The snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains glistening over the crystal blue water of Lake Tahoe with large snowflakes swirling through the air is a winter wonderland dream. For some couples, this winter wonderland is their ideal wedding destination.
While June through September is typically considered “wedding season,” some couples don’t dream about having a warm, summer wedding. Instead, they want a winter wedding. Lake Tahoe typically turns into a winter wonderland from December through February, though snowstorms are still likely to make an appearance through April and even May.
If you and your partner have decided to go against the wedding grain and have a winter wedding in Lake Tahoe, here is everything you need to consider when planning your wedding.
Your Wedding Date
One thing to consider when planning your winter wedding is the other holidays that happen in the winter months. In December you have Christmas and New Year’s eve, there are New Year celebrations at the beginning of January, and February is Valentine’s Day, of course. But depending on which holiday traditions you and your family celebrate, other important dates may fall within these months, too.
To ensure your family and friends are in town for your wedding and not off on holiday vacation somewhere, we suggest setting a date early on and letting your guests know as soon as possible. That way they can save the date for your wedding and schedule any holiday plans around your special day. Plus, it will ensure you can meet your wedding planning deadlines that could fall around the holidays when you are busy.
Your Guests’ Travel Experience
Holidays aren’t the only thing to consider when choosing your winter wedding date. You also want to consider guest travel. The roads to Lake Tahoe can be dangerous in the winter. So much so that during bad snowstorms some cars cannot make it through the mountains to their destination.
Since you can’t know for sure whether or not your wedding will happen during a snowstorm, we suggest preparing yourself and your guests for the possibility. If you have friends or family traveling to Tahoe for your wedding, you may encourage them to drive a car that can handle snowy roads. This is especially true if you have guests flying in from out of state who will be renting a car to drive to your wedding destination. They can request a truck or 4-wheel drive vehicle ahead of time. Or, you can work with your wedding planner to set up transportation from airports. (At Epic Thyme, we like to ensure your loved ones arrive at your wedding safely).
If you are interested in searching past weather history on your wedding date to get an idea of how the conditions will be, we show you just how to do that here.
Your Wedding Attire
Getting married in the snow, with snowflakes falling all around as you say “I do,” is picturesque. It is also very cold. If you are planning an outdoor winter wedding in Tahoe, consider choosing wedding attire with layers.
There are gorgeous long-sleeved wedding dresses and cover-ups made to be cozy, warm, and breathtakingly beautiful. To keep in the theme of your winter wedding, consider using the wintery surroundings as inspiration for your wedding attire.
It is also a good idea to remind your wedding guests of the brisk weather, especially if you’re having an outdoor ceremony or reception. This information can easily be included on your wedding invitations and wedding website so guests know how to dress for the occasion.
Your Venue Options
Lake Tahoe is an ideal wedding destination year-round for many reasons, one of those being the variety of wedding venues available for every season.
When considering what type of venue you want for your winter wedding in Tahoe, you will first want to choose between an indoor or outdoor venue. Fortunately, there are a variety of options that offer both types of settings so you can have your ceremony in the snow but your reception in the warmth of the great indoors. Here are some of our favorites:
Granlibakken Tahoe - with 74 acres in a Lake Tahoe wooded valley, this venue offers multiple indoor and outdoor venues for a dreamy winter wedding, and lodging readily available for friends and family.
Beach Retreat and Lodge at Tahoe - with a beach ceremony location at the edge of the lake and an indoor ballroom with views of the lake, you get to have your wedding at the beach even in the winter with this venue!
The Ridge Tahoe - if you are looking for breathtaking views and intimate seclusion, this is the Tahoe winter wedding venue for you. Seated on 11 acres of alpine forest, you will be surrounded by natural beauty on your wedding day.
Zephyr Cove Resort - this popular venue offers a shoreline wedding venue and a luxury yacht venue for a unique winter wedding experience. For a cozy reception, you can use the Zephyr Cove Resort’s lodge restaurant.
The Landing Resort - this venue is located thousands of feet above sea level, offering a gorgeous view of the lake and surrounding mountains. You can get married on their Grand Rooftop Terrace in the winter for breathtaking snowy views without actually being in the snow.
These are just a few of the popular winter wedding venues in Lake Tahoe. At Epic Thyme, we have the inside scoop on even more incredible winter venues. If you are planning an intimate micro-wedding experience or an elopement style wedding, we can find you the perfect one-of-a-kind venue, whether that be a cozy cabin with your closest friends and family or a snow-capped mountain top for just the two of you.
Your Winter Wedding Decor
When you are planning your winter wedding in Tahoe, there are so many fun ways you can incorporate “winter” into your wedding design. The best place to start is to ask yourself what it is you and your partner love most about the winter season.
Do you enjoy the nostalgia of sitting by the fireplace drinking hot chocolate? Let’s talk about how you can plan a cozy wedding reception in a Tahoe cabin and recreate this vibe.
Do you love the winter but aren’t a fan of a red and green color pallet for your wedding? We totally understand! Let’s talk about other gorgeous winter wedding colors, such as white, gold, and crystal blue, pulling in colors from the nature surrounding Lake Tahoe.
Does the smell of cinnamon and pine warm your insides? Let’s find unique ways to incorporate all of these little details into your winter wedding in Tahoe.
At Epic Thyme, we know the more “you” your wedding is the more enjoyable and memorable it will be. By incorporating your favorite aspects of winter into every detail of your wedding design, you will truly be married in the winter wonderland you’ve always dreamed about. Contact us to start planning your winter wedding in Tahoe today!
CHECK OUT THIS WEDDING VIDEO FROM A BEAUTIFUL LAKE TAKE WINTER WEDDING
And hear what the bride, Brie, had to say about her wedding planning experience with Epic Thyme:
"Best Hire for the Wedding
10 stars on a scale of 1-5. Christi Nasser, owner of Epic Thyme, was the best addition to our wedding planning experience. We met at the Grass Valley Wedding Expo. After a quick introduction, Christi and I clicked and I knew she would be a perfect fit in making our dream wedding come true. The wedding and reception were at the Granlibakken Resort in Lake Tahoe, and I hired Christi for her Day of the Wedding services. Christi made sure every detail came to life! She was attentive and patient to what we envisioned for our wedding and worked closely with us throughout the planning process. She kept us on track with monthly and weekly calls when the big day was approaching. She took care of so many behind the scene details to make sure everything was perfect. It was an amazing day and we were able to enjoy it stress-free. Christi has a “yes, can do” attitude which left me at ease throughout the whole planning process. It truly was the best day of my life!! If you are looking for a great wedding planner, look no further, Christi is your girl!! Thank you, Christi, you were amazing!"