I was so excited for this wedding! Not long ago, I photographed this couple’s surprise proposal on a mountaintop in Tahoe. A few months later, I shot their engagement portraits at Chimney Beach. I couldn’t wait to see them again and photograph their wedding at Palisades Tahoe.
This couple booked my inclusive wedding photography package. This means that in addition to wedding proposal photos and an engagement session, I was there to capture their entire wedding day from start to finish. Their package also included a second professional photographer.
One of the coolest things about this wedding was their first look at High Camp as a thunderstorm rolled by!
Getting Ready in The Village at Palisades
All day wedding coverage means I can capture the anticipation and excitement that begins well before the ceremony starts. So, I started the day photographing the bride and her bridesmaids in The Village at Palisades.
Even if they are facing different directions, mirror reflections are a great way to include multiple people in a single frame.
I am a wedding photographer with a documentary style. That means that I try to remain as unobtrusive as possible throughout the day. I want everyone to simply be themselves while I capture all the special moments naturally.
An important skill is anticipating moments and seeing the so-called “ingredients” for an interesting photo before it happens. When I saw the maid of honor pick up a bottle of hairspray, I saw the potential for a creative photo. In order to capture this artistic silhouette, I quietly moved over to the other side of the room.
Soon after, I could feel the excitement building. Following my intuition, I moved back to my original position to capture this awesome moment between the bride and her maid of honor.
Meanwhile, my second shooter photographed the groom and his groomsmen. Adding a second shooter is a great idea if you and your fiancé will be getting ready in separate locations. It also means extra photos and additional angles throughout the wedding day.
Next, the wedding party rode the Aerial Tram up to High Camp for the bride and groom’s first look and a few group photos.
First Look at High Camp
With storm clouds moving through Olympic Valley, the mountains and sky made a dramatic backdrop for first look photos at the overlook next to High Camp.
While we were at High Camp, we photographed a few classic black and white portraits of the bride and groom.
On our way to to the Olympic Village Events Center, I used the unique geometry of the Aerial Tram building as a backdrop to make a candid portrait of the bride and groom.
Garden at Olympic Village Event Center Wedding
After we returned from High Camp, the sun came out for their wedding at the Event Center Garden! The bride’s father walked her down the aisle, and the groom’s dad officiated the ceremony.
Nestled amongst aspen and pine trees, this lush grassy area is part of a beautiful landscaped garden. Here, wedding guests witness the ceremony set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Tram Face mountainside.
Ring Exchange on the Event Center Deck
As the bride and groom exited the ceremony, they realized a page of their ceremony had been skipped. Rings still needed to be exchanged!
Just as the reception began, thunder boomed across the mountains and rain clouds opened up. The bride’s friends jumped into action and covered her head with a coat.
Reception at the Olympic Village Events Center
To kick things off, the father of the bride delivered a hilarious speech. He welcomed all the guests to Lake Tahoe, thanked them for coming to the wedding, and shared a few fun stories about the happy couple.
Next, the maid of honor made a champagne toast. Capturing these moments where friends and family share humorous anecdotes and heartwarming stories is always a highlight of the reception.
After cutting their wedding cake, the bride and groom took the dance floor for their first dance. The ambient light in the Olympic Village Events Center is fairly flat and dark. So, unless your DJ or planner sets up special event lighting, I like to add dimension with my own lighting.
For most of these reception photos, I used off-camera lighting. Adding a couple directional light sources fills in shadows where needed, adds some contrast, and helps the subjects stand out in the scene.
Chris Werner Photography
If you are getting married at the Olympic Village Event Center and you are looking for the perfect wedding photographer, let’s chat! Send me a message and tell me all about your plans.
You can see some of the other weddings I’ve photographed in this area over on the Olympic Valley weddings page. Learn more about Palisades Tahoe weddings here!
