Weddings On The Lake

You’ve been planning for months, maybe even years, for this day. You’ve known what your dress would look like since you were 8-years-old and now that’s it’s finally here you are more nervous than ever and words can’t describe how you’re feeling.

Your dress looks amazing. The white fabric fits you perfectly – the skirt flows with your every move and even your veil can’t hide your emotions. And he looks stunning – his tie on straight, shoes shined and a smile stretching from ear to ear. Your family is here, all the ones you love and who love you more, the sun is shining, the minister is waiting, everything is in place and it’s time. Now imagine all that on the pure blue waters of Lake Tahoe.

Each year dozens of couples get married aboard boats on the lake. Some shell out a pretty penny for extravagant ceremonies on Tahoe’s majestic steamers or custom yachts harbored in South Lake Tahoe and some enjoy the tranquility of a more private ceremony with 10 to 20 close family and friends aboard unique boats like Tahoe Sailing Charters’ 50-foot “Tahoe Cruz,” run by Captains Jim Courcier and Mike Pavel.

“Weddings on the lake offer a very intimate moment on one of the biggest cathedrals in the world,” says longtime crewman for Tahoe Sailing Charters, Robert Frohlich, who has seen everything from proposals, bachelorette and bachelor parties to weddings aboard the Tahoe Cruz.

“I’ll never forget one night a few years back when Captain Mike and I were out with a couple and their family,” Frohlich recalls. “We had dressed up a little nicer than usual, everyone was there, the photographer, the minister, their family and friends and we were coming in toward Tahoe City and the wind had just laid down.

“We dropped the sails and the bride came out from below in her dress and the two moved to the bow of the boat where the minister performed the ceremony. It was perfectly quiet, the lake was absolutely beautiful and it was just a really lovely moment, one of those things you don’t experience that often.”

Tahoe Sailing Charters’ 50-foot Santa Cruz class yacht furnishes a full galley complete with marine head and changing berth. Top deck, the ship’s 12-foot beam and comfortable seating accommodates up to 25 people. Guests may take a turn on the helm, or just sit back, relax and let the captain and crew set sail.

For unique wedding, proposal or pre-wedding parties Frohlich said the “Tahoe Cruz” offers everyone a custom fit experience.

“It’s a very simple and pure way of enjoying a day away from dry land and all the anxieties that go along with getting married,” he says. “Sometimes it’s a very spiritual and calming bonding experience and for others it’s let get married, crack open the champagne and go sailing.”

One of the concerns that would obviously go along with getting married on a body of water nearly 200 square miles and 1,000 feet deep on average is the weather. What happens if the wind picks up before the ceremony or if a sudden rainstorm decides to move in and ruin everything?

“Obviously everything is done weather permitting,” says Frohlich. “But there’s a lot of flexibility if things start to change and the late afternoons are usually pretty nice.”

Ann Poole, a wedding minister who works with Tahoe Sailing Charters to create a wedding experience that’s more than just a ceremony out on the lake, said when she was approached about performing weddings on the boat she was immediately drawn to the idea.

“Being married on the water is an incredible experience,” Poole notes. “The feeling of movement, the wind in your hair, the natural world surrounding you — it really heightens the emotion of the experience. Not only do couples experience the love and feelings between each other, but also the emotions of simply being out on the water.”

Poole recalls a bride explaining to her once why she wanted to get married on the lake.

“I liked getting married on the water because it was more than a ritual... it was a very personal, emotional experience,” she told Poole. “We had all of the natural beauty surrounding us which augmented the uniqueness of the ceremony. It was much more than a service or a performance; more real, more focused, heightening our awareness. It helped both of us realize the joy of our commitment. I will never forget how my husband looked, with the breeze ruffling through his hair and the look of love in his eyes.”

In addition to “on-the-water” weddings and wedding party charters, Tahoe Sailing Charters also offers private cruises and three unique daily cruises at noon, 2:30 p.m. and sunset.

“It’s an eco-friendly way of experiencing the beauty of Lake Tahoe and people are absolutely ecstatic when they come off the boat,” says Courcier. “Our noon cruises are great for the kids and families, the 2:30 p.m. cruise is the most exhilarating when the afternoon winds kicks in and the sunset cruise provides the perfect romantic setting.”

Courcier says the best thing about being out on the “Tahoe Cruz” is simply “getting away from all the hustle and bustle” of daily life in town.

The two-hour noon cruise, which travels along Tahoe’s West Shore, also offers guests the exclusive chance to see the famous “Fleur du Lac”, the onsite location for the filming of the Godfather. According to Courcier, each of the three daily cruises also is available for private charter.

“Along with weddings we do a lot of special trips for families, friends and private groups,” he says. “Being out on the boat under wind power alone offers a unique perspective you can’t get anywhere else.”

The “Tahoe Cruz” sails daily from the Tahoe City Marina. For pricing, departure times, reservations and information, call (530) 583-6200 or visit www.tahoesail.com.