Congratulations! You are planning your unforgettable elopement! As a photographer who craves adventure, I have always loved elopements! If you always dreamed of an exciting elopement, then I am super excited for you. However, with Covid-19 changing the way that we are all living, this may not have been what you originally planned for your wedding- it may not have even been your plan B, C, D….. etc. but, you cannot go wrong with a romantic, fun, adventure like eloping in South Lake Tahoe! Plus, we are here to help you navigate the whole process and get you the wedding of your dreams!

We have put together a simple guide to planning an elopement in South Lake Tahoe that we hope will answer most of your questions & inform you of things you didn’t think about before starting this process. Like we said before- we love, love, LOVE elopements! Photographing one of the best days of a couple’s lives is simply amazing. We have a wealth of knowledge that we are happy to share with you- feel free to reach out! 

General Lake Tahoe Location Info:

Lake Tahoe is split up in several different ways. The lake and its surrounding areas are very diverse, and each part has something to offer! You are sure to find something fitting for your personality. Two of the main distinctions to be aware of are:

North Vs. South Lake Tahoe 
and
California Vs. Nevada side

This site can help you figure out which location is right for your elopement. Since we are focusing on South Lake Tahoe in this post- here is their visitor site that is full of useful information! 

When is the best time to elope:

Trying to decide the best time of year to elope in South Lake Tahoe? That is easy! Any time of year. Really! Whether you are looking for a winter wonderland wedding or incorporating snow sports, springtime blooming with life, summer beach bum style on the lake, or fall foliage with colors bursting all around you… South Lake Tahoe is the perfect place to elope year-round! The only times that we’d suggest trying to avoid would be on holidays/holiday weekends. 

Logistics:

Marriage License- This is pretty critical. We can help navigate you through this process. It is important to make sure to consider where in Lake Tahoe you will be getting married. For example, if your ceremony will be taking place on the California side, then you’ll need a public marriage license or a confidential marriage license from California. However, if you’re getting married on the Nevada side of the lake, then you’ll need a Nevada marriage license. If you still aren’t sure where or how to plan your elopement or get your marriage license, then reach out to us and we can help you figure out these details! 
Officiants and Witnesses- We are a photographer and officiant team! So, we’ve got you covered! We can take care of your witnesses too if necessary. Or, maybe you already have these people all figured out- that is awesome too!
Permits- In some places- depending on where you want to have your elopement- you’ll have to acquire a permit to have access to National Forest lands. Just something to be aware of!

Where to elope:

South Lake Tahoe is home to some breathtaking views that you just cannot find anywhere else! We have a few secluded spots that we keep secret for our lovely client couples 😉 – but there are also some general areas that are known for being perfect locations for elopements that you can look into!

• Emerald Bay guarantees a beautiful backdrop for your first-look photos, wedding ceremony, and celebrations after! There are several different areas that would make for perfect elopement locations. 
• Vikingsholm Castle is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the United States. If you are interested, the house is open for tours during the summer and the gorgeous scenery can be enjoyed all year round.  
• Mountain spots like Heavenly can offer a magical feeling to winter weddings that is simply unbeatable. 
• Or, if you’d like to be a little further out of the way, there are places like Tahoe Paradise Park. Don’t be afraid to check out surrounding areas- South Lake Tahoe is pretty big!
• If you want to embrace the lake as your beautiful wedding destination, then there are beaches like Regan or Pope that make for gorgeous ceremony spots. Or, you can check out Top 10 Beaches in Tahoe here. 

Venues:

With COVID-19, it isn’t easy to find places to elope indoors, but it isn’t impossible either. South Lake Tahoe offers the beauty of nature that you just can’t beat, but sometimes that option isn’t right for a couple. So, we love using The Knot as a reference for these types of things- we suggest checking out their site for more ideas! 

Where to Stay:

There are so many options these days for where to stay. Finding a place that suits your budget, style, size of wedding party/people attending, etc. can be easier than you think. Some options to consider:

• Hotels and Resorts- they offer simplicity and peace of mind to many. They have amenities, package options, multiple rooms, etc.
• Cabin & Vacation rentals- There are plenty of sites out there to navigate all the cool Tahoe/Cabin-feel rentals in the area. Whether you are staying as just a couple, or you want family and friends there- South Lake Tahoe offers a variety of vacation rentals for short or long stays. 
• Bed & Breakfasts- A romantic Tahoe elopement with a cozy B&B?! Yes, please!
• RV Parks & Campgrounds- We know plenty of hardcore campers who would absolutely love to make a weekend camping trip out of their elopement in such a stunning place. Luckily, Tahoe has a ton of options for those adventurous couples!
• Airbnbs/VRBO- In this day and age this is such a common option for securing a place to stay. South Lake Tahoe has plenty of places that people use simply as their own vacation homes and then they rent them out when they are away!

Things to do after the ceremony:

• Trash the dress- As a photographer- I LOVE this kind of thing! But, it is also a stress-relieving, fun, new tradition for couples to just let loose and live in the moment. We can help you find the perfect spot/idea to go through with this idea too. 
• Wedding traditions- Just because you are eloping doesn’t mean that you have to forgo all traditions. Sometimes incorporating a little something traditional can make your day even more special to you- cut a cake, **pop champagne**, first dance, etc. 
• Breweries- there are plenty of options to grab your favorite beer to celebrate your big day. We love South Lake Brewing Company 🙂
• Hiking- AllTrails is an awesome resource for finding the perfect hike for you- keeping it simple and find someplace with an awesome lookout for photographs is smart. Plus- their app is easy to use on the go. 
• Picnic & Announce your big news- Firstly, know that it is crazy how often brides forget to eat on their wedding day! You will probably be so ready for some snacks shortly after your ceremony. Second, what is more romantic than a picnic in a beautiful location like South Lake Tahoe?! And, it is the perfect time to make some calls to share your big elopement news with friends & family!
• First dinner as a married couple- Skip the big party and find a restaurant just right for you. Enjoy each other’s company as newlyweds over a nice meal. South Lake Tahoe has so many great options- check out a few here!
• A post-elopement party!- If you want to invite others into your secret bubble, then a little reception can actually be as simple or complex as you would like. You can elope alone or with guests around, then celebrate however your style fits into the day- make it what you want!

Elopement Packing List:

• Storage Bins are your best friends! So easy to keep organized, stack, and travel!
• Wedding Emergency Kit
• Bride Wedding Attire (dress, undergarments, jewelry, shoes, hairpiece, veil, belt, etc.)
• Groom Wedding Attire (Suit/Tux, tie/bowtie, undergarments, pocket square, socks, shoes, cufflinks, etc.)
• Rings- this may seem obvious, but sometimes the little things get forgotten
• Flowers/bouquet/ boutonniere 
• Masks- there are so many cute wedding-inspired ones on Etsy!
• Makeup (foundation, concealer, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, lipstick, blush, etc.)
• Brush, comb
• Hairpins, hairspray, gel
• Shaving cream, razor/shaver
• Deodorant
• Tweezers, nail clippers
• Contacts, contact lens solutions, glasses
• First aid kit (e.g., medications, bandaids, tissues, etc.)
• Handheld mirror
• Legal documentation/license (putting all documents like these and vows, etc. in a folder for easy accessibility can keep things simple)
• Wedding vows
• Memorabilia (incorporated into the ceremony) (blue, borrowed, old, new?)
• Wedding gift for your spouse-to-be + letters
• Wrinkle Spray– depending on how far you’re traveling from- this stuff can be so useful
• Hiking Boots/ change of shoes if hiking to take pictures
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Jackets/shaw
• Clear Umbrella  
• Wine Wipes 
• Backpack to carry little things to location for photographs
• Reusable Waterbottle
• Picnic Blanket 
• Celebratory drinks/glasses- popping champagne on a mountaintop can make for some pretty fun pictures to treasure
• Trail maps

Some Final Thoughts 

Here are some basic things to consider when planning an elopement in South Lake Tahoe:

1. Decide who you’re going to invite. Don’t feel overwhelmed by this step. If you want to keep things intimate and small, then stick to just you and your soon-to-be-spouse, or your immediate friends and family. Try to remember that this is your day. You can also always have a celebration with more people at another time.
2. Are you going to have a First- Look? It has become a sweet tradition over the years to see each other before the ceremony and we love it! It is a private moment (minus me being a fly on the wall) that you can treasure for the rest of your lives. There are so many beautiful places to do a first-look in South Lake Tahoe too!
3. Where are you going to have your elopement ceremony? Your wedding can be wherever you want it to be. We have seen some pretty amazing backyard/AirBnB weddings, mountaintop ceremonies, beach ceremonies… what fits with your personalities? If you want to have an adventure together, then make a day of it and do some hiking to different locations even!
4. Are you having a reception after? A lot of couples opt to have a post-elopement party to celebrate their union with family and friends at a later date too!
5. Put together your vendor list for your wedding. Usually, elopements are about keeping it focused on the love of the couple and keeping it simple. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box- put together your own bouquet with flowers from the grocery store, have a friend make you a small cake to cut after the ceremony, borrow things from family/friends, or do your own hair & makeup! No matter what route you go- it is wise to keep a list of vendors with phone numbers/emails, etc. just in case you ever need it. The plus side of having an elopement in South Lake Tahoe is that there are vendors in both California and Nevada- so many great resources to brainstorm and we are here to help if needed! 

If you have questions or comments about doing your elopement in South Lake Tahoe, then feel free to reach out to me! I’m happy to help make your special day a dream come true! 

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