Robert and Marie-Louise are not only the wildly-talented team behind Lake Tahoe-based VILD Photography, they are also a couple in real life and tied the knot themselves last summer in a day-long celebration of love.
Rob and M (as they are known by clients, colleagues, and friends) met in 2013 while M was a wrangler on a Montana ranch and Rob was stopping through on a cross country cycling journey from Portland to Portland (Maine, Oregon respectively). “Both of us were absolutely covered in dirt, sweat, and grime from the day’s work,” says M, “but also completely smitten.”
Because M is from Sweden, the couple spent the next 3 years in a long distance relationship, traveling to see each other and working together in the summers at various ranches in the US. In 2016, they settled in Lake Tahoe, where Rob grew up, and bought a house together. It didn’t take much thought to decide on having the wedding at an old Tahoe cabin that has been in Rob’s family for nearly 100 years.
As photographers, the couple is keenly aware that, when it comes to wedding photos, it’s all about the light. So they rose at 2am to start getting ready for a 5:30 am hike to their sunrise ceremony location. In the peaceful and quiet morning, Rob and M shared their vows and then hung out on top of the mountain before heading back to breakfast.
Back at the cabin, the couple had a Zoom call with M’s family and toasted with them while opening gifts. With a celebratory dinner planned for that evening, Rob and M were able to spend the day swimming in the river and soaking in their first hours as a married couple. Rob says he “stayed up for 22 hours that day” but that it remained fun and relaxing throughout.
Dinner was catered by Reno-based Blend Catering, who specializes in crafting multicultural menus to honor a couple’s heritage. Rob and M’s menu included Swedish meatballs and salmon. The escort display featured Swedish Dala horses and playful paper lanterns hung from wood cabanas above the farmhouse tables where dinner was served.
Covid, of course, impacted their wedding plans, with M’s family and friends unable to come from Sweden due to travel restrictions. Rob’s best friends made the day special by officiating and playing music for their ceremony while the couple’s puppy, Iso, was the guest of honor all day.
M notes that the absence of her family and friends was very upsetting, but they moved forward knowing that they wanted to tackle the ups and downs of life together as a husband-wife team. “And we will do it all over again soon in Sweden, once it is safe!” she adds.
Congratulations Rob and M – we’re over the moon to share your beautiful, special day!
