MW Classic Wedding on Style Me Pretty |Merrily Wed® Lake Tahoe Weddings
This waterfront Lake Tahoe wedding is like a pure breath of fresh air. Take one look and then all you want is more… And we are more than happy to oblige!
Between Style Me Pretty’s feature of Emily and Joe’s Lake Tahoe wedding back in hot, summery August and our original debut in July, you should feel rejuvenated and revived with wedding inspiration! If you happened to miss this white modern classic lakefront wedding due to summer vacation or hanging out at the beach, you can catch it again right here!
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If you still can’t catch your breath, there are more photos of this exquisite private lakefront wedding in our Lake Tahoe Wedding Gallery! Congratulations to Emily and Joe!
Tahoe Signature of Style,
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Wedding Color 101 |Merrily Wed® Lake Tahoe Wedding Design
Skimming through the thousands and thousands of photos we have from our past Merrily Wed® Lake Tahoe weddings, it struck me the range of colors that presented itself. Why not put together a handy dandy little guide to the secret meaning behind each color?
We never know what colors our next client may fancy and the opportunity to do something new is one of my favorite aspects of my job. Even with the same basic color palette, little twists and adjustments to the primary colors make every wedding different and a true testimony to the couple.
This detailed guide below will show you what your favorite color means, what it may say about your personality and how the colors you select for your wedding color palette can influence the overall feel of your wedding day. The psychology of color is real and it impacts you daily so why not keep this in mind for one of the most important days of your life as well!
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Red:
Red is the most intense color of the color wheel. Red stimulates energy as well as increases enthusiasm. Red symbolizes love, passion, courage and rage. Red also emits a sense of protection from anxiety and fears. If red is your favorite color you are passionate, maintain a busy lifestyle, desire strength and may be a risk taker.
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Pink:
Pink is fun and exciting, some shades of pink can have almost the same energy as red. Red is passionate without being an overly aggressive hue. Pink is the color of happiness. Pink stimulates energy, encourages action and confidence. If pink is your favorite color you tend to be calm, sensitive and sympathetic. You are also compassionate towards others and dislike controversy.
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Orange:
Orange, a close relative of red, radiates warmth and energy. Orange stimulates appetite, socialization, as well as activity. If your favorite color is orange you are friendly, confident and full of energy. You balance your life with business and pleasure and enjoy both!
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Yellow:
Yellow shines with optimism, enlightenment and happiness. Yellow is mentally stimulating and encourages communication. Yellow will increase optimism, energy, as well as spark creative thoughts. If yellow is your favorite color you are creative, intelligent and happiness comes naturally to you.
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Green:
Green occupies more space in the color wheel than any other color and is the second most popular favorite color. Green is a large contributor to the colors of nature. The color green is seen as tranquil and refreshing, with a balance of cool and warm hues. Most shades of green are known to be physically and mentally relaxing. If green is your favorite color you enjoy the nature that surrounds you and love spending time in the outdoors. You also enjoy calming your loved ones, as well as helping the less fortunate.
Teal:
Teal has the calming effect of both green and blue. Teal represents sophistication, generosity and creativity. Teal encourages communication as well as creativity. If your favorite color is teal you tend to be sensitive, intellectual, imaginative and charming. You also tend to be self-reliant and independent.
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Blue:
The color blue is the most common favorite color in the world. Blue is seen as trustworthy, dependable and committed. It invokes rest and can cause the body to produce chemicals that are calming. Not all blues are serene, bright blues can become dramatic and cause exhilaration. Blue is the least gender specific color, it appeals equally to both genders. If your favorite color is blue, friends find you to be very trustworthy and patient. You are also conservative and love to have stability in your life.
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Navy:
Navy symbolizes wisdom, self-mastery and spiritual realization. Navy, being a shade of blue, increases communication within yourself. Navy develops intuition, increases solitude and lets you focus on personal issues. If navy is your favorite color you are spiritual, intuitive and intelligent. You are also self-reliant and tend to take on responsibility.
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Purple:
Purple balances red’s stimulation and blue’s calming effect. With a sense of royalty, purple is a color often well liked by very creative personalities. Purple is uplifting, calms nerves, as well as encourages creativity. If purple is your favorite color, you desire respect, power and often tend to be sentimental.
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White:
White projects purity, neutrality and cleanliness. The color white encourages clarity and enables fresh beginnings. White also encourages clearing clutter and purifying thoughts and actions. If white is your favorite color, you prefer a peaceful surrounding and like to be surrounded by truth and innocence.
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Grey:
Grey is the color of knowledge, wisdom and intellect. Grey is also known as the color of compromise because it is a mixture of powerful black and pure white. Grey can sometimes be unsettling because of this compromise, but can also create expectations. If grey is your favorite color you constantly look for peace and composure. You have good business abilities and tend to work hard, sometimes without reward.
Black:
Black is authoritative, powerful, formal and evokes strong emotions. The color black can create a sense of potential and possibility. If black is your favorite color you are classy and others perceive you as a powerful individual. You are very in tune with your emotions and can be spontaneous.
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Brown:
Brown symbolizes stability, reliability and approachability. Brown is the color of earth and is affiliated with being natural and organic. Brown creates a feeling of wholesomeness, stability and orderliness. If your favorite color is brown you are dependable, patient and reliable. You tend not to be impulsive, because you are organized and everything is well planned.
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Champagne:
Champagne represents the basics, the essentials. This color incorporates the warmth of brown with the crispness of white. It creates a feeling that is calm, relaxing and imparts a sensation of simplicity. If your favorite color is champagne, you are conservative, dependable and friendly. You also tend to be a perfectionist and like everything to be precise.
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Colors influence and reveal more than just adding some visual interest or depth to an area or object. Keep in mind that a single description may not fit you perfectly and it may be a combination of colors that describe you best.
You may consider these meanings when selecting the color palette for your wedding to convey the feeling that you desire. More importantly though, just have fun with it! You can never go wrong with your favorites and your wedding will be a true reflection of yourself!
Tahoe Signature of Style,
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Top 10 Bachelorette Party Destinations |Merrily Wed® Lake Tahoe Weddings
As the summer has sailed, surrender to the oh-so cherished tradition and let the bachelorette parties begin! Whether your bridal party wants to relax in the sun or dance all night long, we just swooned over these hottest bachelorette party destinations. And we think you will too…
1. Las Vegas Not surprised here at all! This is definitely the number one destination for your ‘maids to soak up some sun from daytime swanky pool parties to fabulous dining and outrageous entertainment.
2. Miami Think sun-soaked pool parties or white sandy beaches…a perfect place to sip a cocktail or two with your besties.
3. New York City The Big Apple offers such a variety of sightseeing to incredible cuisine and nightlife. Your luxurious ladies will definitely love this bach weekend.
4. New Orleans Have a bit of a rowdier experience in mind? Then Bourbon Street is the place to be! Jazz music, creole cuisine, and truly a party bar scene…this place will not disappoint!
5. Napa Valley Okay, so relaxing at world-class spas or drinking wine in style is more your idea of celebrating your upcoming nuptials, then Napa Valley it is. Gorgeous wine country views coupled with some special girl time…priceless!
6. Austin Ahhh, the live music capital of the world, Austin is the perfect destination for the music loving ladies. Party house boating on Lake Travis is sure to heat up the day!
7. Nashville Get your dancin’ boots on and get ready for some of the most iconic bar hopping you will ever experience. And saddle up for all things country!
8. Scottsdale Beautiful desert weather and transcendent spas provide an ideal setting for a relaxing girls’ getaway. Lively bars and restaurants in Old Town Scottsdale make place this city on the top ten for sure.
9. Atlantic City For all our East Coast brides…bask on the beach during the day then try out your lady luck while gambling and dancing at the casino clubs.
10. Chicago This cosmopolitan city has a fantastic restaurant and bar scene. Lots of alternative activities for your celebration including cooking and art classes, comedy and cabaret shows, burlesque classes and more.
Thanks to Glamour for the inspiration!
Tahoe Signature of Style,
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White Modern-Classic Lakefront Wedding | Merrily Wed® Lake Tahoe Weddings
Emily and Joe’s lovely Lake Tahoe wedding is a modern classic. They exchanged vows, sipped signature drinks, dined under twinkling lights and danced on a custom white dance floor with sparkling crystal chandeliers overhead – all by the water’s edge!
Held at the West Shore Cafe and Inn, the waterfront space was transformed with lush Southern-style white hydrangea blooms woven with magnolia leaves from Blooms by Martha Andrews.
“We knew that we wanted a more traditional looking wedding, rather than Tahoe rustic, and the team at Merrily Wed® helped our vision come to life,” Emily says. A mostly white palette mixed with a light dove gray allowed texture to play into the decor.
The classic style of Jonathan Young Weddings photography captured this wedding perfectly!
Her adorable 4 flower girls can’t go without a mention either – babies breath hair wreaths with dove gray ribbon completed their ensemble and two dashing ring bearers rounded out the beautiful wedding party.
The thrills began with Joe making a grand entrance on a classic woody boat with nothing less than formal tux attire for the groomsmen, junior groomsmen and for him. The bridesmaids were gorgeous in long chiffon light gray Amsale dresses while Emily herself wore a stunning Vera Wang gown.
Gray escort cards with white script along with silver julep cups and platinum beaded glass chargers all subtly wove the touches of gray & silver.
Prominent accents include a custom monogram incorporated in the boxwood wreaths, dining napkins, goodie bags, lounge pillows, matchboxes…
All white luscious florals, white linen, a white leather lounge, a delicious white wedding cake – wedding white was never seen better!
Elegance in simplicity… congratulations Emily and Joe!
Tahoe Signature of Style,
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A Tale of Two Shores | Merrily Wed® Destination Lake Tahoe Weddings
The West Shore and the East Shore of Lake Tahoe each have a special allure that draws visitors to their sunny beaches – some sand and some rock. They also both have a wealthy history dating back to the 18th century thanks to the aristocratic families that weaved their legacy with Tahoe lore. At Merrily Wed® we have found these shores to be memorable locations to hold your destination Lake Tahoe wedding.
George Whittel built a fabulous summer home that he named Thunderbird Lodge. It sits in isolation on the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe. This section of the lake is rugged and pristine, in contrast to much of the rest of Lake Tahoe’s shoreline. His failure to allow development on the 27 miles of shoreline that he bought more likely was a result of wanting privacy than being a nature conservationist. Regardless, it has kept this section of the lake from being developed with hotels, homes and shops.
Thunderbird Lodge – photo courtesy of Catherine Hall Studios
Visitors to Lake Tahoe often may not be aware of historical attractions such as Thunderbird Lodge and two other mansions on the western shore that tell a tale of how the fabulously wealthy spent their summers at Tahoe back in the first half of the 1900’s. All three homes are open to tours every summer and two of the three are beautiful venues to host your destination Lake Tahoe wedding.
Landscaping at the Thunderbird Lodge includes waterfalls, pools and streams connected by winding stone pathways and flourishes such as a stone shamrock and other whimsical designs. One tunnel leads to the infamous Card House where Whittel indulged his passion for late night card games and alcohol.
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Thunderbird Lodge – photo courtesy of Catherine Hall Studios
Your wedding guests may even be able to see the Card House on a tour of the famous Thunderbird property during your wedding. A tower was added to the original lodge after Whittel’s death by investor Jack Dreyfus Jr, where today the space is now used for weddings and special events. The Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society manages the proceeds from tours and events to help maintain and restore the property and the 55-ft Thunderbird mahogany yacht.
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Thunderbird Lodge – photo courtesy of Catherine Hall Studios
The Hellman-Ehrman Mansion on the west shore is the largest of these three mansions consisting of 11,703 square feet and three stories. Hellman and his descendants used Pine Lodge from 1903 until 1965 when Hellman’s granddaughter sold it to the state of California. It is now part of Sugar Pine State Park and commonly known as the Ehrman Mansion. Weddings are held on the lawn by the lake and receptions are commonly located on the hilltop closer to the Pine Lodge/Ehrman Mansion.
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Ehrman Mansion – photo courtesy of Brian MacStay Photography
The third historic mansion rich in history and wealth is Vikingsholm just a little farther down the west shore from Hellman-Ehrman Mansion. This was Lora J Knight’s summer retreat whose estimated wealth at that time was $43 million, built in 1929, and sits at the head of Emerald Bay, arguably Lake Tahoe’s most scenic spot. She wanted the mansion to look Scandinavian as the bay reminded her of fjords in Norway.
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Vikingsholm – photo courtesy of Vikingsholm.com
She also owned tiny Fannette Island which sits in the middle of Emerald Bay. A small stone teahouse that she built sits on its crest. She rarely used it because of the difficulty in accessing it. For the same reason Vikingsholm, despite its intriguing beauty, is not an ideal wedding location due to the narrow path one must hike to reach it.
Whether selecting the West Shore or the East Shore, incorporating one or more of these locations would be a great idea for visiting guests to see more of Lake Tahoe’s rich history. And if you are lucky, one historic site may be host to your wedding itself!
Tahoe Signature of Style,
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Tahoe Nature Inspired Nuptials | Merrily Wed® Lake Tahoe Wedding Inspiration
We at Merrily Wed® shared the “How-To’s” on some small details (but oh-so important!) which added to the ambiance of the naturally beautiful destination Lake Tahoe wedding of Katie and Chris. These are dished on in California Wedding Day’s 2014 Spring and Summer issue! This wedding has been a favorite among many and if you happened to miss our first post on this gorgeous Tahoe mountain wedding, Rustic Elegance Redefined, now you can!
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Tahoe Signature of Style,
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Tahoe Lakeside Romance | Merrily Wed® Lake Tahoe Weddings
Towering pine trees, a babbling brook and the Jewel of the Sky sprawling at your feet… the ideal location for a Tahoe lakefront wedding. Sarah and Ryan’s romantic day played to the beautiful natural setting at Storybook Cottage. Duck away for a minute in the private forest or dangle your feet from one of the two bridges and just let the magic of it all soak in.
Soft blush, champagne, pale peach, ivory and cream composed their delicate color palette which worked perfectly with the stunning outdoor venue. Everything felt and looked elegant yet effortless. From the mid-day jump in the Lake to the night time smooches on the dance floor, all their guests felt the special vibe and eagerly shared in their wondrous time.
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Congratulations to Sarah and Ryan – you will always bring a smile to our faces!
The noteworthy photography of the day was by Twin Lens and the exquisite florals by Martha Bernyk Floral Design.
Tahoe Signature of Style,
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Destination I Do Mag Loves Lake Tahoe! | Merrily Wed® Tahoe Wedding Inspiration
And so do we! Merrily Wed® first introduced this wonderful country & shabby-chic destination wedding to you last October. Bursting with details such as over 100 hanging mason jars in 4 clear tents, a converted washer drum fire pit for the gourmet s’mores bar or a wood trivet Save the Date with lace embellishment – this Lake Tahoe wedding is full of wedding inspiration. If you are looking for ideas, you can’t afford to miss it! (pssst – if you did, check it out here!)
Destination I Do Magazine now has Tiana and Kyle’s Lake Tahoe wedding on their beautiful destination wedding blog! Now its even easier then ever to catch up on gorgeous destination Lake Tahoe wedding inspiration!
Tahoe Signature of Style,
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All That Glitters & Gleams… | Merrily Wed® Lake Tahoe Wedding Design
Metallics are turning up the heat in 2014. Whether you favor gold or silver or something in between, there is a precious metal shade for you… platinum, copper, bronze, gold or silver.
Copper is a natural compliment to the fall hues, bronze looks stunning with vibrant summer colors (think of how great a bronzed, tan body looks in bright summery clothes…). Gold always adds a richness and sophistication to the design. Platinum brings a cool, classic antique elegance to the table while a shiny silver gives a sleek gleam.
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It is easy to incorporate this trend into your wedding style by selecting an embellished wedding gown, a wedding accessory like a hair clip, shoe or belt with your favorite metal color or perhaps a metallic linen for your tables. Groomsmen attire isn’t off limits either! Metallic invites and glittery gold escort cards are options too. On the table from votives, to flatware, glassware and china begged to be embellished.
There are so many ways to play with this metallic trend. Have fun with it!
Tahoe Signature of Style,
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The “Twelve Days of Weddings” Inspiration | Merrily Wed® Lake Tahoe Weddings
‘Tis the season to be merry and bright… And what a better way to celebrate the holidays then with our very own rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”?!
You guessed it – The Twelve Days of Weddings! We know you know the song! We couldn’t resist embellishing this timeless tune and just had to share.
So grab your hot chocolate, cozy up to the fire and let the wedding inspiration begin.
On the twelfth day of weddings, my true love sent to me:
12 Strands of Romantic String Lights,
11 Giddy Groomsmen,
10 Mouth-Watering Menu Items,
9 Inviting Chiavari Chairs,
8 Delicate Cupcakes,
7 Flowing Floral Centerpieces,
6 Oh-So Brilliant Colors,
5 Champagne Signature Drinks,
4 Elegant Bridesmaids,
3 Candled Lanterns,
2 Young Lovers,
and a Stunning Diamond Ring…
From all of us to you and yours, we are Wishing You the Happiest of Holidays!
Tahoe Signature of Style,
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the knot Northern California Top 12 Weddings | Merrily Wed® Lake Tahoe Weddings
Pssst, we have been sitting on this secret for sometime and can finally announce it! The charming and unique details of Katie and Chris’ wedding at the Ritz Carlton Highlands Resort landed them in the knot Northern California’s Top 12 weddings!
Out in stores now, the 2014 Spring/Summer issue has the scoop on this beautiful mountain side Lake Tahoe wedding – the first and only outdoor wedding at the Ritz Carlton from the first kiss to the last dance. But this was only one component of the couple’s desire to work with the beautiful Tahoe setting rather than compete. For the rest you will just have to check it out!
We gave a sneak peek earlier this year in our Rustic Elegance Redefined post spilling the beans on their organic details ranging from the sailcloth tent, to farm tables brimming with interesting accents to the neutral color palette punctuated with white and light green. The rest of the knot Northern California’s article is below.
Thank you to photographers The Youngrens and floral artistry by Bellissima Floral for their delightful work on this rustic classic wedding!
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Tahoe Signature of Style,
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Martis Camp Mayhem | Merrily Wed® Lake Tahoe Wedding Design
Nah, not really! A beautiful, sun-kissed and fun-filled wedding at Martis Camp was exactly what transpired last June for Katie and Steve on their wedding day. They traded vows (and shared a symbolic margarita!) on an overlook above a pine tree filled valley, then danced the night away in front of the red Family Barn. Their 200 plus guests happily gave their blessings as this playful couple begin their new life together.
With whites, creams and ivories, the pale and deep mustard yellow made appearances throughout the summer day. Navy blue Donna Morgan bridesmaid dresses provided the perfect backdrop to the sunny yellow burlap wrapped bouquets.
With a nod to the Tahoe surroundings, the dining tables sported texturally interesting elements such as birch logettes, twine balls, submerged vines and soft, full florals in wooden boxes. The stationery suite consisted of kraft paper stamped with a tasteful tree or bear…
A beautiful three tiered ruffled cake reminiscent of her Judd Waddell gown tempted the guests as they danced nearby in the amphitheatre to the beats of the 11 piece band Hip Service. The beautiful pale yellow floral linen overlay added the right bit of charm to the area.
Dusk descended quickly but with just enough time for them to share a laugh and ‘ham it up’ one more time…
Love these guys!
Thanks to an all star crew such as Damion Hamilton Photography who captured every moment of their big day and the stunning florals created by Bellissima Floral.
Congratulations to Katie and Steve!
Tahoe Signature of Style,
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Crafty Reception Ideas | Merrily Wed® Lake Tahoe Wedding Design
Set your wedding table with your own personalized touch of style from customized hand-written chargers to hand-picked colorful mason jars. Here at Merrily Wed® we couldn’t resist these 5 options which look like a million bucks but cost almost nothing to make. Whether choosing three or picking just one idea, they are all an easy way to put your own stylish stamp on your wedding reception!
Chargers
What a perfect way to share your cherished vows or maybe the words to your favorite wedding song on these sweetly inspired DIY porcelain plates courtesy of Ruffled Blog. It is a keepsake that will last forever too!
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Table Numbers
Natural rustic meets the oh-so trendy metallic chalkboard to greet your guests at their tables. Either adorn a simple weathered wood box or hang from an object of your desire… Also courtesy of Ruffled Blog.
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Wedding Cake Stand/Dessert Buffet Pedestals
A perfect pairing for a Tahoe treat (or two)! We just loved this woodsy accent to any decadent dessert display. Once Wed gives the simple step by step instructions on the how-tos!
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Festive Mason Jars
Put a little pizazz in your wedding decor and elevate the mason jar from cute to irresistible with just a spray of paint by 100LayerCake. These beauties can be used everywhere!
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Ice Cream Favors
To temper the summer heat, show your gratitude for your sweet guests with some ice cream in a jar. Check out this recipe of thanks from City Cradle Design that had our mouths watering. With a simple modification you can serve S’Mores in a Jar instead which is always a hit!
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Tahoe Signature of Style,
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Classic Fall Lake Tahoe Wedding | Merrily Wed® Lake Tahoe Lakefront Weddings
Tiana and Kyle knew each other in high school but it wasn’t until after college their romantic love story began. Tiana bumped into Kyle when visiting home and the rest was meant to be. Both being born and raised on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, they knew this was where they wanted to marry – a destination AND local Lake Tahoe lakefront wedding after all. The venue without a doubt would be her great grandmother’s historic Lake Tahoe lakefront estate on the West Shore and with Merrily Wed® on-board, their wedding was going to be unforgettable!
The earliest wedding date possible was November 3rd due to Kyle’s job. We all knew how DARING this was as old man winter can come anytime in the fall here. Everything from ceremony to late night dancing would be held outside.
Our luck didn’t last and it snowed over 2 feet at lake level the week before their wedding. We had all hands on deck clearing snow from the lawn and property the Friday before due to the 3 day tent install to start on the following Tuesday (and pending 2nd storm) – we had to have as much time for the grass to dry as possible. 4 tents, 23 heaters and countless hours later – the setting was perfect for their dream wedding.
Tiana’s wedding color palette was a burnt yellow, ivory and cream with natural, organic touches woven throughout the ceremony and reception – manzanita branches, log stumps, wood tags, table round plaques etc… An overall shabby chic with a touch of country style and feel. The Tahoe fall surroundings complimented this color scheme perfectly with harvest gold leaves in the trees and on the ground.
Tiana’s custom white and ivory bouquet was comprised of ALL fabric rosettes. The bridesmaids wore ivory lace dresses accented with custom mustard yellow & ivory rosette sashes. Kyle also wore a custom fabric floral boutonniere matching Tiana’s bouquet.
A large cream floral monogram hung from the arch entrance which all guests passed under. On the other arch side, a twiggy garland with cream florals and manzanita framed the ceremony processional. Perfectly cut log stumps flanked the aisles with pillar candles and petals and a simple birch arbor with cream floral treatments framed the altar. Wooden antique skis beckoned guests to sign their well wishes for the newlyweds.
Reminiscent of their mini log round Save the Dates, table names were chosen after tree species and actual wood cross sections from the exact tree were engraved with the same name. We custom made the huge fabric escort card board complete with a linen patchwork design and rustic nails for hanging the wooden escort tags.
Ivory lace runners topped the burlap runners on the wooden farm tables creating a detailed base for the stunning tablescape. Burlap and lace also adorned all the shepherd hooks holding varying types of lanterns – rustic to mason jar – filled with mustard yellow pillars.
True to their wedding style, Tiana and Kyle’s fall style wedding cake emulated an aspen bark with cascading ivory leaves. Not to forget the stunning clear tents – overhead 100 hanging mason jars flanked black wrought iron chandeliers and swooping ivory swagging. The 4th tent was the dance tent and had a single giant crystal chandelier in the middle with the ivory swagging converging on it.
Dancing, an awesome photo booth from Reno Photobooth and a complete s’mores wine barrel bar where guests roasted marshmallows over a fire in a converted washer drum completed the party. This was the warmest and loving celebration Tiana and Kyle could have ever dreamed of!
The stunning photography courtesy of A Day In Your Life Photography and the beautiful florals by talented Bellissima Floral.
Tahoe Signature of Style,
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Mastering Your Guest List | Merrily Wed Lake Tahoe Wedding Planner
In the initial stages of planning, one of the hardest decisions may be agreeing on the number of guests to invite to your wedding. Whether your favorite venue or budget (or just personal preference!) is determining the number of guests which can attend, having the discussion with your parents, future in-laws and fiance from the start will save you big headaches later on.
Of course the number you invite will be higher than the number actually attending. We recommend using about a 15% decline rate but this can vary on each individual situation – where the majority of guests are traveling from, time of year for your wedding and your guests’ own personal budgets. We advise our clients individually on a percentage to use.
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Three Easy Steps to Master Your Guest List:
1) A key point to address and not to tip-toe around is how you will divide up this total number of invited guests. We have seen lots of scenarios – half for the bride side, half for the groom side – is the most common. Or depending on who is paying. Sometimes couples marry later on in their careers and find themselves contributing substantially to their wedding day so a three-way split is acceptable between both sides of parents and then the couple themselves. Or perhaps four ways, both parents and then a list for each of you.
2) However you split the master guest list, sit down and compare your personal lists as you may likely have a few overlaps and common invitees. This will open up a couple of spots! When making your list, start at the top with your family and friends that you cannot imagine not having there on your wedding day. As you add to your list, widen the circle of must attends. This will help if you have to cut (yes, it does happen) guests from your invite list if you are exceeding the total number of guests to invite. You will have done your work and eliminate from the bottom up.
3) Equally important is sticking to this guest list! The master guest list is easily the biggest source of contention for everyone throughout the wedding planning. Depending on the length of your engagement, you may hit it off with a new work colleague, your third cousin has returned from their world trip or you ran into your long lost childhood friend. Each wedding is different and if in your situation it works, then the more the merrier, but if it doesn’t, then you need to stick to your guns. If everyone added 4-6 guests, then you could suddenly be looking at an additional 20 guests and so the problems begin.
Spend a little time at the beginning to agree on a course of action and this will save you a lot of stress, contention and potential arguments later on. After all your engagement is your first big test of ‘compromise’ with each other and your new family. Make it a successful one!
Tahoe Signature of Style,
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Summer Sips to Wet Your Whistle | Merrily Wed Lake Tahoe Wedding Planning
With the long hot dog days of summer here, we couldn’t resist these refreshing and mouthwatering cocktails hand-picked by Catering Magazine to ensure to wet your whistle as well as “raise the bar” at your next summer BBQ, party or even your wedding.
From a lip smacking Kumquat Mojito to a Ben & Jack’s Swimming Pool to a Mango Spice and Ice, you will find something here to quench your thirst and tempt your guests’ taste buds with the exotic.
What is your favorite??
Tahoe Signature of Style,
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What Junebug Loves… A Tahoe Wedding! | Merrily Wed Lake Tahoe Weddings
What Junebug Loves is full of inspiring wedding ideas for brides with some serious personal style. That pretty much sums up Catarina and Ross’s grey chevron themed Lake Tahoe wedding featured on What Junebug Loves!
From the cheery, melon-colored gerbera daisies to the grey chevron pattern subtly (and not so subtly!) woven through out their day, this wedding is so charming and colorful. For the full spread, just click here!
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A big thanks to Mauricio of Chrisman Studios for photographing this stunning wedding. For our own post earlier this year on this colorful and uplifting wedding, just go here!
Tahoe Signature of Style,
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Tahoe ‘Rustic Elegance’ Redefined | Merrily Wed Lake Tahoe Wedding Planner
Katie and Chris married last September at The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe. Throwing a good time for their family and friends was top of their list for their Lake Tahoe wedding as was working with the beautiful natural mountain setting. So instead of heading to the ballroom when dinner hour arrived, the guests walked the manicured stone pathway to the custom sailcloth tent beckoning in the nearby meadow.
What began at the ceremony as a fresh and light interpretation of ‘rustic elegance’, the varying textures of burlap, linen and wood continued under this gorgeous canopy. The earthy, natural elements were softened by the white, cream, ivory and overall neutral color palette favored by Katie.
We will let the photos from this wedding do the rest of the talking! Starting with one of the most memorable First Looks we have seen, all the way to Katie and Chris’ sparkler exit, each photo is more and more delicious! Pure eye candy!
Bellissima Floral Creations created the beautiful floral artistry and all of the ‘rustic redefined’ details from Katie’s gown to the cuisine to the escort cards could not have been captured so perfectly without the fine talents of The Youngrens.
Lovely green was color-spotted through out the entire day and a natural complement to Katie’s wedding color palette and style. Working and complementing, not competing with, the natural surroundings was the goal.
They wed surrounded by the towering pines at the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe. Nodding to nature, tree stumps lined their aisle and a birch arch framed the two as they exchanged their vows.
The outdoor reception was beneath a sailcloth tent complete with mill wood beams and onion copper lights adorned with silver dollar eucalyptus and white hydrangea. A forest canopy of curly willow and luscious foliage framed the tent entrance. Aspens and shepherd hooks with dangling lanterns lined the guests’ pathway to the party. First course was a green soup that winked at the wedding colors.
Guests dined in the twilight and following dinner, a 7 piece band kept them shaking their groove-thangs. Katie’s bridesmaids even surprised her with a choreographed dance to one of their favorite college day songs. Adirondack chairs and cleverly placed tree stumps invited guests to kick their feet up and take it all in. The surrounding ski slopes, typically white with snow, were showing their summer green and a breathtaking sight.
Later on, an ice cream buffet delighted the guests while late night passed snacks of donuts and cookies made all the big kids feel like little ones again. Sparklers lit the newlyweds’ path as they departed with full grins on their beautiful faces! Congratulations to Katie and Chris!
(*Spoiler Alert – lots more to come of this exquisitely fine rustic wedding!)
Tahoe Signature of Style,
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Stylish Sequins – Wedding Trend | Merrily Wed Lake Tahoe Wedding Planner
Why is it that something sparkly and shiny seems so irresistible sometimes? Sequins are adding a little, okay A LOT, of shimmer in the wedding world these days!
They are the perfect way to bring a little glitz and glamor to your wedding gown, a bridesmaid dress, an invitation, a wedding cake, a floral arrangement, a place setting, a linen – their use is endless! And when done just right, sequins have a remarkable statement to make.
We love this tantalizing combo of sequins paired with this season’s favorite blush tone, ivory, champagne and gold color palette!
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Credits – Top L-R: Etsy Artist – Beautiful Again Bridal, The Lane.com, EngagedAndInspired.com, Revel-Blog.com
Middle: ElizabethAnneDesigns.com, NBarrettPhotography.com, LuxeFinds.com
Bottom: MelissaandBeth.com, YasminKhajaviPhotography.com, LunaandChloeWeddings.com, 20SomethingBride.com
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Tahoe Signature of Style,
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Style Me Pretty Loves Our Lakeside Glamour | Merrily Wed Lake Tahoe Weddings
Ready for a little lakeside glamour? Style Me Pretty took a major liking to the Gatsby-esque wedding of Karen & Cyrus that we recently unveiled and featured it on their main blog. All the prettiness of this glamorous lakeside wedding is right here!
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If you happened to miss our post on this stunning wedding – don’t fret, just click here. Thanks to Jonathan Young Weddings for photographing this beautiful wedding!
Tahoe Signature of Style,
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