Achieve Tahoe’s Winter Military Camp

Nicky Byrnes Local Events

I had the great honor of photographing Achieve Tahoe’s winter military camp this year. Twice a year, Achieve Tahoe invites disabled vets plus a guest each to come to the mountains for a week, completely FREE of charge! They’re able to enjoy the outdoors with their friends/family, maybe for the first time since their injury! This is always an inspiring experience and it changes lives. Achieve Tahoe cannot put on these camps for our amazing veterans without YOUR HELP! The Ability Challenge is Achieve Tahoe’s biggest fundraiser of the year so I’d be so appreciative if you could spare a few dollars and donate on my page. If there’s a vet with a disability (from PTSD to amputations, everyone is …

Wedding Venue Spotlight: Hellman-Ehrman Mansion

Nicky Byrnes Weddings

History and Location The Hellman-Ehrman Mansion was built in 1903. Starting out as nothing more than a hill of sand, the designer of this home, Walter Danforth Bliss created one of the most beautiful sights at Lake Tahoe. I.W. Hellman set out to have a home built that would be perfect for entertaining. The result of these two amazing minds led to the creation of the Hellman-Ehrman mansion, a stunning location for any wedding ceremony or reception. This mansion was the product of the immense wealth that I.W. Hellman had obtained. This legendary location also features buildings that are not directly attached to the property, including: a cottage near the lake, the children’s house, quarters for maids, a butler’s cabin, …

Squaw Valley Mountain Top Proposal

Nicky Byrnes Proposals

Happy Valentines Day everybody!!! In the spirit of V-day I’m sharing this EPIC surprise proposal I shot at the top of the Emigrant lift at Squaw Valley Resort. Yonnie had been planning this for months and I was so excited to be a part of it. We headed up the mountain on a perfect day while the future bride’s best friend kept her distracted. It was such an incredible surprise! Congrats you two!

Top 5 Wedding Planning Sites

My Top 5 Sites for Planning Your Tahoe Wedding

Nicky Byrnes Weddings

Wedding planning can become stressful, especially when having to sort through all the websites of resources and scour for helpful articles. It’s easy to take on too much at once and get overwhelmed with the mass amounts of bookmarks and screenshots you’ve collected as you try just to begin to plan. In hopes of setting your mind at ease when it comes to the search of where to turn to for help, I’ve compiled this list of sites to help with your wedding planning in the Lake Tahoe area. You’ve got better things to do than stress over the little stuff! So sit back, relax, and do some browsing on these websites I’ve found to be great for those pre-planning …

Tips on Planning a Tahoe Winter Wedding

Nicky Byrnes Weddings

The perfectly chic, winter wonderland wedding starts with finding the right location. You will be hard-pressed to find a venue more romantic than the snowy mountain tops of Lake Tahoe. The inviting chill and cozy backdrop of a Tahoe wedding can seem picturesque but can require a bit of skillful planning. Here’s how to turn your wooded, fairy-tale wedding into a reality without breaking the budget. When to Book Your Date Whether you dream of burgundy hues and gold or classic spruce tree elegance, all Tahoe couples can agree on one thing – all the pretty snow. Setting the perfect date for your wedding can make or break that dream. To ensure a serene background from the picture books, consider …

Granlibakken Tahoe Venue Spotlight

Granlibakken Tahoe Venue Spotlight

Nicky Byrnes Weddings

There was something in the air that day. You could feel the energy between Fay and Scott rustling through the trees as they eagerly awaited their wedding ceremony. There was a sense of great anticipation and good vibes that resonated from the private bridal dressing area. This couple truly sparkles with love and excitement, making it hard not to get caught up in the emotions of the day. Especially Scott’s first peek at his bride, as she stood tall and graceful among the sheltered first of the Lake Tahoe wooded valley. The Granlibakken Tahoe venue, tucked into the mountainous Tahoe area, was a perfect wedding and reception location for the playful couple. They had decided this was the absolute perfect …

Five Stunning Locations for Lake Tahoe Wedding Photos

Five Stunning Locations for Lake Tahoe Wedding Photos

Nicky Byrnes Weddings

You’ve made it through months of planning. You’ve chosen a destination, thrilled your second cousin’s daughter by asking her to be the flower girl, and picked the perfect table adornments. You’ve found the right cake, said, “yes” to the dress, and booked a honeymoon trip to die for. Destination weddings are all the rage these days, and Lake Tahoe doesn’t disappoint! If you are looking for the best locations to take photographs that will take your breath away for years to come, read on! Hidden Beach While Hidden Beach is located right next to Highway 28, it really is “hidden”! The beach is situated between giant boulders, hiding the highway from view. The beach provides a large sandy area, perfect …

Heidi and Gavin: Boho, DIY Wedding at Basecamp Hotel, South Lake Tahoe

Nicky Byrnes Weddings

Oh my WORD these two. When Heidi, Gavin and I first talked I was already geeked on shooting their wedding because it would be held at one of my fav places in South Lake Tahoe, Basecamp Hotel! I love the modern, sleek vibe of the hotel, they recently remodeled to put in an awesome beer garden with multiple mountain-view decks, and the best part, they’re all about sustainability! Did I mention there’s a vintage airstream in the beer garden? No? Well there is and it is awesome. Aaaaaanyhoo, of course I knew that Heidi and Gavin were my type of people. The whole day was just so peaceful and perfect. Gavin is so charming and funny, I definitely chuckled a …

Alli and Jonathan: Intimate, Laid-Back Wedding at Gar Woods

Nicky Byrnes Weddings

Alli and Jonathan have THE.CUTEST. story ever. They met in choir in high school and Alli had to convince shy Jonathan, through friends, to ask her out. They dated for a little while in high school, lost touch, then found each other years later in San Francisco. They’ve been together ever since! I know, you’re dying of adorable overload right? Even though they now live in Orange County, they fell in love in Northern California so Tahoe was an obvious choice for their wedding. Gar Woods is a gorgeous venue right on the lake in Carnelian Bay, CA known for their “wet-woody” (an insanely tasty blended rum drink that you should probably only have one of), a boat-in pier and …

5 Trends in Wedding Photography

5 Trends in Wedding Photography for 2016/2017

Neil belliveau Weddings

Whether your wedding theme is traditional, avant garde or rustic and homey, you are likely to want your wedding photos to look and feel original. After all, the love that you share with your fiancé is as unique as your own individual personalities, and even if your wedding is rather conventional, your photos should be fresh and distinct.  1. Candid Shots Long gone are the days of rigid, posed photos filled with forced photos and predictable set ups. In 2016 and beyond, candid shots are far more personal and meaningful. You will really appreciate all of those personal photos in the years to come – candid shots help the memories last forever. 2. Classic Film In this often purely digital …