We’re not sure what’s more romantic than reciting your vows on the shores of Lake Tahoe with boats floating in the background as the magical California sun sets. So, naturally, Leslie and Ken’s organic and elegant wedding at West Shore Cafe & Inn has us feeling like we’re looking at something out of a picture-perfect movie! The couple knew they wanted to start their forever in Lake Tahoe, so they hired Forget Me Knot Events & Design to help them plan their most breathtaking day. From the ceremony under the pines to a dreamy dinner on the dock, we can’t get over the little details that made this day a total dream. Get your Pinterest boards ready, babes, because these photos by Autumn Nicole Photography will leave you feeling inspired for days!
The Couple:
Leslie & Ken
The Wedding:
West Shore Cafe & Inn, Lake Tahoe, California
Ken and I are both pretty shy (and both easily cry), so we were nervous about being center of attention. We decided to do our first look before the ceremony and exchange our personal vows to each other. Thank goodness! We cried so much, and thankfully my make up artist was nearby and fixed my look. We went into our ceremony together and calmer, relieved we didn’t cry in front of every one.
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We only had about 5-6 months to plan our wedding, so venue options were pretty limited. Our planner, Allison, had us check out West Shore Cafe and we instantly fell in love. It was right on the water, with a grass area for the ceremony and a long pier for our dinner, it was perfect and the easiest decision!
The moment our ceremony was over, we hopped in wood boat called “The Wild Goose” and cruised around the lake. This was by far our favorite moment of the day; we were able to have some alone time, soak up that we just got married and drink champagne.
Honestly, all of our vendors were incredible. Our planner Allison was so easy to work with, so creative and steered us in the right direction with every single decision. Allison worked with Natasha Kolenko of Golden Fields Floristry to make my floral dreams come true. Natasha went above and beyond my expectations. She spent all morning setting up the suspended floral garland above the pier and it was stunning. And my make up artist, Jessica from LaDiDa Beauty, actually felt like my fairy godmother. She gave me the best wedding day advice, she fixed my hair and make up during all of our photos, and helped me get into our boat after the ceremony. These three ladies brought all the magic to our day, I’ll forever be grateful for them.
Lake Tahoe can get pretty windy and our reception dinner was at one long table down the pier over the water. So we needed a creative way to keep the paper menu’s from flying away in the wind. Our wedding planner came up with this great idea to have her fiance cut pieces of wood the size of the menu, with two small holes at the top to attach each menu to the wood with some pretty ribbon. They did such a great job, the menus looked amazing.
The Wedding Team:
Photography – Autumn Nicole Photography
Event Planning – Forget Me Knot Events & Design
Venue – West Shore Cafe & Inn
Floral Design – Natasha Kolenko Designs
Cake – Sierra Bakehouse
Live Music – Bayberry Cast Wooden Boat, Cover Me Badd
Videography – Chair 7 Films
Invitation Design – Sugar Pine Calligraphy
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist – La Di Da Beauty
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – The Dress Theory
Rentals – Theoni Collection
Linens – Wild Goose 2 Linens, La Tavola Fine Linen
Congratulations, Leslie and Ken, and many thanks to Forget Me Knot Events & Design for sharing their day with Junebug! For more northern California wedding inspiration, you’re going to love this earthy, rustic Kirkwood, California wedding at The Hideout.
What a beautiful couple!! I love the boat pictures and that reception hall is to die for!!