Date: September 8, 2019
Amanda Murphy and John Hartsock hopped a plane in Pittsburgh and landed in Lake Tahoe to celebrate their marriage with a weekend getaway for friends and family. Amanda and John were fated to end up together. They first crossed paths when they were 5 years old on the first day of kindergarten. Thirteen years later, they crossed paths again during their freshman orientation at the University of Pittsburgh. From there, it became clear they were meant to be together. The two share a love of national parks and have visited 14 to date, with plans to eventually make their way to all of them. Fittingly, the calming presence of nature permeated their wedding, with grounding hues of green scattered throughout the décor. The bridesmaids wore dusty-moss-colored gowns, which complemented the succulents in their bouquets as well as the groomsmen’s ties. And, of course, the surrounding landscape of Lake Tahoe lent itself fully to the charming rustic atmosphere. The couple’s outdoor ceremony took place beneath an arbor so bedecked in flora, it looked like Mother Nature placed it there herself. A string trio performed in person as guests watched Amanda waltz down the aisle in her lacy, sleeveless A-line gown and sparkly Kate Spade Keds. The reception was a forested dreamscape. Twinkling lights and grand floral arrangements hung from the ceiling. Guests dined on s’mores while seated at pinecone-strewn tables that were also decorated with national-park-inspired place cards. The night ended with a bang—quite literally—as dazzling fireworks illuminated the night sky while the newlyweds looked on.
