We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Yeliz Berg. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Yeliz below.

Yeliz, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

In 2018, I found myself attending wedding after wedding—many of them small, intimate celebrations hosted by close friends. What stood out, however, wasn’t the love stories or the joy in the air. It was the lack of options. Nearly every couple had their wedding in a casino ballroom, not because they wanted to, but because there weren’t many alternatives. The price tags were steep, and the photos? Almost always taken indoors, dark and lacking the natural beauty the day deserved.

At the time, I had spent 13 years working for a technology company. It was a stable career, one I was grateful for—but I had always dreamed of starting something of my own. I just hadn’t found the “thing” yet.

That changed when I started researching outdoor wedding options for small groups. I discovered the concept of elopements—still a relatively unfamiliar term at the time—and instantly felt a spark. Why wasn’t there a business that made it easy for couples to have meaningful, beautiful weddings in nature without the pressure of a traditional guest list or price tag?
That’s when The Hytch was born. I envisioned a company that specialized in intimate weddings—where couples could celebrate surrounded by nature, with thoughtful design, and without the overwhelm. We created packages for micro weddings, boutique pop-ups, and elopement adventures, each one tailored for couples who wanted something intentional, personal, and stress-free.

It wasn’t an overnight success. It actually took six months to book our very first client. But I believed in the idea—and more importantly, I believed in the couples we were creating it for.

Today, The Hytch has helped hundreds of couples celebrate in a way that feels true to them. Looking back, I’m so grateful that a combination of frustration, curiosity, and the desire for creative freedom led me here. I left a 13-year career in tech to follow a dream, and in doing so, helped build a space where love stories are told a little differently—under trees, beside rivers, and always with heart.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For those who may not have heard of us yet, I’m the founder of The Hytch, a boutique wedding company that specializes in elopements, pop-up weddings, and micro weddings. Our mission is simple: to create intentional, beautiful, and stress-free celebrations for couples who want something more personal than a traditional wedding—and more meaningful than a courthouse ceremony. We primarily serve the beautiful Lake Tahoe region, as well as Reno, Las Vegas, and Denver. We also travel to nearby areas in California.

My journey into this industry was sparked in 2018, when I noticed many of my friends were having small weddings—but their only options were expensive indoor venues, often in casinos. The photos were dark, and the atmosphere rarely matched the couples’ personalities or love stories. At the time, I was working for a technology company, where I had built a career over 13 years. But I had always dreamed of building something of my own—something creative, people-focused, and rooted in storytelling.
I began researching outdoor weddings and discovered the world of elopements, which was still an emerging trend. I realized there was a huge opportunity to reimagine what small weddings could be. That’s how The Hytch was born.

What sets us apart is our personalized and flexible approach. We bring the venue to you—whether that’s a serene lakeside in Tahoe, a hidden garden, or a scenic park. We focus on intimate, affordable celebrations in stunning outdoor locations. Unlike traditional wedding venues or elopement vendors, we’re mobile and adaptable, and we tailor everything to each couple’s style.

We start by getting to know our couples and their vision—whether it’s boho, modern, romantic, or classic. From there, we help them choose the perfect package, location, and design details. We handle everything from planning and coordination to styling and setup. Many of our couples don’t want the pressure or cost of a large wedding, but they still want something beautiful, meaningful, and uniquely theirs. That’s where we come in. Every event we plan is different—because every love story is different. Our elopement packages include everything you need to elope with ease. One of our most popular options is the Pop-Up Package, featuring the sweetest setup, a celebratory champagne toast, and delicious doughnuts for everyone. It’s simple, fun, and full of charm!

What I’m most proud of is the way we’ve helped redefine what a wedding can look like. We’ve shown couples that you don’t need a huge guest list or a ballroom to have an unforgettable day. You just need the right setting, the right people, and a little magic.

For anyone following along or considering working with us, I want them to know this: we’re here to listen, to collaborate, and to bring your vision to life in a way that feels like you. Our goal isn’t to fit you into a package—it’s to create something that fits you.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing our clientele has been word-of-mouth referrals from past clients who had an incredible experience with us. We go 100% for every single couple, and that dedication shows—many of our clients send their friends our way, which means the world to us. Our reviews have also been a huge help; some clients take the time to write heartfelt, detailed feedback that truly supports our growth. People are often surprised to learn we’re not a large company—we’re actually a small, hands-on team. Each year, we also mentor an intern and support them in launching their own business. We genuinely believe in collaboration over competition, and that mindset continues to drive our success.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

My advice for managing a team and maintaining high morale is to lead with gratitude, generosity, and a strong sense of community. We host team gatherings, potluck parties, and catered events to create space for connection and celebration. We truly believe in teamwork—not just within our own crew but also with the amazing vendors we collaborate with. We’re surrounded by incredibly hardworking, giving people, and we’ve been absolutely blessed with the support from those around us. Respect, recognition, and shared purpose go a long way in keeping morale high.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thehytch.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehytch/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehytch
• Other: We also have a private venue in Reno https://www.facebook.com/thehytchswg/ offering micro weddings

Image Credits

She works full time for the Hytch @imashleighmarie. Her name is Ashleigh