How to have a beautiful Lake Tahoe destination wedding that is budget friendly?

The first question I am often asked on an initial wedding inquiry is, "Can I afford to get married in Tahoe?" The answer is almost always yes. Of course that yes comes with some restrictions based on your budget. There will almost always be a venue out of your price range, since some run $30,000 just for the site fee, but there are many great options to fit into any budget. Below are a couple examples of how we make any budget work for our Lake Tahoe destination weddings.

$5,000 Budget
30 guests
Beach side ceremony (usually free or very inexpensive)
Sit down restaurant dinner like Big Water Grille
     Many restaurants around the lake have semi private dining areas for small groups that don't require you to pay a site fee or buy out the entire place.

$10,000 Budget
100 guests
Aspen Grove
     This intimate tree grove along a babbling stream makes a beautiful wedding venue for couples who love the outdoors.
West End Beach at Donner Lake
     Large beach area available for rent at a nearby mountain lake. Both ceremony and reception can take place in one location and you can decorate as you like. Some people do tents and rented china, others do pick nick benches and plastic silverware, it's all up to what you want.
Catered dinner
     Restaurants and independent chefs offer catering at a variety of price points to fit your budget.

$20,000 Budget
50 to 75 guests
A smaller guest list will make many of the more traditional wedding venues in Tahoe within your budget. The most expensive budget item is usually food and beverage, so cutting your guest list will keep costs down.

Hiring a wedding planner is the easiest way to find the perfect venue for your destination wedding regardless of your budget. Area planners know all the best venues for the price and can bring some to your attention you would never see otherwise.

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