We hope you’re ready for another fantastic Real Weddings Wednesday, because we know we are! Although spring is upon us, no one can deny that winter wonderland weddings are gorgeous (albeit a tad chilly), and make for stunning photos. Without further ado, enjoy Anna and James’ beautiful, ski lodge wedding!

Lake Tahoe Ski Lodge wedding venue.

Tell us a little about you and your beloved.

James and I met while attending Chico State in Northern California, where we also live now (we bought a house, renovated that house, and planned a wedding in one year – do not recommend). After seven years of dating off and on, we got engaged on Christmas in 2021. We knew first and foremost that we wanted a smaller wedding, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We go married in an old ski lodge in front of our 60 closest family and friends. It was intimate, cozy, in our favorite place (Truckee) and absolutely perfectly us.

First look between Anna and Him at their Lake Tahoe ski lodge wedding ceremony.

Groom doing his first look with his bride, Anna, at their Lake Tahoe ski lodge wedding.

What was the best part of your wedding day?

My dad passed away in 2017, so when we began wedding planning, I started by looking at ways I could incorporate him into our big day. Our venue, Rainbow Lodge, was a special place my dad and I used to visit. We opted to get married there so those special memories could be part of our day. We knew snow was a possibility, but we were hopeful that the impending storm would wait out long enough for us to have our ceremony with our people — that was not the case. The storm dwindled, but it did snow the morning of and during our ceremony, adding to the cozy, intimate ski lodge ambiance of the day. That morning, as I woke up to a soft flutter of snowflakes hitting my window, I knew that the snow was a gift from my dad, surrounding us with love and magic on our day.

Bride laughing at the alter at her ski lodge wedding in Lake Tahoe.

Advice from the couple:

It’s important to practice gratitude at every step of the process — at the end of the day, it goes by so fast, and the most important part is your love for one another and the love of those around you.

Newlyweds taking wedding photos together in the snow at their ski lodge wedding.

Bride and groom taking wedding photos together at their ski lodge wedding venue.

Bride and groom posing together in front of their ski lodge wedding venue in Lake Tahoe.

Anything that you would have done different if given the chance?

Emotionally: There will always people with something to say about your day. Don’t let their disappointment ruin your happiness. Logistically: Move the rug before you start your first dance to avoid any potential ‘fails’.

Wedding reception at the ski lodge wedding reception.

Newlyweds doing their first dance together at their ski lodge wedding reception.

Photos courtesy of and copyright Emma Paul Photography used with permission.

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