A nature-loving couple living in the big City, Whitney and Richard really wanted an outdoor venue for their wedding. Whitney liked boho elements, so the couple was seeking something on the rustic side. After seeing some sites in San Francisco, they realized that Lake Tahoe was a much better fit for their style. Plus, Tahoe already had a special place in their hearts – Whitney and Richard got engaged there too!
The couple’s chose Granlibakken Tahoe as the location for their festive celebration, and VILD Photography was there to artfully capture their special day.
Meeting and Engaging
Whitney and Richard met when they were students at the University of Oregon. They dated there for a while, then went their separate ways, but remained friends. Eight years later, they reconnected. The couple dated long distance until Whitney was able to join Richard in San Francisco.
They got engaged at the top of Squaw Valley’s KT-22 chairlift during a late-season ski trip. On a previous visit, Richard had scoped out a gorgeous tree with a backdrop of Lake Tahoe. But to reach the spot he had selected, they had to go past an “Experts Only” sign, which scared Whitney.
Fortunately for Richard, he was able to convince Whitney to go up to his chosen proposal place, and she excitedly said “Yes!” when he popped the question. And fortunately for Whitney, they skied down an easier way afterwards. [Publisher’s Note: There is no such thing as an “easy” way down from KT-22, so they both must be great skiers!]
Wedding Planning Particulars
Regarding their search for the right site, Whitney explains how she and Richard reached their decision. “Granlibakken had the onsite accommodations we were hoping for, a low-key vibe and the property possesses a lot of natural beauty,” she notes. Richard had even stayed at the property as a kid when his family frequently visited Tahoe.
While Whitney likes being creative, she didn’t want to DIY anything for her wedding. “It was really important to me to just be able to enjoy the day and not have to be fussing about other things,” she says.
The groom personalized the day in one special area: his hobby, calligraphy. Richard wrote names on the escort cards for each guest. “Just kind of a nice touch that I wanted to add,” he says.
The Big Day
Even though their wedding was in early June, the couple was concerned about the weather. “There had been a ton of snow in Tahoe this year,” says Whitney, who visited the venue a month before the wedding and found patches of show all around. Nevertheless, Whitney and Richard decided to have the wedding outside. There was a little rain in the morning, but then it cleared. “It really was perfect,” she says. “Sunny and warm.”
One hundred guests attended the wedding, including the bride’s family from her home state of Alaska, as well as guests from Ireland, Texas and other parts of California. Richard’s long-time friend, Mac, officiated the ceremony.
Before their I Do’s, Whitney and Richard had a First Look, then spent some additional time together. Whitney recalls, “We took some time to go to a pier to take some photos with our photographers. And despite the fact that it threw off our timeline a tiny bit, it was totally worth it to have that quiet alone time before the ceremony.”
Many wedding details stood out for the couple. For example, their florist, Love and Lupines, created a stunning arch, bouquets and centerpieces. Rental items from Celebrations! Party Rentals, along with a “Tahoe Tree” napkin fold fashioned by Granlibakken, added to the ambience. And cupcakes from Sugar Pine Cakery were so yummy (guests kept devouring them!) that the newlyweds almost didn’t get any.
After an outdoor ceremony and dinner, it started to rain, so the party moved inside the Big Pine Lodge, where the wedding party stayed for the weekend. The indoor setting provided the perfect opportunity for toasting the newlyweds.
Back outside, two-thirds of the dance floor was covered by the lodge’s roof to keep people dry, but water lovers also had the option to dance under the drops. “There was never a dull moment on the dance floor and we never had to lure people out to the party,” says Whitney. Guests especially enjoyed dancing to Led Zeppelin’s “Fool in the Rain.”
As the night wound down, Whitney and Richard relaxed by the fire pit for some late night portraits with their photographer, Marie-Louise Palmqvist, owner of VILD Photography. Palmqvist recalls the wedding fondly. “Perfectly laid back, the entire day couldn’t have gone more smoothly, which meant we simply got to enjoy taking photos,” she says.
Looking back on the day, Whitney and Richard were grateful for all of their service providers who helped make it a memorable experience for everyone. “Honestly, the day from start to finish was completely magical,” says Whitney.
Teachable Moments
Hire a planner. The couple, who lived in San Francisco while they planned their Tahoe Wedding, recommends hiring a local planner to assist with wedding details. “Our planner, Stephanie Morris of Stephanie Marie & Co. was hugely instrumental in the way everything unfolded, including the months leading up to the wedding,” says Whitney, who praised the planner’s help finding and hiring vendors. “We couldn’t have pulled it off so successfully without her.”
Relax and roll with it. Palmqvist loved the couple’s dance party at the end of the celebration. She also praised Whitney and Richard for how they handled the changing weather. “It’s not worth freaking out if the weather changes,” she says. “Keeping a good attitude and enjoying the day for what the day is, that’s the best thing you can do.”
Trust your service providers to make it great. As she began to plan her wedding, Whitney recalls, “I definitely spent a lot of time on Pinterest and Instagram, and while helpful, I think it may have been more overwhelming than anything. There is so much beautiful inspiration out there, but it sort of left me feeling lost.” But then the couple placed their trust in the team of experienced service providers they hired (including 3 members of Tahoe Engaged). In the end, Whitney concluded, “I know we’re biased, but for us, everything was just perfect.”
Vendor Credits
Photographer: VILD Photography | Venue and Catering: Granlibakken Tahoe | Bride’s Dress: Eddy K | Bridal Salon: Bataeu Bridal Boutique | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: BHLDN | Groom & Groomsmen’s Attire: Indochino | Wedding Planner: Stephanie Marie & Co. | Hair and Makeup: Solstice Weddings and Special Events | Florist: Love & Lupines Floral Design | Rental Items: Celebrations! Party Rentals | Cake Designer: Sugar Pine Cakery | Music: DJ Tony