Big Water Grille 341 Ski Way • Incline Village • NV 89451

Catching just a glimpse of Lake Tahoe, with its brilliant color and amazing clarity, can take your breath away. But big views of Big Blue, as the country's only alpine lake is affectionately known, can sometimes be hard to find for your wedding day festivities. That is, until you get to Big Water Grille, a North Shore mecca where your nearest and dearest can revel for hours in what are arguably the area's most spectacular and unobstructed vistas.

Located just a quarter mile from Diamond Peak in Incline Village and two miles from the Hyatt, Big Water Grille masterfully balances being a special destination with being a favorite dining spot of the locals. Clad in river rock, the residential building is perched on a slope above the shoreline. A clean, modern interior with high ceilings flows into three levels, and from every angle, soaring glass walls showcase irresistible views of the lake.

There's enormous flexibility in planning how to use the restaurant for your celebration, but most wedding parties are drawn first to the inviting outside deck. Here, you can exchange vows, framed by majestic pines as the sparkling water is tinted by the sunset. Then pop the bubbly, and invite friends and family to toast your union while also drinking in nature's beauty. Afterwards, your guests can easily move inside to the bar and lounge for butler-passed hors d'ouevres (ahi tuna poke a favorite!) and customized specialty cocktails. The centerpiece of this welcoming space is a massive stone fireplace that's not only warm and cozy, but also makes a perfect photo backdrop for your ceremony during the winter months.

Dinner is served in the Dining Room, built on two levels to take advantage of that ever-present view, which now faces some strong competition from the highly acclaimed, mouth-watering presentations from their culinary staff. Dishes emphasize fresh seasonal produce, and are extremely flavorful and light. The restaurant also offers signature Santa Maria-style barbecue, brought in from their sister-restaurant, Gus' Open Pit Barbecue. It features tri-tip, ribs, chicken and more, cooked over red oak and served with all the trimmings. (Gus' caters, too, so if you're hosting an event on the lakefront or elsewhere, they can cook their fabulous comfort food to order at your location.)

To complement your meal, Big Water Grille's wine list includes a variety of vintages from around the world in a range of prices. In fact, if you're planning an intimate reception or rehearsal dinner, consider reserving the Wine Cellar, a sophisticated private setting separate from the Main Dining Room.

After dinner, guests usually move the party back up to the lounge. With its polished wood floor and comfy sofas, this area provides a great clubby atmosphere for dancing, as well as cake-cutting in front of the striking hearth. Another option: romantic stargazing out on the deck in the crisp mountain air.

And since this is Nevada, where there are no restrictions on when to end your music or have last call, you can start your celebration later in summer to catch the sunset and then party the night away.