For their wedding, Emma and Paul envisioned an intimate gathering in Idaho’s Boulder Mountains. It was a beautiful day. The groom, groomsmen and guests walked the dirt road from Galena Lodge to Senate Meadows. Before the ceremony could begin, Emma and her bridesmaids came over the hill in a horse drawn wagon.

Horses have always played a big part in Emma’s life, including when Paul asked her to marry him.

“I ride horses on the weekends. I've been an avid equestrian all my life - and one Saturday morning we woke up and Paul asked to come to the barn to watch me ride. In the back of my mind I kind of knew something was up - after all, he doesn't love horses and rarely joins me at the barn. But the beauty of riding horses for me is that the outside world instantly washes away and I go into my happy place and completely forget about everything else. After my ride, while in my most content state, I decided to take my horse Waves for a walk around the paddocks. Though it was starting to rain, Paul insisted coming with me. As we walked around, talking mostly about what a good boy Waves had been that day, finally Paul turned to me and asked me to stop. He looked up at me (I was still on horseback) and asked me to marry him. I was blown away, so happy, and we both cried.”

Although their ceremony was rustic, Emma and Paul’s reception was anything but. Emma’s mother is an interior designer and had a vision for the wedding that was absolutely stunning. Working with wedding planner Monica from Bliss Events, and the staff at Galena Lodge she put together an amazing party. I felt lucky to be a part of it!

Venue & Catering: Galena Lodge | Wedding Planner: Monica at Bliss Events | Designer: Erica Millar Design | Second Photographer: Christina Carlson | DJ: Eric Rhodes | Cake: Hank & Sylvies | Ceremony Musician: Dan Costello | Hair: Danielle Anspach of Mane Muse | Makeup: Lea Webber of Bare Sun Valley | Dress: Mira Zwillinger