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 $650/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
Let’s talk photography packages and pricing
Planning a wedding or event and interested in photography packages and pricing? Here’s what you need to know before you start inquiring about wedding photography packages and pricing, no matter who your photographer is going to be.
Debunking 5 wedding myths and superstitions
There are hundreds of myths and superstitions to keep you preoccupied during your wedding day and as soon as you start planning, everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE, is going to have an opinion on how you run your day. I’m debunking five of the most common wedding myths and superstitions to help keep your stress low, because on your day, the only thing you should feel beholden to is your partner. Seriously, don’t stress about having “something blue” if you don’t even like the color just because your mother is convinced you need to.
Five steps to a picture perfect proposal
This one’s for the partners who have decided to hire a photographer for the proposal. Seriously, you’re going to want to read this. If you’re going to go through the trouble of hiring a photographer for the proposal, you need to put some effort into planning it—no worries, though, I’ve got your back! Here’s how to plan a picture perfect proposal in five, easy steps.
Martis Camp Elopement | Jenny + Tom
A lot of mountains had to be moved for Jenny and Tom's Covid affected Martis Camp elopement slash micro-wedding to happen. The largest of which was that Tom's parents live in Israel and were worried about being able to attend at all, despite the fact that the were both vaccinated last December. Tom's father spent the entirety of his pandemic life training to ride his bicycle around Lake Tahoe. More from Jenny and Tom's micro-wedding/elopement here!
Summer wedding treats and favors that steal the show
Having a memorable wedding isn’t just about the open bar and the ridiculous dance moves your uncle pulled out on the dance floor. It’s about the intentional, small details that make it uniquely yours. Some couples choose to bring touches of home to their day or to include their fur babies, and some (those of us with a sweet tooth), like to go all out on treats for our guests. Here are this summer’s steal-the-show wedding treats and favors!
7 LGBTQ+ owned businesses to support
Happy Pride Month! When you get to planning and wedding spending—whether it’s during Pride Month or year round—be sure to support LGBTQ+-owned businesses, like these ones. You may be surprised to see many cult favorites on this list.