What a day! It is hard to believe that this beautiful day took place over a week ago already. Kaelyn and Warren booked me back in the fall, after I worked with two of their close friends for a wedding last April. I knew the second that we met that we would get along fabulously. When working with Kaelyn and Warren, Kaelyn told me that the weather in Boise in July is usually in the mid to high 90s, which threw me off a bit, as we were planning an outdoor wedding. However, by some lucky streak, we ended up with the two days that it was low to mid 80s in between two 100 degree weeks. The weather and so many other wonderful details made last Saturday truly perfect. Hopefully you enjoy them as much as I did!

Ten. Rehearsal
It’s rare that something from the rehearsal makes it’s way onto this list, but this one was just too good to leave out. All went perfectly and the officiant, groom, and bridal party were all in place. When Kaelyn and her dad started walking, he jokingly picked her up and started carrying her down the aisle over his shoulder. After making it to the altar, and giving his little girl a hug, he walked up to shake Warren’s hand, and did the same thing to him. It was hilarious. It was a great example of how close she and her dad are and I love that that closeness has extended to Warren as well. They were all smiles, laughs, and jokes with each other all weekend and it was super sweet to see.

Nine. Catering
When the father of the bride has his restaurant catering the wedding, the expectations start out high to begin to with, but this food was beyond what I expected. The meatballs, the salmon, the salads, and the carving station were all phenomenal, but let me tell you, I swear, that those rolls were the best I’ve ever had. I mentioned this as soon as I was done eating, and even the photographer agreed. 10/10 Brixx – next time I’m in the area, I’ll certainly be stopping by.

Eight. First Dance
I ALWAYS love a first dance, in fact, there’s even a photo of me from this one admiring their love and just watching while they swayed back and forth, but what I love even more is the way that they started theirs. The first dance was announced when the DJ invited both of them to the dance floor and immediately started playing Grind On Me by Pretty Ricky – ahhh, it was perfect! No worries though, they had a record scratch that faded into the reallll first dance song and continued along with the regular programming. Not before a couple of laughs though.

Seven. The Venue
Don’t get me wrong, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit nervous for an outdoor venue in the Idaho heat, but as I mentioned, the weather was on our side, and it was the icing on the cake of this incredible venue. The options are truly endless at The Cottage at Riverbend. There were two stationary high-top tents, a back yard to the cottage with party lights, a field with a beautiful woodsy backdrop and waterfall, and this is all without counting the fact that you get the cottage all weekend. The trees as the backdrop and the open air ceremony and reception space were absolutely stunning. Add in the checkerboard dance floor, and this wedding truly was a whole vibe. It was beautiful, classy, and relatively simple, while still being extravagant. This was a great choice for the first venue in Idaho that I’ve gotten to work with, and I’m still in awe looking back at the pictures.

Six. The Dress
Kaelyn had mentioned once in text that there would be a wardrobe change, but Warren was around so she couldn’t say what it was. When it turned out to be a detachable skirt on her dress, I was in awe. This dress is absolutely gorgeous either way, but to have the best of both world’s and be able to switch to the party dress for the reception is truly amazing. And when the front started coming unclipped, she worked with it, like it was just an open-front overskirt. Whether it was a gorgeous ball gown or a perfectly classy mini, it was absolutely stunning both ways, plus the photos of the dress hanging turned out incredible because of it’s uniqueness.

Five. Secret Handshakes
Throughout the weekend, I periodically saw the groom doing silly handshakes with multiple bridal party members, and even his future Father-In-Law right before he picked him up at the rehearsal. I thought it was funny and loved how much fun they all had together. That is, until they were practicing while I was lining them up, and I realized that they would be doing that at the altar. Each of the bridesmaids and groomsmen walked down the aisle separately, each of the bridesmaids stopping at Warren for a hug, and each of the groomsmen, his sister, and the father of the bride, all completed their own unique handshakes, some with jumping involved, but all with laughs and happiness. I believe I captured all but one of these were caught on my iphone, so stay turned for some super fun content on my Instagram in the near future.

Four. Golf Photos
One of my favorite moments of the morning while everyone was getting ready, was when Warren came up to me and asked if he gets any say in what photos are taken during groomsman photos, ummmm, of course.. I mean, it is your day, after all. This is when he told me that they had a friend who was bringing by a pitching wedge, and that they wanted photos of them all trying to clear golf balls over the creek that was on-site. This seemed fitting, since one of Warren’s gifts to his guys was customized golf balls. Luckily, only one of these was sacrificed for the shot, the rest were just old ones.

Three. Toasts
Most people would think that six toasts are too much, but when a couple tells me that that’s what they want, then that’s exactly what they get. Please enjoy a few of my favorite quotes:
“The three most important dates of my life, the first being my son’s birthday, the second being my anniversary with Kaelyn’s mom, and the third being the day Tilamook came out with huckleberry ice cream – just kidding, obviously it was Kaelyn’s birthday.” We love the sass.
“There are guys all over the world that are sad today because they can’t be with Kaelyn.”
describing Kaelyn as “someone who always shows up, with humor, compassion, and likely wine” and Warren as “a goofy child disguised as a responsible adult”
They really were all amazing, and I could write a whole blog on how wonderful these were. Bravo, all!

One. Final Speeches
Finally, my absolutely favorite part was the speeches that these two gave after all of the toasts, full of thank yous, each with their own perspective of their love story, funny moments they’ve shared, and like the rest of the day, plenty of jokes; my favorite joke being when Kaelyn pulled out a scroll that when dropped was taller that her, because of his jokes of how long her messages are, which he later did have included in his speech. Both of them having their take on that specific point was adorable and it rounded out these two beautiful speeches to one another perfectly. 🙂

Honorable Mention: Song Choices
The four MUST PLAY reception songs requested by Kaelyn and Warren to the DJ. I’d typically write a bunch about this one also, but instead, I think I’ll just leave these here. Note: songs 3 and 4 were played back to back, which made it even better.

Shake That Monkey – Too $hort
Ignition – R. Kelly      
Down With The Sickness – Disturbed
A Thousand Miles – Vanessa Carlton

Kaelyn and Warren had an incredible day after a beautiful week full of exciting news and upcoming changes, which brings a whole new meaning to the term “New Chapter.” Even if this next chapter for them is only half as full of love and laughter as their wedding was, then I would say they’re in pretty good shape. I am so honored to have been a part of their big day and so thankful that they chose this small business from Pennsylvania to help manage the details and execution. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy. Here’s to your beautiful wedding day and this exciting chapter that you’re beginning.