2024 Guide: How to Elope in Lake Tahoe in the Spring

Welcome to the only guide you need to learn how to elope in Lake Tahoe in the Spring! Keep reading for inspiration on locations, logistics, where to get permits and marriage licenses, weather and tourism, and so much more!

Lake Tahoe is the best place to Elope

Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places to elope, and at one point held a top wonder of the world – Emerald Bay. The diversity in Lake Tahoe’s seasons and locations, to its amazing activities year round, Lake Tahoe has it all. There’s big difference’s whether you want to elope in North or South Lake or even more on the outskirts. It’s important to whey the differences to make sure you’re choosing the best location for your elopement, and everything that location comes with.

North Lake vs South Lake

North Lake Tahoe is much less touristy than South Lake. It’s quieter and where a lot of the locals tend to live. It’s also a tad less expensive, since South Lake is where most of the attractions are at.

South Lake Tahoe is where a lot of the tourists like to visit. There’s larger hotel chains, Heavenly Village which has lots of shops and activities to do, and home of Emerald Bay. One of the most popular locations in Lake Tahoe to visit.

Both North and South lake have so much to offer, and regardless where you chose to elope, the other side of the lake is less than an hour drive away!

When to Elope in Lake Tahoe

So when should you elope in Lake Tahoe? It has such a variety of seasons, so let’s go over the main pros and cons of them all:

Spring

Spring is one of the best times to elope in Lake Tahoe! The snow is starting to melt which means the waterfalls are starting to get bigger, the weather is so much warmer, and everything is starting to bloom. Most roads in Lake Tahoe open by the end of April/beginning of May (if they were closed due to snowfall), which makes it so much easier to access more locations.

Weather tends to be between 30 degrees and 65 degrees. It rarely drops below freezing or exceeds the 70’s. Cool weather with a crisp breeze. Although the weather is warmer, a coat and boots are usually still a must.

If you’re looking to elope in Lake Tahoe with nice weather and low risk with weather, Spring is one of the best times!

Best Locations to Elope in Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is filled with so many diverse and gorgeous locations! You truly have so many options to choose from for your elopement locations- from mountain and lake views, beaches, wooded/forest areas and meadows. Here’s the best locations to Elope in Lake Tahoe:

Emerald Bay State Park

Sand Harbor State Park

Sugar Pine Point State Park Pier

High Camp at Squaw Valley

Logan Shoals

Since I’m a local and know Lake Tahoe very well, I have tons of locations that are hidden gems that I’d love to share with you to elope at or share your vows! Click here to inquire and learn more amazing locations for your elopement!

Traveling to Lake Tahoe: Flight Info, Car Rentals, Hotels & Airbnb’s

There’s a lot to know when traveling to Lake Tahoe for your elopement, so let’s break it down! Here’s my top tips for flights, car rentals and places to stay:

Flight Info

If you’re eloping in Lake Tahoe and want to fly in, you have a few options. The closest airport is RNO – Reno/Tahoe International Airport (50 minutes from North Lake Tahoe and about 1 hour 15 minutes from South Lake Tahoe). The second closest is airport is SMF – Sacramento International Airport (1 hour 54 minutes from South Lake Tahoe and 2 hours 5 minutes from North Lake Tahoe).

Car Rentals

Since Lake Tahoe is a mountain/lake town, renting a 4 wheel drive vehicle is never a bad decision. Although most smaller cars/sedans do just fine in Lake Tahoe since the main roads are paved. If you’re wanting to do some off-roading, I’d recommend renting a car with those capabilities like a truck or jeep!

You can easily rent any of these cars at the Reno/Tahoe International Airport!

Where to Stay in Lake Tahoe

There’s so many warm and welcoming airbnb’s and hotels in Tahoe from cute little a-frame cabins, to bigger homes with lake front views, or larger hotel chains if that’s what you’re looking for! The options are endless when it comes to where to stay in Lake Tahoe. Keep scrolling to see some of my favorites!

Lake Tahoe Airbnb’s

Tahoe Hideaway – Freestanding Luxury A-Frame Home

Completely Remodeled Cabin w/ Hot Tub, Near Beach

Hygge Barn Modern Cabin – 5 Min walk to the Lake

Dreamy Mountain Cabin Neak Lake, Skiing, & Trails

Lake Tahoe Hotels

• Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino
• Northstar Lodge
• The Ritz Carlton, Lake Tahoe
• Palisades Resort
• Base Camp Hotel
• The Landing: Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort
• Marriott Grand Residence

Planning your Elopement in Lake Tahoe

Now it’s time to plan your epic elopement in Lake Tahoe! Here’s some key things to keep in mind when planning:

• Marriage License
• Permits and Logistics
• Lake Tahoe Vendors
• Sample Timeline
• Lake Tahoe Elopement Photography Packages and Prices

How to get a Marriage License in Lake Tahoe – Nevada side

If you’re getting married on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, go to the Washoe County Clerk’s main office, located at 1001 E. 9th Street, Building A, in Reno to obtain your marriage license. It’s $85 to get legally married in Nevada. Click here for more info.

You can also go to the Washoe County Clerk in Incline Village. It is located at the Incline Village General Improvement District, 893 Southwood Blvd., and is open Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, except holidays.  Phone:  775-784-7260.  Click here for more info.

If your wedding is on the Nevada side of Tahoe’s South Shore, you can pick up your marriage license at these locations:

• Douglas County Administrative Building, 175 Highway 50, Stateline. Phone: 775-586-7270.
• Carson City Courthouse, 885 East Musser Street, Suite 1025, Carson City. Phone: 775-887-2084.
• Douglas County Administration, 1616 8th Street, Minden. Phone: 775-782-9014.

All this information was found on tahoeengaged.com

How to get a Marriage License in Lake Tahoe – California side

If you’re flying into Sacramento, San Francisco or Oakland Airport, and driving to North Lake Tahoe on Interstate 80, you may find it convenient to stop at the Placer County Clerk’s office, located in the city of Auburn at 2954 Richardson Drive. This office processes marriage license applications between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Click here for more info.

If you are traveling up Highway 50 to South Lake Tahoe, you can stop at the El Dorado County Clerk’s office at 360 Fair Lane in Placerville. You can also get your marriage license in South Lake Tahoe at the El Dorado Center, 3368 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Room 108.  For either location, call 530-621-5490 for an appointment.

You can also obtain a Marriage License right in North Lake Tahoe – at Placer County’s satellite office, located at 5225 N. Lake Blvd. in Carnelian Bay.  However, you must have an appointment, and the office hours only run from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.  To schedule an appointment, call 530-886-5610.  Click here for more info.

All this information was found on tahoeengaged.com

Permits and Logistics

Some locations in Lake Tahoe require a permit to get married and/or have professional photos taken there. I know the rangers and have yearly permits for all state parks in Lake Tahoe, and will help you secure your permit for your elopement! Other locations that aren’t as well known or aren’t a state park don’t require permits to get married. I’m here to help you navigate all the permits and logistics for your elopement.

Here are links/contact info for the top Lake Tahoe locations and their permit information:

To secure a permit at Emerald Bay State Park – Contact the Special Events Coordinator at (530) 525-5060. (info found on tahoesouth.com/parks/emerald-bay/, updated as of 4/2022)

To secure a permit at Sand Harbor State Park, here is the application!

To secure a permit at Ed Z’berg – Sugar Pine Point State Park – contact the Special Events Coordinator at (530) 525-5060. (info found on www.parks.ca.gov, updated as of 4/2022)

Lake Tahoe Vendors

Lake Tahoe Elopement Photography & Planner

• Bridgette Wuest Photography

Hey y’all!! I can’t even wait to help you plan out your epic elopement day and capture all the moments. Click here to see my photography and what it’s like to work with me. If you’re interested in packages, scroll to the bottom of the page!

Videographers

• Jordan Alpine Media
• Davey Hibler Productions
• Peter Paul Films
• 4 Joy Media

Florists

• Helianthus Floral Design
• Wild Rose Florals
• Massa Floral Co
• Dream Weaver Florals

Officiants

• Meredith Richmond
• Meghan Ruiz
• Christa Deane
• Stephanie Diodato

Hair and Makeup

• Nikki Scheerer
• The Savvy Beauty Bar
• Edin Carpenter Makeup
• Madison Cate

Sample Lake Tahoe Elopement Timeline

Not sure what your elopement day could look like? Let me paint a picture.

Example timeline:

11:00 am || Eat lunch/brunch

11:30 am || Photography coverage begins

11:30 am || You get ready together with your fiance and soak up the views of Lake Tahoe from the windows of your lakeside Airbnb. You see the water crashing on shore, help each other into your outfits, and then head out on the back patio to get some fresh air. You write your vows as the sun is hitting your skin through the pine trees.

1 pm || We pack-up and head to your ceremony spot! You bring champagne, your vows, your bouquet, and your favorite people. Your 10 closest people meet you there, and you commit your lives to each other!

2:30 pm || We celebrate, and take some photos with your loved ones! Afterwards, your guests can head back to the Airbnb and relax, while we head out on an adventure!

You take a boat ride around the Lake near sundown now married to the love of your life, and you have every moment, touch, goosebump, and moment captured. Down to the wind blowing through your hair and seeing your Airbnb and loved ones on the shore afar waving at you!

4:40 pm || Sunset

5:00 pm || We head back to your Airbnb to join your loved ones, and your private chef has arrived! There’s fresh apps and some drinks to enjoy by the fireplace, and you start to tell stories with your loved ones.

6:00 pm || You share a candlelit dinner on the deck outside, and you can start to see some of the stars coming out in the night sky. You dance under the moonlight, chase the kiddos around with a frog you found in the bushes, and smile at your married partner from afar. You live out the best day and evening of your lives.

7:30 pm || Photography coverage wraps up

There’s so many ways we can bring your wedding vision to life, no matter what that looks like! I’d love to help you create the weekend of your dreams, and be there for you every step of the way!

2024 & 2025 Lake Tahoe Elopement Photography Packages and Prices

I have packages starting from 3 hours to 2 full day experiences ranging from $4000 to $19,000. It totally just depends on what you’re looking for. Since I live local to Lake Tahoe, there are no travel fees involved! Reach out for more detailed pricing & information.

All packages include:

• Unlimited zoom/phone calls to plan out your elopement experience
• All my resources for location planning, vendor recommendations, activities to do, and more
• Timeline planning, location scouting, and any assistance that you need
• Full resolution, high quality images delivered in an online gallery, with unlimited downloads
• 72 hour sneak peak gallery, to relive your elopement day and share photos with your loved ones
• 8 week full gallery return time
• 85 page elopement guide full of tips & ideas to make planning stress-free

Does this sound like what you’re looking for?

Lake Tahoe Elopement Photographer

Here’s a few Lake Tahoe Elopement days you might enjoy:

A STUNNING LAKE TAHOE WEDDING AT LOGAN SHOALS || KAYLA & JAMES

SUMMER LAKE TAHOE BEACH ELOPEMENT || KATELYN & BEAU

WINTER HIKING LAKE TAHOE ELOPEMENT || SYDNEY AND FELIX

Eloping in another season? Check these articles out:

HOW TO ELOPE IN LAKE TAHOE IN THE WINTER

HOW TO ELOPE IN LAKE TAHOE IN THE FALL

TOP 5 DINNER RESERVATIONS IN LAKE TAHOE