GARWOODS
Wedding Photography by Wade Snider
Tahoe City, California
Gar Woods sits right on the water in Carnelian Bay and feels like old-school Tahoe in the best way. It’s all wood beams, huge windows, and a private pier that stretches into the lake. The view is the main character, and the building knows it.
Ceremonies usually happen on the grassy lawn next to the restaurant or down by the water. Receptions move inside to the upstairs dining rooms or out onto the deck with full lake views. Everything’s close together, so the day flows without a bunch of back-and-forth.
Light pours through the windows in the afternoon, and sunset across the lake lights up the entire space. It’s the kind of setting where people stop mid-drink to take it all in. The pier is perfect for portraits, and if you’re coming in by boat, even better.
If you’re getting married at Gar Woods, you don’t need much. The lake does most of the heavy lifting. I’ll take care of the rest.
VENUE SNAPSHOT
Location: Carnelian Bay, North Lake Tahoe, CA
Venue: Gar Woods Grill & Pier
Style: Classic lakefront lodge with vintage Tahoe charm and waterside vibes
Capacity: Up to 160 guests in private upstairs rooms; full restaurant buyout including deck accommodates about 300–350 guests
Ceremony Options: Grassy lawn beside the restaurant overlooking the lake or a small lakeside spot by the pier
Reception Options: Private upstairs dining rooms with floor to ceiling windows and balcony under market umbrellas; full restaurant and deck available with buyout
Best Light: Late afternoon sun streams in through big windows and bathes the deck in warm glow; sunset over the lake becomes the main event
Favorite Spot: The long private pier. It’s perfect for entrances by boat, portraits with the water, and open sky moments
Photographer Insight: Layout is walkable with no shuffling. You get authentic Tahoe textures from aged wood beams, granite pier, water reflections and pine trees. Cocktail hour moves into portraits without losing the energy.
Looking for a Gar Woods wedding photographer? I’ve shot here more than once. I know how to capture the light, the lake, and the laid-back energy so the day doesn’t feel staged but still looks epic.
