1. Real Weddings

Sarah & Zach: An Eco-Friendly Wedding in Sun Valley, Idaho

After hearing all about Sarah from coworker, Zach (with the help of his colleague) arranged to meet her at a barbecue. Although Sarah had no idea abou

After hearing all about Sarah from coworker, Zach (with the help of his colleague) arranged to meet her at a barbecue. Although Sarah had no idea about the top-secret set-up, the two hit it off as Zach's accomplice suspected they would. Sarah and Zach were instant friends. They were together constantly, and romance soon replaced friendship. The Bride Sarah Lyle, 29, interior designer The Groom Zach Latham, 29, hydrologist Date August 16 Avid travelers, Zach and Sarah set out on an 18-day rafting and hiking excursion that would become especially memorable for them both. While hiking through the Grand Canyon, Zach asked Sarah if she would be with him forever. Confused, Sarah asked what Zach meant. He explained that he had used a pay phone to call her father to ask permission to marry her. Then he finally asked, Will you marry me? and Sarah accepted. The couple shared their news with fellow hikers around the campfire that night. When they returned home, Sarah and Zach gathered family and friends to plan an environmentally friendly wedding in their native state of Idaho.

Sarah chose bridesmaid dresses in a vibrant blue silk from Ann Taylor. Each bridesmaid also wore handcrafted earrings by Darleen Meier.
Two of Sarah's close friends grew lavender and mint for the wedding bouquets and centerpieces on their ranch. A local florist added sunflowers to polish off the look. The yellow, purple and green color palette and the mix of herbs and flowers gave a casual, light-hearted look to the arrangements.
Sarah's gown held special sentimental value. She incorporated pieces of her grandmother's 1920s wedding gown with a dress by Jessica McClintock. She wore her hair in a casual side ponytail and added a white dahlia for a touch of whimsy. Zach wore a tan suit from J.Crew made of natural fibers, continuing the couple's eco-chic wedding theme.
Instead of a wedding cake, guests feasted on apple pies made with Sarah's grandfather's recipe. Sarah says friends and family baked for days to make the perfect wedding pies.
To reflect the fun, rustic feel of the day, the bride wore embroidered leather boots under her wedding gown.
To keep the ceremony casual and fun, each bridesmaid wore flip-flops in lieu of heels and carried a bouquet of locally grown sunflowers and lavender. The groomsmen stayed casual but stylish in navy blue jackets with light blue shirts and khaki pants.
Tables were studded with steel pails filled with herbs and flowering plants, including mint, rosemary, parsley, basil, sage, lavender, petunias, mums, oregano, and marjoram. Guests took them home to plant in their own gardens. Mini chalkboards displaying the table numbers finished off the rustic look.
Sarah and Zach were married under an arch of sunflowers and greenery. The Idaho landscape provided stunning natural decor, so little else was needed to decorate the ceremony space. The couple was married by a close friend who wrote an original, personal wedding ceremony just for them.
While guests made their way to the reception, Sarah and Zach spent some time in a beautiful meadow near the ceremony site.
When it came to wedding day transportation, Sarah and Zach made sure they selected something with minimal environmental impact. A horse-drawn wagon rented from a nearby ranch was the perfect choice for the wedding party.
Sarah jarred locally produced honey to give guests a taste of Idaho to take home. The favors reflected Zach and Sarah's eco-chic, homegrown approach to their wedding day.
A live band provided the music for the first dance and kept the atmosphere lively throughout the reception.
A blue and white menu and a sprig of lavender decorated each place setting. Sarah's sister, who owns a stationery company, provided all the paper products (recycled paper, of course!) for the day.