Summer Wedding at Willow Creek
Serene Summer Wedding at Willow Creek in Middleton, Idaho
Sam & Kevin’s wedding was the perfect blend of chill vibes and late night partying! When I showed up for details & getting ready photos, everyone was so relaxed and just enjoying the time together. Throughout the day, we stayed on top of the timeline and the entire pacing felt so smooth and never rushed, which is always the goal! The quiet setting of Willow Creek really added to the relaxed pace; the whole environment feeling so serene underneath the large trees. But when it came time to party in the evening, they knew how to bring the party! The bar cart kept the shots flowing and the dance floor was always full.
One super unique part of this day was the bridesmaids bouquets. Sam had an idea I had never seen before, but it was so cute and so meaningful! Instead of having the bridesmaids bouquets be mini versions of hers, each of them had a bundle of one of the flowers that made up her bouquet. Each of them was unique but also each of part of hers, and was such a cute was to symbolize her friendship with each.
A few of my other personal favorite moments from the day: the first look between Kevin & his daughter, the giant and delicious charcuterie spread during cocktail hour, the s’mores station by the fire, the insane sunset that poked through the clouds right before the sun dipped, and Sam doing the HOT TO GO dance with her bridesmaids.
Venue: Willow Creek Wedding & Event Center | | Caterer: Big Sky Catering | | DJ: VCI Audio | | Bakery: Paolian Sweets | | Bride’s Dress: Bespoke Bride | | Hair: Beauty by Mimi Lynn | | Makeup: The Idaho Estie | | Florals: Wild Alpine Floral | | Rentals: Kith and Kin | | Spray Tan: Island Glow Spray Tans | | Bar: Swiggy the Bar | | Grazing Board: Charcuterie Sugar
A few notes from Sam & Kevin about their day…
We chose Willowcreek Events in Middleton because it was a beautiful outdoor location! We didn't want to be confined inside but also wanted to have plenty of space for our guests to roam around, mingle and enjoy the day. Idaho also has a plethora of barn venues, but that wasn't the vibe we were going for. The getting ready suites were spacious and brightly lit, and the venue coordinator and owner were super helpful for getting things set up and ready for the day! We loved all of the shade! It was a little hot on our wedding day so having all the tree cover really helped. I also loved how green and natural looking the venue was!
We loved everything about the wedding day as a whole! All the vendors were kind and helpful. The guests had nothing but positive feedback about the wedding, it was overall a great time! The only thing I wish I could change is if the reception lasted longer!
Remember to take a breath during planning!!! It is a lot and if you decide to tackle it on your own (like we did), ASK FOR HELP! We totally know the feeling of "I can handle it on my own" or "This DIY project is easy, I can totally do it myself". Ask friends, family members, whoever! There will be plenty of people that are willing to help out! We also used the Zola app and it was really helpful with staying on track of scheduling meetings with vendors, payments, and tracking invites.They also had a lot of sales going on for the stationary items! Take advantage of reusing items, FB Marketplace is great for that! The Expo Idaho also hosts the Idaho Dream Wedding Expo with tons of different vendors twice a year, we highly recommend going to at least one of those because it can really give you visuals of items/setups/vendors and cost comparisons and even sample food, desserts and some drinks!
When it comes to your day, just have fun! People are going to tell you that nonstop as the wedding day comes closer. Remember it's the day that you get to marry your best friend and be with so many of your friends and family members that may not always be around or get to travel to see you! We really went with the flow on our wedding day, and it was nice not having to constantly check the time or feel stressed if we were off the schedule a bit. as long as you don't procrastinate on your planning and scheduling, everything should go smoothly!
More About the Day…
When I say it felt like I was driving up to a house that would be set in a Nicholas Sparks romance novel when I got to Willow Creek, I mean it. I had heard great things about the venue and was so excited to see it for myself - it’s stunning! The setting is quiet and private, and all of the trees on the property provide great shade for the day. Like Sam mentioned, it got warm on their day and it was so nice to have so much shade to do photos under so everyone stayed cool.
One thing I love about venues with a lot of beautiful vegetation is you really don’t have to go overboard on decorations for it to be stunning. Sam & Kevin kept their decorations simple but effective - they stood out but didn't overwhelm the natural vibe of the venue. And everyone loves a good monogrammed mirror, so when I saw that first thing by the polaroid guest book I was stoked! I always try to get a selfie in the personalize mirrors at weddings. And the fun little touches, like the s’mores bar by the fire pit, added to the ambience of the night. One thing they had which I thought was such a great ideas was skids corner full of crafts and activities to keep the little ones entertained while the parents enjoyed the evening. If you are having a kids wedding, I highly recommend having some activities to keep them busy and give the parents a break!
I loved exploring this stunning venue and would be so excited to visit it again, so if you are planning your wedding at Willow Creek I’d love to chat!