Groom portrait in front of ceremony arch

Idyllic Fall Wedding at Deer Flat Ranch in Nampa, Idaho

Spending the day at one of the area’s coolest venues on a beautiful Idaho fall day sounds like a pretty great way to spend a Saturday, if you ask me. And add in a big group of rad people? I’m sold. Abby and Dawson’s wedding was a wildly fun one, from start to finish there wasn’t a dull moment.

I knew from the vibe of their engagements that their wedding day was going to insanely cool. When Abby & I had met to talk about details and planning I was so stoked to see her visions come to life. They chose the most perfect details for the day, nothing was missed! From wedding newspapers to a kickass reception wall made up entirely of black & white images of them, they had everything nailed down. One of the coolest aspects of being a part of the wedding planning process is to hear all of the ideas and then show up the day of and finally see them made into reality.

A few of my personal favorite moments from the day: Dawson seeing Abby for the first time walking down the aisle - I love that this traditional first look is coming back!; their re-entrance dance after Abby’s reception outfit change - there was swing dancing, dips and even flips, it was outstanding; and the few minutes we snuck away for sunset photos, we didn’t have much time with the lighting that day but the few minutes we snagged were so fun!

Venue: Deer Flat Ranch | | Coordinator: Hannah Ingraham | | Caterer: Life’s Kitchen | | DJ: DJ Jesse D | | Bakery: A Lively Chef | | Bride’s Dress: Kate’s Bridal Cottage | | Groom’s Suit: Men’s Warehouse | | Hair: Styles by Alyssa | | Makeup: Makeup by Aileen | | Florals: House of Poppy Florals || |

Dance Floor Rental: DJ Johnny Utah | | Plate Rentals: Idaho Tents & Events

A few notes from Abby about their day:

It’s hard to pick one favorite part of the day, I loved just spending time with my new husband and my bridal party after the ceremony, right before the reception. Or having alone time with my husband during the reception, we went and sat outside just us two, to reflect on the day.

We liked the modern vibe of Deerflat Ranch, and that it was plain enough that we could decorate it how we want but still beautiful as it is. We wanted an outside ceremony and inside reception and our venue allowed us to do that.

Their advice to couples currently planning their wedding:

Give yourself more time to get ready than you think you need!!! Whatever you’re thinking, add time. Just relax and take in the day, this day is about you and your husband, not your guests. Don’t leave each other’s side the whole day and don’t sweat the little things.

Madi is THE BEST photographer, she has done multiple photoshoots for me and I would never trust anyone else to capture our day like I trust her!! Also, BOOK YOUR VENDORS WAY IN ADVANCE!!!!

More About the Day…

Like Abby said above, Deerflat ranch is so cool because of the versatility of the multiple spaces they have. There is a gorgeous outdoor area in the trees that is so perfect for an outdoor ceremony, and then their indoor space is equally stunning. With all of the glass garage doors, there is ample natural lighting throughout the day. The area & space itself is modern and simple, yet beautiful. You don’t have to do a ton of decorating for it to be wedding-ready. But with it being a simple space it’s almost a clean slate for any kind of decorating you have in mind! The versatility of this venue is almost unmatched in the area. Also, it’s just a short ride down to the beach of Lake Lowell, which is perfect for sunset photos.

Weather permitting, the grove of trees right outside the main venue building is the perfect spot for a ceremony and I love the simple decorating Abby & Dawson did. And my jaw dropped when I saw their all-white floral arch!! It framed the end of aisle perfectly and didn’t overwhelm the natural scenery of the landscape. It easily accommodates intimate weddings or larger guest lists.

Now if you are imagining more of a cozy indoor reception with a warm, inviting ambience then you are also in luck. The indoor reception space on its own fits the vibe, but when you add in the countless candles that Abby & Dawson did? That cozy, inviting ambience is amplified 100x. Even with their large guest count, the reception felt so close and intimate. I remember listening to the speeches while watching the candles flicker and it added to the emotion of the moment and just made it feel so, so special. But when it was time to get the part started? There was already ample space to get into dancing without having to shuffle things around. And man, did they dance! The acoustics in the building for the reception music are top notch.

All of this to say, if you have been considering Deerflat Ranch for your wedding venue, I think you should keep it on your list. The opportunities with this space are endless! And I can’t wait to go back and see what else can be done there. So let me know your date and let’s get to brainstorming your day!