Destination Wedding Videos

JD+Emily // Palisades Tahoe Wedding

3/13/2023

Olympic Valley California, home of the 1960 winter Olympics, as well as the chosen location for JD and Emily's wedding day. High in the Sierra Nevada mountains lies the Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. A stunning valley nestled between the mountains. Driving into the valley the day before the wedding I was taken aback by the beauty and overcome with excitement at the thought of capturing a wedding here the next day. After checking into the hotel and grabbing a quick bite to eat at the local Irish pub in the village, it was time to get some rest before the big day ahead. I woke up the next morning to music. Apparently this weekend was shared by the Made in Tahoe Festival, an annual gathering of local art, craft, food, and adult beverage vendors around the area. Luckily my hotel had a private parking lot or else things may have gotten dicey. I made the short walk to Emily's hotel to begin coverage. I found a back bedroom that offered some good natural light to shoot the dress and details. It was a tight squeeze but it got the job done! Emily was in the middle of her makeup process so I began grabbing candids of here and her bridesmaids hanging out. Natural moments like this is my favorite content. Emily reminded me that she had wrote JD a card the day before so we found a quite place to have her read it for the camera. After rearranging the room a bit with the help of their lovely photographer Kim, we shot Emily's getting ready content. It was then time for her to see her groom. They two had landed upon a clearing in a meadow about a mile north of the village to share their first look. The view and space was picturesque, with the mountains serving as our backdrop. JD and his groomsmen showed up in a party bus shortly thereafter, and he made his way to the clearing. After introductions I placed a audio recorder on him and then waited for the arrival of his bride. When Emily arrived we realized that the incredibly tight "trail" we had used to get to this spot was going to be.... a challenge for a girl in a wedding dress and heals. Luckily our bride was a trooper and covered the ground without issue. The two shared a picture perfect first look and we moved on to portraits. As much as we would have liked to stay in this incredible location, it was time to make our way to the ceremony. The ceremony venue was only accessible by gondola, so I gathered my gear and made my way to the terminal. Packed with guests we made our ascent to the top of the mountain. On our way up I managed to grab some footage of the breathtaking views. At the top, the true magnitude of the beauty of the location was realized. This would make for an unforgettable ceremony. After vows were exchanged and a kiss was shared the guest made the short walk to grab drinks, and I went downstairs to the reception space. Sharing the same view as the ceremony but sheltered from the elements, the Terrace Room at High Camp would make for a stunning reception. Jodi, the coordinator with CES Weddings and Events was busy at work making the space perfect for the couple. I took the opportunity to grab some footage of the space and floral design, before meeting Kim upstairs for some sunset portraits with the couple. The wind had picked up and the temperatures began to drop at this point, but we managed to convince the couple to take a short walk to a more isolated mountain location for some photos. You cant beat wind and slow motion footage especially at sunset. The reception festivities began with a grand entrance followed by a choreographed first dance by the couple. The couple had managed to outfit the reception with a full live band and the party began. As my time with Emily & JD came to an end, I said my goodbyes and made my way down the mountain. Time to get some rest. I woke up early the next morning and grabbed some drone shots utilizing the early morning light. Running out of time the day before, the couple and I decided to film our grooms "getting ready" content this morning before I left the valley. When I arrived to the suite I was met by a shockingly put together Emily and a JD that looked like he made the most of the party the night before. Like a true professional he managed to hang in there as I got the necessary getting ready content as well as doing a letter reading for the camera. It was time for me once again to say my goodbyes both to the couple and to the greater Tahoe area.