A Romantic Lakeside Wedding at Shore Lodge in McCall, Idaho

Amanda Iseri (31 and in business development) met Anish Bhasin (35 and a designer at Facebook) through friends in San Francisco. After a few dates and karaoke sessions, the two were inseparable. “I knew any guy who would belt out Whitney Houston with me had to be quite special—or at least really fun,” Amanda says. For their wedding, their couple chose Shore Lodge in McCall, Idaho—a beloved childhood vacation spot for Amanda—for its bountiful beauty. “The natural landscape of McCall and Payette Lake was our main inspiration,” says Amanda, who developed an earthy blue and green palette with splashes of gold. For their ceremony overlooking Payette Lake, the two exchanged vows under a wedding arch made with sea glass, driftwood and dozens of paper cranes, a Japanese tradition honoring Amanda’s roots. At the on-site reception, the newlyweds surprised their 137 guests (Anish’s Indian relatives, in particular) with a carefully choreographed traditional bhangra dance. “My husband’s family was blown away and so excited,” says Amanda, who also made efforts to highlight local cuisine. “Everything from the decor to the menu and specialty drinks were carefully thought out to show our guests the best aspects of the locale.” This included lamb meatballs and seared halibut. “Think of it as your party with all your friends, family and loved ones from all parts of your life in the same night,” Amanda says. “Also, I highly recommend hiring a videographer for your big day. Being able to relive our special day has been really fun, plus they caught moments we weren’t able to see.” —Carolyn Meers