CAROLLA-MINUTILLO WEDDING
LAKE TAHOE, CA

This wedding has a special place in my heart. I used to camp outside in 20º, heavy snow + windy conditions for basketball games at Syracuse with these two. We also played “focrossketball” (made-up game blending lacrosse, football, and basketball) and spent many college days together. Lisa has always been an incredibly thoughtful, genuine friend, one that always put me up on her couch when I needed a place to stay when visiting in NYC or CA.  Sadly, I only get to see L+M every other year or so.

Lisa and Menotti hosted a wedding unlike any I had ever photographed before. They chose Lake Tahoe because her family had fond memories of vacationing by the lake throughout Lisa’s childhood. It was also a special place that Lisa and Menotti escaped to when they wanted to embrace nature and get out of the city. They invited only their closest family and friends to adventure with them for a long weekend. They spent their time kayaking, hiking, watching Syracuse basketball (where Lisa and Menotti met), and helping set up for their wedding celebration.

Lisa and Menotti spent the morning together at their favorite restaurant in town and then helped each other into their specially tailored wedding clothes while their rescued Pit Bull, Primo, watched and occasionally begged for a few head scratches. The bridal party danced down the aisle, and the ceremony was hilariously and personally officiated by Menotti’s aunt. I will never forget Lisa running around barefoot on the wet field with the majestic mountains in the distance; or the two of them climbing a boulder in the rain, surrounded by miles of pine trees. There were many happy memories, tears, and laughter that surrounded this day.