Long-time New York metro area resident, Shauna made several trips down to the sunny state of Florida to visit her best friend over the years. Each time Shauna came her bestie would try to set her up to meet a friend named Chris. Unfortunately, he would always have just left on a work trip. Curiousity did get the best of both Chris and Shauna as they would later learn they’d each casually looked each other up on social media thinking the other was cute. But, Shauna figured nothing would come of it because of the distance.

“Over the years, my best friend and I would jokingly call him my boyfriend. And every time I had a bad breakup she would respond, ‘It’s okay because you’re going to marry Chris,’” Shauna says. “Cut to a few years later when he would move up to New York for grad school. Being in the same state, we finally met and the rest, as they say, is history.”

Although the couple enjoys calling the New York Metro area “home,” they had misgivings that a wedding in the city would be affordable in any way. Luckily, Chris had a connection to a quaint property set in the mountains of Idaho.

“Chris’s cousin owns Sweet Water Hollow, a beautiful wedding venue which overlooks the Salmon River,” the bride says. “We thought it would be an adventure of a lifetime for our friends and family to experience the beauty of Idaho.”

When it came to ironing out all the logistics and details, the couple kept it as simple as possible.

“I hired a wedding planner and never looked back,” Shauna says.

Along with planner, Lindsay Rider, the couple recruited Annette of Bellanet Photography to capture the day. Anette paints a picture of Shauna and Chris’s day: “I really loved the bride and groom table, set just for the two of them with some vintage chairs, lanterns and greenery. The couple’s arch, right on the river, had the most amazing flowers garnishing it with a rug down the aisle.”

The city-dwelling couple’s unique riverside venue offered a contrast to the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. The mountain town location paired with a venue offering all the western vibes made for an ideal getaway for Shauna and Chris’s guests.

Ultimately, the serene setting and moody/edgy vibes of the couple’s big day made for a truly unforgettable experience for all!

Vendors: Photographer: Bellanet Photography; Wedding Planner: Lindsay Rider; Venue: Sweet Water Hollow; Florist: Totem Floral Co.; Hair & Makeup: Sugar Tree Hair Salon; Gown Designer: Justin Alexander; Groom’s Clothing Designer: J Crew