Planning Annie & Zak’s Sun Valley Idaho Destination Wedding on a Private Estate was a dream come true! These adorable lovers trusted me to bring their love story and their personalities to life.
1. How did you and your partner meet & fall in love?
Zak and I met the old-fashioned way—at a bar. We both grew up in Washington, D.C., but somehow, our paths had never crossed, even though I went to middle school where he went to high school.
Zak was in town for his soccer alumni game, and I came out to meet up with some mutual friends who’d been on the team. We hit it off right away.
What was the first decision you made when planning your wedding?
"The first big decision that really set the tone for our wedding was the location. We went back and forth between hosting it in Washington, D.C., where we both grew up, or in Sun Valley, Idaho. My family spends about half the year in Ketchum, and we love spending the summers there, hiking, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors.
Zak and I spent a few months in Ketchum during the pandemic, and he quickly fell in love with the area and its natural beauty.
We were a bit intimidated by the idea of a 'destination' wedding, but as pictured introducing our friends and family to the beautiful area, it made us excited. Once we decided on Sun Valley, it really grounded the rest of our planning choices."
What were your priorities when planning your wedding day? What was most important to you about your wedding?
Since Zak and I live on the East Coast, we knew that getting out to Idaho would be a trek for our guests. So our top priority was creating a seamless, thoughtful experience for our guests once they arrived.
We wanted to make sure guests had plenty to do and could really experience the charm of Sun Valley. For those looking to dive in, we organized a full weekend agenda, including a tennis tournament, a golf tournament, and hikes tailored to different skill levels, so people could mingle and enjoy the natural beauty. We also curated a list of must-visit spots around town, from great shopping to local restaurants. We kicked things off on Thursday night for early arrivals, at a dive bar for a relaxed evening of beers and conversation. Our goal was to make every guest feel immersed in the Ketchum experience from the moment they arrived."
Why did you choose to get married at your wedding venue?
Right away, we knew we wanted an outdoor venue that would showcase Sun Valley and its beauty. Planning a Sun Valley Idaho Destination Wedding isn’t easy, but finding the perfect venue was. While exploring options, we happened upon a private venue that immediately felt perfect. What was so special about this specific venue was that it had access to both the river and the mountain scenery—something rare in Sun Valley, but that highlighted two of our favorite parts of the landscape in the summer.
Another thing we loved about this venue was the handful of cabins scattered across the property. This allowed us to stay right on-site with our wedding party, including both our groomsmen and bridesmaids. The idea of spending the entire weekend together, sharing that space with our closest friends, made the setting feel even more meaningful and intimate."
What feeling or moment sticks out the MOST from your wedding day?
Our first look was surreal. Being surrounded by trees and wildflowers, and seeing each other for the first time felt legitimately magical. I started crying instantly when I walked up to Zak.
Another unforgettable moment was the ceremony itself. We worked with our families and friends to create a meaningful, modern ceremony that incorporated elements of Judaism and included our personalized vows.
We were buzzing with adrenaline and emotion... Then, about halfway through my vows, it started pouring. Within an instant, we looked out and there was a sea of umbrellas put up. But rather than putting a damper on the ceremony, it made the whole thing feel even more dramatic.
What design element stood out the most to you? What inspired your centerpieces and design of your wedding?
Designing the wedding was such a fun, creative process. Our main inspiration was the natural color palette of Ketchum. We wanted the decor to blend seamlessly with the way Idaho looks in the summer, rather than contrast with it. Our color scheme—soft yellows, greens, blues, and purples—was inspired by the wildflowers you'd see on a July hike. We were fortunate to work with a such an amazing Sun Valley Idaho wedding planner and florist who understood this vision and helped us create an elevated, vibrant look that stayed true to a wildflower-inspired summer.
For the paper elements, from the welcome bags and invitations to the day-of suite, we used that same nature-inspired palette but added playful, bold, and geometric elements. We had a fantastic design team who helped bring this vision to life.
How did you pick your wedding vendors?
The first vendor we decided on was our wedding planner, Sam from Sprout Designs. She planned a friend’s wedding, and after hearing great things, we decided to meet with her. We loved her immediately! Sam introduced us to most of our vendors, including our fantastic florist, and took the lead in finding our band, DJ, and other key team members. We found our photographer, Nirav, on Instagram. His style immediately caught our attention, and we knew he’d be a perfect fit for capturing our weekend.
Do you have any advice for couples choosing a wedding planner? What quality or strength was most important to you in a Sun Valley Idaho wedding planner?
Sam’s organization skills were top-notch, and we’d heard great things about her attention to detail, but what really sealed the deal was the instant connection we felt when we met her. Over the course of the year we spent planning, I spoke to Sam a ton, and her communication style and warm presence made the process feel so much easier. My advice for choosing a planner would be to look for someone you feel comfortable communicating with and who’s on the same wavelength when it comes to your wedding priorities.
Any future advice for future couples, please share here!
Zak and I began the wedding planning process by identifying what mattered most to us. We knew we wanted to bring together all the people we love in one place and focus our wedding on personal connections and relationships. Starting with what’s most important helped us cut through the noise.
We also took seriously the advice to stay by your partners' side throughout your wedding. We were side by side the whole time, experiencing our favorite parts of the day as a duo
Friday nigh
Our Friday night welcome party was an introduction to Ketchum, giving guests a sense of the area in a relaxed, less formal setting than the wedding day. We added some unique touches, like beer burros and an optional Western dress code, which our guests truly rocked. My dad, brother, and cousins even surprised us with a somewhat mortifying musical number, complete with lyrics about Zak and me. It set a fun, welcoming tone.
