Is there any such thing as a couple that doesn’t want to get married at sunset? Lake Tahoe is one of the world’s premier wedding destinations, but it poses several difficulties regarding light when planning a ceremony. You might think, when it comes to photography, that the more available light the better, right? Wrong. When it comes to photography, it’s all about light, and too much light is just as difficult to work with as not enough light. If you wed at the wrong time (read: too early) on Lake Tahoe, the sun will be reflecting off our giant mirror of the lake and over-exposing the sky and the mountains you so desperately want to capture. When Ashley and Jennifer were planning their combination wedding at the Arch Tahoe and the Coachman Hotel, they dreamed of getting married at sunset. They booked both venues with an enthusiastic recommendation from me. These two distinct venues came together incredibly well to create an unforgettable sunset wedding experience in the heart of Lake Tahoe for this amazing couple.


The Arch Tahoe: A Scenic Venue for Sunset Ceremonies
The Arch Tahoe is one of my favorite locations for a beach ceremony in Tahoe due to it’s perfect location on the southeastern corner of Tahoe. Because of it’s location, most of the year there are less totally direct reflections into the ceremony site from the path of the sun. It’s also conveniently located right in the casino corridor, which allows your guests to stay within walking distance and reduce car use. The Arch offers back to back ceremonies on most days for a number of couples, so the best plan for your wedding at the Arch Tahoe (and the one Jennifer and Ashley utilized) is to hold your ceremony at that location and then move to an alternative nearby hotel for your reception. I have many recommendations for locations within walking distance that work great for this, including but not limited to The Coachman, South of North Brewing at the Base Camp Hotel, and The Landing Resort among others.


Planning Your Ceremony at The Arch
I love love love photographing weddings at The Arch at Lakeside Beach. That being said, as I mentioned above, timing is crucial all over Lake Tahoe for planning your ceremony time. Coordinate with your photographer to determine the optimal time for your ceremony to take advantage of the golden hour, when the soft, warm light creates the most captivating photographs if you would like images that are golden and warm as Ashley and Jennifer’s are. Keep in mind that the timing of sunset varies throughout the year, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Make sure you set your guests up for success and plan for comfort. While the natural beauty of Tahoe is undeniable, it’s essential to remember that weather varies wildly here and it can snow any month of the year. Make sure you tell your guests to wear appropriate footwear (hot tip: heels are NOT appropriate footwear for Tahoe). While the Arch has a bench in the back that will provide seating options for older or less mobile guests, make sure everyone knows that the rest of the venue is sandy and less stable. Consider providing blankets or shawls for warmth if the weather is cool.




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