A cozy, intentional wedding in the mountains of idyllwild
There’s something special about weddings in Idyllwild. One, it’s in the mountains (which Tucker and I LOVE). Two, it’s incredibly quiet and immersed in absolute beauty. Three, the couples who choose to do their wedding there are always so so cool! Andrew and Jenna’s wedding was another one of those spot-on epic moments!
As one of the preferred photography vendors for this beautiful venue, we’ve gotten to capture quite a few celebrations here; this one felt especially meaningful. Andrew and Jenna chose our Just the Essentials package, which gives four hours of intentional coverage for couples who care most about the big moments and the people they love.
From the moment guests arrived, you could feel the closeness of the group. It was a smaller, more intimate wedding full of family, laughter, and easy connection. During the reception, Andrew and Jenna shared a short speech that summed up their day perfectly: they said it was actually easy deciding who to invite, because everyone in that room was someone they “do life with.” It was simple, sincere, and such a reflection of who they are.
And then there was Grizzly : their adorable dog, who was very much part of the celebration. He cried through the ceremony because he wanted to be next to his mom (the bride!), which was just about the sweetest thing ever. We got to capture some of our favorite moments of the day with Grizzly, mountain views, and the glow of that perfect post-rain light.
As the sun dipped behind the pines, we wrapped up with golden hour portraits! These backdrops remind us of why we fell in love with storytelling through photo in the first place. The sky cleared after a day of rain, the fall colors popped, and the whole scene was perfect.
Tucker and I also made a weekend out of it! One of the perks of shooting in Idyllwild is that we genuinely love to explore the area! We stayed at the beautiful Tahquitz Retreat Center, woke up to mountain views and hot coffee, went on a quick hike, and ended the trip with breakfast at our favorite local spot, Mama’s Egg House. We always leave Idyllwild feeling refreshed and grateful that we get to do this together : capturing stories that matter, surrounded by creation that speaks to the soul.
We absolutely love working at Idyllwild Weddings and Events, and we’re excited to be back again next weekend. If you’re dreaming of a cozy, intentional mountain wedding surrounded by the people (and pups!) you love most, we’d love to help you tell your story.
