McKenna + Ben’s Gorgeous Micro Mountain Wedding

Of the many rewards that come with being a wedding planner, nothing tops being able to help a truly in-love couple get the day of their dreams. With this in mind, I am thrilled — if not a tad embarrassed at how long it’s taken me to post this — to talk about one of the most beautiful and joyous small mountain weddings I’ve had the pleasure of making happen.

The couple

McKenna and Ben share numerous common interests, including a love for the great outdoors. Both originally from Ohio (where they also met), the two moved out to Idaho several years ago and fell quickly in love with the area, never looking back. 

So, it was only natural that Ben planned the proposal for when they were on a hike. Only this wasn’t just any hike — he and McKenna were making their way through the majestic wilderness just south of Oregon’s Mt. Hood volcano.

“We hiked through a misty old growth forest out to this gorgeous cliff,” McKenna says. “Once there, he pulled a whole picnic out of his backpack: sandwiches, wine, and even dessert! Then he set up his tripod and said he wanted to take a picture. We took a few photos and before I knew it he was down on one knee!”

The venue

The couple knew they wanted to host their wedding in a place that reflected their love of the outdoors as well.

“Both of our families live on the east coast,” McKenna says. “So, we thought of the wedding as an opportunity to show them why we love living here so much.”

The couple’s search for a venue brought them to Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch, an upscale yet rustic guest ranch in Stanley, Idaho. According to McKenna, she and Ben ultimately chose the location for its plentiful amenities, impressive food, and, of course, its amazing location and natural views.

Invitations

Ben and McKenna invited 21 of their closest friends and family to their destination wedding at the northern Idaho ranch. To reflect their theme of “mountain meadow” with a western/rustic influence, McKenna even designed her invitations and printed them through Paper Culture.

The couple’s attire

With their mountain venue in mind, Ben and McKenna chose their wedding day outfits purposefully to be both eye-catching and practical for the natural surroundings. 

“In each dress that I tried on, I would picture myself walking around the ranch - log cabins and mountains in the background. This really helped me in the selection process.” 

McKenna ultimately found her dream dress — a gorgeous all-lace Rish gown with a low back — at Bespoke Bride in downtown Boise. She paired the gown with a simple fingertip veil and accessorized with refined western flair, including a brass and leather necklace from Banana Republic, and platform white leather sandals Bedstu.

Ben meanwhile chose a navy blue wool suit from Sartoro in windowpane plaid design, cowboy boots, and a boutonniere with dried chamomile flowers.

Wedding day!

The couple wed on the afternoon of June 18, 2023 in a ceremony that was intimate, romantic, and stylish. Photographer Joshua Michael Johnson captured it all exquisitely. All of McKenna and Ben’s family members made the trek over from Ohio, and the couple was eager to share the splendor of the Sawtooth Mountains with them.

Getting ready

On the morning of the wedding, McKenna had her hair and makeup done in Ketchum (about an hour from the venue). Her natural-style makeup was done by Bare, while her hair was perfectly set into soft, romantic waves by The Feathered Flip.

Completing the look, McKenna’s bouquet was lovingly arranged by Two Hands Floral and incorporated wildflower inspired, foraged tall stems. Rather than a specific color palette, McKenna opted for natural-inspired colors that are often found on mountainsides. Colors included yellows, purples, mauves, whites.

The ceremony

Light rain in the morning gave way to a lovely day with blue sky and fluffy white clouds, which only added to the serenity and natural beauty of the venue. Ben and McKenna chose to have their ceremony in a grassy area nestled by tall evergreens and the cabins where her family was staying at the ranch. A ground floral circle encircled the altar, the backdrop of which was a stunning view of the Sawtooth mountains.

To keep the day as intimate as possible, the couple chose to have a close friend officiate the ceremony. McKenna’s brother escorted her down the aisle to John Denver’s “Annie’s Song,” after which she and Ben exchanged emotional personal vows. The recessional incorporated flower petal confetti and “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” by Elton John.

Cocktail hour

Guests moved to the patio of the ranch lodge for cocktail hour, where they sipped beer and wine and enjoyed small wood-fired pizza as appetizers. Ben and McKenna took the time to take photos and enjoy a quiet moment to themselves before joining their guests.

Dinner

Dinner was originally planned to be al fresco, but due to the chilly mountain weather, we worked with the ranch to execute plan B, which called for setting up inside the rustic dining room instead. We created two community-style tables with the ranch’s standard place settings, complete with beige gingham napkins chosen by the bride for a personal touch. Small pedestal and ikebana arrangements with purple and white wildflowers by Two Hands Floral brought the location’s natural beauty indoors while forest green pillar candles provided peaceful accents. We also moved flowers inside from the ceremony.

For music, a playlist of romantic classic folk rock and bluegrass curated by the bride helped establish the mood. To top it all off, a crackling fireplace warmed up the room and overall there was a cozy, intimate ambience.

Dinner was then served family style and included two salads — a bibb salad with roasted grapes, goat cheese, sunflower seeds and green goddess dressing as well as an endive salad with snap peas, parmesan, fava beans and garlic scape dressing — and three large entrees that included a roasted lamb rack with lentil and dill greens and roasted shallot, day-boat scallops with celery root soubise, thumbelina carrots and golden raisin mostarda, and a tagliatelle pasta with spring mushrooms ricotta and lemon oil.

Adding to the impressive quality of the dinner, Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch uses all local and sustainable ingredients for “innovative and elegant yet down-to-earth” food. This was certainly tasted with McKenna and Ben’s menu!

Toasts

After dinner, guests were invited into the lodge main room for champagne and toasts. McKenna’s stepdad, Brian, gave a heartfelt speech honoring the couple in front of main fireplace before inviting other guests to make their own toasts.

Ben and McKenna then cut their cake, a graham cracker cake with blueberry compote, cream cheese filling, and vanilla frosting from Stanley Supper Club, daintily dotted with chamomile.

Afterward, Ben and McKenna escaped for some golden hour photos at Redfish Lake.

After-party

Following a fun and joyous dinner reception, an exciting afterparty took place at the ranch’s “shed” — an activity room located just down the road. Guests first went to their rooms to refresh, then were shuttled or drove over, where they enjoyed more drinks, music, mingling, and dancing. An outdoor firepit served as the perfect way to enjoy the rocky mountain sunset while guests enjoyed games and signing the guestbook. Some elk were even spotted nearby!

Ben and McKenna also chose to do their first dances at the after-party. One of their shared pastimes is line dancing, so their first dance was very lively! Ben chose “Benny and the Jets” for his mother/son dance, a touching nod to his how his mom decided on his name on the way to the hospital when he was born.

 End of night - hot springs

Dancing continued well into the evening, and cigars were brought out and enjoyed around the fire. Finally, everyone changed into swimsuits and got into the nearby hot spring pool to enjoy a relaxing end to the night soaking in the moonlight.

For a couple that loves nature, it was the perfect day celebrating their love and commitment to each other. Cheers to you, McKenna and Ben!

Photography: Joshua Michael Johnson
Coordination + Design Consulting: Verdant Events
Flowers: Two Hands Floral Venue, Food, & Drink: Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch
Cake: Stanley Supper Club Stationery Design: McKenna R Stationery Printing: Paper Culture
Hair: The Feathered Flip Makeup: Bare Ceremony Chairs: That’s Entertainment
Bride’s Ring: Portsche’s Fine Jewelry Groom’s Ring: Hell’s Canyon Bolo Co
Bride’s Gown: Rish Groom’s Suit: Sartoro
Bride’s Shoes: BedStu Bride’s Necklace: Banana Republic
Bride: McKenna R Groom: Ben R