Dana + Ben
August 3, 2012
Sun Valley, Idaho
Welcome to a delightful sunny summer wedding captured by Dev Khalsa. This backyard wedding is full of love, joy, mountains, and sweet yellow and white details. The best part is the bride refused to break the bank or go into debt for her wedding, yet she still had a gorgeous, meaningful event. Don’t miss Dana’s Hindsight Wedding Advice at the end of the pretty pictures…
Why a Mountain Wedding?
We live in the mountains and I can’t think of a prettier place in the world. We also had he luck, honor, and good fortune of having friends let us get married at their home. They live on 3 acres 6 miles north of town and it was the perfect locale!!
What were some personal details you incorporated?
My husband was a single dad. He had raised his kids on his own since they were baby girls. I came into their lives’ at 14 and 15 years old. We have become very close and I wanted them to be a big part of the wedding. They stood next to their Dad and my sister and best friend stood next to me. In the program his girls were listed as ‘groomsmen’ and bridesmaids.
Things you’re glad you did.
- My husband’s daughters are both beautiful singers and as part of the ceremony, they sang Hallelujah by Leanord Cohen. There was not a dry eye in the mountains. The song was so sweet and beautiful, it was one if my favorite parts of the day.
- I also absolutely loved my dress. It was a simple ivory silk dress by nicole Miller.
- The third favorite thing about my special day was that my very sophisticated girlfriends from college threw me a mani-pedi bridal shower the morning of. They live in NYC and LA and were worried that they would have nothing to work with in the mountains. They had a box of shwag shipped in ahead of time. But once they got to Ketchum, they were pleasantly surprised that the mountains have cute shops and spas, too!!
- One big thing I did to save, my sweet and talented stepdaughter and my awesome sister baked 200 cupcakes and 200 sugar cookies. We decorated this big cake tier and it looked professionally done !
What piece of wedding planing advice do you wish you followed?
Hire a good photographer. Dev Khalsa was awesome!! By far the best thing I did. The pictures came out great and so did my album, I will have it forever and it was 100℅worth it! Also having a band. The band was the second best thing- the heaters, a local cover band. They were fun and lively and everyone danced all night.
Anything you wish you hadn’t worried about?
- I didn’t worry about the food and table set up and I’m glad I didn’t! I hired an amazing, competent caterer, Raspberry’s. The food was simple, delicious and they were so professional that I did not have to worry about a thing!
- I also tried not to worry too much about the weather… A con to getting married in the beautiful mountains is that the weather can change in a second. I wanted to be safe and not worry so I chose early August. We have about a six week window , july 4-august 15 where the days are long and sunny. I lucked out, no rain, but a huge forest fire broke out that day and it was smokey!! Luckily, most of my guests were from the east coast and were so awestruck by the mountain s that they didn’t notice! And the pictures came out really cool.
What is your very best advice to other mountain brides?
It’s your big day, do it how you want it! For me, I had always wanted to be a bride and have my father walk me down the aisle. The day was absolutely perfect. Everyone I love was there and my dress was perfect.
Sun Valley Wedding Vendors
- Photographer: Dev Khalsa Photography
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Caterer : raspberry’s
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Band : the heaters
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Flowers : my girlfriends
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Rentals: that’s entertainment
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Dress: Nicole miller
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Bridesmaid: Calvin Klein ( purchase at tj maxx!!)
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Jewelry: something borrowed – real diamonds and pearls from my bf from college!!
- Submitted via Two Bright Lights