Rustic Elegance in Tahoe
Maria & Ryan | October 20th | Lake Tahoe
From the bride, Maria:
There is something very special about a mountain destination wedding. Being outside in God’s nature and celebrating your love for one another creates a moment that you and your guests will forever remember. Ryan and I are high school sweethearts and had been dating for twelve years, so when it came to planning our wedding, we both knew we wanted to throw a great party that celebrated our love to one another throughout the years. Neither one of us likes being the center of attention, so we knew we wanted a smaller, more intimate wedding. With 75 guests in attendance, everyone was able to comfortably visit with one another while enjoying the beautiful views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Purchasing a Pronovias dress was a dream come true. I have always admired their dresses and picked mine out without even knowing the designer. It was meant to be.
Our ceremony was held under a grove of pine trees at the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe. A beautiful birch arbor covered with vibrant flowers stood at the end of the aisle which was also covered with brightly covered rose petals. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect fall day. In fact, we were so lucky because no more than 48 hours later there was two feet of snow in the same location. 
Memorable Moment: Walking down the aisle with my father and looking at my husband for the first time.
Even though Ryan and I had been together for twelve years it was important that we said those vows to one another in front of the people we love. It was a very special moment. 
We wanted our wedding to reflect the natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Working with our florist, we incorporated lots of natural elements including birch covered vases, native manzanita trees as centerpieces and lots of gourds. The tables were decorated with birch vases, candles, gourds and manzanita trees, which our native to the area. It had a really classy, rustic feel.
My advice: Enjoy every minute of being engaged! It is truly a special and joyous time in your lives. Don’t stress the small things…something will inevitably go wrong, but the MOST important thing to remember is that at the end of the night you will be married, and that’s when the happily ever after starts. I also recommend giving yourself plenty of time to plan. We had almost a year to plan everything and it helped ease a lot of stress. Make sure to prioritize and don’t skimp on the details that are most important to you!
RECOMMENDED VENDORS
Photographer: Jessi LeMay Photography. Getting a good photographer is one of the best investments when planning a wedding. Jessi knew what our vision was and she did a great job.
Venue & Caterer: The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful ceremony and reception site. Their customer service and professionalism was top notch. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was perfect. Their on-site planner, Blanche Tabe, was the best. Professional, classy and a true joy to work with. Blache was always there to answer any questions and help me with last minute details.
Florist: Hattie Reed of Art in Bloom. Hattie is amazing. She knew what my vision was after meeting for only a few minutes. Opt for a floral designer instead of a cookie cutter florist. You may pay a little more but you will end up with a much more superior result.
Dress Store: Swoon Bridal Salon. Swoon is hands down the best bridal salon around. Michelle is amazing and has the best inventory. It was important for me to support local Reno businesses.
Honeymoon Location: North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii