Lake Tahoe is an ideal wedding destination regardless of when you choose to get married. However, there are definitely unique characteristics of each season. Knowing them will help you determine the best time of year to get married in Lake Tahoe for you!
Summer in Lake Tahoe
Summer in Lake Tahoe starts in mid-June and lasts throughout August. These months are also very popular times to get married in Lake Tahoe. In early summer, the sun shines over snow-capped mountains, and the fields are as green as can be. As the months go on, the weather turns warmer, and lake activities are in full swing. Naturally, summer in Lake Tahoe is also a heavy tourist season. While fires in the surrounding mountains may cause smoke to descend into the Tahoe Valley in late July and August, that doesn’t deter thousands of couples from choosing to get married in Lake Tahoe in the summer months.
Considerations for a Lake Tahoe Summer Wedding
Weather: Highs / Lows and Average Days of Rain / Inches of Snow
June - 73° / 44° with 2 days of rain and 0.1 inches of snow
July - 80° / 50° with 1 day of rain and 0 inches of snow
August - 79° / 50° with 1 day of rain and 0 inches of snow
Even in the summer, Lake Tahoe nights are cool. Keep this in mind when planning an evening wedding ceremony or reception. If you choose an outdoor venue, be sure to inform your guests of the weather so they can bring appropriate attire to stay warm from head to toe.
On the other hand, it can get quite warm in the summer months, with some days reaching above the average temperature and into the 90s°. Most Tahoe hotels don’t have AC units simply because the temperatures stay relatively moderate. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t get hot. When choosing your venue, keep this in mind, and be sure to ask about the heating and cooling elements available. Additionally, let out-of-town guests know to check with their accommodations before booking their stay.
Fall in the Lake Tahoe
Fall in Lake Tahoe starts in September and lasts throughout November. Tahoe sees some of its most beautiful colors during these months, as the leaves begin to change and the weather cools. In early fall, the rain starts, turning to snow in October. Fall is a quiet season for Tahoe tourism, which is attractive to many couples who want to get married in Lake Tahoe without the hustle and bustle of vacationers. With sunny days still in the forecast, you can plan a dreamy Lake Tahoe autumn wedding before the cold, snowy days come.
Considerations for a Lake Tahoe Fall Wedding
Weather: Highs / Lows and Average Days of Rain / Inches of Snow
September - 74° / 46° with 1 day of rain and 0 inches of snow
October - 62° / 38° with 3 days of rain and 0.6 inches of snow
November - 51° / 31° with 4 days of rain and 6.1 inches of snow
The temperatures in Lake Tahoe fall quickly once autumn hits. Keep this in mind when planning an outdoor wedding ceremony or reception during these months. In September and early October, you can marry amongst the beautiful colors of the changing leaves. But unless you don’t mind a snowy backdrop, a November wedding should take place indoors. While snowfall isn’t guaranteed, storms come out of nowhere.
Should snowfall come early–which isn’t out of character for Lake Tahoe–transportation is a significant consideration, especially for out-of-town guests who may not have the means to drive through snowy roads to reach your wedding destination. Always have a plan B in place because Tahoe weather is unpredictable.
Once heavy snowfall covers the mountains at the end of November, ski resorts begin to open, and tourist season picks up. Many families also choose to celebrate the holidays in Tahoe, which makes the fall and winter seasons busy. Keep this in mind when planning your fall or winter wedding.
Winter in Lake Tahoe
Winter in Lake Tahoe starts in December and lasts throughout February. While not the most popular month to get married in Lake Tahoe, it is an ideal destination for those who dream of a winter wonderland wedding. Snowfall is guaranteed to cover every inch of Tahoe, and tourist season is back in full swing. Winter activities in Lake Tahoe include snowboarding, skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and pretty much any recreational activity with the word “snow” in it. If your eyes light up and your heart flutters at these words, then planning a winter wedding in Tahoe may be the right decision for you.
Considerations for a Lake Tahoe Winter Wedding
Weather: Highs / Lows and Average Days of Rain / Inches of Snow
December - 44° / 26° with 5 days of rain and 12 inches of snow
January - 44° / 26° with 6 days of rain and 11.4 inches of snow
February - 45° / 26° with 5 days of rain and 12 inches of snow
Tahoe winters are cold, snowy, and breathtakingly beautiful. If you want the snowy mountains to be the backdrop of your wedding, an outdoor winter wedding is possible. Just be sure to dress accordingly and keep your guests’ comfort in mind. Plan to install additional heating elements at your ceremony and reception to create a cozy, romantic atmosphere.
While many couples get married in Lake Tahoe in the winter, it does come with some potential setbacks. Transportation is likely to be an issue for guests without four-wheel-drive vehicles. A snowstorm can quickly alter plans if a venue loses power or a vendor cannot reach your destination due to snow. Fortunately, at Epic Thyme, we know Tahoe winter is unpredictable, so we can help you develop the ideal plan A and plan B should heavy snowfall change your plans.
There are so many Lake Tahoe wedding venues perfect for a dreamy winter wonderland wedding. You can check out a few of our favorite options in this post, along with other tips for getting married in Tahoe in the winter months.
Spring in Lake Tahoe
Spring in Lake Tahoe starts in March and lasts throughout mid-June. But just because spring has sprung doesn’t mean the snow is gone. The snowfall is still consistent and heavy in early spring, only slowing as May enters the scene. But once it does, and the green fields begin to bloom with wildflowers, nature comes alive and more couples start to get married in Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe tourism in the spring is still heavy, as ski resorts stay open for business until mid-to-late April.
Considerations for a Lake Tahoe Spring Wedding
Weather: Highs / Lows and Average Days of Rain / Inches of Snow
March - 49° / 28° with 5 days of rain and 10.3 inches of snow
April - 54° / 31° with 3 days of rain and 4.6 inches of snow
May - 63° / 37° with 3 days of rain and 0.7 inches of snow
A Lake Tahoe spring wedding will likely still be a snowy one, so keep all of the winter wedding tips in mind if planning to marry in Tahoe in March or April. Come May, however, the snowfall lightens, and temperatures begin to rise. Understandably so, this is the start of Lake Tahoe’s busy wedding season. May is a quiet month as winter tourism has ended and summer tourism hasn’t begun. It may be a little chilly, but late spring is a great time to get married in Lake Tahoe.
Get Married in Lake Tahoe with Epic Thyme
At Epic Thyme, we adore Tahoe in every season. Choosing the best time of year to get married in Lake Tahoe is a personal preference. Weather is one of the most significant factors, especially when it comes to the guest experience. However, there are ways to make your entire wedding experience wonderful regardless of what the weather decides to do. So, whether you know your exact wedding date or want to learn more about Lake Tahoe as a wedding destination, reach out to us today to start the conversation of what it looks like to get married in Lake Tahoe with Epic Thyme!