Blog about Lake Tahoe Weddings | Tips for Brides and Grooms https://www.laketahoeweddings.net Weddings in Lake Tahoe Fri, 14 Apr 2023 19:57:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 How to Prepare for Your Destination Wedding – Tips to Reduce Fatigue https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/wedding-tips/preparing-for-your-destination-wedding/ Mon, 14 Jan 2019 05:30:15 +0000 https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/?p=4597 Marrying the love of your life is truly an exciting moment in time, and if planning to host the wedding you’ve always dreamed of at a distant locale, it can only appreciably enhance the excitement. While there’s a good chance … Continue reading

The post How to Prepare for Your Destination Wedding – Tips to Reduce Fatigue first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
A man experiencing fatigue from jet lag

Marrying the love of your life is truly an exciting moment in time, and if planning to host the wedding you’ve always dreamed of at a distant locale, it can only appreciably enhance the excitement. While there’s a good chance your destination wedding is bound to require significant travel – and likely require a generous portion of your savings too – you want to make sure you’re awake and alert once you arrive at your journey’s end in order to fully enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime event. Preparing for a destination wedding clearly will take some detailed planning, and as part of your regiment of details, you might want to add these few tips into the mix that may help to reduce fatigue and enable you to feel energized on your very special day.

Maintaining healthy sleep habits is of primary concern in reducing fatigue, and though challenging during travel, it is highly doable. If you’re flying to your destination wedding, a contributing factor that causes fatigue or sleepiness is jet lag. Although it’s not always possible to avoid jet lag, there are a few things you can do to help rid yourself of the exhausted feeling a little quicker.

Jet lag isn’t simply a feeling of being exhausted, but rather associated to what’s called circadian misalignment. What this means is that the natural sleep-awake cycle of the body is out of sync with the traveled to destination. In other words, the sleepy feeling of jet lag commonly occurs during the day and causes sleepless nights. A way to elude this unpleasant occurrence is to adjust your sleep-awake cycle prior to making the journey.

Another practice to lessen the effect is if you’re flight is scheduled for an afternoon or early evening arrival, avoid napping and stay awake until your normal bedtime. Be sure, however, that you adjust your normal bedtime to coincide with the new destination’s time zone. Sleeping while traveling may be helpful too, but only if it is within your normal sleep hours attuned to the time of your final stop. Also, during the planning process, be sure to pre-plan time for naps, at least for the first day or so, if you’re arriving several days before the nuptial date. This could work wonders when the big day arrives.

Using light to help you adjust is another trick. Natural light conveys to the body when to sleep or awake. Spending awake time in the sun helps your body clock – or circadian rhythm – adapt to the new setting. As the sun sets and retiring draws near, hop into bed with all lights out and curtains drawn. This will send appropriate signals to your brain, which ultimately should help you sleep soundly.

Another facet of obtaining sound rest is to take note of your diet. Traveling to new places usually involves trying new foods. Spicy meals or meals that are not too agreeable might cause some digestive issues, and combining that with jet lag could undoubtedly affect your sleep. Overeating could create a few problems as well.

A high quality mattress

If you still find yourself lying in bed wide awake after trying a variation of these prescribed methods, one other aspect important to sound slumber that shouldn’t be overlooked is to make sure you have a comfortable mattress. Whereas it may be somewhat challenging to assure mattress quality when traveling, sleeping on one in your own household prior to your departure may be the best you can do, if you’ve already made the investment, which almost guarantees great rest prior to leaving home for the trip. Although it’s greatly impractical taking your comfortable pad on your excursion, owning a mattress of high quality is, nevertheless, always a good asset. After all, it’s something you and your spouse will be sharing together for many years.

An energized bride

A final tip that may be beneficial and could lead to a restful night is to have fun! Take a long walk with your partner beside the shoreline or through the city, partaking in pleasurable activities along the way. Depending on what you do, it may be tiring enough to get you to sleep well the night before the festivities begin.

Once the formalities of the wedding ceremony have concluded and the reception toasting and congratulatory speeches are given, the extra effort in preparing for your destination wedding and your devotion to getting restful sleep should have you reeling with energy, allowing you to achieve maximum enjoyment on a very important day in your life.

The post How to Prepare for Your Destination Wedding – Tips to Reduce Fatigue first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Two Great Wedding Sites in Lake Tahoe – Lakeside Beach vs Regan Beach https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/wedding-venues/two-great-wedding-sites-in-lake-tahoe/ Sun, 24 Sep 2017 06:07:03 +0000 https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/?p=4369 Of foremost importance to the bride and groom when in the beginning stages of planning their wedding is the selection of the wedding venue, especially if contemplating a destination wedding in an unacquainted place. If looking for an outdoor beach … Continue reading

The post Two Great Wedding Sites in Lake Tahoe – Lakeside Beach vs Regan Beach first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
A wedding being conducted at the water's edge at Lakeside BeachOf foremost importance to the bride and groom when in the beginning stages of planning their wedding is the selection of the wedding venue, especially if contemplating a destination wedding in an unacquainted place. If looking for an outdoor beach location and the anticipated place lands you in the vicinity of Northern California, there are two great wedding sites in Lake Tahoe that may be the ideal spot you’re looking for. Both Lakeside Beach and Regan Beach are equally two favorites that offer a beachside setting with comparable yet juxtaposing amenities.

A ceremony being conducted at the shoreline of Lakeside Beach.

Lakeside Beach is a private spot that has always been a popular pick because of its brilliant setting, which is just a mere few steps away from the waterfront. You’ll enjoy a toes-in-the-sand affair at the water’s edge with the surrounding vividness of the magnificent Sierra Nevada Mountains looming in the background. In conjunction with a wedding service provider that can provide basic ceremonial services such as a minister and photographer, the site comes complete with chairs for guests, an arbor, a PA system to play your chosen music for the walk down the aisle, a staff attendant to assist with any needs of your wedding party or guests, and, of course, a stupendous backdrop. There’s free parking too, and the easy access to the site is a result of its ideal location near the central portion of town in South Lake Tahoe.

The grassy knoll area of Regan Beach

With similarities and distinctions, Regan Beach is another popular spot located along the southern portion of the lake. As opposed to the ceremony taking place on the sand, this venue offers a spacious grassy knoll under the lush Jeffrey Pine trees that line the park that’s adjacent to the sand and slightly elevated above the water. Like Lakeside Beach, the panorama is exquisite. The significant difference of the two venues, however, is that Regan Beach allows for tables to be erected for catered food or cake cutting and champagne toasting. Benefits of hosting the ceremony and the banquet at the same locale can amount to a pleasant savings.

Without hesitation, it can be said that these two venues are among the top selections when envisioning an outdoor ceremony in Lake Tahoe near the water’s edge. Making the choice between Lakeside Beach and Regan Beach is simply a matter of which amenities are more preferential. In either case, these two exceptional wedding venues situated along the shoreline are certain to meet the elemental needs you require as well as emit desirable scenic beauty for a very special occasion.

The post Two Great Wedding Sites in Lake Tahoe – Lakeside Beach vs Regan Beach first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Interesting Facts about Lake Tahoe https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/wedding-tips/interesting-facts-about-lake-tahoe/ Sat, 11 Feb 2017 23:08:35 +0000 https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/?p=4299 Lake Tahoe is demonstrably one of the most beautiful places in the world and exhibits a truly fascinating history. Not only does this massive fresh water alpine lake produce an enormous variation of fanciful sights to see, it also tenders … Continue reading

The post Interesting Facts about Lake Tahoe first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Fact about Washoe TribeLake Tahoe is demonstrably one of the most beautiful places in the world and exhibits a truly fascinating history. Not only does this massive fresh water alpine lake produce an enormous variation of fanciful sights to see, it also tenders a plethora of remarkable creational facts that reveal an intriguing chronicle worthy of contemplation, both of which contribute to making this titanic body of water a highly appealing attraction that entices tourism from around the world.

Bordering California and Nevada at an elevation of 6,225 feet with 72 miles of shoreline, Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America. Boasting a depth of 1,645 feet, it is the second deepest lake in the United States, and with 122,160,280 acre feet of water, it is the sixth largest by volume. To give this enormity some perspective, if the lake’s aquatic were poured onto an area the size of California, the depth of water would measure 14 inches.

Many interesting facts pertaining to Lake Tahoe

Geological formation of the Lake Tahoe Basin occurred about 2 million years ago during the ice ages. The rise and fall of the landscape due to geologic block faulting triggered its creation. The Basin is surrounded by the immense Sierra Nevada, the prominent mountain range that extends about 400 miles north to south and approximately 70 miles across from east to west. The majestic beauty these natural compositions portray is extraordinary, an allure that influences the draw of approximately 3 million vacationers every year.

Snowshoe Thompson on skiing

Another tantalizing verity pertaining to Lake Tahoe’s consequential past is the account of its snow skiing timeline. Legendary John “Snowshoe” Thompson, an early resident, was one of the first to carve slopes through the Sierras while delivering mail during the 1850’s. In 1960, the 8th Winter Olympics were hosted in Squaw Valley, an astounding ski resort adjacent to a quaint village, the Resort at Squaw Creek, situated on the North Shore.

With one chair lift and a few rope tows, Heavenly Ski Resort opened its doors on the South Shore in 1955. Evolving into a world-class resort, Heavenly Mountain is currently a major attraction in South Lake Tahoe. The greatly recognized lodestone encompasses 4,800 acres of mountainous territory with peak lift-service elevation of 10,040 feet, awarding some of the finest skiing conditions in the world. The resort’s gondola whisks skiers and sightseers up the lofty mountainside for an approximate 2 ½ mile journey, unveiling amazing views of the glorious panorama along the way. The midway station affords visitors an aerial brilliance as far as the eye can see, and for the adventurous couple seeking to tie the knot in a place comprising a spectacular backdrop, Heavenly offers the optimal venue and hosts weddings on the observation deck.

The assorted facts about Lake Tahoe and its formation are convincingly entrancing, and its impenitent beauty is absolutely beguiling. These components make the “Lake of the Sky” a most fascinating place and are largely responsible for attracting masses of visitors each year, many of which consider the voluminous alpine creation not only a factoid center of interest, but also a phenomenal refuge of mammoth splendor.

The post Interesting Facts about Lake Tahoe first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Planning a Lake Tahoe Wedding – Designing from Afar https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/lake-tahoe-weddings/planning-a-lake-tahoe-wedding/ Tue, 06 Dec 2016 21:02:51 +0000 https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/?p=4074 Many brides and grooms who are contemplating the idea of planning a Lake Tahoe wedding often find the task a bit daunting, most particularly when designing from afar. Feeling overwhelmed in the beginning phase of the organization process is frequently … Continue reading

The post Planning a Lake Tahoe Wedding – Designing from Afar first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Bride is conducting the planning of her weddingMany brides and grooms who are contemplating the idea of planning a Lake Tahoe wedding often find the task a bit daunting, most particularly when designing from afar. Feeling overwhelmed in the beginning phase of the organization process is frequently joined with some apprehension, an uneasiness that originates from conceiving the notion of hosting a major occasion in unfamiliar territory in addition to the uncertainty of how to accomplish the enterprise or what to expect on the actual day of the event. It should be an emotional catharsis to know, however, that arranging a Lake Tahoe wedding from a distance is not significantly more complicated than if preparations were to be made locally. In fact, it can be much simpler because localized experts are readily accessible and prepared to assist with every aspect of the formality.

Bride and groom have first kiss on the sandRegardless if planning the monumental affair in your own neighborhood or at a specified distant destination, anxieties undoubtedly will mount. This is especially true for couples who are marrying for the first time. Nevertheless, soon after delving into the endeavor, the discovery that there are a selection of event coordinators equipped to assist you with creating your special day in accordance with all your needs should bring liberation. Whether your focus is on a straightforward nuptial exchange or a lavish, formal affair, arranging a Lake Tahoe wedding can be accomplished with ease and choreographed either in a customary way or in a very basic and simplistic manner. In any case, you can expect your unique experience to proceed reminiscent to the beautiful day you envisioned, devoid of undue stress.

Bride and groom getting assistance from a wedding plannerWith just one call to a qualified professional, the marriage participants may be presented with a variety of obtainable services. Of course, you may select to have minister services only if that is your solitary requisite. But, if additional amenities are desired, your choices are only limited by your needs – and perhaps your budget. The staff of most any wedding vendor located in the Tahoe area can offer you a list of popular ceremony venues and help you with a suitable selection, dependent upon your circumstances. Any questions you have can be readily answered, and the finest details – including directions to the ceremonial site and the intricacies of occurrences on the actual wedding day – will be discussed, which will assuredly create feelings of confidence and reduce any reservations you may have.

Wedding planning can indeed be an intimidating chore, most particularly if a destination wedding is the goal. Anxieties can remain high when expectations are uncertain. Rest assured, though, that choosing an uncharted locale doesn’t have to be a difficult undertaking. With a small amount of exploration, finding and communicating with the appropriate specialist can remove the apprehensions of planning a Lake Tahoe wedding, which should result in nothing less than an enjoyable experience on a very important day.

The post Planning a Lake Tahoe Wedding – Designing from Afar first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Virginia City – Historic Gold Mining Ghost Town https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/wedding-tips/virginia-city-historic-gold-mining-ghost-town/ Fri, 20 May 2016 15:46:33 +0000 https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/?p=4021 If you’re planning a trip to Lake Tahoe, whether it be for a family vacation, destination wedding, or a weekend getaway, one thing you may want to add to your itinerary is to make the short jaunt to the nearby … Continue reading

The post Virginia City – Historic Gold Mining Ghost Town first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Scene inside the Bucket of Blood Saloon in Virginia CityIf you’re planning a trip to Lake Tahoe, whether it be for a family vacation, destination wedding, or a weekend getaway, one thing you may want to add to your itinerary is to make the short jaunt to the nearby historic gold-mining ghost town branded as Virginia City. With a voluminous presentation of historical facts of interest pertaining to its famed gold and silver ore excavation days of the past in addition to plenty of “Old West” artifacts to see and an assortment of exploratory things to do, the time invested in the short drive to this well-preserved, extraordinary western town will assuredly prove to be a “golden” opportunity.

Saint Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church

Situated east of Lake Tahoe near Carson City off of State Route 341 in Nevada lies the National Historic Landmark, Virginia City, a designation that was bestowed upon this prodigious resurgence in 1961. The city’s prominence was notably derived at the apex of the Comstock Lode Silver Strike in the 1800’s, and yet, nearly one and a half centuries later, the preservation of the 19th century saloons, schools, churches, and businesses that line the main street is as astounding as the enriched history this historical town maintains. The profusion of vestiges throughout the settlement convey a look into the past, and the educational museums contain a variety of artifacts relative to the narratives of bygone years. Mark Twain, also known as Samuel Clemens, began his career in Virginia City in 1863 and is part of the tales you will encounter.

A Virginia and Truckee Railroad relic

The Chollar Mine is a great sightseeing feature and is seasonally open for guided tours. The explored shaft, which descends about 400 feet, is famous for its substantial production of silver ore during the “Big Bonanza”, the culmination of the mining days that took place in the 1870’s. The Virginia & Truckee Railroad is another authentic attribute of the settlement you won’t want to miss, a train ride experience that will take you on an exhilarating tour through the Comstock mining district to the adjoining township of Gold Hill. The Bucket of Blood Saloon with its hanging lamps and mirrors is an additional noteworthy relic where you can relive history while enjoying a meal or refreshing drink. It’s one of many edifices that are exemplary of the “Old West”.

During its heyday, Virginia City was referred to as the richest place on earth due to the Comstock Lode silver strike. Although the silver and gold mining has dissipated, this momentous marvel remains rich in history and fascinates a wealth of visitors each year. For an exciting journey into the past, this unadulterated, Victorian-era ghost town is one exceptional place worth visiting.

The post Virginia City – Historic Gold Mining Ghost Town first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Wedding Flowers – Who Needs Them? https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/wedding-tips/who-needs-wedding-flowers/ Mon, 18 Jan 2016 20:35:39 +0000 https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/?p=3774 An adorning accessory and a component many brides and grooms consider as essential for their once in a lifetime event are wedding flowers. Floral displays are the picture-perfect addition to compliment every aspect of the ritual, beginning with their strategic … Continue reading

The post Wedding Flowers – Who Needs Them? first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Beautiful bridal bouquetAn adorning accessory and a component many brides and grooms consider as essential for their once in a lifetime event are wedding flowers. Floral displays are the picture-perfect addition to compliment every aspect of the ritual, beginning with their strategic placement at the ceremony venue to the embellishing of the banquet hall. Arrangements can be placed just about anywhere that is fitting, which includes the alter where the vow exchanges occur, alongside the aisle chairs, the reception tables as decorative centerpieces, on the wedding cake, and a host of other areas found proper. And, most importantly, floral arrangements should also be designed for those who will be playing a principal role at the affair.

Display of the wedding party's flowers

Who needs wedding flowers is a subjective decision in which no set rules apply and can be based upon whatever seems appropriate. Budget restraints, however, could be a factor and may play a significant part in the resolve of who is to be furnished with the garnishing because flowers can be quite an expense. Some of the likely prominent people you may want to consider embroidering and suggestions for their respective floral arrangements are:

  • Bouquet for the bride
  • Matching boutonniere for the groom
  • Bouquets for the bridesmaids (typically smaller than the bride’s bouquet)
  • Boutonnieres for the groomsmen (matching the bridesmaids flower color)
  • Petals for the flower girl
  • Boutonniere for the ring bearer
  • Hair flowers for the bride and bridesmaids
  • Corsages for the mothers of the bride and groom
  • Boutonnieres for the fathers of the bride and groom
  • Corsages or boutonnieres for the grandparents
  • Throwaway bouquet for the bride
  • Flowers for stepparents
  • Flowers for special persons or friends that are not necessarily part of the wedding party

The above listed are more of the usual persons given consideration for beautifying with floral creations. But again, budget concerns may curtail distribution to all of those who you’d like to adorn, so the list is not a compelling one. Therefore, while wedding flowers are undoubtedly a desired extravagance, whatever is decided in determining who needs them, it is basically a personal judgment of the marriage aspirants based on what fits best with the wedding plans.

For more wedding tips and ideas or help with planning an upcoming wedding in Lake Tahoe, visit our website.

The post Wedding Flowers – Who Needs Them? first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Destination Tahoe – The Allure of a Lake Tahoe Wedding https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/lake-tahoe-weddings/allure-of-a-lake-tahoe-wedding/ Sat, 12 Dec 2015 19:44:47 +0000 https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/?p=3679 There’s a superfluity of destination wedding points around the globe that pose an incredible draw for an immeasurable scale of wedding hopefuls, and one such spot is a small town that resides in the midst of the Sierra Nevada Mountain … Continue reading

The post Destination Tahoe – The Allure of a Lake Tahoe Wedding first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
An attractive ceremony setting in Lake TahoeThere’s a superfluity of destination wedding points around the globe that pose an incredible draw for an immeasurable scale of wedding hopefuls, and one such spot is a small town that resides in the midst of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in Northern California dubbed Lake Tahoe. For many brides and grooms, the allure of a Lake Tahoe wedding begins with an irresistible fascination that’s attributable to the diverse assortment of ceremony venues in conjunction with the untold number of festive places for post-nuptial merriments. The awe-inspiring beauty of the vast mountainous landscape and the exceptionalism of the largest alpine lake in North America are a few other delights that elicit incentive for a ceremonial endeavor at this mesmerizing locale.

The legendary bluff over the bay

One electrifying setting for a Lake Tahoe wedding that serves as a conjugal invitation is located on the southwestern edge of the lake. High on a precipice several hundred feet above the water lies the bluff of Emerald Bay. Popular for its panoramic exhibition of the extensive multi-colored mere, this appreciated setting is one of a kind. The nearby waterfall and the encasing Sierras that display their hoisted peaks are just some of the preferential attributes that promote the site’s appeal.

A very similar environment that procures substantial scrutiny is found opposite of Emerald Bay along the southeast shore. Nested in a rocky mountainside is a niche consisting of an overlook of splendor, rendering the vista of Logan Shoals a perfect place for a small, intimate ceremony. The attraction rivals its counterpart of the west, and though it is less traveled the outcrop is considered a diamond in the rough.

View from the gondola area overlooking the city

For the bride and groom who desire their feet in the sand, Tahoe has an ample amount of provocative waterside venues with supreme sights no less magnificent than those on the bluff over the bay. Zephyr Cove and Sand Harbor are only two spots of numerous beaches situated along the shoreline that will more than suffice for a very special and amorous occasion. Or, if preferred, in contrast to a lakeside ritual, a mountaintop wedding is possible at Heavenly Mountain Resort. The Blue Sky Terrace is a place where your walk down the aisle occurs at elevated heights in excess of 9,000 feet and comprises a vision from horizon to horizon. The observation deck is another attractive hilltop matrimonial venue the resort offers that generates inducement.

The riverboat cruising on the lake

After consummation of your marriage, Tahoe has quite an influence on newlyweds who wish to continue the romantic quest. A scenic trip aboard the well-known paddle wheel riverboat, the MS Dixie, is an exploratory and stimulating spree. Or, for an edifying step back in time, exploration of neighboring Virginia City’s legendary ghost town is always an indulgence. Experiencing a romantic candlelit spread while viewing the shimmering city lights in a fanciful cuisine atop one of Tahoe’s finest hotels or enjoying your favorite wine while soothing in the sauna of your honeymoon suite are two more attractions of the endless things accessible to the newly married.

The idealistic characteristics inherent of this glorious place emphatically create a lure, disclosing the contributory motivations of why many couples desire a Lake Tahoe wedding. The enticement of the alpine township can justifiably be overwhelming because it truly is a magical place, one of which the duo can earnestly enjoy as they begin their new lives together as one.

The post Destination Tahoe – The Allure of a Lake Tahoe Wedding first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Tahoe Beach Weddings – Disparities of Select Venues https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/wedding-venues/tahoe-beach-weddings/ Tue, 27 Oct 2015 19:45:59 +0000 https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/?p=3616 When comparing the various options of favorable beach wedding venues available in Lake Tahoe, you’ll find they each possess shades of disparities. Therefore, it’s best to be informed of the differences in order to perceptively choose a formidable location to … Continue reading

The post Tahoe Beach Weddings – Disparities of Select Venues first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Exchanging vows on the beachWhen comparing the various options of favorable beach wedding venues available in Lake Tahoe, you’ll find they each possess shades of disparities. Therefore, it’s best to be informed of the differences in order to perceptively choose a formidable location to host your once in a lifetime affair. There are innumerable optimal spots situated around the lake, and, based on your situation, you potentially may have a large medley from which to choose. Listed here are three Tahoe beaches commonly selected by brides and grooms in addition to a few given differences that each exhibit.

Zephyr Cove

Strolling along the shore at Zephyr CoveOne of the finest public beaches in Lake Tahoe is found near the south shore in Nevada just a few miles from the casino center located in Stateline. The rocky formations of Zephyr Cove that are scattered along its shoreline are a magnificent sight and add significantly to the existing surrounding beauty. Positioned on the southeastern portion of the lake, this venue makes for a ravishing sunset ceremony. With rugged mountain peaks filling the background and owning the tone of serenity, Zephyr Cove is an exceptional place for hosting a casual, intimate wedding. In contrast to private beach locations, this site is geared toward small groups and the event is conducted in an informal setting in which seating is not available.

Regan Beach

Bride and groom walk down the aisle together after the wedding.If desiring a pleasant park-like setting on a grassy knoll that’s elevated above but adjacent to the lake’s sandy shore, Regan Beach is a perfect place to celebrate a special day. Central to town on the south shore of Tahoe, this waterside venue allows you and your guests a spacious and private spot under the shaded pine trees and is lined with scenic beauty. The rich blue water engulfed with the resplendent Sierra Nevada Mountains portrays the scene of where your ceremony will occur. With a reservation, exclusive use of the area allows you to provide seating for your guests along with your preferred decorative arrangements. Suited for large parties up to 150 or more, Regan Beach is a pleasing venue with admirable amenities.

Lakeside Beach

Celebrating their special day at Lakeside BeachFor an exciting affair on the sand at the water’s edge, Lakeside Beach represents a topnotch site and is picture-perfect for planning an event of a lifetime. Convenient access and large group accommodations in a private lakeside setting that is second to none are only a few of the features this appealing venue has to offer. Uninhibited picturesque natural surroundings that include towering peaks and sapphire colored water are additional highlights of the site’s appeal, providing an impressive place to walk down the aisle of matrimony. Chairs for guests, an arch, a sound system for music, and a staff attendant that will assist with all facets of the wedding ceremony await you at this invigorating location. Suitable for a formal or informal occasion, Lakeside Beach serves as a great opportunity for hosting your wedding.

Knowing specific details about the locales within your search when trying to decide on a wedding location will expectedly narrow your choices, which will ultimately bring about an agreeable and fitting selection. Observed disparities of the three contrasted venues above vary mainly in group size accommodations, public area versus private, and allowable seating for guests. Group size limitations of a particular option is obviously a pivotal factor, and allowance or disallowance of seating is also deserving of attention based on whether you will want to conduct the ceremony formally as opposed to holding an informal standup event. Nevertheless, whatever your situation dictates, a Lake Tahoe beach wedding at any of these favored locations is certain to delight you and your guests, undeniably delivering an experience that will give an ongoing impression of a very noteworthy occasion.

The post Tahoe Beach Weddings – Disparities of Select Venues first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Wedding Planning – The Do’s and Don’ts https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/wedding-tips/wedding-planning-do-and-dont-list/ Sat, 24 Jan 2015 22:02:24 +0000 https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/?p=3153 When it comes to wedding planning there is definitely a surplus of things you must do in order to have a fruitful event. However, there is also an inventory of things you probably should not do. Compiled below is a … Continue reading

The post Wedding Planning – The Do’s and Don’ts first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Playful bride and bridesmaidWhen it comes to wedding planning there is definitely a surplus of things you must do in order to have a fruitful event. However, there is also an inventory of things you probably should not do. Compiled below is a list of a few details that you ought to do and a few that you should avoid doing, both of which are commonly overlooked during the initial stages of fashioning the ritual.

The Do’s List

  • Do give thought to guests that have small children. If you prefer not to have children attend the event, ask the manager in charge of the wedding site if there is a room or play area available to rent. If so, hire a professional babysitter to accommodate those with kids. Parents will appreciate the kind concern very much.
  • Do browse to each table during the reception to express your appreciation to all the guests for attending your special occasion.
  • Do present a gift to the members of your wedding party as an expression of gratitude for their presence at your celebration and for the efforts they applied to make it happen.
  • Do be sure to select and secure the wedding site at least nine to twelve months in advance, especially if the wedding is to take place during the summer season when availability sharply declines.
  • Do make selection of the caterer a priority. The quality of food at the banquet is crucial to its success because it will leave a lasting impression among those invited to the meal.
  • Do be timely in sending out thank you letters to all the attendees.
  • Do be realistic when choosing a wedding gown based on anticipated weight loss. A dress can always be taken in much easier than letting it out if your goal was not achieved.
  • Do invite guests to both the ceremony and reception if possible in order to avoid hurt feelings.

The Don’ts List

  • Don’t disregard the fact that you need to pamper yourself at completion of all your hard work put forth in planning your wedding. The day before you marry, treat yourself, your mom, and your bridesmaids to an afternoon of fun.
  • Don’t forget to incorporate stepparents into the ceremony or reception in some way. Ask if they’d like to do a reading at the ceremony or prayer at the reception.
  • Don’t waste too much time on the formal photography after the ceremony, which will cause you to arrive late at the reception. Completing formal shots with the bridal party prior to the ceremony is a huge time saver.
  • Don’t seat divorced parents at the same table during the banquet as this could cause some uneasiness. Use good judgment, but asking those involved beforehand is best.
  • Don’t seat older guests near deafening speakers being used by the D.J. or band.
  • Don’t forget to confirm with the various hired vendors that tax and gratuities are included in the quoted price. Otherwise, you may receive a substantially – and unexpected – higher price for services rendered.
  • Don’t ignore some of the finer details. Find out beforehand what song your parents chose for their first dance when they became husband and wife and, after your first dance at the reception, make a request of the D.J. to play your parents’ song from their wedding.

Examining these points will hopefully offer a bit of insight to what should and should not be done and aid in shaping the organizing process. Of course, this is not an exhaustive compilation of the do’s and don’ts of wedding planning, but it is a collection of noteworthy ideas you may want to consider.

The post Wedding Planning – The Do’s and Don’ts first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Weddings at Tahoe Paradise Park – Enchanting Reception Setting with Affordability https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/lake-tahoe-weddings/affordable-tahoe-paradise-park-weddings/ Wed, 12 Nov 2014 19:35:11 +0000 https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/?p=3095 Acquisition of a coveted wedding facility is a primary step when planning a wedding, and several key characteristics brides and grooms seek out during their scrutinizing pursuit are a beguiling yet economically priced venue and, preferably, one that is able … Continue reading

The post Weddings at Tahoe Paradise Park – Enchanting Reception Setting with Affordability first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Married couple with Lake Baron in the backgroundAcquisition of a coveted wedding facility is a primary step when planning a wedding, and several key characteristics brides and grooms seek out during their scrutinizing pursuit are a beguiling yet economically priced venue and, preferably, one that is able to host both the ceremony and reception in adjoining areas. Opportunely, if a destination Tahoe wedding is in the making, the quest for a premier spot to celebrate a truly special day that comprises these anticipated qualities can be brought to fruition at Tahoe Paradise Park, an enchanting place found in the City of Meyers, a small mountain town set in the vicinity of acclaimed Lake Tahoe.

Ceremony occurring next to the gazebo

Serenely resting contiguous with Lake Baron, which is an offshoot of the Upper Truckee River, Lake Tahoe’s largest tributary, this hidden yet delightful spot is available throughout the summer season for weddings and special events. Tahoe Paradise Park offers two outdoor areas for the ceremony – next to the 1,000 year old cedar tree or aside the wooden gazebo. In addition, the park boasts a nearby spacious rec hall for a rousing celebration once the marriage rite has consummated.

Bride and groom walking down the aisle near the reception area

Some amenities of the hall include a capacious interior, a small kitchenette for food prep or storage, access to the adjacent outdoor patio area (which is part of the deal when you secure the reservation), and attention-grabbing views of the amazing Sierra Nevada Mountain Range that engulfs the park. Since the park doesn’t provide in-house catering, you are free to select a caterer of choice, an option couple’s naturally are inclined to favor. Similarly, entertainment election can be attuned to your preference as well. Moreover, a supplementary benefit obtained with the arrangement of this nonpareil locality is that it’s affordably priced, a price many brides and grooms find pleasantly pleasing, especially when they’re given the convenience of having the outdoor ceremonial site just steps away from the banquet room.

Typical arrangement of chairs in the ceremony area

Searching for the ideal spot that grants the benefits of having both the ceremony and reception site at one location coupled with a thrifty price tag yet maintaining attributes that rival comparable higher priced venues can surely be realized at Tahoe Paradise Park. The totality of advantages the park delivers is certain to please the most expecting, providing assurance that a significant event in your life will transpire appealingly and, conceivably, beyond the envisioned.

If interested in discovering other wedding sites in South Lake Tahoe please visit our venues page on our website.

The post Weddings at Tahoe Paradise Park – Enchanting Reception Setting with Affordability first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Extraordinary Places to Marry in Northern Nevada and California https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/wedding-venues/extraordinary-places-to-marry-in-northern-nevada-and-california/ Wed, 14 May 2014 20:27:25 +0000 https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/?p=2955 While searching for an extraordinary place to marry, you’ll find that there are many wedding venues in Northern Nevada and California worth considering. Narrowing the list to a select few, we describe three that are at the top of their … Continue reading

The post Extraordinary Places to Marry in Northern Nevada and California first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Extraordinary wedding site in Northern NevadaWhile searching for an extraordinary place to marry, you’ll find that there are many wedding venues in Northern Nevada and California worth considering. Narrowing the list to a select few, we describe three that are at the top of their class. In addition to attractive attributes and existence within unusual surroundings, each contains a sizable history that is especially interesting and distinctively noteworthy.

Orchard House

Outdoor reception area

The oldest permanent settlement in the state of Nevada is the thinly populated township of Genoa. Located in the center of this very small community is the Orchard House. Constructed in the 1860’s, it is now a Bed and Breakfast Inn founded by Carl and Hope Falcke, an establishment that is also geared towards hosting outdoor weddings and events. Tranquilly resting among the foothills of the scenic Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, the inn’s beautiful landscape is comprised of acreages of lawn and gardens intermingled with 100 year old shade and fruit trees. You’ll find the tone of the openness and solitude one of merit, and the many other subtle nuances will be quite convivial as well.

The outdoor ceremony area setup with chairs  View of the inside of the tent that's setup for a reception

The town of Genoa was originally named Mormon Station, but was renamed in 1855 by an elder of the Mormon Church, Orson Hyde. The name change came about after a trading post was constructed in 1851 that was built for the purpose of accommodating explorers during the territorial days, which eventually attracted permanent settlers to the area. Prior to that, the trappers and explorers would only briefly pass through.

Horse and carriage arriving to the wedding site

Although the Orchard House was unaffected, much of Genoa was destroyed by fire in 1910. The fire was started by an inmate in the county “poor house”. Also surviving the fire and just a few blocks from the inn was Nevada’s oldest saloon, which was patronized by Mark Twain, Ted Roosevelt, and John Wayne to name just a few. The “thirst parlor” is still currently in operation.

The Orchard House to date has housed five generations of the Falcke family. Strategically set at the base of the eastern slope of the Sierras just a short distance from Lake Tahoe, the serene setting composed with outstanding views is perfect for large, formal or informal weddings.

Everline Resort and Spa

The outdoor ceremony area is setup for a wedding

Squaw Valley is home to one of the largest ski areas in the United States and was host to the Winter Olympics in 1960. One of the biggest luxury hotels in Squaw Valley is the distinguished Everline Resort and Spa (formerly the Resort at Squaw Creek), an exceptional locale situated among the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the northwestern side of Lake Tahoe in California. The resort is in close proximity to Donner Pass, the infamous spot where the Donnor Party was stranded in 1846 on their fateful journey west into California. Snowfall can exceed as much as 40 feet during the wintertime in this area.

The Everline Resort and Spa is an extravagant place that has several beautiful indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception locations. If you choose to have your wedding outdoors, you’ll find yourself engulfed with unmatched sights of the epic, mountainous terrain of Squaw Valley and striking ponderosa pines. With an ambiance of serenity and appeal, the resort will deliver an experience that is genuinely peerless.

St. Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church

View of the church's interior

One of the most magnificent cathedrals in the west that’s comprised of unprecedented beauty is St. Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church. In combination with its remarkable design and historical past, this wedding venue is truly among the extraordinary. It is the oldest Catholic Church in Nevada and sits in the heart of Virginia City, a once vivacious silver and gold mining town of the mid 1800’s. This legendary city is presently a restored ghost town.

View of the exterior of the church

Originally built in 1860 during the Big Bonanza era in Virginia City, the church’s initial wooden creation collapsed. Its replacement met a similar destructive fate and was destroyed in 1875 by what is remembered as the Great Fire, which devastated much of Virginia City. Ensuing plans were soon underway to build a grander structure.

The successive church that stands today was built in 1876 and contains greater majesty than its predecessors, including a Gothic styled interior, an imported twenty-one foot alter, choir loft and galleries, an approximate 140 foot spire, and a huge church bell exceeding 2200 pounds. The church bell actually survived the fire, originally being part of the former church.

From the historical context alone, this site is an exceedingly unusual place, and if seeking to marry in such a location, it would especially present an atypical experience. Embodied with an enriching past of Old West caliber, St. Mary in the Mountains is categorically an inviting venue for brides and grooms looking to have a unique and sanctified wedding.

With an assortment of wedding venues at one’s disposal throughout Northern Nevada and California, it’s a sure bet that the Orchard House, the Resort at Squaw Creek, and St. Mary in the Mountains will rank among the elite. The contrasting elements they possess in comparison combined with their diverse historical background will produce an ambiance solely unto itself, and choosing to marry at any one of these phenomenal wedding venues will conclusively produce a stirring day, one that will be long remembered and in a very special way.

The post Extraordinary Places to Marry in Northern Nevada and California first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Save Big on a Heavenly Mountaintop Wedding – A $2,500 Cost Saving Idea https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/lake-tahoe-weddings/mountaintop-wedding-on-heavenly-mountain/ Wed, 23 Apr 2014 16:47:22 +0000 https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/?p=2899 Innovative ideas can save money when planning a wedding, and depending on how creative the idea is, the savings can be huge. For a relatively modest price, a Tahoe wedding on the highly sought after mountaintop Blue Sky Ceremony Terrace … Continue reading

The post Save Big on a Heavenly Mountaintop Wedding – A $2,500 Cost Saving Idea first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
View as seen from the observation platform, which is adjacent to the ceremony deckInnovative ideas can save money when planning a wedding, and depending on how creative the idea is, the savings can be huge. For a relatively modest price, a Tahoe wedding on the highly sought after mountaintop Blue Sky Ceremony Terrace at Heavenly Mountain Resort can be achieved. The approach to the discounted rate is fairly straightforward, and a must see and do attraction in Lake Tahoe is the device that makes having an economical wedding a practical expectation.

The gondola traveling up the mountainside

One of the top tourist attractions in Lake Tahoe during the summer season is Heavenly Mountain Resort’s gondola expedition. The gondola transcends heights of over 9,100 feet in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range and reveals scenic panoramic views of the largest alpine lake in North America. Explorers will also see sights of Desolation Wilderness, the Carson Valley, and 72 miles of beautiful circumferential shoreline. The trip is truly a sightseer’s marvel, and for this reason the attraction can make the walk down the aisle of matrimony on Heavenly Mountain Resort’s Ceremony Terrace a very affordable one, and at a price brides and grooms will also marvel.

The mode of transportation for weddings on the terrace is by means of the resort’s gondola. The Observation Deck, which is adjacent to the actual ceremony site, is a 14,000 square foot observation platform and is the first stop of a sightseeing journey. The mid-station allows visitors to stroll around for additional eye-catching views and photographing the amazing landscape or to perhaps grab a latte and keepsake. When the tour about the midway platform concludes, folks can once again climb aboard the gondola to advance to the top of Heavenly Mountain where more excitement awaits, including the Tamarack Express chairlift that can deliver even more picturesque, 360 degree views of Lake Tahoe.

Tamarack Lodge is found at the gondola's final destination    The tavern is located inside the lodge

Arriving at the apex, tourists are exposed to successions of hiking trails from novice to expert in addition to a number of other activities that can be experienced, which the Heavenly resort varies throughout the summer. If a sedentary pursuit is desirable, one can simply relax in the sun while enjoying a favorite beverage or cocktail provided by the hilltop tavern or enjoy a meal at the Tamarack Lodge, which consists of a large food court with indoor and outdoor seating. Whatever the individual chooses to do, the adventure is well-worth the time spent and the ticket price charged for the gondola ride.

Ways to Save on Your Wedding Day

Looking at Heavenly Village situated at the base of the hill

Summer pricing for round trip gondola passage fluctuates, but is generally in the vicinity of $50 per person. Because the only mode of transportation to and from the wedding site on the mountaintop is via the Heavenly gondola, much of the cost for the offered Blue Sky Terrace wedding package is attributed to your guest’s travel to the terrace. Since your guests will have quite an adventure at their disposal and receiving more than they expected on your special day, a way to offset some of your expense of attaining the venue is to allocate the cost of transport to the wedding site (the gondola ride) to those attending your event.

This is simply done by distributing the allotted gondola passes you’ll receive with your chosen package to each invited guest at the rate Heavenly Mountain Resort currently charges for the gondola ticket (or another amount that you deem appropriate). The result will be a huge money saver to the bride and groom, yet an insignificant outlay to the ones in attendance. In essence, you can enjoy a savings of up to $2,500 on your mountaintop ceremony at Heavenly Resort by utilizing this technique in conjunction with the selection of our offered weekday or weekend terrace package.

To vindicate the transference of a partial amount of expenses to invitees, keep in mind that people travel great distances to attend the wedding of loved ones, and most often they pay the tab themselves. Transportation up the mountain to the Blue Sky Terrace is only one other segment of their travel before arriving to their final destination, a place where they will share together with you on the most important day of your life. With such perspective while planning the event, immense savings can be achieved, allowing you to experience a mountaintop Tahoe wedding with a million dollar view at a very affordable price.

Heavenly Mountain Gondola Reviews

See what others are saying about their experience on the summit by examining the many Heavenly Mountain Resort gondola ride reviews. You’ll see it is a “must experience” fun thing to do in Lake Tahoe.

The post Save Big on a Heavenly Mountaintop Wedding – A $2,500 Cost Saving Idea first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Heavenly Mountain’s Blue Sky Terrace – Mountaintop Weddings in the Sierras of Tahoe https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/lake-tahoe-weddings/heavenly-mountain-resort-wedding/ Thu, 17 Apr 2014 23:22:08 +0000 https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/?p=2868 If searching for a unique place to marry in Northern California this summer, Lake Tahoe embodies a spectacular site located high in the Sierras that’s unmatched to most any around. Perched above the alpine lake at an altitude of over … Continue reading

The post Heavenly Mountain’s Blue Sky Terrace – Mountaintop Weddings in the Sierras of Tahoe first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
The wedding deck on top of Heavenly MountainIf searching for a unique place to marry in Northern California this summer, Lake Tahoe embodies a spectacular site located high in the Sierras that’s unmatched to most any around. Perched above the alpine lake at an altitude of over 9,100 feet is an impressive overlook consisting of the very spacious mountaintop Blue Sky Terrace, a private area on Heavenly Mountain that’s encompassed with natural beauty, providing exquisite views as far as the eye can see.

This amazing wedding venue is sure to excite most any bride and groom, and because it rests among the striking mountainous terrain of the prominent Heavenly Mountain Resort, it is certain to deliver an incredible experience and a day always reminisced. The hillside setting is one of serenity and bliss, and the elevated picturesque sights will have you feeling as though you’re on top of the world.

Aerial view of Lake Tahoe as seen from the gondolaThe journey will begin with an approximate fifteen minute scenic gondola ride. The starting point where the swift moving cabins are boarded is situated at the base of the hill. The gondola car will take you and your guests for an exploratory adventure up the rugged Sierra slopes, uncovering visions of the pristine countryside that surrounds Lake Tahoe, including shore to shore views of the lake’s colorful water and the adjacent Carson Valley. Once you reach your destination at the midway station, you’ll disembark onto the observation deck that will lead you to where your aisle of matrimony awaits.

The ceremony deck on the overlookThe overlook of the ceremony terrace will provide additional panoramic sights, and at conclusion of the ritual the astounding backdrop will be part of the formal photographic session, which entails photographing of the bridal party, the guests, and intimate shots of just the bride and groom. Of course, the ring and vow exchanges are also captured in addition to the candid photos.

Reservations for a mountaintop Blue Sky ceremony consist of private and exclusive use of the area. Other amenities included with the offered ceremony packages are gondola tickets for the bride and groom and each of their guests that allow passage to the site, chairs for all attending the event, a PA system for background music and champagne toasting speeches, choice of a number of appetizers, and complimentary alcoholic beverages.

Display of appetizers and mimosas

The Blue Sky Terrace is available during the summertime only from approximately June through September and there are limited weddings conducted per day, so prudent and early planning is recommended. This elevated and extraordinary ceremony venue is one of a kind, a unique place in the Sierras of Tahoe that the married couple will always appreciate when ruminating about the very special day their individual lives began as one.

The post Heavenly Mountain’s Blue Sky Terrace – Mountaintop Weddings in the Sierras of Tahoe first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
California Marriage License: Confidential vs. Public https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/wedding-tips/california-marriage-license/ Wed, 29 Jan 2014 20:49:26 +0000 https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/?p=2652 If you are planning a wedding in California and want to obtain a marriage license, you will find that there are two different types of licenses that the state issues – a confidential marriage license and a public marriage license. Both, … Continue reading

The post California Marriage License: Confidential vs. Public first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Application used when applying for a California marriage licenseIf you are planning a wedding in California and want to obtain a marriage license, you will find that there are two different types of licenses that the state issues – a confidential marriage license and a public marriage license. Both, of course, are legal documents and will make your marriage official in either case. However, in addition to general requirements both documents demand, there are additional conditions specific to each, and depending upon your circumstances, you may not have an option to purchase the one you want.

Necessary information you will need when applying for a marriage license in California

  • The age requirement for obtaining a confidential marriage license is that you must be at least 18 years of age. Although the public license also has the same age prerequisite, it does allow for a minor to marry with written consent of a parent or legal guardian (there are other stipulations for minors as well).
  • A confidential license does not require any witnesses. The public license, however, does require at least one. You can have two witnesses sign the document, but it is not necessary.
  • If a minister is a California notary public and is authorized by the county, he is able to issue a confidential marriage license, provided he offers the service. Conversely, he cannot issue a public license. Any county clerk’s office within California, however, can provide both.
  • Regardless of the type of license you purchase, both will be registered in the county clerk’s office in the county where it was originally acquired. This is also where certified copies can be obtained. The significant difference is that the confidential marriage license is confidential, and only the married couple can procure copies of it from the recorder’s office. Comparatively, the public license is part of public record, which means anyone can request copies, provided they pay the required fees.
  • If you and your future wife or husband have performed acts in the capacity of a married couple such as living together as spouses, you may apply for a confidential license. If not, you must purchase a public license.

As indicated in the latter requirement, if you do not meet this precondition, you must obtain a public license. Technically speaking, however, the documentation regarding the imperatives of what constitutes the performance of acts in the capacity of a married couple appears to be somewhat vague. Therefore, if a confidential license is desired – and many people do desire it because of its convenience (an ordained California minister that is a licensed notary public can issue this type of license for you, even at the wedding site on the day of your wedding) – it is suggested to research related documentation to see if your circumstances meet this requisite.

For additional information about California marriage licenses or if contemplating getting married in El Dorado County – the home of legendary Lake Tahoe – visit our website at https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/.

The post California Marriage License: Confidential vs. Public first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Another Classic Wedding Date: 12-13-14 https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/lake-tahoe-weddings/unusual-wedding-dates/ Thu, 02 Jan 2014 02:09:43 +0000 https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/?p=2549 As a wedding planner and photographer, I don’t question the bride or groom about the reasons why they are getting married. It’s assumed that they are just two people in love who want to spend the rest of their lives … Continue reading

The post Another Classic Wedding Date: 12-13-14 first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Unique date for a weddingAs a wedding planner and photographer, I don’t question the bride or groom about the reasons why they are getting married. It’s assumed that they are just two people in love who want to spend the rest of their lives together. Plus, one shouldn’t question a gift horse in the mouth because weddings are a comparatively lucrative business here in Lake Tahoe, and the more that marry, the merrier for me (pun intended). At times, however, other factors unrelated to love appear to weigh in, such as an uncharacteristic group of numbers like 12-13-14, which cause wedding bookings to soar. The peculiarity of these numeric orientations unquestionably create a fascination, and sometimes even a matrimonial frenzy.

The dice represent an odd formation of numbers that infrequently appear on the calendarDecember 13, 2014, is certainly an unusual mathematical formation and a unique date on the calendar for planning a wedding, and like other similar arrangements of numbers in former years, couples scurry to Lake Tahoe to take advantage of such an infrequent occurrence. In the last ten years, there have been quite a few eccentric integer configurations, with the last classic episodes of this nature occurring on December 12, 2012, or 12-12-12, and November 12, 2013, or 11-12-13.

Unfortunately, both 12-12-12 and 11-12-13 occurred just prior to the onset of winter, a time when the wedding business slows due to Tahoe’s unpredictable snow season, so a spike in nuptials didn’t actually transpire as anticipated. In contrast, however, one of the busiest days in the past decade was during the summer wedding season on July 7, 2007, an atypical date that encompassed the numerical lineup of triple 7’s.

Triple Seven Syndrome

The number seven on the dice is considered lucky when gamblingTahoe’s known for many things, and casino gaming is one of them. The date 7-7-7 wasn’t an exceptionally busy one for local wedding vendors just because of the triple numbers themselves, but also because of what the specific numbers represent. In a gaming town, 7’s are a desirable commodity and denote money in the pocket, especially when it comes to slot machines and craps tables. Yes, it was the lucky number seven that presented a great draw to the town on that day and had many couples walking the aisle of matrimony.

Even though the irregular occurrence of triple digit alignment of the same numbers won’t be happening again for a very long time – January 1, 2101, to be exact, which translates to a 1-1-1 synchronization – the marriage minded who want to cash in on the oddity of the calendar that’s just around the corner can still plan their wedding on an equally sporadic occurring sequence of numbers, 12-13-14 (military personnel can have even more fun and take it a step further by marrying at 1500 hours or 12-13-14-15). If you miss the affair, this type of chronological ordering of numbers – similar to the triple digit phenomena – isn’t going to occur until a lengthy while passes, with another opportunity not arising until the turn of the next century. So if you can’t wait that long to get married and an offbeat numeral sequence has some significance to you, 12-13-14 is just ahead, the last of classic wedding dates of the age.

Additional Wedding Articles

Check out the Tahoe Blog for more commentaries about weddings and other interesting facts about Lake Tahoe. You can also visit our website and take a tour around the lake when you visit popular wedding sites Tahoe has to offer.

The post Another Classic Wedding Date: 12-13-14 first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Mom’s Role in Her Daughter’s Wedding https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/wedding-tips/moms-role-in-her-daughters-wedding/ Sat, 28 Dec 2013 21:56:03 +0000 https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/?p=2540 In prior years, moms used to play a pronounced role in both the planning activities of her daughter’s wedding and on the actual wedding day. Although things have changed slightly with modern brides of the present – which is mainly … Continue reading

The post Mom’s Role in Her Daughter’s Wedding first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Mother of bride gazes lovingly at her daughterIn prior years, moms used to play a pronounced role in both the planning activities of her daughter’s wedding and on the actual wedding day. Although things have changed slightly with modern brides of the present – which is mainly due to their affluence of knowledge about what they want for their once in a lifetime event and how to get it – moms can still be, and typically are, a major player in the occasion. After all, it’s the biggest day in her child’s life, and mom surely wants to be a part of it. With a few defining rules set forth by the bride, mother’s part in arranging the event and at the wedding remains without a doubt an invaluable service, even with the savviness of contemporary brides.

One of the major functions that moms provide during the initial stages of planning the wedding is assisting with procuring all of the services that will be necessary for the success of the ceremony and reception. This can include anything from helping with the selection of the wedding location to the choices of the catered meals. In essence, mom is the bride’s support system and offers her expertise and opinions where appropriate. Of course, mom must realize it’s her daughter’s wedding and the bride-to-be and groom oftentimes make the final decisions.

Bride gets flustered with planning her weddingOne crucial role that pays off big for the bride is when mom acts as a safeguard when things don’t quite go as expected. Attaining services from all the necessary wedding suppliers can be a tad exasperating at times, especially when it appears that you’re not going to receive the exact services you thought you were at the price you originally contracted for. With mom handling these issues if and when they arise, it can reduce a lot of unwanted stress for the intended and allow her to concentrate on other pleasurable facets of the wedding.

Mom helps her daughter with the bridal gownThe day of the wedding, the mother of the bride usually travels with the bridal party to the ceremony site. If this includes limousine services, mom is traditionally included with the group. Upon arrival and just before commencement of the bridal party’s walk down the aisle, both mothers of the bride and groom are ushered to their seat situated at the front of the ceremonial venue.

At the conclusion of the rite and formal photography and after arriving at the reception hall, the mothers of the newlyweds will typically greet the guests as they arrive. As the evening progresses, the bride’s mom will socialize with and thank all those in attendance and perform accommodating duties where suitable.

Traditions of the past once dictated formalities, and though the role of the mother of the contemporary bride has been altered to some degree overtime, it doesn’t mean that mom’s place in the wedding isn’t just as prevalent as it once was in former years. The support that mothers can offer to their daughters on their wedding day and during the course of the planning process is a great service and benefit, and even though the end decisions will classically be at the bride and groom’s discretion, recognizing mom’s inclusion into this very important event will positively contribute to the success of the day.

Additional Tips and Wedding Planning Ideas

Planning a wedding requires a lot of thought and time, and we’re here to help. Visit our website blog for additional assistance with composing your very special occasion.

The post Mom’s Role in Her Daughter’s Wedding first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Cost-Effective Ways to Provide Alcohol at Your Wedding https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/wedding-tips/cost-effective-ways-to-provide-alcohol-at-your-wedding/ Wed, 27 Nov 2013 02:20:39 +0000 https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/?p=2464 There are a variety of resourceful ways to provide alcoholic beverages to the guests at your wedding reception, some of which can save you a bundle of money. Choosing which way to do it primarily depends upon your preference, but … Continue reading

The post Cost-Effective Ways to Provide Alcohol at Your Wedding first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
An array of servable cocktailsThere are a variety of resourceful ways to provide alcoholic beverages to the guests at your wedding reception, some of which can save you a bundle of money. Choosing which way to do it primarily depends upon your preference, but oftentimes one’s preference is dictated by the wedding budget. Nonetheless, whether cost concerns influence the final decision or not, you can maintain full bar service at a price you pick without compromise of benefits to your wedding invitees by utilizing the appropriate method that suits you best.

Open Bar

Bartender preparing to serve his guestsAn open bar is one in which your guests are free to order any type of drink they want and as many as they can handle and you will cover all costs at the end of the night. You’ll certainly impress your guests with an open bar and they are sure to have a lot of fun as the night progresses, but as you can probably imagine, the bar tab can mount rapidly, especially if you have many in attendance at the reception. However, there are several ways to curb the expense of an open bar.

Open Bar Variations

Display of premium liquorsOne way to reduce costs of an open bar is to offer it for a set period of time, such as until the end of dinner or pending the end of the scheduled events like when the garter toss completes or the money dance ends. Too, you can eliminate paying for labeled or premium alcohol used in mixed drinks and limit it to house brands only. Or, as an alternative, you can offer an open bar of beer and wine only, allowing guests to pay for the “hard” liquor or mixed drinks.

Partially Hosted Bar

With a partially hosted bar, you can specify a dollar amount that fits within your budget, and when the limit you set is reached, it becomes a cash bar and everyone begins paying for their own drinks. To stretch your dollars even further, you can employ any variations of the open bar methods to this approach. For example, limit hard liquor choices to house brands only or constrain availability to just beer and wine. This is a surefire way to extend your budget.

Cash Bar

The bride and groom enjoy an alcoholic beverage at thier receptionThe most economical way for the bride and groom to provide alcoholic beverages at their wedding is the cash bar option. In essence, your guests will pay for their own cocktails. This is not to say you can’t offer them a signature drink or place a complimentary bottle of wine on each table at the reception. This method of paying for whatever drinks are ordered not only keeps the reception costs much lower, but it also keeps the night from getting too wild and crazy that sometimes occurs with an open bar.

May the Spirits be with You

There can be considerable money differences in selecting to have an open bar, partially hosted bar, or cash bar, and the choice couples make is frequently dependent upon the wedding budget. However, whichever approach is decided upon, it will not diminish what is offered to your guests nor lesson the quality of service provided as these alternatives are all conventional ways in delivering alcoholic spirits at the wedding reception. It is your wedding day and your finances, so choose what is fitting and go with it. After all, it is likely your guests will be indifferent to how drinks are served, placing more focus on simply being in attendance with you on a very special day in your life.

Additional Money Saving Tips and Ideas
Saving money where you can is prudent when planning your wedding. Visit the Tahoe Blog where you can gain insightful ways to cut costs and gather helpful tips to facilitate the wedding planning process.

The post Cost-Effective Ways to Provide Alcohol at Your Wedding first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Questions to Ask Your Wedding Reception Caterer https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/wedding-tips/questions-to-ask-your-wedding-caterer/ Wed, 11 Sep 2013 21:40:21 +0000 https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/?p=2296 Providing meals for your guests at the reception is an important and essential element of the event and, in part, is a component of the celebration that will leave a lasting impression upon those attending your wedding. Therefore, it’s of … Continue reading

The post Questions to Ask Your Wedding Reception Caterer first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
The caterers preparing the meals for the wedding receptionProviding meals for your guests at the reception is an important and essential element of the event and, in part, is a component of the celebration that will leave a lasting impression upon those attending your wedding. Therefore, it’s of the essence to choose the caterer selectively. This can be accomplished by asking a few fundamental questions that will help to assure that the courses served will meet your fine standards and be pleasing to your guests, and hopefully satisfy even the harshest food connoisseur.

If the reception venue you acquired is providing the catering, listed below are some basic questions to ask the site coordinator. Although it may not be possible at certain facilities, ask if outside catering is an option if responses aren’t satisfactory.

  • Are your menus set or can we create our own?
  • Is it possible to sample all the food once a menu is chosen?
  • Can a menu be created that corresponds to our wedding theme?
  • Do you have photos available of previous wedding receptions you have done?
  • Can special dietary needs be met?
  • Will the meals for the children be discounted?
  • When do you require the final guest count to be submitted?
  • What is the total cost?
  • Does the quoted price include soft drinks, coffee, and tea?
  • Does the quoted price include all the necessary tableware?
  • Will the quoted price that’s made today remain the same on our wedding date?
  • What references can you provide us with from previous weddings you’ve catered?

View of the catered reception room  Display of the meals being served

If the reception venue is not providing the meals and you are hiring an outside caterer, here are a few additional questions to present:

  • Are you familiar with are chosen reception venue?
  • Where will the food be prepared that you are providing?
  • Will you need any special kitchen equipment or storage facilities?
  • Do you supply all the necessary cutlery?
  • How many staff members will be required?
  • What will the wait staff be wearing?
  • Will you be responsible for the cleanup after the event ends?

Guests in the buffet lineAs you may have surmised, the caterer plays a major role in the reception, so you’ll surely want to be prudent in the selection of the all-important meal provider. Of course, these are only guidelines to go by, and you’ll certainly have additional questions you want answered for added assurance that this very significant part of your wedding will proceed—and taste—as expected, especially since it will leave a perceptible memory upon you and your guests.

Additional Wedding Related Resources

For more tips and ideas about planning a wedding, visit the Tahoe Blog for insightful information. Or, if looking for wedding vendors in Lake Tahoe, see our wedding resources page on our website.

The post Questions to Ask Your Wedding Reception Caterer first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
The Wedding Video – Selecting a Videographer https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/wedding-tips/selecting-a-wedding-videographer/ Wed, 21 Aug 2013 20:29:11 +0000 https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/?p=2283 Selecting a wedding videographer to videotape your ceremony and reception should be done with care because the finished product will provide the memories of the day for many years to come, and if any mishaps occur or improper techniques are … Continue reading

The post The Wedding Video – Selecting a Videographer first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
A professional videographer videotaping a weddingSelecting a wedding videographer to videotape your ceremony and reception should be done with care because the finished product will provide the memories of the day for many years to come, and if any mishaps occur or improper techniques are used during filming, the end results are irreversible. To obtain a polished video, it is essential to use high quality recording and sound equipment with precise microphone placement, and where one camera is sufficient for the reception, superb results are obtained when two or more are used during the ceremony. This level of service should be available at most any professional video recording studio.

An amateur videographer filming the wedding

Although it may be desirable due to budget restraints, hiring Uncle Charlie to capture the event on his smartphone is not always the smartest way to cut costs. Therefore, consider hiring a professional to do the job. To help simplify the selection process, follow the guidelines below in an effort to make an informed decision in the search of a qualified cameraman for your wedding videography.

Questions to Ask

  • Can we view a demo video of your previous work?
  • Do you have an actual wedding video we can view as opposed to just highlights?
  • Are you familiar with our wedding and reception venue?
  • Have you shot at our chosen location before?
  • How many cameras will you use for the ceremony and how many for the reception?
  • Where will you position yourself and the camera(s)?
  • If we have a large bridal party, will they block the camera’s view where they’re positioned?
  • Is the camera equipment you use high definition?
  • Will you have a backup camera available should your primary equipment fail?
  • Will you use additional lighting beyond what’s provided at our chosen location?
  • What attire will you wear for the wedding?
  • How many hours of recording does our selected video package include?
  • Does the video package selected require us to pay additional fees if the event runs late?
  • Will the edited video contain a short clip of the highlights of the day?
  • Will you allow us to choose the music to use for the highlights?
  • How long will it take to receive the finished product?
  • Are we able to acquire all of the raw footage of everything that is shot?
  • How many DVD copies will we receive and how much are additional ones?
  • Can you give us any references for whom you’ve completed recent work?

Money Saving Tips

  • Use multiple cameras for the ceremony only
  • Have the professional videographer provide all of the raw footage and do the editing yourself
  • Ask the videographer to edit just a 30 minute highlight reel of the day and obtain the remainder of the footage unedited
  • Have a guest videotape the event, but make sure they have decent equipment, including a camera tripod
  • Decline extra add-on items such as a baby montage or special titling
  • Obtain the wedding photographer from the same company as the videographer

Filming at the reception

Hiring a professional wedding videographer is money well spent if it is not cost prohibitive and falls within your wedding planning budget. Hiring a friend is tempting, but keep in mind that there are a lot of techniques professionals use in the recording and editing process – techniques that are well beyond the scope of an amateur – that will produce a high quality video you’ll definitely want to watch more than once. By asking just a few key questions, a skilled professional can be attained that will preserve, unsullied, the memories of an event of a lifetime, an occasion that offers only one chance, and one chance only, to do it right.

Wedding Planning Assistance

For more information about hiring a professional videographer or to inquire about what’s included in our wedding videography packages, explore our website at www.laketahoeweddings.net and see what we have to offer.

The post The Wedding Video – Selecting a Videographer first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
Planning a Tahoe Winter Wedding – What to Expect https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/lake-tahoe-weddings/planning-a-tahoe-winter-wedding/ Mon, 12 Aug 2013 01:41:21 +0000 https://www.laketahoeweddings.net/?p=2273 When planning a Tahoe wedding outdoors in the winter season, brides and grooms oftentimes are unsure of what to expect on their wedding day due to the notorious unpredictability of inclement weather that occurs in the Lake Tahoe area. While … Continue reading

The post Planning a Tahoe Winter Wedding – What to Expect first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>
A Tahoe wedding taking place during a winter storm near Emerald BayWhen planning a Tahoe wedding outdoors in the winter season, brides and grooms oftentimes are unsure of what to expect on their wedding day due to the notorious unpredictability of inclement weather that occurs in the Lake Tahoe area. While a large number of weddings take place in summer, Tahoe remains a popular destination wedding venue throughout the year, including the brisk days of winter, and if you come prepared, you can expect your wedding day to unfurl as planned, with perhaps, on occasion, a minor twist.

Bride with her bridesmaid in the snow

The severest of weather in Lake Tahoe typically occurs in January and February, but that is not to say that heavy snow storms don’t befall the basin in other months of the year, including those of summertime. To be sure, you can expect torrential storms at any given time, but the preponderance of snow storms usually arise through the months of November to March, with some years having an extended winter season lasting from October through April.

Naturally, the safest plan to avoid the zesty winter cold on your special occasion is to plan an indoor wedding in one of the numerous chapels that are available on both the north and south shore. However, there is nothing more romantic and serene than having an open air wedding amidst the frosted trees and snow laden mountains that surround the beautiful water of Lake Tahoe.

Mountaintop wedding in the middle of winter at Heavenly Mountain Resort

The harshest of storms will close the mountain passes that access Tahoe, but a majority of the time they remain passable, if prepared. It’s recommended to always carry chains in your vehicle regardless of the time of year. Automobiles and SUV’s equipped with four wheel drive coupled with snow studded tires can endure almost any type of unexpected road conditions.

If you’ve planned an informal wedding, ski jackets and parkas can shield you from wind and low temperatures, making the weather conditions a nonfactor in most cases. Too, large golf umbrellas work wonders if the snow is heavy and wet.

When weather is so severe that it becomes near impossible to host your celebration outdoors, no need to panic because nearby indoor chapels are almost always available, and at a nominal price. If a chapel is required, your wedding can still proceed as scheduled with only a slight change in venue.

Celebrating after being married in the snow

Planning a Tahoe wedding during the winter season can, at times, present a few obstacles, but the bliss of an outdoor, wintery-white ceremony certainly can outweigh any disadvantages. Being prepared while travelling and having a solid backup plan, such as tentatively securing an indoor facility, assures the bride and groom that their wedding day will progress as devised, which engenders a soothing confidence that cancelling the most important event of their lives will not have to be an option.

Additional Wedding Resources

Read more about winter weddings in Lake Tahoe or visit our winter wedding locations found along the beautiful south shore of Tahoe, including Heavenly Ski Resort, the meadow where sleigh ride weddings take place, and the Heavenly gondola where a ride up the mountainside will bring you to the observation deck for a mountaintop ceremony.

The post Planning a Tahoe Winter Wedding – What to Expect first appeared on Lake Tahoe Weddings.]]>