Justine and Kyle created their gorgeous DIY wedding, guided by a few Tahoe Unveiled real weddings but especially the direction of their own inner compass. And, for this couple that moved to Lake Tahoe full time in 2017, the lakeview forest at Skylandia State Park provided the perfect location for tying the knot in front of their closest family and friends.

This Tahoe City venue is located on a spacious bluff overlooking Lake Tahoe. Opting to let the lake and forest scenery take center stage, Justine and Kyle describe their design inspiration as "outdoor minimalism," with very little color and only grey, black, and wood-tone decor details.

The bride and groom used "date nights" to plan the wedding completely on their own and nailed down a firm budget to focus on their three priorities for the celebration: great food, good music, and an open bar. They rented chairs, farm tables, an arch, dance floor, and bar from Camelot Rentals, with friends and family pitching in to help the crew with setup. Justine and Kyle also constructed a set of ingenious pallet walls that served as a backdrop for their head tables. Tahoe Burl Theory created the laser cut wood menus and salvaged slate from the couple's backyard served as table numbers.

The

great food

portion of the evening was provided by Oven of South Lake Tahoe, who baked delicious wood-fired pizzas on site, served with charcuterie and salad. The beautifully simple florals were courtesy of eucalyptus from Kyle's grandfather's tree and wild meadow flowers grown by Newcastle Fleur. The Lifted Spirits band played all the bluegrass classics as well as some of Justine and Kyle's favorite tunes. All of the details and special moments were captured by Luna Munn Photography.

In terms of a favorite moment, Justine and Kyle were extremely moved by their ceremony, and the intimate way in which

officiant Meredith Richmond

expressed their love story. The speeches were also very heartwarming and affirming. And, of course, entering the reception to the smiles and cheers of friends and family is always an unforgettable part of the wedding day!

So, what are the top tips from a bride and groom who did it all in their own unique way? Justine noted the range of opinions and ideas that come up while planning a wedding, urging couples to "stay true to your own values and plans for the future." She also underscored selecting vendors you truly connect with and the importance of hiring a "day of" planner to keep things running smoothly on wedding day.

We think this is fantastic advice and inspiration for planning your special day - congratulations and well done, Justine and Kyle!