Lake Tahoe Rock Star Wedding

Lake Tahoe in September is a beautiful time for a wedding. The weather is amazing and the setting is just gorgeous. Add in a beautiful, fun, and vibrant couple like Doug and Kristi and you have a recipe for a photographer’s dream session. 

The wedding took place at The Ridge at Tahoe Resort in Stateline, NV. This is the second time I’ve photographed a wedding at this Lake Tahoe location and I loved it, even more, this time. The Ridge gives you ceremony, reception and lodging all in one place. There are breathtaking outdoor views at the ceremony location, allowing for incredible photos. The views of Lake Tahoe Mountains and Carson Valley at the elevation of 7500 feet are memorable for the wedding couple and guests. Being able to take photos of a location like this just makes me happy!

As fantastic as the location is, Doug and Kristi far outshine the setting. Kristi is US National Director of the Pinup Association, Luscious Ladies, and the president of the Bay Area chapter. She is definitely a rock’n’roll girl with a rockabilly heart. Doug is an avid music collector and loves genres of music that span the 1950s to current jams. Not surprisingly, their wedding mixed classic beauty and style with downright fun, dirty, crazy, rock star style!

Kristi's favorite band is Tool and Doug's favorite band is Blink 182. But don’t let their tattoos and tough looks fool you; they are the sweetest couple and like the slow jams too. Kristi and Doug played Earth Angel for their first dance song, and dinner was spent listening to pre1960s tunes. You could tell how in love they are and how much they enjoyed their wedding day.

I’ve worked with Kristi before for vintage inspired pin-up sessions and have loved hearing about her story with Doug. They met through Kristi's best friend Amanda, but even before the official introduction, Doug used to “stalk” her on her bartending shifts. He called Kristi his unicorn because he thought she was so perfect and that he'd never be able to have her and never introduced himself. But of course he was wrong- after the introduction and some time together she totally fell in love with him!

Their ceremony was so touching and I can sum it up in three words: Best. Vows. Ever! Though Doug is a complete character, always joking around having a good time, he is also soft-spoken and sincere when it comes to his feelings (like most men I'm sure). He completely killed it with his vows, leaving everyone in tears but laughing at the same time.  He said "I was just some chump in the bar asking for another Jager and Red Bull, wanting to finish it as quick as possible just so I could talk to you ... Maybe you just fell in love with [my dog] Bo and I just happened to come along with him." Kristi said “I do” through tears of happiness.

There were personal touches throughout the wedding. Kristi and Doug are such huge Disney fans that Doug proposed at Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland, and we even did photos wearing personalized Mickey Mouse ears.

This gorgeous wedding was so fun to be a part of and was made possible with all of the great vendors that Kristi and Doug worked with for the day. Her stunning side-swept hairdo was created by Amanda Peralta, and Maria from I Got Your Pretty did gorgeous make-up (as if Kristi could get any prettier in her dress from Flares Bridal in Walnut Creek!). Personal touches made this wedding special, such as the signs, created by Trisha Turner from Walk the Line Pin Striping and stunning flowers from Rose Pedals in Lake Tahoe.

Thank you to Kristi and Doug for including me in their beautiful day!





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