There are some wedding days that feel especially meaningful because of the place, the people, and the story that brought everyone together. Amy and Nicco’s wedding at Northstar’s Zephyr Lodge was one of those days.
Surrounded by towering pines, blooming wildflowers, and sweeping mountain views, their June wedding was an intimate celebration of family, friendship, and the kind of love that feels deeply rooted. From the moment the day began in the village to their golden hour portraits high above the trees, every part of the celebration felt intentional, emotional, and full of connection.
And perhaps most beautifully, Amy and Nicco’s story had begun years before their wedding day. Nicco was originally Amy’s older brother’s best friend—a relationship that eventually blossomed into something of their own. Years later, they found themselves standing together on a mountaintop, surrounded by the people who had watched their story unfold.
A Summer Wedding at Northstar Zephyr Lodge
Amy and Nicco began their wedding day at the hotel in Northstar’s ski village, where they got ready surrounded by their closest friends and family.
Amy wore a timeless strapless satin A-line gown paired with a simple, sweeping veil. Her bridesmaids each wore a different dress in shades of sage green, creating a soft, organic palette that complemented the mountain landscape beautifully. The groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos, adding a refined elegance to the natural setting.
The overall design was understated and organic. Floral arrangements in soft tones of white, blush, and dusty blue added delicate touches of color without competing with the wildflowers and towering evergreens surrounding the venue. The design was beautifully brought together by Sisters Event Studio.
A First Look Beneath the Gondola
Before making their way to the mountaintop, Amy and Nicco shared their first look beneath the gondola.
There was something particularly fitting about beginning their wedding portraits here. The gondola would soon carry them—and their loved ones—up the mountain toward the ceremony, but for a quiet moment, it was simply the two of them.
From there, the wedding party and family gathered before making their way to the top of the mountain. Guests and members of the wedding party boarded the gondolas and chair lifts, turning the journey itself into part of the celebration.
It felt quintessentially Tahoe: a wedding day that wasn’t confined to a ballroom, but one that invited everyone to experience the landscape together.
A Mountaintop Ceremony Surrounded by Wildflowers
At the top of the mountain, Amy and Nicco exchanged vows overlooking a breathtaking meadow filled with natural June wildflowers.
The ceremony was incredibly sentimental, made even more meaningful by the people standing beside them. A close friend officiated the ceremony, while Amy’s brother—whose friendship with Nicco had ultimately played such an important role in bringing them together—bore the rings.
With the mountains stretching into the distance and wildflowers blooming around them, the setting required very little embellishment. The landscape itself became the backdrop.
The ceremony was filled with emotion and the quiet joy of having so many of their favorite people gathered together in one place.
Family, Friends & Mountain Views
Before guests settled in for the ceremony, we spent time photographing family and wedding party portraits around the ceremony space.
The mountaintop offered an incredible natural setting, with sweeping views of the surrounding peaks and wildflowers growing throughout the landscape. Rather than overpowering the scenery, Amy and Nicco’s wedding design complemented it.
Their flowers were intentionally minimal and organic, with white, blush, and dusty blue tones woven throughout the day. Against the greens and blues of the Sierra landscape, the result felt effortlessly elegant.
For couples considering a Northstar Zephyr Lodge wedding, this is one of the things I love most about photographing here: the setting already provides an incredible sense of place. The design can remain refined and understated while allowing the mountains, trees, and wildflowers to take center stage.
An Intimate Cocktail Hour at the Lodge
Following the ceremony, guests gathered for cocktail hour with signature drinks, appetizers, and plenty of time to mingle.
There was a wonderful sense of excitement throughout the afternoon. Amy and Nicco were visibly thrilled to have so many of their loved ones together, and they seemed to gravitate toward each other throughout the entire evening.
One of my favorite things about photographing their day was how often I caught them looking at one another.
The stolen glances. The small smiles from across the room. The moments when one would instinctively reach for the other.
Those are often the moments I treasure most as a wedding photographer because they happen naturally, without direction or posing. They are the little pieces of a wedding day that bring you back to exactly how it felt.
Dinner, Sentimental Speeches & A Beautiful First Dance
Dinner was followed by heartfelt speeches that brought plenty of emotion to the evening.
With so much history between their families and friends, there was no shortage of stories to tell. Their wedding wasn’t simply a gathering of guests—it was a gathering of the people who had shaped their lives and witnessed their relationship along the way.
The evening continued with Amy and Nicco’s first dance, which was full of movement, joy, and plenty of beautiful twirling.
It felt completely true to them: romantic without being overly serious, joyful without feeling staged.
And throughout it all, they remained close. Even in a room filled with family and friends, they continually found their way back to one another.
Golden Hour on the Mountain
As the evening light began to soften, we stepped outside for golden hour portraits on the mountaintop.
This was one of my favorite portions of their Northstar Zephyr Lodge wedding.
The late afternoon light settled over the mountains, illuminating the landscape in a warm, dreamy glow. Surrounded by the Sierra peaks and summer wildflowers, Amy and Nicco had a few quiet moments together away from the celebration.
These portraits felt like a natural pause in the evening—a chance to slow down, take in the view, and simply be together.
For me, this is one of the great gifts of photographing a wedding at Zephyr Lodge. The opportunity to step outside during golden hour and create portraits surrounded by the mountains gives the photographs a sense of place that is unmistakably Lake Tahoe.
A Celebration Surrounded by the People They Love
After portraits, everyone returned to the reception and the party continued into the evening.
Looking back at Amy and Nicco’s wedding day, what stands out most isn’t any single detail. It’s the feeling of it.
They were so genuinely excited to have their favorite people together. Their wedding day felt less like a production and more like a celebration of the relationships that had carried them to this point.
From a first look beneath the gondola to vows overlooking a meadow of wildflowers, from sentimental speeches to a joyful first dance, their wedding unfolded naturally and beautifully.
And perhaps that’s what made their day at Northstar Zephyr Lodge so memorable: every part of it reflected the people they are and the love they share.
Northstar Zephyr Lodge Wedding Photography
Zephyr Lodge is an incredible setting for couples who want their wedding to feel connected to the landscape. Located high above Northstar California Resort, the venue offers a distinctly alpine setting with mountain views, towering evergreens, and access by gondola—making the journey to the wedding part of the experience itself.
For couples planning a summer wedding in Lake Tahoe, June offers the possibility of blooming mountain wildflowers alongside the dramatic Sierra landscape. The combination creates an especially beautiful backdrop for wedding portraits, family photographs, and golden hour images.
As a Lake Tahoe wedding photographer, I love creating imagery that feels both editorial and deeply personal—photographs that preserve not only how your wedding looked, but how it felt to be there.
Amy and Nicco’s day was a beautiful reminder of why those photographs matter.
Because years from now, the flowers will fade, the dress will be carefully preserved, and the details of the reception will become part of family history. But the photographs will remain—bringing you back to the feeling of standing together on that mountaintop, surrounded by the people you love most.
Planning your own Northstar Zephyr Lodge wedding? I’d love to tell your story. Get in touch to inquire about wedding photography and availability →
Continue Exploring Amy & Nicco’s Story
Before their wedding day, I photographed Amy and Nicco’s engagement session at Emerald Bay and Sugar Pine Point. Their engagement portraits offer another glimpse into their relationship and the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe.
View Amy & Nicco’s Lake Tahoe engagement session →
| Vendor Team: |
| Planning & Design | @sisterseventstudio Photography | @sarahwoodsphoto Venue | @zephyrlodge Florals | @sweetstemsandco DJ | @miltonmerlos.weddings Content Creator | @contentbycait Shot by @kayscreativeco Beauty | @feelbeautifulwithmegan @alyssa.crusalon @katie.crusalon Rentals | @celebrationseventrentals Dessert | @truckeecookies |
October 9, 2026
