We are so incredibly excited to share Tahoe Unveiled photographer, Catherine Hall‘s Lake Tahoe wedding at Pinecone Manor, a stunning lakefront private estate. Catherine’s artistic DNA came into play during planning, and she and Erik envisioned a wedding that represented the couple: warm, modern and unique. For the two, being completely present on their wedding day was also important. That meant working with a team, and Lake Tahoe wedding vendors, that they could trust completely.
Catherine wore a delicate fluted lace dress from Pronovias while the groom donned a handsome blue Ted Baker suit. The bridesmaids wore floor-length BHLDN dresses in a pretty shade of periwinkle, paired with JBalducci moondrop earrings gifted by the bride. The groomsmen wore gray suits, complete with matching Michael Kors ties gifted by Erik. Personal touches made the big day all the more special.
Erik also surprised the bride with a heartfelt gift that symbolized their relationship. “When we first started dating, we were at a gallery and I noticed an art piece that showed an extreme, most beautiful connection between the couple,” she says fondly. “I remarked that this connection reminded me of us. He surprised me with the original painting.” Through the excitement, Catherine and Erik treasured being in the moment on their wedding day, and Catherine had a word of advice for other brides-to-be: “Be present on the wedding day,” she says. “Don’t stress out. Enjoy every minute.”
As a photographer and creative director of Catherine Hall Studios, Catherine knows how to capture the moment. And so when she spotted Erik on the dance floor at a yoga festival, she knew that she had to take action. After some urging from her sister, Catherine asked Erik to dance. They stayed up until 3 in the morning, and the rest was history. “I knew she was the one after our first kiss that night,” Erik says. It was on a trip to the Redwoods that Erik, owner of Strategic Event Evolution and Design, made it official. He led Catherine to a secluded redwood grove, the very spot where they first realized that they were both falling deeply in love. Surrounded by towering redwood trees, Erik proposed. “I was so shocked that I did not even answer yes for a long time,” Catherine recalls. “He had to ask me twice!” Of course, she happily accepted the ring, a sparkling vintage piece carefully chosen by the groom. For her “something borrowed” and “something blue,” Catherine wore her grandmother’s favorite aquamarine ring, and her grandmother’s wedding band was displayed on the bouquet.
The couple collaborated with wedding planner Melissa Panico of MAP Events, event designer Asiel Design, and rental company Camelot Party Rentals to work with the natural beauty of their Lake Tahoe venue. “The environment of Tahoe and the lake is so beautiful that we wanted the design to complement, not compete,” Catherine says. With the couple’s direction, the team created a stunning, secluded retreat on a charming lakeside manor owned by a close family friend. It was a perfect blend of romantic and rustic: elegant white roses paired with natural greenery, tiny glass vessels filled with wildflowers, tables adorned with pinecones and knotty wood accents. The talented photographer JB Sallee captured the day beautifully in the gallery below.
