About Fairytale Elope

Fairytale Elope didn’t start as a wedding venue. It started as a dream—mine.

I’m Nate Feldman, a photographer with over 20 years of experience and a lifelong love of nature. I’m also an ecologist, and the forest has always felt like home to me. Years ago, I bought this property to create an open-air photo studio. I imagined a place where I could photograph families, couples, and kids surrounded by wildflowers, old trees, and the soft light only a forest can offer.

As I worked to shape the land—clearing space here, planting flowers there—something unexpected happened. Couples began asking if they could skip the big, stressful wedding and just get married here, beneath the trees. They wanted something simpler. More personal. More meaningful.

So I said yes.

And over time, Fairytale Elope was born.

This property isn’t polished like a ballroom—and that’s the point. It’s alive. It’s always growing, always changing, always a little wild. Each season brings something new. Each year, I open more space, plant more gardens, and tend the land with care. That’s how forests work. That’s how love works too.

In 2025, you’ll find a vibrant iris garden, a cheerful patch of sunflowers, a colorful zinnia garden, and several smaller garden spaces perfect for portraits, first looks, or quiet moments together. I’m also growing a cutting garden, where (with a little guidance) brides are welcome to pick a fresh bouquet for their ceremony—straight from the land, lovingly grown and freely given. Just no razing the garden to the ground, okay? The bees, other brides, and I thank you.

Say 'I do' with stunning views of the Fairytale Elope and its surroundings. Our outdoor ceremony space provides a breathtaking backdrop for your wedding day. An elopement isn’t a “lesser” wedding—it’s a wedding reimagined. It can be simple and sacred. Whimsical and weird. Quiet and grounding. Romantic and spontaneous. With the forest as your backdrop, your story unfolds in real time—not staged, not scripted, just true.

Want to read vows barefoot in a garden? You can. Want to get married on a rope swing? Do it. Want to picnic under the trees, laugh with friends, and feel relieved instead of frazzled by the end of the day? That’s exactly what we’re here for.

As an ecologist, creating an environmentally conscious alternative to traditional weddings was non-negotiable. Big weddings often come with a big footprint—transportation, waste, packaging, and excess everything. Here, we do things differently.

• No single-use plastics or wasteful décor

• Minimal environmental impact

• Locally grown flowers and native plants when possible

• A deep respect for the land and its rhythms

Fairytale Elope isn’t just for people who love nature—it’s for people who care about it. Who want their wedding day to reflect the values they live by.

You don’t need a ballroom, a band, or a big crowd to make your wedding meaningful. You just need a moment that feels real—something that reflects who you are, what you love, and why you’re here together.

At Fairytale Elope, we believe your special day should feel like a deep breath, not a high-stakes performance. Because love shouldn’t come with a fat price tag—or a panic attack.

It should come with sunlight through trees, the sound of a waterfall, and a kiss that says, this is exactly right.

You might see a garden bed in bloom and another just being planted. You might spot fresh mulch in one area and a log I haven’t moved yet in another. This isn’t a showroom—it’s a living, breathing space, one that I pour my heart and hands into every season.

And that’s exactly why couples keep coming back. They see the intention here. They feel the peace. They know this place is special—not because it’s perfect, but because it’s real.

We proudly welcome LGBTQ+ couples, people of color, neurodivergent individuals, and those of all faiths, backgrounds, and abilities. If you have love in your heart, this place is for you.

That said, the venue is on a mountainside, and some ceremony sites involve uneven or rugged terrain. If you or a guest has mobility needs, just let us know in advance—we’ll help you choose a beautiful and accessible location, such as the overlook or one of the garden areas. Communication is key, and we’re happy to make accommodations whenever possible.

The average wedding in California now costs $39,000–$45,000, and even more in the Tahoe region. For many couples, that means taking on debt just to throw a party—often for people they barely know, with decisions made more for tradition than joy.

We believe you shouldn’t have to prove your love with a loan.

At Fairytale Elope, our average elopement (including photography, venue time, a picnic-style meal or dinner out, and lodging nearby) ranges between $2,500 and $6,000—and every dollar is spent on things that matter. No chair covers. No impersonally plated chicken. Just a beautiful day, shared with the people who truly matter. A simple elopement with zero extras, with photos, could be as low as $600.  

You’re not cutting corners. You’re cutting out the unnecessary.

If you’re looking for something different—something quieter, more meaningful, and deeply connected to nature—you’ve found it.

This isn’t a wedding venue. It’s a forest. A garden. A canvas. A love story in progress.

I’d be honored to help you write your next chapter here.

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[Read Why Elopements Just Feel Better]