Posts Categorized: Wedding Design Inspirations

Dramatic and Bold at Thunderbird Lake Tahoe

The iconic Thunderbird Lodge is a stunning historical landmark that hugs the rugged eastern shoreline of Lake Tahoe.  It harkens back to a gilded era from a century ago, and dazzles visitors with its unparalleled views and distinguished design.  In other words, Thunderbird Lake Tahoe is a fabulously spectacular site for a wedding.

Inspired by the Thunderbird’s Sierra stone architecture and the Lake’s beautiful brilliance, a creative team of wedding professionals recently collaborated on a styled shoot to showcase the magnificence of the property. Led by photographer Carly Jurach of Somplace Images and designer Bethany Frediani, this team of nuptial experts developed a bold color palette and dramatic art nouveau styling that captured the essence of the Roaring Twenties while heralding some new trends for the 2020’s.

As the photos below clearly show, the results of this labor of love were way beyond lovely.

 

Benefits of a Styled Shoot

Engaged couples may not initially appreciate the value of a styled shoot, because the “wedding” is not real.  But as photographer Carly Jurach of Someplace Images explains, many couples want something at their wedding that they haven’t seen before at other weddings.  “For me, creating a styled shoot is essentially inspiration that I can give to my clients,” she says.  And for couples who become inspired by the images they see in a styled shoot, Jurach notes that these images “provide an important photo reference for what they are trying to communicate to their vendors.”

A styled shoot also showcases what wedding service providers can do for couples when they are given the creative freedom to come up with something new and different.  Jurach believes that when couples see that creativity, it builds their trust in these vendors.  “Styled shoots specifically show you what vendors are capable of,” she remarks.  

 

Your Fabulous Thunderbird Wedding

Known as “Lake Tahoe’s Castle-in-the-Sky,” the Thunderbird Lodge offers a most enchanting and memorable location for your Tahoe wedding.  The historic stone house and grounds overlook the spectacular shoreline, while the azure Lake and surrounding snow-capped mountains provide a panoramic backdrop for your nuptials.

The guest capacity for a wedding at Thunderbird Lake Tahoe is generally 120 people.  There are three main areas that can be used for weddings:

  • The lakeside Main Lawn with its jaw-dropping views is available either for ceremonies or outdoor dining (weather permitting).
  • The Lighthouse Room seats up to 90 dinner guests. It offers some of the best views of the Lake and has an adjacent state-of-the-art kitchen for catering.
  • The Old Lodge is historically significant and may be used only by special arrangement.

More information about weddings the Thunderbird Lodge can be found on their website.

 

Vendor Credits

Venue –  Thunderbird Lake Tahoe  |  Photographer –  Someplace Images  |  Event Designer –  Bethany Frediani  |  Bride’s Attire –  The LAW Bridal  |  Cake Designer –  Rebel Pioneer Bakery  |  Calligrapher –  Sugar Pine Calligraphy  |  Design and Decor –  Lucky Burro Event Rentals & Design  |  Equipment Rentals –  Forever Vintage Rentals  |  Floral Designer –  Twine & Dandy Floral Design  |  Linens –  La Tavola  |  Hair Stylist –  Gypsy Roots Co  |  Makeup –  McKenzie Morrison  |  Jewelry –  Trunk Show

 

Intimate Vintage Nautical Nuptials

Inspired by the grand nautical traditions of Lake Tahoe, this intimate styled celebration takes place and on a stunning Chris Craft wooden boat, the Wild Goose II, on Tahoe’s crystal-clear waters. A summery, lace-topped gown with a flowing, champagne underlined train and tied with a blue satin bow perfectly complements the soft curls and vintage inspired makeup worn by the bride. Sapphires, diamonds and aquamarine jewels for the perfect alternative bride dangle from her ears and flash from her ring finger. A lush bouquet with pastel colored roses and blue thistle, overflows with eucalyptus, while a eucalyptus garland garnishes the back of the Wild Goose II, and eventually adorns the base of the sweetheart table at the end of a private estate pier. Custom plates from a local potter grace the table along with antique flatware, crystal chandelier candelabras, crystal glasses and a stunning floral centerpiece. A delicate white cake with a simple blue and gold leaf accent topped with blue thistle sweetened the end of the day.

 

 

Vendor Credits:

Photographer – Someplace Images  |  Location – Wild Goose II  |  Dress Designer – J&L Designs Boutique  |  Floral Designer – Love and Lupines  |  Handmade Goods Designer – Blue Wolf Studios  |  Jewelry – Kimberly Collins Colored Gems  |  Hair Stylist – Gabriella Kramer  |  Makeup Artist – Angelina Inez  |  Cake Designer – Confection

 

Your Lake Tahoe Wedding Invitation – Getting It “Write”

Your Lake Tahoe wedding invitation should set the tone to elicit a “must-attend” response from your guests.  Although electronic invitations may have become more feasible with technological advancements, it is still considered “proper etiquette” to send a beautiful paper invitation through the good old U.S. Postal Service.  More importantly, in this day and age of incessant spam in our in-boxes, a mailed invitation shows your guests that you have made the effort to personally request their presence at your wedding, and it will better motivate them to be there.

Union Street Papery is the ultimate destination for sensational stationery.  These paper mavens have their pulse on all the latest designs and trends, so you can express your style with pizazz, and get your guests buzzing about your big day.

 

Here are the typical components of your wedding stationery wardrobe:

  • The wedding invitation piece is the main event and should include your names. If your parents are helping to pay for the wedding, it should include their names as well. Other details include date, time, ceremony location and reception if they are in the same location.  Since you may want to frame your invitation do not write in the corners “Adults Only”, “Black Tie” or “No Gifts”.  Save this information for a separate Information card.
  • If your reception is in a different location than the ceremony, you will need a Reception Card with the name and address of the wedding reception. Also include the time the reception starts and provide information as to what type of meal will be served, such as “Dinner and Dancing”. 
  • A Transportation / Information Card typically is two sided with easy to read font. If you are providing group transportation to and from the wedding from one or more hotel properties, specify the name of the hotel and what time to meet in the hotel lobby for departure.  If the guests are self-driving to the wedding, provide detail driving instructions that you have driven, do not rely on directions from Google.  If you are having an outdoor ceremony, cocktails and/or reception provide this information, and give average temperatures for this time of year and advise on attire and proper footwear.
  • For Pre and Post Wedding Weekend Events, you should have a separate card listing the activities, location, time, what to wear and if transportation will be provided.
  • The Response Card should have a space for guests to write their name indicating if they will or will not attend the wedding. If you are offering a meal choice, have the guest indicate their entrée preference by writing their name(s) next to the choices you are offering.  If you are providing group transportation, have guests confirm they are taking transportation and if there is more than one hotel in your room block, specify the hotel name.  For pre and post wedding weekend events, have them RVSP to all events attending.  You will want to pre-stamp all your response cards for your guests convenience (US only not overseas).
  • The Envelope Please… It’s gorgeous to line your envelope, so select a lining that will wow and coordinate with your wedding invitation and all the wardrobe pieces going inside.

 

We caught up with Stacey, the Top Doll at Union Street Papery, to learn more about their approach to creating an inviting wedding invitation.

When and how did you get into the stationery business?

My first high school job was at a beautiful local stationery store that I had shopped at as a kid. I loved paper and stickers, and lucked into landing a job there. I quickly moved from general retail to invitation design and consultation which really captured me.


How do you stay on top of the latest stationery trends?

We have built some amazing relationships with designers and other stationers over the years, and are in constant communication with them. Instagram and Pinterest have been very influential (and helpful to dig into the wedding vibe of our couples), as have a few blogs and publications along the way.

New vendors/designers reach out to us on a daily basis, so we can follow up on what interests us and work for our clientele.


What’s the best way for a wedding couple to prepare for their first stationery visit?

Doing even just a little homework first is somewhat helpful: creating Pinterest board showing color, florals, site location can really help us focus in on their invitation style. Having an idea of budget and items that they want to include in the suite can really set us off in the right direction as well. We understand that this is usually a once in a lifetime experience that they need help and guidance with, so we also are prepared to explain all the options from the beginning. Their invitations are the first true glimpse into their wedding, and we hope that is as important to them as it is to us.


What is your approach to working with wedding couples?

We really try to get to know our couples story: How they met, where they come from, what they do, what is important to them, why they have chosen their venue, etc. We encourage them to put their personality into their paper, just as they will to the rest of the event. We can guide them as much or as little as they want, customize anything with art, graphics, or calligraphy to set just the right tone for their big day.

 

Other Inviting Tips

We recommend sending hotel information with your Save the Date, not the wedding invitation.  Hotel room blocks should be secured as soon as you know your wedding date and reception location, because guests need to make their flights and other travel plans sooner than two months before the wedding.  Also, many hotel properties have release dates on their room blocks, so you will want your guests to make their reservations several months before the wedding. 

Once your wedding stationery ensemble has been printed, it’s time to take one invitation set to the post office to weigh.  With all the components, it will definitely weigh more than your average envelope.  Once you know the postage price per envelope, you can select a stamp that you love by either selecting something the post office currently offers, or having a custom stamp created for you.  You can also have your wedding envelopes professionally hand addressed by a calligrapher – now that’s attention grabbing! 

Finally, please, please make sure you have the stamps hand-cancelled when bringing them to your local post office.  Do not drop them into the black hole of a blue mailbox, because the Postal Service machinery may not be kind to your wedding invitation.  Then, sit back and experience the excitement as the responses start to roll in!

Celebrating the Kentucky Derby Tahoe Style

Even in the Sierra Nevada, you can have a wedding design inspired by the Kentucky Derby.  After all, what’s not to love about this steed race that is steeped in history and southern charm?

In 1904, the red rose became the official flower of the Kentucky Derby, and over 400 roses make up the winner’s garland every year.  The groom and his party can make a run for the roses and pick the winning red blooms for their boutonnieres! Flaunt your Derby style with bow-ties for gentlemen and complement their attire with fascinators for the sporting ladies.

Kentucky Derby themed weddingPhoto:  Rachel Red Photography 

If horsing around in style, and dressed to the nines is your thing, you’ll love Vineyard Vines.  They have been the Official Style of the Kentucky Derby for 8 straight years now.  Every wedding party should feel this great, with their darling colorful neckties to blazers, pants and more.

Kentucky Derby tiesPhoto courtesy of Vineyard Vines

No Derby-themed wedding is complete without the race’s signature cocktail, the bourbon-based mint julep, classically served with crushed ice in a silver cup with a beaded rim. Here’s how to make the classic mint julep cocktail worthy of a Triple Crown victory:

  1. Place the mint and ½ oz. simple syrup into a julep cup
  2. Stir well to dissolve the simple syrup and to release the oil and aroma of the mint.
  3. Add 2 oz. of bourbon. FYI, Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby.
  4. Fill with crushed ice and stir well until the glass becomes frosty.
  5. Garnish with the mint sprig.

Photo:  Red Bridge Photography

To accompany the beverages, consider some down-home Southern victuals.  For hors d’oeuvres, serve Baby Hot Browns, Shrimp with Smoked Grits and Pimento Cheese deviled Eggs.  For the entrée serve Kentucky Country Ham, than top off dinner with Mini Chocolate Pecan Cakes and Bourbon Peach Pie Pops.

Photo:  Rachel Red Photography 

To entertain guests while they’re dining, cue up a Bluegrass band to add to the southern ambience.

 

Finally, if you’re looking for a Derby-inspired venue, there’s no better place than the Equestrian Center at Tahoe Donner.  How about making a grand entrance to your ceremony on horseback?  And don’t forget the red roses for your horse – they will bring out the Southern Belle in you.

Photo:  Cassie Schott Photography

A Season of Change – Tahoe Spring Weddings

Old Man Winter is a little late in leaving this year, but soon we will be welcoming warmer weather in the North Lake Tahoe region.  There’s something spectacular about Spring in the Sierra Nevada.  We dust off the biking trails, don our wetsuits to paddle the lake and start working our golf swing again.  

And it’s a wonderful time for a wedding!  How lucky you are if you have chosen to get married in the season of abundant flowers, pastel palettes and edible garden delights.  Here are some inspirations for you to consider.

 

Seasonal Savings

When it comes to choosing what time of year to get married in the Lake Tahoe area, it pays to check out the value pricing offered during the spring season. While the snow covers the ski slopes from December through Easter, the hotels, restaurants and other services in Tahoe are at their peak season, and pricing is generally higher. 

But during the shoulder season in Lake Tahoe – which is after Spring Break but before the schoolkids return to hit the beach in June – prices are typically less expensive.  Wedding venues and service providers usually have more availability, making it easier for you to get your first choice. The winter and summer crowds are no longer here, making spring a pleasant time to get around the Lake with ease.

Floral Abundance

The grounds are awakening with spring and everything is coming up roses… along with your other in-season loves of peonies, daffodils, gerbera daisies, hyacinth, ranunculus and tulips. Selecting in-season flowers is a smart way of saving. Plant your ceremony aisles with potted blooms, garnish your glass of bubbly with edible petals, or adorn your beverage station in a plethora of florals.  Always consult with your florist to get the most bang for your buck.

Farm to Table Culinary Expressions

If you have selected a Tahoe spring wedding you’ll be able to offer your guests a fresh seasonal banquet from the garden. Avoid the heavy comfort foods from winter and start with a bright, hearty mix spring salad.  Add a colorful pop of rainbow carrots, heirloom tomatoes and top it off with a citrus vinaigrette.  Wedding Brunches are perfect for spring, featuring action food stations that offer everything from vegetable omelets to Spring Lamb.  Sourcing locally is huge in Lake Tahoe, whether it’s fresh produce or local beers, ask your catering pro to help you create a menu to remember.

 

So spring forward for a gloriously verdant Tahoe wedding!  The members of Tahoe Engaged are here to help you create a delightful celebration.

 

Credits:

Image #1 –  Photography: Studio Ohlala

Image #2 –  Photography: Natalie Watson  |  Stationery: Ceci New York  |  Calligraphy: The Left Handed Calligrapher

Image #3 –  Photography: Austin Gros  |  Floral Design: Amy Merrick

Image #4 –  Photography: Sawyer Baird  |  Event Design: Samantha Anderson Events  |  Planning: Chancey Charm  |  Floral Design: Stephanie Gibbs Events  |  Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals

Image #5 – Photography: Julie Paisley

Image #6 –  Photography: Christine Chang  |  Planning: So Happi Together

Image #7 –  Photography: Theo Milo  |  Event Planning & Design: WED  |  Floral Design: SYG Designs

Image #8 –  Photography: Greer Gattuso

Image #9 –  Photography: Whitney Heard  |  Cake Design: Nadia and Co.

Intro Image – Photography: A Bryan Photo  |  Event Design: Calder Clark

Choosing a Wedding Theme with Style

Written by Joyce Scardina Becker

 

The Knot California magazine recently published an article entitled “Wedding Themes 101”.  We love The Knot, but want to set the record straight.  What they characterize as “themes” – Art Deco, Bohemian, Classic, Country, Modern, Rustic, Vintage, Whimsical – actually should be considered as “styles.” 

Modern Wedding Décor
Photo:  Tanja Lippert

Art Deco Wedding
Photos:  Alicia Pyne Photography; Unknown

Whimsical Wedding Cake
Photo:  Mary Costa Photography
Cake Design: Torrance Bakery

According to the Oxford Dictionary, a style is “a distinctive appearance, typically determined by the principles according to which something is designed” such as a style of furniture.  In fact, most couples do not choose a wedding theme, but instead choose a “style.” Over the last several years, “rustic” and “vintage” have been popular styles at weddings, but these are not themes.  Many couples may not have even recognized the difference between a rustic style or vintage style.

A Rustic wedding employs weathered, time-worn pieces (furniture) and accents (accessories) in a more casual setting.  Examples include an old barn, or a vignette of weathered wicker furniture.

Rustic Wedding Décor
Photo Credit:  Unknown

 Vintage applies to more refined furnishings, from the 18th century to the 1950’s, typically more “refined” than rustic.  Think antiques.  Examples are painted French chairs, glided scones, chinoiserie toile fabrics, mercury glass containers, pieces of silver and crystal chandeliers.   

Vintage Bridal Attire and Décor
Photo:  Jodi McDonald

Again, it’s important to note that neither Rustic nor Vintage should be considered “themes” – instead, they are “styles.”  So then, what is a “theme,” and how does it differ from a style for a wedding? 

While style is typically reflected in the type of accessories or furniture used in a wedding, the theme is a specific design concept that starts with your Save the Date and carries all the way through the end of the celebration.  You can design a theme wedding that reflects your heritage, your combined personalities or your lifestyles (we wouldn’t recommend selecting all three, but just one).

Let’s say you are foodies, savoring the opportunity to dine out at innovative restaurants, as well as cooking up culinary delights in your own kitchen.  For your meals at home, you love to try the many spices available to you from local or ethnic grocery stores.  Voila!  You could have a theme for your wedding focused on “spices.”  But your style could be Art Deco, Bohemian, Classic, Modern… you get the picture.

A Spice Rack of Escort Cards
Photo:  Wendy Maclaurin Richardson Photography 
Wedding Design:  Events of Distinction

A fun, eye-catching way to convey your theme is to give it a tagline – for example, “Love Is the Spice of Life”.  When choosing a theme, make sure it can be communicated through not only the save the date and invitation, but also your décor, music, food, beverage, tablescapes and vignettes.  The most powerful way to experience your theme is to see, hear, touch, smell and taste it (an entire experience). 

For example, the wedding invitation could be an Art Deco spice bottle with the invitation text etched on the glass.  For your music, you can select songs like “Hot Hot Hot” and “Cinnanmon Girl”, and for favors, a collection of your favorite spices and recipes packed to go!

Photo:  Wendy Maclaurin Richardson Photography

Creating not only a style, but also a theme for your wedding will truly make your special day uniquely your own!