
Real Weddings: Mountaintop Whimsy
We have a gorgeous new Real Weddings feature for you today!
This Whimsical Wedding for Kali and Tommy, photographed by Jillian Bisinger and coordinated by Paige Galla, set stage atop the breathtaking mountains of Lake Tahoe, California. Shades of vibrant green and punchy pink juxtaposed the galvanized steel and natural twig accents to set the tone for a fresh, playful celebration under the Big White Tent.
Read on for tons of great pics and all the details, as told by Paige…
“Kali and Tommy’s wedding was a destination celebration in Truckee, California– a special location for the bride and groom, who have snuck away from the busy Bay Area for weekend retreats since their days in college.
The wedding style was fresh, bright, whimsical, punchy, and playful.
There were natural accents (twig escort cards, wheatgrass planters), homemade touches (table toppers hand-sewn by the mother of the bride and cultural heritage cookies baked by the grandmothers), and abundance of color (candy bar, centerpieces, lanterns) paired with clean, crisp white linens and tent lining.
Nuptials were held in traditional Catholic manner at the Assumption Church in downtown Truckee.
The bride carried a bouquet of pillowy white peonies, finished with a hankie from her great grandmother (something old & something blue). In addition to her glitzy gown, she wore an heirloom diamond ring and fabulous Kate Spade shoes.
The reception was held on the verdant and picturesque golf course at The Lodge at Tahoe Donner under their big white tent.
Cocktail hour featured a signature “Truckee-tini” made with midori and vodka, to stay consistent with the color theme. The bride went one step beyond personalized cocktail napkins by incorporating the matching swizzle sticks with the couples initials.
The cocktail table centerpieces were galvanized steel “planter boxes” with wheat grass and bright blossoms atop hand-sewn polka dot toppers.
The escort cards were handmade and incorporated the natural twigs, pink ribbon and illustrated entrée indicators that carried the theme on the letterpress invitation. Cards were displayed in a trough of wheat grass.
The newlyweds offered a limoncello lemon drop shot in personalized shot glasses to give gratitude to their guests before dinner. A departure from the traditional champagne toast, it gave a nod to their college days at University of the Pacific, where they met.
Serpentine tables added to the whimsy of the candy bar. Bright candies were displayed in the bride’s collection of apothecary jars, adorned with ribbon and buttons.
Heritage cookies were a sweet addition: the groom’s grandmother baked three varieties of his favorite Italian cookies; the bride’s grandmother baked a variety of her favorite Portuguese cookies, and the bride’s extended family brought her all-time favorite Spanish cookies all the way from Texas.
Dinner was delicately prepared and professionally executed by The Lodge team. It was served plated and beautifully presented.
Toasts by their nearest and dearest friends and family members brought tears, laughter and heartfelt warmth.”
Here are a few more fun shots that I couldn’t resist including. This reception looks like such a great party!
We should all be having as much fun as this guy, right?!
A few more details…

- Photographer: Jillian Bisinger Modern Photography
- Wedding Coordinator: Paige Galla, Paige One Events
- Florist: Lisa Fairchild, Blossoms by Lisa
- Location: Tahoe Donner Lodge
29 Comments
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Wow, love this wedding! Such cheerful, happy, bright, fresh ideas! :-)
Love the green BM dresses with the white shoes!
Love this! Fresh and Fun!
Love the green!! I may be a bit biased though, as we had kelly green bridesmaids, too. :)
What a gorgeous event! This special day was captured so beautifully by the photographer.
Congrats to the couple. What a beautiful wedding I love the green! The candy buffet is beautiful and I love, the drink sticks!
http://www.amodernproposal.com
Brilliant!! The beautiful people, the colors, the angles of the photography are simply amazing!
Looks like a delightful party…….you can feel the bride’s personality…..throughout…..from the colors to the flowers and the amazing personal touches!
Gorg!
The bride, Kali, is my best friend! (I was maid honor on this fabulous occassion)! She put in so much time, effort, and planning into this day! With help from fellow best buddy/ wedding planner Paige, no detail was left unturned!
Jillian Bisinger (photographer) and her hubby Tony, did an amazing job, and were fantastic to work with! If your planning a wedding, I recommend them! (Paige too)!
i like the colour-combi of green and pink. makes it look fresh and isn’t the usual…
and i love the buttons =)
Wow this wedding is very detailed! I think everything is green and pink!
Paige, what a wonderful wedding! Love your blog.
How fun! My boyfriend and I both went to school at UOP and would love to do something as a nod to our college days at our reception too :)
This is one of my favorites! My favorite colors too! I am such a fan!
What a fabulous wedding, love these pictures!
I love these dresses and their shoes. My best friend is getting married and these are exactly what she is looking for. does anyone know who makes the dress and shoes? Beautiful wedding
Such a cute yet classy wedding – looks like a really fun time :)
i’m loving there color’s!!!
Hi Jessica –
I’m not sure about the dress, but the shoes are by Kate Spade!
Thank you for letting me know about the shoes. I am still looking to try and find out about the dress.
Also i found out that the brides shoes are kate spade clarice but i cant find the bridesmaid shoes,by chance does anyone know who they are by
The shoes are MeToo and were purchased at Nordstrom, but can also be found on some online sites. Bridesmaid dresses are by JCrew.
This is my wedding :)
Kali – where did you find the wooden box? I’m looking for one about that size for my own wedding. Thanks!
kali it was beautiful wedding and i wish you the happiest marriage. i have been married for 5 years and it is wonderful. thank you for the information..
Kali, wonderful wedding, nicely done! Where did you get your dress? It’s beautiful!
The cupcake stand is gorgeous.
The wooden box was homemade-by my florist’s husband! My dress was purchased at Gesinee’s in Concord, CA and is made by Allure….
xoxo
Love all this wedding. Great inspriation to help with my planning. Where did you get the swizzle sticks?? Love them