Mountain West Bride Reno - Tahoe

Stu dio Wride

L I V E E V E N T A R T I S T

S T U D I O W R I D E . C O M

RENO TAHOE &

IDAHO & NEVADA EDITOR

DIGITAL MANAGER

Bailey Richy

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CANADA & ARIZONA

Celynn Bowman

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ARIZONA, MONTANA & WYOMING

Mackenzie Stevens

COLORADO & NEW MEXICO EDITOR

Brit Tucker-Kline

UTAH & DIGITAL EDITOR COPYWRITER

Laura Osborn

digital & operations

CLIENT RELATIONS MANAGER - Amy Collante

CONTENT CREATOR - Savannah Reynolds

SALES & ACCOUNTING - Kelsey Comstock

CANADIAN ASSISTANT - Carly Cooper

DISTRIBUTION

Disticor Magazine Distribution Services

Storefronts in the U.S. & Canada or online at shop.rockymountainbride.com

contact

INQUIRIES - hello@rockymountainbride.com

ADVERTISING - rockymountainbride.com/advertise

SUBMISSIONS - rockymountainbride.com/submissions

FROM THE EDITOR

Bailey Richy @bailey_rockymtnbride

Hello Northern Nevada! This one feels a little extra special to me — My family had a second home in South Lake growing up, and now my parents are proud locals who get to experience “Tahoe Time” yearround. Summers meant long, sun-soaked days on the lake, and winters were all about making memories on the slopes of Heavenly. We’re so excited to share this digital magazine, marking a new chapter as we expand our coverage into the Silver State, a place that already feels like home to us.

This is just a preview of what’s to come in our full Mountain West Bride Nevada issue launching this spring, but we couldn’t resist giving you a little taste of what makes this region so special.

While this magazine celebrates the beauty of Northern Nevada, we’d be remiss not to include the California side of Tahoe, too, because the magic of this lake doesn’t stop at the state line. We’re excited to share all the magic that makes Nevada - and its California-border, so unique.

Inside these pages you’ll find everything from romantic Edgewood nuptials and a quirky Wes Anderson-inspired shoot to a timeless wedding at the Nevada Museum of Art. Not to mention the sweet engagement sessions and furry-friends featured throughout (we’ll let you count how many!)

Whether you’re flying into RNO for a destination celebration or lucky enough to call this area home, we hope these pages inspire your own mountain moment and celebrate everything that makes Northern Nevada such a dreamy place to say “I do.”

Until spring, consider this your sneak peek into all things Northern Nevada!

Happy planning, babes!

xoxo, Bailey

Owner & Lead Planner, Devyn Bryar, specializes in event & wedding planning, design, and coordinating seamlessly flowing days. She and her team bring the ideal energy to every meeting and event. Stress less, love more.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INSPIRE

wes anderson = tahoe

TRUE LOVE

BEGINNINGS

ashley + jake - Verde

emma + bobby - Cave RoCk

natalie + zach - Zephyer Cove Beach

REAL WEDDINGS

emily + clark - Nevada Museum of Art

colleen + zach - The Elm Estate

kaitlyn + matthew - Sunnyside Restuarant & Lodge

olivia + tanner - Edgewood Lake Tahoe

ANNIVERSARY

alcira + raul - Reno

PHOTO CREDIT

Top to bottom, left to right:

liz zimbelman, emma wynn paul, i’m ashleigh marie, sir berry photography, elsa boscarello, kirsten zarek photography, kay kroshus

cover photo: kay kroshus back cover photo: kirsten zarek photography

BEGINNINGS

VERDI - ENGAGEMENT

Ashley and Jake met during college through mutual friends, quickly discovering a connection that felt effortless. Just four months into dating, they decided to move in together. Nearly eight years later, while on a weekend getaway to San Diego, California, Jake planned a proposal that completely surprised Ashley. On the morning of their flight home, he suggested a quick stop by the ocean cliffs. With no one else around and the early morning waves crashing below, Jake set his phone to “take a picture,” secretly hitting the record button instead. He then got down on one knee and asked Ashley to marry him. The best part? The couple now has a video to look back on as a sweet reminder of the moment they decided to spend forever together.

Photographer: Emma Wynn Paul | emmawynnpaul.com

Engagement Ring Designer: Gabriel & Co. | gabrielny.com

Jeweler: Precision Diamonds | precisiondiamonds.net

CAVE ROCK - PROPOSAL

EMMA + BOBBY

Emma and Bobby met in Lubbock, Texas, shortly after both had moved to town. The two were introduced through mutual friends at a local Bible study. Soon after they began dating, Bobby moved to California to pursue another job, while Emma finished her doctorate program in Lubbock. After she graduated, Emma joined Bobby in California just a year and a half later. To celebrate Emma’s graduation, the duo headed to Cave Rock at Lake Tahoe. Or, so Emma thought! Instead, Bobby surprised Emma by getting down on one knee and asking her to marry him.” I moved back home to California for work while Emma remained in her program in Lubbock until she graduated.

| bridgettewuest.com

NATALIE + ZACH

Natalie and Zach met at a Hippo Campus concert in Salt Lake City, Utah, during their college years. After dating for three and a half years, the two welcomed a sweet golden retriever puppy named Birdie into their lives. Wanting updated family photos, Natalie and Zach booked a session at Zephyr Cove Beach. What Natalie didn’t know was that Zach had been secretly holding onto the ring for five months, carefully planning the perfect moment. With the waves of Lake Tahoe crashing behind them and Birdie by their side, he dropped to one knee and asked Natalie to be his wife, creating a proposal they’ll never forget.

Emily & Clark

Emily and Clark were first introduced by mutual friends back in 2014. While they hit it off instantly, neither exchanged numbers and life carried them in separate directions. Eight years later, fate brought them back together in Reno. “The same friends who had initially set us up in 2014 told us to give it another whirl with one another, and the rest is history,” Emily shared. On their first official date, Clark greeted her at the entrance of the restaurant with a cocktail in hand, exclaiming, “It’s so great to see you again.” After a year and a half of dating, Clark proposed in an unforgettable moment on Emily’s birthday during a trip to Big Sky, Montana. He whisked her away on a gondola ride through a snowstorm to a mountaintop deck, where champagne, a cozy fire and a hidden photographer awaited. With snow falling around them, Clark dropped to one knee and asked Emily to be his forever.

ADVICE TO FUTURE COUPLES

“Follow your instincts and heart from the start. Your wedding is about love, celebration, and happiness. Sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of that during the wedding planning process. Everyone attending your wedding loves you, so don’t let the small details get you down! Much easier said than done, but the buzz of being newly married, looking around at a room full of your loved ones is a euphoric feeling I wish for every bride and groom!”

something blue

My heels! My dear friend also Angela gifted me an aquamarine (my birthstone) charm that I chose to incorporate in my wedding bouquet.

shade of lipstick

‘Hush Pink’ by Anastasia Beverly Hills. My makeup artist Laura came through with the perfect shade of pink! I had tried so many lipsticks to no avail before finding this one!

fragrance worn

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540

One thing the groom had to have

Our first wedding related purchase was Clark’s wedding shoes! He chose Gucci loafers to complete his look.

aisle song

String quartet rendition of “Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel, my favorite song!

signature cocktails

Espresso Martini and French 75 first dance song

“6’s to 9’s (feat. Rationale)” by Big Wild.

During the first couple weeks of dating, Clark told me this song reminded him of me so it’s always held a special place in my heart. The song portrays through groovy melody how falling in love can completely turn your world upside down.

Wedding Cake Flavors

Marble cake with cookies and cream filling, as well as champagne cake with fresh macerated strawberry filling!

song that made everyone dance

“Closer” by The Chainsmokers, need I say more?

VENDORS THAT WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND

Too many vendors to recognize!

Firstly, Molly from Flourish Design Studio made all my wildest flower and decor dreams come true. Molly’s creativity and attention to detail is mesmerizing to witness. She embraced the art museum as her canvas and my guests continue to tell me how amazed they were by her work. I’m not sure how she does it, but Molly is truly magical!

Our lovely photographer Kay Kroshus captured the beauty and nuances of our day with such a tasteful eye. I have had my eye on Kay even before becoming engaged, and could not have been luckier to secure her as my photographer. In the midst of the chaos of wedding day, Kay kept both myself and Clark centered and focused on each other. I was easily able to put my trust in her. Kay delivered in such a meaningful way through my wedding photographs I get to cherish forever!

Leigh Anne from Delicious Designs, my dessert vendor was incredible. She was genuine and earnest in her excitement for our day. We hit it off so well at our tasting, we actually went significantly over our allotted appointment time! She was a great communicator and created the most beautiful three-tiered cake. I am so thankful we froze our top tier to enjoy on our first anniversary!

Our photobooth from Epics Photo Booth was such a hit!

Emily and Clark planned a timeless wedding with a sexy twist for 150 friends and family at the Nevada Museum of Art. Their rooftop ceremony showcased sweeping views of the Sierra Nevada mountains, with beautiful white florals and a string quartet setting the tone. Emily stunned in a strapless gown by Jenny Yoo, paired with icy blue heels as her subtle “something blue,” while Clark looked sharp in a Jack Victor tuxedo. With the help of Blushworthy Events, the reception took place in the museum’s sleek Sky Room, where ghost chairs, glowing candles and modern floral installations by Flourish Design Studio transformed the space into a chic celebration. Guests enjoyed Espresso Martinis and French 75s, danced late into the night and capped off the evening with an after-party at Chapel Tavern.

VENDORS

Venue

Nevada Museum of Art | nevadaart.org

Planner

Blushworthy Events | blushworthyevents.com

Photographer

Kay Kroshus | kaykroshus.com

Florist

Flourish Design Studio | flourishlv.com

Invitations

Stylish Scribe | thestylishscribe.com

Rentals

Camelot Party Rentals

camelotpartyrentals.com

Catering & Beverage

Roundabout Catering roundaboutcatering.com

Cake

Delicious Designs | deliciousdesignsreno.com

Ceremony Music

Summit String Quartet | summitquartet.com

DJ Mark Sexton | @markstevensexton

Photo Booth

Epics Photo Booth | @epics_photobooth

Officiant

The Honorable Kathleen Drakulich

Accommodations

Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel & Spa marriott.com

Bridal Boutique Swoon Bridal | swoonbridal.com

Bride’s Gown

Jenny Yoo | jennyyoo.com

Bride’s Veil

Sara Gabriel | saragabriel.com

Bride’s Jewelry

Trademark Jewelry & Design trademark-jewelry.com

Bride’s Shoes

Kailee P. | kaileep.com

Hair & Makeup

La Di Da Beauty | ladidabeauty.com

After Party

Chapel Tavern | @chapeltavern

Dance Lessons

The Ballroom of Reno theballroomofreno.org

Honeymoon

The Ritz-Carlton O’ahu, Turtle Bay Kahuku, Hawaii | ritzcarlton.com

Conrad Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan | hilton.com

Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan fourseasons.com/kyoto

Colleen & Zach

Like many modern-day couples, Colleen and Zach connected on a dating app. A quick year and a half later, Zach proposed during a visit to the iconic Grand Teton National Park. As they paused for a quick set of photos, Zach got down on one knee and asked Colleen to marry him. A year later, the couple hosted an ethereal-inspired celebration for 170 guests at The Elm Estate in Reno. Colleen shared, “The Elm Estate had everything we were looking for in an outdoor ceremony, indoor reception and tons of places to take photos. We also loved that our bridal party could stay on property with us at the cottages.”

aisle song

first dance song

“On

Late Night Snack In-N-Out Buger

The ceremony featured lush floral arrangements that lined the aisle and rose into two grand pillars where Colleen and Zach exchanged vows. Peach and cream garden roses, soft ranunculus and ivory dahlias intertwined with fresh greenery, created a romantic setting. Colleen stunned in a whimsical Mira Zwillinger gown, complemented by sheer fingerless gloves embroidered with the words “to have and to hold”, while Zach looked effortlessly timeless in his custom Indochino tuxedo.

For the reception, guests were welcomed into a glowing space filled with candlelight, towering centerpieces and strands of twinkling lights. The couple’s beloved dogs, Max and Oia, made appearances both in person and as oversized cutouts on the dance floor. To close the evening, guests were treated to a surprise delivery of In-N-Out burgers before gathering outside for a sparkler send-off.

VENDORS

Venue

The Elm Estate | theelmestate.com

Photographer Elsa Boscarello | elsaboscarello.com

Planners

Kim Anastassatos | @kimanastassatos Emmy Quinn | @emmyquinn

Videographer

Davey Hibler daveyhiblerproductions.com

Floral

Helianthus Floral helianthusfloraldesign.com

Stationery

Stylish Scribe | thestylishscribe.com

Rentals

Camelot Party Rentals camelotpartyrentals.com

Entertainment

Jakota Wass Music | @jakotawassmusic

DJ JAM Entertainment @jam.entertain.ment

Photo Booth

The 360 Photos | the360photos.com

Live Painting Talia Koval | taliakoval.com

Catering

Roundabout Catering roundaboutcatering.com

Bride’s Dress

Mira Zwillinger | mirazwillinger.com

Beauty

Jenay G Makeup | @jenaygmakeup

Beauty by Sydney Blue | @beautybysydneyblue

Groom’s Suit

Indochino | indochino.com

ADVICE TO FUTURE COUPLES

“Enjoy the process as much as you can. It’s stressful but the end result is so worth it and it will be gone inthe blink of an eye.”

Kaitlyn & Matthew

Kaitlyn and Matthew met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during medical school and Matthew quickly earned his way to Kaitlyn’s heart, and stomach, by dropping off food to keep her fueled during long study hours.

Four years later, while traveling through Italy, he proposed on the Spanish Steps in Rome with a hidden photographer capturing the moment. With the help of Emily at Jalie Design and Events, Kaitlyn and Matthew went on to plan a romantic fall wedding for 130 guests at Sunnyside Restaurant and Lodge in Tahoe City.

ADVICE TO FUTURE COUPLES

“Find someone that you can communicate with well and will always have your back.”

The wedding design featured a color palette of soft neutrals and rich autumn hues, accented by shades of green and blue drawn from the lake and surrounding pines. Floral pillars of garden roses, ranunculus and dahlias framed the ceremony space overlooking the water, creating a picturesque backdrop for Kaitlyn and Matthew’s vows. Kaitlyn stunned in an embroidered ball gown with a sweeping train, while Matthew opted for a midnight-blue tux. Of course, their Australian Shepherd, Roux, was in attendance, wearing a floral collar to echo the day’s design. Inside the reception, guests were welcomed by candlelit tables and a live watercolor painter who illustrated custom portraits, leaving friends and family with a unique keepsake.

favorite thing purchased for your wedding day

One of my favorite details was the necklace I wore, which was a gift from my family. My sister works at a jewelry store in Sydney, Australia, which sells opals. Opal is special because it is my birthstone. They gifted me a gorgeous teardrop opal, which I will cherish forever. I also wore the earrings my mom wore on her wedding day.

something Blue My mom’s garter

One thing the groom had to have A live band

aisle song

“Can’t Help Falling in Love” by

signature cocktails

First dance song

“All My Love” by Coldplay

Wedding Cake Flavors

Vanilla bean with fresh raspberries and Bavarian cream; chocolate with fresh raspberries and ganache; almond poppy seed with apricot preserves and amaretto buttercream.

song that made everyone dance

“Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan

late night snacks

Kobe beef sliders, chicken tenders and fries

VENDORS THAT WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND

Our original wedding venue cancelled our date, so there was a point where we had to scramble to find another place. The Sunnyside in Tahoe City was the perfect place for us in the end. Allie, who is the event coordinator at the Sunnyside, was very important to our wedding. She was patient, friendly, and understanding. Once we had the venue, our vendors made it easy, especially Emily at Jalie Events, who was on the ball at every turn. Finally, Kirsten, our photographer, was a fan favorite. She carried the spirit of the day and was punctual and adaptive to the challenges of the day. She was the perfect photographer for us and made everyone feel so comfortable, and brought the energy needed.

VENDORS

Venue, Catering, Beverage, Rehearsal Dinner & Accommodations

Sunnyside Restaurant and Lodge sunnysidelodge.com

Planner

Jálie Design & Events | jalieevents.com

Photographer Kirsten Zarek Photography kirstenzarek.com

Videographer Lens of Lenox | lensoflenox.com

Florist

Haven Florals | havenflorals.com

Invitations & Paper

Stylish Scribe | thestylishscribe.com

Rentals Creative Coverings creativecoverings.com

Cake

Flour Girl Wedding Cakes flourgirlweddingcakes.com

Entertainment A Beautiful Sound abeautifulsoundevents.com

Watercolor Portraits Studio Wride | studiowride.com

Transportation Tahoe Elite | tahoeelite.com

Gown Designer Pronovias | pronovias.com

Bride & Groom’s Ring Designer Emily Chelsea | emilychelsea.com

Hair & Makeup

La Di Da Beauty | ladidabeauty.com

EDGEWOOD TAHOE

RESORT

Olivia & Tanner

Olivia and Tanner were first introduced by mutual friends while attending Chico State in California. While their relationship started out as a friendship, it slowly turned into something more. Although Tanner shares, he was smitten from the beginning. After dating for five years, Tanner was ready to ask Olivia for her hand in marriage. Olivia shared, “Our families headed to Tahoe for a ski trip, though unbeknownst to me, everyone else knew the real reason we were there. After a day on the slopes at Sierra, Tanner suggested we grab a quick drink before meeting up with everyone for dinner. As we pulled into Zephyr Cove, he led me to a scenic lookout point, and that’s when a suspicion began to form. He dropped to one knee, and I immediately burst into tears. Tanner had even arranged for a hidden photographer to capture the moment, and our families soon arrived to kick off the celebrations!”

favorite thing purchased for your wedding day

My Galia Lahav dress!

something blue

My bridesmaids

fragrance worn

Bride: White Flowers by Creed Groom: MYSLF by YSL

aisle song

“A Thousand Years” Instrumental by Christina Perri

signature cocktails

“Lakeside Rita” a skinny margarita, “Whiskey Putts” a Whiskey Sour and “Zephyr-Tini” an Espresso Martini

first dance song

“Heaven” by Kane Brown

Wedding Cake Flavors Raspberry on vanilla, red velvet and caramel on chocolate.

second-look

After dinner, I changed into a fun, sequined mini dress perfect for dancing. My sister / Maid of Honor completed the look by gifting me a custom pair of bridal-inspired Air Jordans.

song that made everyone dance

“September” by Earth, Wind and Fire

late night snacks

Chicken strips, sliders and fries

VENDORS THAT WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND

We were incredibly fortunate to work with an amazing team of vendors who brought our vision to life.

Thanks to Jenn Robirds and her incredible team, the entire wedding planning process was a dream come true. I cherished every moment and found myself missing it once our special day had passed. My absolute favorite part of the process was the design phase.

From selecting the perfect floral inspiration to crafting exquisite tablescapes, designing customized menus, and arranging seating charts, I truly felt like I was living out a dream. The only downside, I’d say, was writing all those checks!

A special shout-out to The Posh Posey for our gorgeous florals.

Liz Zimbelman for the most stunning photos, we truly loved spending time with her!

Lens of Lenox, the kindest couple, created videos that allow us to relive our day again and again.

My incredible friend and hairdresser, Jenn Peetz, did my hair, and the sweetest, most talented Alexa Dias handled my makeup.

Shimmer & Stain crafted personalized creations and stunning details.

Palette Cakes outdid themselves with a gorgeous four-tier wedding cake, beautifully adorned with handcrafted sugar flowers.

Our gratitude extends to many, many others who contributed!

Olivia and Tanner planned an elegant, lakeside wedding for 90 guests at Edgewood Lake Tahoe. With the help of Jenn Robirds Events, they brought their romantic vision to life with a color palette of dusty blues and creamy neutrals, complemented by lush white florals that framed the ceremony overlooking the lake. Olivia stunned in a couture Galia Lahav gown with a dramatic veil before slipping into a sequined mini dress paired with custom bridalinspired Air Jordans, the perfect outfit change for a night of dancing. For the reception, guests were welcomed into a refined space featuring breathtaking tablescapes and a four-tiered cake that stood as a true centerpiece.

VENDORS

Venue, Catering & Beverage Edgewood Tahoe Resort edgewoodtahoe.com

Planner

Jenn Robirds Events jennrobirdsevents.com

Photographer Liz Zimbelman | lizzimbelman.com

Videographer Lens of Lenox | lensoflenox.com

Florist

The Posh Posey | theposhposey.com

Invitations & Paper

Shimmer & Stain shimmerandstain.com

Rentals

Theoni Collection theonicollection.com

Cake

Palette Cakes | palettecakes.com

Entertainment Ryan Hernandez Music @ryan_hernandez_official

Gown & Veil Designer Galia Lahav | galialahav.com

Bride’s Ring Designer Happy Jewelers happyjewelers.com

Bride’s Shoes Jimmy Choo | us.jimmychoo.com

Hair

Jenn Peetz | @stylinwith_jp

Makeup

Alexa Dias | @alexadiasmakeup

Rehearsal Dinner

Base Camp Pizza Co. basecamppizzaco.com

Honeymoon Maui, Hawaii

ADVICE TO FUTURE COUPLES

“If we could give you one piece of advice for your wedding day, it would be this: cherish every second. The day will be filled with love and will go by in a flash, so be sure to soak it all in with your partner.”

INSPIRATION

WES ANDERSON = TAHOE

Set against the shores of Lake Tahoe, this styled shoot planned by Reverie Picnics at the North Tahoe Event Center was inspired by a mash-up of “Wes Anderson meets Tahoe camping.” The result? A vibrant, cinematic wedding design that feels both playful and romantic. Bright pastels and earthy hues mixed effortlessly with retro details, including wildflower-filled tablescapes and quirky camp-inspired touches to create a nostalgic vibe.

With the lake as a breathtaking backdrop, the couple exchanged vows framed by blooming arrangements of Queen Anne’s Lace, viburnum and fern fronds in warm tones of peach, coral and ivory. Loungestyle seating in cozy, rounded chairs offered guests a comfortable front-row view of the waterfront “I do’s,” blending relaxed camp vibes with elevated sophistication. For the ceremony, the bride stunned in a strapless Jenny Yoo gown with ethereal, sheer sleeves, while the groom’s tan suit paired with a velvet green tie echoed the day’s bold camp-chic design. Of course, the couple’s dog stole the show, trotting down the aisle as the sweetest four-legged guest of honor.

Guests were treated to an interactive cocktail hour featuring live watercolor portraits by Studio Wride and craft cocktails created by Petite Street Mobile Bar. A clever seating chart doubled as a gift display, with shelves of enamel camping mugs guiding guests to their tables, a detail that tied perfectly into the Tahoe-camp theme. Lawn games, including a jumbo Connect Four, added a playful dose of nostalgia as everyone mingled by the beach.

The reception in the dining hall echoed the color-blocked palette, with green velvet linens, whimsical florals and lantern accents giving the tablescape a retro yet refined look. Guests dined on locally inspired fare by Blend Catering before moving to dessert, where C’s Mad Batter Cakery stole the show with a trio of cakes. From a vintage yellow Lambeth-style design with piped swags and ruffles to seminaked creations adorned with fresh blooms, the cakes were the sweetest finale to the celebration. As the sun dipped behind the mountains, the newlyweds traded the dance floor for a canoe ride along the lake.

CREATIVE TEAM

Venue: North Tahoe Event Center | northtahoeevents.com

Planner: Reverie Picnics & Events | reveriepicnics.com

Photographer: Sir Berry Photography | sirberry.com

Videographer: Adventure Wedding Films adventureweddingfilms.com

Florist: Jesse & Co | jesseandcompanyflorals.com

Invitations & Signage: Thick and Thin Lines Calligraphy thickandthinlines.com

Catering: Blend Catering | blendcateringreno.com

Beverage: Petite Street | petitestreetbistro.com

Rentals: Mountain Vibes | mountainvibesrentals.com

Linens: Creative Coverings | creativecoverings.com LED Dancefloor: Tahoe LED Dancefloor tahoeleddancefloors.com

Cake: C’s Mad Batter Cakery csmadbattercakery.com

Bridal Boutique: Lady Luck Bridal ladyluckbridal.com

Gown Designer: Jenny Yoo jennyyoo.com

Bride’s Reception Dress: Untamed Petals untamedpetals.com

Hair & Makeup: ME Beauty mebeauty.me

Groom’s Attire & Shoes: Just in Time Tux justintimetux.com

Pet Attendant: Dog of Honor dogofhonorevents.com

Watercolor Portraits: Studio Wride studiowride.com

RENO - ANNIVERSARY

ALCIRA + RAUL

Alcira and Raul’s relationship began as a long-distance romance through penpalling, with letters crossing borders long before texts and emails could connect them instantly. Each note carried not only words but a growing affection that bridged Colombia and Mexico, eventually leading to their marriage in 1982 in Bogotá, Colombia. Soon after, they began their life together in San Jose, California. More than forty years later, for their anniversary session, they celebrated alongside their beloved replica 1929 Mercedes-Benz Gazelle. They built the car piece by piece from scratch, sourcing parts from local stores, wrecking yards and online. Just as their marriage has been shaped by teamwork and devotion, the car has become a lasting symbol of their shared creativity, love and dedication to one another.

Photographer: I’m Ashleigh Marie | @imashleighmarie Planner: The Hytch | thehytch.com