Since the moment they were engaged, Brittany and Lincoln knew how they wanted their wedding to be: small, intimate and full of love and support from the people they cherish. The groom wanted a mountain wedding and the bride wanted to be married by the sea. Lake Tahoe in California was a perfect fit for the pair.

“In making this decision, we were fully aware that traveling across the country would be a huge undertaking for our guests,” Brittany said. To give their guests time to prepare financially and schedule-wise, the couple gave more than a year’s notice to save the date. Most guests ended up adding a few extra days to their time away and visiting nearby cities for a California vacation. 

With the help of Rebecca Rose Events, the couple spent 18 months planning their perfect day. “We would not have changed a thing,” the newlyweds said. “Planning a small, intimate destination wedding allowed us to truly focus on the thing that mattered most: celebrating the start of our marriage with our closest family and friends.”

While Brittany and Lincoln didn’t have many do-it-yourself projects, they were still able to make sure their wedding had a piece of them by adding personal touches. “[Our team from Rebecca Rose Events] definitely engaged in do-it-yourself projects for our reception and wedding,” Brittany said. “The RRE team went foraging along the lake for more greenery to add to the altar and our ‘cheese’ cake. This helped create the lush green theme we wanted for our wedding.” 

Brittany and Lincoln stayed within their wedding budget and said “having less people in an intimate setting” gave them the ability to go with their first choice for each of their vendors. If they had a wedding at home instead, it would have meant “more people and less quality time,” and overall it wouldn’t have been the wedding they wanted. 

Brittany shared advice for any couples hesitant about deciding to have a destination wedding. “Listen to your instincts,” she said. “Lincoln and I constantly felt nervous about asking our core friends and family to spend money to fly to California for our wedding…at the end of the day, we found that people that truly love you will gladly make the trip.” To this day, the newlyweds still get compliments about the day they said their “I do’s.”

Vendors: Photographer: Archetype, Wedding Planner: Rebecca Rose Events, Ceremony/Reception Site: The Landing Resort & Spa, Florist: Rebecca Rose Events, Stationery: Rebecca Rose Creative, Cake: The Landing Resort & Spa, Hair & Makeup: Tiffany Cecil, Gown Designer: Maggie Sottero, Groom’s Clothing Designer: Ralph Lauren, Bridesmaids’ Clothing Designer: Adriana Papell, Groomsmen’s Clothing Designer: Calvin Klein, Other Vendors: Band: Cover Me Badd, Table Rentals: Celebrations Party Rentals, Linen Rentals:La Tavola