Engaged and Excited: How to Begin Planning Your Idaho Wedding
First things first. Congratulations.
If you’re reading this with a fresh ring on your finger, a full camera roll of proposal photos, and that mix of excitement and what did we just sign up for energy, you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.
Getting engaged is one of those rare moments in life where time slows down for a second. It’s joyful, emotional, and full of possibility. It’s also the moment when everyone starts asking questions. Have you picked a date? Where are you getting married? What kind of wedding are you planning? The truth is that most couples don’t have answers yet, and that’s completely okay. Planning a wedding isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about creating a day that feels like you.
For couples drawn to Idaho, whether that’s Sun Valley, Boise, Eastern Idaho, Southern Idaho, or somewhere entirely off the beaten path, the planning process can feel both exciting and overwhelming. The landscapes are vast, the options are endless, and the adventure potential is real. This guide is meant to help you take a breath, celebrate where you are, and take your next steps with confidence.
TAKE TIME TO SOAK IT IN
Before diving into planning, give yourselves permission to enjoy being engaged. Celebrate the win. Go out for a drink, take a weekend trip, or spend a quiet night talking about what you’re most excited for. The engagement phase moves quickly once planning starts, and it’s worth slowing down to appreciate the moment.
This is also the perfect time to talk about what matters most to you. Not what social media says your wedding should look like, not what traditions you feel pressured to follow, but what actually feels meaningful. Do you imagine a mountaintop ceremony at sunrise? A relaxed celebration near a river with your closest people? A weekend gathering in the foothills outside Boise? These conversations set the tone for everything that comes next.
Ready to Start?
Reach out and lets get ahead of the game!
START WITH THE BIG PICTURE
One of the most helpful early steps is getting on the same page about your vision. You don’t need details yet. Think in broad strokes. Ask each other a few simple questions:
What do we want this day to feel like?
Who do we want there?
Do we want an adventure or something more relaxed?
Do we care more about location, experience, or tradition?
For many couples in Idaho, the answer includes the outdoors. Idaho has a way of pulling people outside, whether that’s the Sawtooths near Sun Valley, the Boise Foothills, the Snake River Plain, or the wide open desert of Southern Idaho. If nature is important to you, let it guide your decisions early. Your location will influence everything from your timeline to your guest experience.
CHOOSING YOUR LOCATION
Idaho offers incredible variety, and each region brings its own
personality to a wedding day.
- Sun Valley is known for dramatic mountain scenery, alpine lakes, and a sense of quiet adventure. It’s perfect for couples who love hiking, skiing, and big views paired with a refined mountain town feel.
- Boise balances outdoor access with city convenience. You can be in the foothills or along the river in minutes, then head downtown for dinner and celebration. It’s ideal for couples who want nature without leaving civilization behind.
- Eastern Idaho offers rugged beauty, open landscapes, and proximity to the Tetons. It feels wild, grounded, and timeless, with space to truly spread out and breathe.
- Southern Idaho surprises a lot of people. Canyons, waterfalls, desert plateaus, and ranch land create dramatic backdrops that feel raw and cinematic.
No matter where you land, think about accessibility for guests, seasonal weather, and what kind of experience you want to share. Idaho rewards couples who are flexible and adventurous.
Build Your Team Early
Once you have an idea of your location and season, it’s time to build your vendor team.
Securing the right people early sets the foundation for a smooth and enjoyable planning process. This often includes your venue, photographer, planner or coordinator, caterer, and florist. These vendors shape not only how your day looks, but how it feels from start to finish.
Your venue helps define the overall experience. In Idaho, venues can range from mountain lodges and ranches to riverside spaces and private land, and each comes with different logistics to consider. Knowing what your venue provides and what you’ll need to bring in will help guide the rest of your decisions.
Your caterer plays a huge role in guest experience, especially for outdoor weddings. From timing meals around golden hour to adapting menus for remote locations, an experienced caterer can make everything feel seamless and comfortable.
Florists help translate the landscape into design. The best floral teams know how to complement Idaho’s natural beauty rather than compete with it, using seasonal blooms, texture, and movement to enhance the setting.
Your photographer will be with you for more time than almost anyone else on your wedding day. Beyond style, look for someone who understands the environment you’re stepping into. Outdoor weddings in Idaho come with changing weather, shifting light, and unexpected moments. Having someone who is calm, prepared, and comfortable in those conditions makes a huge difference.
A great photographer does more than take photos. They help you plan timelines, suggest locations, and keep things moving when plans shift. They become part of your support system on the day itself.
EXPECT PLANS TO EVOLVE
One thing I tell every couple is this. Your wedding plan will change. That’s not a failure, it’s part of the process.
Weather shifts, timelines adjust, guest lists grow or shrink, and ideas evolve. Especially in mountain and outdoor settings, flexibility is one of your greatest tools. Build breathing room into your schedule. Have backup options. Trust that the unexpected often leads to the most memorable moments.
Idaho has a way of reminding us that we are working with nature, not controlling it. Embracing that mindset can turn potential stress into adventure.
MAKE THE EXPERIENCE THE PRIORITY
When couples look back on their wedding day, they rarely talk about the tiny details they stressed over. They remember how it felt. The laughter, the quiet moments, the way the light hit the mountains, the people they shared it with.
As you plan, keep asking yourselves whether a decision adds to the experience or just adds pressure. It’s okay to simplify. It’s okay to do things differently. The most meaningful weddings are the ones that feel honest and intentional.
ON TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE
While Idaho holds a huge part of my heart, I also believe love stories aren’t limited by state lines. If you’re dreaming of a wedding somewhere else, whether that’s another mountain range, a desert landscape, or a coastal cliff, I’m always open to travel.
Adventure doesn’t stop at the border, and neither does storytelling. The goal is to create something that feels true to you, wherever that may be.
Ready to Start?
Reach out and get secure your wedding date!
An Invitation to Adventure
f you’re an adventurous couple planning a wedding in Sun Valley, Boise, or anywhere across Idaho, and you want a photographer who values experience, connection, and the outdoors, I’d love to hear from you. I’m here to help you navigate the planning process, find the light, and create images that feel as real as the day itself.
And if your plans take you somewhere beyond Idaho, I’m always up for the journey. Let’s dream big, stay flexible, and build a wedding day that feels like you from start to finish.
Congratulations again on this season of life. The adventure is just getting started.
It's About that Time!
If you’re recently engaged and dreaming up a wedding day rooted in adventure, connection, and beautiful places, I’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re planning a mountain celebration in Sun Valley, a foothills wedding in Boise, or something a little more off the beaten path, I’m here to help you navigate the process and capture it honestly.
Wedding dates in Idaho tend to book up quickly, especially during peak seasons. If you’re hoping to secure your date for wedding photography, now is the perfect time to reach out. I take on a limited number of weddings each year so I can give every couple the attention and care they deserve.
If my approach resonates with you and you’re ready to start planning, let’s connect and talk through your vision. I’d love to learn more about what you’re dreaming up and see if we’re the right fit for your day.