Karissa and Todd’s Classic Martis Camp Lake Tahoe Wedding
Truly stunning people, both within and without, Karissa and Todd are exceptional individuals who show up in life with integrity–as partners, as professionals and as part of a vibrant social network. Based on the West Coast in dreamy Seattle, Karissa is a University of Washington alumnus and now Partner at KPMG LLP, while Dartmouth alum Todd is also a Partner, with Alpine Pacific LLC. Their story as a couple absolutely reflects the quality and caliber of their contributions to society:
Karissa and Todd first met at a charity event, Leukemia and Lymphoma Does a Luncheon, at which a mutual friend first introduced them. Yes, one thing always leads to another, and en route to a ski weekend at Whistler BC in celebration of Karissa’s 35th birthday, Todd proposed. What Karissa thought was simply meant to be a beautiful birthday weekend turned out to be a life-changing trip!
The couple selected the resplendent Martis Camp Lodge in Northern Lake Tahoe as the site for their ceremony and celebration. Karissa’s stylistic goals were supported by the highly talented Occasions Coordinator Janel Ellefsen–because the location for their wedding is rich with natural beauty, Karissa wanted to amplify this environment with a natural theme, while accentuating it with sophisticated visuals. She jokes that, as a CPA, she isn’t exactly a ‘creative type,’ but that it was easy to communicate her desires by selecting and sharing Pinterest boards with her vendors–in her case, traditional cream and white was accented by spring green and pink, beautifully complementing the surrounding wilderness.
Karissa explains that during the wedding planning phases, there is a constant buzz leading up to the date. Her foremost piece of advice to other brides is that they coordinate far in advance, not even leaving small tasks to attend to in the final days before the wedding. Why? She says carrying out even the smallest tasks and finalizing everything as early as possible best allows a bride and groom to simply relax and enjoy the friends and family who inevitably arrive a few days early. If a marriage is all about community, what better way to honor that than maximizing your time with them?
Fashionably sophisticated, Karissa wore a fetching Bliss gown by Monique L’huillier, along with Christian Louboutin heels, and also the Paris jewelry collection by Debra Moreland. But, it wasn’t just the clothing, hair and makeup. Karissa’s inner radiance illuminated the entire day. Todd, with his tan skin and striking eyes, was equally handsome in a suit by Wall Street Clothiers and sharp shoes by Ferragamo. Always ones to honor their friends, Karissa’s brides wore beautiful J. Crew dresses in bright green, and also delighted in gifts, like their Tiffany Dove Bracelets, fun costume jewelry, and wraps for the cool evening. The groomsmen all received special cufflinks made from old Nickels. And, naturally, Karissa and Todd also surprised one another:
Todd touchingly had a jeweler convert his Grandma Marker’s engagement ring into a beautiful diamond necklace for Karissa. On her part, Karissa had a friend bring in from London a rare bottle of a Scotch that Todd loves, as well as giving him engraved glasses along with a note reading, “May we always find our glasses half full with the good stuff.”
Karissa loved the special day, and particularly adored reading the letter she received from Todd, seeing him for the first time in their wedding day attire, the final conversation she had with her father before walking down the aisle, and also her father’s toast to her.
And, yes, they enjoyed a perfect honeymoon vacation in Maui. Heaps of love and congratulations to this deserving couple!