Real Weddings: Elia + James

As a former figure skater and the best friend of an Idaho-raised girl, Sun Valley holds a special place in my heart and I love featuring Sun Valley weddings! James and Elia’s beautiful wedding, photographed by Hillary Maybery, was a destination wedding, and the couple included several elements that really showed off Idaho to their guests!

Elia and James were married at Sun Valley’s Our Lady of the Snows.  Elia’s grandfather actually built the original Our Lady of the Snows in 1975, and although the Church was recently renovated, many of the original relics created by her grandfather were saved.  Her family is also remembered in the pavestones leading to the side entrance of the church.  All of their names are spread across stones in the shape of a cross, and at the bottom is a stone with Elia and James’s names and wedding date, which reads “Build in Love, Build in Faith.”

Elia is half Scottish, so they incorporated bagpipers into their ceremony exit. Her married name is Robinson, and as they exited the church after the ceremony, the bagpipers played “Mrs. Robinson”. Too cute!

Every guest received a gift bag containing goodies for all of Idaho’s outdoor activities, including:

• Bottle of Bruno’s Blend sauvignon blanc wine (named after the officiating priest, who flew in all the way from Florence!)
• Box of Idaho Candy Co. butter toffee bites
• Jar of Sun Valley spiced mustards
• Heart of Idaho – jar of huckleberry preserves
• Heart of Idaho – package of cheddar blue soup
• Box of California Napa Co. Tuscan cracker crisps
• “Discovery 3-D Map” of Sun Valley
• Sun Valley lip balm
• Vintage postcard from Sun Valley
• Custom engraved wine bottle opener
• Custom printed sport water bottle for hikes
• Fresh-baked bag of madeleines from Rolling in Dough pastry shop

Ski lift ticket escort cards hung from a clothesline, and antique bushel baskets and packing crates held flip-flops for guests.  Each basket and crate had a unique story behind it, which represented a part of their heritage.  Elia’s mother’s side of the family is from Idaho, and James hails from Oregon, so one was an “I-O Prunes” bushel basket by the Idaho-Oregon Brand.  Another bushel basket was originally used in the 1950s for “Italian Prunes,” which was a nod to both of their Italian heritages.  And finally, a “Mayflower California Fruits” packing crate symbolized their new life in California.

The following Sun Valley wedding vendors contributed to Elia and James’s wedding:

Photography – Hillary Maybery
Ceremony location – Our Lady of the Snows
Reception location – Flying Heart Ranch (Private Residence)
Planning/coordination – Taylor Sturges
Catering – Judith McQueen Entertaining
Bakery – Mary Jones at The Chocolate Moose
Band – Hip Service
Rentals – That’s Entertainment
Hair/Makeup – Jamilynn and Janna at Vertu Salon
Stationery – Paperazzi

Searching for wedding vendors in your area? Visit the Elizabeth Anne Designs vendor guide!