An Intimate September Wedding at Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch with Stunning Views and Cozy Chic Vibes
Caren & Chris | September 21st
From the bride: We met on a beautiful sunny day in April after a day of spring skiing. After that, we quickly became friends, skiing together, hiking on the full moon, and going on early-season rock climbing adventures. Before long, our friendship turned into more, and our day trips turned into weekends hiking in the mountains, exploring new towns, and climbing as much as possible.
THE PROPOSAL
Chris proposed in the Jackson, WY Town Square under the elk antler arches. We were on a weekend trip and had just finished a great ski day at Jackson Hole. In the same exact moment that he got down on one knee, the lights around the elk antlers coincidentally came on.
THE VENUE
Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch. I had been to the ranch about 10 years ago with my family and at the time thought it would be an amazing place to get married. It’s a stunning location, and I loved that most of the guests could stay on site. Chris knew it was a place I loved and reached out to Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch. one month before he proposed to see about possible wedding dates! What a guy! They were all booked at the time, but about a week after we got engaged, the last weekend of the season opened up, and it was ours. It was meant to be. The rest of the planning really fell into place after that.
THE VISION
We really wanted an intimate feel. We wanted a small wedding with those we love the most in the world. We did a lot of things DIY to add personal touches. This is who Chris and I are. We like to do things ourselves. We like small, intimate gatherings, and we like things to be soft and cozy. We love making fires in chilly weather, and we love being in the mountains.
THE STYLE
We already loved everything about the ranch, and the setting is so beautiful as it is, so we wanted the ranch to just do what they do best, and we did our best to enhance it with added elegance and warmth.
THE SEASON
Since it was late September, the weather could be very unpredictable, so we started planning for colder weather, just in case, so the overall décor was cozy chic.
THE COLOR PALETTE
In terms of colors, I wanted everything to be bright and vibrant. These days wedding colors are often so muted, and I wanted to do the complete opposite.
THE DRESS
I ended up with was the first dress I put on in the store, and the first thing I said after putting it on was, “Now that’s a wedding dress!” I tried on a bunch more dresses at that store and one other store that day but ended up going back to that first dress from Modern Trousseau.
THE SHOES
My shoes were the same ones I wore to my sister’s wedding 5 years prior. I bought and returned about 10 pairs of shoes only to realize that I had the perfect shoes already sitting in my closet.
THE DAY OF
Everyone was spirited, glowing, and relaxed from a day of yoga, hiking, and soaking in the hot springs.
THE CEREMONY DECOR
We added fur to the ceremony benches and offered our guests soft plaid blankets during the ceremony for them to keep.
THE CEREMONY
My dad and mom both walked me down the aisle. My mom told me years ago, long before I ever met Chris, that that was how it was going to be. I didn’t question it.
The ceremony was incredibly cozy and personal. The sun was out, but there was a slight chill in the air, so all of the cozy touches were fully appreciated.
The ceremony was everything I’d ever dreamed of and more. All of the details came together beautifully, and I felt fully present and connected to Chris.
THE SEATING CHART
Our favorite detail was our “Peaks from the Porch” string art escort board. Chris and I wanted to do something creative for our table seating escort board. After visiting the ranch in June, we realized that the “peaks from the porch” (Sawtooth mountain peaks visible from the Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch) were a real highlight of the venue, which gave us the idea for the wood string artboard of the Sawtooth peaks that I created.
LOOKING BACK
Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch is easily the most beautiful place to get married anywhere, and Chris and I were so grateful to say our vows and make it official there in the mountains. We had the most wonderful friends and family supporting us. That combination was pure magic. People are still raving about the ceremony blankets, Chef Victor’s food (especially the gnocchi), and the dancing!
ADVICE
Keep it personal and when the wedding week/weekend arrives, forget about the details and focus on: 1) your future spouse and 2) all of your family and friends that are there to celebrate you, in that order.
THE WEDDING TEAM
Venue: Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch Photographer: Craig Wolfrom Photography // Floral Designer: Tara Bella Flowers // Event Planner: Blue Bottle Events // Rentals: That’s Entertainment // Cocktails: Roadbars // Hair Stylist: Bonnie Snell from The Feathered Flip