A full weekend of wedding festivities is a quickly growing trend, especially for destination weddings in exciting locations like Lake Tahoe, and we love the way a welcome party/rehearsal dinner can set the tone for your big weekend! For those getting married in North Lake Tahoe, Truckee offers several fabulous venues for a welcome party that speaks to your style. To take the guesswork out of the process for you, we've selected our favorite places to start your wedding weekend off right!

Truckee

Stunning sunset views of the Truckee River and Truckee's historic downtown are part of the iconic experience at Cottonwood. As one of the nation's oldest ski lodges, packed with history and classic Truckee charm, it's the perfect spot to welcome your guests to Lake Tahoe. Want to rent out the entire restaurant? Lucky you! Cottonwood can make that happen, and you get access to the deck as well. What could be better than hosting cocktail hour on the deck, letting your guests watch the sun go down over Truckee? Dining options range from cocktail receptions, family-style dinners, or plated three-course dinners.

PJ'S AT GRAY'S CROSSING

Truckee

Tahoe Mountain Club has several amazing offerings that will have you wanting to spend your entire wedding weekend at their stunning venues. PJ's at Gray's Crossing is primarily an outdoor venue nestled among the pines with stunning views. We love their fire pit and outdoor seating area that offer breathtaking views of Mount Rose. PJ's is a can't-miss view and the sunsets are amazing!

THE ALPINE CLUB

Northstar

In the heart of the Northstar Village, Tahoe Mountain Club's Alpine Club offers a beautiful great room where your guests can mix and mingle. A full-service bar and a variety of dining options are available as well. The rustic, mountainy appeal of the Alpine Club is just part of its charm. An outdoor deck gives your guests a chance to take in the sights of the village in a cozy and intimate setting. Host your late-night wedding party and post-wedding brunch here!

THE RITZ CARLTON LAKE TAHOE

Truckee

The Ritz Carlton gets our vote for sweeping vistas, fabulous fireplaces, and the perfect way to celebrate your upcoming nuptials. Fire pits, slope-side patios, and outdoor bars are the ideal combination for an elegant evening your guests will be talking about for years to come. Guests can take the Highlands Gondola to the Ritz from the Northstar Village, taking in the view of the Martis Valley along the way. The Fireside Terrace is the perfect location for an intimate dinner gathering. It features a beautiful fireplace, and when dressed up, it feels like the perfect rehearsal dinner venue.The Backyard BBQ location paired with The Woods at The Ritz Carlton is the location that offers the perfect 'Welcome to Our Wedding Weekend' atmosphere. Guests can use a wide variety of games, including Bocce Ball and giant Jenga, while enjoying delicious cocktails and small bites. Finish your evening off gathering around one of the large fire pits and roast s' mores with your guests. Sounds perfect to us!

PLUMPJACK SQUAW VALLEY INN

Squaw Valley

Squaw Valley is full of history and beauty, so why not start the best weekend of your life off at PlumpJack, a boutique inn located in the heart of the valley? This venue offers indoor and outdoor spaces, outstanding specialty cocktails designed by PlumpJack's in-house mixologist, and an exceptional wine list. With sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and Squaw's impressive Tram Face, PlumpJack is the perfect location to entertain your guests with elegant, locally sourced food and a quintessential Tahoe atmosphere. Whether you are looking for a lavish multi-course wine pairing dinner, a summer BBQ buffet, or an hors d'oeuvres reception utilizing the outdoor wood-fired pizza oven, the hospitality here is bar none.

SQUAW ALPINE

Squaw Valley

Looking for something iconic and overall really rad? Welcome your guests to Tahoe by gathering at Squaw Valley's Olympic House. Host a party on the KT Sun Deck or kick off your wedding weekend at the Plaza Bar. The best part, it's ski in and ski out depending on what kind of welcome gathering you are planning!

MOODY'S BISTRO, BAR & BEATS

Downtown Truckee

Located in the heart of Downtown Truckee and a favorite among locals, Moody's is known for its lively bar and delicious food. Not only do they have great food, but the drinks are out of this world. Reserve their outdoor patio or one of their private dining rooms and start your wedding weekend in the middle of the coolest little ski town we know. Make sure you stop in to taste test the food, we highly recommend their famous Tomato Soup! We promise this will not only be an excellent spot for your guests, but it might even become a Truckee favorite for you.

Welcome parties and rehearsal dinners are just the beginning of your wedding weekend, and all these venues will help you kick off the festivities in Lake Tahoe style. The Town of Truckee has tons of great spots on its

website

as well! Check out all of our

venues

on Tahoe Unveiled for more ideas on the perfect welcome spot.