How to Elope in the Most Beautiful Place on Earth: Lake Tahoe
We know, we know - eloping is the best idea ever. Not only does it help you get just the wedding you want (without the gigantic budget and major drama), but it’s the best way to ensure that your wedding really is about YOU. When you elope, there’s so much you don’t have to worry about in terms of wedding planning. So much so that many brides and grooms assume that there is nothing to do until, of course, it’s too late.
What You Still Need to Plan for an Elopement
As simple and low-key as eloping is, there’s still a few to-dos you need to check off in order to make sure everything goes right.
Let us help you knock one of those off right now…
How to Choose the Best Place to Elope: Why Lake Tahoe
Choosing where you want to elope is one of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make. Thankfully, there is the perfect spot for adventurous couples like you: TAHOE.
Why Lake Tahoe Is One of the Best Places in the World to Elope
Wild, beautiful, and wonderfully dramatic, Tahoe is, without hesitation, the all-around best place in the world to elope. Not only is it within reach for almost anyone living in North America (although the coolest people from Sweden will also make the trek…), but when it comes to planning your elopement, you have everything you need at your fingertips in Tahoe.
How to Get to Lake Tahoe for Your Elopement
Once you fly into Reno (the best option, hands down), it’s just an hour or so drive to Tahoe depending on which part of the lake you’re staying in, which means you’ll have plenty of time to settle in, get organized, and, yes, get married!
But, what exactly do you need to get yourself hitched in the wild? Good question!
Here’s our list so that you can successfully know how to elope in Tahoe for the dreamiest wedding day ever…
Vendors. Even when you’re eloping, you’ll want to consider the vendors you want and need for your wedding. From adventure photographers in Tahoe to caterers and musicians, vendors will help you pull your wedding together so that it turns out just the way you want. Because you’re eloping, your wedding is very different than the type vendors assume you’ll be having, so don’t hesitate to ask for special pricing and discounts.
Guests. Depending on your definition of eloping, there may or may not be a small list of guests you want to include on your big day. Planning far enough ahead so that the people you want at your wedding can actually be there is huge. Plus, if you’re eloping at a destination, you’ll want to coordinate where everyone will be staying, too. There are plenty of amazing spots in Tahoe for your guests to stay - so much so that many guests end up making an entire week out of what was supposed to be just a weekend!
Legal Stuff. In order to be “officially” married, you’ll need to have the legal protocols taken care of, including a wedding certificate, an officiant and a witness present at your elopement.
A Super Passionate, Talented, Small Team. Okay, we’ll be honest - we’re talking about ourselves here. BUT, there’s a great reason why. When you choose to work with us, we can take care of SO much (if not everything) you need for your elopement. Not only will we capture the most stunning photographs, but we can help you plan (scouring locations, coordinating times, choosing vendors, brainstorming ideas) and even officiate, too. Plus, we’re fun to hang out with :)
If you're building your full elopement vendor team, you can also explore our complete Recommended Vendor Page or visit our Lake Tahoe Wedding Vendor Guide for more trusted professionals.
Eloping in Lake Tahoe isn’t about doing less. It’s about choosing what actually matters — and letting the rest fall away.
The landscape does a lot of the work for you. The light, the scale, the quiet. What’s left is how you want the day to feel.
Simple. Intentional. Fully yours.
And when it’s done well, it doesn’t feel like you skipped anything. It feels like you kept the right things.
If you’re starting to think through your own day, you might find it helpful to explore a few more pieces of the process:
And if you’re ready to begin shaping something that feels like you — reach out here and we’ll start the conversation.