Katie and Janelle stole my heart with their LGBTQ McCall Idaho Wedding. Set at the gorgeous private Bear Creek Lodge cabins outside of McCall, Idaho, their wedding day took place on a perfect summer July day. Although many things did not go according to plan, their day was perfectly them.
Katie & Janelle’s Love Story
I have been lucky enough to be a part of Katie and Janelle’s love story since they got engaged. This precious couple are best friends with my past clients, Megan and Danielle. You may recognize their wedding here! Shortly after getting engaged, we met for drinks and I learned more about them. Like all great modern love stories, theirs began on Tinder. Janelle was swiping one day when she came across Katie. Her first thought was that 1. Katie was SUPER hot and 2. there’s no way someone so hot would swipe on her. Luckily, Janelle’s best friend was by her side and encouraged her to go for it. She did, and Katie had liked her back.
This incredible couple have hearts of absolute gold. Their love feels like a rare, tender love. They both have so much respect for one another and such a deep love. Katie is an incredible veterinarian in Boise. Janelle is an Emergency Room nurse. The two of them show up for their community in such a huge way. It only makes sense that two incredible individuals would find one another. My favorite thing about this couple is the delicate way they look at one another. They are constantly looking at one another with complete adoration in their eyes. And they’re always whispering how beautiful the other is and how much they love each other.
A McCall Idaho Queer Wedding
I feel lucky that so many of my favorite clients have found me through the article I wrote here. I am a queer wedding vendor in Boise. A couple years ago, I interviewed wedding vendors in Boise and created a list of LGBTQ wedding vendors in Boise. I felt compelled to create a resource for queer couples finding wedding vendors in Idaho. Couples shouldn’t have to ask wedding vendors repeatedly if they are a safe and trustworthy person to trust their wedding day with. I have found community and great colleagues through this resource!
Katie and Janelle found me through this article as well as several of their wedding vendors. It was incredible to see these great humans come together to create the perfect wedding day. Great artists and great people working together is a dream.
Bear Creek Lodge McCall Idaho Wedding
Few weddings go perfectly according to plan. Unfortunately for Katie and Janelle, their wedding plans were drastically changed at the last minute. Days before their wedding, they found out that their plans for a wedding ceremony on top of Brundage Resort couldn’t happen due to the lift breaking. Their epic mountain top ceremony had to change.
Luckily, Jordan with Unveiled Events pulled off a dream ceremony at Bear Creek Lodge instead. I arrived the morning of their wedding to the most peaceful getting ready atmosphere I’ve ever seen. Katie and Janelle chose to get ready together the morning of. They wanted to spend as much of their day together as possible! Starting theirday together eased their nerves. Together, they played farkle and drank mimosas.
After their first look outside their cabin, we headed to a viewpoint above Payette Lake. After their plans changed, I wanted them to have a special ‘mountain top’ moment. I asked if they wanted to share their vows privately overlooking the lake. They were stoked! We walked through the forest along the trail to a stunning spot. They exchanged vows. And we popped champagne after!
An Outdoor Wedding Reception with a Live Band
Live music became a priority to Katie and Janelle early on in wedding planning. Their families love dancing and live music is one of their favorite shared activities. Dancing under the stars all night to live music in the mountains became the vision.
After their ceremony, everyone headed under the tent for a glorious dinner by my favorite wedding caterers. Horsewood catering is hands down the best caterers in Idaho.
Once dinner was over, everyone gathered by the dance floor for some of the best speeches I’ve ever heard. When I mentioned earlier that these are two incredible humans, they are also surrounded by equally incredible people. The speeches were some of the most personal, thoughtful, and hilarious toasts I’ve ever heard.
The first dances began before sunset as golden light filtered through the pine trees. It was a stunning scene. Katie and Janelle held each other close as they shared their first dances. Their intimate first dance began the loud party!
We snuck off after their first dances for a few sunset photos and even hopped in the lake. I didn’t want to keep them away from their party for too long, so we left for less than 10 minutes to capture the stunning golden light before rejoining the party!
Thank you Katie and Janelle for the most incredible wedding. Your friendship means the world.
McCall Wedding Vendors
Venue: Bear Creek Lodge
Wedding Planner: Unveiled Events
Hair and Makeup: Mariah Joy Beauty
Photography: Maggie Grace Photography
Videography: Olve Fims
Catering: Horsewood Catering
Florals: Petal Works Design
Custom Wedding Jumpsuit and Dress: Kate’s Bridal Cottage
