Black Hills Elopement | Sylvan Lake, SD • Xsperience Photography

Molly and Brandon had their eyes set on a Black Hills Elopement long before they were even engaged. The Black Hills holds a special place in their hearts. When they asked me what location I recommend, I immediately suggested Sylvan Lake.

Eloping at Sylvan Lake

Of all the destinations I assisted in planning, Sylvan Lake was one of the more accessible. It doesn’t require much hiking (however Molly might disagree after I took them around the entire lake in her heeled boots;) and it has bathrooms, a large parking lot, convenient store, restaurant, kayak and canoe rentals, and lodging all nearby. The only required permit is the South Dakota State Park entrance pass. You can purchase it as you enter Sylvan Lake for $25/vehicle, good for 7 days if you want to do more exploring, or opt for the annual pass for $70 if you’re a non-South Dakota Resident.

Molly and Brandon’s Black Hills Elopement Itinerary

Molly and Brandon arrived at Sylvan Lake Lodge the evening prior to their May 29th wedding. They rented a quaint cabin perched on the edge of the mountain overlooking Sylvan Lake. Molly had professional hair done in the cabin while Brandon enjoyed a glass of wine at the Lodge. This made it possible for them to have a documented first look after Molly finished getting ready privately. Following the first look we made our way to Sylvan Lake.

The end of May is the perfect time to elope at Sylvan Lake because it isn’t jam-packed with tourists yet. However, the beautiful weather we were graced with did make for a slightly busier day than anticipated. To avoid tourists and the crazy wind we found a little slot between the rocks for a private ceremony. After the ceremony we captured photos as we hiked around the lake. During this time, my wonderful helpers (my mom and daughter) did their part to make sure everything went seamless while I focused on photography. My mom rented a canoe, while Halle styled a champagne/dessert picnic. It’s the simple things, like not waiting in line for a rental, or being surprised with a styled picnic, that make an adventure elopement feel special and run smoothly.