Atop the hills of Lake Tahoe with sweeping valley views
Photography by RYAN RAY
Words by CAROLINE CAGNEY
The happy couple.
When a couple from New York met with wedding planner Danielle Tolleson Williams, founder of Elise Events, to discuss their Lake Tahoe nuptials, they had one wish: “They really wanted the wedding to feel like an elevated dinner party,” says the San Francisco–born Williams of their elegant but approachable vision. “It was important to continually go back to these roots when designing and making decisions,” adds Williams, who began the design process back in summer 2022 once the couple settled on the venue.
With a backdrop like Martis Camp, a luxury ski and golf community set on a breathtaking landscape of towering pines and meadows in Truckee — where the couple had formed fun-filled memories of golfing and skiing together over the years — the possibilities were endless. Luckily, the bride and her mother already knew what they wanted, making the process streamlined. “My most important ‘must’ were the flowers,” says the mother of the bride, who worked closely with Williams and floral designer Mindy Rice. “[The bride] emphasized the importance of the color scheme dominated by tons of lavender and blue,” says Rice, who began carefully selecting seasonal blooms to create a garden-like feel throughout.
“When I walked into the dinner structure and saw how it all came together, I started crying,” says the mother of the bride.
Fast-forward one year to a warm September weekend where 120 friends and family members gathered amid a sea of ranunculus, delphinium, and clematis to witness the couple exchange their vows surrounded by sweeping views of Martis Valley. As cocktail hour concluded, guests headed down to the candlelit greenhouse where they dined under a starlit sky and enjoyed live music.
“We loved the idea of bringing the outdoors in,” says Williams of the striking interior, which featured soft banquettes, rustic light fixtures, and a grand bar. “Mindy and I wanted to create a residential feel to the space, almost as if you walked into a swanky restaurant in New York.”
The entire day incorporated myriad thoughtful details, including a locket with a sentimental photo that was attached to the base of the bridal bouquet and handwritten notes the couple left at each guest’s place setting. “The notes were such a special touch and ended up being my favorite detail,” says the bride.
Late-night revelers enjoyed espresso martinis, bowling, and danced to tunes by Brian Hess Music. “There was a ‘pinch-me’ moment during dinner,” says Williams. “The sun was starting to set and the candlelight was magical in the structure, [and] as I watched the couple and their friends and family enjoy the labor of love that went into producing this wedding, I knew we had hit their first ask right on the head!”
The bride wore a gown by Lihi Hod.
The rings.
LEFT: Wedding cake by Paper Heart Patisserie, with flowers by Mindy Rice. RIGHT: Tables bedecked with arrangements by Mindy Rice.
The bride changed into a blue Monique Lhuillier dress after the service and the groom wore Ralph Lauren.
Hair & Makeup: JANET VILLA
Invitations: THE IDEA EMPORIUM
Catering: MARTIS CAMP
Rentals: HENSLEY EVENT RESOURCES
Linens: THEONI COLLECTION
Entertainment: WEST COAST MUSIC, JB PROJECT, BRIAN HESS MUSIC
Feature image: Family and friends witnessed the couple exchange their vows surrounded by sweeping views of Martis Valley.
This story originally appeared in the Summer 2024 issue of C Weddings.
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