Local Favorites for Lake Tahoe Engagement & Wedding Photos

There’s no doubt that you want your engagement and wedding photos taken in Lake Tahoe, but with the hundreds of beautiful locations to choose from, how do you decide? We’re here to help narrow down your search with our local favorite destinations because, of course, as locals, we know best! From exploring Lake Tahoe in our free time and speaking with newlyweds and recently engaged couples that have stayed with us previously, we’ve got the inside scoop on the best photo-ops for you and your significant other! Book your stay at Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel for even more insider tips and helpful local insight!

Sand Harbor

20 miles from Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel

One of the most well-known, picture-perfect locations in Lake Tahoe is Sand Harbor. Sand Harbor is within the Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park and is known for its crystal blue waters and snow-covered Sierra Nevada Mountain range. The sandy beaches, hiking trails, and endless greenery are perfect for you if you wish to have natural beauty in the background of your wedding photos. Talk to your photographer and try snapping some shots of the both of you in the water!

Bonsai Rock

19 miles from Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel

Do you feel as if your partner is your rock in life? If so, Bonsai Rock is the place for you to symbolize your relationship in your engagement photos. Halfway between Hidden Beach and Sand Harbor sits Bonsai Rock: a large boulder with four small trees sprouting out of a crevice at the top. With surrounding nature and boulders, you could really get some unique photos taken at this rocky location. Here’s a tip from the locals: maybe don’t wear your stilettos to this location!

Tahoe Rim Trail

4 miles to Boulder Lodge Trailhead from Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel

Strap on your hiking boots because the Tahoe Rim Trail is a 170 mile long hiking trail that wraps around the Lake Tahoe Basin! Okay, maybe you don’t have to hike the entire trail when you visit, but be sure to to hike along the trail and explore a little so you can snap some stunning engagement photos of you and your significant other. You’ll be able to get some pretty incredible views as your backdrop with the highest point of the trail being 10,338 feet tall.

Rubicon Bay

19 miles from Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel

Rubicon Bay is located just 19 miles from Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel and is home to some breathtaking beaches on Lake Tahoe’s western shore. If you are a morning person, this is the perfect place to get some shots of the insanely beautiful sunrise. Imagine standing on a dock looking deeply into the eyes of your loved one while the pink and orange colors of the sunrise reflect off of the glass calm bay. As always, be mindful of private property so you don’t go wandering onto a local’s dock!

D.L. Bliss State Park

16 miles from Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel

If picturing the rest of your life with your partner puts you in a state of bliss, then D.L. Bliss State Park may be the best place for your engagement or wedding photos! D.L. Bliss State Park is a state park in California, located on the western shore of Lake Tahoe. While exploring this spot for the most ideal photo opportunities, you will find the famous Rubicon Point Lighthouse, a 20 foot tall balancing rock, and a fun teepee that could make for some special photographs!

Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel

We may be biased, but the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel is a great option for you when it comes to snapping some shots of the happy couple. Our wedding venue options will be the perfect backdrop for your dream wedding day! We have the perfect setting for your engagement and wedding photos right here on our resort grounds, without you having to leave the fun of your big day! The Lakeside Beach, Garden Atrium, Ballroom, and Tallac venue are all perfect places for your photographer to capture those unforgettable shots. No matter the season, we assure you that your pictures will turn out flawless when they’re taken at the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel! Learn more about booking your big day right here with us!

Secret Cove

17 miles from Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel

With being one of Lake Tahoe’s best photo spots, Secret Cove is a great spot for your engagement photo shoot or wedding day photos. According to locals, the best photo-op at this location is to sit on a partially-submerged boulder and have your picture taken from the beach so that Lake Tahoe is seen in the background. The crystal blue lake will serve as an incredible backdrop for you and your significant other.

Emerald Bay State Park

24 miles from Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel

Another popular location for both engagement and wedding photos is Emerald Bay State Park, which is centered on Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay. Emerald Bay State Park delivers breathtaking views that would make your engagement or wedding photos look surreal. There are so many photo opportunities at this location, including many at Eagle Falls and Vikingsholm. The Eagle Falls trailhead is a fairly simple and easy hike that offers you a beautiful landscape. Vikingsholm is a 38-room mansion on the shore of Emerald Bay and is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the U.S. Take advantage of this glorious scenery and have your photos taken at Emerald Bay State Park. This is certainly a Tahoe favorite.

Let’s Start Planning!

Speaking as a local, Lake Tahoe delivers multiple opportunities for incredible engagement and wedding photos. Pick one place that speaks the most to you, or decide on a couple of different locations to include plenty of variety in your photos. Book your next visit with us now and explore the local favorite photo destinations in Lake Tahoe!

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