Weddings

Plan A Great Rehearsal Dinner in Lake Tahoe With These Options!

August 30, 2024

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There are a lot of things that make your rehearsal dinner such a thrilling moment. Yes, of course, this is the trial run to watch all the aspects you have worked so hard on come together at last, but it’s also your chance to gather your closest friends and family and celebrate. It’s an opportunity to thank them for how much they have helped, as well as remind them how meaningful it is to have them by your side for the most important day of your life. The very first thing you need to do is find out the perfect venue for this day. As a Lake Tahoe wedding photographer, you can probably guess that I get to be there for a ton of these events. Here are some of my favorite spots for a rehearsal dinner in Lake Tahoe!

Check Out These 7 Great Spots and Food Trucks For Your Rehearsal Dinner In Lake Tahoe 

Lake Tahoe Bleu Wave

2435 Venice Dr. E. South Lake Tahoe, California 96150

Lake Tahoe Bleu Wave offers both wedding rehearsals and post-wedding brunches. With their rehearsal options, you will get to throw your party on a 70-foot luxury yacht as it sails along Lake Tahoe. As you drift along, you are going to get some of the best views of the lake, including the surrounding snow-capped mountains, Vikingsholm Castle, and Eagle Falls. The crew members will take care of the food, offering you seated lunches or dinners. They will lead you through a champagne toast as you embark on your greatest adventure yet! 

Sunnyside Lodge

1850 W Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, California 96145

Sunnyside Lodge is as wonderful as it is convenient. This luxurious hotel will give all your out-of-town guests a comfortable space to stay throughout your wedding. For your rehearsal dinner, they will let you choose between brunch, lunch, and dinner. Their menu is a fantastic combination of American faves and culinary delights. You can order barbeque, fish tacos, hot pot, and elk strip loin. You will get the choice between seated meals and buffets. They offer more intimate rooms with space for up to 60 people, as well as the primary dining room with room for up to 220 guests. 

Gar Woods Grill & Pier

5000 N Lake Blvd, Carnelian Bay, California 96140

Gar Woods Grill & Pier gives you a gorgeous space nestled amidst the forest on the edge of the lake. For their banquet menus, you will get to choose between lunches, dinners, and brunches. They offer their meals either buffet-style or seated. Your guests will enjoy dishes such as panko-crusted king salmon, herb-roasted chicken, filet mignon, and fresh Hawaiian seafood. They have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options to satisfy every guest. Plus, their extensive wine menu is going to ensure everybody gets their perfect pairing!  

Heavenly Valley Lodge

1261 Ski Run Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, California 96150

Heavenly Valley Lodge gives you all the rustic charm of the lake and treats your guests to an unforgettable experience! They offer 14 cabin-style rooms where your guests can stay throughout your wedding weekend. For their rehearsal dinners, they offer several local options that you can choose from. You can select Mexican grills, Italian restaurants, and a German beer garden. One of the most popular options is the Brewery at Lake Tahoe, where your guests can order local brews and specialty cocktails before it’s time to head back to their rooms for the night. 

PJ’s Restaurant 

11402 Henness Road, Truckee, California 96161

PJ’s Restaurant brings you one of the best dining experiences in all of Lake Tahoe. This Truckee stop is atmospheric, offering you live music throughout the summer as well as Vinyl Thursdays, where you can unwind with some of the most beloved artists of decades past. The restaurant is one of the many offerings from Tahoe Mountain Club. Through them, you are truly going to have everything you need for your rehearsal dinner. For couples who do plan on tying the knot at this venue, you will get to rehearse on the property before making your way over to PJs and celebrating with dishes such as grilled mahi tacos and ahi tuna bowls. 

Edgewood Tahoe Resort

180 Lake Pkwy, Stateline,  Nevada 89449

Edgewood Tahoe Resort is an upscale restaurant that prides itself on an unforgettable culinary experience. From the second you walk through the doors, you will feel as though you have been transported to a world all of your own. The stony interior offers a nod to the mountains right outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, while the warm fire will elevate the night. You will be able to select a private dining experience for up to 30 guests. Enjoy dishes such as braised pork belly, aged New York steaks, and pan-seared striped bass. 

Jakes on the Lake

780 N Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, California 96145

Jakes on the Lake is a restaurant that offers a seasonal menu based on the ingredients available at the time. This method ensures that you always have the freshest meal that is bursting with flavor. They offer their custom “mountain aloha” hospitality to your party and will ensure you have everything you need for your ideal rehearsal dinner. They offer their specialty event menus to groups of 20 people. Your guests will get to enjoy a fusion of Hawaiian and Southern Californian meals, including Maine lobster, manilla claims, deep-sea crab cakes, and miso-glazed king salmon. 

Food Trucks

Lastly, one of my favorite options for a rehearsal dinner is to bring the food to you! By renting out a food truck, you can take the time you need to get everything ready for your big day before heading over and enjoying some specialty food on-site. If you need some recs, here are a few of my favorite examples! 

  • Petite Street Bistro:  With this option, you can rent a vintage mobile bar that will come to you. They have several options including their tap truck and their full-bar.
  • North Envy Food Truck: This truck offers options like smash burgers, hot wings, and fusion nachos.
  • Starkey’s: This food truck will hang out with your party for four hours, serving your choice of pizza or sushi.
  • Wok and Roll: This Asian food truck offers fried rolls, wok bowls, and street food. 

You Can Have The Perfect Rehearsal Dinner In Lake Tahoe With These Amazing Restaurants

With these options, you are going to have the best spot for your rehearsal dinner in Lake Tahoe. And if you need more help preparing for your Lake Tahoe wedding, just let me know. As a Lake Tahoe wedding photographer, I adore working with couples to help them remember every detail of their day. If you would like to learn more, send me a message today so we can chat! 

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SHALL WE MEET?

HI FRIENDS

I’m Kirsten—a wedding photographer here to guide you through this wildly exciting time…and toward the best lighting.

Ever since my days in the highschool darkroom, I’ve been enamored with the power images have to tell a compelling story. I went on to study photography and fashion at Savannah College of Art & Design and worked as an editor for a studio before founding Kirsten Marie Photography in 2012. Every day since, and I’ve fallen deeper in love with the art of wedding photography—there’s just nothing quite as fascinating and fulfilling as documenting the tenderness weddings bring out in people.

As someone who’s fairly spotlight-shy, I know how awkward being photographed can feel—which is why I work to bring an atmosphere of ease (and a wicked sharp sense of humor) to our time together. I pour my whole heart into hyping you up, getting you the material you deserve, and making sure you feel comfortable and cared for.

Beyond the lens, I’m a mom to two feisty girls. Translation: there’s no group I can’t wrangle, no mountain I can’t summit, and no trail I can’t traverse. While you’re soaking in sunsets and sipping champagne—you can find me crawling through bushes and traipsing through snowpack to get the best angle…and loving every single second of it. 

Bay Area & Lake Tahoe wedding photography

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