Real Tahoe Wedding Video at Northstar

Nice work Studio THP and congrats C + G! What a beautiful Wedding!

Candace & Greg Northstar Wedding Highlight from StudioTHP on Vimeo.

Creative Ceremony Seating Layouts

There are many ways to add creativity and unique additions to your wedding ceremony, and we are personally lusting after this spectacular layout from one of our very own Northstar California Overlook Pavilion ceremonies last week.

I have always thought that being daring and different is being glamorous. It takes an adventurous bride-to-be to stray from the traditional seating arrangement style, but we think its worth every extra minute of coordinating your seating plans. Here are a few ideas that we are falling head-over-heels for: 

Ceremonies in the round can produce this wonderfully intimate feeling for the bride and groom, because you are literally surrounded by the ones you love. These circular set-ups are perfect for a roomy outdoor ceremony site and can work for both small and large weddings.

"Circles commonly represent unity, wholeness, and infinity. Without beginning or end, without sides or corners, the circle is also associated with the number one" -About.com

XOXO,
Julie "Jewels" Morell, Resort Sales Coordinator, Northstar California 

C+J- A real Tahoe wedding at Northstar!

Congratulations you two and thank you to the fabulously talented Eric Asistin for capturing the memories! See more of this real Overlook wedding at Northstar on Eric's blog.

A Mountain Top Wedding at Northstar!

Congratulations to S + J and the fearless bride who wore hiking boots to the top of the mountain where she met her soon to be husband, fresh off the chairlift!

What a special treat for the guests! Don't worry, there are gondola cabins on the lift too...

The majestic views from the grand Zephyr Lodge - 7500+ feet in the air!

After arriving off the lift at mid-mountain, guests were treated to a natural setting and gorgeous place settings for dinner al fresco under a green super pipe! Only at a ski resort... :-)

B.xo

Including Golf in your Wedding Weekend

Looking for a fun and exciting way to jazz up your wedding weekend? Hosting a pre-nuptial golf outing is a fabulous way to introduce, entertain and pamper your family and wedding party, as well as provide an memorable outdoor experience to go along with your ceremony.

Here are three popular, easy-to-plan options for including a few golf swings in your wedding weekend:

1. On the day of your Rehearsal Dinner:
   Consider playing Bride’s side vs. Groom’s side, if you like the idea of a little friendly competition. Not a golfer? Send the boys off to the golf course while the ladies head to the spa! By the time everyone gathers later on for the Rehearsal Dinner, all will relaxed and ready-to-dine.
2. On the morning of your Big Day:
   The groom and groomsmen playing a round of golf on the morning of his wedding has been a welcome tradition for a long time—and with good reason!  A bonding opportunity like no other, it will remain a special memory to cherish for many years to come.  We recommend either an early tee time or playing 9 holes if your ceremony is at 3pm or earlier.
3. Post-Wedding:
   Nothing is better than hitting the greens after your highly-anticipated moment has commenced. A Scramble Format (often known as "Best Ball") is a great way to level the playing field, especially if you have several players of different abilities.

Finally, be sure and call the course a few months in advance to reserve tee times, especially if you have a larger group. Contact the Northstar Golf Course at 530.562.3290 for tee times, or to book your group call 530.562.8029.

- Julie "Jewels" Morell, Northstar California Resort Sales Coordinator

5 Tips for Wedding Planning with Pinterest

If you’re like us and spent many teenage afternoons sitting cross-legged in your bedroom, cutting outfits and espadrilles from magazines, you will undoubtedly adore Pinterest. But chances are, you already do! Whether new to Pinterest or you’ve been Pinning for months, let us share some Wedding-themed advice on making the most out of your precious Pinning time.

1. Create Multiple Boards. Having only one Board, titled “Wedding”, is too broad. You may have Boards for hairstyles and makeup, invitations, floral inspirations and definitely a board full of gowns.  We personally like the idea of making a Board for Photography and Pinning different poses that you might want to strike. Get creative! 

2. Mind For Your Money.  When you’re mind’s already in Wedding-mode it’s even easier to “fall in love” with your amazing finds on Pinterest. Just remember: some of them you may not be able to afford. Use this to your advantage by searching keywords or having replicates created.

3. Follow The Experts. Keep an eye on the Pinterest wedding experts to see what is trending. The Knot and Style Me Pretty have a dedicated team of connoisseurs that Pin for them. They know what works and better yet, have a great deal of “Pinventory”!

4. Take Feedback. It’s your day; in the end, you will choose what you want.  But as always, feedback can be your best friend. You can even allow others (Mom, sisters, bridesmaids, etc.) to Pin to your boards. If you have ideas for Bridesmaids Dresses for example, and you’d like to share them with the ladies, this is a convenient, non-intrusive way to do so.

5. Share Your Boards. Make sure you are sharing your Boards with your planner, vendors, florist, etc.! With that being said, also jot down why you like a certain Pin. Descriptions can be helpful—especially if you may have Pinned specifically for a piece of décor, rather than the overall vibe. For example: “Candleholder, NOT tablecloth.”

 -Julie "Jewels" Morell, Northstar California Resort Sales Coordinator ~ http://pinterest.com/jewelsandella

Marissa + Brian

Check out this real Northstar wedding at Martis Valley and Dustin's Grove at our golf course! Congratulations to the happy couple and thank you to Shoop's Shutter for the fab photos!

 

S'more-gasbord at your Wedding!

Anywhere there is fire, you can make s'mores at your Wedding! And at Northstar, we have several venues that offer private fire pits. While a basket of traditional S'more fixin's after the reception is cool, why not kick it up a notch with a "S'mores-gasboard"! This new offering includes gourmet marshmallows and Ghirardelli Chocolate.

Chocolate:

·          Hershey's or Ghirardelli

Caramel Filled

Dark Chocolate with Mint

 Milk Chocolate Truffle

 Peppermint Bark

Marshmallow Flavors:

·           Vanilla

·           Chocolate Chip

·           S’mores

·           Caramel Swirl

Or, how about S'mores bags for your favors? Chocolate, marshmallows, graham crackers, oh my! The possibilities are endless...- Bxo

A Match Made In Heaven

With cupcakes being all-the-rage at weddings these days, check out this delicious twist for your dessert table! The Oreo and Cheesecake compliment each other so perfectly that it takes cupcakes to a whole new level. Rest assured, Oreo's are not just for kids.

Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Cupcakes
From Martha Stewart's Cupcakes
Makes 30

• Ingredients:
• 42 cream-filled sandwich cookies, such as Oreo's, 30 left whole, and 12 coarsely chopped
• 2 pounds cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
• 1 cup sour cream
• Pinch of salt

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Place 1 whole cookie in the bottom of each lined cup.

2. With an electric mixer on medium high speed, beat cream cheese until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Gradually add sugar, and beat until combined. Beat in vanilla.

3. Drizzle in eggs, a bit at a time, beating to combine and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in sour cream and salt. Stir in chopped cookies by hand.

4. Divide batter evenly among cookie-lined cups, filling each almost to the top. Bake, rotating pan halfway through, until filling is set, about 22 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Refrigerate at least 4 hours (or up to overnight). Remove from tins just before serving.

I'm not usually the best gourmet chef, but when I bit into my homemade Oreo and Cheesecake Cupcakes I swear I heard these lovely lyrics in my head: 'Cause we go together like birds of a feather'....

- Julie "Jewels" Morell, Northstar California Resort Sales Coordinator

Summer events at Northstar

What else is going on during your Wedding weekend at Northstar? We just started adding summer events to the online calendar. Check it out and see what else you can plan around the BIG day!

Get creative with your cake topper

Back in the day, cake toppers were very similar. Isn't it true that your parents and / or grandparents had a similar cake topper to this? This custom was dominant in US weddings in the 1950s where it represented the concept of togetherness.

Fast forward to your generation and weddings are all about being unique, including your cake topper. So get creative and let your personalities shine! Here are a few of my favorite cake toppers from real Northstar weddings lately:

Or, consider customizing how you EAT your cake. How cute is this!

That's it for now. Don't forget to get your Wedding Preview RSVP's in! -Bxo

Wedding Preview

It's coming...invitations have been sent for the March 31, 2012 Northstar Wedding Preview and Grand Tasting! It is sure to be a fabulous event, with great food, wine, music, linens, flowers and more! Join a lodging tour, meet your planner, and talk with Chef. Remember, it is invitation only so you must be a real Northstar Wedding to attend. Not a Northstar bride or groom? Well, you should be... :) See everyone soon!

-Bxo

Ashley + Brian, a real Northstar Wedding video!

Ashley + Brian's NorthStar Wedding from Jason Chesebrough on Vimeo.


Beautiful! Congratulations to the happy couple and thank you Jason Chesebrough for sharing.

Cutest Escort Cards of 2011

Happy New Year! Check out these adorable escort cards from real Northstar Weddings last year!

What is in store for your 2012 Wedding?

K + J , a real Northstar Winter Wedding

As we say goodbye to 2011, it wouldn't be right without showing off Northstar's final wedding of the year, photographed by the very talented Ciprian Photography (thank you!). This DIY bride and her family created a one of a kind event. The reception was set with large manzanita branches dripping with crystals and goblet style candle holders that sparkled and glowed.

A whimsical part of dinner would be the English poppers, filled with a joke, a crown, and a toy.

Their cake toppers were real life versions of themselves and their pooches!

As a nod to the groom's regional management position at 7-11 they offered their guests real 7-11 doughnuts! The room smelled like sugar right when you walked in!

The ceremony ended with vintage noise makers. How fun! And the bride's sister created all of the artwork used for the programs as well as the table numbers and escort cards.

The bride looked stunning in a to die for crown at the ceremony that literally made her look like a princess!

After the ceremony she swapped out her crown for a very glam fascinator.

I loved this wedding and all of the special touches were my favorite parts! Congrats you two, Bxo