If you logged on to Style Me Pretty this morning looking for something that was going to brighten your day, you’re in luck. We’ve got a super cheery, super happy, absolutely gorgeous Tahoe wedding from Em The Gem and it’s put a smile on my face that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
From the stunning bride… My husband, Nick, and I met 10 years ago in Tahoe as members of the UC Davis Ski Team. When becoming engaged last August, we agreed our wedding location needed to be meaningful and unique. Tahoe was the natural choice, since it is where we first met and continue to visit. After viewing multiple Tahoe venues, we discovered the gorgeous Northstar Zephyr Lodge. With beautiful Tahoe mountain vista views and capacity to comfortably accommodate our 200+ guests, the Zephyr lodge perfectly fit the bill. The best feature: guests would arrive via ski lift! Being a new ski lodge, our wedding was the first ceremony and reception at the location, so it was exciting piecing together all the details.
As a graphic designer, it was assumed that I would design everything myself, and I happily took on the challenge. For our wedding colors, we chose fuchsia and a mustard yellow. We liked the happy, summer combo and also how it popped against the natural forest colors. For our wedding paper materials, we wanted a simplistic look that was also lighthearted and reflected our space. I created simple caricatures of Nick and I, along with one of our goldendoodle, Maisie, that we used for the invitations in addition to day of wedding materials and signage. We incorporated wood details in to our stationery to reflect the location. I designed everything from the save the dates and programs, down to the rice toss packets.
Most of the decor was DIY. We wanted simple decorations that would showcase the modern, yet rustic venue and not outshine the gorgeous views seen through the nearly ceiling to floor windows. We ordered our flowers in bulk from a local florist shop and, with help from friends and family, arranged them the day before the event using recycled jars. The venue provided beautiful wood tables that we accented with neutral colored runners. At the tables, we left fun scratch off pop-quiz cards and pennies for our guests to enjoy.
Magnetic boards from Ikea displayed our escort cards. We made our own fabric covered mustard yellow and fuschia button magnets to affix the cards to the boards. For favors, we implemented the Tahoe mountain version of a candy bar: the self serve trail mix bar!
The Bridesmaids wore neutral silk skirts from BHLDN and each chose their own tops in addition to yellow shoes. The groomsmen wore J. Crew trousers and white shirts and mustard yellow ties for a causal mountain feel. The mother of the groom created all of the bouquets and boutonnieres.
Northstar did a wonderful job catering the dinner food and drinks. The dessert buffet consisted of all homemade desserts courtesy of friends and family. Macarons, brownies, cookies, toffee and cupcakes pleased many bellies. After a long night of dancing, feasting and drinking, guests grabbed glow sticks to light their way down the mountain via gondola. It was a beautiful day and magical night we will always remember.
Photography: em the gem | Wedding Planner: Northstar Zephyr Lodge | Wedding Gown: Mikaella Bridal | Makeup: Jill Briggs With Beauty Box Makeup Arts | Hair: Krystle Tanton | Groomsmen Ties: Ashley NEF | Suit: J.Crew | Venue: Northstar Zephyr Lodge | Bridal Hair Comb: Prim and Posies | Bridesmaid Skirts: BHLDN | Dancing Dress: Anthropologie | Earrings: Kate Spade | Floral Sash Embellishment: Belle de Benoir | Guest Book: Bridewell Market | Invitations and Day of Stationery: Elsie J Wedding Invitations | Photo Booth: Pic Box | Stationery Photography: Lindsey Chin-Jones