Whether you love wedding planning or find it overwhelming, choosing your vendors is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Your wedding vendors do so much more than their assigned tasks. They bring experience, structure, and support—not just during planning, but on the big day when you’re likely feeling pulled in a hundred directions. The best Tahoe wedding vendors help create a seamless and stress-free experience, ensuring your day is as joyful as it is beautiful.
Why Choosing the Right Wedding Vendors Matters
Your vendors shape the rhythm of your day. The right team makes everything easier, while the wrong ones can create unnecessary stress. As a photographer, I’ve seen it all. There are videographers like my friends Kyle and Jason, who see the world as I do and work harmoniously, and then there are those who constantly block my shots. There are caterers who understand that I need to eat when the couple eats so I can be ready to capture key moments, and then there are those who wait until the last guest is served—leaving me starving and scrambling. Let’s just say, I take note of who makes the day run smoothly!
If you’re planning a Lake Tahoe wedding and want recommendations for the best wedding vendors, look no further. Here’s a curated list of my favorite professionals, updated in Feb 2025, who consistently deliver excellence.
Planners and Coordinators
Karie Macleod – She Said Yes! Weddings
As Karie Macleod of She Said Yes! Weddings points out, “There is a lot that goes into planning a wedding and it can get overwhelming especially if a couple doesn’t have a game plan.” If you’re feeling overwhelmed and wondering where to start, she has some advice for you: “Set a good budget and find a wedding planner. Having a team to help set wedding expectations from the very beginning can potentially help couples save money in the long run. We really do rely on other wedding professionals (vendors) to make a wedding day perfect and we need them as much as they need us! I think one of the biggest misconceptions of wedding planners is that we get to order other vendors around, which is not true! We value the team of vendors and try to communicate with them as much as possible during the planning process. I think that is what sets our company apart from other planners. We value their contribution to a wedding and fully understand that it takes a village to run a successful wedding. When we help couples select a vendor team, there are a few things that we consider. Our planning process does include vendor input, so communication is important. We also consider how vendors work with other vendors. We pride ourselves in creating vendor teams, so communication and a team attitude are keys when selecting a vendor for a wedding!”
Karie is one of my favorite vendors to work with, personally. She is efficient and relaxed and totally gets how I work. She’s not afraid to get her ass on the dancefloor and have a good time (pictured above). She knows that I always get things done in the amount of time I say I will and never micromanages me, which I LOVE. This Type 8 doesn’t work will under someone else’s thumb.
Kerry Hawk – Blue Sky Events
Kerry Hawk and her team at Blue Sky Events reminds us that your vendors are often more about personality. Kerry and her team remind us that personality matters when choosing vendors. “A wedding is personal—you’ll want to feel comfortable with the people you hire.” She encourages couples to meet their vendors to ensure they’re a good fit, not just skill-wise, but personality-wise. Her team is top-notch at bringing wedding visions to life.
Jessi Page and Monique Clancy – Epic Thyme Events
Epic Thyme Events recently changed hands, but that makes them even more of a Tahoe powerhouse. I’ve done numerous weddings with the former team at Epic Thyme, including Philbert and Ming’s incredible relaxed affair at the Basecamp Hotel and Ashley and Troy’s blustery but beautiful Hyatt Tahoe Wedding. The former owner, Christi Nassar, built an incredible business and I trust Jessi and Monique wholeheartedly with my customers. They are just as exceptional and our next wedding together is this coming May. Epic Thyme Events remains one of my go-to choices for LGBTQ weddings in the Tahoe area, ensuring every event is beautifully planned and styled.
Tawni Janvrin – Pomegranate Occasions
Tawni believes that every couple deserves top-tier wedding planning, regardless of budget. If you’re hosting a small, unconventional, or backyard wedding, she’s your go-to. Her team specializes in intimate, unique celebrations that reflect each couple’s personality.
Lindsay Townsend – Cloud Nine Event Co
Lindsay and her team specialize in crafting personalized events that enhance Tahoe’s natural beauty rather than competing with it. Whether you’re dreaming of a snowy winter wedding or a sun-soaked summer affair, Cloud Nine makes it happen seamlessly. Their team pays attention to even the smallest details, ensuring your celebration is cohesive and stunning.
DJs and Musicians
Stevie Wonder, Maroon Five, Journey, JT or Michael Jackson—no matter whose songs you decide to play at your wedding reception, we can all agree that music is important. Yea, we know your family and friends are partly there to see you tie the knot, but let’s face it 90% of their reason for hitting that RSVP button, was to party like a rockstar with you and your new spouse. And who can resist a good dance party?? Of course, the key here is to make sure that you and your DJ are on the same page and that they are playing music that keeps everyone dancing. These guys are all trustworthy choices for your wedding reception and if you don’t believe me about why that’s important, read this first.
- DJ Dave Berkman at Ascent DJ Productions.
- DJ Ryan Palmer and his team at Lake Tahoe DJ.
- Band: Ike and Martin
- DJ Sawyer at Moonlight Mobile DJ.
- Everyone needs a bagpiper! Sean Cummings the Lake Tahoe Bagpiper.
- A one man band that manages to sound like an entire band: Max Minardi
Florists
Gorgeous florals elevate your wedding décor. These florists are assured to bring creativity and elegance to every arrangement, making your ceremony and reception spaces look stunning.
Videographers
- Kyle O’Malley of O’Malley Reels is one of my absolute favorite people to work with. Our sense of framing, pace, and views on how much to step in and interrupt or pose your day, which, if you’re wondering, is as little as possible and only when necessary, are identical. He is a hilarious and extremely relaxed addition to your day and I love having him by my side as a Videographer.
- Jason Chesebrough of Videoquest Productions is a delight to work alongside. He’s as fast and efficient as I am, non-plussed and always ready with a sarcastic comment or joke to lighten the day and make everything fun.
- Brandon and his wife at And Ever Films create exceptional work with a relaxed vibe. We once worked together on an amazing event at Sunnyside Resort here in Tahoe and as Brandon points out, “it doesn’t get more beautiful than Lake Tahoe! Getting married near the lake and amongst the mountains makes for a really special experience.”
- The team at Chair 7 Films brings an artistic, cinematic, and highly editorial touch to every wedding they film. Their storytelling approach blends authentic moments with a personal and timeless feel.
Officiants
Cindie Wilding says that she loves what she does because “I get to know so many awesome couples and I get to be their storyteller.” Cindie’s ceremonies have always impressed me because she takes so much time with the couple to write their ceremony “from scratch” and create something that REALLY reflects the couple. Cindie points out, “A lot of couples who enjoy this type of ceremony also enjoy having an outdoor ceremony that is perhaps more adventurous in nature, which by chance is my favorite as well! Lake Tahoe has long been a favorite destination wedding spot for me. No matter the season, Tahoe has a special magic about it that adds to the feel of also having a very special personalized ceremony. It’s the best of all worlds that creates a most memorable day.”
Meredith Richmond from Ceremonies by Meredith is not only a registered officiant, but also a part time planner, especially for small events and elopements. She’ll coordinate your day, location and all the details for you and create an amazing personalized ceremony for the two of you to share. Meredith says, “I love connecting with each individual couple, hearing about their unique love story and learning about significant details that are important to reflect in their own ceremony. It’s such an honor to hold space as an officiant and bring a vision to life. I can’t imagine a job that can bring me more joy.”
Other AMAZING Officiants:
- Christa Deane from Mountain High Weddings says her “approach to ceremonies is keeping it simple and stress free. I love love and I do my best to incorporate couple’s love stories into a meaningful ceremony. From last minute elopements to large ceremonies I truly enjoy all celebrations.”
- Sharon Rusk
- Rev. Dave Beronio Jr
Other Services
When you hold a destination wedding, your week is more than just the wedding day. The best part about a destination wedding is your ability to spend so much time exploring all that Lake Tahoe has to offer with your guests and loved ones. There are a number of amazing activities and businesses that you can use to support your day.
I highly recommend starting out your wedding day with a private yoga practice with Jenay from Lake Tahoe Yoga. Jenay says,
"When I was planning my own wedding in Lake Tahoe I knew I wanted it to be an expression of myself and my groom. From stretch checkered cab to boat to beach I traveled with my bestie, family and close friends to the private lakefront home we had rented for our celebration.
When brides contact me to request a Yoga practice for their wedding day or the man or matron of honor reaches out to inquire about a Private Yoga practice it is my honor to create a Yoga session that honors the individuality of the bride, groom and group. It is not only a pleasure, but also fun for us to practice with you at the beach, on paddle boards, on a mountain, rooftop deck or even on a boat.
I highly recommend including a Private Yoga session as one of the activities for your celebration. Not only does it create an avenue for accessible activity and restoration, it is also an opportunity to bond with friends and family. Unique to LTY is our ability to vary the practices and practice Yoga everywhere. No two sessions are the same because none of us are the same. Whether your request is for a specific location or you want to include a champagne toast, if you are into healing crystals or essential oils, we will do our best to honor your requests and make your day unique to you."
Interested in reading more about Jenay's private party yoga practices? Head here.
Lyndsay Bryant of Lake Tahoe Boat Rides are here for you, whether you are looking to rent a boat for as a fun recreational activity surrounding your day or as part of your ceremony plans. Lyndsay says, ""Our experienced and knowledgeable Captains love sharing both Tahoe's incredible beauty and unique history showing your wedding guests why you love Tahoe as much as we do." If you're looking to go a less traditional wedding route, you can also rent their boats to hold your ceremonies. In fact, a few years ago, we collaborated together on a Floatilla wedding (pictured to the left) that involved 9 boats for the wedding ceremony, as well as this Emerald Bay boat elopement.
Lake Tahoe Boat Rides has multiple boat options for your perfect Lake Tahoe Boat Wedding. You can bring your own officiant or have your Captain be part of your special day. You can also use Lake Tahoe Boat Rides for transportation or private moments from Lakeside wedding venues all over Tahoe.
Did I save the best for last? I might have saved my favorite for last! Anytime a friend comes to visit Tahoe, the first thing I do is book us a spot for the wine tasting cruise with Tahoe Tastings. Take a cruise to Emerald Bay on their 1953 Chris Craft Venetian Water Taxi while sampling local wines. If you have a large group, you can charter the boat for a private tour. They head out multiple times a day for standard tours, beginning at 11 AM and ending for sunset. Personally, I prefer the daytime cruise - what's better than blue skies, the warmth of the sun, and day drinking?
The right vendors make all the difference in ensuring your wedding day is smooth, stress-free, and unforgettable. I’ve worked alongside every vendor on this list, and I can confidently say they are among the best in the business. Whether you’re planning a grand celebration or an intimate gathering, these talented professionals will help bring your vision to life with expertise, personality, and passion.
If you’re still looking for vendors or need more recommendations, feel free to reach out—I’m always happy to help! Looking for more wedding planning resources? You can also find other wedding planning tips and resources as well as real weddings up on my blog, always. In fact, there are probably too many of them.
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