09/06/2018
The Wedding Alchemist
In Medieval times alchemy was an actual science, the precursor to chemistry. Primarily it is the practice of attempting to turn base metals such as lead into gold or magic elixirs. It is also a seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, or combination."finding the person who's right for you requires a very subtle alchemy".
With each year I spend as a wedding planner the more I feel like those alchemists of old. Whether an elaborate wedding with an elaborate price tag or a simple venue rental we attempt to take each couple's dreams and vision and transform them into reality. Of course like an alchemist I have some times when I fall short but when it comes together it is pure gold.
As the 2018 wedding season starts to wane (for us anyway), I turn my sights on 2019 and the magic to be created there. This of course after power napping, binging on chocolate ice cream and collecting travel brochures for a winter getaway. Most of Tahoe closes its door for the season on October 1, reopening in June 2019. Thank you to all of the 2018 couples who blessed me thus farj with the opportunity to be part of your special day.!
If you are looking to wed between those months, don’t despair, it can be done...it just takes creativity, an open mind and help from Mother Nature doesn’t hurt.
My company At Tahoe Weddings is booking up quickly for 2019. If you are interested in a July or August Saturday, they are filling up quickly. Weekday weddings can save you some money if it's a day your guests can attend. Most venues charges by the headcount, as well as give preferred ceremony times to 100+ groups.
If you have read my information booklet you'll know that the average Sacramento wedding cost $36,999 in 2018 . Based on the knot 10th annual "The Knot 2016 Real Weddings Study"' the national average wedding cost $35,000. At Tahoe Weddings can do a lot better than that.
In November, wedding professionals from all over the world make our annual pilgrimage to the MBA, national conference of wedding pros. There we learn the latest trends and how to provide the very best services in the industry. I will pass on that info once I have it.
Although I am blessed to work with dozens of venues around Lake Tahoe, my two favorite go to ceremony beach location are Round Hill Beach and Lakeside Beach.
Round Hill Pines has been under construction this season but will be completely finished soon, if not already. They are just down Hwy 50, less than a mile from The Pine Cone Resort. This is where the ATW team is located and where we do the majority of our reception. They have a beautiful designated private beach section with a lovely arch they use for ceremonies. There is a covered bar area near by. They also do dockside ceremonies for smaller groups up to 30. They have their own parking. In peak summer months it can fill, parking is allowed on Hwy 50.
Lakeside Beach is located on the shore of Lake Tahoe across the street from the Landing Resort. This is behind the South Lake Tahoe “strip” of casinos. Lakeside Beach is gated with an ornate fence and opens onto the street and has a paved walkway to the private beach aisle, and arched ceremony alter area. I love this because if you have anyone with mobility issues it is much easier to access. They also have a great plug and play sound system, with a pro to run it. Parking can be challenging in peak season due to the public beach next door. Street parking is allowed, time may be required to find it. We usually recommend shuttles or Uber/Lyft for large groups.
If you are interested in a Round Hill or Lakeside Ceremony and Pine Cone Resort reception (the resort venue lawn is a perfect reception spot for up to 225 people) the package cost for the above beach ceremony & resort reception start at $4500 with possible savings for weekday events. Contact me for information with your date and a headcount estimate to get on the list.
I offer a complimentary one hour consultation and information booklet with each site visit. You can use this time to pick my or another planner’s brain and get your wedding questions answered.
Although many venues have on-site coordinators, their services extend only to the venue and they do no planning, which is where I and those of my ilk come in. Many planners are a completely separate cost from the rest of your wedding, my services are part of each package. Of course we are also available separately or by the hour if that better fits your needs. I’m blessed with an amazing team. We’ve be doing this together for several years so you are in good hands. You are always welcome to use any vendors you choose. My in-house florist cut her teeth creating that special “ magic” at Walt Disney World. I have a go to baker with a long list of flavor combinations and custom designs.
This season we saw a lot of "food truck" catering, where the trucks park next to the venue and work their foodie magic.
Another trend was unique dessert choices. We were told to be on the look out for anything that looked like a cake but wasn’t, donuts and metallic edible glitter on just about anything were to be popular. We saw a lot of beautiful color coded cupcakes.
Once again signature cocktails were a staple with or without a mixologist. We had ---- Mules, clever margaritas in the wedding colors made ahead and served in mason jars with lids and placed on ice for guests to serve themselves and we even had " jungle juice" made with fruit and moonshine served in a giant tub!
Just a note on trends and Tahoe weddings. It doesn't matter what season your vision comes from if it fits your theme and it's what you want, then do it! Tahoe has a rustic feel so rustic weddings, mason jars, blackboards and burlap are still popular here. For us beach themed events will always be in. I have included some pictures of our event highlights.
2017 Brides with blue, purple or green hair were very popular. 2018 we were back to more traditional, classic looks.
Pinterest continues to be the primary source for storyboards but be aware that not every picture is as it seems and cannot be duplicated by the instructions included.
On a final note, although the 2018 season will be coming to a close in the coming months and most of Tahoe rolls up its carpet, we do still have some options for you die hard fall and winter sports fans. “Emerald Bay and Logan Shoals Vista point remain year round spots for elopements and small ceremonies of 25 or less.
Heavenly will close its' smaller Blue Sky Wedding pavilion this year offering only the large lodge Wedding and reception site in 2019. We can and have taken to the slopes for extreme ski weddings! You can tie the knot skiing down the slopes.
Regardless of what owners may advertise, California state law prohibits holding ceremonies at vacation rental houses. We do have ministers that will meet you in your hotel suite or any number of locations. Most of the hotels have conference and ballrooms which range in size and price that may be rented if you want to plan a wedding while visiting our winter wonderland.
Among my next blogs, I will share all the trends and secrets for the coming year. I will also talk about DIY weddings. I have seen them done beautifully but be prepared. For now let me just say that our packages are all inclusive of every little detail and can save you time, money and stress. So please stay tuned.
