Planning a destination wedding in Lake Tahoe isn’t just about booking a beautiful venue. It’s about creating an unforgettable weekend - an experience that feels calm, intentional, and true to you. But when you're organizing it all from another city or state, even small decisions can start to feel overwhelming.
As a Lake Tahoe wedding photographer and videographer, I collaborate with top-tier planners and venues to guide couples through every part of the experience - from initial vision to the final frame. The couples who work with Amber Shore Pictures aren’t looking for a production; they want a thoughtfully paced weekend where every detail supports family, presence, connection and beauty. Here are five experience-driven tips for planning a seamless Lake Tahoe destination wedding.
1 Start With Your Core Team
After securing the venue, the next most impactful decisions are about who you'll trust to bring the day to life. That often starts with a photographer and a wedding planner. Together, they shape not just the look of the day - but how it feels, an how you will remember it.
A local wedding planner helps with logistics - securing permits, coordinating with florists, rental companies, and ensuring every vendor arrives on time. They manage the big-picture flow and the behind-the-scenes setup so you don’t have to. But the emotional rhythm of your day - the breathing room, the soft in-between moments - that's where your photographer shapes the experience.
I build a photography timeline with intention - one that allows for the unhurried moments that often become your favorites. Maybe it's a quiet few minutes with your mom before getting dressed, or ensuring your first look unfolds in a spot that feels private and serene, not overrun with tourists or harsh mid-day light. I scout ahead, build in margins and protect your time so you can actually enjoy the experience - not just move from task to task. And when you move through your day with a sense of ease and presence, your photos don’t just look beautiful - they feel like you too!
If you’re still looking for a great planner to work with, here are a few we absolutely love—teams who bring experience, poise, and a calm command to every event: Jalie Weddings & Events, Epic Thyme Events and Emily Taft Events. You can explore more of our favorites in this post: Top Wedding Planners in Lake Tahoe.
2 Host a Rehearsal Dinner to Start the Celebration
The best destination weddings feel like an extended celebration—not just a single event. A well-planned rehearsal dinner sets the tone, lets you welcome everyone personally, and gives space for toasts and laughter in a setting that feels warm and intentional.
It doesn’t have to be overly formal, but it should feel special. Here are some of the most trusted venues for elevated rehearsal dinners in Lake Tahoe:
Big Water Grille – Perched in Incline Village with panoramic lake views and a relaxed, refined vibe.
Riva Grill – A South Shore favorite with classic Tahoe energy and upscale lakeside dining.
Gar Woods Grill & Pier – On the North Shore with private event space and a private pier for lake access.
Chart House – Elevated seafood dining with dramatic sunsets and big windows.
Couples often invite me to photograph or film the rehearsal dinner, which adds another layer of depth to your final wedding gallery. It also gives me the chance to observe and get familiar with your closest people. When I know who your parents, siblings, or best friends are ahead of time, I’m more attuned to capturing their reactions naturally on the wedding day. It’s much harder to learn those dynamics in real time. Rehearsal coverage may not be essential—but if you want a deeper, more connected visual story, it makes a noticeable difference.
3 Choose a Photographer Who Helps Design the Experience
Photographers don’t just document what happens - they help shape the way your day unfolds. From how the timeline is structured to where key moments take place, we influence the rhythm and energy of your experience. A good photographer doesn’t just show up with a camera - they walk with you through the planning, suggest adjustments that make space for meaning and anticipate the moments that matter before they even happen.
Deciding whether or not to do a First Look isn’t just a romantic choice - it’s a strategic one. A First Look can shift the entire flow of your day. It often allows us to complete all your family photos before the ceremony, which means you’re free to join cocktail hour, relax and spend time with your guests instead of missing it for group portraits.
Every decision affects something else - light, timing, energy, privacy. My role is to help you understand those trade-offs clearly so we can build a plan that prioritizes what you care about most. There’s no perfect formula, just thoughtful choices that shape a day you’ll genuinely enjoy.
Need help deciding whether to do a First Look? You might find this helpful: First Look or No First Look? A Photographer's Perspective.
5 Plan Something Unforgettable on the Water
Lake Tahoe isn’t just the setting - it’s the heart of the destination. One of the most elevated experiences you can offer your guests is time on the water, where the views are uninterrupted and the mood shifts from celebration to awe.
For a larger group, a private catamaran charter with Action Water Sports offers a sleek, spacious way to host a welcome cruise or farewell brunch. Think champagne in hand, sun on the deck, and an unforgettable introduction to your weekend. For more intimate gatherings or private moments the Wild Goose II is a beautifully restored wooden boat that delivers timeless luxury and cinematic charm.
For couples who want their wedding weekend to be remembered as an experience -not just an event - incorporating the lake itself is a defining detail your guests will never forget.
5 Simplify With a Hybrid Photo + Video Team
At Amber Shore Pictures, photography and video are offered together with one consistent approach. We shape the timeline around light, emotion, and story - making sure the day flows smoothly and naturally. When your coverage is aligned from the start, everything feels more intentional. There’s a quiet efficiency to working with one team that understands your values and handles both mediums with the same care. You won’t notice it in the logistics—you’ll feel it in the ease of the day, the way moments unfold, and how naturally it all comes together.
Final Thoughts
Even when you're planning from afar, your Lake Tahoe destination wedding can feel calm, organized, and entirely your own. With a trusted planner, a photographer who knows how to guide the day with ease, and a timeline designed around your real priorities, everything can come together with beauty and intention.
Looking for a photo and video experience that fits your values and style? Let’s talk.
You might also like:
Ways to Make Your First Look More Meaningful
How to Keep Your Family Photos From Taking Over Your Wedding Day
Tannenbaum Event Center Wedding | Jessica & Jacob
