katie + dave = wyoming wonderland

where do i begin (brides you may want to take notes!)? i have been to several weddings (even planned a few!), but never have i attended a more fabulous week of wedding events. picture the vast land of wyoming, snow capped tetons, quaint town of jackson, winding rivers and wildlife. then picture a gorgeous bride (my beautiful cousin katie), handsome groom (dave) and several handfuls of genuine and friendly guests and "wha-la," the best wedding celebration ever! below are details from this grand affair, along with a few photos captured along the way...

the welcome dinner was our first introduction to the double l ranch, a private residential community set on acres of some of the most picturesque land i've seen. the nuptials took place on this property four days after we arrived.

the second evening, a western chic rehearsal dinner, just outside jackson, q's roadhouse. it was so well done it could have been the wedding! during cocktail hour a line dance coach and prop-filled photo booth occupied guests, if they weren't busy feasting on the delicious passed apps or filling their glasses at the bar. the dinner menu, family style platters of ribs, tea brined fried chicken, steak, pulled-pork beans and cornbread filled our tummies. for dessert a sundae bar, fire pits bordered with haystack benches for marshmallow roasting and s'mores making...the entire evening was decorated to perfection. it was over-the-top. thank you merritts! (a little birdie tells me images of the rehearsal, taken by their amazing photographer jessica claire will be featured this month on style me pretty)!

the wedding day was nothing short of spectacular! a few sprinkles moistened the earth right before the processional began. moments later sun shone between white cotton ball clouds casting rays of warm light for katie's walk down the aisle. the ceremony was short and sweet before katie and dave were whisked off via horse drawn carriage across the covered bridge to the reception.

upon arriving at the reception, servers passed huckleberry martinis, champagne and old fashioned mini bottles of coca cola. a fun cocktail hour activity was a wishing tree with mad-lib esq well-wishes for the bride and groom. 

oysters on the half shell and an array of the most delicious passed hors d'ouevres: bite-size lobster macaroni and cheese, ahi tartar in a flavorful veggie filled wonton, figs with a dollop of blue cheese and drizzle of honey, prosciutto wrapped figs, pulled pork sliders, and crostini topped with goat cheese, mushroom and delicately drizzled with truffle oil. my mouth is watering recounting the foodie-details. check out the menus from this fabulous caterer, maho hakoshima.

in lieu of favors donations made to the humane society and flip-flops available for those late night sore toes that come with a fun-filled wedding. guests were also offered carriage rides to see the sweeping views of star valley. 

once inside the tent, dinner was another fabulous food experience. a live band with three piece horn section kept the party-goers dancing, followed by some pretty tasty butter cake and a fireworks show that was comparable to our city's own display. i overheard a few guests mentioning their enthusiasm for the "late night" sliders, french fries and mini milk shakes...(katie, you thought of every detail!)

brunch on sunday, along the river was the final event of this fabulous wedding week. i couldn't have asked for a better time...visiting with our wonderful family the ciccarelli's, seeing yellowstone and the outdoors (thanks chris for playing tour guide) and above all celebrating the happy marriage of katie and dave. congrats you two!  
see the photos by jessica claire now posted on "style me pretty!"