Felicia Events sat down with Elizabeth Mettler, owner of Dancing Pines Events near Truckee, California, to talk about the site and what couples can expect when planning a wedding with Dancing Pines.
Felicia Events: Tell us a bit about Dancing Pines Events and what couples can expect when they choose to have their wedding there.
Elizabeth Mettler: Dancing Pines is a 20-acre property nestled in the valley of the Little Truckee River and located about 20 minutes north of downtown Truckee. We offer one of the only riverside wedding venues in the Truckee/Tahoe area. Couples can expect to have a truly unique, rustic-chic setting for their special day with an exceptional level of service from our staff. Because our venue is on private property there are very few restrictions for our clients. The site is designed in a way that offers couples complete creativity regarding the design and layout of their event. We also offer a private honeymoon cabin for the couple, camping for guests, shuttle services to Truckee, bonfires, and a later than usual curfew for bands or DJs.
Felicia Events: The wedding package includes quite a bit for $9,500. Can couples customize the package, leaving things out they might not want or adding things in they might prefer to have?
Elizabeth Mettler: Our basic wedding package of $9,500 can absolutely be adjusted based on the client's needs or budget. We designed the package to accommodate couples who may not have a full-service wedding planner and are looking for more of an all-inclusive, simplified wedding package. With that goal in mind, we also offer individual a la carte options to provide couples the opportunity to add on certain amenities that will help enhance their vision. Additionally, if a couple is working with a full-service wedding planner and does not need some of the items offered in our basic package, we do have a reduced wedding site rental fee. We would work directly with the wedding planner to adjust that price accordingly based on the client's needs.
Felicia Events: Can couples bring in their own food, music, wine/beer/other liquor, photographer, cake, etc.?
Elizabeth Mettler: Currently our basic package does not include a caterer, music, libations, cake, or photographer. The preferred vendors listed on our website are those we've worked with before, but it is ultimately the client's choice which additional vendors [they would like to use] or if they would like to supply any of those items themselves. Once vendors are decided on, our staff will follow up with logistical details to ensure setup and delivery is in order for the event. We do have a bar manager who we kindly ask our clients work with to help customize a bar menu to meet their budget. Once the menu is set, our manager takes care of delivering the alcohol. Being private property, we do not require a minimum bar order or even specific kinds of libations. It is completely up to the client what they would like to serve and how much.
Felicia Events: You provide outdoor ceremony and reception space in the package. Do you have indoor space available in case of rain or other weather issues?
Elizabeth Mettler: The site is all outdoors and does not offer an indoor space. With that said, couples are encouraged to reserve a tent during certain times of the year when inclement weather is more likely. Our 7,000 square foot grass reception area can easily handle one large tent or multiple smaller tents depending on the layout of the event.
Felicia Events: Can couples tour the space before deciding to book their wedding there?
Elizabeth Mettler: Couples can absolutely tour our site before booking! We are available most days of the week and on weekends to show the property.
Felicia Events: How can couples contact you if they're interested in having their wedding at Dancing Pines?
Elizabeth Mettler: Couples can email dancingpinesevents@gmail.com or call us directly at 203-592-8384. Web Address: http://www.dancingpinesevents.com
Felicia Events: Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Elizabeth Mettler: My husband and I moved to the Tahoe area about 10 years ago and immediately fell in love with our surroundings. It has been a dream of ours to build an event site that makes you feel like you are a part of nature. As we built Dancing Pines we made as little of an impact to the natural environment as we could and used as many natural elements as possible in construction. For those who love nature, simplicity, and elegance, Dancing Pines was built for you.
Thank you, Elizabeth, for taking time out to chat with us.
