This outdoor wedding, full of heartwarming moments, was on the lakeside Cottage Green at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort. I provided photography coverage for the entire day, including getting ready, the ceremony, and the reception.
This lakefront location is one of my favorite places for a wedding in Lake Tahoe. Especially during the fall, when the crowds are gone and the afternoon light creates an orange glow as it passes through the trees.
During the summer months, you can lounge on the beach or enjoy water sports on the lake. This is one of best all-inclusive resorts in the Lake Tahoe area, which makes it fun and convenient for wedding guests.
Getting Ready in the Lakeside Cottages
When I arrived, I headed to the Lakeside Cottages where the bride and groom were getting ready. Right from the start, it was nothing but good vibes from this group.
One of the best feelings I get as a wedding photographer is when a couple welcomes me like a friend, and trusts me to jump right in and start capturing the special moments as they unfold naturally.
I captured a few candid portraits of the bride, making sure to include her vintage wedding dress and bridal hair comb.
Before the first look, I popped over to the groom’s cottage for a few quick photos of the guys getting ready. The bride and groom both work in creative fields, and I loved this photo of the groom playing his guitar and singing along with his friends.
First Look on the Lakeside Cottage Green
Shortly before the ceremony began, the bride and groom met privately on the Lakeside Cottage Green for their first look. One of my favorite things about photographing a first look is seeing a groom go from a little bit anxious to super excited, when he finally sees his bride in her dress.
For many couples, this is why they decide whether to have a first look or not. Even though this bride and groom were pretty laid-back, they knew that seeing one another before the ceremony would ease some nerves and help them enjoy the day even more.
Ceremony on the Lakeside Cottage Green
The Cottage Green is one of the most popular outdoor ceremony locations at the Hyatt. The setting is idyllic, with a manicured lawn and pine trees that provide shade and block the breezes which often blow across the water. Lake Tahoe is visible in the background and the sandy beach is a short distance away.
As a photographer, I love shooting a ceremony on the Cottage Green because the setting looks nice in pretty much every direction. When I take a photo, I always consider what is in the background. While some venues have unattractive or distracting backgrounds (parking lot, crowded beach, etc.), the Cottage Green has pine trees and lots of lush, green foliage.
While shooting the bride and her dad walking down the aisle, I kept an eye on the groom. When he spotted his bride, I quickly turned around and grabbed a few photos of him as well.
I love capturing flirty glances and loving expressions during the ceremony. At this point, things were officially getting underway and the bride was so excited to finally see her groom waiting for her at the ceremony.
The bride and groom wrote their own vows, and they took turns reading them aloud.
When it comes to photographing the kiss, there are several angles which typically work well. It depends on the venue, the lighting, and of course, the background.
Here, I wanted to include the bridesmaids in the background in order to include their excited reactions. I knew that the bride’s sisters and closest girlfriends were in her bridal party. In the end, this was one of her favorite photos from the ceremony!
Couple Portraits
After the ceremony, we gathered family and wedding party members for some group photos, Then, the bride and groom joined me for some couple portraits. As warm afternoon light shined through the trees, I captured some beautiful candid moments of the bride and groom.
These are the kind of portraits I often see couples including in their album. Rather than simply showing how they dressed and how they looked on their wedding day, these types of photos capture their personalities and their loving connection with one another.
Next, we headed to the beach for some sunset photos by the lake.
Reception on the Cottage Green
Most of the weddings that I photograph at Hyatt Lake Tahoe feature an indoor reception in the Lakeside Ballroom. So it is always special when I get to photograph a reception on the Cottage Green. On a warm summer or fall evening, Lake Tahoe is the perfect place to celebrate under the stars!
After the bride and groom danced together, the bride danced with her mom. The photo below is one of my favorites because it captures a really sweet moment they shared together on the dance floor.
As the dance floor heated up, the bride and groom cut their cake which was decorated with mountains, pine trees, and sky made out of blue fondant.
After the sun went down, I photographed the bride and groom as they enjoyed twilight on the dock. This wooden structure is right in front of the Lone Eagle Grille, and is home to the Pier 111 Bar on warm, summer days.
Chris Werner Photography
Are you getting married at the Hyatt Lake Tahoe Resort? I would love to photograph your wedding! To check my availability, use my contact page to send me a quick message. You can also check out more of my wedding photography work on my portfolio page.
