Wyoming Weddings

I’ve swooned my fair share of rustic nuptials, but to be totally honest? This is probably my new fave. It’s the wedding that lets the stunning landscape do all the talking, with a few well-edited nods of color and style infused along the way. Of course, the straight-from-a-magazine images by Carrie Patterson only add to my obsession and if you’re looking for more, you can find it right here.

From the Bride…

What was your “perfect wedding” vision?

Outdoor wedding with a rustic feel. We love nature and the outdoors and wanted to share that love with our friends and family. We also wanted to have a fun and casual environment for our guests where they felt like they were as much a part of the wedding as we were.

What are three unique details that you infused into your decor?

Well first and foremost, the entire backdrop of our wedding (the Grand Tetons) is where we got engaged (we got engaged on top of the Grand Teton), so that was important to us. We loved the idea of having a table as our “alter” and having items placed on it that are important to our heritage – Bible passed down from great ancestors and a Ganesh (Hindu god).

What was your most memorable moment?

Our ceremony. Our siblings were our officiants and our ceremony was comprised of friends and family reading poems and passages that we love. We also had a good friend sing “this must be the place” by the talking heads that was fantastic. It was sunny, there was a great breeze and seeing our friends and family sitting before us, having our siblings at our side and friends and family come up and read and hug us throughout the ceremony was amazing.

What song did you do your first dance to?

Scarlet Begonias by the Grateful Dead – totally nontraditional but a blast to dance to and a meaningful song for us.

What was on your menu?

Bison! We also had a million appetizers because our cocktail “hour” was two hours long. We also served pie instead of cake

What – if anything – did you DIY?

My girlfriends created a collage of old photos of Viraj and I together and of us growing up that we displayed at our “dinner the night before”. We also created programs with all of the readings from our ceremony with recycled paper on the outside. Other than that I completely trusted our wedding planner and florist!

Photography: Carrie Patterson Photography | Event Planning: In Any Event | Floral Design: Lily And Company | Wedding Dress: Jenny Packham | Invitations: I DO INVITATIONS By Sue Coe Designs | Catering: Bistro Catering | Hair: Jenifer Jeffers Hossack | Location: Moose Head Ranch

Jackson Hole ranks high on my list of places I want to visit, and after fawning over this beauty captured by Carrie Patterson and planned to perfection by Lovely Day Events I’m ready to book my tickets for tomorrow. With its gorgeous vistas, picture perfect details and stunning couple – this wedding makes Jackson Hole look like the most stylish place around. See even more here.

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From the Bride…Our wedding day was absolutely magical. From the beginning, Riley and I knew that we wanted our day to be an elegant mix of modern and rustic, with playful touches, amazing food and great music. It was also important to us to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere for all of our guests, where everyone could relax and enjoy themselves. On a trip up to Jackson Hole to visit Riley’s parents, we fell in love with Shooting Star, with it’s beautiful modern barn and gorgeous view of the Tetons.

Because Jackson was quite a trek for most of our guests, we decided to make our wedding into a weekend getaway. We kicked off the wedding festivities with a cowboy-themed Welcome Party the night before the wedding, and held what we lovingly referred to as the Recovery Brunch the day after. On the wedding day, guests were greeted with Arnold Palmer’s before the ceremony, and we had galvanized buckets full of pashminas in case anyone got a little chilly.  We also placed an overview of the evening at each table that highlighted the special things we had planned. No one missed the milk and chocolate chip cookies during dancing or the sparkler send off at the end of the night!

From the programs to the horseshoe escort cards, the table numbers to the organza bags filled with lavender for guests to toss as we walked down the aisle, we did the vast majority of wedding projects ourselves, wanting to put our own spin on the details. Riley and I designed the invitations, balancing the formal design with playful copy. My mom even handmade each of the table runners. I wore broaches borrowed from my grandmothers, one in my hair and one on my bouquet, and had a piece of lace from my mom’s dress sewn into my own. One of my favorite elements had to be the star lanterns we hung above the dance floor. They provided a little bit of sparkle that was absolutely gorgeous. All of these little touches created a very personal, intimate feeling.

Our wonderful vendors also helped us bring everything to life. Pastor Ben set the perfect tone with a ceremony that was funny, thoughtful and incredibly meaningful.  Maho Catering made the most amazing food and provided an incredible level of service to our guests (one of my favorite quotes from the evening was a friend who said “It was like we were at a 5-star restaurant and a wedding broke out!”).  Phil Round and the Snake River Band played fantastic music that everyone enjoyed. Carrie Patterson and Jared Wortley each captured the day in breathtaking detail. And Lisa, our day of coordinator from Lovely Day Events, made sure I didn’t have to worry about a thing.

 At the end of the night, the band played  “Hey Jude” as the final song, and all of our guests surrounded Riley and I in a circle as we danced. It totally spontaneous and was absolutely magical. It was the perfect way to end the perfect day. We could not have asked for anything better.

Photography: Carrie Patterson Photography | Videography: Jared Wortley Films | Wedding Planner: Lovely Day Events | Floral Design: Gild The Lily Too | Reception Venue: Shooting Star Golf Club | Caterer: Maho Catering | Transportation: Limo Lounge | Ceremony And Reception Music: Phil Round Band | Dessert: Persephone Bakery | Hair And Make-Up: Frost Salon | Tent Company: Canvas Unlimited

When this groom signed up as a volunteer with Medishare after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, he knew that his experience would be moving and gratifying. What he didn’t know was just how much of an impact it would have on the rest of his life. He wrote, “Not only did I learn how resilient and appreciative Haitian people are, but I found out what great types of folks take time out of their lives to help after such disasters.”  And thus began this couple’s love story — captured so beautifully by Carrie Patterson. See more in this gorgeous gallery.

From the Bride… Ed and I met in 2010 after the devastating earthquake in Haiti. We were volunteering at a tent hospital near the airport and it was love at first sight. Although the days (and nights) were long, we found a little time to learn about each other over warm Imperial beers. Back in the states, we were both quickly accruing frequent flyer miles commuting between San Francisco and Houston before deciding to co-habitate in the Bayou City. (More on our story here) Two and a half years later (and a 12 hour assent) he proposed to me on top of the Grand Teton in Jackson, Wyoming. It was one of the best and most exciting, days of my life. Although the view at 13, 775 ft is breath taking, I could not wait to get down (which took about 8 hours) so I could wear my ring!

Having our wedding in Jackson Hole was a no brainer as we love vacationing there and we consider it our “special” spot. Of course we wanted the main attraction at our wedding to be the jaw dropping views of the Tetons, so picking out our venue was the most important. Choosing the Jackson Hole Golf and Country club was perfect for the view we wanted.

Little details were very important when planning our wedding. Some of my favorites were using a part of a climbing rope to tie a “love knot” (or a figure 8 and fisherman’s knot to us climbers) during the ceremony, using a special letter we received from a family member as part of our vows and our cocktail recipes that we crafted ourselves.

One of our other favorites from our wedding that we think gave it a unique touch was the choice of our transportation, a 1948 Chrysler Windsor highlander edition. It was such a classic, beautiful car but what we loved most was the interior, Scottish tartan. With Ed’s Scottish heritage, that car was even more special for us.

We wanted to treat our guests to an amazing meal and we wanted to have a slightly more modern reception so we decided on Hotel Terra. Hotel Terra definitely blew us and our guests away with delicious food and spectacular service. We were very detailed with how we wanted our dishes prepared (some were inspired by our favorite restaurant in Houston) and they executed every detail perfectly.

Through out the whole day, I was just stunned by all the beautiful peonies, hydrangeas, garden roses and other flowers. The moss monogram used for the reception really added a unique touch. Sami of Magnolia Ranch definitely went over the top, turning what I could only dream of, into reality. It was absolutely breath taking!

Our guests were given parting gifts of stainless steel water bottles with a traditional Jackson Hole logo, a bucking bronco with a cowboy. Attached to the bottle was a small red carabiner with our names and wedding date. The carabiner was an important touch I wanted to add since Ed proposed to me with the ring on a red carabiner.

Even though the wedding was 6 months ago, we are still getting complements over and over again from friends and family on what an amazing day our wedding was. Ed and I are thrilled that the day turned out the way we wanted with our family and friends, full of love and beauty. It truly was a day I never wanted to end and I am so happy that we can re-live it through the photography that captured our day perfectly.

Read more of their story on Project MediShare!

Photography: Carrie Patterson Photography | Event Planning: Destination Jackson Hole | Floral Design: Magnolia Ranch Events | Wedding Dress: Watters | Invitations: Xowyo | Ceremony Venue: Jackson Hole Golf And Tennis Club | Reception Venue: Hotel Terra | Shoes: Louboutin | Grooms Attire: Hart Schaffner Marx | Cowboy Boots: Old Gringo | Groom Boots: Lucchese Boots | Hair Makeup: Tanya Crocker

This wedding right here?  It’s the perfect way to kick off 2014.  That is, if you are the type of person who likes to start the new year surrounded by pretty, pretty details (hello beautiful blooms from Rachel at Poppy’s + crazy fabulous chevron linens) and an adorable couple who happens to know a thing or two about throwing an amazing party.  It’s rustic stylings meets romantic touches meets all kinds of awesome from Luke And Cat Photography.  See it here in the full gallery.

From Luke And Cat Photography… The historic old-West town of Cheyenne, Wyoming served as the perfect backdrop for Kassi and Ian’s romantic and stylish wedding day.

Both Kassi and Ian come from cattle ranching families, so the day had plenty of nods to their western heritage, such as cowboy boots, vintage cattle trophies, and of course, the western rolling hills of Wyoming.

In addition, there were DIY projects all around the day, such as custom built (by the groom) wooden planters that adorned the head table and were fire-branded with their own custom cattle brands, chalkboard signs, and hand-painted table décor.

The colors of the day were soft pastels, and the tables featured found vessels such as antique milk vases, silver saucers, platters, and vintage trophies from a rich family history of showing cattle, and DIY hand-painted chevron print table runners.

A special area in the reception was set up, appropriately named “Caden’s Clubhouse,” (in honor of their son, Caden) especially for kids, with coloring, toys, snacks, ice cream, and take home bags.

Hand-painted chalkboard signs directed guests through the reception and cocktail hour. As guests arrived, they grabbed an individual succulent favor to take home. During cocktail hour, guests casually snacked on the chips and salsa bar and two signature cocktails. This included an original cocktail, “Tonka Juice,” which is sentimental to the brides’ family as it has historically been the drink served in celebration of a win at a major cattle show.

For dinner guests were served fajitas with all the fixin’s. After dinner, the wedding cake was served along with homemade cream-mints straight from Kassi’s grandma’s kitchen and Blue Bell ice cream. The gold sequin chevron table runners at the sign in table and the cake table were a favorite conversation piece of the night.

As sunset approached, the couple decided to take to the most famous landmarks of their beloved Cheyenne for their portraits, including the state capitol and of course, Cheyenne’s most famous landmark, the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo arena.

Photographer: Luke And Cat Photography | Florist: Poppy's | Invitations: Minted | Ceremony Venue: St. Mary's Cathedral | Reception Venue: The Cheyenne Depot Museum | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Etsy | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Ann Taylor | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Alfred Sung | Catering: Nana's House Of Goodies | Bride's Gown: Wtoo Bridal Via Ellyne Brial Of Omaha, Nebraska | Cake Artist: Stacy Broda | Getting Ready Venue: The Historic Plains Hotel | Hair And Makeup Artist: All That Jazz Salon of Cheyenne | Linen And Chair Rental: Dan-D Rental | Music: Complete Music Of Denver | Planning And Design: Embellish Productions | Sequin Table Runners Rental: BBJ La Tavola

Question: What do you get when you cross a rustic setting with modern design, plus a mountain landscape that looks straight out of a postcard? The answer lies in this Wyoming destination wedding designed by Kari Andersen and Lovely Day Events, with decorations crafted at the hands of the bride herself. It’s a super fresh take on a nature-driven affair with a slew of gorgeous details woven in along the way. Carrie Patterson made sure you didn’t miss a moment, and we pinky promise not to judge if you spend the entire day pinning away right here.

From the Bride…With a gorgeous place like Jackson Hole, Wyoming, as our wedding backdrop, nature did most of the heavy lifting when it came to decor. Since the setting was taken care of, Kevin and I decided to put our hearts into the small, special details that really made our wedding uniquely us. During the planning process, we kept one thought in mind: we wanted this wedding to be as beautiful and special for our family and friends as it would be for us. Here’s how we made our personalities shine through while playing off of our amazing surroundings. After scouring the Internet for pictures of possible locations, we chose Jackson Hole as the setting for our beautiful day. Kevin likes modern, simple and unique elements while I am a full-color girl at heart, so incorporating natural elements while adding some fun,fresh accents was a must. We found a great website that printed some of our wedding suite on wood, including our save the dates and wedding invitations.

Twenty of our closest family and friends were able to make the journey to Wyoming. We knew that we wanted to provide them with a classy yet relaxed atmosphere, so as guests arrived at their hotels, they received a welcome bag printed with the same mountain from our invitation. The bag was filled with a number of custom-labeled goodies, including trail mix we made ourselves, a small beverage set and information on Jackson Hole restaurants and activities. We also hand-wrote thank you cards to guests to express our gratitude and emphasize their importance in our lives. They were included in the bags along with directions to the wedding and reception. To ensure that everyone felt relaxed and enjoyed themselves, our cocktail hour included lawn games with beanbags that were sewn with the same material used on other wedding elements. The boards for the game were painted by Kevin and my mom and featured the same moose that were on our invitation.

I learned how to sew from my grandmother, who is a very important person in my life, and wanted to infuse that love and creativity into as many wedding details as possible. Together, we spent months sewing a variety of projects for the wedding using bright, modern fabrics. I created a quilt for the cake table that included a mountain, our names and the date on the back. I also made napkins for the dining tables that featured a different appliquéd heart for each person’s setting. We tried to incorporate the nature-inspired decorwhenever possible, so the tables featured a number of natural textures such as centerpieces in wooden boxes, handmade linen napkins and burlap chair sashes. Even the butter pats were moose-shaped!

Dinner was the perfect place to add a bit of Wyoming flavor – literally! For the more adventurous guests, we offered a moose medallion entrée. For those who wanted something more familiar, we had pork (an Iowa favorite). We also used a Jackson Hole staple to create a fun twist on my favorite drink as our signature beverage: huckleberry margaritas! Huckleberry was also a filling in our cake. We opted for a non-traditional guestbook. Each guest was invited to sign their name on a heart “to wish the couple a happy start.” Our favorite signatures were those of our young nieces. It will be fun to look back on those scribbly signatures in a few years! Instead of writing our own vows, Kevin and I exchanged cards and gifts that we opened when we were apart. Kevin gave me a simple but beautiful pearl bracelet. I wore this along with special earrings that I had custom-made using diamonds from my late (and very special) uncle’s wedding band and pearls that were a gift from my cousin. For Kevin, I used our invites as the inspiration for custom-made metal cufflinks shaped like small mountains with a heart in the middle. He loves tequila, so I wanted to find a special bottle I remembered him mentioning when we were first dating. I quickly discovered that the tequila had been discontinued, but that didn’t stop me from calling every listing I found online. My determination paid off: he was surprised with a bottle of Milagro Romance on our wedding day.

While some people may think that having such a small number of guests might impact the overall experience, we enjoyed all the perks of a big wedding, including a cocktail hour, our first dance as the sun set, a traditional cake cutting, a toast and dancing with our guests. Some folks headed home early, but the younger crowd ventured out with us to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar where we spent the rest of the night sitting on saddles, sipping drinks! And throughout the next couple days after the wedding, we were able to participate in activities with family, including river rafting.

Now, more than six months later, it is so satisfying to have subtle daily reminders of our wedding. Our guestbook hangs on the wall in our home, we use the handmade napkins for dinners together, Kevin wears his cufflinks to other events and we even occasionally play the lawn games with our friends. Someday – though not anytime soon – maybe our cake quilt can be used for a little one. I am grateful for all these special little touches that we continue to appreciate. The day truly ended up being a beautiful affair with the focus on celebrating our love and the importance of our closest family and friends. Tip for brides with a tight budget: Have your wedding on a weekday or off day, especially if you are planning a destination wedding. Since everyone was traveling to the wedding, we decided on a Thursday, which allowed us to negotiate lower rates with some of our vendors.

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Wedding Photographer: Carrie Patterson Photography | Wedding Planning: Lindsey and Lisa of Lovely Day Events | Wedding Venue + Catering: Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis | Floral Design: Lily & Co. | Wedding Stationery: Kari Andersen Design | Officiate: Judge Thomas Jordan | Guitarist: Judd Grossman | Handmade Items: Steph Moyer Handmade | Hair + Make-up: Frost Salon | Wedding Dress: KittyChen Couture

Santa may have officially packed up his sleigh for another year, but that doesn’t mean the gift giving has to end. Especially when that gift is a breathtaking Jackson Hole engagement session captured perfectly by Amy Galbraith Photography and features two ski loving cuties and one of the most stunning mountain backdrops you will ever lay your eyes upon.  (Literally.)  It’s a magical winter wonderland wrapped up in a whole lot of pretty and you can see every last love-filled moment right here.

From Amy Galbraith Photography… Annie & Chase are two awesome people that I’ve met during my time living in Jackson Hole. They met here, got engaged here, and are getting married here! Their wedding is this summer but we decided to do some engagement photos during the winter. Since the two of them are amazing skiers, running around in the snow for a few hours didn’t seem to bother them much. We took these classic Jackson Hole engagement photos in Grand Teton National Park at Mormon Row, and had so much fun! I love these barns. They are so rustic, and provided the perfect background for this wintery photo session. With the crazy blizzards that have been rolling through this December, we got super lucky with cloudy skies, light snow, and no wind. Love these two!

Photography: Amy Galbraith Photography / Location: Mormon Row, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

I’m going out on a limb here when I say Jackson Hole might be the ideal spot for a wedding. It’s perfect – beautiful weather, beautiful scenery, and some of the most beautiful couples in the world. No wonder Carrie Patterson Photography captures utter gorgeousness every time she clicks her shutter. This wedding is no exception to the beauty rule of Jackson Hole, but on top of the stunning, there is so much heart and laughter, I simply cannot force myself to leave the pretty, pretty gallery!

Click here to see the full image gallery!

Tim and I probably crossed paths long before we actually met.  We both went to the same college but never met while we were there.  Years later we were set up by mutual friends in New York who happened to be getting married in Jackson Hole shortly after we started dating.  Little did we know at the time but many of the same guests would be headed back to Jackson for our wedding just a few years later.

I grew up in Jackson Hole and Tim may love Jackson even more than I do so there was no question where we were going to get married.  We also wanted to share with our friends the outdoors and western hospitality that we love.  Our ceremony was held in a small chapel in Grand Teton National Park where my parents were married.  I think my favorite memory of the entire day is walking up the steps to the church and seeing Tim looking at me from the end of the aisle.  Carrie Patterson, our photographer, took a great picture of this moment.  We had our reception in the backyard of my parents’ home.  The weather was perfect so we were able to have the cocktail hour outside as the sun was setting over the mountains.

As the evening got cooler we gave out pink pashminas to all the ladies and had Too Haute Cowgirls popcorn (so delicious!) sent home for the guys.  It could not have been a more perfect day for us.

Photography: Carrie Patterson Photography / Flowers: Lily & Co. / Event Planning: Elizabeth Kelleher, In Any Event / Ceremony Location: Chapel of the Sacred Heart, Grand Teton National Park / Reception Location: Bride’s parents’ home / Invitations: Soho Letter Press / Gift Bag/Menus/Wedding Program/Weekend Program:  Jane Carter-Getz, Belle Cose / Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Dress Designer: Rivini / Bridesmaid Dress Designer: Jenny Yoo / Hair & Makeup:  Shara Buday + Jenny Putnam-Hickey, Goodie 2 Shoes / Cake: Atelier Ortega

What if I were to tell you I had a fabulous fête to share with you that was going to blow your wedding-loving mind? Would you believe that the natural beauty of Jackson Hole, Wyoming was matched and exceeded by a fine bit of nuptials? Could you believe that the cool color palette went perfectly with amazing flowers and the slightest, chicest hint of The Old West? It might be hard to take that all on face value, until I tell you Carrie Patterson Photography was behind the day. Now it’s easy. It’s easy to see the sweet charm in every gorgeous image. It’s easy to feel the relaxed elation in every smile. It’s oh so easy to fall in love when you check out the gallery!

Click here to see the whole pretty, pretty thing in the gallery!

My husband and I met six years ago on April Fool’s Day. He had just left a blind date and I was out with a girlfriend celebrating her birthday. My eye caught his gold-buttoned blue blazer and his my smile. Over the next three years, we dated, traveled and enjoyed our life together. During the week of Thanksgiving 2008, we vacationed in Florence, Bruges and Paris on our first whirlwind European adventure. On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Chris hired an undercover professional photographer to follow us around the enchanting streets of Bruges in an effort to capture each moment leading up to and during the proposal. On bended knee on the city square, he asked me to marry him and then subtly pointed out our secret follower.

The decision to get married in Jackson Hole was an easy and an obvious choice. We refer to our 2006 encounter with Jackson Hole as our first grown-up vacation and it was simply love at first visit. Our families and friends live all across the country and Jackson Hole became not only the wedding location, but also an endless source of inspiration during our planning process. Once engaged, we visited JH and finalized our plans with a powerhouse list of vendors. Carrie Patterson topped the list with her breathtaking photography and endless guidance to ensure our wedding was the perfect balance of beauty and entertainment.

Inspiration for the style of the wedding played homage to a comfortable weekend getaway with our closest friends and family. Our primary goal was to ensure that each of our guests had the opportunity to fall in love with Jackson Hole, just as we did. From each detail from our save-the-date postcards with Wild West old time photos to line dancing to The Devil Went Down to Georgia, we hoped to indulge our guests with a relaxed western experience. Two weeks prior to the wedding, we mailed a custom stamped local map along with a detailed itinerary of the weekend’s events. Thursday we met as a group for Snake River Lagers and Friday’s rehearsal dinner took each of our guests up the Bridger Gondola for cocktail hour and then back to Nick Wilson’s Cowboy Bar for BBQ, dancing and a photo booth.

The day of the wedding was pure magic. I spent quality time with my sisters and two best friends and while getting ready, I experienced a tremendous, indescribable closeness with my mother. Chris and I had a “first look” with our bridal party and I remember a quiet excitement that rushed over me as I took those last steps towards him. The moment he turned around and looked at me was one of the most special moments in my life. During the entire day, I felt so absolutely beautiful and loved and Carrie captured that exact essence in each of her photographs.

Carrie’s photography of our wedding tells a story of love and life and happiness. There are moments caught on film that were easily and unintentionally overlooked. Her ability to seek out an oasis of emotional purity is unlike any other photographer I have ever encountered. She loves her art so much and it shows in each smile and tear and glance.

Photography: Carrie Patterson Photography / Flowers: Lily and Co. / Venue: Shooting Star Ranch / Band: Judd Grossman Band / Cake: Jaclyn’s Cakes / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Bride’s Dress: Priscilla of Boston / Entertainment: Judd Grossman / Invitations: Trendy Treasure

Bonfires and gorgeous tulle gowns, pine trees and peonies; it’s combinations like these that completely redefine the idea of rustic. AND it’s weddings like this gem that merry those rustic details with a gorgeous layer of elegance that fits right at home with the backdrop of Jackson Hole. It doesn’t get much prettier than saying “I Do” out in the landscapes of Wyoming and seen through the lens of Christian Oth, there’s nothing quite like it. It’s art in the form of breathtaking wedding images. Click here for so much more.

Snuggle in for a wee bit more with this moving snapshot of the day captured by Ryan Hinman Films. It’s goose bump inducing, heart pitter-pattering goodness and totally brings to life all that love swirling around the day…

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Jackson Hole has been important to my family ever since my dad headed out west in 1969, at age 16, to work on a ranch as a cowhand. Over the years, he convinced the rest of us to love it as much as he does (it wasn’t hard!). Garrett and I first met during our freshman year of high school in Philadelphia. After being best friends for the first two years of high school, we finally dated for our junior and senior years. It was after our college graduation on a trip to Jackson Hole that we rekindled our romance. Since that time, Jackson has become our home away from home. Over the years, Garrett and I have enjoyed countless adventures there and could not think of a better place to start our life together.

Sharing Wyoming with our closest friends and family brought us so much joy. We knew that planning a wedding out west would be a logistical challenge because we live in New York City, and my parents live in Philadelphia, but we were determined to make it happen. It has been my dream to have a wedding at my parents’ home for years, so my mom, sisters and I worked together, and in the end, all of our ideas came together to make an event that felt personal, warm, and reflective of Garrett and me as a couple. Even my dad chipped in to the design by creating that awesome sign post and our Just Hitched signs! Our wedding weekend was everything we imagined it could be, and most of all it was about family, friendship and the authenticity of young love.

Wedding Photography: Christian Oth / Ceremony: St. John’s Episcopal Church in Jackson, Wyoming / Reception: The Bride’s Family Home in Jackson, Wyoming / Floral Design: Valley Forge Flowers / Cinematography: Ryan Hinman Films / Catering: Bistro Catering / Wedding Cake: Jackson Cake Company / Wedding Invitations and Paper Goods: Ceci New York / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang, style: Eliza / Bride’s Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Bridesmaid Dresses: Tadashi Shoji / Bride’s Earrings: Ippolita / Hairpiece: Leah C Couture

We see a lot of pretty weddings around these parts and yet we always let out a gasp when we see a wedding as pretty as this one by Alissa Ferullo Photography. It’s a backyard beauty if there ever was one, and full of the most darling details to boot. And we think you’ll agree that the vibrant flowers mixed with stripes and the stunning Wyoming backdrop are sure to make any wedding-loving lovely let out a gasp or two. See even more here!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the bride… Zach and I were married in Wolf, Wyoming, and were fortunate enough to have the ceremony take place on my parent’s front lawn overlooking the gorgeous Bighorn Mountains!  I didn’t have a set color scheme like most weddings I have been to. Instead, I tried to keep things classic, fun and not overly matchy. The groom and groomsmen’s bow ties were each different colored stripes, which looked wonderful with their blue blazers. I wanted the bridesmaid dresses to be simple without being plain; I accomplished this by having them wear different dresses in the same champagne color. The details were so much fun to put together!   The main pattern element that linked the wedding ceremony to the reception was black and white stripes. At the ceremony, black and white ribbon was wrapped around all the bouquets, and at the reception, black and white stripes showed up in our table cloths. To make sure that the black and white didn’t look too formal, we incorporated flowers in vibrant pops of yellow and pink roses, white Queen Ann’s Lace, bright green kermits, dark green ivy and yellow Billy Bobs. Other fun details included my grandmother’s blue brooch on the back of my dress, which made the dress very personal and added a vintage touch. The table numbers were classy as well. The image was one my brother did specially for the occasion. The place cards were paper birds and butterflies. Edible paper butterflies adorned our six different cakes as well. Having multiple cakes instead of the traditional one gave us an opportunity to do something different, and they looked so pretty on their cake stands of different heights! In a word our wedding day was quite simply, perfection. The combination of fun patterns, bright colors and the backdrop of the Bighorn Mountains in all their splendor made for an unforgettable occasion!

Wedding Photography: Alissa Ferullo Photography / Ceremony: Bride’s Parents’ Home in Wolf, Wyoming / Reception + Catering: The Powder Horn Country Club in Big Horn, Wyoming / Flowers: Babe’s Flowers / Floral Arrangements, “I Do” Sign + “Just Married” Sign: DIY by The Bride + Her Mother / Bow Ties: The Tie Bar / Wedding Dress: The Gingerbread House in Savannah, Georgia (Now Closed) / Groom’s Suit: J. Crew Wedding / Bride’s Shoes: Macy’s / Bridesmaid Dresses: Nordstrom / Hair: Kitt Laidlaw of Tangles / Wedding Cake: Val Green / Chair Rentals: I Do Weddings and Party Rentals / Reception Table Cloths: Custom Made by a Local Seamstress / Ribbon: Save on Crafts / Butterfly + Bird Place Cards: Etsy / Edible Butterflies for Cake: Etsy / Table Number Image: The Bride’s Brother

Welcome back to another wonderful Wedding Wednesday, SMPers!  Yep, it’s that time again… time to fill your weekday with pretty, pretty details and fabulous inspiration, all courtesy of EIGHT gorgeous weddings that are guaranteed to make you swoon.  And we have quite the fabulous lineup in store for you lovelies today… from rustic chic affairs to backyard soirees, there’s a little something for everyone!  So, prepare yourselves for all of the pretty and be sure to join us in the galleries for even more!

We’re starting off our day in the sweetest of ways with this gorgeous Jackson Hole wedding by Leslee Mitchell.  There’s just nothing I adore more than a fabulous mountain affair… and there’s absolutely no denying these breathtaking views.  With a stunning ceremony overlooking the Teton Mountains, vibrant purple and red florals by Lily and Company and a gorgeous bride in boots (LOVE), this Wyoming fête has my heart singing one very, very happy tune.  Click here for all of the lovely!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Leslee Mitchell… Jennifer and Jonathan’s wedding was a celebration encompassing the many things they cherish about their beloved Jackson Hole. Their laid back, adventurous souls and love for their community was evident in the planning of what their wedding day would include. The ceremony took place atop Snow King Mountain, overlooking the gorgeous Teton Mountains. Guests took the ski lift up the mountain to the ceremony location and rode the alpine slide back down the mountain when the ceremony was over.

Jennifer and Jonathan made their way back down the mountain on a ski lift decorated with a Just Married banner Jennifer made from old quilt patches, card board, ribbons and twine. Once they arrived at the bottom of Snow King, they hopped on their custom cruiser bikes and headed for a victory ride around Jackson Hole Town Square along with several guests who had arrived by bike to the wedding. Owners of Grizzly Country Wildlife Adventures, Jennifer and Jonathan knew some of the most spectacular spots for their day after portraits. 

Wedding Photography: Leslee Mitchell / Floral Design: Lily and Company / Wedding Ceremony Location: Snow King Mountain / Wedding Reception Location: 43 North / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Wedding Dress: Jim Hjelm

When we first discovered (and promptly fell in love with) Carrie Patterson it was through the photographs of what remains to be one of SMP’s most beloved weddings. It was a wedding that pretty much convinced me that Jackson Hole is one of the most beautiful places on earth and just happens to provide one of the most stunning backdrops for ANY wedding, no matter what the style may be. So when we found ourselves staring at yet another Jackson Hole beaut, well we knew we couldn’t keep this one to ourselves. It’s the epitome of laid back gorgeousness with details that are as effortless as they are stunning. So without further ado…(oh and don’t forget to click on the gallery to see even more)…

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…I wanted the wedding day to be pretty and romantic and at the same time reflect something significant about the life David and I have together.  So I chose a color scheme that came to me one morning while hiking up Glory Mountain with David to squeeze in some backcountry skiing before work.  As the sun came up over the mountains it cast an incredible peach glow across the snow and threw every boot print into an equally stunning bluish shadow.  Even though our wedding would be in the heat of summer, these elegant muted colors seemed to fit our quiet characters perfectly. I designed the invitations, programs, and menus in these colors, reinforcing the natural theme with motifs of mountain ridges and soaring eagles. On the wedding day, Sarajane, from Lily and Co., flawlessly interpreted the flower images I brought to her.  The soft peach garden roses from a local grower were the highlight against the delicate blue flowers and berries.

We decided to hold the ceremony in a small log cabin chapel at the northern end of Grand Teton National Park.  The setting was perfectly quaint and rustic.  Adding to the spiritual feeling of the day were moose and bear visitors that greeted us from afar as we drove to and from the ceremony location.  The reception at Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis was unparalleled because it offered our guests – many from out-of-town – a spectacular view of the mountains at sunset.  The band lit up the dance floor with a series of country western favorites, to which our guests happily practiced the western swing moves they had learned at the rehearsal dinner.

To add some significant family touches to the occasion, my mother and I baked up special sugar cookie favors from an old family recipe using the cookie cutters my great-grandfather made over 100 years ago.  The pearl necklace I wore was my great-grandmother’s. Instead of table numbers, I drew local animals and placed them in frames at each table.  For escort cards, I painted guests’ names on river rocks which I had collected from the dike along the Snake River.  This is where David and I had our first date and where he asked me to marry him.  Every element of the wedding reflected us as a couple, the histories and inheritance which we carry into our future lives together, and the Jackson Hole area where we met and fell in love.

Wedding Photography: Carrie Patterson Photography / Event + Floral Design: Lily & Co. / Event Planning: Elizabeth Kelleher of In Any Event / Ceremony Location: Chapel of the Sacred Heart, Grand Teton National Park / Reception Location: Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club / Bride’s Shoes: Nina / Wedding Dress: Watters

So. These might be the most beautiful photographs I’ve ever seen. Seriously, I’m not just crying wolf this time. The Jackson Hole backdrop is just about as picturesque as you can possibly get but add to that an amazing photographer, Alison Mayfield for Christian Oth, and a bride that just screams style and you have this picture perfect recipe for gorgeousness. Especially when the couple isn’t afraid to have some fun with their photographer. So although I could go on and on about this wedding, I’ll instead just encourage everyone to pick their jaws up off the floor and enjoy the show. And if you are desperate for more, click right here.

click here to see the full wedding gallery!

We really wanted the wedding to be laid back and comfortable for everyone.  We envisioned a big vacation for everyone with a big party at the end.  We invited the guests (just close friends and family, total of 30) to come a week early so we could visit and enjoy the outdoors (fishing, hiking, rafting, etc.).  We kept it simple and focused on the beauty of Jackson Hole, it’s our favorite place in the world and we wanted everyone we love to share it with us.

For the ceremony, I wanted to have the perfect view of the Tetons and I scouted so many different ranches for the right spot.  I wanted to say our vows outside with the mountains surrounding us.  We had a tent set up in case it rained (thankfully, it didn’t), bar, and appetizers.  Overall, I went for a sort of mountain chic vibe.  I wanted it to be simple, natural, and elegant.  The Amangani was exactly what I had in mind…modern but a bit rustic.  It was a great contrast to the Lost Creek Ranch, which was pretty rugged (it’s a working horse ranch).  It was a little unconventional, but we like to break some traditions.

I was happy with everything, but of course, there were things that didn’t go perfectly.  If I could go back and change anything, it would be to try to slow down, enjoy every minute of that day, and just focus on my husband!!

Florist: Sarah Seymour at Gild the Lily Too / Hair + Makeup: Frost Salon  / Shoes: Jimmy Chou / Venue: Lost Creek Ranch & Amangani, Jackson WY / Photographer: Alison Mayfield for Christian Oth

My favorite sorts of gatherings are the ones that truly reflect a couple’s personality, that play homage to their roots, and ones that allow a girl to throw on a pair of cowboy boots and kick up her heels. So of course, the country girl in me is dancing and twirling at the sight of this good ol’ ranch rehearsal dinner. Jessica Claire and her wondrous photography were at play behind the scenes to bring you every last stinkin cute detail. I mean, they seriously thought of everything when it came to this Jackson Hole, Wyoming hoedown. Fire-pits, s’mores, a bluegrass band….sounds fun, right? See the rest of the party here!

See the full rehearsal shebang in the gallery!

From Jessica Claire:

Katie & Dave’s wedding took place this weekend on her father’s ranch, and what better way to kick off the weekend than with a good old fashioned hoedown at Q’s Roadhouse BBQ joint?!

The mother of the groom, Claudia Merritt, left no stone unturned in planning this adorable event! From the bold flowers in jars wrapped in leather and twine, to the photo booth with both cowboy/cowgirl and bordello props, it was absolute perfection. There was even a square dance and a bluegrass band!

The little touches such as horseshoes, a smores bar, and fire pits covered in animal printed blankets made this a wonderfully fun evening for all the guests!

Photographer: Jessica Claire / Coordinator: Elizabeth Kelleher / Planner & Stylist: Claudia Merritt & Katie Mortensen / Florist and Photo Booth: Lily & Co, Jackson, Wy / Music: Judd Grossman Music, Jackson ,Wy / Square Dance Callers: Jean & Maggie Bauer / Burlap Banners: Funkyshique and madebylisah / Napkin Labels: Claudia created on my wedding labels / S’mores and beverage sundae bar Signage: greenapplepaperie / Soon to Be Mr & Mrs Signs: pertyfultings / Menus and Programs: TwoYellowShoes / Stir Sticks and Cocktail Napkins: For Your Party / Custom Marshmallows: miamallow / Photobooth,Katie and Dave at Q’s, and S’Mores custom wood Signs: Red Horse Designs / Katie’s Dress: Betsey Johnson

AS promised, we have a great DIY project for you inspired by Cara and Spencer’s incredible tablescapes. I love, love, love the organic elegance behind the wedding day design and aside from perfect flowers, it’s the table runners that give the tables texture and style.

photo by Carrie Patterson

My mom’s a pretty amazing seamstress. She learned to sew in her teens, which means she’s been sewing for more than 40 years. In addition to sewing her own prom dresses, she made our Halloween costumes growing up, from princesses to cheerleaders to space women to ladybugs. Planning my wedding, she was a huge resource. And even though she has lots of sewing experience on her belt, she said that anyone with a sewing machine can make these super simple 14-foot long runners! Plus, you can customize your look and use any type of fabric/thread color combination!

Materials

One bolt of 54-inch wide burlap (you can use less, but 21 runners took the full bolt)
Teal Blue Thread

Directions

1. Cut fabric in lengths of 14 feet, two inches.

2. Cut in half lengthwise so that each strip is 27 inches wide

3. Turn the ends and sides under one inch and hem

4. Stitch with a zig zag stitch (my mom used the largest zig zag, about a quarter of an inch) on her machine and chose satin thread)

5. Iron flat

Today is all gorgeousness on SMP. Cara and Spencer’s wedding is unbelievably pretty and even better, it’s largely a DIY wedding! We have one of the perfect projects coming up next but for now, I wanted to share a bit more from the ridiculously lovely day.

I spent months scouring Style Me Pretty, The Bride’s Guide and other blogs for inspiration. Then, I turned to Sarajane Johnson with Lily and Company. Erin and I gave Sarajane a stack of pictures and left everything in her hands. Sarajane and the Lily gals really got my vision. They selected succulents and flowers that picked up the blues in the bridesmaids dresses. They also used tons of stuff that Sarajane picked up at antique stores. I didn’t want to spend the money to rent table runners, so my mom sewed 21 burlap ones with teal string to match the dresses. I used brown kraft paper because it seemed like something I would do for an impromptu dinner party, like cut up some brown grocery bags to scribble the menu last minute. I wanted the tables to seem relaxed.

Or course, I couldn’t relive this day for the rest of my live without the help of our amazing photographer, Carrie Patterson. Carrie and I met a few years ago when I wrote a magazine feature about her. With Carrie, I had to give little direction. I knew she would capture all those things about my day that I didn’t see. She has a fantastic eye. I am forever indebted to her.

Erin and I felt that the ceremony site was too expansive and that we needed a focal point. A groomsman offered to build an altar for us, and one weekend later he got permits to cut down trees in the national forest. He and Spencer built this amazing arch in a few hours. Later, the wedding arch turned into our photo booth, one of the best decisions I made. I bought about $100 in props, and my mom sewed the fabric for the backdrop. Taking the photos really got people in the mood to have fun. The photo booth also gave people something to do other than to look at us. Guests will get a copies of their photo booth pictures as gifts.

Thank you so very much to Cara and Spencer for sharing their wedding with us. It’s one of my favorite weddings EVER (I know, I know) and the details…well, I am pretty sure that most of you have saved them in your “inspiration” files. Here is a list of vendors that participated in the event:

Vendors

Wedding Coordinator: Erin Roy / Photographer: Carrie Patterson / Gown: Monique Lhuillier / Shoes: Stuart Weitzman / Hair piece: Oh My Deer / Groom’s suit: Paul Smith / Invitations: xowyo / Makeup: Jenny Hickey / Hair: Cynthia Estrada / Venue: Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis / Flowers: Lily and Company / Cakes: Rich McLaughlin / Band: Soul Impressions

I have been dying to share today’s wedding with you. I fell head over heels for it the moment I laid eyes on it, but since we wanted to use it as our debut on Martha Stewart’s The Bride’s Guide, I’ve had to stay mum for a little while. But today is the day that I finally get to gush and gush and gush.

For me, this wedding is the perfect example of DIY that looks REALLY expensive, really luxe. Together with friends and family, Cara (bride) kept their budget in check by doing little tidbits that added charm and personality. From hand sewn table runners to do-it-yourself invitations, so many of the details were made by hand. And the result was total perfection.

all of the gorgeous photos were snapped by Carrie Patterson

From the bride…

My dad actually found our venue with a quick Google search. Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis was perfect because it offered straight-on views of the Tetons. We thought the view would be magical for our 80 out-of-town guests. Golf and Tennis also had a big white tent with brick pavers, which gave us a perfect canvas for creating our look.

From the start, my wedding was destined to look amazing because of my vendors. I hired Erin Roy to help me put it all together. I have a tendency to think of ideas that are too grand (I wanted to pickle 130 jars of beets this summer and give every guest a jar of “Heart Beets,” but that was vetoed). Erin kept all my ideas in check and cohesive and offered up plenty of others. I decided the wedding would be an Anthropologie meets comfortable Autumn outdoor dinner party.

all of the gorgeous photos were snapped by Carrie Patterson

My friend and I came up with the Western-inspired design and created the elk head logo (elk hunting season is in September), which we carried throughout the event. My mom stitched 130 invitations for me. And that was only her first sewing project. Some of the men even folded them in their suit pocket for the wedding. People loved the invitations so much that my friend and I are starting a company creating invitations and stationery with a mountain feel.

Through planning a wedding, I realized that I am very girly. I wanted the tent and tables to twinkle and sparkle – just like the necklace. I wanted succulents and hydrangeas because they remind me of my childhood – my mom had jade plants all over the house and a huge hydrangea bush. And I also wanted organic elements that reflected Jackson, mainly wood cuts. One day, I noticed my friend’s neighbor had cut down a big birch tree. Early the next morning, I drove back and put the stumps and branches in my car. Someone walking his dog asked if I lived there and if I should be doing that. Spencer used a table saw to make the cuttings.

I am basically like a kid in a candy store right now. If you remember…last week, we announced our new blogging partnership with The Bride’s Guide (Martha Stewart Wedding’s blog) and we debuted one of our favorite weddings for all of Darcy’s readers. Well today, we get to reveal the GORGEOUS wedding in its entirety on SMP, including the most adorable DIY project you’ve ever seen.

When I first approached the bride from today’s affair about doing a double feature on our blog and on Darcy’s blog, she was beyond shocked. She couldn’t figure out why we chose her wedding for our launch feature. Well for us, it was a no brainer. This wedding is the epitome of all things chic, the epitome of effortless elegance. It’s a little bit organic, a little bit eclectic, a little bit fresh-from-the garden chic…and we heart every bit of it.

all of the gorgeous photos were snapped by Carrie Patterson

From the bride…

It was just a matter of days after getting engaged that we started planning our wedding. We decided to be married in Jackson Hole in the fall, our favorite time of year because most of the tourists have left and the leaves are changing colors. We chose Jackson because that’s where we met. We wanted our wedding to be as much about our guests as it was about us. If 80 people were going to have to travel, we wanted to make it a trip of a lifetime for them.

photos by Carrie Patterson

A more than 100-year-old crystal necklace and earring set inspired the look of my wedding. The set belonged to my great-grandmother on my mother’s side. My grandfather inherited the jewelry after his parents died, but the necklace clasp was broken. They were a big Catholic family with seven kids, and fixing the necklace was never in the budget. Still, my mom remembers pulling it out of her mother’s draw just to look at the necklace. Aside from a few vintage pocket watches, my mom said it was one of the most luxurious items in their house. My mom inherited the set after my grandmother passed away and had it fixed so all the granddaughters can be married in it. She’s worn the jewelry twice in 20 years, and I was the first granddaughter to wear it.

The jewelry helped us find the gown. I knew I had found my Monique Lhuillier when I put on the necklace, and my mom and I cried. They looked perfect together, and I had tried on what must have been 50 dresses. I actually had to go to San Francisco for the dress because there are not a lot of options for finding a gown in Wyoming. We don’t even have a dress shop in Jackson. I also chose San Francisco because that’s where Spencer’s parents live, and I wanted his mom to be involved.

photos by Carrie Patterson

I borrowed a veil from my college roommate, Whitney, who owns the cutest boutique. Whitney, who’s having twin girls, was one of the first of us to get married. She wants all of us to borrow her veil and plans to embroider every bride’s initials on it. So with the necklace, the veil and the dress, my attire really set the tone for the rest of the wedding. Together, they looked very vintage and “Anthropologie-esque” to me.

My bridesmaids chose their gowns. Since there was nowhere for me to look in Wyoming, my mom, sister and Whitney went shopping without me in Charlotte. It was important to me that each girl have a dress that she really loved and felt pretty in. The gals selected the three Jim Hjelm dresses and the colors. I didn’t see them until wedding day.

We have so much more goodness coming up for you from this gorgeous wedding.