After graduating from their respective colleges in 2009, Molly Bierman and Mike Ryan each moved to San Francisco and settled into jobs in tech. It’s a big small world there, and their paths crossed (unknowingly) more than once before they finally met by the refrigerator at a mutual friend’s housewarming party. “We both found ourselves in the kitchen, jockeying for the sole remaining Bud Light Platinum,” Molly remembers. “One of us initiated a conversation, we agreed to split that last soldier, then we peeled off from the party to grab another beverage that same evening.”
Five years later, in early 2020, their engagement got delayed—but not for the reason you think. “We got engaged on the island of Maui,” Molly shares. “The vacation had been slated for February 2020, but in late January, I was selected to compete on Jeopardy and assigned to tape the show on a date that conflicted with the trip.” It all worked out, though; six months later, Mike got down on one knee during sunset at Hotel Wailea.
Molly and Mike have attended more than 50 weddings together and always most loved the destination weddings that felt like a full weekend getaway for guests. They aspired to create that same feel. “We honed in on larger resorts where as many guests as possible could stay directly on-site—indeed, more than 80% ended up doing so,” Molly says. Palisades Tahoe won out. (Fun fact: Its lodge, where they would hold their reception, had served as the dining hall for competitors at the 1960 Winter Olympics.) As for aesthetics, they aimed for “California contemporary,” Molly says, and turned to interior design for inspiration.” The process of furnishing our home was a lot of fun for me, so I wanted to draw upon some of the styles used in that space, which contains pieces from places such as Caitlin Wilson Design, McGee & Co., St. Frank, Jenni Kayne, and Dear Keaton.”
The wedding weekend began with a pub trivia night, a nod to Molly’s stint on Jeopardy. There was a charter cruise the next night, and a rehearsal dinner at lakeside restaurant West Shore Cafe on Friday. “We were thrilled that our guests had a chance to experience the natural beauty of the lake, the mountains, and the greater region throughout the weekend,” Molly says.
When it came to fashion for all the events, there was a common thread in Molly’s attire. “I have a strong appreciation for texture as a dimension in attire and personal style, so all my dress selections—rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, and bridesmaids—featured some special feel or fabric,” the bride shares. It was most notable, of course, in her wedding dress, a strapless silk shantung taffeta style by Romona Keveza that featured baroque ribbon lace appliqués down the front and on the train. She found it while shopping at Warren Barrón Bridal in her hometown of Dallas. “One keen sales rep noticed that I seemed to gravitate toward dresses with some unique characteristic on the physical form and brought this out from the back. Once I saw it, I knew instantly it would be the one.” She chose a matching veil and went with an elegant, natural makeup look by Artists by Sherrie Long.
Bridesmaids were no exception to Molly’s textural rule. They wore ivory midis with a 3D guipure lace rose pattern by Brit designer Catherine Deane. (Mike, too, had a touch of texture in his look with a feather Brackish bowtie complementing his peak-lapel tuxedo.)
On July 30, 2022, Molly and her dad walked down the aisle to an instrumental version of “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody).” “Music is an important part of my life, so I put a lot of thought into what songs to use during the processional and recessional,” the bride says. After the officiant—Mike’s cousin, author RJ Andrews—pronounced them as married, Molly and Mike sealed it with a kiss to “You and I” by Crystal Fighters.
For the lodge reception, the couple tasked Twist Flowers and other vendors with creating a look that was “mostly traditional, with a few trendy touches,” Molly says. “I aspired for a look that would stand the test of time; however, we did incorporate a few particularly beloved modern elements, like organic balloon garlands and streamers by Posh Fiesta Designs. Keeping these to an all-white color scheme helped them retain a more elevated feel.”
Their 10-piece band, Hip Service, performed “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” as the couple made their grand reception entrance and took the floor for a first dance. Dinner was served, and Molly’s father gave an emotional and heartwarming toast. At the end of the reception, the newlyweds made their exit under a tunnel of ribbon garlands (sparklers were out due to Lake Tahoe’s extreme fire risks) and guests hopped on the resort jitney to the after-party, where—in honor of their original meet-cute at the fridge—a large special order of Bud Light Platinums awaited.
