Lake Tahoe Destination Wedding Guide

People from all around the world travel to Lake Tahoe year round to get married. Lake Tahoe offers stunning landscapes, crystal clear blue waters, majestic mountains and lush forests. The backdrop is perfect for a romantic wedding or elopement photos. Lake Tahoe is a year-round destination, so you can have a snowy or summer wedding day depending on which season you choose to get married. You can double dip on this location and have your wedding and honeymoon all in one trip! Not only that, guests traveling to your wedding can take advantage and turn their trip into a vacation as well.

But first, you’ll want to determine which season you will want to have your wedding in, so let’s talk about Lake Tahoe weather before figuring anything else out.

(Sand Harbor – near Incline Village, Nevada)

Lake Tahoe Weather

The first thing to consider when planning a destination wedding in Lake Tahoe is to determine which season to have a wedding. Remember to keep in mind traveling and getting around for you and your guests as the winter months are unpredictable. Lake Tahoe experiences distinct seasons, each offering its own unique weather and activities. So if vacationing and having your wedding seem appealing to you, pick a season where there are activities available you enjoy!

Winter (December – February)

Weather: Winter brings cold temperatures, often ranging from 20°F to 40°F. Lake Tahoe receives significant snowfall, especially at higher elevations. Winter can get wild!
Activities: This is prime ski season, with numerous resorts like Heavenly, Northstar, and Squaw Valley offering skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports. Snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and ice skating are also popular. If your the winter adventurous type, then a winter wedding may be perfect for you!

Spring (March – May)

Weather: Spring brings milder temperatures, with highs ranging from 40°F to 60°F. Snow begins to melt, particularly in lower elevations, but there can still be snow in the mountains. Sometimes you can still catch locations with patches of snow here and there on the beaches.
Activities: As the snow melts, the rivers and waterfalls swell, making it a great time for photography and nature walks. Although it is advised to stay out of the rivers at the beginning of the season due to temperatures and water flow. Spring Skiing is still possible and hiking trails start to become accessible as the snow recedes.

Summer (June – August) – A popular time!

Weather: Summers in Lake Tahoe are warm and dry, with temperatures ranging from 70°F to 85°F during the day, and cooler nights around 40°F to 50°F. The weather is usually sunny, with very little rainfall. Thunderstorms can happen in the summer, but will usually take place in August.
Activities: Summer is ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, boating, swimming, and fishing. Lots of boat rentals and jet ski rentals are around Lake Tahoe. Sand Harbor is popular for paddle boarding. Camping and outdoor festivals are also common during this time.

Fall (September – November)

Weather: Fall brings cooler temperatures, with daytime highs ranging from 50°F to 70°F and colder nights. The weather remains relatively dry, and the air is crisp.
Activities: Fall is a beautiful time to visit Lake Tahoe, with vibrant foliage adding color to the landscape. If a fall color wedding or elopement is your dream, you’ll want to plan for mid-fall before the rain knocks the leaves off the trees. It’s a great season for hiking and enjoying the tranquility of the area. There are also less crowds during this time, making it a more peaceful time to visit.

Determine your date

Now that you have an idea of the seasons in Lake Tahoe, it’s time to pick a date! A lot of couples pick a meaningful date, whereas some pick a date that works for their schedule to be able to travel. Do what you want, there is no right or wrong way! Just come to an agreement on your next and then you get to have the next conversation… budget!

Holidays and Local Events

Lake Tahoe can get nutty when there are events going on and don’t forget the holidays as well! I recommend avoiding the weeks around 4th of July time frame, unless you really want to travel during that time, it gets VERY crowded and hard to get around the town.

Set a Budget

To be perfectly honest, a lot of couples tend to underestimate how much things will cost. With a destination wedding in Lake Tahoe, expenses can add up real quick. You’ll want to consider travel costs, accommodations, wedding venue, reception venue (if not the same location as ceremony) attire, catering, photography, planner, and other expenses. The average cost of a Lake Tahoe wedding ranges from $40,000 to $60,000 and up. However, the actual cost of your wedding will depend on the time of year, guest list size, venue, and the type of services you want to include.

Don’t worry, once we book, I can send you over my Lake Tahoe Destination Wedding checklist to help you get organized, keep track of your spending, and see costs you may have not thought of! As a Lake Tahoe Wedding Photographer, I want to make things as easy as possible for all couples!

Prioritize your spending

Decide which aspects are most important, such as the venue, photography, or food. Since you are having a destination wedding in Lake Tahoe, your venue and your photographer will be your top priorities! Even if you decide to have a smaller wedding, still, your photographer will be your top priority because of the location you are getting married in. Here 10 Reasons to Hire a Professional Wedding Photographer.

Choose your Venue

Here’s the one we all get excited about, choosing your venue. Ask yourself a few things before you start researching:

– Do you want to have an outdoor, indoor venue or a combination of both?
– Will your venue to be on the lake, in the trees, or have long range views?
– Are you wanting sunset views from your venue with the lake in the background?
– Do you want to find a venue that includes catering or do you want your own caterer?

There are so many wonderful venues to pick from, where do we even begin?! Being a Lake Tahoe Wedding Photographer, I can recommend venues to you based on your vibe and style. Lake Tahoe offers various venues, from lakeside resorts, private estates to mountain lodges and rustic barns. Check out my Lake Tahoe Wedding Venue guide to get some ideas!

If possible, you’ll want to visit Lake Tahoe to tour potential venues or you can research extensively online. Your planner may even be able to do a video-call walk-through for you, just ask! Some popular venues include The Ritz-Carlton, Edgewood Tahoe, and Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe. Also, you’ll want to think about guest accommodations, accessibility, and how the venue will fit your vision too!

A few examples of Lake Tahoe Wedding Venues

Riva Grill On the Lake (Lake front Venue)

Location: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Features: Charming lakeside setting with a private beach and beautiful views of the lake. Perfect for intimate weddings and special events.
Capacity: Up to 150 guests.
Website: Riva Grill on the Lake
Phone: (530) 542-2600
There is no location for the bride or groom to get ready. Getting ready will have to be done at an off site location. Popular getting ready location for this venue is at Hilton Vacation Club Lake Tahoe Resort, which is right next door to The Riva Grill.

Weddings at Lakeside Beach – The Arch (Lake front Venue)

Location: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Features: With stunning panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountains, our beachside venue with the new triangle Arch that mimics the mountains, provides the perfect backdrop for your special day.
Capacity: Contact venue
Website: Weddings at Lakeside Beach (The Arch)
This is just a ceremony set up on the beach. There is no location for the bride or groom to get ready. Getting ready will have to be done at an off site location. Popular getting ready locations for this venue are casino hotels like Golden Nugget (Previously known at Hard Rock Hotel).

Edgewood Tahoe Resort

Location: Stateline, NV
Features: Spectacular lake views, private beach access, and a luxurious resort atmosphere. Ideal for elegant weddings and corporate events.
Capacity: Up to 200 guests.
Website: Edgewood Tahoe Resort
Phone: (888) 881-8659
Location is a resort, offers getting ready locations for bride, groom, wedding parties.

Check out my Lake Tahoe Wedding Venue Guide for more venues.

(The Riva Grill – South Lake Tahoe, California)

Hire a Photographer

Firstly, you will want to hire a photographer that will make your dream photos become a reality and you’ll want someone you connect with. Since you are getting married in one of the most gorgeous locations on the planet, your photos should be a top priority and this is where I can help you! With my editing style, I enhance the Earth’s natural beauty focusing on true colors, especially lush greens, which you will definitely want for your Lake Tahoe wedding photos.

Another thing to possibly consider.. photography permits. Weddings at State Parks like Sand Harbor, will require permits for commercial Photography.

(Dock location near The Cottage Inn – Tahoe City, CA)

Hire Necessary Vendors

Videographer: Go for it and book the videographer too! I know a wonderful videographer, so just let me know if you need a referral!

DJ: if you plan to have a huge wedding with a ton of guests and dancing, hiring a DJ is a no brainer. I do not recommend hiring an “amateur” or low-budget DJ. This is your destination wedding, hire the DJ that will keep your dance floor ALIVE! A DJ will make or break a wedding!

Wedding Planner AND coordinator: A wedding planner familiar with Lake Tahoe can be invaluable, helping with local vendors and logistics. Be sure to hire a planner than will also coordinate your wedding day as well. Many Lake Tahoe wedding planners offer destination packages, handling everything from start to finish.

Local Florists: Obviously you will want flowers! Work with a florist who can create arrangements that match your vision and the environment. The right color palette matters! Use colors to compliment the scenery of Lake Tahoe, this is where your floral expert can help.

Romantic Forest Wedding Inspiration

Boho Romantic Forest vibes and inspiration

Choosing your officiant

California Regulations:
California requires an officiant to sign your marriage license. You can have a friend or family member perform your ceremony. California requires one witness.

Nevada Regulations:
Nevada requires that an officiant signs your marriage license and also requires one witness for your elopement.

Look for local officiants who are familiar with the area. Another option is, if you have a friend or family member who’s ordained, they can officiate your ceremony with proper documentation. If you need to have someone get ordained, like the couple below, hop on Universal Life Church, it’s so easy!

(Sierra at Tahoe Wedding Venue – 30 minutes from South Lake Tahoe.)

Legal Requirements – Marriage License

Your marriage license needs to be obtained in the state where your ceremony will take place. Whether it’s Nevada or California, you will need to visit any county recorder’s office in the state.

California: The nearest office to Lake Tahoe is El Dorado County. You can apply online ahead of time, but you will need to make an appointment to appear in person to pick up your marriage license. Most counties will have a similar process. Fees are different for each county so you’ll want to double check on the county’s website. There is no waiting period once you obtain your marriage license, however, it does expire after 90 days, so make sure to use it!
Nevada: If your Lake Tahoe wedding takes place in Nevada, the nearest office is in Douglas County. They make it a little easier, they issue marriage licenses by mail, so you don’t need to make appointment to visit in person. You can find the application here with instructions on how to mail. Marriage licenses are good for one year and Nevada doesn’t have a waiting period.

Book Accommodations

Many hotels and resorts offer room blocks for weddings. This makes it easier for guests to book their stay. There are all types of hotels that fit any budget. If you want to go on the cheaper side, stay in one of the casino hotels at Stateline, Nevada. Ensure that guests have easy access to the venue from their accommodations. I would highly recommend staying on the side of the lake where you are getting married. Don’t book rooms in North Lake Tahoe if you are getting married in South Lake. Traveling from North to South Lake Tahoe can take a hour depending on traffic. Book rooms near your wedding venue.

Send Out Save-the-Dates

Since this is a destination wedding, you’ll want to give your guests plenty of time to plan their travel. Provide details about accommodations, travel options, and any planned group activities. Your wedding invitations will go out 4-6 months before your wedding date.

Plan the Ceremony and Reception

Get your planner involved! If you’re planning an outdoor ceremony, check if you need permits, especially for public or state park areas, like Sand Harbor for example. Have a backup plan for inclement weather, like a tent or an indoor venue option.

(Sierra at Tahoe Wedding Venue – 30 minutes from South Lake Tahoe.)

Organize Group Activities

Another thing you can do to include your guests that have traveled to your wedding is to plan activities for everyone! Examples are a welcome dinner, group hike, or a boat cruise on the lake to make the experience memorable for everyone. Arrange transportation for group activities if needed.

Finalize Details

If possible, visit your venue with your planner a few months before the wedding to finalize details. Include all the information your guests will need, such as the itinerary, travel tips, and things to do in the area. Your vendors will be in touch with you to finalize any details on their end.

Enjoy the Big Day

It’s wedding day! All the dreaming and planning has finally come to life and it’s time to celebrate with family and friends. Your planner and coordinator will have a timeline for the day and they will oversee everything. If you plan to not have a planner, you will still want organizing, so have a close friend or family member take over the logistics of your wedding.

Lake Tahoe Elopement Guide Tips

Visit Beforehand: Not everyone can I get it, but if possible, visit Lake Tahoe before your wedding!
Your Vendors Matter: Be sure to hire the right vendors that you connect with as you will be communicating and spending time with them, especially on your wedding day! You’ll know when you find the right ones! I make wedding photography fun!
Relax and Enjoy: Remember, the essence of elopement is intimacy and personal connection. Focus on what makes the day special for you both and remember, I make it fun!

With these tips in mind, you’re well on your way to planning a magical elopement in Lake Tahoe! I hope this Lake Tahoe Elopement Guide helped you.

If you still need assistance with your wedding or don’t know where to begin, please get in touch with me!

Lake Tahoe Elopement Guide – Helpful Resources

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