When you are planning your Lake Tahoe wedding, you are choosing an adventure! Now, you just need the right spot to help you on your lifelong expedition. The Sugar Bowl Resort combines top-of-the-line amenities with breathtaking views to deliver a wedding that feels authentic to your adventurer’s heart. As a Lake Tahoe wedding photographer, I get the chance to work with couples at some of the best venues around. Here’s what you can expect when you plan a Sugar Bowl Resort Wedding.
About The Sugar Bowl Resort Wedding Venue
629 Sugar Bowl Road, Truckee, California 96161
Since 1939, Sugar Bowl Resort has sat proudly perched on top of Donner Summit. The resort’s primary feature at the time was the Disney Ski Lift, the first ski lift to be built in the state of California. When a blizzard hit the mountains just weeks after opening, Sugar Bowl welcomed its first skiers to explore the hill. It quickly became a favorite destination for people from across the world, offering one of the most challenging races of the era.
The resort became a pop culture icon when Goofy took to the Sugar Bowl slopes in a 1941 Disney cartoon. It underwent extensive renovations in the 1950s, and the next decade brought in new travelers when I-80 was constructed. To this day, the resort continues to welcome people from all across the globe looking for their next adventure. Their hospitality team is committed to customizing one-of-a-kind events so you can get married in style!
Details of the Grounds
With both indoor and outdoor venue spaces, Sugar Bowl Resort lets you host your wedding year-round. They invite you to book their hotel rooms so you can enjoy a full weekend up in the mountains. When you arrive at the resort, you will be escorted to your space inside the Sugar Bowl Lodge. These large, cozy rooms are going to be the spot where you get ready before your wedding ceremony begins. Head over to the kitchenette and break open a bottle of bubbly before you get dressed in your gown.
Once it’s time for your ceremony, you will have several options. If you choose to have an indoor wedding, you can set up your space in the banquet hall, where you will have modern heating and cooling. Most couples, however, choose this resort because of the view outside. If you want to make the most of this with an outdoor ceremony, you can use The Sugar Bowl Lake Mary venue, where you will have a private space alongside the lake. With this option, you will be able to access the lake’s shores as well as grassy fields where you can enjoy premium views of the Sierras.
Cocktail Hour And Beyond At The Sugar Bowl Resort Wedding Venue
For your cocktail hour, your guests will have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to enjoy drinks from the top of the Sugar Bowl. They can board the historic Disney Express and ride it to the top, where they can have snacks and drinks with a view. Once this time wraps up, they will board the lift back to your reception space of choice.
The venue offers a variety of spots for your reception. Some couples choose to set up their reception right in the grass with a tent to provide shade as the sun sets over the mountains. You can also use The Sugar Bowl Village Lodge for this part. Your guests can party up on the deck, grab drinks at the Belt Room Bar, or head down to the lawn for some games. The venue’s versatile options will accommodate up to 300 seated guests or 500 standing.
Wedding Details
In addition to the breathtaking spaces, Sugar Bowl Resort is here to curate an experience. They invite you to book a professional planner who will ensure you have every second of your celebration planned out. The resort offers room blocks as well as a wedding suite for your on-site lodging. You can work with them ahead of time to find different activities that will liven up your wedding weekend. They are going to provide you with professional staff members who will keep your day moving smoothly. You will work with them to establish your layout ahead of time, and they will get to work on set-up.
The venue will provide you with all the necessary furniture, such as tables and chairs. They are also going to handle the linens, china, flatware, and glassware. The executive chefs at the resort are some of the best in the business! When you start to plan your wedding, you will work with them to create a menu that will perfectly suit your celebration. They will take care of the drinks throughout your wedding weekend, and they invite you to use the Belt Room Bar for an after-party. They are going to provide you with a dance floor where your guests can celebrate after you tie the knot.
Photography Opportunities
With Sugar Bowl Resort, you are going to have no shortage of photo ops. When your photographer arrives, they can meet you in your room and take candid pictures as you get ready. The private decks just outside the door give you a space with natural lighting for these portraits. Then, once it’s time for your first look pictures, you can head outside, where you will have a variety of sun-soaked spaces. Whether you want to use the open fields or the private lifts, you are going to have plenty of spots to choose from. Be sure to spend time exploring so you can use the secluded forests and expansive mountain views for your backdrops. The lodge deck offers an accessible space where you can get pictures of every member of the family and the wedding party.
A Real Wedding Day at The Sugar Bowl Resort Wedding Venue
My day at the Sugar Bowl Resort wedding began with gathering all of Madi’s details and incorporating some natural wildflowers alongside the florist’s beautiful creations. Madi’s getting-ready location was a charming cabin just a short walk from the ceremony site. Since Brad and Madi chose not to take a first look, we took photos of their bridal party and family before the ceremony.
When it was time for the ceremony, everything was perfect at the Village Lodge. The wind had gotten calmer, and a stunning floral-covered arch stood under sunny blue skies. Brad’s reaction when he first saw Madi was unforgettable—by far my favorite groom’s reaction to date. Their love and enthusiasm were palpable as they exchanged their beautifully handwritten vows, and the officiant did a fantastic job of keeping everyone laughing throughout.
After the ceremony, we completed the family formals and then took the chairlift up to their cocktail hour. The views from up there were incredible! On the porch, they enjoyed signature drinks and passed hors d’oeuvres. Before returning to the reception, we captured a few quick portraits.
Sublime Views at The Sugar Bowl Resort
Madi and Brad’s wedding at the Sugar Bowl Resort was absolutely breathtaking. The drive up was filled with stunning views and a few thrilling moments where I had to resist looking over the edge. Nestled in the Alps and surrounded by gorgeous meadows and mountains above Donner Lake, Sugar Bowl offered scenery so spectacular that I had to pull over just to take it all in.
I had visited the night before to familiarize myself with the resort’s layout. This location holds special significance for Brad, as his family has been coming here since his childhood. It was a meaningful place for him to share with Madi and exchange their vows.
When I arrived on Friday evening at the Village Lodge, they had just wrapped up a fun day at Lake Mary, the resort’s private lake. I was welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm. Brad, outgoing and jovial, paired perfectly with Madi, who is gentle, elegant, and intuitive—an ideal blend of personalities.
Their reception kicked off with the most incredible first dance I’ve ever witnessed! This year has been full of amazing choreographed dances, and theirs was no exception. The outdoor reception was moved inside as the wind and cold weather rolled in. The bar and lounge area transformed into a cozy and intimate space for family and friends to enjoy speeches. The night continued with family dances and a lively dance party, complete with some crowd surfing, thanks to Brad.
It was a fun and beautiful evening at the Sugar Bowl Resort, and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to document such a wonderful couple.
Celebrate The History Of This Space With Your Dream Sugar Bowl Resort Wedding
With The Sugar Bowl Resort wedding venue, your dream adventure awaits you! Schedule a tour soon to learn all about what makes this space unique.
Once you have your wedding venue, it’s time to find your photographer. That’s why I’m here! I am a Lake Tahoe wedding photographer, and I cannot wait to help you document the next chapter of your story. I would love to sit down and have a conversation so you can decide if my style matches yours. If you would like to learn more, send me a message so we can connect!
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Vendor Team
Venue | Sugar Bowl Resort
Wedding Planner | Katie Braur
Florist | Art in Bloom
DJ | DJ Sawyer
Catering | Sugar Bowl
