Unique Elopement Ideas in Lake Tahoe

When you’re getting married, the experience can be as unique and special as you’d like it to be! In Lake Tahoe, you have the opportunity to create an elopement day that is anything but cookie-cutter. It can be as grand or low-key as you wish! You can splurge on activities that excite you both or have a chill day in each other’s company. 

In this blog, I’ll share some unique elopement ideas from real couples who got married in Lake Tahoe and suggestions to help you make your day uniquely YOU!

How to Make an Elopement Special and Unique?

The beauty of eloping lies in its flexibility. You can choose to have an epic adventure or a quiet, intimate celebration. These are some ideas to help you craft a day that’s entirely your own:

• Choose an unconventional venue! It can be a cute vacation rental, a luxury hotel resort, a classic wooden boat, and the great outdoors. Think secluded beaches, mountain views, and forests! Wherever you go, remember to leave no trace!

• Personalize your ceremony! Whether it’s writing your own vows, including your pup (defo check if your location allows dogs beforehand!), have a friend officiate, or having a unique unity ceremony.

• Consider a sunrise or sunset ceremony! This is something that’s only possible when you’re eloping!

• Hire local vendors to help you bring your elopement vision to life. Just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean you can’t get awesome floral arrangements or live music for your ceremony and first dance.

• Maybe including your loved ones is what would make your day special. We can discuss ways to include loved ones in whatever way you imagine. Do you want a private ceremony and celebrate with guests after? Or a ceremony surrounded by your loved ones and then going on an adventure just the two of you? We can make it happen! I’ll accommodate up to 15 guests for your elopement to help keep logistics easy as some locations limit the amount of guests that can attend. 

• Include activities that you both love! It can be kayaking, hiking, or a sunset picnic and playing a board game. I have some activity suggestions in the paragraph below!

Unique Elopement Activities in Lake Tahoe

• Go hiking! Popular hikes include the Rubicon Trail, which offers stunning lake views, and the Eagle Falls Trail, which leads to a beautiful waterfall and panoramic views of Emerald Bay.

• Get out on the water! Rent a boat, kayak, or paddleboard and enjoy the crystal-clear waters. For a romantic touch, consider a sunset sail.

• If you’re eloping in the winter, hit the slopes at one of Lake Tahoe’s premier ski resorts like Heavenly, Northstar, or Squaw Valley.

• Pack a picnic and relax on one of Tahoe’s many beautiful beaches. 

• Take a hot air balloon ride or a helicopter tour over Lake Tahoe.

• Visit local wineries and enjoy some wine tasting. The nearby El Dorado wine region offers a variety of vineyards where you can sample local wines and enjoy the beautiful vineyard scenery.

• Enjoy a spa day! Many local resorts offer luxurious spa services, including massages, facials, and other treatments.

There are so many fun things to do around Lake Tahoe, just depends on what YOU both want for your elopement day!

Unique Elopement Ideas in Lake Tahoe from Real Couples

Two of these elopements were on a classic wooden boat and the other was on a private dock at the couple’s vacation rental. Even though the first two elopements share similarities, you can also see how unique each day was to the couple. 

Kristen & Sean’s Classic Boat Elopement 

Kristen and Sean chose to elope on a classic wooden boat. Their journey included docking at Emerald Bay for some stunning beach portraits. Their boat captain and officiant prepared a charcuterie board while we were taking photos. As the sun set, they exchanged vows, cheered on by other boaters. A year later, they reached out to their wedding “dream team” and invited us out to dinner and it was like a family union. It was such a cool experience!

Vendors: Captain Michael Aberle with Lake Tahoe Classic Boats; Florals – Sandy with Kick Grass Florals; Officiant – Christa Deane, Mountain High Weddings; Photographer and planning assistant – me, Amanda Kluesner Photography

Alexandria & Zebulon’s Airbnb Elopement

Alexandria and Zebulon had a romantic private dock elopement at their vacation rental with stunning lake views. They hired a private chef to cook all day for them at their Airbnb. They also hired a solo violinist to play as they helped each other get dressed and serenade them on the dock for their sunset ceremony. After the ceremony, the chef was waiting for them with champagne and flutes so they could share a toast together. It was adorable! They shared appetizers on the deck, cut their cute cake, and celebrated with their pup. Such an effortless and beautiful evening!

Vendors: Chef Amy with Fed and Full; Violinist – Ellen Flanagan; Officiant – Meghan Ruiz; Photographer and planning assistant – me, Amanda Kluesner Photography

Peter & Marina’s Boat Elopement with Family

Peter and Marina’s elopement took place on a classic boat near DL Bliss. With Peter’s dad officiating, the couple received cheers and honks from nearby boats and beachgoers. The family boarded the classic boat for the ceremony, while I captured the moment from their own boat which was captained by the couple’s friend. After the ceremony, I got back on the classic boat to capture more moments with just the couple. It was such a magical evening and the couple was beyond thrilled with how easy yet unique their elopement was!

Vendors: Captain Michael Aberle with Lake Tahoe Classic Boats; Florals – Twine Floral Co; HMUA – Eryn with Salon Be; Photographer and planning assistant – me, Amanda Kluesner Photography

Amanda Kluesner Photography | Lake Tahoe Elopement Photographer

Hey, I’m Amanda! Whether you’re looking for a day for just the two of you or want to create an unforgettable experience with your loved ones, I am here to help you execute all your unique elopement ideas. You’ll have the perfect day filled with adventure, wonder, and ease and beautiful photos to show for it! You can check out my portfolio here, and when you’re ready – send me a message here! I cannot wait to hear from you!

If you liked this blog, you might also enjoy my Lake Tahoe Elopement Guide!