Daniel and nicole at their sugar bowl wedding on donner summit in truckee, california

Sugar Bowl Wedding on Donner Summit, Truckee, California

Daniel
& Nicole

Cocktail hour on the mountain.

Sugar Bowl Ski Resort · Donner Summit

Relaxed, scenic and true to them.

Daniel and Nicole held their wedding at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort, with the ceremony at the bottom of the ski slope in front of the lodge and the Sierra Nevada behind them. The setting was relaxed, scenic and true to the couple.

The day moved from a first look at Rainbow Bridge, to a ceremony below the slopes, to cocktail hour at the top of the mountain, to a reception that ended with nonstop dancing.

LocationDonner Summit, Truckee, California
VenueSugar Bowl Ski Resort
GuestsLarge
SeasonSummer
The day

Ceremony at the base. Cocktail hour on top of the mountain.

Daniel and nicole’s first look at rainbow bridge on old 40 with donner lake behind them

The first look · Rainbow Bridge, Old 40

Starting at Rainbow Bridge.

They did a first look in front of the Rainbow Bridge on Old 40, with Donner Lake in the background. It was a location I suggested for its light and views, and a great way to start the day before the ceremony.

Daniel and nicole walking back up the aisle after their ceremony at sugar bowl

The ceremony · Daniel & Nicole

Married at the base of the mountain.

The ceremony was held at the bottom of the ski slope in front of the lodge on a crisp, bright summer day, with the Sierra Nevada as the backdrop. Sugar Bowl feels relaxed, like a ski lodge in summer, and that matched the couple.

Daniel and nicole on a chairlift at sugar bowl on the way to the summit

The mountain · Chairlifts and the summit

Everyone rode the lift to the top.

After the ceremony, the couple and all of their guests rode the chairlifts to the top of the mountain for cocktail hour. We took portraits at the summit with sweeping alpine views, then headed back down to the lodge for the reception.

Daniel and nicole among wildflowers at the summit at sugar bowl
The summit
Guests lifting the couple on the dance floor at sugar bowl
The reception
Daniel and nicole embracing in golden light at sugar bowl
Golden light

A quick preview.

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Sugar Bowl, Truckee

Full coverage, start to finish.

This gallery follows the full day, from the first look and ceremony to mountaintop portraits and a lively reception. If you are planning a Sugar Bowl wedding or a Lake Tahoe mountain wedding, this shows how the venue photographs all day and what full coverage can look like here. The night ended with a packed dance floor and nonstop dancing.

They did a second shoot for double the fun. See Daniel & Nicole's San Francisco City Hall elopement.

Planning a Sugar Bowl wedding?

Let’s talk.

I have photographed at Sugar Bowl and I know the lifts, the light and the summit. Tell me your date and I will let you know if I am available.

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