Lydia and Luke Ramsey
July 25, 2009
Hailey, Idaho (Croy Canyon)
I am so thrilled that Lydia, Luke and their photographer Hillary Maybery chose to share this beautiful wedding with us. Everything about their day seemed so personal and every detail well thought out. Aside from the absolutely SENSATIONAL Diane Von Furstenburg fuschia heels—I'm in love with their idea of a cheesecake bar. I adore cheesecake, but I know not everyone does, so I didn't even think of it as an option for my big day. But Lydia and Luke just went for it—and added a local touch with an assortment of delicious Idaho berries as toppings for people to choose from. I think I'm sold! Next stop? Cheesecake HEAVEN.
I also thought they way they created fabulous little living rooms around their property for guests to lounge in during the cocktail hour before the wedding was so cool! Who doesn't want to lounge, eat and drink before watching good friends tie the knot?
I hope you enjoy all the pictures and tips from Lydia—she did such an amazing job planning this wedding!
Where are you from?
I grew up all over the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. Luke was born and raised in Hailey.
Why did you chose Sun Valley?
It’s where we live, and Luke really wanted to be married where his family history is.
What made your wedding so special?
I think it was all the details because it all represented “Us.” And the fact that it was all planned by us and put together by us and our families—and mostly homemade. And I guess probably because I married my best friend ☺
Favorite detail?
Oh my—so many! If I had to choose one, I think it would have been the personalized skateboards that Luke designed for his family and groomsmen. He drew two lovebirds with two hearts coming together with our names, wedding date and location on it. So cute.
Color Palette?
Fuchsia, Persimmon Orange, and Ocean blue.
How did you decide your menu?
We really wanted a barbecue style dinner, but a little more “classy” than a “backyard barbeque.” A family friend makes this AMAZING smoked brisket—so we had to do that! The rest of the menu was decided with the help of our caterer, Sue Ahern of Full Moon. We did coleslaw, green salad, corn salad, grilled veggies, rolls, mac and cheese, and fruit. Luke’s favorite food is mac and cheese so that was a MUST for the menu. We also did hors d’oeuvres for a cocktail hour before the wedding. Guests loved this especially since it was so hot outside before the wedding.
Theme?
Casual—an outdoor backyard Idaho wedding.
Any D.I.Y projects?
My favorite was a project that Luke’s sister did for us. As one of our party favors, she created CD’s for everyone to take with them. These CD’s were filled with music from our wedding day. Then she used our engagement photos as CD labels with our names and wedding date on them. Everyone loved them. Every time we and/or our guests listen to them now, it takes us right back to the wedding day.
Biggest challenge?
The week of the wedding. No matter how chill you are or wanna be, it gets very stressful when you are doing it all by yourself with your family. The week of the wedding is full of out of town guest arriving, tying up loose ends, organizing, and you have a million questions from everyone.
Tips for someone planning their own Sun Valley wedding?
If you are planning the wedding yourself, without a professional planner, at least have someone designated to be the planner on THE DAY of your wedding. Choose someone (not family or a guest) who is responsible and organized. Have them be the one to finalize and orchestrate everything. Otherwise, you will have a hundred different people coming to you to ask questions on how you want something and when. Even though it is totally out of love because they want your day to be perfect, it makes it hard to enjoy YOUR day up to the ceremony. Also, this will help you be able to focus just on yourself and your husband-to-be ☺
Lydia's thoughts
It’s sometimes hard to find audio equipment in the Valley. We actually got a screaming deal from the Sun Valley Company! It’s worth calling them—they had all the audio equipment we needed and at a very reasonable price. I was shocked and so pleased.
BUDGET RANGE:
A) ON A SHOESTRING aimed for this
B) SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN but ended up with this. ☺
C) WHAT BUDGET?
VENDOR LIST:
FLOWERS: We were able to get a wholesale account with a distributor and ordered the flowers at cost. Our family and friends arranged all the flowers for the wedding. We literally had a “sweatshop” of ten ladies putting flowers together the day before the wedding in the garage!
HAIR/MAKEUP: Vertu Jana did my hair and Jamilynn did my makeup.
DRESS/SHOES: Dress was from Sally Crew of Seattle and my shoes were DVF. I actually got my shoes on her website, DVF.com, on sale! I LOVED my fuchsia satin ribbon heels!!
BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: Bridal Couture of Boise
GROOMS ATTIRE: Volcom and Reef from the Board Bin. The ties were from the Men’s Warehouse in Boise.
PARTY RENTALS: That’s Entertainment of Ketchum and The Party Center in Twin Falls.
MUSIC: Ezzie Stroblehaft dj’d and Zander Cox of Stockholm closed the night.
FOOD: Full Moon Catering
INVITES: Wedding Paper Divas of San Francisco (online) and Willow Papery of Ketchum (320 N. Leadville Ave, Ketchum, ID 83340 – 208.726.0456)
PHOTOGRAPHER: Hillary Maybery and Kristin Cheatwood
VIDEOGRAPHER: We just had family do it.
OFFICIANT: Luke’s best man, Cody Caldara
