Lake Tahoe Wedding As Seen In Destination I DO Magazine | Merrily Wed
Destination I Do Magazine features stunning real life destination weddings from around the world in their glossy, beautiful publication. In their Spring 2012 issue, they couldn’t pass up the chic, yet classically tailored, Lake Tahoe wedding of Cameron & Matthew. This wedding at a private Lake Tahoe lakefront wedding estate flirted with the preppy side, spell bounded the guests, rocked the night away and was unquestionably unforgettable to all.
Cameron & Matthew’s spring green, navy and white color palette complimented the Tahoe setting perfectly, but also kept a fresh feel to the tailored wedding style. Not only did she wear her mother’s vintage wedding gown (32 years waiting) but Cameron also carried the family bible down the aisle adorned with flowers.
Cameron also loves monograms, so we echoed theirs from the napkins, to the menus, to the invitations to their wedding cake to even the dance floor. Fun elements were not limited to decor and included their gyrating band, retro neon sunglasses, vintage coke bottles and blue cheese late night sliders. As DIDO so eloquently put it, the devil is in the details…
Thanks to Zorn Photography for doing what they do so well! If you were a wedding crasher at this wedding, here’s a glance of what you might have seen:
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Tahoe Signature of Style,
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Romance at Storybook Cottage | Merrily Wed Lake Tahoe Weddings
Romance – it never goes out of style. Jessica and Spencer proclaimed their adoration and love for each other last fall at their Lake Tahoe wedding site, Storybook Cottage. A gurgling stream right down the property, a wooden footbridge, tall pines – what more could a bride ask for?? If the usually trickling stream had any indication of the strength of their love, the rising water only bid wonderful things to come.
Jessica was awestruck when she saw the venue for the first time. Believe it or not, she had never seen the lakefront property until the day before her wedding. Thank goodness her groom Spencer got this right! Living on the East Coast but growing up coming to Lake Tahoe, Spencer had a feeling this was the place for them.
Talented photographer Allyson Wiley worked her magic capturing the charming ceremony and celebration to follow. Rich, succulent fall colors played to the season and beauty of the property. The singing and dancing into the night with their closest of close friends and family, was the beginning of their fairytale…
Tall pines loomed over their lakeside ceremony area with cheerfully colored blooms lining the aisle. One of my favorite moments was when Jessica crossed the footbridge with her dad and Spencer saw her for the first time. You could feel the energy between the two! A large white classic tent with crystal chandeliers set the mood for the party to follow… And as always, the silent guest known as Lake Tahoe spun its magic and did its part!
Tahoe Signature of Style,
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Table-‘E’scape Wedding Design | Merrily Wed Lake Tahoe Weddings
With so much wedding inspiration on the world wide web these days, it is very easy for a bride to become overwhelmed with all the design choices and styles. And I am just talking about the dining tables! Having a beautifully set table at your wedding can be something to look forward to or a daunting task. The great joy of designing a stylish table-scape is to have fun with it. Start small in your own home with your own dining table and engage in a little table-‘E’scape.
A few simple tips can make your own cupboards a bin of inspiration. An organized pantry will allow you to access items easily and you will be more likely to remember these settings and use them. Stack collections of similar colors on open shelves. Baskets can store table linens, napkins, napkin rings and candles.
First rule is there are no rules but just a few simple guidelines to observe…
- Begin with stocking your pantry with basic white dishes. More the better with oversize bowls and platters… Food pops off white plates but don’t be afraid to accessorize with colorful accents.
- Silverware can vary from your grandmother’s antiques to flea market finds. Mix and match is a ‘do’ as well if you don’t have complete sets.
- Collect place mats and napkins in different colors to compliment your china. Napkins can match or contrast. They can be folded a million ways, be placed on top, next to or under the plate. Napkin rings are further embellishment and come in a variety of styles and materials.
- Runners are great on a bare wooden table top or placed on a linen tablecloth. A tablecloth creates a sense of formality and helps define the mood.
- Candles. Lots and lots of candles – votives and pillars – create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
- Use color as your organizing principle. A single color can have a terrific impact too.
Add your own personal style to your table by looking around your home for inspiration. After a few nights of reenacting Top Chef with your favorite friends and breaking in different place settings, your own dining table will be a breeding ground of ideas. Start to play with china shapes, complimentary color families, different textures – the sky is your limit!
Now it is time to tackle the table-scape for your wedding reception!
Tahoe Signature of Style,
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In the Pages of the Knot Northern California | Merrily Wed Lake Tahoe Weddings
The Knot Northern California hand picked this Lake Tahoe lakeside wedding as one of the 11 perfect real weddings in their 2012 Spring/Summer issue. The setting, one of Hollywood’s most famous lakefront locations, spoke for itself. I remember during set-up one of the band members whispered to me, “This reminds me of the Godfather and sure looks like the place from it.” I whispered back, “It is…”. He pretty much ran out of the tent right then and there to start taking photos!
This wedding had it all – from the gorgeous woodie boat that delivered Andrew and his entourage to the ceremony to the infinite number of rustic, yet nautical, charming details to Courtney’s adorable kelly green cardigan she ‘donned’ as the fall air grew cool… So many details, impressive on their own, were but the supporting cast to the main show itself: the unforgettable wedding and following celebration for Courtney and Andrew.
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Looking for more? Check out our earlier blog post – Classic Lake Tahoe Wedding – full of fabulous photo boards from Courtney & Andrew’s wedding day.
Tahoe Signature of Style,
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Bridal Showers – What’s In & What’s Out | Merrily Wed Lake Tahoe Weddings
Bridal showers go hand in hand with weddings so whether you are hosting one for your closest friend or you are the toast of the day, you want your bridal shower to be a fun, fresh and memorable time! Yours Truly from Lake Tahoe gave Fabulous Living.com a couple ideas on how to breathe a little life into bridal showers. For the full post, here it is – Bridal Showers: Games Are Out, Activities Are In! . So out with the games and bring on the activities that will get guests talking and bonding!
Highlights:
1) A Wine Tasting – have each guest bring a bottle (label covered) or supply a few as the hostess. Have a blind ‘tasting’ and vote on the best one. Even separate with a white wine and a red wine. If you are true connoisseurs, you can get as detailed as voting on different varietals. Great idea is to have the winning bottle or bottles make an encore appearance at the wedding reception!
2) Glam Photo Shoot – bring in a professional photographer and capture the day with a photo session. Theme or activity will add to the the fun. Check out our blog post just on this topic alone – Your BFF’s Glam Photo Shoot.
3) Floral Design – a brilliant idea from Kristi Pohly, owner of Fleur Decor in Denver, Colorado. Treat your guests to a crash floral design course. Hire a designer to supply the flowers and teach the how-to’s. The vase is a great party favor, not to mention the arrangement you bring home (bonus is that you created it yourself!).
4) Cupcake Decorating – from Claudia Copquin, founder/editor of Long Island’s bridal blog – GettingMarriedonLongIsland.com. A fun (and yummy) way to spend an afternoon is decorating cupcakes. Provide stations for the toppings – the more the better. From custom aprons for the guests to awarding the prettiest, silliest or most original cupcake decor, this will be a great activity for a shower.
Happy Party Planning,
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Catering Magazine Selects Lake Tahoe Wedding | Merrily Wed Lake Tahoe
If you are a self-proclaimed “foodie” or own a catering company, you have heard of Catering Magazine. Their latest issue was dedicated to all delectable things – edible and not – in the wedding world. They also chose to highlight four detail packed, color inspiring and just plain sensational weddings from coast to coast. Abby and Nic’s lakefront Lake Tahoe wedding joins this select group and just pops out of their beautiful publication with glorious color.
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When the details of a wedding surpass expectations, leave guests smiling and don’t forget the food and drink, you will find it here. Our vibrant and personality loaded wedding of Abby and Nic took center stage showing off their clever Tahoe Tessie orange signature drink all the way to their ORANGE velvet wedding cake. The cake toppers were even exact replicas of hers and his wedding attire…
We could go on and on about the details but experience their day for yourself!
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This wedding definitely wowed, not only telling the story of their two lives but that day was also the beginning of Abby and Nic’s new story of their life as one!
Tahoe Signature of Style,
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Baby New Year/Little Ones | Merrily Wed Wedding Design & Planning
As the end of this year draws near, I have little ones on my mind. Maybe its the tradition stemming from the Greeks of using a baby to signify the new year or more likely its my own new little baby that we were recently blessed with, but either way, I have been drawn to the cute and adorable images of the smallest members of the wedding party from weddings past. I couldn’t resist sharing a parade of photos of some of the babies that we have had the joy to see in ceremonies and hang out with at the receptions. They sure keep us on our toes as to what they will do next!
How often I have seen a little flower girl’s gaze of awe upon the bride moments before the ceremony as she is surrounded by her bridal attendants putting on the finishing touches… This ‘awe’ has had many faces from curiousity to admiration to a dreamer of when one day they will be a bride themselves. Such is part of the circle of life, little flower girls who grow up to be beautiful brides.
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The unpredictability of little ones adds that spontaneity and character to your wedding ceremony that will always make it uniquely yours. How we watch with holded breath, but simulatneously love, when the ring bearer decides to chuck the ring pillow or if the little ones impulsively decide to add their own dance rendition to their walk down the aisle or if they decide to stand, sit, squirm anywhere but where they rehearsed the day before…
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Head wreaths for little flower girls have always been a favorite and a great compliment to the floral basket. Magical floral wands are super popular now too for them to wave their blessing of love down the aisle… Little boys or little girls can ring a bell to capture your guests’ attention – like they haven’t already – announcing the bride cometh.
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Besides ringing a bell and verbally announcing “Here Comes the Bride” – have bell ringers put a new spin on this by carrying a sign instead along with the ringing bells or go it alone with just the sign. Don’t forget the backside – room here for another message from Just Married and Thank You to be used later on in some well planned photo ops. Clever Etsy artists have lots to choose from here.
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Alternative new ideas for ring bearers include using ring pillows that are anything but soft and cushy… these can range from floral embellished to a wooden box, burlap or other organic elements or even something as personalized as a skateboard with the rings tied to it as one of our ring bearers did last summer. If you have a musically-favored little guy or gal (and no stage fright), they could even play a little ditty on their instrument as they walk down the aisle creating a whole new role for this little one.
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Either way – Baby New Year or my new little baby – I am glad to relive and share these wedding moments with you starring the little ones that can not only steal hearts, but also make the forgettable unforgettable.
Have an extra special and Happy New Year!
ew ideas for ring bearers include using ring pillows that are anything but soft and cushy… these can range from floral embellished to a wooden box, burlap or other organic elements or even something as personalized as a tied to it as one of our ring bearers did last summer… If you have a musically favored little guy or gal ey xxx
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The “www” of Weddings – Wow With White | Merrily Wed Lake Tahoe Weddings
We all know that color is a lot of fun and can invoke a range of moods but what if you are drawn to fresh, pure, perfect white? White instills a feeling of innocence, purity and perfection. A calming feel that is simplistic in nature.
If you tend to favor the “uncolor” over splashes of vibrancy, how do you keep your wedding fresh, memorable and maybe with a little wow factor? Let’s be honest, using all white can be slightly yawn-inspiring. By adding a little (or a lot) of texture, you can make a visual impact and a lingering impression. Lace and floral rosettes are a couple of options that are making a strong statement today in the world of white.
Lace is delicate, imparting an unique elegancy since the softness of lace is always romantic. From vintage lace to modern, think beyond the wedding dress to create a unique wedding style with this fabric from intricate and delicate to bold and solid.
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From invitation accents to hidden antique garters to wrapped votives and mason jars, lace can show up in unexpected places and add a little spice.
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Then there is The Cake! Oh, how do we love lace touches on the wedding cake and especially when it emulates the wedding dress!
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Floral rosettes literally bring added layers of texture to a white wedding style. Rosettes can be used everywhere from back-drops to the table decor to your hair. Rosettes also can be made out of a multitude of materials (fabric, fondant, paper) which is great since they can be used in a range of budgets.
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And we can’t forget The Cake!
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These are just two ideas to provide a little White Inspiration for you!
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Courtney & Ian – Color Fusion | Merrily Wed Lake Tahoe Wedding Design
Looking for a little refreshing eye-candy in the world of weddings? You found it here! Destination I Do Mag.com swooned over Courtney & Ian’s colorfully scintillating Lake Tahoe wedding and treats you to it today on their always inspiring fab blog. Steadfast to Courtney’s vision throughout conceptualization and realization, our work resulted in pure magic…
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Courtney wanted a lot of color for her wedding – color, color, color… Indian weddings proved to be a major source of inspiration for the vibrant dining tables and reception décor. No white here – this fair color was minimized as much as possible, besides the wedding dress!
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Courtney wanted an overall bright, fun style with a sophisticated whimsy for her wedding day. Her vibrant blue heels adorned with jewels and a peacock feather added personality and partnered perfectly to her gorgeous Pronovias gown.
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Jewel tones of raspberry, plum, burnt orange and lime green were dominant while touches of succulents, moss balls and moss table numbers brought the slight organic feel to her day that she desired.
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We created an escort display that dazzled with breezy strings of mirrors and moss balls complimenting the reception color and feel perfectly. Orchids adorned the escort cards and the colors and light were caught in the reflection of the mirrors.
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The color didn’t stop at the edible either – raspberries garnished the signature bellinis, eye-catching pods, succulents and orchids cascaded down the wedding cake and the lovingly made (twice thanks to bears!) vibrant cupcakes by Courtney’s mom completed the look.
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Photography by Courtney Aaron.
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Mason Jar Manifesto | Merrily Wed Lake Tahoe Weddings
Back to the basics.
In this challenging economic time when friends can lose their jobs with no warning, homes taken for granted are anything but, and filling your car with gas can result in reshuffling your whole paycheck… the wedding world seems a little behind. Jonas Peterson, an Australian photographer, eloquently summarizes why two people choose to make a public commitment and reminds us about the real reason for the day. Hint – it is not for the details (even though we love them)…
I think his post, also copied right below, is a worthwhile read for everyone.
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The Mason Jar Manifesto
It’s 4.47am when I sit down to write this. I woke up 30 minutes ago and couldn’t go back to sleep. I’ve been thinking about this for so long, but a couple of things lately have reinforced what I already knew.
The wedding train has derailed.
Put down those mason jars, store away that vintage typewriter and fairy lights and sit down because you need to listen. This is an intervention. The whole wedding industry has gone detail bananas and we need to clear a few things up.
– You! Over there! Step away from the hay bales and the Vintage Navajo rugs and come over here. Sit! Down! No, you don’t have to put lavender on the plates, you need to wake up!
We’re getting lost in details. The whole wedding industry is drifting away from what weddings are about and we’re all part of the problem – bloggers, photographers, planners and vendors – all hypocrites feeding the detail beast.
Strip it back.
Peel the layers off.
And start again.
At the center of every wedding we have a girl. Who fell in love with a boy. Or a girl who fell in love with a girl. Or a boy who fell in l… you get my point.
The rest is fluff.
If you read magazines and wedding blogs today, you’d think it’s all about the dress, the decorations, invitations or a million other things.
THINGS.
It’s not.
It’s about celebrating love, a manifestation of commitment, a gathering of friends and family.
Because you’re in love.
But if you visit many of the blogs today, you’d think it’s about other things. Heck, there are even themed shoots with no people. As if candles and old LP players on a blanket in a clearing in a forest make a wedding. Just add people. And maybe a groom. Or actually don’t, the wedding is about the details, remember? Details, details, details.
Strip it back.
Peel the layers off.
And start again.
Weddings are about people, it’s about commitment and celebrating love. It’s about you. Build on that and everything else will follow.
I am a detail person, so it’s not that I don’t like details. I love details. Details, details, details. Love them. I honestly do. I’ve worked with some of the best planners in the business and they’ve styled weddings to perfection, made details stand out and it’s always been great, because they’ve built on the couples, starting with who they are. And I actually like shooting details. A lot.
When I was younger I used to record mix tapes and give to girls I liked.
Every detail was thought out, every letter, every scribble, every word on that tape had meaning. I love me some details. I grew up in a house with vintage bottles and mason jars everywhere. That and rocks collected from oceans and fields. So I get the jar and bottle thing, I truly do. Throw in some rocks and I’m there. But remember what the wedding is about, why you’re doing this, that’s all you really need. Don’t stress out about building a fairytale wedding, perfectly crafted, every detail borrowed from somewhere else.
Look away from the blogs and magazines.
And look within.
Why are you doing this? What does it mean to you? Do you really need all that…stuff? And if you want stuff, are you adding stuff that actually means something to you? What do you want to remember from your day? The cake, the flowers, the dress from Hoya de la Poopy?
Or do you want to focus on that moment between you two? The boy? Who fell in love with a girl?
Strip it back.
Peel the layers off.
And start again.
Last night Rachel sent me this email after I posted their wedding. I’ll leave you with that.
Jonas,
I want you to picture Jeff and I squeezed in to our round chair, we don’t really fit and our dogs have been asleep at our feet for hours. It is very chilly here and the leaves are falling but we are reluctant to put on our heat yet. I say to Jeff, “let’s check your unemployed wife’s email, maybe we are about to get wealthy.” When I saw “it’s up” I stopped breathing. You reminded me that all that matters is squeezed in that chair next to me.
This is the moment I have been craving and dreading all at the same time. It feels like a final celebration in a way to me. Like our last chance for you, nirav and us to take what we created together, between all of our hearts, and say to the world this is love, this is what’s important, this is the power of photography.
I am sitting here with this feeling inside that I felt before. I felt it when we sent that email off into thin air hoping to create something with you. I felt this when Jeff and I woke up in the middle of the night on our honeymoon in our little cabin (Jeff would be the first to tell you if you didn’t already have your ticket back to Australia I would have brought you on our honeymoon too) but picture us there and we are on an island in the middle of the ocean in the rain in a little cabin and i press my iphone on and it reloads your website and “One” is there. Jeff and I held each other and cried and cried and cried. You have healed parts of me. If that is not the measure of your success, I don’t know what is.
I love you.
Least we forget and here is a gentle reminder that LOVE is the meaning and reason behind it all.
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Abby & Nic – Sneak Peek | Merrily Wed Wedding Design & Planning
We have been busy, busy this summer designing, planning and executing some wedding gems and here is a brilliant teaser of one for you to sink your eyes into… More weddings and priceless details to come but for now, enjoy this quick sneak peek of what we have been up to lately!
Abby and Nic were married in July and here is a snippet of the oh-so-charming details that were abundantly everywhere at their colorful Lake Tahoe wedding.
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Photography and Photo Collage by Courtney Aaron Photography. Floral Design by Bellissima Floral.
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Sarah & Ryan – Destination Weddings & Honeymoons | Merrily Wed Lake Tahoe Weddings
Destination Weddings & Honeymoons was captivated by the sophisticated and romantic wedding of Sarah & Ryan and couldn’t resist posting it on their blog. Not many can say they were married in one state and then had a stunning reception-with-a-view in another state! Following a church ceremony in Nevada, they headed to a private lakeview estate in California to celebrate the night away… Now that is a destination wedding!
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To view our earlier post – complete with a full collection of photos – for Sarah & Ryan’s stylish wedding, please check out Delightful Summer Dinner Party. We had a ball bringing together all the details for this wedding from the moss ball escort card table to the personal photo collage to the subtly chic touches on the dining tables. Classic with a twist…
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Trend: A Fine Feathered Wedding | Merrily Wed Wedding Design & Planning
With feather hair extensions being the hottest thing on the market these days, incorporating feathers into your wedding can add a whimsical and romantic essence. But let’s think beyond the bouquets, boutonnieres and centerpieces…what about your hair and your bridesmaids’ hair?
“They can be brushed, blow-dried, straightened and curled (up to 450°F) – basically, they can be treated like natural hair,” says Fine Featherheads founder Dakota Hills. This versatility is crucial in the styling process of bridal hairdo’s. The feathers look gorgeous in elegant updo’s, flirty ponytails, spun into a bun and especially in a glam braid.
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Fine Featherheads are easy to find, effortless to install and could be a fabulous, fresh addition for you and your bridesmaids to celebrate in style! You can purchase the highest quality, original “featherheads” at FineFeatherheads.com or check on their website to find a salon near you. What a special way to create unity in your bridal party, by spreading the feather love…
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Are you more of a DIY type? Installation is a piece of cake. With a few simple tools (you can purchase a small tool kit online) you begin by threading the micro-link onto the hair hook. Then you simply draw a small section of hair from the scalp and slide the micro-link onto the hair. It is key to find the proper place on the head so the feathers lay flat. Viola!
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These beautiful, weightless hair accessories could be the perfect gift for a bridal party that screams personality! Since the feathers can last for one to six months (depending on care), the feathered bridesmaids have a constant reminder of the special times they shared on your wedding day.
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Alison & Jeremy on Style Me Pretty – A Summer Night’s Dream | Merrily Wed
Sweet dreams started with Alison & Jeremy’s wedding full of a little romance, fabulousness and the sophisticated rustic touch (which we love to do…) and ended with the showering love given today by Style Me Pretty. Please check out the Style Me Pretty main feature on their always stylish blog right here!
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Mutual friends tried to set Alison and Jeremy up but Alison wouldn’t have anything to do with it for two years. Then they actually started talking and a bi-coastal relationship began. Fast forward to living as a couple in San Francisco when Jeremy proposed to Alison on a San Francisco rooftop surrounded by 10,000 lights – literally, and the lighted Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop. They didn’t have a dream of how to finish their fairytale love story… Little did they know it would end up on a magnificent sprawling lawn on the shores of Lake Tahoe with the help of us at Merrily Wed.
The ceremony was held at Corpus Christi Catholic Church (seen in the Godfather II) and the reception site was kept a well hidden secret from their 165 guests. Upon arriving at the palatial, luminous lakefront estate, guests were treated to a champagne cocktail and twinkling music by a string quartet. Wine barrels doubled as cocktail tables and this look was carried over to the majestic main bar overflowing with soft, white flowers.
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Alison wanted a vintage, romantic look but with a twist of sophistication. The color palette was neutral with ivories, creams and natural tones but with a fresh punch of color from the flowers. To add a bit of glamour to her wedding day, we wove touches of gold throughout: from Alison’s couture French Chantilly lace dress with gold metallic accents, to her intricately detailed place setting to the gold rimmed glassware to the gold lace on the hanging mason jar lanterns.
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Her place card table was an old farm table with layers of antique lace wrapped around it. The place cards were woven into the lace. Two giant floral arrangements on wine barrels framed the entrance into her dreamy summer night tent – a clear top canopy with sheer ivory swagging which allowed the just right amount of light, towering trees and twinkling stars to peek through. The antique rustic chandeliers created a dramatic focal point at each end of the tent and a natural spot to gather the draped swagging.
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Napa French-slotted wooden chairs complimented the natural style of the eggshell Tuscany linen on the dining tables. Alison used colorful gold rimmed china reminiscent of her Grandma’s on top of a rustic embossed charger. The details were in the rich patterns of each. Gold rimmed glassware picked up the gold in the ornate floral band of the Diana china. Tables were named after locations that had sentimental meaning to Alison & Jeremy as well as the guests matched at each. These were attached to twigs and incorporated in the loosely arranged centerpieces.
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The wedding cake cannot go unmentioned – it was a very special family recipe by Aunt Allie. Served in her memory, Aunt Allie is Alison’s namesake and July 31st is not only their wedding date but Aunt Allie’s birthday. Pride & Joy, a 10 piece band, kicked off the dancing under the summer night’s dream of a reception tent. Their energy and costume changes kept the guests dancing.
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The dancing didn’t stop 3 hours later either. Three large buses transported the guests to the after party and the celebration stayed alive with music and drinks en route. Their story doesn’t end here but starts their new chapter on a picture perfect day on the shores of Lake Tahoe – every bit the quintessential summer night Alison always dreamed of and will never forget….
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Photography by Kate Webber Photography.
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Tahoe Quarterly Loves Kate & Kevin! | Merrily Wed Lake Tahoe Weddings
The Tahoe Quarterly, a local magazine known for it’s glossy pages and high style features, decided to debut an inaugural wedding section this summer to showcase the high-end weddings around Lake Tahoe. They searched high and low for the perfect weddings to capture the true essence of Tahoe. We were elated to have them pick one of ours at the Thunderbird Lodge – the wedding of Kate and Kevin.
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Kate Dietrich and Kevin Davis met in Lake Tahoe when they lived there several years ago. It was only natural that they chose this breathtaking area for their wedding. Top choice for a location was the historical lakefront Thunderbird Lodge on the East Shore. This magical stone castle was the playground of 1930’s notoriously eccentric millionaire George Whittell – famous for his all-night parties (with Bill, his pet lion), colorful celebrity guests and high stake card games.
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Wedding guests were shuttled to this lakefront location and, before the wedding ceremony, treated to a tour of the unforgettable property including the quintessential rock gazebo and secret underground tunnels. The ceremony was set lakeside on the lawn and beneath the stone walls of the Thunderbird Lodge.
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Soft, feminine accents contrasted by natural, organic elements delighted guests in all the details from the first glimpse Save the Date complete to Kate’s lace embroidered wedding cake. Tahoe tradition was included in the ceremony by tossing flowers in remembrance of late family into Lake Tahoe. The ceremony and dinner were both held on the lakeside lawn maximizing the unforgettable views of Lake Tahoe and surrounding Sierra Mountains.
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The color scheme of salmon, gold, chocolate brown and cream complimented the stone castle and granite boulders perfectly. The famous, crystal clear Lake Tahoe blue water was echoed in the wedding favor – a nest with robin blue soap eggs at each place setting. Lake Tahoe’s alpenglow sunset was captured in their signature drink – a pear-melba martini, a stunning salmon color.
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Not a single guest will leave Lake Tahoe without feeling as if they had been a part of something truly special and magical – the meaningful, loving marriage of their friends in an unforgettable setting. Kate and Kevin could not have been more radiant and in love throughout special day.
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Smitten by S’Mores | Merrily Wed Lake Tahoe Weddings
Yummm – everyone loves a warm, just-off-the-fire s’more! And the nostalgic, comfort feeling they instill… Nothing goes hand-in-hand better than Lake Tahoe, the mountains and s’mores but sometimes incorporating these into your wedding might be difficult with open fire rules, the thought of dripping marshmallow on fine silk or maybe it just doesn’t go with your wedding style/look for the big day. The rehearsal dinner can be a good option OR how about a s’mores cake!?!
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From the glorious kitchen of Canadian baker and blogger Sweetapolita, this sinful 6-layer rich chocolate malted and toasted marshmallow cake will be a crowd-pleaser and have your guests coming back for more. The marshmallow filling is full of marshmallows actually toasted in the oven – these little details are what really makes (and takes!) the cake.
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6 layers of dark, moist chocolate cake sandwiching alternating rich and fluffy frosting: satiny Belgian chocolate malted frosting and creamy toasted-marshmallow vanilla frosting with bits of actual crispy marshmallow in every bite. Strangely, the finished cake is not really super sweet–it’s more rich, light, and creamy sweet…
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Okay, mouth-watering yet? No more teasing, here is the recipe for an 8″ round 6-layer cake courtesy of Sweetapolita:
Rich Chocolate Cake
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This is for three 8″ pans, but the layers will be a bit more shallow if you use the recipe as it is written. If you double the recipe, you will be able to fill the pans 2/3 full, resulting in thicker layers. You will have some remaining batter, with which you can make cupcakes, etc. You can also increase by 50%.
Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup Cacao Barry Extra Brute Cocoa Powder (or similar premium brand)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup strong black coffee
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespooon pure vanilla extract
Method:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare 3 x 8″ cake pans with butter and flour or parchment paper. In bowl of electric mixer, sift all dry ingredients. Add all remaning ingredients to bowl with the dry ingredients and with paddle attachment on mixer, mix for 2 minutes on medium speed (you may need the plastic splashguard that comes with mixer) and pour into prepared pans. Batter will be liquidy.
Bake for 20 minutes and rotate pans in oven. Cakes are done when toothpick or skewer comes clean–approximately 35 minutes. Try not to overbake. Cool on wire racks for 20 minutes then gently invert onto racks until completely cool.
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Malted Belgian Chocolate Frosting
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Ingredients:
1 lb butter (4 sticks or 2 cups) at room temperature
4 cups icing sugar (confectioners’ or powdered)
3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup Ovaltine Classic (brown in colour)
8 oz Pure Bittersweet chocolate, premium brand – chopped and melted
1/2 cup whipping (35% fat) cream
Method:
In a bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, combine the icing sugar and butter and beat on low speed for about 1 minute. Add vanilla and malt powder, and beat on low until well combined. Add the melted chocolate and beat on medium speed until smooth (about 2 minutes). Add whipping cream and beat on med-high speed for another minute. Best used right away.
*Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Chocolate Frosting recipe
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Toasted-Marshmallow Frosting
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Ingredients:
16 large white marshmallows
1 cup icing sugar (confectioners’ or powdered)
1/2 lb butter (2 sticks, or 1 cup) at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
8 oz of Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Cream (or Marshmallow Fluff)
Method:
Place marshmallows on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Place on lower rack of oven, and broil marshmallows until nice and brown on top, between 30-60 seconds. Remove pan from oven and gently turn the marshmallows over, and broil until they are golden brown. Be sure to keep an eye on them–they burn very, very quickly. Combine butter and icing sugar in electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, on low until blended (about 1 minute). Add vanilla and mix on high for about 3 minutes. Add marshmallow cream and toasted marshmallows, and mix on lowest setting for about 1 minute.
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This is a fresh, stylish way to introduce s’mores into your wedding reception with possibly a groom’s cake or cupcakes or even the showcase wedding cake!
Luxurious Gown Fabrics | Merrily Wed – Lake Tahoe Weddings
One of the best parts of being a bride? Trying on all the gorgeous, dreamy wedding gowns of course! But wedding dress shopping can also be overwhelming with all the different shapes, fabrics, and styles to choose from. Let us help – here is a little breakdown about the most popular fabrics and some of the silhouettes best for them…
Charmeuse:
Charmeuse is the lightest of all satins. It has a glossy finish that drapes and clings to the body. Charmeuse works best in an evening gown or slip dress style. If you are looking for a form fitting sexy dress then Charmeuse is the material for you!
Cotton:
Cotton is a breathable and comfortable fabric. Cotton is not commonly thought of as wedding gown material but it does create very beautiful gowns. It can be very easily manipulated so it can be in an array of dress designs.
Dupioni Silk:
Dupioni silk is thick with a slight sheen and a coarse, knobby finish. Dupioni is a natural pure silk made from double cocoons. Since Dupioni is a thicker fabric, it works best for fuller silhouettes and modified A-line dresses.
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Photos: Charmeuse: Alix & Kelly, Cotton: Chris Cole, Dupioni: Pronovias Rania
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Duchesse Satin:
Duchesse Satin is a classic wedding gown material. Duchesse Satin is more affordable than pure silk because it is blended with rayon. It has versatility because it works for full as well as straight gowns.
Lace:
Lace is a very delicate and decorative fabric. Lace is typically made from cotton or synthetic materials. Lace is commonly used in wedding gowns as an overlay on top of solid fabrics or even more lace.
Linen:
Linen is typically thought of as a more casual fabric because of its breathability. Linen dresses are common for beach weddings but can also be perfect for a Tahoe wedding. Linen can also be dressed up, depending on the cut and style, and used for more formal gowns.
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Photos: Duchesse: Jim Hjelm, Lace: Amsale, Linen: J Crew
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Silk:
Silk is the most common, cherished, and priciest wedding gown fabric. Silk is a smooth natural fiber. Silk threads are also woven in different fashions and combinations to create tons of other fabrics, such as satin, duchesse satin, charmeuse, chiffon, organza, and even tulle.
Taffeta:
Taffeta is crisp, stiff and a light-weave fabric with a slight rib. It can be made from synthetic fibers or pure silk. Taffeta is an ideal choice for ball gowns and A-lines because it adds volume without adding unnecessary weight.
Tulle:
Tulle the traditional material used for bridal veils. Tulle is a fine mesh netting that is made from silk or nylon. Tulle has become popular in bouffant skirts, Vera Wang popularized this ballerina-inspired skirt style.
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Photos: Silk: Alix & Kelly, Taffeta: Liancarlo, Tulle: Vera Wang
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There are hundreds of different wedding gown materials and combinations available. Hopefully this will help begin to simplify choosing the perfect dress for you. The best way to find the “one” is to try on as many gowns as possible!
Inspiration to Reality Photo Shoot | Merrily Wed – Wedding Design & Planning
When the opportunity arose to design a dream wedding from a Style Me Pretty member’s inspiration board, we jumped at the chance. Earlier this year for over five months, we brainstormed all sorts of details and ideas. Slowly we assembled an all-star wedding pro line up to pull off this photo shoot. Today our creation is featured on the top wedding blog Style Me Pretty and we couldn’t be more tickled!
The Inspiration…
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Bold yet intricate, sophisticated yet understated along with the stunning colors of steel blue, blue-greens, violet, black, white and pewter – this inspiration board was the catalyst for our mystical, glamorous, romantic fairytale wedding. The dramatic spiraling staircase with its intricate floral scroll ironwork was one of our key muses. Not to mention crystal embellishments, white feathers, succulents, pewter highlights – these elements were woven through-out the many, many details of the day…
For the whole feature on Style Me Pretty, please click!
We hope you have as much fun browsing our favorite photos from the day as we had pulling all these details together!
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Our Wonderful Team – many thanks, for who without, none of this would have been possible:
Wedding Design – Merrily Wed
Photography – Annie X Photographie
Floral Design – Bellissima Floral
Venue – The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
Wedding Cake – D’Lish Catering
Linens – Wildflower Linen
Rentals – Celebrations Party Rentals
Wedding Gown – Pronovias, courtesy of Swoon Bridal
Invitations/Paper Items – Angela Dal Bon Custom Invitations
Hair/Make-Up Stylist – Bettina Riffo
Model – Beth Hill and Koda the pug…
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Bouquet Bridal Guide | Merrily Wed – Wedding Design & Planning
When it comes to florals, figuring out what type of bridal bouquet is the right fit for you can sometimes be confusing. Here are some of the most common wedding bouquet styles and even here, this is just a beginning! Size, color and composition are altered to make a custom bouquet that is unique just like you. Some are more traditional, some formal, some casual, some colorful – these days you can incorporate almost anything into your bouquet – fabric, feathers, branches, succulents, berries… Find which bouquet fits your wedding style!
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Biedermeier:
A Biedermeier is a small bouquet organized in alternating color hue rings, like a bulls eye. The rings can be composed of different types of flowers or the same type in two different hues.
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Cascade:
A cascade bouquet is the most formal and traditional choice. It has greenery and flowers that flow down from the top. The bouquet is very full at the top and some of the flowers hang down, to give a cascading effect. This style was very popular in the 1980’s and 1990’s, but has recently been revamped with a more modern style.
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Freeform:
The freeform bouquet does not have a specific shape or structure. Typically the freeform bouquet has both flowers and greenery and evokes a more natural feel. The freeform is usually hand tied with ribbon.
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Freeform, Modern:
Full of color, texture and tons of details, the modern freeform bouquet can fit many wedding styles. With multiple flower types and natural accents like succulents, this bouquet is fresh and modern yet stylish and natural.
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Lightship Basket:
A lightship basket is a bouquet of flowers and greenery that is carried in a basket. The lightship basket can be decorated with ribbon or just a natural basket. They are most commonly used on the east coast and carried by bridesmaids.
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Nosegay:
The nosegay is a round, uniform bouquet. It is typically tightly wrapped with ribbon comprised of densely packed similar blossoms and greenery. This elegant bouquet is very
popular with modern brides.
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Pomander:
The pomander is also commonly referred to as the kissing ball. A pomander is a ball shaped bouquet that is suspended from ribbon. It is typically carried by flower girls, junior bridesmaids, or is used as a ceremony decoration.
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Posy:
The posy bouquet is typically an all flower bouquet; they do not contain any greenery. The posy is the one of the more common choices of modern brides. The posy is most commonly hand-tied with ribbon.
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Classic Tahoe Lakefront Wedding | Merrily Wed Lake Tahoe Weddings
What is more classic Tahoe than the infamous Lake Tahoe location at Fleur du Lac seen by millions in Godfather II? Well, not much. Courtney and Andrew were certainly lucky to have this stunning setting for their wedding day. And now you can share in their breathtaking and elegant soiree for 150…
Courtney and Andrew were married on September 18th on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe at Courtney’s family home located in Fleur du Lac. Courtney wanted to incorporate certain elements in her wedding day – chalkboards (since she is a teacher), candles, lanterns, a slight nautical nod and a strong sense of family.
She wanted to keep it elegant without losing the natural, outdoor touch of Tahoe. Must have colors were kelly green and navy with pops of orange and pink. How to bring it all together? Check out the gorgeous end result below!
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Andrew arrived for the ceremony in a vintage Hacker Craft woodie boat. Keeping with a New England tradition since his family hailed from the East Coast, the bridesmaids carried lightship baskets as their bouquets. A chocolate fern curl coordinated Andrew’s boutonierre with Courtney’s beautiful and natural bouquet of ferns, twigs, berries, pods, chocolate fern curls and soft ivory florals.
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With views of the runs of Homewood Ski Resort in the background, they exchanged their vows. Putting a twist on the plain chalkboard, we used wooden trivets instead for the bar menus. The father of the bride and father of the groom had fun naming the signature drinks and battling for the tastiest one. Guests found their escort cards in mini-rounds of angled wood. Tables were named after locations meaningful to the couple.
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Cocktail hour was held on the Yacht Club patio. Two different styles of gorgeous blue-green linen reminiscent of the glorious color of Lake Tahoe graced the tall and short cocktail tables for the pre-dinner festivities. Guests were treated to passed hors d’oeuvres and two appetizer stations while a string quartet played.
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Guests’ tables in the giant reception tent were adorned with kelly green linen and natural accents ranging from birch logs and vases to wooden trivets softened by the glamorous touch of mercury votives hanging in the tall centerpieces and on the tables. A 7-piece band switched the mood to dancing as the evening progressed.
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The sprawling dessert bar focused on the ivy-wrapped wedding cake and family wedding photos of multi-generations. A surprise awaited each guest under their color coordinated napkin tied with berries and ribbon. Courtney donned a cute kelly green cardigan for the second half of the night – staying in true style to her colors!
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Weddings are far and few in between at Fleur du Lac. With this rare opportunity, we were elated and honored to design and plan Courtney and Andrew’s wedding. When all was said and done, Courtney summed it up for us – “Thank you for making our day truly perfect!”
Photography by Angie Silvy Photography and Florals by Bellissima Floral.
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