When Heather & Joe were planning their wedding, they envisioned a FUN-filled event with their closest family & friends, so… they invited their guests to stay with them for the weekend in a beautiful cabin overlooking Lake Tahoe! They planned games, activities, and adventures… the biggest and best being their wedding celebration. With an amazing team of vendors & their loved one’s helping hands, the cabin was transformed into a beautiful venue… and even though the weather was predicted to be stormy on this late Spring day, I arrived to Tahoe City & was welcomed by blue skies, big puffy clouds & sunshine.
Everything seemed to be going according to plan… until it didn’t. The thing is, when you’re a wedding vendor, you’ve seen timelines go off course, and little mishaps form; but if you’re truly a professional, part of your job is to help alleviate those issues by staying calm & finding ways around the problem.
So, when the discovery was made that the cabin stove wasn’t heating properly… stress began to arise. But fortunately, the caterers happened to own a cabin just a few miles away, so they moved their kitchen & made it work (although it wasn’t easy, and I believe they deserve a gold ribbon from the wedding Olympics, because they ran a marathon… and from the sidelines, you’d never know it!)
Despite the oven fiasco, everyone maintained such a positive outlook… and when it came time to have Heather & Joe’s first look, all was well. With just the two of them on a pier, surrounded by the pristine beauty of the mountains and blue waters… nobody could imagine a more perfect day.
They gathered on the cabin’s deck and had the most intimate and beautiful ceremony. With their close friend officiating their vows, another friend live-painting the scene, relatives reading heartfelt passages, and the rest of their small group bearing witness, they became Mr. & Mrs. and then celebrated to the fullest!
It wasn’t until right before dinner was served, that the clouds turned dark… and without much warning, rain poured down & thunder roared! But the tent was secure, the reception went on, and Heather & Joe grabbed their umbrellas with enthusiasm and joined me outside for some epic portraits!
This day was proof that although things may not go according to plan, it can be even better (especially when you have an amazing crew by your side to support you!) When love is at the center of it all, that’s all that matters anyway.
Photography: Kathryn White Photography
Venue: Private Residence, Tahoe City // AirBNB
Officiant: Friend, Jackson Taylor
Florist: Fig and Vine
DJ: Nick Gianopoulos
Cake: Icing on the Cake
Hair & Makeup: Bride's Sister, Stephanie Dettling
Catering: Farm to Table Catering
Videographer: Friend, Jon Klemens
Rentals: Tin Roof Farmhouse & Pleasanton Rentals
Invitations & Live Painting: Pigment & Parchment
Bridal Gown: Miosa Bride
Bride's Shoes: Vince Camuto
Groom's Attire: Bonobos