Skis for a Guest Book

I recently attended a friend's wedding at the Clair Tabban Lodge in Truckee. The setting was a very old, rustic lodge designed to accommodate 70+ avid skiers. The lodge is set in Truckee near Sugar Bowl Ski Resort. Not much but the mountains surrounds this little outdoor enthusiast haven. Our friends booked the lodge over Thanksgiving week, celebrated thanksgiving with their family, and then through in a little wedding celebration. It was, warm, cozy, and very much a reflection of the bride and groom. As guests arrived, they walked into the ancient lodge and were greeted by a delicious cheese platter, bluegrass cd's (wedding favor), and the first chubby skis every made! The skis took the place of a guestbook. The night continued to entertain and surprise with dinner served on picnic benches, a local band (The Truckee Tribe) performing bluegrass music, and family musicians playing a few tunes on their instruments. Personality boomed from the floor boards all night long.

Although not the skis from our friend's wedding, this is a similar look!

Snow on Your Wedding Day

Almost every event has an unexpected interruption. For Johanna and Aaron, it was snow on their wedding day – 2 feet covered the ceremony site, which was a beautiful setting on a lawn with an unsullied view of the lake. As it was September, this weather was much unexpected. None the less, we dug up shovels and removed the snow from the brisk, yet fresh lawn. I instantly ordered more heaters and a heated tent for the bridal party, the hotel delivered notes under each guest’s door to inform them to wear warm and comfortable clothing to the ceremony (the mother of the bride’s wishes, of course), we gathered blankets and galvanized buckets to accompany the champagne as guests arrived to the lake, and we created a very cozy setting for the picture perfect summer wedding. The view of the guests seated at the ceremony was priceless: fleece blankets, pashminas, and wool coats lined the laps of all, as everyone cuddled up for a memorable and uniting service in front of a breathtaking view of a glassy Lake Tahoe.