Typically, this time of the year means back-to-back weddings for professionals in the Lake Tahoe wedding and events industry. However, 2020 is certainly not a typical year. With the impact of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, weddings have come to a screeching halt in the capacity that we are used to, save for elopements and some smaller ceremonies.
The wedding industry is a complex structure of unique businesses, each providing a piece in the intricate puzzle that is the perfect event, a truly tailored and curated experience for each couple. Many service providers in the Lake Tahoe area have had to reinvent their business structure in order to stay afloat. Some are bracing themselves for the impact of what a slow season could mean to their future, but all are remaining as positive as possible.
In an effort to capture their voices, we interviewed members of the Tahoe Wedding Industry Group (TWIG) to learn more about their individual experiences. Here are their responses and comments, in their own words.
Have you been able to do any weddings this season yet?
- 83% answered Yes.
- 17% answered No.
How has your 2020 wedding season been affected by COVID-19?
Michelle Morton, Operations and Sales Manager for Valhalla Tahoe
- Valhalla Tahoe is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the historic Heller Estate while hosting cultural events like weddings, concerts and plays. Like many wedding vendors and concert venues, we’ve lost or moved more than 96% of 2020 revenue. This has been difficult for all our couples whose dream weddings had to be postponed or modified, and because we’re unable to make the upgrades and improvements to the property that were slated for this year.
Photo: Michelle Morton, Valhalla Tahoe
Christa Deane, Officiant, Mountain High Weddings
- Busiest summer I have had.
Michelle Depoali, Owner of Swoon… A Bridal Salon
- Our brides have found many paths forward to a joyful union. We had many brides elope and are planning a large party next year, postpone to 2021, or embrace intimate gatherings of 50 of their favorite people. It’s inspiring to see!
Cathy Becker, Manager of the North Tahoe Event Center
- We have cancelled all of our wedding receptions in 2020.
If you were able to do any weddings, how were they different in the “new normal”?
Christy McDougal, Sales & Venue Manager at Tannenbaum Event Center
- They are tiny, with masks and spaced tables.
Danell Wilson-Perlman, Managing Member of Reno Tahoe Limousine
- They were much smaller and mostly held in outdoor areas, while being shorter ceremonies and receptions.
Charleton Churchill of Charleton Churchill Photography
- More adventure elopements, less party weddings. Intimate and family gatherings, less money spent, etc.
Photo: Charleton Churchill
What are you offering to your couples who are having to postpone or cancel their wedding dates?
Nancy Rice, Owner of Nancy Rice Artistry
- We allow them to postpone within a full year without any penalties. Deposits are rolled over.
Cathy at North Tahoe Event Center
- We postpone with no penalty, if they cancel we refund 50% of what they have paid, if we cancel we refund 95%.
Blanca & Brandon, Owners of Blanca & Brandon Photography
- We are moving their retainer fee to 2021.
Photo: Blanca & Brandon Photography
What are some changes you’ve made to your business as a result of COVID-19?
Michelle of Swoon Bridal
- We have made so many changes–we are limiting guest count in our store and so our brides have to pick two of the most important people to them to attend and it has been a lot of fun for the brides and for us. It feels intimate and special and like we are planning something so wonderful to show the world at a later date.
Cathy at North Tahoe Event Center
- We are prepared when we are allowed to re-open with our COVID plan in place.
How have you been spending your time in quarantine?
Erik Riekenberg, Owner of Epik Weddings & Events
- Pivoting our packages to fit the times, helping couples move to new dates, working on our business, website, blogs, social media and finding ways to help others affected.
Photo: Epik Weddings & Events
- Teaching online harp lessons and performing livestream mini-concerts.
Danell of Reno Tahoe Limousine
- Transportation remained a necessary business so we didn’t quarantine. However we did take the precautions needed to be safe during COVID-19.
Christy at Tannenbaum Event Center
- Answering emails and giving private tours for 2021.
What is the best advice you’d give to 2020 couples who are facing uncertainty this year?
Michelle from Valhalla Tahoe
- If you have to get married in 2020, be flexible and creative. Understand that things aren’t going to be exactly like you dreamed they were going to be. Things will look a little different, but it doesn’t change your love for one another. A wedding is two families coming together to celebrate becoming one. Show the love and respect you have for your friends and new family members by wearing masks when not eating, drinking or taking photos.
Erik of Epik Weddings & Events
- Your love story is not cancelled. Let’s find a way to have the wedding of your dreams, even if it is smaller this year and a sequel reception next year.
Photo: Epik Weddings & Events
Danell of Reno Tahoe Limo
- This pandemic isn’t going to last forever, being with your loved ones is going to help you through these tough times. Stick through, you’ll see it all pay off.
Charleton of Charleton Churchill Photography
- Get married now, elope with a small group of close family and friends, then plan a massive party for guests who couldn’t attend.
Photo: Charleton Churchill
As a business owner, what has been your saving grace during these trying times?
Christa of Mountain High Weddings
- I can issue marriage licenses.
Blanca & Brandon of Blanca & Brandon Photography
- Our amazing couples who are communicative, vendors that we can chat with, and the much appreciated “day off”.
- I am grateful for every day! Things could be sooooooo much worse. I have my health, I have food and a roof over my head. Life is good.
Photo: Hall Creations Photography
Michelle from Valhalla Tahoe
- Living in such an amazing place has been my saving grace. The ability to go out early in the morning or to catch an amazing sunset is worth its weight in gold. Talking to new 2021 couples has also been a saving grace. It’s good to hear hope and excitement in people’s voices. It has been hard to be the bearer of bad news, so being able to share joy again has been uplifting!
Photo: Michelle Morton, Valhalla Tahoe
Nancy of Nancy Rice Artistry
- Trusting god and knowing that as long as I have my health and my family has theirs, it will all be OK.
As the response to the pandemic has put an end to large gatherings for the foreseeable future, the wedding industry, and many industries like it, has been severely affected. Though these are uncertain times, one theme remains consistent throughout the industry – “love is not cancelled”.