Top 10 Adventurous Wedding Spots at Lake Tahoe

Even though I’ve traveled around the world, I knew that my wedding would have to take place in my own backyard of Lake Tahoe. This alpine jewel is one of my favorite places to visit all year long, so why not get married on the lake?

With wedding season right around the corner, Lake Tahoe is a wonderful place to tie the knot: affordable and luxurious hotels and reception locations share space with beautiful beaches, blue water and the scent of pine trees, it never gets very hot and if you get married on the Nevada side, you don’t have to get a blood test or go through a waiting period.

What makes Tahoe unique as a wedding location is that you can do so many things in just one day. Skiing and hiking, snorkeling and scuba diving and dining at a five star restaurant or gaming at high stakes tables can be a typical day at the lake. So why stick with the same, staid wedding march as everyone else? Have you ever thought of getting married in a field of wildflowers? How about while parasailing? What about eloping on the beach? At Tahoe, you can do all that and more. However, if you are a bit more traditional, the lake also has a multitude of traditional chapels and churches to celebrate your nuptials.

To celebrate love in the mountains, here are my top 10 most romantic or interesting places to get married at Lake Tahoe.

10. Hellman-Ehrman Mansion This 12,000 square foot mansion built in 1902 is located at Sugar Pine Point State Park has spectacular views of the lake. Your wedding can take place inside the mansion or on the beach.

9. High Camp at Squaw Valley USA Seal the deal with a kiss at High Camp, 2,000 feet above the surface of the lake. Follow up with ice skating at the Olympic Ice Pavilion or a dip in the Swimming Lagoon.

8. Snowmobile The high mountain areas of late spring and early summers at the lake still have snow. Rent snowmobiles for you and your wedding party and take a trip up to a peak overlooking the lake.

7. Woodwind II I am a bit biased on this one. I was married on the Woodwind I, which is no longer in service, but the Woodwind II is another beautiful sailing catamaran. A sunset cruise to Emerald Bay on the Woodwind II is very romantic and is great for smaller weddings.

6. Skiing or Snowshoeing Snow will sometimes last until July on the Tahoe ski slopes and cross country trails. Ski or shoe to your own private location and tie the knot under the pines.

5. Horse and Sleigh Ride Make your getaway in a horse drawn sleigh.

4. Heavenly Aerial Tram For another small wedding, pile your guests into a few of the Heavenly Tram cars and ride up to the first platform of the Heavenly Ski Resort. Your wedding will need no decorations with the view laid out in front of you and your loved one.

3. Hot Air Balloon An early morning balloon ride with champagne and just a few people can be done at the South Shore of the lake.

2. SCUBA Diving If you prefer neoprene over lace and tuxedos, then strap on a scuba tank and tie the knot under the blue waters of Tahoe. The best place to go is Sand Harbor.

1. Parasailing You want a private ceremony? You got one. Tie the knot on a boat while cruising the blue waters, and celebrate by soaring 100 feet over the lake…just the two of you.

[Photo by Emlyn Stokes/Flickr]