BRIDES - Post Register

Planning an 

outdoor wedding 

– Page G5 

By Stephanie Goodson 

Sgoodson95@yahoo.com 

Weddings are a blending of two 

amilies, their cultures and tradiions 

– many of those centered on 

he wedding ceremony itself. So 

ow more than ever, brides are 

ixing these traditions in a way 

hat pays homage to both. 

Some priests and ministers will 

ven preside over other-faith mariages, 

like the Rev. Dennis 

alasco of the First Presbyterian 

hurch in Idaho Falls. 

Here’s a sampling of some of 

he wedding traditions to be found 

n eastern Idaho: 

Members of 

he Church of 

esus Christ of 

atter-day Saints 

ay choose to 

arry in an LDS 

emple or may 

hoose to be 

arried by a 

ishop in an 

DS Church or 

lsewhere. 

emple recomends,indicatng 

compliance 

ith LDS 

hurch stanards, 

are 

equired for 

ntrance to temles. 

Temple ceremonies freuently 

are scheduled in 

he morning and include 

amily and friends close to 

he bride and groom. 

rides wear white dresses 

ith sleeves, modest in 

esign, fabric and ornaentation. 

Grooms also 

re dressed in white. 

embers attending the 

eremony dress in Sunday 

ress clothes. 

The temple ceremony 

fficiator shares counsel 

nd scriptural doctrine 

ith the couple before 

inding them for time and 

ternity. Church members 

elieve temple sealers 

ave the Priesthood 

uthority to administer 

hese acts. 

A former LDS bishop, 

oward Harper, conductd 

weddings in a backard, 

park and a local spa 

n addition to ones in the 

elief Society room of a 

hurch. The ceremony per- 

Wedding cake trends: 

Homemade, or 

store-bought? ... G7 

BRIDES SECTION 

A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION OF THE POST REGISTER 

Temple rites. The Chupah and Mazel Tov! A 

multi-purpose Presbyterian minister. Lassos and rose 

petals. They’re all part of eastern Idaho’s various 

WEDDING 

TRADITIONS 

See TRADITION, G2 

Placing the 

lasso around 

the necks of 

the bride and 

groom, indicating 

the 

couple are 

bound 

together, is a 

tradition 

among many 

Catholics in 

the 

Southwest 

and Mexico. 

Photo courtesy of 

Pomerelle Portraits 

Food, music and dance 

part of any weddings’ 

cultural underpinnings 



Many brides include some cultural 

ackground in the selection of food, 

usic and dance as part of the wedding 

eception. 

Mexican wedding receptions incororate 

several traditions, said Arely 

rermudez. They feature spicy rice, 

eans and tortillas. Guests pin money 

n the bride and groom in exchange for 

dance. The recipient of the bridal 

ouquet dances with the recipient of 

he garter. A special dance “zapateado,” 

imilar to tap dancing, is part of the 

eception. Guests also perform a 

Snake of the Sea” dance. 

Music is provided by a mariachi 

and, a group of musicians playing 

nstruments including trumpets, violins 

nd guitars who circulate through the 

eception as they play. They dress in 

See CULTURAL, Page G3 

Photo courtesy of Megan Allen Photography 

Tara Whittier of Idaho Falls and Paul Siddoway of Kaysville, Utah, were married in the Logan, 

Utah, LDS Temple Oct. 8. The bride is wearing a dress that reflects the standards for an LDS Temple 

wedding. 

Photo courtesy of Mie Hiruta of Idaho Falls, sister of the groom 

Kazauki Koshigoe, left, and Mihoko Suzuki were married traditional Japanese attire. 

They were married in the Hourinji Buddhist Temple in Niigata Japan. A bride changes 

POST REGISTER 

SUNDAY, JAN. 23, 2011 

G 

Staff Sgt. 

Michael Gills 

married Jillian 

Shipanock in a 

traditional Marine 

Corps wedding 

ceremony. He is 

a Marine 

recruiter stationed 

in Idaho 

Falls for three 

years. 

Photo courtesy Alyce Clegg Photography 

Kylie Stephens and Justin Clements took their vows at 

the LDS Temple in Rexburg. Clements wore temple garments 

and changed to his uniform for the reception. 

Military weddings have 

some traditions of their own 



A bridesmaid and groomsman meeting 

for the first time at a friend’s wedding, 

and high school sweethearts both resulted 

in marriage to men in uniform. 

Marine Staff Sgt. Michael Gills, the 

Marine recruiter stationed in Idaho Falls, 

traveled from Japan to Orlando. FL to be 

groomsman for a buddy. There he met his 

future wife, Jillian Shipanock, who was a 

bridesmaid. He dated his future wife 

while he was stationed in North Carolina. 

The couple married at the Gaylord 

Palm & Resort Hotel in Orlando on 

August 4, 2008. Six fellow Marines in full 

dress uniform were included in the ceremony 

in addition to a best man, five 

groomsmen, a maid of honor and five 

bridesmaids. After the official ceremony, 

the Marines with drill movement precision 

formed an arch of swords with the 

swords touching at the tips. The couple 

proceeded through the arch, stopping to 

kiss in the middle of the arch. At the end 

of the arch, a Marine patted the bride on 

her behind and said, “Welcome to the 

Corps, Ma’am.” 

Giles since his marriage has been 

See MILITARY, Page G2 

Japanese weddings can 

be elegant, but costly 



Traditional Japanese weddings are 

elaborate and expensive, often costing 

between $30,00 and $40,000. 

“Saving for a Japanese wedding begins 

as soon as a daughter is born,” said Kay 

Rohrdanz of Idaho Falls. She married her 

husband Bob when he was working in 

Japan for the Idaho National Laboratory. 

They opened an English conversational 

school in Japan and moved to the United 

States in 1997. 

Wedding rites of choice for most 

Japanese couples today are a variation of 

the traditional Shinto marriage ceremony. 

The ritual is very formal and limited to 

close relatives. Receptions allow couples 

and their families to display their social 

status to friends, coworkers and relatives. 

Western-style wedding rites are also popular. 

A growing number of couples now 

choose to be married in a church or in the 

Christian-style chapels put up in many 

clothes several times during the ceremony and reception. See JAPANESE, Page G3

G2 Post Register 

TRADITIONS 

From Page G1 

formed by the bishop is included 

in a handbook of instructions. 

A dinner, a breakfast or a 

luncheon for extended family, 

often prepared by friends, may 

precede or follow the wedding 

ceremony. The reception may be 

held in the cultural hall of an 

LDS Church, a reception center 

or another venue. If the couple 

comes from different areas of 

the country, a second reception 

usually is held at a later date. A 

recent trend is guests holding 

sparklers as the bridal couple 

departs. 

Catholic traditions 

Catholic weddings reflect 

,000 years of tradition. 

Catholics believe that mariage 

is sacramental and that 

esus Christ is present at the 

eremony and continues to be 

resent among us, said the 

everend Raul Covarrubias, one 

f two priests serving the 

atholic community in Idaho 

alls. “The priest is the instruent 

that Jesus uses to continue 

is ministry. A wedding is a 

ublic manifestation of His presnce. 

A couple marries each 

ther, rather than a priest, deaon 

or bishop marrying them.” 

In the marriage ceremony, 

he wedding party precedes the 

ride coming up the aisle. The 

ride enters on the arm of her 

ather. The groom is waiting for 

he bride at the altar. The maidf-honor 

and best man are wit- 

MILITARY 

From Page G1 

deployed twice, most 

recently spending seven 

months in Afghanistan. 

“The biggest challenge to 

deployment is being married 

to a good, strong 

woman, who will stick 

with you. Coming home is 

ike falling in love again. 

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A newly wed couple steps over 

a broom, an old English custom 

that was also used by the slaves 

in earlier days. The Twin Falls 

Perrine Bridge is in the background. 

nesses to the ceremony. 

The exchange of vows and 

the exchange of rings are followed 

by prayer. The priest then 

invites the couple and guests to 

celebrate the first mass of the 

newlyweds. He pronounces a 

nuptial blessing on the bride 

and groom. 

Permission from the bishop 

in Boise is required for a marriage 

between a Catholic and 

another Christian. A dispensation 

from the bishop is required 

for a wedding between a 

Catholic and a non-Christian. 

A Spanish ceremony 

A wedding involving families 

from the Southwest and Mexico 

We always go on another 

honeymoon,” he said. 

While being deployed, 

he was able to talk with 

his wife on satellite 

phones every couple of 

days, e-mail once a week 

and “a video chat on line 

every once in a while.” 

The couple welcomed a 

daughter Kaedyn three 

and a half months ago. 

His current assignment 

as a Marine recruiter will 

keep him in Idaho Falls 

for three years. 

“I am an outdoor person, 

and I love to fish and 

hunt. I shot my first elk 

this year. My wife is having 

a little trouble with the 

winter weather.” 

Kylie and Justin 

Clements from Parker 

were high school sweethearts 

while attending 

Madison High School in 

Rexburg. He proposed by 

carving “Will you marry 

me,” in a tree on a family 

ranch near Kelly Canyon. 

They began dating when 

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includes several additional traditions, 

said Father Covarrubias. 

The groom and his father come 

up the aisle first followed by the 

bride with her parents. Pillows, 

sponsored by the “padrinos,” 

family members or friends, are 

brought up for the couple to 

kneel at the altar. A Bible, also 

sponsored by “padrinos,” is 

blessed by the priest. 

The groom presents a box of 

coins to the bride after the 

exchange of rings. The coins 

symbolize a promise that the 

groom will provide financially 

for the bride. The coins may be 

the same ones used by parents 

in their marriage. A lasso made 

of rope, flowers, or a large 

rosary, is placed around the couple 

indicating they are joined 

together. 

Bride is always right 

The Rev. Dr. Dennis Falasco, 

minister at First Presbyterian 

Church in Idaho Falls, has officiated 

at more than 500 wedding 

ceremonies. 

He has been an officiator in 

both Jewish and Hispanic wedding 

ceremonies in addition to 

presiding at Presbyterian weddings. 

He’s conducted weddings 

in backyards, parks, chapels 

and on ocean beaches. 

“I love to do weddings. They 

are a lot of fun. Friends of 

church members attend one of 

my ceremonies and then ask me 

to do their weddings,” he said. 

A typical Presbyterian wedding 

ceremony begins with the 

seating of the groom’s parents 

followed by seating of the 

bride’s parents. The minister, 

groom, best man, groomsmen 

she was 15 and he was 17 

and were married four 

years later. “We would 

have waited to get married, 

but we knew he was 

going to be deployed in a 

year,” she said. 

He is a member of the 

116th Calvary Brigade 

from the St. Anthony 

National Guard artillery 

unit. The unit is involved 

in security and is stationed 

in Baghdad, Iraq. 

The couple was married 

in the Rexburg 

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and bridesmaids come down the 

aisle with the maid of honor, the 

last to enter before the bride. 

Flower girls scatter petals 

before the bride, who enters on 

the left arm of her father. 

At the altar, the groom turns 

around and gives a formal 

greeting and statements of love. 

After the father replies that he is 

“giving the bride away,” he lifts 

his daughter’s veil and kisses 

her on the cheek. The couple 

then step up to the platform 

where the sermon, vows, 

prayers and lighting of the unity 

candle take place followed by a 

benediction. 

Rev. Falasco charges the couple 

to stay true to each other, 

the newlyweds kiss and are then 

presented to the congregation. 

The bride leaves on the right 

side of the aisle, indicating the 

“bride is always right.” 

“Weddings usually are conducted 

on the half-hour, a tradition 

that the half-hour is the 

lowest point in the marriage and 

that everything gets better from 

then on.” Receptions are held on 

the hour, indicating that the arm 

of the clock is “going down” on 

the celebration. Rose petals are 

tossed or bubbles are blown as 

the couple leaves the church. 

Couples may choose vows 

from more than six choices for 

the ceremony. Pre-marital counseling 

is required. Rev. Falasco 

believes 60 to 70 percent of the 

grooms have adhered to the tradition 

of asking the bride’s 

father for permission to marry 

the bride. 

Jewish wedding rites 

Dr. Debra Shein, community 

Temple of the Church of 

Jesus Christ of Latter-day 

Saints September 5, 2009. 

The groom changed into 

his military uniform for 

the reception in the 

Brigham Young 

University-Rexburg 

College Gardens. There 

was dancing in the pavilion. 

They went to 

Disneyland for a honeymoon. 

Hesston, a son, was 

born September 16, 2010 

before he shipped out on 

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and religious leader at Temple 

Emanuel, a Liberal synagogue 

in Pocatello, was married to 

Victor Raboy in June, 2004 at 

the Pebble Creek Ski area. The 

ceremony took place under a 

chupah, a wedding canopy held 

up by the couple’s best’s 

friends. The chupah symbolizes 

that the couple are creating a 

home together and that it will 

always be open to guests. The 

tradition originated from the 

wedding of Abraham and Sarah 

in the Bible. The bride was 

accompanied by her two grown 

sons. 

The bride and groom 

become betrothed and a blessing 

is recited over a cup of wine 

that the bride and groom drink. 

Rings are exchanged. Seven 

blessings are recited over another 

glass of wine. The wedding 

contract is read under the 

chupah after the ring ceremony. 

The groom breaks the glass 

at the conclusion of the ceremony. 

One interpretation of the act 

is that the marriage will act as 

long as the glass is broken – forever. 

Another is that people 

need to remember those who 

are suffering even in their greatest 

moment or joy. After the 

breaking of the glass, the guests 

yell, “Mazel Tov!” 

The reception involves lavish 

food, drinks and dancing, Shein 

said. She was invited to a 

Christian wedding reception 

where only cake and punch 

were served. “I didn’t believe it,” 

she recalled. Another part of the 

reception is the hora, where 

bride and groom are lifted up 

separately on chairs and guests 

dance around them. 

September 20. He is a 

member of the 116th 

Calvary Brigade from the 

St. Anthony National 

Guard artillery unit. The 

unit is involved in security 

and is stationed in 

Baghdad, Iraq. 

“We talked on 

Christmas, and I send him 

pictures, packages and 

treats,” she said. “The 

unit is scheduled to return 

in September, but I am 

not counting on it. I think 

it probably will be later.” 

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the traditional colorful 

costume of the Mexican 

horseman. Male guests lift 

up the groom so he is 

lying down on their shoulders. 

Music similar to 

funeral music is played 

while the groom is carried 

around the reception. 

“Padrinos,” godfathers or 

sponsors, usually family 

members and friends, 

contribute to the wedding 

and reception expenses. 

Polynesian wedding 

receptions feature a kalua 

pig, an abundance of 

food, performers and 

dancing, said Ty TeNgaio 

of Idaho Falls. The pig is 

roasted underground 

wrapped in leaves. 

A tapa cloth mat, made 

from the pounded bark of 

the Paper mulberry tree, 

is part of any large gathering 

by folks from 

Samoa, Fiji, Tonga and 

the Cook Islands. A tapa 

mat depicting the genealogy 

of their families is 

given to a bride and 

groom. The mat is used as 

a wall decoration or may 

be used as a decorative 

covering of a bed. A mat 

with geometric patterns is 

given to chiefs or local 

dignitaries. 

Italian food, such as 

cannolis and tiramisu, are 

often served by folks of 

Italian heritage, said Greg 

Huff, owner of the Historic 

Shelton Wedding and 

Reception Center, twelve 

miles northwest of Idaho 

Falls in Bonneville 

County. German sauerkraut 

and bratwurst were 

served at a wedding 

reception of a couple married 

on Jan. 1. A wedding 

on St. Patrick’s Day featured 

Irish music. Bobbie 

and Brennan Opfer elected 

to have an Hawaiian 

wedding at the Shelton 

with a horse-drawn carriage 

and elaborate floral 

decorations. 

One bride displayed 

wedding dresses from 

previous generations during 

her reception. Another 

bride incorporated heirlooms 

into her reception 

décor. “Weddings are kind 

of conservative in eastern 

Idaho,” Huff said. “Many 

brides do it themselves. 

About 10 percent of 

brides do something 

unique.” 

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hotels and wedding halls. 

The Shinto wedding 

ceremony is conducted in 

the sanctuary of a shrine. 

A Shinto priest, assisted 

by young women called 

miko, directs the ceremony 

which lasts between 

20-30 minutes. The priest 

waves a branch of the 

sacred sakaki tree, purifying 

those present and 

announces the marriage 

to the gods. 

The bride and groom 

drink sake together and 

pledge to uphold the marriage 

bond. The sake is 

from a set of three cups, 

with the bride and groom 

each taking three sips 

from each cup. 

A Western-style 

exchange of wedding 

bands takes place often at 

this point. The couple next 

offer sakaki branches at 

the Shinto altar, and those 

present sip sake, sealing 

the relationship between 

the two families whose 

members are then formal- 

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ly introduced. The priest’s 

closing statement then 

ends the ceremony. 

Everyone retires to another 

room to have photographs 

taken. Shrines 

often have receptions centers 

and many high-class 

hotels have added shrines 

to their reception halls 

During the reception, 

usually more than 100 

guests, the couple 

announces their union. 

The expense of the wedding 

is shared by both 

families. The reception, 

lasting two to three hours, 

consumes the bulk of the 

expenditure. Wedding 

attire is often rented. 

Receptions have 

become more elaborate 

over the years. The proceedings 

will be run by a 

professional master of ceremonies 

and videotaped. 

The reception includes 

extensive speech making 

by family, friends, col- 

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208-524-4381 

Fine Jewelers 

leagues and teachers, 

drinking, cake cutting and 

singing. Recently couples 

have added dancing and 

live music, adding to a 

party-type atmosphere, 

Rohrdanz said. French, 

American or Chinese cuisine 

may be served. The 

cake is usually tall and 

fancy. The couple together 

holds the knife to cut the 

cake. 

The bride may appear 

in several outfits including 

a Western-style bridal 

gown, and the groom 

changes into a tuxedo. 

Guests who are unrelated 

contribute about $250 in 

an elaborate envelope to 

the couple. Relatives must 

present a higher sum. 

Guests receive gifts from 

the family with a value of 

about $50 when leaving 

the reception. 

Honeymoons are frequently 

taken to Europe 

or America. 

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Post Register G3 

I.F. couple Thais the knot twice for different cultures 



A couple from Idaho 

alls was married twice in 

he same month, once in 

daho Falls and once in 

hailand. 

Suzanne Suchada 

cott and Jake Porter 

urtenshaw were married 

n a backyard ceremony at 

he home of his parents, 

raig and Karma Burtnshaw, 

June 4, 2010. 

hey were married again 

n the village of Nonsuman, 

Udorn Province, in 

ortheast Thailand June 

5. 

The second ceremony 

ook place at the request 

f the bride’s mother 

omchan (Jan) Scott who 

rew up in the Thai vilage. 

The bride’s mother 

as married to Bob Scott 

n the same village in 

983, and her relatives 

till live in the area. 

The village astrologer 

hose the wedding date 

ased on the birth dates of 

he bride and groom. He 

onsulted the stars to 

nsure an auspicious time 

nd date for a happy and 

rosperous marriage. 

Relatives and friends 

ormed a procession from 

he bride’s aunt home to 

he home of the bride’s 

randmother where the 

eremony took place. The 

rocession was accompaied 

by musicians playing 

raditional long drums as 

he parade participants 

anced to the place of the 

CULTURAL 

From Page G1 

Photos courtesy Lizzie Scott 

Thai weddings include elaborate flower arrangements, above. Tradition requires 

the centerpiece be kept in the couple's bedroom for three days. Jake Burtenshaw 

and Suzanne Scott from Idaho Falls wore traditional Thai clothing when they were 

married in a Thai ceremony in Idaho Falls last June. 

ceremony where the bride 

waited. 

The groom encountered 

three symbolic 

doors or gates where he 

was required to provide a 

“key,” in the form of an 

envelope with money 

inside. Guardians at the 

gates joked and told him 

the money wasn’t enough. 

The amount asked for at 

each gate increased. 

There was loud cheering 

when each gate was 

opened. The arch of the 

door through which the 

procession passed to enter 

the wedding site was decorated 

with flower bouquets 

made by female relatives. 

The wedding ceremony 

was conducted by a senior 

elder who was a respected 

member of the community. 

The couple wore traditional 

Thai clothing and 

Sandals for a wedding on the beach 

Photo by Miranda Oliver 

Miranda Oliver of 

Pocatello is making 

barefoot wedding beach 

sandals for herself and 

her wedding party to 

wear at a February ceremony 

in Belize. She got 

the idea from a website 

that features everything 

from white beach wedding 

dresses to bikinis 

that have “Just Married” 

embriodered across the 

back side. 

knelt in front of the elder. 

The elder and the couple 

surrounded an elaborate 

flower arrangement made 

of banana leaves and 

fresh flowers. Tradition 

required the couple to 

keep the arrangement in 

their bedroom for three 

days. 

Relatives and 

friends tied pieces of 

white string holding 

money around the wrist of 

JAPANESE 

From Page G1 

the bride and groom to 

wish them good luck. The 

string bracelets were kept 

on for three days to benefit 

from the good luck 

bestowed. 

The Burtenshaws then 

were led to the bridal bed 

and found an elderly couple 

waiting to greet them. 

The idea is that the couple 

is evidence of a long and 

successful marriage. The 

bed was decorated with 

flowers. 

A reception for the 

entire village and relatives 

was held in the evening. 

Family members and 

friends prepared food for 

the reception the previous 

day. Both the bride and 

groom spoke to the wedding 

guests. The day’s 

events were conducted in 

Thai and translated into 

English. 

The couple spent two 

weeks in Thailand on 

their honeymoon. They 

were accompanied by the 

bride’s mother and sister, 

a friend and another relative. 

The groom said he 

was “amazed” at the country 

and its traditions. 

24 Months 

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SINCE 1970 

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Downtown 

361 A Street • Idaho Falls 

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There’s plenty 

of upscale 

options nearby 

By Margaret Wimborne 

For Brides 

While some brides are 

couting the best recepion 

centers, interviewing 

aterers and listening to 

udition tapes from area 

ands, you’re still searchng 

for the perfect setting. 

Not content with anyhing 

ordinary, you’ve 

lways dreamed of a destiation 

wedding in a place 

hat is as unique and speial 

as you and your 

room. For many, that 

eans a beautiful resort 

n some tropical locale 

omplete with a white, 

andy beach and palm 

rees. 

That may not be feasile, 

especially with 

oday’s economy, but 

hat’s no reason to give up 

n the idea. You live in 

ne of the world’s most 

eautiful places and there 

re inspiring mountains, 

eautiful lakes and goreous 

wineries within just 

few miles of Idaho Falls. 

The key to making a 

estination wedding speial 

is picking a place that 

eflects your individuality 

nd style. 

“(Couples) are often 

oming to a destination 

hat spoke to them or 

layed a role in their 

ourtship,” said Kim 

offman, marketing 

irector of the Four 

easons Jackson Hole, a 

uxury resort that helps 

lans many wedding 

eceptions for couples that 

arry in the shadow of 

he Tetons. 

There’s no shortage of 

affordable destinations 

nearby. 

If it’s classic Americana 

that you love, catch an 

Allegiant flight to Las 

Vegas for a four-day getaway, 

either staying at a 

classic strip hotel like the 

Flamingo or something 

new and hip. If you truly 

want to celebrate Vegas 

style, get married in a 

wedding chapel, which 

can now arrange everything 

from a quick ceremony 

to an elaborate 

reception. 

If it’s a beach you want 

and you’re willing to forgo 

the palm trees, there are 

any number of mountain 

lakes with sandy beaches 

that can make the perfect 

backdrop for your vows. 

Redfish Lake, in the 

Sawtooth National Forest, 

for example, has several 

beautiful spots and the 

lodge staff can help with 

everything from food to 

flowers. 

Idaho’s wine country, 

in Idaho’s Snake River 

Valley, is becoming more 

and more popular with 

many brides. 


Fairy-tale wedding settings 

Photo courtesy Woodriver Cellars 

Idaho's wine country is becoming more popular with brides looking for a stylish destination 

wedding that’s still close to home. Woodriver Cellars in Eagle offers beautiful 

grounds, gorgeous bridal quarters and intimate dinners with wine tastings in the 

barrel room. 

Photo courtesy Fairytaleweddingphoto.com 

The Grand Tetons form a magnificent backdrop for any 

wedding, according to Jackson Hole photographer Trish 

Henning, as shown in this photo taken at historic Mormon 

Row. 

138BRA0123 

Wineries are the perfect 

place for someone 

looking for an outdoor 

wedding in a beautiful 

place, said Rod 

Dearmondo, director of 

sales at Woodriver Cellars 

in Eagle. 

In the summer, 

Woodriver’s grounds are 

abloom with roses and 

other beautiful flowers. In 

autumn, there’s fall 

foliage. And, any time of 

year, there’s a meandering 

stream, a waterfall and 

archways decorated with 

vegetation. 

“It’s for anyone who 

wants a stunning place,” 

said Dearmondo, who said 

the winery can easily 

arrange a wine tasting for 

the rehearsal dinner and 

handle anything from an 

intimate dinner in the barrel 

room to a sit-down dinner 

for 200 for the reception. 

If you want something 

a little more rustic and 

outdoorsy, there’s always 

Yellowstone or Grand 

Teton national parks. The 

historic Mammoth Chapel 

in the northeast corner of 

the park is the setting for 

at least 50 weddings a 

year and some couples 

marry on the boardwalks 

near Old Faithful. In 

Grand Teton National 

Park, about 30 weddings 

take place every year in 

the Chapel of Transfiguration 

and countless others 

take place at 

Schwabacher Landing. 

The Tetons make an 

incredible backdrop, and 

Jackson has a wide variety 

of options so you’re 

sure to find somewhere 

for the rehearsal dinner 

and reception that will fit 

your budget. And, there’s 

so much to do, you won’t 

have trouble keeping the 

wedding party entertained. 

If you’re looking for a 

truly extraordinary experience, 

there’s the Four 

Seasons Jackson Hole at 

the base of the mountains. 

A resort with the Four 

Seasons’ reputation – it’s 

Wyoming’s only fivestar/five 

diamond resort – 

guarantees a bride won’t 

have to worry about any 

of the details on her big 

day. 

“There’s a level of service 

that comes with that,” 

Hoffman said. “The bride 

can just enjoy her day.” 

The resort can organize 

everything from large 

gatherings to intimate dinners, 

customizing everything 

to ensure it’s special. 

If you’re looking for 

something a little simpler, 

consider Grand Targhee 

Resort in Teton Valley. The 

resort can help brides 

plan a quiet family wedding 

or a grand gathering. 

And, Grand Targhee has 

the added benefit of having 

lodging, catering and 

those magnificent Tetons 

onsite so there won’t be 

much to coordinate. 

So, there’s no reason 

you can’t have a beautiful 

destination wedding without 

the long days of travel. 

O’Callahan’s 

Catering 

LUNCHEONS 

UNCHEONS 

RECEPTIONS 

ECEPTIONS 

WEDDINGS EDDINGS 

SPECIAL PECIAL EVENTS VENTS 

at the Shilo or on Location 


A moveable wedding feast 

Planning is a critical part of every wedding, but 

arranging a wedding far from home takes a 

whole other level of organization. Here are some 

things to think about: 

n Save The Date. If you’re planning a destination wedding, 

you’ll want to share the good news with family 

and friends as soon as possible so they have plenty 

of time to make travel arrangements. 

n Plan, Plan, Plan. If you’re organizing an out-of-town, 

you’ll be trying to arrange a lot of the logistics – photos, 

flowers, food, tuxedos, transportation and entertainment 

– over the phone. To make things a little 

easier, take advantage of the services many resorts 

offer, and work with reputable companies that won’t 

let you down. 

n Off season. If you’ve chosen to wed in a resort town, 

but are on a tight budget, think about scheduling the 

festivities during the off season when you can often 

get discounts on lodging. 

n Use the web. Go online and research your options. 

There’s an abundance of information online, including 

websites devoted to different kinds of destination 

weddings; lists of caterers, photographers and florists 

that serve certain areas; pricing options; as well as 

sample menus and photos of everything from reception 

halls to table settings to bridal bouquets. 

Photo courtesy Fairytaleweddingphoto.com 

The luxurious Four Seasons Jackson Hole helps plan 

receptions for couples who come to be married in the 

shadow of the Tetons. 

R E S T A U R A N T 

780 Lindsay Boulevard • Idaho Falls, ID • (208) 523-4318 

386OCA0123

Sunday, Jan. 23, 2010 BRIDES OF 2011 

PLANNING FOR AN 

OUTDOOR WEDDING 


For Brides 

Many brides select a 

traditional indoor church 

service, but the sky’s the 

limit for planning an outdoor 

wedding – weather 

permitting, of course. 

Mary Marshall of 

Idaho Falls was married 

at the base of a hot air 

balloon and then rode 

into the blue skies of 

Driggs, Idaho, with her 

husband Chuck and the 

Reverend Leonard 

Wallace, the wedding officiator. 

“Our marriage got 

off the ground as it should 

have,” she said. 

The couple was married 

July 6, 1985. She was 

a waitress and was telling 

one of her customers 

about her wedding plans. 

The Coca-Cola representative 

volunteered to 

sponsor the event with a 

balloon ride. 

“After we kissed, the 

fire in the balloon was lit, 

and we took off the 

ground and floated by the 

Teton Mountains. The 

ride was so peaceful. A 

gust of wind caught us as 

we were landing, but the 

pilot maneuvered the balloon 

around the fence. 

Our minister, who we had 

to persuade to join us for 

the ride, jumped out the 

first chance he got.” The 

Marshalls attend frequently 

the annual Hot 

Air Balloon Festival in 

Driggs held during the 

July 4 celebrations. 

On the other hand, 

Idaho Falls residents 

Glenn and Emma Jane 

Nelson attended a wedding 

ceremony conducted 

in a hot air balloon. “We 

By Desirai Schild 

For Brides 

The recession may be 

he reason more brides 

re planning elegant back 

ard weddings. 

“I don’t want to say 

hat’s the cause,” said 

nna Smith, owner of 

ignature Party Rental for 

he past seven years. “But, 

e are seeing an increase 

n back yards weddings 

nd I have to think these 

inancial times are making 

eople more money concious. 

They seem to be 

oing more for themselves 

nd less renting reception 

alls or ballrooms for 

heir event.” 

Smith stocks the physial 

necessities for a weding, 

ranging from tents 

o silverware. The variety 

of tents ranges from 400 

to 4,000 square feet. The 

cost of an average-sized 

wedding tent is about 

$800. Heaters are available 

for rental in the winter, 

too. 

“The tents provide protection 

from the weather, 

be it heat in the summer, 

cold in the winter or wind 

and rain,” Smith said. “We 

come in, set up the tents 

and return to remove 

them when the event is 

over. Tents are the only 

thing we always set up 

but we are available to 

deliver, set up and take 

down all the rental items. 

couldn’t hear a thing,” 

they recalled. 

Alipio and Ashley 

Amaral of Idaho Falls 

married in a barn at the 

7N Ranch in Ririe June 2, 

2010. The barn was decorated 

with bird cages collected 

from around the 

world. Robbi and Sammi 

Corrington of Pocatello 

chose to be married in the 

Changing Seasons 

Nursery in Pocatello last 

July. 

Christian and Carrie 

Shull of Idaho Falls 

selected Kate Curley Park 

in Idaho Falls as the site of 

their wedding reception. 

The live music attracted 

neighborhood residents 

who formed a circle 

around the reception to 

enjoy the festivities. 

Neighborhood dogs also 

joined in the celebration. 

Another Idaho Falls 

couple, Ryan and Lynette 

Carter, attended a wedding 

ceremony performed 

in Kolob Canyon, located 

in the northwest section of 

Zion National Park. The 

pair, Ed and Gina 

Ginouves, were both geologists 

working for the 

Bureau of Land Management. 

They met while 

working on a geological 

dig. The Colorado Plateau 

region of the park is noted 

for its colorful beauty and 

diverse landscape. 

Idaho Falls photographer 

Aimee Powell, owner 

of Expressions by Aimee, 

photographed a wedding 

held at the Euphrussi De 

Rothschild in Cap Ferrat, 

France, a small peninsula 

on the Mediterranean Sea 

near Ville Franche Ser 

Mer. The wedding was 

It just depends on what 

the family wants.” 

Other rental items 

include tables and chairs, 

wrought iron backdrops 

and arches, shepherd’s 

hooks to mark the aisles 

or hang candles, table settings, 

linen, flatware, chafing 

dishes, fountains for 

beverages and chocolate, 

punch bowls and a variety 

of silk floral arrangements. 

“We tell people to never 

plan for a chocolate fountain 

outside,” Smith said. 

“One gust of wind and 

there’s a curtain of chocolate 

everywhere. Also, 

bugs are a concern.” 

The all important floral 

arrangements also are the 

customer’s choice. 

held at 8 in the evening 

overlooking the Mediterranean 

and looking directly 

into the sunset. The 

reception was held on the 

Euphrussi De Rothschild 

grounds with a fivecourse 

meal. Both the 

bride and groom are from 

California and chose to 

have a destination wedding. 

They both love 

France, beaches, and 

wine. 

Marvin Harper, formerly 

a bishop in the Church 

“We have many silk 

floral arrangements,” 

Smith said. “People can 

choose some of them, 

order other silk arrangements 

or get a florist to do 

live arrangements. We can 

put the arrangements in 

the backdrops and on the 

tables or they can do it 

themselves. They decide 

how much or how little 

they want to do.” 

Most people come in 

several months in advance 

and give Smith an idea of 

what they have in mind. 

The consultation is free. 

“We try to help people 

realize their visions,” 

Smith said. “Some people 

know exactly what they 

want. Others just have a 

vague idea and we help 

of Jesus Christ of Latterday 

Saints in Blackfoot, 

conducted a wedding suspended 

by ropes in the 

City of Rocks. The couple, 

avid rock-climbers, was 

also suspended. 

Douglas and Pam 

Hagrman were married in 

the Chapel of the Pines in 

Swan Valley. Family and 

friends accompanied the 

newlyweds on a honeymoon 

to Yellowstone 

National Park. The groom 

was from Idaho Falls and 

Need silverware or a giant tent? Rent it 

Photo courtesy Signature Party Rental 

A tent can take some of the uncertainty out of an outdoor 

wedding, and are available with heaters for winter 

or cold weather use. 

Photos courtesy Deanna Johnson, A Day to Adore Photography 

Alipio and Ashley Amaral of Idaho Falls selected a barn 

as their wedding site. They were married at the 7N 

Ranch in Ririe June 2, 2010. 

create the reality. We recommend 

starting a minimum 

of three months 

before the event and suggest 

five to six in the summer. 

That’s when the most 

popular items are rented 

out and we don’t want to 

have what someone needs 

already rented out and 

unavailable.” 

Backyard weddings 

tend to reflect the personalities 

and ideas of the 

people hosting the event. 

“People really like to 

use their own creativity to 

make the event something 

special to them,” Smith 

said. “We love to help 

them do that, with our 

rentals, and our experience. 

It’s a good combination.” 

Ready To Take 

Action? 

the bride from Syracuse, 

N.Y. The bride and her 

family wanted to visit the 

park and southern Utah 

so the 12 family and 

friends from NY joined 

the couple for a few days 

before traveling to Utah. 

The Loveland Ski Area 

near Loveland, Colo., is 

sponsoring its 20th annual 

Marry Me and Ski for 

Free Mountaintop 

Matrimony on Valentine’s 

Day. The ceremony is a 

“mass wedding” performed 

for all couples at 

the same time and lasts 

about 30 minutes. All participants 

and guests ski or 

snowboard down from the 

12,050 foot elevation for a 

casual party with cake, 

music and prizes. 

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Lindy Photography/Courtesy of WoodRiver Cellars 

Beautiful gardens, perhaps with a water feature like a 

stream or a waterfall, can make the perfect backdrop for 

any outdoor wedding ceremony, and gorgeous wedding 

photos to help you savor those memories forever. 

Roibbi and Sammi 

Corrington of Pocatello 

chose a nursery setting 

to exchange their vows, 

at the Changing Seasons 

Nursery in July. 

Call now for next 

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Two convenient locations 

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208.522.1345 

457FAL0123 

850IDA0123 

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For Brides 

The food served at a 

edding is as important 

nd individual as the 

lothing and decorations. 

“People want to serve 

omething unique and 

un,” said Debbie 

rantzen, The Prepared 

antry, Rigby. “Wedding 

oods go in trends. One 

ig one we are seeing this 

ear is crepes. In fact, 

eople are setting up 

repe bars at the recepion. 

We are not seeing as 

any canapés as we used 

o. People seem to go for 

he sweet stuff more, like 

repes.” 

One part of the 

entable bar has someone 

ooking the crepes. 

uests get crepes, then 

elp themselves to a varity 

of fillings and toppings 

t the other end of the bar. 

The Prepared Pantry 

ells crepe mix, fillings 

nd rents the crepe bars 

nd other necessities. 

“Fruit fillings seem to 

e the most popular,” 

rantzen said. “Guests 

eem to enjoy making 

heir own crepes.” 

Another popular trend 

s cupcakes. 

“I’ve already had peole 

ordering cupcakes for 

heir weddings this year,” 

aid Madelyn Luthy, 

wner of Love At First 

ite. “A lot of people will 

ave a wedding cake just 

or looks and cupcakes to 

at. Others just want a 

iered cupcake arrangeent 

instead of a wedding 

ake.” 

Luthy said the two 

ost popular wedding 

upcake flavors this year 

re red velvet and “better 

han forever.” 

“That is based on the 

(800) 233-9336 

“better-than-sex cake,” 

Luthy said. “It is chocolate 

cake, soaked in sweetened, 

condensed milk, 

topped with a vanilla butter 

cream frosting, sprinkled 

with toffee bits and 

drizzled with chocolate 

and caramel sauces.” 

Sometimes people 

request filled cupcakes. 

“The most popular is 

probably the banana 

cream pie filled cupcake,” 

Luthy said. “The other is 

the snowball filled cupcake, 

based on Hostess 

Snoballs.” 

She said the average 

wedding usually orders 

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about 200 cupcakes. 

Luthy’s mother, Julie 

Richardson, shares store 

space with her daughter 

but specializes in hand 

made chocolates. 

“People like to order 

chocolate and cream-filled 

truffles for weddings,” 

Luthy said. “They have us 

put one each in a little box 

or bag and they set it 

beside the guest’s plate.” 

Another popular wedding 

sweet is individual 

tiramisu. 

“We make individual 

tiramisus and put them in 

those little plastic champagne 

glasses,” Luthy 


Individual tiramisu cups, cupcakes (cherry cordial, blueberry above) and crepes are popular wedding foods in the area right now. 

356IDA0123 

said. “They look very elegant 

and taste great. 

“People also buy a lot 

of my mom’s chocolate, 

caramel dipped pretzels. 

She does a lot of catering 

for weddings and other 

special events. She has 

great ideas for unique 

food,” Luthy added. 

Both do custom cupcake 

toppers and other 

# 3 

2030 Jennie Lee Drive 

decorations out of fondant. 

Luthy and Richardson 

ask for several days’ 

notice before an event. 

“We have a lot of creative 

ideas,” Luthy said. 

“And, we love a challenge. 

If somebody can think of 

it, we can probably do it. 

Right now, the newest 

cupcakes I’m doing are a 

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FOOD: Menu reflects the personalities of the new couple 

Photos courtesy The Prepared Pantry and Love At First Bite 

Reception treats can lend insight to the newlyweds’ personalities 

through their favorite foods, such as doughnuts 

(above), cordials and and handmade chocolates 

(right). 

Wedding food 

& instruction 

n Love At First Bite 

Madelyn Luthy and 

Chocolate Box 

Creations 

Julie Richards 

901 Pier View Drive 

Idaho Falls 

522-7788 

nThe Prepared Pantry 

2 N. Landmark 

Lane, Rigby 

Phone: 1-866-745- 

7892 or (208) 

745-7892. (The 

cooking facility is 

located between 

Idaho Falls and 

Rigby, one half mile 

east of Highway 20 

on County Line 

Road (The big 

brown building with 

the copper roof). 

pancakes-and-bacon cupcake 

and a chocolate cupcake 

with cayenne pepper 

to give it a little kick at the 

end. My personal favorite 

is probably the filled 

peanut butter cup cupcake. 

But, obviously, we’ll 

try anything.” 

Some weddings at I.F. 

venue don’t adhere to 

Victorian traditions 



Some out of the ordinary 

events have taken 

place at The Grand 

Victorian Wedding and 

Reception Parlor in Idaho 

Falls. 

A Camelot-style dress 

was worn by a bride 

whose cake was decorated 

like a castle, complete 

with a drawbridge and 

horse-drawn carriage, said 

Susan Cummings, coordinator 

at the reception center. 

Another bridal couple 

chased each other all the 

way around the hall after 

cutting the cake. “It was 

quite a mess,” she 

recalled. Music for one 

wedding was provided by 

adults playing recorders. 

A member of the wedding 

party was also a member 

of the musical group. 

One wedding featured 

bridesmaids wearing leopard 

print dresses. The 

bride’s shoes were a leopard 

print. Another wedding 

in the planning 

stages will have bridesmaids 

in zebra print 

dresses. 

Babes in arms have 

served as ring bearers 

during some ceremonies.



For Brides 

The Sugar Shell offers 

expert instruction to help 

someone make their own 

or someone else’s wedding 

cake. 

“We have classes here 

for beginning, intermediate 

and advanced cake-makers,” 

said Amy Marsh, 

Sugar Shell owner. “The 

beginning classes are for 

people wanting to make 

birthday cakes for their 

family. The advanced class 

is where you learn to lay 

fondant on a cake.” 

Fondant is an edible, 

Play-Doh-like material that 

is commonly rolled out and 

laid over the top of butter 

cream icing on a wedding 

cake. 

“Our fondant is made by 

Satin Ice,” Marsh said. “It is 

top of the line and tastes 

really good. Not all fondants 

are that tasty. We use 

Satin Ice in all our lessons 

that require fondant.” 

Classes are held 

September through May, at 

six week intervals. All are 

hands-on, with students 

actively decorating cakes 

under Marsh’s supervision. 

“Sometimes people take 

the classes and make the 

wedding cake because they 

want to cut costs,” marsh 

said. “Others do it because 

they really enjoy cake decorating.” 

A traditional three-tiered 

edding cake would cost 

bout $390, Marsh said. 

he classes cost $35 for 

eginner, $40 for intermedite 

and $45 for advanced. 

he supplies cost between 

100 and $150. Classes 

otal 18 weeks. 

“Sometimes people start 

ut and decide they just 

ant to make birthday 

akes,” Marsh said. “A few 

iscover a real talent and 

o on to make cakes for 

ther people. We usually 

nd up being friends.” 

She said the only way 

or someone to know if they 

njoy making wedding 

akes is to try. 

“Start with lots of 

atience,” Marsh said. 

And, have fun.” 

The joy of cake-making 

s not for everyone. 

“Sometimes I’ll get a call 

Why be ordinary… 

When you can be 

from someone who will say 

they realize they are in over 

their heads and they want 

me to just make the cake 

for them,” Marsh said. 

“That’s fine, too. Making 

wedding cakes is not for 

everyone but those interested 

should at least give it a 

try.” 

Of course, some people 

start out knowing they 

don’t want to make their 

own cake. They contact 

someone like Lynn Winter, 

Sugerbakers, www.sugarbakersidaho.com. 

She specializes 

in custom, homemade 

wedding cakes. 

“I’m really seeing two 

trends,” said Lynn Winter, 

Sugerbakers owner. “One is 

toward a much more soft, 

traditional cake. The other 

is a good-tasting cake. I 

make my cakes with real 

butter and such things and 

that seems to be attracting 

more people who actually 

want to serve the wedding 

cake. It used to be that 

there were other offerings 

and the cake was not eaten. 

This year, brides are selecting 

something that they 

want to serve their guests.” 

The cakes of 2010 were 

loud and flamboyant. 

“There were neon colors 

and lots of polka dots last 

year,” Winter said. “This 

year, it’s soft pinks and 

beiges, piping, lots of sugar 

flowers. Very old fashioned 

and traditional.” 

The all-time favorite is 

red velvet cake. 

“What I never see anymore 

is sheet cakes,” 

Winter said. “However, 

cupcakes are still very popular. 

They were very hot 

last year and seem to be 

again. But, they have to 

taste good.” 

Angela Sievers 

Graduate gemologist 

Registered insurance appraiser 

Interest free financing • Lay away available 

430 Park Ave. • Downtown Idaho Falls 

(208) 523-0867 

575LEE0123 


PUTTING THE ICING ON 

THE CAKE 

Photos courtesy Sugar Shell 

Distinctive custom-designed wedding cakes illustrate the importance of a beautiful cake 

in adding elegance to the wedding festivities. This year most cakes are intended to 

be eaten by the wedding guests, while in past years the cake was more for show only. 

Should you buy one from a 

decorator or make your own? 

Sugar Shell 

Amy Marsh, owner 

3195 N. Yellowtone 

Highway, Idaho Falls 

Phone: 522-3475 

Sugarbakers 

Lynn Winter, owner 

Phone: 317-7769 

E-mail: 

sugarbakersidaho.com 

A popular cake style 

this year is more 

old-fashioned and 

traditional, with lots 

of sugar flowers 

(inset). 

Photos courtesy 

Sugarbakers 

• Weddings 

• Wedding 

Planning 

• Receptions 

• Luncheons 

• Dinners 

• Special 

Events 

• On-Site 

Catering 

Located along the beautiful Snake River 

Everything right where w you need it. 


208.522.9500 

632COM0123



For Brides 

“Labor of love” is a 

ood term to apply to peole 

who landscape their 

ntire property for a backard 

wedding. With 

emphasis on the Labor. 

Edith Morris spent 

nearly a year preparing 

for her granddaughter’s 

wedding at her farm 

between American Falls 

and Aberdeen. 

“The kids picked out a 

spot where the old spud 

cellar used to be and 

where we had old machinery 

parked,” Morris said. 

“It was probably about 

eight feet wide by 60 feet 


long. They told me this in 

the fall when they started 

planning their wedding 

for the next August. 

The first thing Morris 

did was plant grass over 

the area. 

“Lawn is hard to get 

started,” she said. “I did a 

lot of watering, fertilizing 

and praying.” 

She chose a rainbow 

theme. 

“I planted the taller 

866BIN0123 


Lots of love – and labor – in preparing your back yard for a wedding 

flowers in back and went 

to gradually shorter ones 

in the front, simulating the 

colors of the rainbow,” she 

said. “In the center, I had a 

berm planted with petunias 

and alyssum. They 

smelled so wonderful.” 

Morris started out 

planting seeds and eventually 

bought a lot of 

plants, too. 

“I planted the seeds 

and then got nervous that 

it wouldn’t be enough,” 

she said. “I started buying 

plants to fill in. When the 

stores had their spring 

clearance on plants, I 

bought up everything I 

could get my hands on 

and found a use for it.” 

The whole family was 

pleased with the results. 

“It was beautiful,” 

Morris said. “But, it was a 

lot of work. You really 

need to plan how you 

want the finished product 

to look, then put in the 

plants that will do that. It’s 

a big undertaking.” 

Shannon Koch, 

Pocatello, has already 

started her labor of love 

for her son’s August 

reception at her farm near 

Inkom. Her son, Jeremy 

Simpson, and his fiancé, 

Miranda Oliver, delighted 

Koch by asking to have 

their reception on her 

farm next summer. They 

will be married in Belize 

in February in a small, private 

ceremony. 

“I was so excited when 

Miranda asked me,” Koch 

said. “She didn’t want a 

particular color scheme or 

theme so I’m just going 

for as much color and fragrance 

as I can.” 

Koch started creating 

flower beds and planting 

seeds and bulbs as soon 

as she got the request. 

The plan calls for flowing 

beds of brightly colored, 

fragrant flowers surrounding 

the entire yard. 

Lights are a big theme. 

“I’m so glad they let me 

know that far in advance,” 

she said. “I was able to 

buy up a bunch of solar 

lights at the end of last 

summer for a really good 

price ... They will be sort 

of like tiki torches around 

the whole back yard 

area.” 

“I’ve bought up a 

bunch of white, twinkly 

lights that will be draped 

on the edges of the pathway 

between the field we 

will use as a parking lot 

and yard areas where all 

the events will be happening.” 

Koch has planted 

“tons” of trees and shrubs 

as a screen across the 

front of the house. 

“We’ll have a big screen 

set up there and will run a 

loop of Miranda and 

Jeremy’s wedding on the 

beach and clips from their 

entire trip to Belize so the 

guests can see the wedding,” 

she said. “Around 

the back, we are buying 

two outdoor tents that will 

be put together for form 

an L. That’s where the 

band will be.” 

Koch, a manager at 

New Day Products and 

Resources, is purchasing 

several pieces of wooden 

furniture made there. 

“There will be several 

areas, all surrounded by 

trees and flowers, where 

people can group and sit,” 

she said. “They can 

choose the atmosphere 

they enjoy most from the 

band location and tents to 

a kitchen-like area to sitting 

around the firepit and 

the pond we made for 

this.” 

All the tables will be 

decorated with large 

bowls edged in fresh flowers 

and holding floating 

candles. 

“I keep hitting all the 

thrift stores looking for 

the right bowls and other 

accessories that will 

enhance the reception,” 

Koch said. “I’m glad they 

gave me a year to get this 

ready because I find new 

stuff to add to the plan 

every day. Since they don’t 

have a theme or colors, 

my goal will be to have 

tons and tons of fragrant 

flowers, plants and unusual 

lights.”

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