An LGBTQ Weekend Wedding at Lake Tahoe

From the moment I arrived at Stanford Sierra Camp, it was clear this wedding at Lake Tahoe was about gathering people in a place that already meant something and letting the weekend unfold from there. That feeling came so naturally because this place is part of Davey’s story. He used to be a camp counselor here. So instead of building something new, they invited everyone into a space that already felt like home.

And somehow, the weather showed up for them, too. The week leading up, Tahoe was getting snow, which could’ve gone a very different direction, but by the time everyone arrived, it cleared into one of those crisp, golden October weekends.

These two met on Hinge and had their first date, a run through Golden Gate Park, on March 15, 2020… literally the day before lockdown. After that, it was FaceTime dates, then socially distanced park hangs, slowly building toward a “hand sanitizer-fueled” first hand hold walking home one day (which still feels very iconic of that time).

Who they are individually makes so much sense when you see them together. Davey is a Disney Imagineer, working as a Creative Director designing new experiences for Disney cruise ships. So he quite literally builds worlds for people to step into. Adam is a psychotherapist who works with LGBTQ+ adolescents and adults, and he hosts a podcast called Second Adolescence, which explores what it means to move through adulthood after growing up in an anti-queer world. The way they both show up, with creativity, empathy, and intention, was woven into every part of the weekend.

When they reached out, one of the biggest things they shared was wanting to feel safe enough to fully be themselves. Not just in photos, but in the entire experience. They didn’t want to feel like they were being watched. They wanted to feel supported, understood, and present. That mattered to me because that’s always the goal: to show up as someone who’s part of the space, not just documenting it from the outside. And that’s exactly how the weekend felt.

A Lake Tahoe Wedding Weekend Full of Connection, Color, and Zero Rules

One of the things I kept thinking throughout the weekend was how different everything felt simply because it wasn’t all packed into one day. There was space to ease into it, for people to connect, and for things to get a little weird in the best way. Because, technically, it was camp.

Davey brought everyone back into that camp counselor energy, and they really ran with it. There was a full day of camp activities—games, wandering, laughing, a little bit of chaos, and it was so fun to watch people let their guard down. The welcome dinner set the tone immediately. What started as a game show somehow turned into a full-on Broadway moment. Their friends performed SIX, but rewrote the lyrics to be about Davey and Adam. Costumes, choreography, dedication… all of it. I remember just standing there thinking, " This is what it looks like when people really love you.” Like, they made them a freaking musical!

Every part of the weekend had a theme, a dress code, a little creative twist, and somehow it never felt like too much. There were these rich, jewel-toned colors woven throughout everything, and it gave the whole weekend this depth and warmth that matched the emotional side of it all.

I’ve also gotten to photograph another LGBTQ+ couple that Davey and Adam officiated for, which is really special. They have built such a solid community. One that shows up, celebrates each other, and creates space for everyone to feel seen.

And I’m not exaggerating when I say I cried… a lot. Like, multiple days. The way their friends showed up, the way their families were present, and the way everyone just got them was really beautiful to witness. If I had to sum up the vibe, it would honestly be pretty simple: fun, loving, intentional, and happy.

Why Multi-Day Wedding Coverage Changes Everything

Spending a full weekend wedding at Lake Tahoe with Davey and Adam really reinforced something I’ve been feeling for a while now. Your wedding doesn’t have to live inside a single day. And truly, when it doesn’t, everything just opens up. There’s less pressure to fit everything into a tight timeline.

That shift was so clear throughout this weekend. Because I was there for more than just the ceremony. I was documenting everything in-between. And that’s what made their vows hit the way they did. After days of laughter, creativity, and connection, the ceremony felt grounded.

From my side, being there for the full weekend also changes the dynamic. By the time the wedding day arrives, I’m not a stranger with a camera. I’m someone who’s already been part of the experience. There’s trust, familiarity, ease. People relax. Davey and Adam didn’t have to think about how they looked or what they were “supposed” to do. They could just exist as themselves, and I could meet them there. That’s where the best photos and memories come from.

If you value connection, presence, and actually feeling your wedding as it’s happening, multi-day coverage makes sense. It gives you the freedom to experience everything more fully, without constantly watching the clock or trying to make everything fit.

Davey and Adam’s weekend was the kind of reminder that weddings don’t need to be condensed. When you give yourself more time, space, and room for your people to show up fully, what you get in return is a lot more like your real life, just celebrated a little louder.

A Sweet Note from the Couple

“Devin, this is the first of many words. Honestly, we don’t even need to see the photos. You have already given us such a gift. We feel so beyond grateful to have had you with us all weekend. We didn’t know how much we needed you from start to finish. Your presence helped us feel safe and calm amidst moments of overwhelm. Your presence made us feel at home and taken care of. Your presence made us feel stoked and cool and celebrated and hot and sweet. And then getting to watch you do this to all of our people, too, was just the coolest. You are so good at what you do because you bring your full self into it and invite everyone’s full selves into it, and what a cool thing that is. Jess and Wade rocked and were perfect, too. And the fact that you took us on and worked with our budget and then just delivered above and beyond is so, so moving. Wow. We are pumped. On the flight to Kauai, just beaming that we had this weekend, that this is our life, that we have the friends and family that we do, that we got to get married in the most us way. Thank you for being an important part of it.”

Vendors

Venue, Rentals, Catering, & Bar | Stanford Sierra Camp

Coordination | Rainbow Weddings & Events

Photography & Videography | Backcountry Bohemians

Floral Design | Weddings by Strelitzia

Musical Entertainment | Hip Service

Child Care Services | Lake Tahoe Sitters