Sarah + Derek
(July 17, 2021 in McCall, ID)
For many couples, planning their wedding can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. But for one bride, the vision for her wedding was clear from the start. She dreamed of an outdoor summer wedding filled with sunset-inspired colors and a relaxed, comfortable vibe. From her favorite pizza food truck to her childhood friends' hair and makeup business, every detail was carefully chosen to create the perfect day. So, how did it all come together on the day-of? In this blog post, we'll hear from the bride herself and get a behind-the-scenes look at her wedding. Plus, she shares her #1 tip for future brides.
Our real bride Sarah looked absolutely dreamy in our Honor gown by Essense of Australia. This is a gorgeous A-line dress with a twist - the lining is a geometric sequin pattern and has a fun slit as well. The layers of tulle overlay cascade into a gorgeously soft train. The bodice has beautiful floral appliques and has beaded edging along the v-neckline as well as the side cutouts. An open back with a v-shape and dainty buttons completes this gorgeous gown.
By our real bride, Sarah:
What was the vision for your wedding?
I always knew I wanted an outdoor wedding in the summer. I wanted to be able to stay up late and dance the night away with our best friends. While I was planning I started to see more of the the mixed matched bridesmaid dresses and fell in love. I loved the idea of letting my girls be comfortable in what they are wearing and stand out in their own way. I went with colors that reminded me of sunsets. Sunsets are my favorite part of every day. They bring me so much happiness and a sense of calm.
As for my vendors, I always knew I wanted TSG There She Glows for hair and makeup. I went to high school with those girls and have watched them grow their business ever since.
I had E + E Photography in mind as wedding photographers for a couple years since I found them on Instagram. Three years before the wedding they took my family photos and I loved the way they turned out. The colors were beautiful, bright, but true to color. Emily and Ethan made us all feel comfortable and relaxed. I wouldn't want anyone else to photograph our big day!
Our wedding planner was Courtney Simmons from Ivory and Sage Events. She also happens to be one of Dereks childhood friends. I loved the work I had seen Courtney do for previous weddings. Having someone close to us just made sense for our big day. We were all so comfortable with Courtney. She was prepared, professional, and absolutely PERFECT!
Derek and I's favorite food is pizza. We couldn't imagine our wedding day without it I mean, who doesn't like pizza? We loved the idea of a relaxed dinner setting so a food truck seemed like the perfect fit. I found Off The Grid Pizza and WOW! Trust me, you've never had better pizza from a food truck. We had guests complimenting the pizza for months after the wedding!
When it came to the DJ we knew we wanted someone who would listen to our song choices. We had a lot of songs on the no-play list and wanted that to be respected. We also wanted a DJ that was affordable for us. We found Directly Driven and they were perfect. Manny was so kind and listened to our requests. He was at the venue hours early setting up and getting sound checks done before anyone arrived. The day went smoothly thanks to Manny!
Our florists are part of Dereks family well his godmother and her daughter! Their shop is called Bella Rosa Flower Market and they flew here from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Leigh and Ann helped so much! I know nothing about flowers but knew the colors I wanted. I have an eclectic style and wanted a nice mix. I sent them some pictures from Pinterest and they made all my wildest dreams come true. The flowers truly stole the show.
How did it go the day-of?
07.17.21 was the BEST DAY EVER! All my wildest dreams came true and the planning came together. Derek and I chose a wedding venue where we could host our entire bridal party. We wanted to be close with our friends throughout the weekend and not miss a beat. So 2 days before the wedding Derek and I celebrated on our own with massages and a dinner. It was the best decision we could have made. Spending this quality time together before the big day really helped us soak in all the emotions.
As for THE DAY... I spent most of my morning at the venue hanging out while the bridesmaids were getting ready. One of my family friends made us a beautiful charcuterie board to snack on throughout the day. I had an amazing wedding planner so I didn't have to worry about any of the set up (best decision ever). While we were getting ready Derek and the groomsmen were out in the river playing games and hanging in the sun.
After I got my dress on I did a first look with my bridesmaids that was so special. Seeing all of their faces filled with tears and happiness made my body vibrate. The emotions were high and it was a moment I will cherish forever. We went immediately into our bridal party photos of just us girls. After this I had a first look with my dad. It was special having a private moment with him not around friends or family. Derek and I initially wanted to do a first look, but after writing our vows we changed our mind and I am so glad we did. I will never forget the moment we turned to walk down the aisle. Seeing all of our friends and family there and then seeing the man of my dreams at the end. I couldn't hold back the tears. It was one of the happiest feelings I've ever felt.
What is your #1 tip to future brides?
Get a videographer! People will say.. "You won't watch it more than once a year." or "You already have a photographer." Trust me, the day flies by and even when you try to cherish every moment you CAN'T. All I wanted to do after the wedding was watch it! I wanted to see videos and a movie of the day.
