Lakeview Lodge Wedding at Heavenly Ski Resort - South Lake Tahoe, CA - Katie + Alex
heavenly ski resort wedding in lake tahoe, california
Second Shot for Mindful Media KC - Jenny Kane
Lake Tahoe is known as one of the gems of California and it’s no surprise why! The epic alpine lake is surrounded by forests and mountains in the Sierra Nevada mountains, so it’s a picturesque location for vacations year-round. Katie and Alex were drawn to the panoramic views offered by Heavenly Lodge, high above South Lake Tahoe. In 2019, they were joined by friends and family from all over the United States at their northern California destination wedding at Heavenly Mountain Resort! It was a breathtaking day and absolutely unforgettable. I loved second shooting for my friend Jenny from Mindful Media KC to document Katie and Alex’s romantic day in Lake Tahoe.
For a lesser-known wedding expedition like this, consider the ski resorts of Northern Utah! With epic mountain views, tons of outdoor activities, and fewer crowds, it could be the perfect place to get married. See some great venues + get inspiration from this real winter wedding!
Wondering where Lake Tahoe is located?
VisitCalifornia.com says “Lake Tahoe has a split personality: half California, half Nevada.” The turquoise-blue lake is surrounded by the mountains of the High Sierra (in company with popular destinations like Mammoth Lakes , Sequoia + Kings Canyon NP, and Yosemite, and some lesser-known but impressive places like Mono Lake and Bridgeport).
Visitors from out of state can conveniently fly into Reno Tahoe International Airport (about 35 miles north of North Lake Tahoe’s town of Truckee or 58 miles from South Lake Tahoe).
There’s also a regional airport, Lake Tahoe Airport, just 7 miles from Heavenly Mountain View Lodge. Alternatively, you can fly into SFO (210 miles west of Tahoe).
As the afternoon rolled around I readied my gear at my hotel (still no sign of bears for me) + made my way over to Hotel Azure, where the bride, Katie was getting ready. It directly faces Lake Tahoe, with huge pine trees and incredible colors everywhere you look! After the bride got ready, we left and made our way to the Heavenly Lodge Tram where the bridal party started making their way up the mountain. After Katie pinned her dad’s boutonniere on, Jenny and I scouted around Heavenly Lodge - the things we were looking for specifically were places to do the bride’s portraits, groom’s portraits, the first look, and romantics (which were to take place after the ceremony). P.S. if you’re having an “oh shit, how do you pin on a boutonniere?” moment here’s a quick tutorial for ya!
things to do in Lake Tahoe
Venture out: camping in the secluded + serene area of Apple Hill - located about an hour west of South Lake Tahoe - was one of my favorite parts of my first trip to Tahoe. Nearby there are tons of local orchards and Christmas Tree farms. This area would be a fun weekend getaway from San Francisco!
Watersports - rent a kayak and spend the day on the lake, or for something a bit more exciting borrow a jet ski or go parasailing! Heads up: Tahoe has about 249 days of sunny weather per year and the high elevation increases risk of sunburn. Make sure to wear plenty of sunscreen before hitting the lake!
Winter activities - Tahoe is one of the most popular ski and snowboard locations worldwide! The California-Nevada region has attracted skiiers since the 1850’s if you can believe it. See a map of Tahoe’s best ski resorts here.
Looking for something more low-key? Wander around the Lake Tahoe Flea Market - this is a fun spot to spend some time on a Saturday or Sunday morning (open May-September), spend a day taking the scenic 72-mile drive around the Lake Tahoe shoreline, or play the slots at one of Tahoe’s 12 casinos (this last one also makes for an awesome part of a bachelor/bachelorette party!)
Where to Eat in Lake Tahoe:
Grab breakfast at Simple Bliss Vegan. The pancakes were incredible, and I got the chance to talk to an awesome couple visiting from San Francisco with their two dogs (I talk to strangers all the time but ESPECIALLY if they have cute dogs, ok?). Red Hut Cafe is also well loved by both locals + tourists - it’s ranked as one of Lake Tahoe’s Top 5 Restaurants.
I was surprised to see so many sushi restaurants! There are quite a few - see the Tahoe Daily Tribune’s round up here.
For the real Lake Tahoe experience, dine at Edgewood Resort. It’s the fireside lodge dinner you need!
If you’re near Apple Hill, head to a farmer’s market or one of the cute wineries!! We visited Boa Vista and LOVED the apple dumplings.
Where to stay in Lake Tahoe:
Once we decided, we put Alex in position for the first look. We had him facing outward onto Lake Tahoe and then had Katie walk down from the steps at Heavenly Lodge. Despite being a pretty cool dude, Alex definitely had an emotional moment seeing Katie for the first time! We took a few photos in front of the gorgeous Tahoe backdrop, then rejoined the family up top to prepare for the ceremony.
where to get married in lake tahoe
The Heavenly Mountain View Lodge is gorgeous for a destination wedding - but what about couples eloping? For a jaw-dropping elopement ceremony, check out places like Emerald Bay State Park, D.L. Bliss SP, Eagle Rock, and Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point SP. Always check the permitting policies + regulations, and make sure to Leave No Trace!
The ceremony at Lakeview Lodge was literally like being in the clouds. An intimate audience of about 70 people watched as Katie and her dad made their way over to Alex (her veil did fly out, but she was barely even fazed!) Shortly into the ceremony, a bee made its way for the couple which made for an interesting few minutes as Alex has a severe allergy and Katie, the designated epi-pen holder in the relationship, didn’t have one on her (the dress didn’t have pockets, ok).
After a beautifully written ceremony from their close friend, the couple exchanged vows, rings, and their first kiss as a married couple!
The reception was held indoors, where massive picture windows look out onto a gorgeous sunset. The couple was celebrated by a best friend, the bride’s sister, and the bride’s father. I personally LOVE this portion of the day because there are always some emotional moments - heads thrown all the way back in laughter, eyes welling up with tears, and a few “ohhhh, geez, she’s gonna tell THAT story?” moments too. It’s so fun to see the couple’s reaction, but it’s also super fun just to learn a little more about the incredible people before me. Some of the other toasts that really stick out are Brett + Susan’s Historic Savannah Wedding and Kristy + Chris’ Tumbleweed Sanctuary Wedding in Joshua Tree.
After speeches, Jenny and I pulled Katie and Alex back outside for a few minutes to take their romantics. We revisited the spot for the first look to get some more of that epic Lake Tahoe backdrop, then circle around to the other side of the venue to grab some shots of them surrounded by the trees with a bit of champagne. As the sun sunk below the Sierra Nevada Mountains, we asked Katie and Alex to practice their first dance where the ceremony had been held just an hour or so before. I love when venues are situated in a way that easily allows for variety for the couples’ romantic portraits and Heavenly Lodge DEFINITELY delivered on that front. I love that we were able to use the geography surrounding us to at once make the couple feel small in the great expanse of nature in some shots, yet in others feel intimately close as if they’re the only two people in the universe.
After dinner, the outdoor area was turned into a dancefloor! A live band set the upbeat, fun tone for the evening, which kicked off by Katie + Alex bringing out a few cakes: first, a birthday cake for Alex’s mom, then a 1st anniversary cake for a close couple friend who had married on the same day one year prior. Finally it was Katie + Alex’s turn for cake!
The couple shared a romantic first dance as the last light of the day dropped, followed by a dance with Katie’s dad and Alex’s mom. Then the party really got started! Shots were poured, glow sticks appeared, and my favorite part — larger-than-life-size cutouts of the bride and groom. The rest of the night was filled with dancing, laughing, smiling, and a fair share of booze. As I rode the gondola back down to the base of the Heavenly Tram, I looked out onto the crowded dance floor and heard the extraordinary band playing “All Night Long.”
The ride down the tram seemed so much longer than the ride up - this time, I was all alone except for the quiet tram operator. I sat in silence, with my backpack at my feet, simultaneously terrified and feeling remarkably free. The slightest wiggle of the tram sent shivers down my spine, and the sky was nearly pitch black. Street lamps way off in the distance twinkled, growing larger as I came closer to the ground. For a split second, I knew I could reel off into an anxiety spiral until we pulled in, or block out any negative feelings by distracting myself by diving into Instagram. Instead, I sat in the discomfort, the nothingness, the total lack of control - and then I was washed over with so much gratitude I could barely breathe. How in the HECK am I here? How in the world is this real life? What stars have aligned in order for me, Morgan Pirkle, to be in South Lake Tahoe shooting the sweetest couple’s wedding on the top of a freakin’ mountain? My goodness y’all, I never cease to be blown away by the marvelous dominos that get pulled and pushed into our lives to let us go where we most need to be.
For more things to keep in mind before heading to Lake Tahoe, visit this travel guide.
Ready to start planning your Intimate Wedding or Elopement? get married above the clouds in lake tahoe, California.
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