Recently I had the opportunity to team up with some truly amazing people and vendors in the North Lake Tahoe area to put together an epic elopement styled shoot. There’s a stigma out there that eloping is copping out, that you leave out all the traditional wedding customs. However, this is just so untrue! When you decide to have an elopement or intimate wedding instead of a traditional wedding, what you include or chose not to include in your day is totally up to the two of you! You can have a few friends & family there – or not! You can have hair and makeup done – or not – or do it yourself! You can have a meal – or dessert – or not! You can go hiking, kayaking, backpacking, dancing, etc. – the options are endless!  The great news is that if you envision florals at your elopement or intimate wedding, there are vendors out there happy to make it happen – even if it means waking up at 2 AM to get bouquets, boutonnieres, and arches to your ceremony site for a sunrise elopement!

In styling this shoot, we tried to replicate the freedom each couple has when structuring their intimate wedding or elopement. More than one outfit and more than one location are totally normal, so we styled a mountain top first look in more traditional fashion with a gorgeous custom gown from Connie Tao Designs and suit by Friar Tux. Then our models changed into hiking boots and more casual formal wear (with a dress from the fun LuLu’s) for a lakeside vow exchange at sunset. The outstandingly gorgeous florals were provided by the amazing Meghon of Love and Lupines. Her designs with locally sourced flowers (yay!) are not only astonishingly beautiful, but the bold colors perfectly represented the fun of this shoot and the joy couples can have having a day built to perfectly suit them! The bride’s stunning hair and makeup were done by the incredibly talented Sarina Bruno, who specializes in weddings and elopements in the North Tahoe area! Additionally, one of the best ways to stay before or after your elopement or intimate wedding is in local vacation rentals. For this shoot our models stayed at a quaint cabin with rustic charm by Tahoe North Rentals where many of the details for the shoot happened, but Lake Tahoe is so beautiful we chose to showcase the natural beauty of this area more. Together with this amazing team, I’m so excited to present this styled adventure elopement shoot! It gets me absolutely giddy for all the future Lake Tahoe adventure elopements and outdoor intimate weddings!

Are you guys considering the Lake Tahoe area for your intimate wedding or adventure elopement? Tahoe has endless beauty during all four seasons, and needless to say is one of my favorite places in the world (and one of my home bases)!  Let me be your guide to this amazing alpine lake area as you plan to say “I do” amidst the towering pines and crystal blue lake waters. Can’t wait to go on a Lake Tahoe adventure together!