SJ and Dave had one goal for their summer Lake Tahoe elopement: have a damn good time.

They wanted to get married, spend the day together, and enjoy it without the pressure of a big wedding or worrying about everyone else. Their plan included vows in the forest, lunch in Kings Beach, ice cream, sunset at Sand Harbor, and the part SJ had been talking about all day: swimming in Lake Tahoe in her wedding dress.

And when it was time to get in the lake? She wasted absolutely no time. 😂

Their day is such a good example of how a full-day elopement can give you room for a private ceremony, beautiful photos, and all the little things that make the celebration fun.

Table of Contents

• A Private Forest Ceremony in Lake Tahoe
• Lunch, Newlywed Photos, and Ice Cream in Kings Beach
• A First Dance During Their Summer Lake Tahoe Elopement
• Sunset Photos at Sand Harbor
• Ending Their Summer Elopement Swimming in Lake Tahoe
• Why We Gave Their Elopement a Full Day
• Their Lake Tahoe Elopement Team
• Summer Lake Tahoe Elopement FAQs
• Planning Your Own Summer Lake Tahoe Elopement

A Private Forest Ceremony in Lake Tahoe

We started tucked away among the pines for SJ and Dave’s ceremony. Before the food, the ice cream, and the lake, they had time to focus on getting married.

The forest gave this part of their day a completely different setting from the shoreline we would visit later. Tall trees surrounded them, SJ’s dress spread out across the forest floor, and Dave wore a blue suit that looked so good against the greens.

Some of my favorite photos are from their vows. SJ laughing while reading her vow book. Dave watching her. Those little expressions that tell you so much more than a perfectly posed photo ever could.

After the ceremony, we stayed in the forest for portraits. We photographed the two of them together, their colorful bouquet, rings, and vow books, and the details that belonged to their day—including SJ’s brown boots.

A Lake Tahoe elopement doesn’t have to stay in one setting. For these two, starting in the forest and ending by the water gave each part of their celebration its own feeling.

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Lunch, Newlywed Photos, and Ice Cream in Kings Beach

After the forest, we headed to Kings Beach for lunch at one of my favorite spots and has been a hit for couples too!

This is one of the things I love about photographing a full elopement day: there is time to stop and eat! Your wedding day can include a real lunch break, a favorite treat, and time to hang out together between locations.

We also took some sunglasses-on, beachy newlywed photos. 😎

Honestly, this part was a little torturous because we all knew how the day was ending. The lake was right there, and it was already hard to resist jumping in.

But first: ice cream.

SJ and Dave grabbed cones, sat together, and enjoyed another little part of their celebration. I love including moments like this in an elopement gallery. Years from now, those photos bring back what you did together, right down to your ice cream stop.

Want time for good food, lake views, and all the little moments in between?
Let’s plan a full-day Lake Tahoe elopement with room to enjoy it all.

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A First Dance During Their Summer Lake Tahoe Elopement

Before sunset photos, SJ and Dave made time for their first dance.

You can still include the wedding traditions you love when you elope. A first dance, cake, a toast—those moments can all have a place in your day.

For these two, their first dance gave them a little time to slow down together before an evening of exploring the shoreline and getting completely soaked. 😂

That’s part of what I help you plan: room for the meaningful moments, along with all the fun things you’re excited to do.

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Sunset Photos at Sand Harbor for their Summer Lake Tahoe Elopement

Later, we made our way to Sand Harbor for sunset.

We traded the forest for granite boulders, blue water, and open lake views. By this point, Dave had swapped his suit jacket for a white shirt and shorts, and the whole evening had a relaxed summer feel.

We photographed them together on the rocks, with SJ holding out her skirt and laughing with Dave beside her. We also made time for portraits of her with the lake behind her, photographing through the plants and trees along the shoreline.

I love the variety in this part of their gallery: wide photos showing the Tahoe scenery, closer photos of their expressions, and movement in SJ’s dress.

Then it was finally time for the part she had been waiting for.

Want forest vows, good food, and Sand Harbor sunset photos of your own?
I’ll help you bring it all together.

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Ending Their Summer Elopement Swimming in Lake Tahoe

SJ had been talking about swimming all day. When we reached the water, she got in and pretty much immediately dunked herself. 😂

Lake Tahoe was basically a freaking wave pool that evening. My husband and I went right out there with them, cameras in water housings, getting tossed around by the waves and laughing along with them.

They were playing, kissing, getting completely soaked, and having the best time. Their faces say everything.

Later, SJ told us that swimming was her favorite part of the entire day. It was fun, refreshing, and felt so good. They also loved having us right there in the water experiencing it with them.

That means a lot to me. I want to be involved in the moments I’m photographing—close enough to catch the laughter, the waves, and the way you look at each other when you’re having that much fun.

Swimming was the perfect ending for these two. It was something SJ was excited about, and we made room for it in their day.

Want forest vibes, good food, and a sunset dip of your own?
I’ll help you bring it all together.

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Why We Gave Their Elopement a Full Day

SJ and Dave’s celebration included a forest ceremony, portraits, lunch, ice cream, another location, sunset photos, and a swim.

Giving their elopement a full day meant we could build a timeline around all of those things. There was room for the ceremony and the photos, along with meals, travel between locations, and time to enjoy being together.

When I help plan a Lake Tahoe elopement, I look at how your locations and activities fit together. We talk about what matters most to you, how much moving around you want to do, and what you’re excited to experience.

For SJ and Dave, that meant starting among the pines and saving the lake for the end of the day.

If you have more places or activities in mind, a two-day elopement gives us another option. We can give your ceremony and celebration their own day, then plan a separate day for a hike, paddleboarding, more photos, or another part of Tahoe you want to explore.

Want forest vows, good food, and a sunset swim of your own?
I’ll help you bring it all together.

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Their Lake Tahoe Elopement Team

My husband, Rick, and I photographed SJ and Dave’s day together. Evan joined us for video, and Lea worked her magic on SJ’s hair and makeup.

Having a team that could enjoy the day right alongside them made this celebration even more fun. From the forest to the water, we were right there with them.


Want to know who’s getting in the lake with you?
Get to know me and how I help you plan and enjoy your elopement day.

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Summer Lake Tahoe Elopement FAQs

Can we have a forest ceremony and lake photos on the same day?

Yes! SJ and Dave started with a forest ceremony and finished at Sand Harbor. I help you choose locations that work together and allow time for travel, meals, and photos. The plan depends on your chosen locations and their access and permit requirements.

Do we have to swim during our summer elopement?

Absolutely not. SJ was excited about swimming, so we built it into their day. You can enjoy lake views, shoreline portraits, lunch, and sunset without getting in the water.

Can you photograph us in the water and underwater?

Yes! For SJ and Dave’s elopement, we used water housings on our cameras and photographed them from inside the lake. We plan water photos around your comfort level and the conditions that day. A swim is always optional.

Can we stop for lunch and ice cream?

Please do. 😂 Meals and breaks belong in the timeline. SJ and Dave’s lunch in Kings Beach and ice cream stop were part of what made their day so enjoyable.

Should we choose a full-day or two-day elopement?

It depends on what you want to do. A full day gave SJ and Dave time for their forest ceremony, food stops, lakeside portraits, and swim. A two-day experience gives us more room if you want additional locations or activities that deserve their own time.

What should we bring for lake photos and a swim?

Bring towels, dry clothes, and shoes you’re comfortable getting wet. If you’re swimming in your wedding clothes, pack something comfortable to change into afterward. I’ll help you plan for the water photos and leave time to dry off before heading out.

Can we include a first dance in our elopement?

Absolutely! SJ and Dave made time to dance together before their sunset portraits. You can include a first dance, cake, a toast, or other traditions you love. We’ll build time for those moments into your day.

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Planning Your Own Summer Lake Tahoe Elopement

SJ and Dave’s day started with vows in the forest and ended with soaked wedding clothes and huge smiles.

In between, they ate lunch, grabbed ice cream, explored, took photos, and spent time together. They made their wedding day something they were excited to experience from beginning to end.

As your Lake Tahoe elopement photographer and planner, I help you choose locations, build your timeline, and bring those ideas together. Tell me what you’re excited about, and we’ll start planning a day with room to enjoy it.

Ready to plan your summer Lake Tahoe elopement? Get in touch, and let’s talk about your day.