Rainbow Lodge Wedding Photographer

Rainbow Lodge wedding photography · Soda Springs, California

Private, historic and close to Tahoe.

Rainbow Lodge is at 50080 Hampshire Rocks Road in Soda Springs, along the South Yuba River on the historic Lincoln Highway 40. It is about 15 minutes from Truckee and 15 minutes from the Tahoe ski resorts. A 150-year-old lodge on 114 private acres with 27 guest rooms, an aspen and pine grove ceremony area, an outdoor lawn, a swimming hole in the Yuba River, and the entire property rented exclusively to your wedding party for the weekend. Up to 120 guests for the event, up to 65 staying overnight.

Most couples who book here are already planning a Lake Tahoe wedding weekend and want a venue that feels more private than a resort. It fits that brief well.

I have photographed weddings here. The ceremony area in the aspen grove with the High Sierras behind it is one of the better natural ceremony backdrops in the region. The whole property photographs well and the weekend format means the day is relaxed in a way that full-day hotel weddings rarely are.

If you are getting married at Rainbow Lodge and want a photographer who knows the property, get in touch.

Rainbow Lodge wedding venue · The details

What you need to know.

Historic lodge · Soda Springs

Rainbow Lodge

Soda Springs, California

A 150-year-old lodge on 114 private acres along the South Yuba River, rented exclusively to your wedding party for the weekend.

Website: therainbowlodge.com
Location: 50080 Hampshire Rocks Rd, Soda Springs, CA 95728. 15 min from Truckee, 15 min from Tahoe ski resorts.
Capacity: Up to 120 for the event. Up to 65 overnight in 27 guest rooms. Entire property rented exclusively to your wedding party Friday through Sunday.
Ceremony: Outdoor aspen and pine grove with High Sierra backdrop. Choice of two wedding arbors included. White chairs and tables for 120 included.
Reception: Outdoor deck with string lights. Indoor lodge for inclement weather. Fire pit, patio furniture, banquet tables all included. 11pm curfew outdoors, 1am indoors.
Catering: In-house catering and bar. Full liquor license. All alcohol must be purchased through the lodge. Rehearsal dinner included at no additional event fee.
Activities: Swimming hole in the Yuba River, inner tubes provided. 114 acres of hiking trails. Ski resorts 15 min away in winter.
Season: Year round. Outdoor events June through October. November through May events held indoors with full access to the 114 acres.

Rainbow Lodge wedding photographer · My take

Why the weekend works.

The aspen grove ceremony area is what sets Rainbow Lodge apart. You have pines and aspens on both sides, the High Sierras directly behind the couple, and dappled light through the canopy. It photographs clean without needing anything added to the frame.

The weekend format changes everything about how the day feels. Guests arrive Friday, settle in, do the rehearsal dinner that night with no extra event fee. By the time the ceremony happens Saturday the whole group has already been together for 24 hours. Nobody is stressed. The couple is relaxed. It shows in the photos.

The Yuba River swimming hole is a bonus I did not expect the first time I shot here. Getting everyone down to the river for informal portraits with the water is one of the better things you can do with a 30-minute gap in the day. Towels and inner tubes are provided by the venue.

Rainbow Lodge wedding planning tips

Things nobody tells you.

Plan for a weekend.

You get the whole property Friday through Sunday. Use it for a relaxed rehearsal dinner and Saturday ceremony.

Use the rehearsal dinner perk.

It is included at no additional event fee, which saves real money.

Mind the curfews.

Outdoor events end at 11pm and indoor at 1am. Build your timeline around them.

Go in September for gold.

The aspen grove turns gold in September and early October and the light is great.

Build in a river break.

A 30-minute gap at the Yuba swimming hole makes easy, informal portraits.

Book your photographer early.

Summer and fall weekends book 12 to 18 months out.

Rainbow Lodge wedding FAQ

Questions couples actually ask.

Where is Rainbow Lodge?

50080 Hampshire Rocks Road in Soda Springs, California, along the South Yuba River on the historic Lincoln Highway 40. About 15 minutes from Truckee and the North Shore of Lake Tahoe. Easy off I-80.

Is Rainbow Lodge a Lake Tahoe wedding venue?

Yes. Rainbow Lodge is 15 minutes from Truckee and the North Shore of Lake Tahoe inside the Tahoe National Forest. Most venue directories list it under Lake Tahoe and Northern Sierras. Couples who book here are usually planning a Lake Tahoe area wedding weekend and want something more private than a resort hotel. It fits that brief well.

How many guests does Rainbow Lodge hold?

Up to 120 for the event. Up to 65 overnight in 27 guest rooms. The entire property is rented exclusively to your wedding party Friday through Sunday afternoon. No other guests on site during your weekend.

Does Rainbow Lodge have in-house catering?

Yes. Emily and Spencer run catering and bar through the lodge. Full liquor license. All alcohol must be purchased through the venue. The rehearsal dinner is included at no additional event fee, which is a real cost saving most venues do not offer.

What time of year is best?

June through October for outdoor events. September and early October are worth considering specifically. The aspen grove turns gold and the light is some of the best of the year. Winter weddings use the indoor lodge with full access to the 114 acres. November through May events are indoors only.

What is included with the venue?

White chairs and tables for 120, choice of two wedding arbors, string lights over the deck, fire pit, patio furniture, banquet tables, towels and inner tubes for the Yuba River swimming hole, and an on-site general manager for the weekend. Rehearsal dinner at no additional event fee.

How far in advance should I book a photographer?

Summer and fall weekends book 12 to 18 months out. If you have a date at Rainbow Lodge confirmed, reach out as soon as possible.

Rainbow Lodge wedding photographer · Soda Springs, California

Rainbow Lodge wedding photography · Soda Springs, California

Rainbow Lodge wedding venue · The details

Rainbow Lodge