A Romantic Garden Wedding on a Private Property in Moscow, Idaho

Sarah Bowen and Neil Patel wed on the bride's brother's property in Moscow, Idaho, blending their family traditions into a unique and colorful Western-Indian fusion celebration. Sarah's classic wedding gown combined an A-line skirt with a silky champagne-colored top. Later, she changed into a pink and gold lehenga for dancing. Neil wore an off-white sherwani, while the bridesmaids donned garden party dresses and henna, and the groomsmen sported Indian kurtas. The outdoor lawn ceremony was set in front of a backdrop of mountains and trees. Guests sat on wood benches, and the mandap (built out of logs harvested from the surrounding land) was draped with pink linens. "We used several Indian elements in our otherwise traditional American ceremony," Sarah says. "We said our vows around a fire, lead each other around the fire and wore flower garlands around our neck—all important aspects of Indian weddings." As for decoration, the couple chose bright pinks and oranges that contrasted against the natural greens of the mountains—peonies and roses in shades of red and pink appeared in the bouquets, throughout the centerpieces and on the wedding cake. "We had everyone sitting at banquet tables for the ceremony and reception, so all of the florals had to work together in the same area," Sarah says.  Other memorable elements included a colorful ceremony program with artwork, a pickup accessorized with flowers and signage, and a colorful single-tier wedding cake.