Helping Napa-Sonoma Wedding Couples Affected by the Wildfires

Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected by the horrific Wine Country wildfires. Included among those who have been impacted by this terrible devastation are venues that host weddings, and couples who booked their weddings at these venues.

Many couples in this situation are now wondering what they should do next, if their venue can no longer host their wedding. First and foremost, review your venue contract. Typically, there is a standard clause in your contract that addresses this kind of circumstance.

This clause might be labeled “Termination,” “Force Majeure,” “Acts of God” or “Impossibility.” It allows you and the venue to terminate your obligations (the venue’s obligation is to provide space, and your obligation is to pay the venue) without liability, if it is impossible to have the wedding at the venue due to Acts of God, which include fires, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes or hurricanes.

So if you have a clause like this in your contract and your venue is not able to host your wedding, you may terminate the contract and receive a refund of the payments you have made to the venue. Once the contract is terminated, you can look for a new venue for your wedding.

The community of wedding professionals in the North Lake Tahoe area are here to help you if you need to find a new location for your wedding.  In the words of Caity Hunt, Senior Event Sales Manager for the Hyatt Lake Tahoe Resort, “We are so saddened to watch what is happening in the Napa/Sonoma area, and would absolutely love to help if we can.”

Photo:  Nina · Photography

 

Below we have compiled information from wedding venues in North Tahoe that may be able to host your wedding.  Clicking on the venue name will link you to the venue’s website. When specific available dates are provided by venues, this information is accurate as of October 12, 2017, but is subject to change as bookings take place.

 

BIG WATER GRILLE

Contact Jack Chinn, General Manager, 775-833-0606, jack@bigwatergrille.com to inquire about available dates. Jack was once a Firefighter for Cal Fire and wants to help.

 

GAR WOODS GRILL & PIER

Contact Amy Grigsby, Group Sales Manager, 530.546.3366, groupsales@garwoods.com

All Saturdays are available for the next few months with the exception of 10/28 and 12/2.

 

GATEKEEPER’S MUSEUM

Contact Marnie Carr, Executive Director of the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society, 530-583-1762, info@northtahoemuseums.org

We have full availability for the rest of this month at the Gatekeeper’s Museum. Saturdays in April, May and October 2018 are still available, but June – September are fully booked. We also have quite a few Fridays and Sundays available if anyone is interested.

 

GRANLIBAKKEN TAHOE

Contact Meaghen Lottman, Wedding Coordinator, 530-581-7567meaghenlottman@granlibakken.com

Here are the available dates for the rest of the year:

November 25th

December 2nd

December 9th

December 16th

Dates for 2018:

January 13th

January 20th

January 27th

February 3rd

February 10th

February 24th

March 3rd

March 10th

March 17th

May 12th

 

HYATT REGENCY LAKE TAHOE RESORT, SPA AND CASINO

Contact Caity Hunt, Senior Event Sales Manager, 775.886.6681, caity.hunt@hyatt.com

Below are Saturday dates available for the remainder of the year and first part of 2018. Size of group we have availability to take, and also the specific venue location may vary between each of these dates:

11/4/17 – up to 80 Guests

11/11/17

11/18/17

11/25/17

12/23/17

1/6/18

1/13/18

1/27/18

2/3/18

 

JAKE’S ON THE LAKE

Contact Danielle McCord Padgett, Banquets Manager, 530-583-0188, banquets@jakestahoe.com

A buyout of the restaurant required for groups over 70, a banquet room is available for groups under 70.

 

NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA

Contact Brett Fox, Wedding Sales Manager, 530.562.3830, blfox@vailresorts.com

For wedding groups of 75 guests or less, the Tavern 6330′ restaurant has available dates.

 

THE RITZ-CARLTON, LAKE TAHOE

Contact Amber Kijanka, Catering Sales Manager, Direct: 530.562.3014, amber.kijanka@ritzcarlton.com

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe does have availability for various dates for this Fall Winter 2017 and next summer 2018.

 

SUGAR BOWL RESORT

Contact Allison Keasal, Weddings & Special Events Manager, Direct: 530 426 6769; Mobile: 334 444 2697, akeasal@sugarbowl.com

Below are our available dates for 2018 on the weekends.

Open weekends for The Village Lodge, 2018:

June 2nd, 9th, 16th

July 7th

August 25th

September 15th, 22nd, 29th

October 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th

Open weekends for Lake Mary, 2018:

July 14th

August 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th

September 15th, 22nd, 29th

October 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th

 

SUNNYSIDE RESTAURANT & LODGE

Contact Courtney Loring, Special Events Coordinator, 530-583-7200, events@sunnysideresort.com

We’d love to help out as much as possible. Unfortunately we don’t have anything in October available. In November we have the first weekend 4th and 5th, 18th and 19th, and 25th and 26th. We are also available for rehearsal dinners as well.

 

TAHOE DONNER

Contact Lisa Tomasi, Group Sales and Events, Phone 530-582-9643, ltomasi@tahoedonner.com

For 2017, we can offer up the following:

Alder Creek Adventure Center

Up to 100 people for full sit down meal, and 150 people for stations

10/28

11/4

11/18

ANY Friday/Sunday

 

The Lodge

Up to 65 people availability

10/28

11/4

11/11

11/18

We could offer up a full buy-out of the Lodge, which can accommodate 175. Site Fee TBD. Same dates apply as above.

 

TAHOE VISTANA INN

Contact Leah Rumon, General Manager, Phone 530-546-2529, VistanaWeddings@gmail.com

We are definitely open to helping and can offer our venue as an option, and would love to talk further with the couples.

Venue: Outdoor Ceremony & Reception

Event Guest Count: (up to 130)

Lodging: On-Site Accommodations (up to 105-110)

Alcohol & Catering: BYO