How to Arrange a Historic Mansion Wedding in Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe's historic mansions provide rustic romance.

Weddings in Lake Tahoe already come with a spectacular setting of bright blue skies and mountains reflected in an alpine lake. Add to a wedding's drama by holding it at one of the mansions that dot Lake Tahoe's coastline in both California and Nevada. Once the playground of the wealthy, they still offer historical romance to any wedding.

Things You'll Need

• Deposit and/or processing fee

Instructions

1. Contact the Thunderbird Lodge on the eastern side of the Lake in Nevada. Built by an eccentric multimillionaire during the 1930s, the Lodge is rustically lavish and offers both outside and inside venues for a summertime ceremony. Guests can tour the Lodge's underground tunnel where once an opium den was located and a full-grown pet lion roamed.

2. Contact the Tahoe Tallac Association in South Lake Tahoe, California. The association handles the Valhalla estate. Built in 1923, the lodgepole pine venue has a 20-foot stone fireplace and a wraparound porch with water views for stunning wedding party photos.

3. Contact Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point California State Park in Tahoma. The Hellman-Ehrman Mansion there was the summer home of a wealthy San Franciscan during the early 20th century. Its grounds spill onto the western shore of Lake Tahoe.

Tips & Warnings

• Lake Tahoe spans Nevada and two counties in California. Marriage licenses need to be issued from the location where the wedding ceremony site exists.

• All historic venues are closed in the late fall and winter season.

References

• Thunderbird Lodge: Weddings
• Valhalla Tahoe: Weddings
• California State Parks: Hellman-Ehrman Mansion Weddings