Be Bold

Combine this vibrant coral tone with cool blues for a jewel-toned wedding and you’ll balance the hottest color of the year with the calm, cool collectedness of a deep turquoise or sapphire blue.

This color combo is H-O-T for Lake Tahoe South Shore weddings this year… Call out the deep blues from our iconic lake and pair them with the color of the year for a bright jewel-toned summer or Fall wedding. Unexpected pops of color will show your love for all things fashion.

Be Vibrant

Get trendy by pairing this year’s hottest color with another hot color – a bright limey citrine and sweet pink honeysuckle (last year’s color of the year… btw) for a summertime garden party.

Great for beach weddings, these colors will capture the bright summer sun of the High Sierra and offer modern couples the opportunity to infuse a bit of city style with the rustic Tahoe setting.

Be Romantic

Tone down the brightness of Tangerine Tango by sliding to the lighter end of the color spectrum. Choose a somewhat muted version of the color that trends towards the apricot side of things and pair it with a cool platinum and soothing lilac for a vintage-inspired gatsby-style affair.

These lighter, sweeter colors lend naturally to some of Tahoe’s historic estates, golf courses and mountaintop venues.

Google it!

Simply type in “tangerine tango” on your search bar and let your creative juices start flowing. Look for color pairings on Etsy and Pinterest, talk to your girlfriends and get inspired. Then, after it’s all said and done, share photos of your big day with us on Facebook so we can see how this year’s hottest color played a role in your Lake Tahoe South Shore wedding!

Stay Here, Play Here
Rustic lodging, without the rustic part. Escape to one of Mont Bleu’s 437 luxurious hotel rooms where you can awaken to spectacular lake and mountain views… That is, if you feel like getting out of bed. Mont Bleu is home to their very own line of fluffy Bleu Cloud Beds, just one of the many great features of their spacious and welcoming rooms.

Get the Party Started
Kick off your wedding weekend at Mont Bleu with the party professionals at Opal Ultralounge.

DJ David Aaron will get you to dance the night away during the Saturday night Bachelorette Party where ladies enjoy free cover until midnight. Additional specials offered throughout the week include free cover on Wednesday nights, $1 drinks on Thursdays, and ladies drink free on Fridays. Specials change seasonally, stay tuned to the Mont Bleu website as you begin plans for your special weekend!

Vows on a Higher Level
High up on the 12th floor of Mont Bleu Resort Casino & Spa is a wedding chapel featuring spectacular views and a touch of elegance. Wedding professionals at the resort will cater to your every need, making sure your special day is one to remember for a lifetime.

Dreaming of Forever
Plan the wedding of your dreams with the expert staff at this iconic South Shore resort by choosing from two expertly appointed ceremony packages.

For smaller ceremonies with up to 15 guests, the Forever Collection includes 30 minutes of chapel time, bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere, 30 minute photo session and a complimentary bottle of champagne.

Slightly larger wedding parties of up to 65 guests can partake in the Dream Collection, with a one hour ceremony, bridal suite for last minute getting ready touches, bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere, coordinating bouquet and boutonniere for the maid of honor and best man, one hour photo session and a bottle of champagne.

Special rates are available for Monday through Thursday wedding dates and several upgrades to choose from to customize your package.

Learn More
Visit www.montbleuresort.com for details and to begin planning your Lake Tahoe South Shore wedding, and like the resort on Facebook @MontBleuResort to stay in touch with the latest offers and entertainment updates.

A Little Bit About the Winners

Melissa and Ryan met during a sporting event at Sac State in 2007 and have been together ever since. Tahoe is one of their favorite places to vacation, and was the first destination they visited together on a weekend get away.

Melissa and Ryan tell us that they were excited to enter the Epic I-Do’s Wedding contest because they love Tahoe and have been dreaming of a wedding here. They are looking forward to planning a destination wedding without having to venture too far from their Northern California home, and one that was far enough away for their guests to be able to take some time to get away and have fun.

The lucky couple will be handing over the details to you – their adoring fans – in a very brave quest to plan their wedding on the Lake Tahoe South Shore. You will have the opportunity to vote on the key details from DJ, to cake, to flowers, to weekend activities. Melissa and Ryan love the shabby chic theme and like to keep things simple but are not afraid to get creative.

Please join us in wishing Melissa and Ryan a tremendous congratulations! Be sure to stay in touch with us on Facebook @Tahoe Wedding Sites and help design Melissa & Ryan’s Tahoe South wedding by voting for your favorites.

Winter on the Shores of Lake Tahoe
Surprise your bridesmaids and keep them warm with faux fur wraps this winter as you prepare to exchange vows on the shores of Lake Tahoe.

There’s nothing like the winter season on Tahoe beaches – crisp, clear air, patches of snow mixed with sand and incredible sunsets behind the nearby peaks. If you’re on the search for a unique winter wedding venue, Lake Tahoe Cruises offers a variety of options to make your big day truly memorable.

Special Offers – Now through April 2012
Exchange vows dockside on the 2nd or 3rd deck of the Tahoe Queen or with your closest family and friends aboard the glamorous Tahoe Paradise yacht. Packages for wedding and reception cruises include a 3-hour private charter with a ceremony by a Uniformed Captain, a selection of hot or cold hors d’oeuvres, and an unlimited beer and wine bar for your guests.

If you’re considering a sweet escape this February, contact Lake Tahoe Cruises to reserve your Valentine’s Day wedding for a special rate!

Perhaps you and your soon-to-be Mr. or Mrs. are a bit on the adventurous side? The Zephyr Cove Adventure Wedding for Two offers a private ceremony and an adventure to boot, complete with minister and a two hour lake view snowmobile tour featuring a secluded mountaintop vow exchange. This fun-filled package also includes a picnic-style boxed lunch, sweetheart cake, and chilled champagne awaiting your return to a lakefront honeymoon cottage.

Summer on the Shore
If sun and sand are more your speed, Lake Tahoe Cruises also offers a wide array of options to choose from during the summer season including lake front wedding ceremonies, Emerald Bay cruises and so much more.

For additional information about all of the Lake Tahoe Cruises wedding packages and to reserve your special day, visit www.zephyrcove.com or call (800) 23.TAHOE.

The Ridge Tahoe
Perched high above Lake Tahoe, this week’s featured venue is The Ridge Tahoe. A popular South Shore wedding site, this year-round resort boasts mountains of amenities to complete a picturesque wedding for your nuptials, no matter what the season.

Pamper Yourself
Start your wedding weekend off on the right foot with a massage from Elevation Spa located within the resort property. Treat your bridal party to pre-wedding massages or facials and show your girls just how much you appreciate their support on your big day.

Accommodations
The Ridge Tahoe offers a bountiful selection of lodging options for your entire guest list, ranging from hotel rooms to one and two bedroom luxury condominiums. In addition to nightly rentals, The Ridge is also part of the international vacation ownership exchange program, Interval International.

Wedding Packages
Expert event coordinators are able to guide you through the entire wedding planning process and offer a selection of pre-designed packages to meet any group size or budget. Most of these optional and customized packages include your officiant, floral packages, wedding cake and photography with additional services available as a la carte options.

But Wait, There’s More!
Planning a winter wedding in Lake Tahoe? Check out The Ridge Tahoe’s private gondola, the Hilltrac Skier Express, offering direct access to world class skiing and snowboarding at Heavenly Ski Resort.

The Opportunities are Endless
Visit The Ridge Tahoe online at www.ridgetahoeresort.com to view their latest promotions and learn more, or contact the resort’s expert event planning team by calling (775) 588-3553, extension 3160 or via email at weddings@ridge-resorts.com.

Meet Your Vendors
While it may seem a bit overwhelming, meeting all of your potential vendors in one place is a bit like going to a huge warehouse store or outlet mall. With everyone under the same roof, you can meet representatives from vendors and venues face-to-face… Eliminating the need for many hours on the phone trying to get to know folks. You can get a good feel for their product, check out photo albums, and in some cases, sample the product (in the instance of cake bakers).

Many of your South Lake Tahoe wedding vendors will likely be at a show near you this spring… Be sure to look for us!

The Price is RIGHT
Many vendors and venues will offer special show packages… Meaning you get the best bang for your buck. From photographers to DJs, coordinators to venues, several of these folks will offer an incentive if you book your date at the show. Some will even offer prizes via drawings or gift certificates available at their booth!

Get Help
While most shows aren’t necessarily a haven for coordinators, those that do show can often offer quite a bit of help that day and going forward. Coordinators with booths at the show will offer advice not only to get you started planning your adventure for the day by introducing you to some of their favorite vendors, but can help guide you in planning the wedding of your dreams.

Fashion Shows
Okay, so the fashion show might not be your thing. Why not? Check it out… Even if you already have your dress, you’ll be able to get a few fun ideas for hair and makeup, veil design and of course your bridal party. You might even see some interesting colors you would have never dreamed of for your wedding party (and that you really like!) – but that’s what makes the show so much fun.

And the Verdict?
If you’re still unsure as to whether or not bridal shows are your thing, call your girlfriends. Ask your mom. You’re bound to find a few girls to go with you who will make the day fun and exciting instead of scary and overwhelming.

For upcoming bridal show dates and locations, go to your favorite search engine and enter in your city’s name along with “bridal shows” (i.e. Sacramento bridal shows or Reno bridal shows).

Congratulations on your engagement. On behalf of Lake Tahoe South Shore, you’ve been cordially invited to win the wedding of your dreams!

The Big Day
One lucky couple will win a spectacular Lake Tahoe South Shore wedding weekend on Memorial Weekend, May 26-28, 2012, complete with all the details for 30 guests. You will start with a day of pampering & activities, then the rehearsal dinner at Edgewood Tahoe. The next day, May 27, your ceremony will be held at 11:00am on the shoreline at Zephyr Cove Resort.

After the “I Dos,” you and your guests will enjoy a lunch reception at Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe Hotel & Ski Resort (alcohol not included) followed by a VIP post wedding party in Opal Lounge at Mont Bleu Resort Casino & Spa for up to 20 guests.

Lodging for the entire group (30 guests) will be provided by The Ridge Tahoe for the nights of May 26 & May 27.

Activities and Wedding Day Accessories
Additional entertainment and wedding weekend options will also be included and voted on by your adoring fans. We’ll provide a complete list of these items on our Facebook contest page soon, but here are a few ideas we have in the works: parasailing, spa treatments and golf, dinner cruises on the lake, sightseeing rides, and more. Key details of your wedding day will also be voted on by our fans such as your cake, photographer and flowers.

The Details
Engaged couples who would like to be considered should submit their entry on Facebook through our Tahoe Wedding Sites fan page. Then, give us a chance to get to know you a bit by posting a photo and why you should be our lucky couple on the wall.

We’ll narrow the field to the top three to five couples and then leave the final selection up to our fans… It will be up to you to convince them to vote for you by submitting a one to two minute video capturing why you should win.

What are you waiting for?
Start drafting up your engagement details now… Submit them on our Facebook page pronto! And earn yourself a chance to win the wedding of your dreams for 30 of your closest friends and family. We look forward to hearing from you!

This official contest is being offered in partnership by the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe Hotel & Ski Resort, Aramark Lake Tahoe (Lake Tahoe Cruises), The Ridge Tahoe, Edgewood Tahoe and Mont Bleu Resort Casino & Spa.

Visit us on Facebook to share stories, photos and memories. We’d love to hear from you!

Congratulations!

Gobble Gobble

Just adore Thanksgiving but can’t wait until November? Why not host a turkey feast complete with all the trimmings for your wedding day? Especially great for late summer or early fall weddings, going the turkey route will help your guests gear up for the holidays. Adorn the table with festive colors, cornucopias and edible centerpieces such as fresh fruits, squash and gourds. Don’t forget the pumpkin pie! Mini pies make great favors… Or also work as a fabulous late-night snack.

USA! USA!

Next year is an Olympic year, so show off your home team pride with a sampling of your favorite American Classics. Mini apple pies, grilled ANYTHING, lemon aid… You get the picture. First generation American? Celebrate your heritage with traditional treats and menu items from home. Bring your families together in more than just the marriage sense by combining menu items from your home countries.

What’s Your Favorite?

Perhaps you and your honey share a collection of favorite foods… Or maybe you have completely different tastes when it comes to the dinner menu. First date at a tapas bar? Serve a few of your favorites during the cocktail hour! The opportunities are endless. Keep the food-theme going by naming your tables after some of your favorite dishes.

Chow Down

No matter your style, no matter your favorite flavors, creating a dynamic wedding menu to suit your personalities will offer a lasting impression your guests won’t soon forget!

For the Girls

Stuck on trying to figure out what to get your girls? Want to avoid the stereotypical tote bag with emergency supplies and flip flops? Treat them to something sparkly. A sweet little necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings that can double as an accessory on the day of your wedding and with future outfits to come. Avoid going too matchy-matchy and get your girls something unique… Something for each girl that reminds you specifically of that individual. Stick with the same designer to ensure you have some consistency, but otherwise, have some fun with it!

For the Guys

Beer me! That’s what they’ll be saying all night long, so why not make it fun and interesting for them. I coordinated a wedding a few weeks ago that gave me the perfect idea… The bride and groom have Northern European roots and chose to give each of the groomsmen a personalized stein! It was fabulous and the guys LOVED it. For the not-so-beer oriented group, check out a few other cool options like monogrammed cuff links. Barney’s New York is currently offering an irresistible set of typewriter cufflinks that can be customized to each guy’s initials. GENIUS.

For the Groom

There’s a few ways to go with this one, depending on your overall budget. Classic groom’s gifts range from timeless time pieces to fun boudoir photo books meant for his eyes only. What you choose for your man on the special day should be completely based on your lives together… You know him best. Bear in mind this shouldn’t be something that you can get him on just any other gift giving occasion… Something truly unique, possibly even engraved is an excellent way to say “I love you.”

For the Bride

For the lady in your life, the best bet is to go with your heart on this one… Similar to our advice in the groom section above. But, truly, the bride is so excited about the big day, you would be well suited to find something for her to commemorate the special occasion. A set of pearl earrings, a beautiful tennis bracelet, or perhaps a timeless timepiece of her own with something sweet engraved on the back panel. Again, similar to our advice in the groom’s section above, make sure that whatever you give her celebrates the day and isn’t just “any other gift” that you would be able to give some other time.

Let the Shopping Begin!

You know your bridal party and your future spouse better than anyone. Give them the gift of something unique, something that will make them smile. Avoid kitschy things that will merely collect dust on the dresser, or stereotypical gifts that they can get any other time. This is your time to say thank you to your favorite people. Get creative and have some fun with it – they’ll love whatever you do.