A Campfire Vibe Meets A House Party: Sarah & Nicolas’s Valhalla Lake Tahoe Wedding.
- Matthew Connelly
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
When I say this was one of the most down-to-earth, soulful, and joyfully offbeat weddings I’ve ever DJed, I mean it with my whole heart—and a backup speaker battery just in case. Sarah and Nicolas brought their love, their people, and a killer playlist to Valhalla in South Lake Tahoe on September 28, 2024, and created something that felt more like a community celebration than your standard “check-all-the-boxes” wedding. Which, let me tell you, is this Lake Tahoe DJ’s dream.
Set on the shore of Lake Tahoe under a canopy of pine trees and golden September sun, their wedding didn’t try to be anything other than what it was: warm, relaxed, and a whole lot of fun. Think campfire energy meets Fleetwood Mac meets Backstreet Boys... and somehow it all worked perfectly.
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The Ceremony – Paul Simon and Pine Trees
We kicked things off at 4:00 PM sharp. Picture this: a chill breeze rolling through the trees, guests settling into rustic wooden chairs with zero phones in hand (yep—this was an unplugged ceremony), and a playlist full of vintage vibes—Paul Simon, Cat Stevens, Carole King, Brandy by Looking Glass—all gently warming the air through one of my trusty battery-powered speakers. Just enough volume to feel the moment, but still let the wind in the trees do its thing. Special note. Valhalla is very restrictive on DJ equipment. Make sure your DJ understands this and is prepared to work within their parameters.
Instead of the usual long parade of bridesmaids and groomsmen, Sarah and Nicolas kept it simple: Nic stood up front with Sofia (his sister and first-time officiant), Matt, and Bryan. No pomp, just presence.
Then came the moment: Sarah walking in with her dad, to Here Comes the Sun, played live on guitar by their friend Mack. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that song, but this version? It felt different. Like sunlight in musical form. The kind of entrance that makes even your Lake Tahoe DJ have to casually wipe something out of his eye. Shout out to Mack for his guitar work!
They said personal vows (my favorite), and after a kiss that lit up the clearing, I hit the cue for James Taylor’s How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You). And let me tell you, it really was.
Cocktail Hour – A Chill Mix and Some Good Laughs
Cocktail hour stretched out for about 90 minutes while the newlyweds snuck off for some golden hour portraits. For the guests? Modern Chill Vibes—Volume 2—(one of my favorite personal playlists) flowed from the speakers while drinks were poured, snacks were passed, and conversations buzzed.
I kept the music low and steady underneath, setting the tone without stepping on any toes. It’s an art, being a Lake Tahoe DJ sometimes means knowing when not to turn it up.
Speeches came next (I know. Before dinner? This can work!) unannounced and in the most organic way possible. First, Sarah’s dad, Keith, kicked things off with heartfelt words, followed by Matt (best man, comic timing on point), and then Sarah’s brother, Brian. Each speech felt like a moment around a fire—personal, warm, and just the right amount of sentimental.
Dinner – Sunset and Spontaneity
Around 5:45, guests were invited in for dinner. There were no grand intros, just a quick welcome from Sarah and Nic before they snuck out again for sunset photos (worth it, trust me—those Sierra Nevada skies never miss). Dinner music carried the same chill cocktail vibe, with maybe a little extra twinkle thrown in now that the sun was going down and the string lights were coming on.
A blessing? Nope. Assigned seats? Not really. This crowd vibed in every sense—wandering, mixing, laughing, and telling stories over plates of delicious food.
First Dances – Quick, Sweet, and Full of Love
Once dessert made its sneaky entrance (with no announcement needed), it was time to shift into dance mode—but again, in the most low-key, perfectly timed way.
As Sarah and Nic made their way inside to the dance floor, I cued up Is This Love by Bob Marley. Just about a minute of it—short, sweet, just like them. The crowd melted a little, and then the parent dances rolled right into it. Both happening simultaneously (because why draw it out when you can make it meaningful and efficient, right?): Nic danced with his mom, Geraldine, and Sarah danced with her dad, Keith, to Van Morrison’s Days Like This. The song might still have been up for debate leading up to the day, but once it started playing, it felt like it was always meant to be.
The Dance Floor – No Cheesy Wedding Songs Allowed
"Cheesy" is super opinion-based. What one couple thinks is cheesy, another couple would disagree with. Sarah and Nic wanted to skip the sleepy stuff and get straight to the fun. So we kicked things off with September (Earth, Wind & Fire, of course), and the energy just… exploded.
Now, let me be clear. As a Lake Tahoe DJ, I get a lot of playlists. Some are “meh,” some are great. But Sarah and Nicolas? They brought the goods. Lots of early 2000s hits, only two Bruno Mars songs, Justin Timberlake's best song, Whitney Houston, Footloose, Billie Jean, even some reggae and salsa—we hit it all. Love on Top had the whole dance floor belting it out like it was karaoke night. A bass-heavy remix of Twist and Shout got the uncles moving. Pepas blew the roof off (figuratively—don’t worry, Valhalla is still standing).
A couple of notes they gave me before the wedding were: no garter toss, no bouquet toss, no anniversary dance, and absolutely NO Journey, Cha Cha Slide, or YMCA. I nodded with the solemn respect of someone who has survived Don’t Stop Believin’ too many times. And you know what? We didn’t miss a single one of those songs. Not even a little.
Their must-play playlist was full of bangers (I’ll link it below if you want to steal their vibe), and I added in a few remixes to keep things spicy. Blink-182 made a surprise appearance with What’s My Age Again? and suddenly it was 2003 again.
No Exit, No Problem
There wasn’t a formal exit—no sparklers, no tunnel of friends, no sendoff convertible—but Nicolas did grab the mic near the end to say a few words. It was unscripted, funny, and heartfelt. The kind of mic drop that didn’t need a mic drop.
And for the final song of the night? One word: BSB. I Want It That Way brought everyone into a giant, sweaty, sing-at-the-top-of-your-lungs circle. The perfect messy bow on a beautifully imperfect day.
Why I Loved This Wedding (And Why Lake Tahoe is Made for Nights Like This)
This wedding wasn’t about production. It wasn’t about tradition for tradition’s sake. It was about Sarah and Nicolas creating a space where everyone could breathe, dance, laugh, and just be. And as a Lake Tahoe DJ, that’s what I live for. The kind of day where I don’t feel like a vendor—I feel like part of the story.
Valhalla was the perfect backdrop: towering trees, a quiet lakeside breeze, and just enough rugged charm to match the “camping but make it chic” vibe the couple had in mind. With about 80 guests staying on-site, it felt like a wedding-meets-retreat.
And shoutout to the team: Sofia (Nic’s sister) absolutely nailed her first-time officiant duties. Amanda, the photographer, was everywhere and nowhere all at once (you know the type—like a ninja with a camera). And Sarah from Vorfreude Events kept things flowing effortlessly behind the scenes.
Recommended by a friend of mine (thanks, Eli!), this was one of those weddings that reminded me why I love what I do. Every couple’s different, but when they bring this much heart—and a fire playlist—I know it’s going to be something special.
Planning Your Own South Lake Tahoe Wedding?
If you’re dreaming up your own Valhalla wedding or just looking for a laid-back, music-loving Lake Tahoe DJ who gets the vibe, let’s talk. Whether you want unplugged ceremonies, funk-filled dance floors, or just someone who knows how to keep it stress-free, I’m all in. I bring battery-powered speakers, backup plans, and the ability to read a dance floor like a psychic with better shoes.
Because let’s be honest—Lake Tahoe deserves better than another cheesy wedding DJ. You deserve someone who listens, vibes, and shows up ready to make it unforgettable.
The Playlist (A Gift from Sarah + Nicolas to the World)