There is such a thing as being in the right place at the right time. For Maureen and Scott, that time didn’t arrive until after college. “The more we got to know each other we realized that, although we had never met before, we had grown up right down the road from each other, but went to different schools and even attended the same church, but different masses.”

When it came time to say “I do,” Maureen and Scott knew they wanted to get married outside Texas, but didn’t have much direction beyond that. Luckily, a friend suggested the couple check out Lake Tahoe. “I couldn’t believe a place as beautiful as Tahoe existed in the U.S. and I had never been there,” recalls the bride. “After [one] day of exploring the town, we knew Lake Tahoe was the place we wanted to say our vows.”

There was one important detail the couple couldn’t go without. “We are both Catholic, but decided against a full Catholic mass. We worked with our wedding planner to find a priest who would perform a ceremony outside and bless the ceremony site before we began.” As a result, the ceremony was one filled with promises of love and commitment.

When it came to the reception, Maureen and Scott had a specific look in mind. “We had many vision board sessions where we talked about the look and feel of how we wanted our wedding to be and relied on our planners to provide recommendations for vendors who fit that mold.” Come W-Day, the couple saw their vision become reality. “The décor was exactly what we had envisioned, weaving the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe and its greenery into the gold accented linens used on the head tables and, overall, creating the perfect balance of nature and elegance that we had dreamed of.”

VEndors: Photographer: Corey Fox Photography, Wedding Planner: Merrily Wed, Ceremony/Reception Site: West Shore Café, Florist: Martha Bernyk Floral Design, Stationery: Sweet Magnolia Paper, Rentals: Celebrations Party Rentals, Linens: La Tavola Linen, Band: Hip Service, Ceremony Music: The String Beings, Cake: West Shore Café, Videographer: Johnny.B.Films, Hair: Nicole Oxandaboure with Bella Vita Salon, Makeup: LA di DA Beauty, Gown Designer: Maggie Sottero, Groom’s Tux: Knot Standard, Groom’s Shoes: Kenneth Cole, Bridesmaids’ Clothing Designer: Adrianna Papell & Jenny Yoo, Groomsmens’ Clothing Designer: The Black Tux. 

This article first appeared in Destination I Do’s Spring/Summer 2016 issue. You can order a copy here.