In order to get the most out of your Lake Tahoe elopement, stretch it across a full day, not a few rushed hours. Tyler and Skylar’s day started with a private vow exchange on a hike above the lake, moved into a family ceremony on the beach at Sand Harbor, and closed with sunset portraits on the boulders and s’mores by a campfire.
If you are picturing your own day here, this is the real experience of one, including all of the turquoise water and snowy mountain peaks.
The Timeline of Their day
- Morning hike to Monkey Rock
- Private, just-the-two-of-them vows overlooking the lake
- Lunch with family, then getting ready separately back at the hotel
- First Look
- Afternoon ceremony at Sand Harbor with both families as witnesses
- Toast and dessert at a family-style table set with white and green florals
- Sunset portraits on the lake’s iconic boulders
- Campfire + s’mores, and a late dinner reservation to close the night
Their Day In Full
Tyler found me a year before this, for another reason. He was planning a surprise proposal in the Bishop Arts District in Dallas, one of Skylar’s favorite neighborhoods (and one of mine too). I sat across the street with my camera, doing my best impression of casual, watching every couple that walked by until the right one finally did.
When they reached out to me again a couple months later, they shared with me their idea of an intimate elopement in Lake Tahoe with their immediate families flying in to witness it. They wanted a wedding day that felt like discovering a new place together instead of performing at a venue near home.
We started the hike to Monkey Rock in the morning, ahead of the crowds. (Tahoe’s trails fill up fast, especially in summer, and starting early is the difference between a private moment and one shared with forty strangers.) We only passed a couple other hikers the entire way up. At the top, with Sand Harbor visible below where their families would gather that afternoon, Tyler and Skylar exchanged the vows they had written only for each other. No guests, no distractions, just the two of them finding the exact spot that felt right and saying the words they meant to keep private.
After a lunch and glam break back at the hotel, Tyler had told Skylar he wasn’t going to cry at the first look. But when she walked up to him in her dress, he cried anyway. When he turned around, they were both smiling ear to ear and ready to share the second half of their day with everyone else they loved.
While the group gathered among the sandy beach, both families were overcome with joy to see the union of Ty + Sky. They opted for simple elegance in their ceremony setup, really hoping to showcase the unbelievable scenery that surrounded us. After the “I do,” they gathered around a family-style table with white + green florals and gold accents set up by The Hytch. Each person at the table toasted the newlyweds with champagne and beautiful words to express their excitement over their new adventure and marriage. By following the best motto, they enjoyed their dessert before dinner! We adventured around the beach for couples portraits, and even scrambled some of the iconic Lake Tahoe boulders barefoot (which was especially impressive considering Skylar did it flawlessly in her dress!)
The ceremony at Sand Harbor kept the same relaxed feeling as the morning. A simple setup on the sand, because the lake and the mountains behind it didn’t need extra help. The scenery around us did all the heavy lifting. After their short ceremony, both families gathered around a table styled by The Hytch, simple white and green florals with gold accents. Every person at the table had a toast that expressed their love for the newlyweds, and they enjoyed dessert before dinner (exactly the kind of small rule-break that makes a day feel like the couple’s own.)
We spent the last of the light scrambling the lake’s boulders for portraits (and I’ll add that Skylar did it flawlessly barefoot in her dress!) As the evening cooled into that clear mountain air, we wrapped near a campfire, toasted marshmallows, and let them head off to a late dinner with their families.
tips for Your own Lake Tahoe Elopement
- A day like this takes real coordination. Sand Harbor sits inside Nevada State Park land, and ceremonies there require a permit arranged in advance, which is part of what I help plan before your day, not something you’re left to figure out on your own.
- Tahoe is very busy in the summer months. To have more privacy for your elopement, planning your day in the shoulder season (late spring or early fall) makes it a little easier to travel around the lake with less traffic.
- There are so many adventurous activities in the area that you can include in your elopement day. Consider paddle boarding, a boat tour, biking/hiking, or exploring the incredibly clear waters with clear-bottom kayaks.
- The north side of the lake is better known as the “chill side,” while South Lake Tahoe is busier, with bustling casinos, restaurants, and parks. Both are beautiful and so much fun, but it is just a different experience between the two!
- Be prepared for jaw-dropping views at every turn! This area is absolutely stunning, making it such a beautiful place to elope.
Years from now, Tyler and Skylar will not need to describe that hike to Monkey Rock. They will open the gallery and feel like they’re standing on it again, looking over Sand Harbor and sharing their vows to each other. That is the real value of an elopement where you can be this present.
FAQ
Do I need a permit to elope at Sand Harbor or elsewhere in Lake Tahoe? Yes, most ceremony locations on Tahoe’s shoreline, including Sand Harbor, sit inside State Park land and require a Special Use Permit
What’s included in a Lake Tahoe elopement package? My elopement collections include full-day photography coverage, planning assistance, location scouting, and local vendor recommendations. Every package is built around your actual timeline, not a fixed shot list.
How far ahead should we book? Popular shoulder-season dates in Tahoe fill months out. Once you have a rough date in mind, reach out early so we can lock it in and start planning around permits and light.
What’s the best time of year to elope in Lake Tahoe? Late spring and early fall give you the clearest water and mountain views with far less foot traffic than peak summer. Winter is stunning too if you want snow in your photos, but it is a popular ski area, so be aware that the mountain passes may be closed to traffic due to weather.
What if we want just the two of us, no family? Plenty of couples do exactly that. Tyler and Skylar built in a private vow exchange before the family ceremony, which is one way to get both. We can plan your day around whatever mix of intimate and witnessed feels right to you.
Ready for your own tahoe wedding?
This is what a Lake Tahoe elopement can feel like: a private view on a quiet trail, your family gathered on the sand, and photos that put you right back there every time you open them.
Years from now, you’ll want to return back to the exact moment of your first kiss, the people who stood by your side, and the beautiful destination you traveled to celebrate it. Your photos are how you do exactly that.
Take a look at how packages work on the Services + Investment page, then inquire through the contact form and let’s start planning your day.
