There’s an old adage that a rainy wedding day brings blessings for the bride and groom, which means Erika and Louis are in store for a blissful marriage! Even the storm clouds gathering over Lake Tahoe couldn’t dampen their black tie glam wedding day at the West Shore Café and Inn, although gorgeous rainbows danced across the sky after their exchanged their vows. Tahoe wedding pros, Gagewood Photo and Elise Events, helped the Southern California pair envision their destination wedding down to the last, beautiful detail!

Magical Rainy Wedding Day on Lake Tahoe

Bride-to-be Erika credited the rustic elegance of the West Shore Café and Inn with the inspiration behind their big day style.  Their venue immediately felt like ‘the one’, thanks to the charm of the main lodge and the panoramic view of lake, forest, and mountains that enveloped their guests. The mountain lake was an immediate pick for the adventure-loving couple – they spent many weekends visiting Louis’ family there and plan to visit with their children one day, so Tahoe perfectly represented their past, present, and future.

The threat of rain before their wedding day put all of their careful plans into jeopardy, but Elise Events and B & B Flower Designs managed to flip their luxe summer reception into an intimate tented party. The ceremony took place as planned on the inn’s dock, overlooking the frosted lake and mountains in the distance. Nata’s Fine Art live painted their ceremony, capturing a once in a lifetime portrait of the bride and groom exchanging vows under a round ceremony arch adorned with greenery and summer flowers. The new Mr and Mrs enjoyed a lakeside cruise on the Wild Goose II, a Grand Craft commuter boat that brought back the golden days of Lake Tahoe society.

Storm clouds gathered after they returned to the inn, casting rainbows over the new husband and wife as they celebrated their new union. Guests gathered under a clear tent that B & B Flower Designs had decked with ornate chandeliers and wreaths of summer greenery. Long tables were set with ivory, blue, and mauve flowers and leafy runners. Marble and metallic place settings finished off the elegant table decor! The night capped off with a dance party to local live music, along with confetti cake and ice cream sandwiches, before the couple said goodnight with a dazzling sparkler exit!

WEDDING VIDEO –

West Shore Cafe Lake Tahoe Wedding of Erika and Louis | Highlights from Dax Victorino Films on Vimeo.

PHOTO CREDITS – 

Photography by Gagewood Photo | Event Planning and Design by Elise Events | Floral Design by B & B Flower Designs | Wedding Venue and Catering by West Shore Café and Inn | Wedding Cake by Flour Girl Wedding Cakes | Wedding Dress by Monique Lhullier | Wedding Shoes from Christian Louboutin | Bridesmaid Dresses from Joanna August | Getting Ready Robes from Plum Pretty Sugar | Groom’s Attire from Charles Tyrwhitt | Groom’s Shoes from Calvin Klein | Hair Styling and Makeup by Meg O’Hare Beauty | Event Re­ntals from Celebrations and Botanica Events | Linen Rentals from La Tavola Linens | Stationery Design and Paper Goods by Vita Popov Studios | Vintage Postage from Verde Studios | Silk Ribbon from Tono + Co. | Ring Box from The Mrs. Box | Reception Music by Lucky Devils Band | Ice Cream Sandwiches from The Baked Bear | Live Painting by Nata’s Fine Art | LOVE Marquee Sign from Tahoe Entertainer | Photo Booth from Exposure Photo Booth | Wood Boat Transportation by Wild Goose II Tahoe Charters | Videography by Dax Victorino Films

Magical Rainy Wedding Day on Lake Tahoe