Little did Kate + Ryan know when they met on a blind date 10 years ago that their love story would lead to this epically romantic, Western-inspired wedding in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
The HideOut—a Tahoe-style lodge on a private lake that’s surrounded by meadows, rivers, streams, granite mountain tops, and thousands of acres of National Forest—turned out to be a meant-to-be venue for several reasons.
The first reason? “My husband is a singer/songwriter from Nashville, TN, and I was born and raised in the wilds of California,” says bride Kate, “so when we found the rustic HideOut venue in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, we knew this was the perfect place to represent both of us.”
And on top of that, it held significance for Kate + her family. “This venue was also incredibly special to my father and I because it is close to where my grandfather’s old cabin was,” Kate says. “My grandfather was a hero to us both, and when we set foot onto the property we felt his spirit there without question. It allowed us to have a piece of him there with us on my wedding day.”
With planning help from Blue Sky Events, Kate + Ryan’s wedding weekend filled this special spot with charming Western wear details, deep primary reds, blues, and yellows, and an immersive + elevated rustic, country vibe.
You’re only going to believe the stunning post-ceremony portrait session if you see it for yourself—We cannot wait to show you all the gorgeous photos of the day from Jessica Miriam Photography!
“Our bridal party and family were able to stay onsite with us the entire weekend, turning our wedding into a miniature festival with BBQing, hiking, swimming, bonfires, and stargazing,” remembers bride Kate. “We set up glamping tents for friends on the property, and everyone else rented cabins in the small town of Kirkwood, 10 minutes away.”
Weekend-long getaways like Kate + Ryan’s are one of the wedding trends we’re excited about right now!
As the creator of Amaroq Design, Kate is no stranger to the world of weddings and bridal design. You might recognize her gorgeous one-of-a-kind custom headpieces from this vibrant glamping wedding in Moab or this celestial beach wedding in Costa Rica. This time, though, Kate got to design + make a bridal crown for herself!
A custom topography pocket flask from Well Told is such a unique way to mark the spot where you tied the knot. It also makes a great groomsmen gift!
Fun fact about The HideOut: it has its own authentic Old West saloon!
Can we please get a standing ovation for this stunning embroidered wedding veil?! Kate went with the breathtaking Rue de Seine “Mountain Song” veil, and she’s so right when she says: “It was MADE for this venue.”
“This veil made my entire look come together. I modeled parts of my tiara after the details in this epic work of art.“
“I’ve had a decades-long friendship with Stephanie White, the dress designer behind Odylyn the Ceremony.” says Kate. “She performed a miracle for me, designing two custom gowns for the occasion. I am a barefooted free spirit who likes to deny her curves exist and insists on dressing like a faery… until my D-cup breasts get in the way. When I told Steph I wanted to feel naked and whimsical but somehow compliment my figure, she surpassed all of my dreams with her design.”
“I chose paper-thin ivory crinkled chiffon for the fabric, so light that the mountain breeze could play with it in the wind,” Kate says of her gorgeous off-the-shoulder wedding gown. “Steph created the most elegant bustle for the long, flowing train. She created a bodice that held me in and accentuated my waist, with the most ethereal billowing sleeves.”
Priceless pictures like this? Yeah, they’re one of the reasons we love a first look.
A Private Moment Before
“Ryan and I decided to write our own vows and read them privately to each other before the ceremony, standing on the dock of the cabin overlooking the lake as a beautiful thunderstorm rolled through,” remembers Kate.
Dig into our vow-writing guide + template if you’re wanting to share something personal with your partner on your big day like Kate + Ryan did.
photography: Jessica Miriam Henslet // venue name: The HideOut, Kirkwood, CA, USA // planning: Lindsey, Blue Sky Events // florals: Create with T // wedding dress: Odylyne the Ceremony – custom // hairpiece: Amaroq Design // hair stylist: Joseph Chase // makeup artist: Salon Be // videography: Vista Estate Visuals // catering: Motherlode // music: DJ Sawyer // officiant: Trey Holland // veil : Rue de Siene Bridal