A Garden Inspired Celebration on the Shores of Lake Tahoe

By Kevin Harson30 September 2025

white, yellow, cream, green

Planning their wedding from Chicago, the couple wanted to create a garden wedding feel on the shores of their favorite destination, Lake Tahoe. A tented space, which opened up to the blue water, set the stage for reception decor. To create a spring feeling, yellow flowers popped in every centerpiece, and green garlands cascaded down the poles of the tent!

Dani & Zach met in 2020 and kept their relationship secret from their parents, until one day a bottle of wine arrived at Dani’s house. Quarantined with her parents, she couldn’t hide all the details, yet her mom traced the delivery to Zach, googled him, and knew all about him before he was ever introduced. Zach surprised Dani with a ring on one of his trips to see her in Chicago during their long-distance relationship.

To mimic the garden theme, the couple let the bridesmaids choose their own floral dresses with different shades of green.

To set the theme of a black tie event, Zach wore a black tux.

Dani & Zach chose the caterer from the venue to include local specialties of seafood dining in Lake Tahoe. The specialty drink the couple named Love at First Facetime, since the couple met during COVID online. The drink was Hendricks gin with lavender and lemon. For the dessert table, the couple wanted cupcakes and donuts to satisfy every sweet tooth’s craving.

Zuri Floral incorporated touches of whimsical yellows and created a lovely floral medley of summer flowers throughout the entire ceremony and reception. An aisle of flowers led to the floral arch under which the couple got married. Filling in the space with garden flowers brought a summer Alpine feel to the characteristic pine tree landscape of Lake Tahoe.

Lake Tahoe Cake Company provided the minimalist yet classic vanilla-flavor cake to match the whimsical feeling of the decor.

One of the bridesmaids sang a beautiful love song during the ceremony. Not one eye was left dry after the song. The couple was married by their friend, who made the ceremony special for the couple.

An acrylic card deck with a custom painting of Lake Tahoe scenery served as the wedding favor.