Hey! I’m Kristin, a California elopement photographer and planner who helps couples plan stress-free, unforgettable days.

based in tahoe region, serving california

Creating a relaxed, meaningful wedding experience that feels like more than just photos.

CALIFORNIA ELOPEMENTS & INTIMATE WEDDINGS
FULL PLANNING SUPPORT & PHOTOGRAPHY

Creating a relaxed, meaningful wedding experience that feels like more than just photos.

California elopement packages with real planning support from start to finish.

You don’t need to figure out your timeline, locations, lighting, permits, or logistics alone.

California elopement packages with real planning support from start to finish.

You get someone beside you from the beginning—helping with the plans, handling the details, and making sure you can actually enjoy your day.

You get more than beautiful photos.

"It was important to us that we kept things relaxed, stress-free, and private and she knew exactly where to take us and made us feel at ease. I never once felt like I was being “too posed” or awkward.

She also handled my flowers, our first dance, champagne toast and cake (which was so good!). I could not be more pleased with our experience and photos."

- alex & taylor eloped in lake tahoe

"Kristin was the absolute best thing we did for our elopement!

"It actually felt like I had a wedding planner & photographer combo."

- C & K, lake tahoe elopement

it’s about being intentional with how you choose to get married.

If the traditional path doesn’t fit your story, you’re allowed to create one that does.

it’s about being intentional with how you choose to get married.

If the traditional path doesn’t fit your story,
you’re allowed to create one that does.

Eloping isn’t about running away anymore…

This isn’t your typical elopement experience
and that’s the point.

A day that isn’t rushed or overplanned.

You want something different.

The freedom to do things your way

An experience that actually feels fun and relaxed

You want something that feels like you.

No pressure. No expectations.
Just something real and FUN!

You don’t want a day that feels like a performance.

“She’s basically a wedding concierge.
She helps with all the little details you wouldn’t even think about."

MEET THE WOMAN BEHIND WEDDING EXPERIENCES

THAT FEEL

LIKE A FIRST DATE

Hey, I’m Kristin!

You don’t want a wedding that looks like everyone else’s.
You want something that actually feels like you.

I guide you through it all, from locations to logistics, so your day feels easy and intentional.

And I bring it all together with the details like florals, a cake moment, and a champagne toast so it feels elevated and fully yours.

elopement wedding photographer | experience designer | creator | planner

“She is spunky and energetic and was literally running alongside us,
capturing memories as we found our own way to ‘dance in the rain.’”
- C & K

Elopements are the only thing I do

view packages and pricing

learn more about me

and That level of focus changes everything.

as seen on

If I could give more than 5 stars, I absolutely would! From the very beginning, you made the entire experience feel so easy and stress-free. You are not only incredibly talented, but one of the kindest, most genuine people to work with.

When we got our photos back, we were completely blown away. Every single picture is absolutely stunning, and somehow you captured every emotion, every little detail, and all of the moments we never want to forget. We truly love every single photo and will cherish them forever.

Thank you for making us feel so comfortable, for making us laugh, and for giving us memories we’ll be able to look back on for the rest of our lives. We are beyond grateful and couldn’t recommend you more!

- blayke & haylee eloped in lake tahoe

"Kristin is not only incredibly talented, but one of the kindest, most genuine people to work with.

The Kristin Smith Elopement Experience

WELCOME TO

Photography • Planning • Experience Design • easy & stress-free

california elopements & intimate weddings

Beautiful storytelling begins with meaningful moments.

The photographs simply preserve it.

Here's what's always included

In all of my california Elopement Packages

Hidden overlooks. Quiet beaches. Epic mountain backdrops.
You’ll receive a curated selection of hand-picked locations based on your vibe, not just the popular spots everyone uses.

A Fully Curated Elopement Design

Stunning, Secluded Location Scouting

I don’t just “make a schedule.”
Your timeline is built around golden hour, crowd flow, permit rules, drive times, and breathing room, so your day feels calm, never rushed.

Strategic Timeline Design for Perfect Light

Helicopter rides. Private chef dinners. Sunset hikes. Skiing or snowboarding in the winter. Paddleboarding. Sunset cruises. Champagne picnics. Your day isn’t just photos, it’s an experience you’ll remember forever.

Custom Activity & Experience Ideas

Dress recommendations. Suit tones. Faux floral palette suggestions. I help you create a cohesive aesthetic so everything feels intentional and elevated.

Personalized Styling & Mood Guidance

Your Personal Elopement Planning Partner

Questions about permits? Weather? Shoes?
You can text, email, or hop on a call anytime. No gatekeeping. No radio silence.

Direct Access to Me (Start to Finish)

II walk you through exactly what’s required, permits, park rules, group limits and handle the research so you don’t spiral Googling.

Permit & Logistics Guidance

Hair & makeup artists who photograph beautifully.
Private chefs. Officiants. Trusted creatives I actually enjoy working alongside. No random Google guessing.

Pre-Vetted Luxury Vendor Recommendations

Treehouses. Lakefront Airbnbs. Cabins with epic decks for sunset toasts. I help you choose spaces that elevate your entire gallery.

Lodging Recommendations That Photograph Beautifully

Mountain weather can change fast. You’ll know exactly what to bring so you’re comfortable, confident, and prepared.

Customized Packing & Preparation Guides

A Red-Carpet Photography Experience

A high-end faux bouquet and boutonnière curated to your color palette and location, designed to photograph beautifully and flow seamlessly into your styled details.

Signature Faux Florals Included

A curated picnic setup layered with intentional textures and cohesive tones, followed by a relaxed cake-cutting moment and a champagne or sparkling toast in golden light.

Styled Picnic, Cake Cutting + Toast

You don’t need to know how to pose. I guide naturally and step back when it matters, capturing real connection and the quiet in-between moments.

Emotion-First, Introvert-Friendly Guidance by Kristin Smith

When you want expanded coverage two photographers means, more perspective, zero added chaos.

Husband & Wife Team Option

Every image is personally edited by me, never outsourced, never handed off to a third party. Bold, rich, true-to-color images with intentional depth and sunset mood, delivered in full resolution through an online gallery, ready to download, print, and share.

Hand-Edited, Full Gallery Delivery

Let’s Plan Your Elopement

“Within minutes she had a blanket, food, hand warmers and hot tea.”
- C & K

You’re taken care of without even thinking about it.

Booking you was the best decision we made for our elopement! The photos are beyond perfect, I'm obsessed with every single one of them! We will treasure them forever.

You truly are so talented and it was a pleasure working with you! We literally had the best time with you, you made our day so special and made such good memories!

- austin & hailey eloped in lake tahoe

"We truly had the best day, and the entire experience was completely stress-free. Highly recommend!"

Kristin Smith Photography
Elopements Packages & Pricing

how much do my california elopement wedding packages cost?

kristin smith photography

4+ Hours of Guided, Intentional Elopement Photography

Signature Elopement Experience Design & Planning

$7,000

California Elopement & Intimate Wedding Packages

A Fully Curated Elopement Design
Faux Flowers, Mini cake, Toast, & Styled Picnic for Cake Cutting
Your Personal Planner Partner
Red Carpet Photography Experience

My travel costs are covered and included.

Full-day and multi-day packages available.

view package details

4+ Hours of Guided, Intentional & Fun Photography by Kristin Smith

Signature Elopement Experience Design & Planning

A Fully Curated Elopement Design
Faux Flowers, Mini cake, Toast, Picnic for Cake Cutting
Your Personal Planner Partner
Red Carpet Photography Experience

My travel costs are covered and included.

“She did so much for me before ever taking a photo.”
- C & K

includes:

starting at

Includes 4 hours of photography, planning, design, faux florals, mini cake, and toast.

You’ll see your day again within 24 hours

You’ll receive a handful of images within 24 hours, so you can see how your day actually felt, not just how it looked.

start planning your day

And start reliving it right away.

Kristin was absolutely amazing! I can’t recommend her enough! She’s such a sweetheart and never makes you feel rushed—she really takes her time to make everything perfect."

- matt & irine eloped in lake tahoe

"She took her time to make us feel comfortable and really got to know our story beforehand, which truly showed in her photos.

Photographed as a husband-and-wife team for seamless coverage and a relaxed experience.

Add a second photographer for more perspectives and a richer story throughout your elopement day.

Perfect for capturing both partners getting ready, multiple angles during your ceremony, activities, and all the in-between moments you don’t want to miss.

Two-Photographer Add-On option

With two photographers you get

more perspective,
more emotion,
and more of the moments that matter most.

So you don't have to stress..

My elopement and intimate wedding experiences includes the option to keep things completely hands-off,

so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

You can show up, be present, and just focus on each other.

schedule your planning call

Kristin and her husband Rick are truly the dream team! They didn't just photograph our elopement , they planned it with us from start to finish. From choosing the perfect location to creating a stress free timeline, they made everything feel effortless and meaningful. It was such a pleasure working with them. Kristin was consistently in touch, answering any questions that I had and reassuring me that our elopement day would be amazing! We could not be happier with the high quality photographs. But what really stood out was how much they genuinely cared. Kristin and Rick made us feel comfortable, supported, and completely celebrated. Not to mention, they are a super cool and fun couple to hang out with on your elopement day. Time FLIES when you are having fun!

We highly recommend the full or multi-day elopement timelines."

"Kristin and Rick made us feel comfortable, supported, and completely celebrated. The photos are STUNNING!

- dan & elise eloped in truckee, ca

With so many elopement packages out there,
how do you know which is the right fit for you?

The Reality of Most Packages vs. A Fully Curated Experience

Most Elopement Packages

A Fully Curated Experience

Pre-set locations and recycled timelines

Locations thoughtfully selected around your vision

Vendor lists used again and again

Intentionally styled details designed to feel cohesive

Minimal personalization

Faux florals, cake-cutting picnic, and celebratory toast seamlessly integrated

You manage the gaps

Every element orchestrated so nothing feels last-minute

Efficient and repeatable

Elevated, immersive, and distinctly yours

My California elopement packages are different because every detail is intentionally designed to create an experience that feels entirely yours.

see elopement packages

We hired Kristin for our elopement at Lake Tahoe. Besides eloping, this was the best decision we made. Kristin helped us plan out our day from start to finish, answering all messages in a timely manner and providing us with a detailed plan for our special day. She gave us recommendations on places to check out, places to avoid, and even helped coordinate the colors for my suit so that the photos would look great. The photos are spectacular. She gave us a 24 hour sneak peak and a 2 week sneak peak album. She is incredibly talented!

We recommend that you book the 8 hours.. it’s 100% worth it!!"

- Greg & Diana eloped in lake tahoe

"The amount of effort she put in to make sure our day was easy and enjoyable made our day the best day ever!!

"The bouquet SCREAMED my personality."

"She made us feel relaxed and at ease."

- alex & taylor

- david & hannah

VIEW MY WORK

Please take the time to review my work and style to make sure it matches your vision for your dream photos.

2.
INQUIRE

Get in touch with me to see if your date is available!

3.
LET'S ZOOM!

We will set up a time for a zoom call to chat about your dream elopement.

BOOK

You will receive your contract and invoice through your portal where you can sign and send your retainer.

5.
let's plan

You did it! One more thing checked off your list! I'll send you a questionnaire and then let's start planning your elopement!

6.
JUST CHILL

I'm not just your elopement photographer, I'm here to help you in any way I can! If you have questions or just need to talk something out, I'm here!

inquire for availability

next steps

We loved working with Kristin and the final product is perfection! Thank you Kristin for making our dream wedding a reality so quickly!"

- stacie & tom eloped in lake tahoe

"She made our dream wedding a reality so quickly!

Here are a few common things couples ask before booking, just to make things easier.

can you help with planning?

Totally. I help with everything from location scouting and timeline creation to activity ideas and vendor suggestions. I’ll guide you through the whole process so the day feels organized but relaxed. No stress, no scrambling.

do you offer vow renewals?

Yes! My elopement packages can also be used for vow renewals. You’ll receive the same planning support, location guidance, timeline design, and photography experience to create a meaningful day centered on the two of you.

Do we need to have a location picked before reaching out?

Not at all. Most of my couples come to me with just a general idea, like “we love the mountains” or “we want a lake view.” Once we chat, I’ll send personalized location options based on your vision, the season, and what kind of experience you want.

How far in advance should we book?

The sooner the better, especially if you have a specific location or season in mind. I recommend reaching out 6–18 months in advance if possible, but if you're flexible, we might still be able to make magic happen sooner. I have planned elopements with a month's notice!

Can we bring guests to our elopement?

Absolutely. While elopements are typically 20 people or less, many couples include a few close family or friends. Whether it’s just the two of you or a handful of loved ones, I’ll help plan a day that feels personal, relaxed, and true to you. You can even bring your dog if you want!

Couples with 30+ guests is considered a "micro wedding" and will need to find a traditional wedding photographer as my focus is intimate elopements only.

Do we have to hike or do something adventurous?

Nope! Not every elopement includes hiking or even dirt! If you want an epic view without the trek, I’ve got lots of accessible spots with jaw-dropping scenery. We’ll plan something that matches your comfort level and your vibe.

let's plan your day

do you offer payment plans?

Yes! I offer payment plans. I require a $1,000 deposit to secure your date, and the remaining balance is due one month before your elopement. Most couples pay in 2–3 installments, but I’m happy to customize a plan that works best for you, just let me know what you need!

Frequently Asked Questions About Eloping

Ready to start planning your perfect day?

I’ll walk you through every detail, answer any questions, and help shape your vision.

Do we need to worry about permits?

Nope, I’ll walk you through exactly what’s needed based on your location and where to apply. Whether it’s a national park, beach, or forest spot, I’ll let you know what’s required and how to get it. You won’t have to figure it out alone. Some locations require photographers to obtain a commercial permit and I will do that portion on my own!