Planning an Elopement in Mammoth, CA
Earlier this year, Taylor and I had the pleasure of photographing an absolutely stunning two-day elopement in Mammoth, California. This is a location that we are very familiar with, and have now done several elopement and engagement shoots, and each time we go, we are always blown away by the beauty of these mountains! We love getting to plan and share this place with so many couples, and it's perfect for those who love adventure. I feel most at home in the mountains.
Why Elope in Mammoth
Mammoth is well known for being the go-to snowboard and ski town during the winter season. When the summer, spring, and fall seasons hit, it can be ideal for backpackers, hikers, and mountaineers! This is also what makes it such a great place to elope!
Mammoth is the perfect place to get a variety of experiences. Whether it's walking five minutes to a lake and getting gorgeous Mountain views or hiking a few miles to the mountain top, there's something for everyone, which is why we recommend it so much to our clients looking for an epic adventure elopement.
Not only does Mammoth have gorgeous landscapes and wildlife, but the town and people are equally great! We have met some of the friendliest people and had some of the best memories when visiting Mammoth.
How far out should we plan
Mammoth can have some pretty extreme weather. In the summer and spring, it can get quite hot, and in winter, it's quite freezing… we always recommend researching to see what would fit you best in both the overall look and feel you want for your experience, but also what you are comfortable handling. Because Mammoth is a mountain town, if you do things in the fall, you can pretty much always expect snow to be around. If you're not comfortable driving in the snow or just don't like being cold, you probably should look into the spring or summer months.
Fall in Mammoth is absolutely gorgeous and bursting with color; however, it can get quite cold and feel a little bit like winter going into the mid to late fall months. So, doing your research and knowing what the overall weather will be, as well as the look of the landscape, is important.
Spring and Summer: Expect temperatures ranging from the 40s to the 60s in spring and the 40s to the high 80s in the summer. The landscape is a mix of greens and wildflowers during this time.
Fall and Winter: Expect temperatures as low as 17 degrees and highs up to mid-60s for the fall and in winter as low as 11 degrees and a high of 35-40 degrees. In the fall, everything is a burst of orange and yellows, and as things transition to winter, you can expect a very snowy white winter.
Mammoth can also have an incredibly busy season in the fall and winter because snow begins to drape the landscape. Spring tends to be a little bit quieter, and Summer can also be a bit busy, depending on the month you go. We have found visiting during spring and early summer has been one of our favorites because it's still a bit quiet and less busy, and the weather is always perfect. Fall is another favorite because of the burst of colors.
Where to stay
There are so many options for where you can stay within Mammoth. Typically, for our elopement, we always encourage everyone to get an Airbnb. This will allow for a more cozy at-home experience and is great because you can have a place to wind down after a long day of exploring and taking photos. We also tend to plan breaks in between shooting for our elopements and multi-day elopements, and having a place to go back and reset is ideal. This is why Airbnb can be a great option because there's more space and allows for more privacy when trying to take those breaks and relax.
If you do find yourself needing to stay in a hotel instead, there are so many options with a variety of price ranges to fit every budget, and a good portion of the hotels we have found are also dog-friendly!
What to Do
If you want to plan an all-day or multi-day elopement, there are so many incredible things you could do in and around Mammoth!
Hiking is probably the main option when visiting Mammoth. If you plan to elope, you will most likely need to do a little bit of hiking to get away from the crowds and enjoy the views in quiet. Convict Lake is an exceptionally great spot for this, as it’s very accessible and an easy hike with stunning mountain views! Be sure to wear hiking boots or bring boots to change into, and get ready to have your dress get a little dirty. Adds extra character and memories in our opinion. There are also some geological hot springs nearby that are fun to explore, just be prepared for a bit of a smelly experience as they can be a little stinky due to sulfur.
Kayaking, Canoeing, and paddle boarding are other great options, especially in the warmer months, and can not only make for a fun experience, it’s be more intimate, and being out on the water is always great. June Lake is just a 20-minute drive north of Mammoth and a great spot for this! Be prepared, though, the water is very cold, even in summer!
Bring your dog to join the fun. Mammoth can be a great place to take your dog along on the adventure! We love it when our couples bring their furry companions! A good portion of the hiking and adventures in and around Mammoth our dog dog-friendly. Some restaurants do allow dogs, but in recent years, they have been a little stricter due to a few fights happening, unfortunately, so be sure to do a bit of research beforehand to see what places allow dogs. In most areas, there are outdoor seating areas where they can join.
Make a checklist
When traveling, it’s always a good idea to create a checklist of everything you need, a general schedule of the trip, and an overall timeline guide. Here are a few things we always be sure to do for our trips and elopements.
Make a checklist of gear for you and your dog if you decide to bring them. This will include any clothes, shoes, and accessories you will want to pack.
Must-haves like passports, permits, park passes, driver's license, travel insurance (if needed… AAA has great travel insurance), and any reservation information.
Map out pin marks on Google Maps or a map service of your choice. This is a BIG thing Taylor and I do for our trips. We will pin all the places we want to go and then narrow down the list to “Must Visit” spots so we know exactly where we are going, how long the drive is, can look up the weather for that area in advance, etc.
Create a trip timeline. I know it sounds tedious to do, but if you like things to be organized and on track, having a timeline of your trip can be a great guide. Now this doesn’t mean you have to do EVERYTHING on that itinerary, BUT it can help give you an idea of what to do that day and how to properly balance your trip with activities and rest time. This is something Taylor and I have taken seriously in the last few years of our travels to avoid burnout by the end of trips. Adding “rest” days or days where you are doing more casual things can be so important and make the trip more enjoyable, and not feel rushed.
Mammoth is one of the most stunning places to both visit and elope in. With beautiful mountain views, wildlife, and lakes, it never gets old, no matter how often you visit. If you want to know more about how to elope in Mammoth and want a husband and wife photography team, reach out! We’d love to chat and help make your Mammoth dreams a reality!
