As a Lake Tahoe Wedding photographer, I am always keeping an eye out for wedding venues that stand apart from the rest. Sitting on 6 acres of Lake Tahoe waterfront, the Thunderbird Lodge is a wedding venue surrounded by more mystery, history and intrigue than any other. You simply won’t find a Lake Tahoe wedding venue quite like it.
Currently owned and maintained by the Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society, the The Thunderbird Lodge was built in 1936 in a Tudor Revival style by the eclectic George Whittell. Born in San Francisco to a very affluent family, Whittell indulged nearly every one of his material desires, including purchasing 27 miles of Lake Tahoe coastline on the Eastern shore. Originally planning to develop his extensive plot, he changed his mind and decided instead to keep it pristine, save for his own mansion. The list of oddities surrounding George Whittell and his Thunderbird Lodge is long, and includes a pet elephant, a pet lion, six custom-built Duesenberg automobiles, a 600-ft long secret tunnel and a 55-ft wooden speedboat.
Weddings at the Thunderbird Lodge of Lake Tahoe are an incredibly special event. The mansion is closed to the public year-round, save for guided tours during the summer months. Positioned right at the water’s edge, a wedding ceremony here is about as close as you can get to Lake Tahoe. The wedding photography at most Lake Tahoe venues is already enhanced by the incredible backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains. At the Thunderbird Lodge the wedding photography potential is simply extraordinary. A lakeside lawn sets the stage for an intimate celebration of up to 120 guests. Stone walkways, unique architecture and boulders rising right out of the water of Lake Tahoe, your wedding photography is certain to turn heads.
All in all, the wedding photography options at the Thunderbird Lodge are as inspirational as the visions of the man who created the legacy of this unique Lake Tahoe wedding venue. If you’re looking to bring together the stunning views of snow-capped mountains and the deep blue calm of Lake Tahoe on your wedding day, the Thunderbird Lodge is unparalleled.
Chris Werner is a locally-based photographer for destination weddings in Lake Tahoe. His Tahoe wedding venue and vendor reviews offer options for the best Tahoe estate weddings, Tahoe mountain weddings, Tahoe mansion weddings and weddings on the lake. He even offers recommendations for Lake Tahoe caterers, florists, Tahoe DJ’s and party rentals.
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