Emerald Bay – Lake Tahoe Winter Wedding Wonderland

If a destination wedding is in your plans, you may want to consider one of the most attractive places in America. Emerald Bay has long been a popular place for couples to exchange their wedding vows, and the winter season is no exception. Weddings at Lake Tahoe are held year-round on the bay, regardless of the time of year.

Located along the western shoreline of Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay rises 300 feet above the lake, offering a panoramic view of the alpine “lake in the sky” surrounded by the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range. Couples arriving at Emerald Bay on their wedding day are in awe of the breathtaking views they experience as they make their way up the path to the clifftop wedding venue.

Though what appears to be a secluded area, particularly in the winter months, Emerald Bay is not a difficult journey and is only about 20 miles from the heart of the city of South Lake Tahoe. It is there, on the South Shore, that many couples prefer to host their post-ceremony reception and enjoy their honeymoon, as Tahoe has so much more to offer once the wedding vows are consummated.

Beautiful resort areas catering to couples line the strip, and there are many restaurants and event centers that host receptions. Near the heart of the city is Heavenly Village, comprised of a variety of shops and art galleries. Very close to the village is the Heavenly Ski gondola that both skiers and non-skiers ride, available for honeymooners who want a scenic ride up the side of Heavenly Mountain.

There is also plenty of nightlife nearby if the couple wants to continue the celebration late into the night. Downtown casinos offer games, quirky nightclubs, and showroom performances. In addition to nightly entertainment, local casinos offer luxurious honeymoon suites for newlyweds.

Be aware that when planning a winter wedding in Tahoe on the cliff of Emerald Bay, there is the possibility of road closures due to winter storms. Highway 89 North, the two-lane highway that takes you to Emerald Bay, occasionally closes to control avalanches after heavy snow has fallen. However, cliffside weddings are still popular in the winter season, and over the years of hosting bay-top weddings few brides and grooms have had to change their ceremony plans.

It is worth mentioning, however, and it is a great comfort to the bride and groom to know that most wedding coordinators (if you are using one) always have a plan “B” in an alternatively beautiful but sheltered location if winter conditions seem threatening. However, if the rare situation arises, keep in mind that I have never met a married couple who is disappointed with a substitute venue, largely due to the excitement and beauty that Mother Nature adds to their wedding day. .

However, there are huge advantages to facing a winter wedding in Emerald Bay. The wintry atmosphere atop the cliff above the bay with the surrounding white-capped mountains provides a completely different wedding theme. The backdrop just for wedding photos is a huge plus in favor of a winter wedding. You will find that the wintry experience is quite unique compared to other wedding venues, and if a few snowflakes do fall during your vow exchange, it can only add the nuance of your special day.

If you are planning a winter wedding, always remember that Lake Tahoe weddings high on the cliffs of Emerald Bay take place year-round. Through snow or sunshine, couples in love make the trip to Tahoe to make those promises to each other and exchange symbolic engagement rings. Being one of the most photographed places in the world, Emerald Bay may be rising through the ranks of popularity as a winter wedding destination, although the snow season can seem quite daunting. That may very well be because a white and snowy wedding has an atmosphere of uniqueness and charm of its own.