A rock 'n' roll-themed wedding with rustic outdoor touches? Sign us up!

Originally Atheena and Michael envisioned a forest wedding in Humboldt Redwoods. Atheena went to school there and fell in love with the redwoods. Since the drive is a little far for everyone, the couple decided on Lake Tahoe. It still offers beautiful natural scenery, and it isn’t too far of a drive from the Vacaville area. “Also, Tahoe holds a special place in our hearts. It was the first official road trip Michael and I took together when we were first dating,” Atheena explained. The duo had been dating about a month when they decided to take Michael’s Harley Motorcycle on a trip to Tahoe. And it sure was a trip to remember! They spent the weekend at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe, and ever since, they have continued to come back for weekend trips. “We also love visiting and camping during the summer months. We frequent Tahoe with our dog Alf since the town is so dog-friendly. Beach Retreat is our favorite.”

The couple got engaged in January 2020, but the pandemic soon followed, and everything shut down. Atheena searched for a house that they could rent instead of a venue that could possibly close down. So one can only imagine how excited the couple must've been when they came across the luxurious Tahoe Blue Estate. "We got right on it, came to visit, and fell in love with the view overlooking the beautiful lake and trees. We booked it in July 2020 for the following July 2021, and the rest is history!"

The couple arrived on Sunday to kick start their wedding weekend. First, they went to Edgewood for some drinks, dinner, and a view of the lake. Although it was smoky, they still got to enjoy the beautiful resort and everything it has to offer. Next, they checked into Tahoe Blue Estate with their bridal party and had their rehearsal dinner on-site. Think jacuzzi, sauna, pool table - all things necessary to unwind and relax. Finally, they went to bed, ready for their Tuesday wedding.

The wedding boasted many custom details; all brought together by their planner, Joyeux Events. The design inspiration was a mixture of ideas. The duo loves moody colors, which usually go well with an October wedding. However, with July having the warmest weather, the couple decided to combine their romantic elements with rustic outdoor touches. Atheena has a penchant for details, and their Bullterrier Alf played a big role in the smaller decor pieces like the napkins and bar signs. The couple's invitations consisted of custom watercolors of Tahoe, including a map of places they have lived and visited. The same goes for the table cards, which contained pictures of places the couple had traveled together. But it was the duo's guest book that grabbed our attention - two motorcycle helmets that guests could sign!

"The day of the wedding, the wind blew hard, but the smoke cleared just for a moment. It was magical, and we had an amazing team. We rode off on our Harley the day after, stopping at River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant for some amazing burgers and brew. We just love all that Tahoe has to offer; there is a little something for everyone."⁠

If you're like us and you don't want the magic to end, scroll down for the full gallery!