Everything went off “without a hitch” and the carefree, and absolutely gorgeous, country chic wedding was both casual and elegant, with soft, warm wraps for guests, a sky that provided the most spectacular backdrop imaginable, and slider to munch on late night after dancing and fireworks to end the magical evening.
Bride Jessica and her mother Shelley Stoecklein were simply gushing about their wedding last July in Mackay, Idaho. And the pictures show it. The setting was perfect for the marriage of Jessica and Rich. The sky was blue and expansive, the sun was warm and the Three Sisters Mountain peaks rose in the distance above the reflection pond where the two exchanged their vows—at the picturesque setting of Walter and Shelley Stoecklein’s Three Sisters Ranch (named after the distant peaks and also in honor of their three daughters) in Mackay, Idaho.
Location: Three Sisters Ranch, Mackay, Idaho
Welcome Dinner:The Valley Club
Rehearsal Dinner: Wild Horse Creek Ranch BBQ
Ceremony & Reception: Three Sisters Ranch
Post Wedding Brunch: Wild Horse Creek Ranch
Guest weekend activities: Golf at The Valley Club, Fishing, Biking, White Water Rafting on the Salmon, Horseback Trail Riding at Wild Horse Creek Ranch.
top: Dancing couple; photo by Craig Wolfrom. bottom left: Rich and Jessica embrace; photo by Craig Wolfrom. bottom right: Couple with their wedding party; photo by Hillary Maybery.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I’m originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and my husband is from Oradell, New Jersey, although we have both spent a lot of time at Three Sisters Ranch in Mackay, Idaho
OCCUPATIONS?
The bride works for Chartis Private Client Group as an underwriter and the groom is now a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon University.
HOW YOU MET?
Met at Villanova University in 2002 and were actually in the same dorm freshman year, although they did not start dating until the end of Sophomore year.
HOW DID YOU GET ENGAGED?
On the beach, under a Caribbean evening sky, while on vacation in the Riviera Maya in Mexico.
NUMBER OF GUESTS?
150
WEDDING THEME?
Carefree Country Chic
CULTURAL TRADITIONS?
In honor of the ranch and the location, my father and I were carried by horse-drawn carriage to the ceremony site, where Rich was waiting
SONG THAT YOU WALKED DOWN THE AISLE TO?
Traditional arrangement of “Here Comes the Bride” when arriving at the ceremony site moved into one of our favorites: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.
FIRST DANCE?
“The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson
GUEST FAVORS?
Matches stamped with the couple’s name and soft wraps for the female guests
HOW DID THE NIGHT END?
With a beautiful fireworks show against a deep blue Idaho sky.
WHERE WAS YOUR HONEYMOON?
A 10-day wine country tour of Napa and Sonoma valleys in California.
WHAT MADE YOUR WEDDING SO SPECIAL?
The natural beauty of the setting, the amazing thought, time and detail put into every aspect and the amazing menu and incredible food planned and prepared by Judith McQueen Both Rich and I are huge foodies, and we felt really blessed to have found Judith.
COLOR PALETTE:
A neutral, natural palette of white and pale flowers with grass green design accents, accented by the deep blue of the bridesmaids dresses.
HOW DID YOU DECIDE YOUR MENU?
We had a full tasting with Judith McQueen up at the ranch and loved her dishes and inspiration. She put together an amazing menu for us and the food was spectacular.
D.I.Y PROJECTS?
Flowers grown by seed over the winter by local Julie Buckwalter, Gift bags made from Idaho potato bags and hand-stamped with a brand sponged from Three Sisters Ranch. Bags were filled with all the essentials—a flashlight, potato chips and chocolate Cowgirl Truffles for snacking, Mackay seasoning for a bit of Idaho flavor to take home, a map designed by local Evelyn Phillips, water for hydration and bug spray (just in case).
BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
Coordinating while living on the East Coast. We flew out 2 months ahead of the wedding to meet with all the vendors and finalize what we could in person, but Judith McQueen Entertaining did all of our planning and coordinating, so it all went smoothly!
TIPS FOR SOMEONE PLANNING A SUN VALLEY WEDDING?
My best advice, especially if planning a destination wedding, is to plan, plan, plan ahead and work on as many details as possible as far as helping to coordinate the out-of-towners. It helps to give your guests as much guidance as possible. And if all else fails, remember that they will make it work in their own way and to not worry.
VENDOR LIST:
WEDDING PLANNER: Judith McQueen Entertaining
FLOWERS: Tara Bella
HAIR/MAKEUP: Rachel McLaughlin
DRESS/SHOES: Tomasina in Pittsburgh, PA; Custom made cowboy boots from Rocketbuster in El Paso, Texas
GROOMS ATTIRE: J.Crew suit, Burberry tie, Thomas Pink fitted white button down shirt and cufflinks
BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES/GROOMSMEN: J.Crew dresses, Summer 2010 line; J.Crew suits and Facconable ties
MUSIC: DJ Lenny Joseph
FOOD: Judith McQueen Entertaining
DESSERT: Judith McQueen Entertaining
INVITES: Hand stamped and embellished on wood by Laura Hooper Calligraphy
PHOTOGRAPHER: Hillary Maybery, Craig Wolfrom
VIDEOGRAPHER: Max Monahan
OFFICIANT: Father Paul Wander a Roman Catholic Priest who travels between Mackay, Salmon, Challis and Arco
RENTALS: Signature Party Rentals; That’s Entertainment
