Palisades Tahoe offers two very different wedding experiences on the same mountain. High Camp sits in the heart of the ski resort at 8,200 feet, accessible only by aerial tram, with Lake Tahoe views from the ceremony deck and a reception room that runs until the last song. The Olympic Valley Event Center is at the base, year-round, with a lodge-style reception room, huge fireplace, and a garden ceremony space surrounded by peaks. Both are incredible and make for an unforgettable vibe. The right one depends entirely on what kind of night you want to throw; both are places you can ski before you say "I Do".
I'm a preferred vendor at both venues and have been performing at Palisades for years. I know and love the staff, I know how the spaces flow, and I know what it takes to get a great party going at altitude (and to remind you to stay hydrated!)
THE VENUES
High Camp
Getting there is part of the experience. The 10-minute tram ride to 8,200 feet sets the tone before a single word is said at the ceremony; with a disco ball and a speaker, you can get the dance party started early! Guests step off, look out at the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe, and they're already in it. The Upper Deck holds up to 175 for the ceremony and cocktail hour, with the kind of mountain backdrop that makes for incredible photos and a sunset you'll never forget.
From there, everyone moves into the Terrace Room: recently remodeled, floor-to-ceiling windows, the same views, up to 175 guests for dinner and dancing. The room is intimate enough that the floor always feels alive, and the crowd arrives pre-energized from the whole mountaintop experience. One thing to know: High Camp is not available mid-December through March, so this is a warm-season venue. Early spring events get a ski-in, ski-out day, and summer through fall, it's pure alpine beauty.
Olympic Valley Event Center
The OVEC is a beautiful space for larger parties and year-round celebrations. The ceremony happens in a garden area surrounded by aspen and pine, with the granite peaks above you. Cocktail hour moves to the adjacent deck with firepits as the sun drops. Then everyone comes inside: vaulted ceilings, exposed wooden beams, a big dance floor and a wall of windows facing the mountain. It holds up to 225 guests and it's available in all seasons, which makes it one of the stronger options in the region for large celebrations or couples considering a winter or shoulder-season wedding.
Almost all of our guests commented on how great he was as a DJ. During the reception he helped make sure that everything was on time and that we always had drinks for the toasts and other important events of the evening.On top of that he did an incredible job with getting the party going both nights and making sure he had the pulse of the room without being in the way at all. He was flexible when we took golden hour pictures longer than planned and generally made it all about us.
Dustin & Karyn, 2024 · Palisades High Camp
THE MUSIC
Getting the Party Going at Palisades
The crowd at Palisades tends to arrive ready. Guests enjoy the tram ride, the altitude, the views, the resort atmosphere and by the time dinner wraps and the floor opens, the room is usually primed to dance. My job is to read where they are and take it from there. I live-mix everything from your inspiration playlists, build the set through dinner, and by the time we hit the first dance the room is usually already leaning forward.
Both venues have their own energy. High Camp crowds have an adrenaline to them from the whole mountaintop experience so they tend to cut loose early and stay to the last tram. The OVEC crowd tends to be big and energetic, brought together by the cozy lodge; the fireplace and market lights set a warm tone early, and it builds naturally into a full dance party as the night goes on. I've played both rooms enough to know how to work with what each one gives you.
I cover the full day at both venues: ceremony sound with lavalier and handheld mics, cocktail hour coverage inside or outside, and a full reception setup scaled to the room. Transitions are clean, announcements are short, and the whole night moves without you having to think about it.
WHAT TO KNOW
CEREMONY
High Camp: Upper Deck at 8,200 feet, ceremony and cocktail hour, up to 175 guests. Not available mid-December through March. Olympic Valley Event Center: outdoor garden ceremony space, year-round, up to 225 guests.
At both venues, I provide 30 minutes of prelude music as guests arrive, a portable speaker, and discreet handheld and lavalier mics for your officiant. If you have live musicians joining the ceremony, I can easily coordinate.
RECEPTION
High Camp: Terrace Room, recently remodeled, floor-to-ceiling windows, Lake Tahoe views, an elevated rotunda for the DJ with dance floor below creates a great, club-like experience.
OVEC: lodge-style ballroom with fireplace,vaulted ceilings, large dance floor to accommodate expansive wedding groups.
