Before Molly and Max’s big day, I had little idea I was about to photograph a celebrity wedding. I grew up in the California redwoods as a surfer, skier, and rock climber. So, I suppose my attention was generally focused more on oceans and mountains than ballplayers and the sportscasters that tell their stories. It wasn’t until a few weeks before Molly and Max’s Resort at Squaw Creek wedding that a colleague mentioned she is a talented and accomplished sideline reporter and studio host for ESPN.
Molly and her dad wanted their own special “first look” once Molly was into her dress. Now that I have a daughter of my own, I have a newfound soft spot for dads on wedding days. Especially when the father of the bride gets emotional. See photos below! Something I love about this Lake Tahoe wedding location is the ability to photograph freely from both sides of the ceremony. It makes it so much easier to be in the right place as couples are exchanging vows. Molly and Max shared center stage with their canine kids, Stewart and Matthew. In fact, these two little pups were the official ring-bearers. They stood by their side during the ceremony and throughout cocktail hour afterwards.
Years ago, it seemed like Lake Tahoe brides and grooms opted for High Camp weddings or Olympic Valley PlumpJack weddings. But that is definitely changing. The Resort at Squaw Creek is becoming more popular as a Lake Tahoe wedding venue than ever before. And for good reason. The views of Olympic Valley from this end are incredible. The evening light as the sun sets behind Granite Chief is beautiful. And the hotel has plenty of space for wedding guests that prefer not to drive from Truckee or Tahoe City.
Additional highlights for me at this wedding included Molly and Max’s sunset walk in the meadows and Music Magic’s dance party at the reception. If your timing is right, the “Golden Hour” light in the valley illuminates KT-22, the Palisades, and Granite Chief perfectly in the background.
More Squaw Valley Weddings
Chris Werner is a Lake Tahoe wedding photographer who documents special events throughout the Tahoe basin. To see more photos from Olympic Valley, check out this Squaw Valley wedding at the base of the mountain. This Squaw Valley winter wedding put a rad 80’s twist on an off-season wedding. Lastly, this couple’s Squaw Valley PlumpJack wedding includes some more meadow photos taken on the other side of the river.
