What’s in, and what’s not, for weddings in 2025.
You’re engaged, and now it’s time to plan the most enchanting day of your life. Where to even begin?
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of tips and trends from our area’s top wedding venues, food purveyors, and other vital vendors to help you orchestrate your unforgettable day.
Picturesque Perfection
Among your first decisions (aside from whether to say “I do”) is selecting where to have your ceremony and reception. Here’s one idea: In Carson Valley, idyllic wedding venues are bountiful and so enticing to the eyes and soothing to the soul that celebrities now seek them out.
There’s a venue option in Carson Valley for every vibe a couple can envision. Rustic barns and rolling hills comprise your wedding backdrop at either Minden’s Park Home Ranch or Gardnerville’s Gansberg Ranch. Or enter wedded bliss while embraced by historic trees at the Orchard House in Genoa, and stick around to celebrate; Genoa is Nevada’s oldest settlement, a tiny town that executive director of Visit Carson Valley Keith Lewis calls Carson Valley’s jewel.
Just turn a corner in Carson Valley and you can discover another breathtaking venue. Whether you’re dreaming of a western ranch-style wedding or a multi-faceted formal affair, anything imaginable can come to life with plenty of help from savvy local planners, caterers, florists, entertainers, and photographers.
In fact, word that this is an exquisite locale for nuptials has spread. In summer 2024, Jacob’s Berry Farm in Gardnerville was featured in People magazine when it hosted the wedding of soap opera stars Arianne Zucker and Shawn Christian.
“A wedding goes beyond just the ceremony; in a lot of cases, you’re looking for a venue with a stunning backdrop not only for your day but for the people who are visiting,” Lewis says. “It’s not just a one-day event; usually they come for the weekend, and Carson Valley provides a great variety of other activities that your guests can do while they’re there for the event.”
From golfing on Carson Valley’s sublime courses and hiking while surrounded by inspiring vistas to exploring the area’s centuries-old history, guests will have much more than the wedding on their agenda. As well, diverse caterers can bring to life any fathomable culinary fantasy, such as the new La Mère Lutz. Sierra Chef and Woodett’s Diner also can prepare gourmet delicacies for your Big Day or the events leading up to it.
Housing options for your guests abound here, too, no matter the size of your wedding. Both the Carson Valley Inn and Walley’s Hot Springs Resort offer spacious lodging options for larger weddings while others such as The White House Inn offer more intimate accommodations immersed in history.
Graeagle Venues
Imagine your friends and family captivated not only by your love story but also by the breathtaking mountain setting of your wedding day. Dream big! Embraced by the Eastern Sierra peaks, Graeagle offers venues where wedding dreams come to life.
At the center of it all is The Corner Barn, a historic gem built in 1912 as a dairy and horse barn. This rustic venue combines timeless charm with modern versatility, accommodating up to 500 guests. Couples can choose from three picturesque ceremony locations: one indoor and two outdoor, including a serene, tree-lined setting tucked amid the towering pines.
When the Big Day arrives, The Corner Barn is equipped to handle every detail, from arches and wine barrels to the outdoor Tack Bar for drinks.
Caterers will find ample space for preparation, or couples can opt for the convenience of Graeagle Meadows Clubhouse Restaurant to simplify their events. Meandering The Corner Barn’s pastoral grounds will evoke a feeling of bliss; here, you’ll experience a magical sense of being away from it all yet never bored.
Launching in spring 2025, The Overlook at Graeagle Meadows is a stunning new option. This terraced ceremony site, perched atop the sixth tee at Graeagle Meadows Golf Course, offers sweeping, panoramic views for up to 300 guests, creating an unforgettable backdrop for your vows.
For a more intimate and rustic setting, the Historic Picnic Grounds provides a serene retreat amid the lush landscape. Featuring a meandering creek and nestled within the pines, this pristine area offers a magical backdrop for celebrations, described by April Gonzales, venue coordinator of Graeagle Land and Water; it’s an “absolutely gorgeous fairy tale forest.”
Gonzales notes that couples increasingly want more time with their loved ones, extending their celebrations beyond a single day. Specializing in multi-day events, Graeagle’s multiple venues can be integrated seamlessly, with each hosting a specific activity.
For instance, a couple can hold the rehearsal dinner at Graeagle Meadows Clubhouse Restaurant, enjoy cocktails at one of the many wooded sites on the wedding day, exchange vows at The Overlook, and host their reception at The Corner Barn. Each venue offers its own distinct charm, allowing for a personalized wedding experience.
Beyond the venues, Graeagle captivates visitors with endless recreational opportunities. From hiking and fishing to boutique shopping and world-class golf, there’s something for everyone. Nearby accommodations, including cozy campgrounds, ensure comfort for all of your guests.
“It’s phenomenal — the possibilities are endless,” Gonzales says.
Secret Garden
In Reno, lovers of authentic Tuscan cuisine and cozy ceremonies can create a dreamy wedding day at Midtown’s Calafuria, which is ideal for up to 60 guests. The venue’s owners, Cristina De Nigris Magee and Tim Magee, orchestrate nuptials both indoors and out. Their “secret garden,” embraced by trees outside, weather permitting, offers an intimate area boasting The 731, a cottage that serves as a staging area for wedding parties, replete with a bar.
De Nigris Magee hails from Rome while chef Magee, from Reno, spent decades refining his culinary prowess with master chefs in Tuscany. Menu items for your Big Day come directly from the on-site kitchen and feature superbly prepared classic Italian fare such as suppli — the Roman version of arancini and De Nigris Magee’s favorite street food snack as a child — which are fried risotto balls filled with melted cheese; as well as charcuterie boards, plus the delicate handcrafted pastas Magee is renowned for, to name just a few options.
Reception menus can be customized as well, with any Mediterranean spread tailored to the couple’s specific tastes. Vegan, vegetarian, and other dietary preferences and restrictions also can be accommodated. Cocktails and mocktails are prepared for the celebration at the full bar, with affordable drink packages and wine recommendations available.
A preferred vendor list helps couples with coordinating details to make the day impeccable and reflective of their personalities. In terms of trends, recently, Calafuria has hosted several out-of-the-box ceremonies around Halloween, with costume-clad guests, one with an officiant from outer space.
“We’re like chameleons,” De Nigris Magee says. “We can make different requests happen, even the extravagant ones.”
Trouble-Free Transportation
Getting to the ceremony on time is critical. Thankfully, Reno Tahoe Transportation’s chauffeurs will research the routes and brave any weather to get you and your guests to the wedding safely and on time.
With dozens of assorted vehicles available to chariot everyone to the ceremony site or events surrounding the Big Day, couples can easily book transportation online and work with RTT on the logistics. Owner Danell Wilson-Perlman explains that her team does tremendous research, including site visits in advance of any event to ensure drivers know the most expeditious routes between pickup and drop-off locations, allowing events to run seamlessly day-of.
Some venues are off the beaten path in Reno-Tahoe, and weather doesn’t always cooperate — both challenges for some limousine companies. But not RTT.
“We do a lot of legwork for our clients,” Wilson-Perlman says. “We cannot overpromise and under-deliver.”
Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, couples can get real-time information on where their chauffeur, guests, or wedding party are while also ensuring chauffeurs know exactly how to get to even the most remote ceremony sites.
In the vehicles — which include transit vans, luxurious limousine buses, and SUVs, among other options — guests will find complimentary, chilled bottled water and a bar, if desired, stocked with whiskey, vodka, French sparkling wine, and sodas. The couple will have sparkling wine with which to toast their new nuptials as they depart the ceremony, often in one of RTT’s well-appointed SUVs.
Wilson-Perlman offers valuable advice to couples seeking wedding transportation. Consult with RTT’s experts, who will advise you of best- and worst-case scenarios in terms of getting guests to the event, assist with realistic timelines, and suggest the number of vehicles needed. Then rest assured that your loved ones will arrive intact and on time to celebrate your union.
Simple Setup
When your venue needs supplemental space, turn to Quick Space. Luxurious, portable restroom trailers can be delivered to your celebration site, wherever it may be. Trailers come equipped with climate control, running water, and private stalls, plus they can be outfitted with preferred amenities such as fireplaces and music. Professional attendants also are supplied to keep facilities pristine throughout your wedding and ceremony.
“Whether you’re planning a small gathering or a grand affair, we have restroom trailers of various sizes to match any occasion,” says Andrew Ardans, outside sales representative for Quick Space. “Plus, now that Quick Space is part of United Rentals, you can count on even greater inventory, increased reliability, and timely service for weddings, no matter where your celebration takes place.”
Ardans has seen a shift toward more intimate, customized wedding experiences in recent months. He explains that couples are opting for microweddings and keeping their guest lists under 50 people to foster deeper connections and more meaningful experiences. He says Quick Space provides everything needed to make such intimate weddings elegant, comfortable, and unforgettable.
Tips from Ardans for the betrothed on their wedding day include prioritizing both comfort and practicality and letting Quick Space customize facilities to reflect your wedding theme and personal style. He also suggests securing your trailer reservations early, especially before the busy wedding season begins, to ensure your preference will be available.
Fantasy Feasting
Treats as sweet as your love are vital to your wedding day. Anne Archer, owner of Batch Cupcakery, says she and her staff are seeing an uptick in colorful wedding cakes recently, with requests for traditional white cakes being replaced by more colorful yellows, pinks, and pale blues.
Whether couples prefer cupcakes or tall tiered cakes, almost anything is doable at Batch. Flavors can even be custom made to the couple’s preference. Cakes are crafted with the bride and groom’s favorite flavors, whatever they may be — just ask, Archer says. Past creations have included pumpkin paleo with raw coconut, Earl Grey tea with fresh lavender buttercream, and matcha green tea. Gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and keto cakes are requested frequently also.
Another trend in wedding cakes is among the most exciting for the Batch team.
“We’re back to the era of real ingredients,” Archer says. “Sweet cream buttercream frosting or cream cheese frosting is where it’s at!”
If luscious Italian desserts make your mouth water, head to Dolce Caffé in Northwest Reno, where you’ll find sublime sweets for nuptial celebrations.
Family owned by Melissa Iturriaga and her parents, Giuseppa and Claudio, Dolce Caffé specializes in tantalizing tiramisus, mini tarts, pastries, and other petite delicacies for trending wedding-day dessert tables. The Iturriagas recommend that the couple schedule a consultation to kick off any cake or dessert table customization, then every attempt will be made to bring the betrotheds’ dessert dreams to life.
Dolce Caffé also can host rehearsal dinners for up to 30 loved ones; the Iturriaga family serves savory Italian items such as lasagna and freshly baked focaccia bread in its intimate indoor space, or the charming patio when the weather is warm. The space also recently served as a wedding ceremony venue for one couple.
Most everything the café serves is handcrafted in house, with minimal exceptions that have been imported from Italy. Giuseppa is half Sicilian, her heritage an inspiration for all Dolce Caffé creations.
Unconventional weddings are all the rage. Couples are veering away from the traditional wedding cake and going with pies or easily grabbable cupcakes and cookies. If you’re going this route, Mix Bakeshop in Reno can tailor a menu for your wedding and create a tantalizing dessert bar for guests with multiple decadent options.
Owner Kris Daters says Mix’s flavors often reflect the season, such as the recent apple harvest and pumpkin cupcakes and pumpkin streusel pie from this past fall.
Weddings often are surrounded by other events as well. When custom-decorated sugar cookies for the bridal shower or cupcakes and pies for the day-after brunch are needed, Mix offers tasty treats in dozens of innovative flavors, such as the salted caramel apple pie, seasonal chocolate-covered strawberries, and vegan chai tea cupcakes, just to name a few.
Seeking an affordable and delicious wedding cake but can’t decide which flavor to choose? Nothing Bundt Cakes in South Reno can make your Big Day dessert dreams come true with multiple options and sizes sure to please everyone in attendance.
“Our cakes are not your traditional wedding cakes, but they are delicious, fun, and easy to serve,” says Shele Silveira, owner.
Couples frequently order Nothing Bundt Cakes’ petite Bundtinis, so guests can savor several different flavors. Others are using beautifully decorated, full-sized bundt cakes as decadent table centerpieces, which also encourage mingling and sampling, Silveira explains.
Flavors include classics such as red velvet, vanilla, and carrot, as well as lemon and strawberries and cream for more refreshing options. Entice guests with festive cake flavors such as snickerdoodle and confetti, while loved ones needing gluten-free sweets can nibble on lemon raspberry or chocolate chip cookie options. Traditionalists also can tier different types for an eye-catching, edible focal point.
Dreamy Décor
Bountiful botanicals can beautify any wedding. Since 1960, Sparks Florist has specialized in adorning nuptials with eye-catching blooms, crafting everything from boutonnières and bridal bouquets to grandiose floral walls and ceiling displays for countless couples’ unions.
Owned and operated by the Fiannaca family for three generations, Sparks Florist has grown from a modest retailer into the region’s go-to florist for Big Day beautification. Its team can work with the couple on the design vision, bring it to life, decorate the venue, then make sure the creations are tended to after the event.
Floral trends the Fiannacas are seeing include flesh-tone flowers in shades of tan, caramel, and macchiato, then mixing those with blush tones such as soft pinks and mauves. Dahlias, ball chrysanthemums, anemones, and other highly textured flowers also are trending for nuptials, as are dainty, aromatic accessory flowers such as chamomile.
“You should never send out a flower that you wouldn’t be proud to send to your grandmother or your grandfather,” Tony Fiannaca, vice president of design services for Sparks Florist, tells his team.
He explains that customers are getting very creative with their floral designs of late, breaking free from longtime norms and creating arrangements that more accurately speak to their lifestyles. Some recent innovative creations for weddings have included crafting a floral table with blooms displayed under glass, then placing a classic rotary phone attached to a voice recorder on top so guests can leave the couple messages. Others are flower-covered columns, and artful, crescent-moon-shaped arches to frame the couple during their vows.
A perk of using Sparks Florist for your wedding floral arrangements is that all of its services are offered à la carte. The florist team can take on as much or as little of the design and creation as the couple wants but will offer guidance on what’s possible throughout the process.
Want to be more hands on with your floral designs? Perhaps even create them yourself as a fun wedding party activity?
Reno Wholesale Flowers, sister company to Sparks Florist, is unique in the industry. Couples interested in building their bouquets and arrangements themselves can do so in RWF’s design center, where the items will be stored until their events. Purchasing bulk flowers at a big-box store, for instance, would require bringing them home and having design sensibilities as well as substantial cold storage to keep flowers fresh. In the design center, help from RWF pros and materials are on site.
The big difference between Reno Wholesale Flowers and retail florists is the elimination of the labor cost. However, RWF will offer assistance in design if a couple is creating wedding arrangements themselves. A bride and her friends may come in and design the centerpieces, for instance, but may not feel comfortable doing the bouquets, so Sparks Florist can step in and help with those.
“Whether you use RWF for buying in bulk to go the DIY avenue or Sparks Florist for the full service, there are so many options in between, Fiannaca says. “You can use our cooler storage, you can hire a Sparks Florist wedding designer … we offer so many services.”
General guidelines such as what’s in season and online resources are offered to DIYers, with a side of inspiration in the shared design center. Floral professionals can be hired simply to provide helpful “recipes” for DIY arrangements. Also, when people rent design center space, they can find inspiration on nearby tables from Sparks Florist arrangements, as the two companies share the area.
Fiannaca says that the experts at RWF also provide a safety net for do-it-yourselfers, offering guidance on techniques and basics to transform your venue into a fantasyland filled with a bevy of farm-fresh blossoms.
With the help of these exceptional partners, your wedding day will surely exceed all expectations and leave guests fondly remembering your event for decades.
RESOURCES
Batch Cupcakery
Batchcupcakery.com
Calafuria
Calafuriareno.com
Dolce Caffé
Dolcecaffereno.com
Graeagle Corner Barn
Graeaglebarn.com
Mix Bakeshop
Mixreno.com
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Nothingbundtcakes.com
Quick Space
Quickspacenevada.com
Reno Tahoe Transportation
Renotahoelimo.com
Reno Wholesale Flowers
Renowholesaleflowers.com
River School Farm
Riverschoolfarm.org
Sparks Florist
Sparksfloristweddings.com
Visit Carson Valley
Visitcarsonvalley.org
