While elopements can totally be something you share between just the two of you, a lot of couples can’t imagine their day without celebrating with friends or family. When you elope in Lake Tahoe, you have plenty of small reception venues to choose from, where you can have dinner and kick off the beginning of your marriage with the people you love most! Whether you have a private ceremony and celebrate later, or you spend the entire day with friends and family, here are 10 of the best small wedding reception venues in Lake Tahoe.
This one isn’t a traditional wedding reception venue – it’s a boat that takes off into the clear blue water of Lake Tahoe, so you can celebrate on the water! The Party Boat is a unique way to spend the evening, with indoor and outdoor decks, a kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and plenty of space, whether you want to turn it into a dance floor or a place to relax.
One of the best restaurant reception venues in Lake Tahoe is at Revive Coffee and Wine – an adorable cafe in the heart of South Lake Tahoe. With seating outdoors and indoors, it’s the perfect place to host a small group! You can sit outside in the private garden, surrounded by lush greenery, or inside the Main Room with a rustic bar, cozy fireplace, and an intimate atmosphere.
For a casual, outdoor, reception, one of the best venues in Lake Tahoe is the Nevada Beach Day Use Pavilion. It’s located in the Lake Tahoe Basin of Nevada, just a few minutes away from the bright blue water. The pavilion is tucked in a woodsy area full of pine trees and evergreen shrubs, and this is the perfect place for couples who want to have a picnic for their reception, and to celebrate with their loved ones outdoors! There’s also a campground nearby, so for an extra adventure, you can camp and roast s’mores, enjoying the great outdoors on your wedding day.
With a vintage airstream as it’s backdrop this venue has so much character. It’s outdoor fire pits and small reception area are one of my all time favorites. It’s also a full brewery and restaurant that caters in house and table and seating is all outdoors surrounding the live music area. The airstream has been converted to a small stage perfect for live music and speeches. This location is dog friendly too!
https://www.southofnorthbeer.com/
We can’t think of a better way to celebrate getting married than taking a private charter out on the blue water of Lake Tahoe! One of the best small wedding reception venues is the Tahoe Bleu Wave, a yacht that can be rented for a private reception. Imagine having dinner looking out onto the gorgeous water, and dancing the night away under the stars! You can choose from several destinations, including the scenic Emerald Bay.
Rojo’s Tavern is a great restaurant and bar, popular with locals and visitors! It’s one of the best small reception venues in Lake Tahoe if you’re looking for a delicious place to grab a bite and spend some time with your friends and family. Downstairs, you’ll find a private room that can host small receptions, with room for dancing, live music, and of course, food!
Though the Zephyr Cove Resort hosts big weddings as well, it’s also one of the best small wedding reception venues in Lake Tahoe! There are adorable cabins that can host anywhere from 2-10 people, so you can rent one for you and your guests and celebrate your marriage on the gorgeous shores of the lake. During your stay, there are several restaurants at the resort, along with fun adventures like parasailing, kayaking, horseback riding, and more!
The West Shore Cafe and Inn is a great place to host a small reception. The cafe is cozy, perfect for an intimate celebration – and you can also dine outdoors, with amazing views of the lake! It’s also a convenient place to stay, so after the reception, you can go right to your room with a view and relax after a day of elopement adventures.
The Twentymile House is a little further from the lake, but the drive is just under an hour, but we had to list it here! With accomodations for up to 36 people, this small reception venue is definitely one of the best for an intimate celebration. Tucked in the forest, far away from all the hustle and bustle, it makes an absolutely serene spot to dance the night away or to relax at the cottage with a few friends! As an added bonus, it’s a certified carbon-free, green venue – so if one of your reasons to elope is that you want a sustainable wedding day, this is the reception venue for you.
Big Water Grille is a restaurant with amazing food, and incredible views! It’s located on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, and you can see panoramic views of the water through the big windows. It’s one of the best restaurants for fine dining, and you can reserve a spot for your small wedding reception, and enjoy delicious food and wine, and a stunning sunset over the water!
If you love seafood, celebrate your elopement at Jakes on the Lake! This restaurant reception venue is right on the water, with local and sustainable produce. It’s the perfect intimate venue to celebrate with your loved ones, and you can rent out the banquet room for a private experience.
The Tahoe Blue Estate is the only Airbnb in Lake Tahoe that allows weddings and receptions, and with seven bedrooms, it’s the perfect private venue for couples who want to celebrate with a few guests! You can relax on the private deck, enjoy the scenery, and have plenty of adventures just outside the door.
At Mindful Media, part of our job as your elopement photographer and videographer team is to help you plan the perfect elopement! We’ll help you out with ceremony spots, as well as personalized recommendations for places around Lake Tahoe where you can host an intimate celebration.
Find out more about our all-inclusive elopement packages in Lake Tahoe. We include everything you need to cover your day. As your microwedding and elopement planner, we’ll do all the heavy lifting. You pick your dream destination for your elopement, date, and travel while we handle the rest!
Contact us if you’re ready to start planning!
If you're thinking about eloping or getting married in NorCal, our blog is an excellent resource for inspiration. We've got sneak peeks of recent weddings, tips for eloping in Northern California, and more. Let The Adventure Begin is the perfect place to start planning.
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