Intimate Garden Party-Inspired Sun Valley Wedding

Kara and Jack’s intimate Sun Valley wedding is the perfect example of creating a wedding day that is truly your own; one that doesn’t abide by the traditional rules and expectations of society, but follows its own path through and through. A beautiful blend of elements taken from both elopements and weddings, their celebration in the Sawtooth Mountains revolved around quality time with loved ones who had traveled to be with them, outdoor adventures through the scenic Ketchum wilderness, and vibrant colors that embodied the essence of summertime in Idaho.

A bride and groom stand embraced in a picturesque Sun Valley wedding setting. Surrounded by lush green trees and majestic mountains under a partly cloudy sky, the bride's bouquet adds a touch of color to the serene scenery.

Kara & Jack’s Intimate Sun Valley Wedding

A laid-back, multi-day affair in Ketchum

Ever since getting engaged in the city of romance, Kara and Jack knew that they wanted their wedding day to be full of romance, whimsy, and charm—just like the gardens where he got down on one knee and proposed. The two had discussed getting engaged for a while and went ring shopping together before heading off to Paris for a dreamy European vacation. After walking around for hours with the ring in Jack’s pocket looking for the perfect spot, he gave up for the day and insisted they go on an early walk in the park the next day. Kara almost bailed, but he managed to drag her out of their hotel for a quiet walk in Luxembourg Gardens; little did she know that after finding a secluded area, he would ask her to marry him. They were able to use their next two weeks in Europe as a well-deserved celebration before diving headfirst into wedding planning!

Rewind a bit to three years ago, when Kara and Jack visited Sun Valley on a whim and absolutely fell in love with the natural beauty and with Ketchum. They knew almost immediately that this would be the setting for their dream wedding day; a breathtaking, picturesque place that they could share with their family and plan a celebration reflective of their unique personalities.

Want to see more of the beauty that Sun Valley has to offer? Check out this Winter Sun Valley Resort Elopement, or this Authentic Sun Valley Elopement for inspiration.

A bride and groom stand nose-to-nose in front of a mountainous backdrop at their Sun Valley wedding. The groom wears a blue suit, while the bride wears a white dress and holds a colorful bouquet. Lush green trees and cloudy skies complete the picturesque scene.

A newlywed couple dressed in a blue suit and white gown, with arms raised, faces the scenic mountain landscape of Sun Valley, Idaho. The bride holds a colorful bouquet and wears a veil. Lush greenery and tall trees surround them under the partly cloudy sky.

They described their ideal day as laid-back, enjoyable for all involved, and filled with love—all phrases I would use to describe the joyful celebration I ended up photographing for them. It was important to them that they have a more intimate experience without the stress and expenses of a traditional wedding; an experience that their guests would all enjoy wholeheartedly, and that would allow them time to spend one-on-one amidst all the chaos. A small wedding/elopement was the best way for them to make that possible while keeping it intimate and exclusive.

Kara and Jack’s wedding day turned into multiple days of festivities, inviting their guests to join them for not just one memorable day but three, starting with a group whitewater rafting adventure the day before. What a fun way to experience the scenic beauty of Sun Valley and create unforgettable memories with your loved ones?! It was easy to see that by the time the day arrived, everyone was already feeling relaxed, happy, and so fulfilled from their time spent together. The day after the wedding festivities, they also hosted a farewell dinner to send everyone off on a high note.

Lay flat photo of wedding details on a brick walkway.

Overhead detail photo of wedding rings in an oval, beige colored ring box. The bride's ring features a blue stone set in yellow gold. The ring box is set on the couple's custom vow books.

Photograph of groom details. A pair of tan leather shoes sits on a wooden chair. A blue suit jacket is draped over the chair. A pink tie and boutonniere with white ranunculus flowers sit by the tan shoes. The background is blurred greenery.

A man in a suit adjusts his cufflinks while gazing out the window. He stands in a dimly lit room with wooden paneling and illuminated light fixtures, exuding a sophisticated and elegant ambiance.

A man in a blue suit stands in a grassy field, surrounded by rolling hills and distant mountains under a soft, cloudy sky, capturing the serene elegance of a Sun Valley wedding.

A spring inspired wedding bouquet with purple sweet pies, pink and white ranunculus, yellow roses, and pink peonies. Bridal details also sit in the picture.

A triangular A-frame cabin with a rustic wooden balcony located in Sun Valley, Idaho. A white wedding dress hangs gracefully from the balcony railing. The cabin is nestled among trees, under a clear blue sky, setting a perfect scene for an unforgettable wedding day.

A wooden chair holds a colorful bouquet of flowers with pink, yellow, and purple blooms. Beside it are silver high-heeled shoes, a small perfume bottle, and a pair of earrings. The background features green, blurred foliage.

A bride stands in a grassy field at her Sun Valley wedding. She is holding a bouquet in one hand and the train of her dress in the other land. Her dress is white with short sleeves. She is looking down and has a soft smile on her face. There are mountains in the background.

At her Sun Valley wedding, the bride in a white dress and veil smiles while holding a colorful bouquet. Her bouquet is spring inspired with purple sweet pies, pink and white ranunculus, yellow roses, and pink peonies. She stands against a scenic backdrop of green hills and trees under a partially cloudy sky.

The best of both the elopement & wedding worlds

Seeing how Kara and Jack incorporated elements from both elopements and traditional weddings was so much fun, making their day into their own rather than following along with any expectations. They spent the majority of their day with family and friends by their side, saying their I do’s in the spectacular Boulder Mountains. Later on in the evening, they exchanged private vows and intentionally created some time alone together. I hope you always feel encouraged to craft your dream day just as Kara and Jack did, with nothing but their love story as the main priority.

A bride and groom share their first kiss, surrounded by the lush green forests and mountains of Sun Valley, Idaho. The bride wears a white dress and veil, while the groom is in a blue suit.

A joyful Sun Valley wedding party poses on a dirt road with a mountain backdrop behind them. Dressed in formal attire, the group raises their arms in celebration, surrounded by lush green trees and rolling hills under a clear blue sky.

A whimsical springtime celebration

Kara and Jack’s vision for their Sun Valley intimate wedding was very whimsical, vibrant, and garden party-esque; reminiscent of the lush gardens where they were engaged in Paris. They embraced the springtime vibrance of Sun Valley in all of their details, incorporating various bright and bold colors in Kara’s bridal bouquet, as well as the stunning tablescape setup for their reception. Kara and Jack hosted their intimate dinner party outside of their rental cabin. The space provided their guests with a gorgeous place to connect, sharing laughs, hugs, and tears throughout the evening.

garden party inspired wedding reception

Here are a few images that showcase the feeling and space Jack and Kara created for their family.

An outdoor reception dining table is set on a grassy lawn, surrounded by chairs. Adorned with colorful flowers as the centerpiece, it captures the charm of a spring wedding in Sun Valley, Idaho. The bride and groom are standing beside the table admiring it before their guests are seated.

A long wooden table is beautifully set for a Sun Valley wedding reception, adorned with white plates, silver cutlery, and a floral tablecloth. Colorful flowers in glass vases—pink, blue, orange, and yellow—grace the center. A hand adjusts a vase to perfect the enchanting outdoor setting.

A beautifully set outdoor reception table for a Sun Valley wedding features white plates, folded napkins, and an array of colorful flowers in vases, including pink, blue, and peach blooms. The background showcases lush green trees and soft sunlight. The color pallet is spring inspired.

A bride orders a drink from a bartender at her spring inspired intimate wedding in Sun Valley, Idaho. The scene are enveloped by lush trees and greenery.

A cocktail menu for a spring wedding in Sun Valley Wedding, Idaho. The menu features specialty cocktails and draft beers. The display is surrounded by bowls of sliced fruits and toothpicks, set outdoors with greenery in the background.

Two men in suits sit on patio chairs by a stone fire pit. One man takes a polaroid selfie while the other holds a drink and smiles. Behind them, a long table is elegantly set up for a wedding reception dinner. The is on a grassy lawn with trees in the background.

A couple sits on a patio, holding hands, and listening to a speech from a man at the side of the image. A long table with floral arrangements graces the background amidst lush greenery, creating a feeling of a spring garden party.

A group of people sit around a wooden table set for an outdoor spring wedding dinner party. One woman in a blue blazer smiles at someone across from her. The background features lush greenery, and the weather appears clear and pleasant.

A woman with short hair and glasses beams while holding a packet of wildflower seeds and a note addressed to her. She sits at a table adorned with floral decorations. The seeds and note was a thank you gift from her son on his wedding day.

A group of people sit around a long outdoor table set with flowers and glassware for a spring wedding. The group is raising their glasses for a toast. The scene, surrounded by lush green trees, creates a vibrant and intimate atmosphere.

Sunset wedding portraits

Sun Valley gifted us with the most breathtaking summer sunset to end the day, the sky painted in soft pinks, purples, and blues as Kara and Jack ventured on a short hike and shared private vows with the mountains in the distance.

Sun Valley wedding vendors

Beauty: The Feathered Flip Food/Entertainment/Tablescapes: Judith McQueen Florist: Tara Bella Flowers Dress: Anthropologie Wedding Veil: Nazemi Bridal Engagement Rings: Shelter DC Suit: Suit Supply

Sun Valley Wedding Photographer

Sun Valley is one of my favorite areas of Idaho, and I’d love to help you elope or plan your intimate wedding in this picturesque setting. Inquire with me to get started envisioning your dream celebration with an expert Sun Valley wedding photographer by your side!