Dec 6, 2013
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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Oct 15, 2013
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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Aug 22, 2013
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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Jul 2, 2013
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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Jun 14, 2013
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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