and Carter had the ultimate adventure for their elopement: hiking, climbing and scaling Cave Rock for incredible sunset memories!
Should we write our own vows or keep it traditional?
While you were busy picking out florals, decor, your wedding party, and even the colors of your table napkins, your vows may have been put on the backburner. One of the most important parts of your day is often easily overlooked. Some people even wait until the night before (seriously, but I don’t recommend that). Figuring out what you want your vows to be doesn’t have to be all-consuming: you have options.
How to Cure the Pre-Wedding Jitters
The months leading up to your wedding are a whirlwind of planning, opinions, and excitement. The expectations about what your day will be are high, whether you started planning when you were a kid or you just learned the difference between ivory and white. With all the pressure put on “the single most important day of your life,” it’s no surprise that many couples get pre-wedding jitters. Here are some ways to stay chill before your nerves get the best of you.
Disc Golf Wedding | Zephyr Cove, NV | Michael + Sarah
Couples choose elopements for a variety of reasons over traditional weddings, and now, in light of current events, I think that many couples may be forced into elopements over weddings for financial reasons. This is not a bad thing! Living in such an incredible, epic location, I have the good fortune to photograph a LOT of elopements and I absolutely love them. Michael and Sarah had an overwhelmingly wonderful experience at their adventure elopement and disc golf wedding in Lake Tahoe, and we’re all here to tell you that elopements are amazing.
Benefits To Having a Spring Wedding
There are just so many magical things we absolutely adore about spring. When the long winter ends, the warmer temperature along with spring sunshine is welcomed. The landscape, the gardens, the flowers - everything transforms with new fragrance and hues. These are the beautiful changes that make this season ideal for a wedding. Here, explore some of the benefits to having a spring wedding.
Buck Tradition: Why to Have a First Look on Your Wedding Day
We have all seen the videos. You know the ones: the video from the perfect wedding day, where the wedding party is already behind the altar and those adorably precocious flower girls have just dropped the last rose petal with perfect attitude. Dramatically, the music stops. It stops just long enough for the officiant to ask everyone to stand. The song begins and the entire crowd draws what seems to be a single anticipatory breath as the bride appears to take her first step down the aisle. But wait! The camera only spends a second on the bride, because it immediately zooms in to that magical moment where the waiting partner has their mouth open and a single teardrop rolls down their face and passionately falls to the ground. That is the moment: that moment of surprise that everyone prays will bring that exact same response on their wedding day.