Rustic Elegance by the Truckee River

Everything about Ali and Nick’s wedding was joyfully personalized and thoughtfully fashioned. (After all, the groom is a professional jewelry designer.) But what really mattered most to the couple was bringing their loved ones together in one place to enjoy the beauty of Tahoe. Ali and Nick loved every moment of their celebration, and it certainly shows in these photos, creatively captured by Just West Co.

Nick, a skilled jewelry designer and Owner of Nick Engel & Co., first met Ali on Baker Beach in San Francisco. He recalls, “I don’t remember if I shook her hand, hugged her, or both – but I do remember feeling immediately comfortable.” Ali concurs, “When I met Nick, I was instantly smiling and laughing.”

The Proposal

In her work as an auditor, it’s Ali’s job to thoroughly analyze the data she is given and draw logical conclusions. However, in the case of Nick’s proposal, Ali missed a few data points and was caught completely off guard when it happened! But as she later acknowledged, “I loved every second.”

A week before he proposed, Nick asked Ali if she could help one of his friends, Danny, who was building his photography portfolio and needed couples to pose for pictures. Ali recalls, “I happily agreed and started planning what outfit I should wear for a beach sunset photo shoot, completely unaware! When we got to Baker Beach (the beach where we first met…still no clue), I didn’t know why Nick wouldn’t park in the parking lot and instead parked in the nearby neighborhood – which meant we had to climb down some dirt path/stairs to get to the beach. But of course that is the romantic way down.”

This romantic trip to the beach took a crazy twist – literally – when Ali slipped, fell and turned her ankle. Like a good boy scout, Nick was prepared for this unexpected situation, as he whipped out a bottle of chilled champagne to ice down Ali’s swollen ankle. Still not connecting the dots, Ali continues the story. “At this point, I see Danny off in the distance and point in the direction and ask Nick, ‘Isn’t that Danny over there?’ Nick then got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. And of course, I said yes!’”

The perks of marrying a jeweler… the rings and bling. Some women plan the perfect ring and leave hints of every aspect they desire. Ali took a different approach, she knew she wanted an elongated shaped diamond, rose gold, and that was it. The rest was left up to the expert – and Nick hand-fabricated a completely custom, unique diamond engagement ring.

The Wedding

In choosing a location for Ali and Nick’s nuptials, the mountains have always called to both of their families. Ali’s parents met on the ski slopes in the singles line, and Nick grew up going to the slopes with his parents. So, Nick and Ali could think of no other place to get married than in Tahoe. The ceremony and reception were just steps from the trail where they first said “I love you” to each other, and they were inspired by the Truckee River and all the surrounding natural beauty for their wedding theme.

There were many projects and personal touches that transformed a riverside park into a romantic fairy tale. Vintage doors were draped with eucalyptus and flowers centered at the start of the aisle. Birch wood was utilized throughout the venue, collected from a tree cut down at a friend’s house. Recycled wine, whiskey, and gin bottles – all consumed by the bride and groom (now that’s what you call a labor of love!) – were scattered throughout with flowers and eucalyptus. And hand-painted wooden signs displayed the groom’s artistic touch.

Jewelry was all over this wedding! Nick and his team helped make custom earrings for all the women in the bridal party. Ali also commissioned Nick to make the stunning, custom “something blue” earrings of her dreams with diamonds, sapphires, and her birthstone – tanzanite. On the wedding day, Nick surprised Ali with a delicate and beautiful wedding band, and another ring circled with diamonds in a design that Ali had been admiring for months.

The wedding flowers had a soft, gathered, vintage feel, inspired by a field of wild flowers rather than a formal bouquet. The florist used eucalyptus, baby’s breath, spray roses, delphinium, larkspur, eryngium, roses, Queen Anne’s lace, dusty miller, alstromeria, Italian ruskus, curly willow, and more! The park itself also provided a beautiful, natural backdrop and the flowers perfectly accented the outdoor venue.

Keeping with the DIY and repurposing spirit of the wedding, the florist gathered up the flowers after the wedding reception. These flowers were then donated to The Petal Connection, a group of incredible volunteers who gather together to bring love and joy to hospice patients, their families, and seniors in the community. This act of kindness blesses not only the recipients, but also the person whose hands created the floral designs. And of course, it reflects the generous spirit of the newlyweds, too!

Vendor Credits

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