Sam & Kate are great. I’m not sure there is much more that needs to be said because they just are! Although I knew they were awesome five minutes into our first meeting, and through the process of planning their epic summer Tahoe wedding, it became even more apparent. Once I met all the people who love and adore them, there were no doubts we were going to rock this wedding together.
In the Beginning
The two met at business school in the social scene. Technically speaking, they had their first dance at an 80’s party during their orientation week, which I think is awesome because 80’s music is amazing and after watching them party all night I can totally imagine it! It wasn’t until a few months after the 80’s party that they actually started dating, where they bonded over music after Sam had come from an XX show at the Fox Theater in Oakland. The rest is history!
Adventurers
Sam and Kate are adventurers with a long list of hobbies. They snowboard, Kate cooks and Sam eats her food, Sam watches insane amounts of soccer and Kate lets him (see how complementary they are?!). They’re athletic, crafty and, well, you know. Great!
A Summer Tahoe Wedding
I loved, loved, loved that this amazing couple chose Tahoe for their wedding, and the more I learned why, the more I loved it! They love Tahoe, they love nature – Basically they just love the outdoors (a whole lot of love!). Tahoe holds a special place in their lives. It’s their outdoor escape.
Sam and Kate threw their epic celebration at a private home right on the lake in Carnelian Bay, which was just stunning. The weather was absolutely perfect for a summer Tahoe wedding.
The wedding parties lodged just down the road at Squaw Valley, which was so goooood. The ladies got ready in a room with a 180 degree view of the Valley and the gents did their guy thing in the coolest cabin ever after spending ample time hanging at the pool, snacking on some grub, and, yeah, going down the water slide!!!
A Natural Beauty
When we arrived at the house and made our way to the back yard, the Cloud Nine Event team was hard at work making Sam and Kate’s vision a reality. I was in complete and utter awe of the clean, fresh, simple ambiance they created. Wildflower bouquets provided pops of color against the earthy tones of Tahoe’s natural beauty and the entire decor really looked like it belonged there. Dark wooden benches lined the aisle, which was transformed into log tables adorned with white candles and the most vibrant and colorful flowers you could imagine for absolutely D’lish dinner.
The boys wore handsome navy suits and finished with bowties custom made by The Clad Stache – the owner and Sam grew up together! Sam’s dapper suit was from Alton Lane. The lovely ladies wore varying floor length black dresses with wild flowers they put in each other’s hair in a sweet-shared moment. Kate slipped into a Pronovias dress that fit her perfectly in every way possible, from framing the Virginia Maple on her back to gliding gracefully behind her as she walked. Love.
I Do
As per usual, I teared up all through the ceremony officiated by their close friends who infused stories from their history and added all the right personal touches. So romantic and emotional! I hung on to every word from behind my lens until they said the magic words. The joy was contagious!
A Wedding Tradition Amongst Friends
One ‘tradition’ they kept was with Sam’s group of college friends. They take a photo together with the bride & groom at every wedding and we made sure that happened this time too! And for the second time that day Kate was picked up by people who love her…see below 🙂
From Sea to Shining Sea
To represent their melting pot of friends and family and places they’ve lived, Kate and Sam asked D’lish Catering to lay out a meal from both coasts. On one side there was the most amazing spread of tacos and all things that complement them and on the other, east coast fare: lobster rolls, crab cakes and clam chowder..seriously? My mouth is watering just thinking about it and if anyone who was there is reading this, I bet yours is too!
Dance Par-tay!!
KJ All Stars rocked everyone’s socks off ALL NIGHT LONG! It was the kind of dance party where everyone not only burned more calories than 3 hours of Zumba, but also had a damn good time doing it! From everyone down on the ground twisting and shouting, to the Jewish chair dance done for the non-Jewish couple ;-). I think we’d all still be there dancing if there wasn’t a noise ordinance and well, you know, life.
Sam and Kate, I hope you have the most amazing time in Japan for your honeymoon adventure this January! I can’t wait to hear all about it!
xoxo
Chloe
Thank you to my fabulously amazing second shooter Michaela Joy Photography!
VENDORS
Coordinator: Lindsay Townsend, Cloud Nine Event Company
Venue: Jon (property manager) – sundialpropertiestahoe@yahoo.com
Caterer – D’lish Catering
Band: KJ All Stars
Florist: Thran’s Flowers, South Lake Tahoe
Make-up: Melissa, Tahoe Beauty
Transportation: Tae Kim, North Lake Tahoe Executive Shuttle
Wedding Dress Designer: Pronovias
Bridesmaid Dress Designer: NA – The Bridesmaids all picked their own dresses
Bride’s Shoes: Stuart Weitzman
Grooms Suit: Alton Lane