Alex and Camille were married on September 4th, with a ceremony at Senate Meadows at Galena Lodge in Sun Valley, ID, and a reception at the Warm Springs home they rented in Ketchum, ID.
The day of the wedding itself was full of just about every type of weather you can think of! It’s a bit of a guessing game for weather during the first part of September in Idaho, but it’s TOTALLY worth it to have an outdoor wedding, especially in a place like the gorgeous Sun Valley. Still, as I drove up to the wedding, the weatherman was giving a dismal forecast of tons of cloud cover, possible high winds and rain. He was right—but Idaho weather tricks you over and over again.
We started with cloud cover as Camille was getting ready, and then the clouds gave way to sunshine! We all hoped that it wouldn’t literally rain on our parade as we got in some pictures of Camille and Alex at their Warm Springs home . . . and then the weather started to take a turn for the worse.
While Camille rode up to the ceremony site on a horse-drawn carriage, the rest of us made the ¼-mile hike as the wind started to pick up and the temperature noticeably dropped. Low and behold, the weather saved itself for exactly the right moment—as Camille walked down the aisle!!
Even though everyone was freezing, there wasn’t a sad face in the bunch, only cheerful smiles of support and excitement as Camille and Alex tied the knot. I guess the moral of this story is not to sweat the small stuff or the big stuff on your wedding day. Rain or shine, wind or hail (oh yeah, we got that too), snow or heat—you are marrying the one you love!
While I didn’t get the chance to meet Camille and Alex before the big day, I was pleased to see that we instantly connected. It was comfortable and laid-back, and I truly felt like one of the family by the end of the day! That isn’t just something I toss around lightly, either. It’s the whole reason behind what I do—I want my job to be about the people, their relationships, and what they need from me on the most important days of their lives.
So, it was touching to me that they had a special table set aside with photos and memorabilia for those who are no longer with them. They had a special tribute to Alex’s grandmother and had a stone plaque made in her honor, which they present to Alex and Camille during the toasts.
All of their friends and family came to help that day. The flowers came in white paint buckets that their friends and family put together, Alex’s aunties cooked out back on a huge grill to get tons of chicken and beef out to the guests, friends poured drinks, the decorations were homemade (including a balloon with Alex’s face drawn on it!), and even the DJ was a friend of the family! The simplicity is what made their day so special, because it was a true showcase of their love for each other and a celebration with those they hold most dear.
Camille and Alex, it was a delight spending your special day with you. You were troopers through all the wind, freezing temps, hail, rain—and then came the sun. That's a true expression of what a marriage looks like; it couldn't have been more perfect! Thank you again for inviting me to celebrate with you.
Vendors
Greg Marsh - Cakes
Chantelle Conway - Make-up Artist
Elements Salon - Hair
Bellevue Bridal - Dress shop
Allure- Dress Designer