A Snowy Bohemian Wedding at West Shore Cafe in Tahoe

Emily and Steven’s destination wedding was one for the books. They chose West Shore Cafe in snowy Tahoe for their best day ever, a dreamy venue that never fails to blow our socks off. With the ceremony on a wooden dock jutting out from shore surrounded by stunning lake views, and a reception space big enough for a party with all your family and friends, who wouldn’t want to get married here?! Jess from Fontaine Photo told us this wedding was “a joy to capture,” and we can only imagine after browsing through these incredible photos.

The bride and her bridesmaids gathered in the bridal suite above the cafe to watch the sunrise over the lake while Love is in the Hair got them ready for the day ahead. The incredible crew gave Emily glamorous curls, rosy cheeks, and full lashes. She slipped into Made With Love Bridal’s Sasha gown with intricate crochet lace and a tan underlay. Just WOW. We. Love. This. Dress. Her Love and Lupines bouquet was packed full of rich color and greenery and stood out against the white snow and blue skies.

Emily and Steven’s first look was at the edge of the dock. She walked across rocky beaches to her groom and for the first time, we get a good look at her wedding day shoes: stylish white booties! They snapped some photos with the lake as their backdrop and walked back to the cafe holding hands.

We don’t think we’ve ever seen a wedding party so stylish. The groomsmen rocked timeless blue suits and grey ties, but the bridesmaids definitely won best dressed. Those lacy navy dresses paired with silver boots and grey fur coats was such a unique combination and complemented the bride’s gown beautifully.

Drum roll, please! This whimsical ceremony setup looks more like a styled shoot than a real wedding. Love and Lupines sprinkled magic over a teepee-style arch with whitewashed wooden stumps. To tie everything together, a bright Persian rug laid on the dock.

Emily’s parents walked her down the aisle, then joined the crowd of guests to witness the happy couple recite vows and exchange rings with help from the one-of-a-kind officiant, Jackie Phillips. Emily and Steven shared their first kiss as husband and wife, danced back down the aisle through a shower of flower petals, and escaped to catch the sunset before joining the reception party inside.

By now we’ve convinced you that West Shore Cafe’s outdoor space is perfection, so it should come as no surprise that inside is just as beautiful. Emily and Steven chose farm tables with eucalyptus runners, gold votives, and white candles to decorate, and the floor-to-ceiling windows guaranteed lake views for the most enchanting night.

The reception was full of great speeches, laughter, and sweet dance moves. Fontaine Photo captured the energy of the night with a few long-exposure shots. When the night wound down, Emily and Steve took one last stroll down the dock where they said I Do earlier that day. Under starry skies, we’re sure they spent moments in silence feeling thankful and full of happiness.

Tahoe is the most magical and special place. We hope this couple makes a tradition of returning to visit the lake where they started their life together. Congratulations Emily and Steven!! Welcome to Married Life!!