Sun Valley Wedding Zest: Rebecca Fundy and Chris Letson marry on August 8, 2009

Jeanie and I love to shoot weddings in Sun Valley.  The weather is always beautiful, no matter it’s form. On August 8th we arrived in Greenhorn Gulch as a torrential downpour gave way to sparkling sunshine and the scent of summer rain on the sage.

Arriving guests’ first clue to the spirit and joy of this celebration was the lipstick-painted sign announcing the wedding—in the keynote color theme—Hot Pink.

As I shot outside, Jeane photographed Rebecca putting the final touches on her dressing preparations.

As Jeanie worked inside with the girls, I shot Chris and the guys– Best Man Zack Cloud, Groomsmen Mark Phillips, Robert Fundy, Chris Ward, and Mike Grabow, and Ring-Bearer Tony Venneri–arriving in Engine 60, courtesy of the Sun Valley Fire Department, Chris’s employer.

Stylin’ from head to toe

When couples are willing to see one another before the ceremony we create a special “Reveal” moment when the bride is revealed to the groom in her wedding gown for the first time.  Joyful tears often result.

After the Reveal we really enjoyed a few minutes photographing just Rebecca and Chris near the wedding site.

The Ceremony was sited at water’s edge below the main house.   Officiant Sandy Bazorksky’s  thought-provoking questioning about actions and intentions in a marriage was insightful for all.

After the ceremony (and before the next rain shower) we did the group shots.

Then the Reception, with toasts as effervescent as the champage!

Then the party got started…

Relief from high heels!

The cake and its aftermath…

full smush,

Thank you, Rebecca and Chris,  for allowing us to share your zest!

All photographs copyright Steve Smith Weddings.

To view the entire wedding please click here.

Alexis Asher & Dax McIntosh Wedding – 1300 Block of Warm Springs Blvd., Boise

You never know where you might meet your future wife/husband. It could happen at the grocery store, on a run, through a friend, on an airplane, or maybe even your next door neighbor. Believe it or not, Alexis Asher and Dax McIntosh’s parents just so happened to live right next door to one another on the historic Warm Springs Blvd. in Boise, ID. It may sound too good to be true but I assure you that this was the real deal. Dax’s gregarious and extremely kindhearted personality makes for an idyllic match to Alexis’s caring and considerate demeanor. I was positively delighted to be able to be a part of yet another amazing couple’s wedding.

An offbeat low pressure weather system brought cool, comfortable temperatures that would kick August 15th of to a pleasant start. Blue skies and 75* temperatures greeted me as I arrived at Alexis’s parents house. This was where the gals gathered for some pre-wedding touch-ups.

Dax and the rest of the guys eagerly awaited their turn for group photos. This was one of my favorites.

“Regardless of which culture, religious affiliation or country of origin the couple represents, traditional elements make their way into the wedding to one degree or another.” Having the bride and groom see one another before the ceremony is one such tradition that can often be a hot topic. Steve Smith Weddings is happy to respect any wishes. However, we do find it easier, if willing, to have the bride and groom see one another before the ceremony for pictures. In order to maintain some sense of surprise and glory behind seeing your bride/groom to be, we can stage a “reveal”. This reveal gives the bride and groom an opportunity to build up that sense of anxiousness and emotion for seeing one another for the first time in their wedding attire. I set Dax at the edge of Alexis’s parent’s walkway where he eagerly awaited the reveal of his beautiful bride. Dax’s face was priceless as he slowly turned around for that first glimpse. He wasted no time and quickly ran up for a loving kiss.

When Dax and Alexis had finished their embrace, I grabbed the wedding party for a few group shots.

Then it was off with just the couple to be for some solo shots.

Guests gathered for the ceremony between 5:30 and 6:00 while the families and wedding party went through their last minute preparatory motions. The ceremony kicked off without a hitch. It was short, sweet and over within a mere ten minutes.

After a few family shots, the ceremony moved from Dax’s mom and step father’s house over to Alexis’s parent’s house for the reception. The wedding parties made a grand entrance before mingling and enjoying a delicious meal prepared by Kanak Attack Catering. After the guests had a chance to fill their bellies with food it was time for the toasts. These toasts went above and beyond any toasts that I have experience thus far. Dax’s best man Joey Milan started things out. His fluid well rehearsed speech left little room left to imagine what other praise could be said in addition regarding this amazing new couple. Yet, low and behold each and every speaker that followed brought something insightful and moving to say about Alexis and Dax. Alexis’s sister Camille Asher brought tears to a myriad of people’s eyes including her own. Her father, Steve Asher followed in her footsteps. Dax’s father LJ and step father Mike completed the circle with words of wisdom and praise. Dax closed things out with his own flair by giving a toast to everyone who was gracious enough to join them on their wedding day. At the end of it all I was left with a stir of emotions and a greater understanding of how very special these two were to their friends and families.

Things quickly transitioned from toasts to the cake cutting where the two neatly fed one another keeping the cake smearing out of the picture.

It was now time for the party to start. Alexis and Dax were asked to take the stage for their “first dance”.

Following their first dance came the father-daughter dance and the mother-son/step mother-son dance.

In a bit of a nontraditional fashion, Alexis opted not to throw her bouquet out to a mass of single ladies. Instead, she wanted to honor Dax’s grandmother, Esther Linford by presenting her with the bouquet.

At many weddings, the DJ will ask the married couples to join the newlyweds on stage for a dance that aims to figure out which couple has been married the longest. We grabbed a quick shot of all the partners before the dance commenced.

When the couples dance had concluded, all the attendees were asked to bust out their best moves.

Amidst the dancing came my favorite part of the night. Best man Joey Milan and groom Dax gave the guests a surprise performance of Criss Cross’s rap duet entitled “Jump”. Dax and Joey knew every word to a T and brought an incredible stage performance that had everyone on their feet. Next time you see the two of them, hit them up for a little taste. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.

Big thanks to Dax, Alexis and both of their families for bringing me in to this wedding. I had a great time! More photos will be made available by clicking here. All images copyright Steve Smith Weddings.

Cody & Tiffany Tennant Wedding – Bogus Basin

Bogus Basin has held a special place in my heart for as long as I can remember. I have spent nearly every winter since age 2 exploring the ins and outs of this resort playground. When Tiffany and Cody explained that they had chosen Bogus as the setting for their special destination a wave of fond memories overcame me. I was thrilled with the opportunity to shoot this great couple in one of my favorite locations.

Augusts weather in Idaho can vary from 110* heat waves to freak rain/thunderstorms and everything in between. The two days leading up to the wedding brought heavy rain and cool temperatures. I drove up to check out the actual ceremony location during this storm system and was confronted with dense fog and rain. I was nervous that the scenery of this beautiful location would be curbed by this rogue weather pattern. As luck would have it, Saturday transformed from a dreary wet day to a near perfect sunny afternoon. So stoked!

I started out with Cody & crew for a few groomsmen pictures. I’m all about the jumping shots lately. It gets everyone limber and warmed up.

I caught Tiffany in her bridal tent just before the ceremony. She looked absolutely stunning.

The ceremony kicked off without a hitch. Cody walked calmly down the aisle with his brother and best man, Spencer, to meet pastor Tom Valesco.

Tiffany’s sister and maid of honor followed elegantly.

Cody’s other brother Seth escorted Tiffany’s cousin Kellie next.

Cousin Jordan and aunt Shawn followed.

Brother Tommy and friend Leeanna were close behind.

Then came Cody’s mom Christa.

Tiffany’s mom Janell strolled cousin Tori in her elegant little dress.

Tiffany’s cousin Tori gently sprinkled flowers down the aisle in preparation for the lovely bride.

The long awaited moment had arrived. Tiffany and her father Scott paraded down the walkway toward an anxious Cody.

Cody and Tiffany exchanged beautiful and sincere vows to one another.

Yeah! You’re officially married.

Birdseed confetti rained down on the two as the scampered down the aisle.

Here’s the great looking wedding party all together.

Guests were invited up to the Pioneer Lodge for the reception while I took Tiffany and Cody off for some couples shots.

We headed back to the lodge for the reception festivities. Prayers and toasts kicked everything off. It was clearly evident how much everyone cared for these two with every toast given.

Cake cutting always seems to be a toss up. You never know if the couple will elegantly feed one another or if they will shove that frosty confection creation across every possible square inch of their love’s visage. It looked as this was going to be one of those polite feedings until Tiffany went to town on Cody’s face. Cody proved to be a true gentleman by taking the smearing while keeping his cool and still managing to gently feed Tiffany.

Scott grabbed his daughter for a fun filled father-daughter dance.

All the single ladies lined the walls anxiously awaiting the bouquet toss.

Tiffany’s third cousin, Sierra Mora was the lucky gal to come away with the bouquet.

Cody wasted no time diving in for Tiffany’s garter.

Before any one knew it, Cody had flung the garter over his shoulder. It was a short toss but Tiffany’s cousin, Tristain Thibado was quick to nab it up from the ground.

Joe Blackwood of DJ Dave’s got the crowd moving with the “Cha Cha Slide” by Mr. C The Slide Man.

I was able to catch Tiffany & Cody one last time intimately embracing one another on the back deck. It truly showed how madly in love these two were.

Big thanks to Tiffany and Cody for having me. It was a perfect day, perfect people and a perfect wedding. For more images from the wedding click here. All images copyright Steve Smith Weddings.