When you choose to start your wedding day with adventure and epic views, that’s my definition of eloping!

Kira + Dakota are just the sweetest and happiest couple. If you’ve ever met Kira, you’ve heard her laugh. She is just a joyful giggly gal! These two chose South Lake Tahoe as their amazingly scenic elopement location. I was stoked! They were also in need of an officiant, so I volunteered my husband Rob for that, naturally. Ha!

They held an intimate ceremony on the beach in the wooded area with beautiful trees. It was short and sweet and then we headed off around the lake to get couples portraits. What a gorgeous day they had! Lake Tahoe straddles the border of California and Nevada, and it’s HUGE. It’s considered one of the purest large lakes in the world and is tucked away in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s absolutely stunning. As you drive around the lake, you get different views at beach level as well as on the hill overlooking the lake. The water is crystal clear and such a lovely blue when the sun is out. We found a gorgeous waterfall too!

I had such a fun time photographing these two in such a rad location. Elopements really allow me to feel like I’ve become friends with my couples, because of the intimate nature and lack of crowds. These two had the ability to really focus on each other, rather than entertaining several hundred guests. They soaked up the views, spent a few nights in Lake Tahoe, ate good food and shopped! I have such a love for people who choose to do things differently, rather than following the crowd. Cheers to the newlyweds!

Florals: Rustic Barn Blossoms

Dress: David’s Bridal