By Monique
Brandon and Nikki eloped along the east shores of Lake Tahoe after the Covid-19 pandemic forced them to cancel their plans for a bigger wedding and reception. They were originally going to get married where they live in Florida, but decided that Lake Tahoe would be the perfect backdrop for their elopement and mini honeymoon because they love the outdoors, especially rugged mountains and remote locations. Their plans included hikes and outdoor activities, perfect for a couple who met on a hiking trail in Zion National Park. Their wedding officiant Meredith Richmond and I helped them plan the details of their wedding since neither of them had ever visited Tahoe before their elopement. Having mountains in the background while also being in a relatively private location was important to them. They really liked my idea of hiking in to one of the more remote beaches at the lake because it would be the most likely place to see the least amount of people at sunset.
Before the ceremony at the lake, I met up with them at the Tahoe Meadows. Meredith and I orchestrated their staggered arrival and I got Brandon set up along one of the trails where he waited to see Nikki for the first time in her wedding dress. After their first look, they enjoyed a walk through the meadow to the tree line where there was still a pretty good patch of snow where we did a few portraits.
After the ceremony we said goodbye to Meredith and then Brandon and Nikki got out their speaker and iPhone to play a song for their first dance. The location of the ceremony and first dance was a perfect secluded point with a little boulder island and tree just offshore in the background. After their first dance, they went down to the beach and got in the cold water for a few last portraits right as the sun was setting.
As always, it was such an honor to document this intimate experience for this sweet couple!
If your big wedding plans have been put on hold, or you just don’t want to wait any longer to get married, consider an elopement at Tahoe. We know so many places that can provide amazing scenery and if you are up for a little hike, we can get to some “secret spots” like this one without the summertime crowds that, even in these pandemic times, are still very present all around Lake Tahoe.
