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Lake Tahoe Beach Wedding | Emma & Ian at North Tahoe Event Center

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A groom in a black tuxedo kisses a smiling bride in an off-the-shoulder white dress while holding hands outdoors.

Beachside “I dos,” a Dodgers vs. Giants rivalry, and the dreamiest sunset glow.

When a Dodgers fan falls for a Giants fan, you know it’s going to be a story with personality—and Emma and Ian’s Lake Tahoe beach wedding at North Tahoe Event Center was exactly that: warm, emotional, and full of personal touches (plus a little friendly trash talk).

They brought their Southern California energy to the shores of Kings Beach, blending family traditions, a modern color palette of dusty blue and citrus, and just the right amount of baseball banter. Every detail—from their custom drink stir sticks to a cake topper passed down from generations—made this day unforgettable.

Close-up of gold wedding rings on a blue booklet, with a bouquet of flowers and open ring boxes displayed on a table.
A glass bowl filled with oranges, decorated with clear drink stirrers featuring cat head cutouts, with flowers in the background.
A woman in a black dress arranges a table with flowers and place settings in a wooden-paneled event space; she smiles at the camera in both photos.
Five men in suits sit on a bench in front of a wooden wall with the words "NORTH TAHOE" displayed above them.
Left: An older woman helps a bride adjust her dress in front of a "NORTH TAHO" sign. Right: The bride poses in her white dress in a decorated reception hall.
Four men in suits and sunglasses walk outside a building, with one man in the center adjusting his sunglasses and leading the group.
An elderly couple dressed formally share a kiss while standing in front of a wall with circular wood pieces and illuminated lettering.
Four people in business attire hold small metal cups together in a toast, viewed from below against a bright sky.
A bride in a white dress wipes her eyes, standing next to an older man in a blue suit outside a building with wooden siding and greenery.
A bride in a white strapless gown stands outside a modern event center near a sign with names on it.

A Beachfront Wedding on the Shores of Kings Beach

Their ceremony took place right on the sand with the lake and mountains as their backdrop. No first look meant the emotion hit hard as Emma walked down the aisle—especially when Ian’s face lit up. (The video/photo team wasn’t the only one crying.) The ceremony was officiated by a close friend, Nick , and featured a few well-placed jokes about their rival teams.

Even the clouds seemed to pause for them—summer skies rolled in dramatically, but not a drop of rain, just great light and even better vibes.

A man in a tuxedo stands outdoors with his hands clasped, looking slightly to the side. The image is in black and white.
A bride and groom stand facing each other on a beach, with an officiant between them reading from a paper. The sea and sky are visible in the background.
A bride and groom stand with an officiant during an outdoor wedding ceremony on a beach, watched by seated guests under string lights.
A bride and groom stand facing each other during an outdoor wedding ceremony, with guests seated on either side and string lights overhead.
A bride and groom holding hands during an outdoor wedding ceremony, with an officiant reading from a book in the background.
A bride and groom kiss at an outdoor beach wedding ceremony as seated guests watch and clap.
A bride and groom share a kiss at their outdoor wedding ceremony as guests seated on both sides look on and clap in celebration.
A bride and groom walk down an outdoor aisle by the beach, holding hands and smiling, as guests seated on both sides applaud.
A bride and groom walk hand in hand down an aisle on a beach, smiling as guests seated on both sides clap and cheer.
A bride and groom stand close together indoors, facing each other and smiling, with framed pictures hanging on the wall behind them.
A bride and groom stand and kiss on a sandy Lake Tahoe beach, with calm water and boats in the background.

Citrus Meets Softball: Their Story in the Details

The cocktail hour was a full-on experience: signature gin cocktails, cornhole matches on the sand, a photo booth, and tables decorated in citrus and soft, seasonal florals. Their bar area was filled with oranges (a nod to their playful aesthetic), kitten stir sticks featuring their rescue cats Paparazzo and Zona, and a drink menu that screamed LA cool meets Tahoe chill.

And the cakes? Total stars of the show. Made by Emma’s sister, there were three, each with a personal twist:

  • A vanilla and Pixie Tangerine cake for Emma, inspired by her hometown of Ojai, California—famous for its Pixie tangerines
  • An It’s-It inspired cake for Ian, honoring the beloved San Francisco ice cream cookie sandwich
  • And their main almond cake was a nod to a cherished family recipe from Ian’s grandparents, topped with a vintage cake topper passed down from their wedding day.

Every slice told a story—and honestly, that’s what made this wedding so unforgettable.

A floral arrangement, a bowl of oranges, and a bar menu are displayed on a wooden counter outdoors with greenery in the background.
A bride and groom stand on a sandy beach with three bridesmaids in light blue dresses and four groomsmen in black suits, with a lake and boats in the background.
A wedding party, dressed in formal attire, stands and laughs together on a sandy beach with boats visible in the water behind them.
Four women in light blue dresses stand on a sandy beach, drinking from shot glasses attached to a ski, participating in a group shot-ski activity.
A wedding party of eight people holding hands walks toward the shoreline on a sandy beach, with boats on the water and mountains in the distance.
Four women wearing formal dresses stand and laugh together on a sandy beach with trees, water, and boats in the background.
Four women in formal dresses stand close together outdoors, smiling and embracing each other; the setting appears to be a beach with trees in the background.
A woman in a white off-the-shoulder wedding dress and long veil walks on a sandy beach near calm water with boats in the distance.
A bride in an off-the-shoulder white gown and a groom in a black suit pose together on a sandy beach, holding hands and embracing near the water.
A bride and groom walk hand in hand along a sandy beach near calm water, with mountains and trees in the background.
A bride in a white dress and a groom in a black tuxedo hold hands while standing barefoot on a sandy beach near the water at sunset.
A bride and groom kiss on a sandy beach with calm water and mountains in the background.
A bride and groom stand on a sandy beach near the water, dressed in wedding attire, sharing a kiss under a partly cloudy sky with distant mountains in the background.
A couple in formal attire, with the woman in a white dress and the man in a black suit, walk hand in hand along a sandy beach by the water.
A man in a black tuxedo and a woman in an off-the-shoulder white dress stand holding hands on a beach with calm water and mountains in the background.
A bride and groom in formal attire stand close together outdoors, gazing into each other's eyes and smiling.
A woman in a white off-shoulder dress and a man in a black tuxedo stand smiling by a wooden bar decorated with flowers and oranges at their North Tahoe Events Center wedding.

Personal Touches That Made This Tahoe Beach Wedding Unforgettable

Emma and Ian’s love runs deep—for each other, for baseball, and yes, for their cats. What started as fostering turned into full-on family when they adopted their sweet kitties, Paparazzo and Zona. (As a fellow former cat mom, this hit me right in the heart.) Their faces even made it onto the drink stir sticks at the bar—because obviously, they’re part of the crew.

And the aesthetic? Let’s just say their wedding Pinterest board came to life. From the dusty blue bridesmaid dresses to the oranges dotting the bar and table tops, it was joyful, vibrant, and totally intentional. Even the flowers were DIY—arranged with love using Trader Joe’s blooms that looked anything but last minute.

A man in a tuxedo and a woman in a white dress walk hand in hand along a sandy beach, with mountains, trees, and jet skis in the background.
A bride and groom stand together on a sandy beach near the water, with mountains and trees in the background. The bride wears a white dress and veil, while the groom wears a black suit.
A bride and groom in formal attire stand hand in hand on a sandy beach, with trees and mountains in the background. The bride looks up at the groom; both are smiling.
A bride and groom in wedding attire embrace and walk together on a sandy beach by the water, with mountains and trees in the background.
A bride in a white dress and a groom in a black tuxedo stand on a beach; the groom kisses the bride's head while she smiles. Mountains and water are visible in the background.
A groom in a black tuxedo kisses a smiling bride in an off-the-shoulder white dress while holding hands outdoors.
A bride and groom stand together on a sandy beach, with the bride's veil flowing in the breeze and mountains visible in the background.
A bride and groom kiss on a sandy beach at sunset, with mountains and water in the background.
A bride and groom in formal attire stand close together on a sandy beach, holding hands, with trees and mountains in the background.
A wedding seating chart on an easel stands outside a venue with large windows. Floral arrangements are at the base of the easel, and guests are visible inside the venue.
A large group of people pose indoors, holding a blue "A" Wildcats banner and making hand gestures, dressed in formal and semi-formal attire under string lights.
A bride and groom kiss while dancing, holding hands, with guests seated in the background at a wedding reception.
A bride and groom share their first dance in a decorated indoor venue while guests seated at tables watch them.
Two black-and-white photos: one shows a couple kissing, the other shows them dancing together in formal attire at a wedding reception.
A bride wipes her tears with a tissue while sitting next to a groom in a tuxedo at a table set with wine bottles and glasses.
Two separate tables of people seated indoors at a formal event, with drinks and flowers on the tables and attendees engaged and smiling.
A man in a tuxedo and a woman in a white off-shoulder dress sit at a table with glasses, plates, and wine bottles, both looking and smiling toward the left.
A bride and groom stand together cutting a three-tiered white wedding cake decorated with flowers at a reception.
A bride and groom stand indoors, feeding each other cake at their north tahoe events center wedding. The groom wears a white shirt with suspenders and a bow tie; the bride wears a white off-shoulder dress.

Golden Hour Portraits at This Lake Tahoe Beach Wedding

Inside the North Tahoe Event Center, the party officially kicked off with their first dance to Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves (a fave of mine and the perfect golden glow mood-setter).

Emma changed into a classic white mini dress, and the rest of the night was a blur of dance floor twirls, Polaroid booth snaps, sunset beach portraits, and finally, a few peaceful blue hour photos as the sky softened and the lake shimmered.

And because they skipped the first look, we originally planned for Emma and Ian to join cocktail hour—but when those dramatic clouds started rolling in, we pivoted. Instead, we took full advantage of that post-ceremony light and snuck in some romantic portraits before the weather shifted. (And honestly? The wind and clouds made for some seriously dreamy black and white shots.)

Plus, since it was a summer Lake Tahoe beach wedding, we still had time for an epic blue hour moment after sunset—the kind of soft, glowy magic that only happens when you let the timeline breathe a little.

The Aesthetic? A Coastal Citrus Dream with a Hint of Champagne Glow

This wasn’t your typical rustic Tahoe wedding—Emma & Ian gave us something so much more curated. Think: dusty blue satin, warm citrus accents, modern signage, and Aperol spritzes served under string lights as the lake shimmered in the background.

The vibe was effortlessly elevated—like if California cool and destination wedding magic had a baby and dressed it in linen and glassware from a vintage market. Their florals? Hand-picked and styled from Trader Joe’s, proving that you don’t need a floral budget the size of the lake to make it stunning.

And don’t even get me started on the cocktail details: custom drink stirrers with their cats, mid-century inspired signage, and bar styling worthy of a Pinterest board called “Whimsical With a Kick.”

From the mini dress switch-up to the golden hour glow pouring through the reception windows, the whole night felt like a styled shoot that just so happened to be a real, wildly-in-love couple’s Lake Tahoe beach wedding. ✨

Why North Tahoe Event Center Is Perfect for a Lake Tahoe Beach Wedding

If you’re looking for a Lake Tahoe wedding venue that combines breathtaking views, convenience, and flexibility, North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach checks all the boxes. Set directly on the sand with panoramic lake and mountain views, this venue allows you to have a true beach wedding in Tahoe without sacrificing ease for your guests.

The ceremony space flows seamlessly into the indoor reception area, which means you don’t have to worry about shuttling your guests between locations. The venue offers plenty of room for custom setups—from laid-back cocktail lounges to elegant sit-down dinners—and that iconic Tahoe golden hour hits just right on the beach outside.

Whether you’re planning an intimate elopement or a 100+ guest celebration like Emma and Ian, a North Tahoe Event Center wedding gives you the best of both worlds: natural beauty and logistical simplicity.

A bride and groom stand together on a sandy beach near trees and water, dressed in wedding attire, looking at each other.
A bride and groom stand on a sandy beach, sharing a kiss in front of a large tree with water in the background.
A bride and groom walk hand in hand on a sandy beach toward the water, with boats visible in the distance and a tree on the right side of the image.
A bride and groom stand embracing on a sandy beach with calm water, boats, and distant mountains in the background.
A couple in formal wedding attire shares a kiss on a sandy beach with calm water, boats, and distant mountains in the background.
A man in formalwear lifts a woman in a white dress on a sandy beach with calm water and boats in the background.
A man in a white shirt with black suspenders and a bow tie stands next to a woman in an off-the-shoulder white dress. Both are smiling outdoors.
A couple in formal attire plays cornhole on sand at night; the woman throws a beanbag, they hug, and she celebrates while the man stands nearby.
A bride and groom play cornhole outdoors at night; the bride is smiling in a white dress, and the groom stands nearby in a shirt and suspenders.
A groom in a white shirt lifts and kisses a bride in a white dress on a beach, with blurred water and boats in the background.
A man in suspenders and a woman in a short, off-shoulder dress stand together under string lights at night, smiling at the camera.
A man kneels to put shoes on a woman sitting on a couch in a formal setting with the word "TAHOE" on the wall behind them.
A couple holding hands and smiling walks through double doors while a photographer captures the moment in a brightly lit hallway.
A group of people in formal attire dance and celebrate indoors, with two people in the center holding hands.
A group of people dance and celebrate indoors, with one man holding a drink and others raising their hands. The scene appears to be a festive gathering or party.
A group of people dressed in formal attire dance together indoors; a man in suspenders holds a drink and gestures while facing a woman in a white dress.
A woman pours wine into a glass held by a man at a social event, with other people visible in the background.
A couple, dressed formally, hold hands and walk through open glass doors into a beautifully decorated Lake Tahoe beach wedding reception where other guests are present.

More Lake Tahoe Beach Wedding Inspiration

Vendor Dream Team

💄 Hair & Makeup: @makeupmamaaa
📝 Coordinator: @withallmyloveevents
📷 2nd Shooter: @paper.street.portraits
🎥 Video: @mageeproductions
📷 Photo Booth: @thejuniperbooth
🎵 DJ: @mcclainsmobiledj
🚌 Shuttles: Tahoe Elite
🎵 Bagpipes: Mark Little
🍹 Bartending: @775bartending
🍖 Catering: Men Wielding Fire
🍰 Cakes: @zoebarriesode

Final Note

Emma & Ian: thank you for inviting me into this chapter of your lives. Your connection, your joy, your ability to laugh through the chaos and keep things real—it’s the kind of love that sticks with people.

Emma, you had me at cats, Dodgers, and Bravo (especially Vanderpump Rules—IYKYK 💅). And Ian, while I bleed blue, I fully respect your Giants loyalty… mostly because I love a good trash talk sesh and you delivered. The two of you together are vibrant, grounded, and just plain fun.

It was an honor to photograph this unforgettable Lake Tahoe beach wedding, and I’m always here to help you plan your own lakeside celebration—whether you’re repping your team, sipping spritzes, or just making magic by the water.
Let’s make it happen. →

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