Your Lake Tahoe Winter Wonderland Wedding awaits...
Now that you've found the person, it's time to find the place! Your wedding is not simply a day, but the beginning of your commitment and journey into marriage. If you're looking for a winter wonderland, a Lake Tahoe wedding is as picturesque as it gets. The snowy Sierra Nevada mountains framing the iconic lake is the perfect backdrop for your wedding day! From the cozy cabin settings to the snowy landscapes, and let's not forget the innate romance of the sought after small mountain town, your wedding day will feel like a dream. In Lake Tahoe, you will find beauty all around you.
A Lake Tahoe wedding in the winter offers the Hallmark winter wonderland that you've always dreamt about. Getting married in the snowy Sierra's surrounded by quaint restaurants and cozy cabins is an experience that you, and your guests, will never forget!
1. Choosing the Right Winter Venue in Lake Tahoe
In Lake Tahoe, your winter wonderland venues are abundant! Since Lake Tahoe is a huge winter wedding destination, there are a variety of winter-friendly venues all around the lake. You will find lakefront lodges, mountain cabins, private estates, and even luxury resorts! The lakefront lodges, like Valhalla speak for themselves with gorgeous views of Lake Tahoe surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains! If you're looking for a mountain cabin venue, Aspen Creek Lodge will leave you feeling the coziness straight out of a Christmas movie. Lake Tahoe has the most gorgeous log cabins that feel like home! You can also choose to go a higher-end route with private estates and luxury resorts that provide the upscale offerings of Lake Tahoe.
In order to choose the proper venue for your Lake Tahoe wedding, you'll need to consider whether you want to utilize indoor or outdoor spaces. During winter time, Lake Tahoe still has options for outdoor wedding spaces, so it will be important to look at the potential snowfall and temperature for the particular month that you are getting married! Consider whether you (and your guests) will be comfortable at an outdoor ceremony, or if you prefer to find a venue with a gorgeous indoor space for your winter wonderland wedding.
Another factor to consider is whether it's important to you to have onsite lodging or not. For a winter wedding, onsite lodging is a huge convenience in simplifying logistics for your guests (especially if they aren't familiar with navigating the snow)! Everline Resort & Spa is a great option for a Lake Tahoe wedding venue that offers onsite lodging. Not only does onsite lodging add convenience, but it also provides warmth during the winter and lessens the necessity for guests to be outside. Onsite lodging is a big factor to consider when choosing your winter wonderland Lake Tahoe wedding!
2. Planning for Winter Wedding Logistics, Transportation, and Lodging
When planning your Lake Tahoe winter wedding, it's important to consider the logistics. There is a huge likelihood of snow during your time in Lake Tahoe, which makes it all the more important to plan for reliable transportation for your guests. You may want to consider a shuttle service or make sure that your guests have snow-safe 4WD cars and chains. You'll want to take the possibility of snow into account when planning the arrival and departure times for your guests to make sure that it's safe for guests to be on the road.
You can also plan ahead for wedding logistics by choosing a venue with onsite lodging. For a winter Lake Tahoe wedding, booking a venue with onsite lodging will provide guests with a warm, comfortable place to stay and reduce the need for winter travel. There are many charming and cozy wedding venues with onsite lodging to choose from for your Lake Tahoe wedding, you can read more about them in our blog The 30 Best Lake Tahoe Wedding Venues!
Should you choose a venue that doesn't have onsite lodging, it's highly recommended to consider a shuttle service. Providing shuttle services from the lodging to the ceremony or reception site can keep guests safe and ensure a stress-free experience, especially in snowier conditions. Your day should be spent celebrating your love, not worrying about transportation for your guests!
3. Embracing Tahoe’s Winter Weather: Essential Planning Tips
There is no doubting the absolute beauty and dreaminess of a winter wonderland wedding however it is extremely important to plan ahead! In order to properly prepare, be sure that you check the average temperatures and snow levels for the month that you are planning your winter wonderland Lake Tahoe wedding. January through March are the highest snow-fall months, so make sure that you are planning accordingly.
On the topic of preparation, for any wedding, but especially a winter wedding, it's paramount to have a backup plan. Due to the possibility and unpredictability of heavy snowfall or extreme weather, a backup plan could save the day. Not only is it important to prepare a backup plan, but it is important to prepare your guests. With our close proximity to warmer locations like California and Arizona, many Lake Tahoe visitors aren't familiar with the snowy winter weather. While it is stunning to look at, there are definitely preparations to be made such as warm, layering clothing, shoes equipped for the snow, transportation planning, and more. It's always better to be prepared!
4. Creating a Cozy, Romantic Atmosphere with Winter Décor
A winter Lake Tahoe wedding is already dreamy and romantic, but you can elevate the experience with winter décor. Your cozy and romantic winter wonderland dreams can come true with the added touch of twinkling lights, evergreen garlands, candles and faux fur accents. These simple additions will enhance your Lake Tahoe wedding to feel like a true winter wonderland.
Another way to curate a cozy, romantic atmosphere is by intentionally choosing a color palette to compliment your winter theme. Colors like icy blues, deep greens, soft whites, or metallic will help cultivate a dreamy winter vibe. Winter décor is a powerful and simple way to elevate your winter wonderland vision! If the process of designing your wedding seems daunting, schedule a consultation with us!
5. Winter Wedding Attire Tips for Comfort and Style
With a winter wedding comes winter fashion! You will want to consider how your attire, and your guest's attire, will fare in a winter setting. Wondering what fabric choice is good for keeping you warm during a winter wedding? Consider a heavier fabric choice, such as velvet. You can also opt for long sleeves or even layered looks. For an extra touch of warmth and style, think about incorporating faux fur coats, shawls, or wraps to create a truly cozy winter aesthetic. Don’t forget—your guests will appreciate staying warm too, so encourage them to dress appropriately for the season!
If you're not sure where to start with shopping for your wedding dress, read Wedding Dress Shopping: 5 Tips for a Successful Experience.
Another option to optimize comfort and warmth for your winter wonderland Lake Tahoe wedding is outerwear. Keeping yourself, your guests and your wedding party comfortable is an extremely important piece of planning. There are many stylish options to consider such as faux fur wraps, cozy shawls, or even tailored coats. Don't be afraid to explore your options when it comes to winter wedding fashion!
6. Planning a Warm and Inviting Guest Experience
When planning your dreamy winter wedding, it's important to keep in mind the comfort of your guests. During the winter months, Lake Tahoe temperatures get below freezing regularly. So let's think, what are some ways to keep your guests warm and comfortable? If you're planning to keep part of the celebration outdoors, one option is to have outdoor heaters. Another option would be to add fire pits to the lounge areas where guests can relax, keep warm, and enjoy the beautiful scenery that Lake Tahoe has to offer.
In keeping with the theme of cozy and romantic, you can offer cozy blankets for your guests (this could even be a gorgeous wedding favor!). A fun idea that could engage your guests and keep them warm is a hot drink station. Whether it's available prior to the ceremony or as a cocktail hour addition, having a hot chocolate, coffee or even mulled wine bar would be both comforting and unique! Sarah at 775 Bartending can create the perfect custom warm drink station with her mobile bartending services.
7. Capturing Stunning Winter Wedding Photos in Tahoe’s Snowy Landscape
If you've been dreaming of your winter wonderland wedding, then Lake Tahoe will provide you with the most gorgeous and unique photo opportunities! As if Lake Tahoe isn't stunning enough during the summer time with its mountainous Sierra Nevada vistas and sparkling lake views, once the scenic location is surrounded by snow-covered trees and mountains you will be in awe. The photos that come of a winter Lake Tahoe wedding are so abundantly gorgeous and will be cherished forever.
If you are a couple always up for an adventure, you can find a plethora of opportunities for one of a kind photos in Lake Tahoe. It's become increasingly popular to add a mountain skiing photo shoot to the wedding festivities for venturesome couples. It's a great opportunity to capture playful, exhilarating shots skiing down the slopes. A mountain skiing photoshoot at one of the many Lake Tahoe ski resorts, like Palisades Tahoe Resort, can really turn your wedding into an unforgettable experience!
With the beauty of Lake Tahoe comes a variety of talented wedding photographers in the area. It's important to choose a photographer who is well-versed in winter weddings, as they can require a different skill set. This is especially pertinent if you are considering an outdoor adventure experience. In that case, you'll want to choose a photographer with experience in outdoor adventures so they can safely capture the beauty and fun of your special snowy, outdoor moments. One of our favorite photographers who isn't afraid of getting on the slopes with her camera is Holly Shankland.
8. Key Considerations for a Smooth Winter Wedding in Tahoe
Back to logistics, a winter wedding runs a little differently than a summer wedding. As you can gather, weather is a key factor in planning the logistics of your winter wonderland Lake Tahoe wedding.
This is especially true when it comes to the timing of your wedding day. Due to the short winter days in Lake Tahoe, it's important to consider scheduling events earlier in the day, making the most of the daylight hours. In December and January, the sun sets between 4:30pm-5:30pm. As we talked about before, scheduling earlier wedding festivities also takes safety into account for anyone needing to drive or travel after the reception.
Another consideration to make your day run smoothly is choosing experienced vendors. Lake Tahoe is the home to many incredible wedding vendors however you will want to make sure that they are equipped for a winter wedding. Working with local vendors who understand Lake Tahoe's winter logistics and can handle unexpected weather challenges will make your day all the more stress-free! Looking for assistance with planning your Lake Tahoe winter wedding? Let's chat!
9. Bonus Tip: Embrace the Tahoe Spirit with a Mountain Ski or Snowboard Photoshoot!
Winter Tahoe Weddings for Ski & Snowboard Lovers: Lake Tahoe is a dream destination for couples who love skiing and snowboarding, and incorporating these activities into your wedding can create unforgettable memories and epic photos.
First Run Instead of a First Look: For an adventurous twist, consider a “first run” together instead of a traditional first look! Ski or snowboard down the mountain side by side before the ceremony.
Pre-Ceremony Ski Run with the Wedding Party: Gather your wedding party for a pre-ceremony ski or snowboard run, capturing the fun, excitement, and unique bond you share. This will make for one-of-a-kind photos and memories.
Our Favorite Resort for Ski Photo Shoots: We love Everline Resort for ski and snowboard weddings! With a chairlift right on the property, you can walk from your suite, hop on the mountain, and be back in time to freshen up before the ceremony that afternoon. This convenience makes it easy to add a memorable mountain adventure to your big day without any stress.
Tip: Be sure to hire a photographer who can ski and capture those on-mountain shots safely and skillfully.
Need Help? As your Lake Tahoe wedding planning experts, we have a curated list of photographers experienced in mountain shoots who can ski right alongside you. Reach out, and we’ll help you find the perfect photographer for your dream mountain wedding photos. Let's Chat!
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