Private Mammoth Lakes Vow Renewal

Couple standing on the lakeshore of an alpine lake in Mammoth Lakes, California

Reason #341726391 why I love California - the variety of the different types of scenery you can find in this state continues to astound me. As a California elopement photographer and an avid outdoor lover, I am not only passionate about finding all the beautiful places out in nature where couples can share or renew their vows in, I am also dedicated to protecting these public lands so that couples can come back to these places over the years and find their special spot exactly the way they found it.

This pristine alpine lake that I found in the eastern sierras of California is no exception. Anyone who knows me knows how drawn I am to mountains and lakes, so when S+A reached out about a vow renewal during their trip out to California and said they didn’t mind hiking out to a spot, I jumped at the opportunity to share this place with them.

It was a warm summer’s day in July when we met in a small dirt parking lot. We threw on our hiking boots and started our hike up to the lake. It was an incredibly beautiful day and we had the trail entirely to ourselves. Since Sarah was newly pregnant at the time, we took it slow with many breaks in between (one of the plusses of having an intimate day!). We still reached the lake much earlier than anticipated, and were completely blown away by what stood in front of us. Sheer mountain sides with a raging waterfall in the distance, crystal blue waters, and tall pine trees stood all around us. There was hardly anyone else around. We explored the shoreline to find a private spot for them to change into their formal attire and exchange their vows. During this time, S+A shared with me their story of their marriage, and how it all started - a true fairytale, love-at-first-sight type of story that might leave anyone else in disbelief, until you hear it straight from the horse’s mouth. :’)

Thank you S+A for sharing your incredible story and this adventure with me!

>> Learn more about eloping in the Eastern Sierra here!

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California may be known for its beautiful coastline, redwoods or deserts, but if you’re considering a lakeside elopement or private vow renewal in California, the eastern sierras is an incredible place that boasts a large number of alpine lakes and mountain views. (A plus? Our weather is a little more predictable too!)

Several things to note about eloping in the eastern sierras:

Many lakes and trails are inaccessible till mid-late Spring (late April-May) due to their elevation
For more privacy, hiking may be required; although I’ve found several places where hiking is minimal :)
Mammoth Lakes is at an approximate elevation of 8000ft, with some spots at higher altitudes than the town itself. I highly recommend getting to the area a couple days before your elopement day to allow yourselves to acclimate to the altitude, especially if you’re not used to that elevation and/or are prone to altitude sickness.
Certain trailheads require driving on a dirt road to get to; while sedans may be able to make the drive if you go slowly, you may want to consider renting an AWD with high clearance just for peace of mind.
Permits may be necessary depending on the location you pick; as a California elopement photographer, I help all my couples find out whether permits are required based on your chosen location, as well as help you navigate that process :)
It is incredibly important to familiarize yourselves with Leave No Trace principles and be prepared to LNT on your day. Read more about Leave No Trace here! :)