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Proud Pups

Proud Pups “My dogs are my last goodbye and my first hello,” says Jenna Martin, an adoption counselor at Jackson’s Animal Adoption Center whose own AAC rescue dogs, Gunther and Pepper, were necessary witnesses to her and her husband George’s wedding in the fall of 2019. “Over the years, they have been there through thick and thin, and if they weren’t present [on our wedding day], the wedding would not have been complete.”  An already wildly unique community, Jackson Hole locals are equally devoted to their zest for adventure and their four-legged family members. “Whether it’s eating pastries outside of Persephone or hitting up Snow King before work, dogs are always a part of the plan,” says Martin. “When planning a wedding, you ask friends and family from all over the world to join you. So, why would you not invite your most important members to witness this new chapter in your lives?”  Dogs hold so many roles: pseudo-children, companions, and best friends. Whether a dog entered the relationship at the beginning or was a step along the way to the altar, he is as much a part of every couple’s love story as the way it began. But incorporating your furry friend into your special day takes some foresight. First, determine the role your pup will have. Will he or she play dog of honor, flower dog, ring bearer, or honored guest? Then, select a venue that is welcoming to pets—a step that is crucial to a smooth execution.  “We joke that our wedding was not ours, but Gunther and Pepper’s,” Martin says. “From the beginning, we were picking vendors and venues that were pet-friendly.” Doggie Rehearsal It’s important that both your vendors and your pup are familiar with your plan. Prior to the event, give your dog the […]

GROOMSMEN GIFTS THAT DON’T SUCK

GROOMSMEN GIFTS THAT DON’T SUCK A set of chunky beer mugs, booring. ties & a tie clip, do guys still wear these? personalized flasks, good for chilly lift rides, I guess. While traditional groomsmen offerings are an easy go-to, why not commemorate your wedding day (and your best bros’ contributions to it) with something more than cookie-cutter gifts? You’re holding your wedding in the Tetons, after all, with majestic scenery that rivals the backdrop of any worldwide destination. Choosing a present that represents the natural landscape simply involves a trip into one of the region’s artisan shops. There, you’ll find that special something your right-hand men will treasure for a lifetime—or at least break out every time you come to visit. Wander into MADE to sample a squeeze of The Salty Cottage’s “JAC” Pillow. This handcrafted-in-New England throw pillow is made of a 100 percent cotton canvas outer with a wool applique (perfect for rough-and-tumble men). It adds a touch of personality to any man space and is an appropriate gift for both singletons and married dudes. MSRP: $95.00 Idaho native Ben Geisler of Aspen Saddlery grew up surrounded by cowboys, horses, and Western craftsmen of all kinds, fostering his keen leatherworking skill. Geisler’s Dopp Kit—available at Mountain Dandy—is generously sized and made from premium imported leather (just like your favorite saddle). This bag will hold all the necessary men’s toiletries, even while being tossed around like a football. MSRP: $110.00 Those on a budget can stock their pre-wedding float trip boat full of Yeti Rambler Colsters. Much more than a coozie, the lock-and-load feature on this bad boy keeps a 12-ounce can from sliding out and keeps beverages cold nearly all day long. Grab a grip of them at JD High Country Outfitters and stoke out the boys. MSRP: […]

FROM GARDEN TO VASE WITH RED HOUSE FLOWERS

FROM GARDEN TO VASE WITH RED HOUSE FLOWERS In a fast-paced culture aimed at getting what you want when you want it, it’s sometimes hard to slow down enough to make purposeful wedding decisions. Yet, spending time on mindful details—like serving seasonal food, minimizing landfill waste, and attentively choosing your flowers—renders an unforgettable showcase of thought and gesture.  That’s where the intentionality of the slow flower, or field-to-vase, movement comes in. This practice—in which flowers are grown or sourced locally and hand-delivered by the actual farmer—differs from traditional florist offerings, and showcases the alternative ways some farmers and designers approach the wedding industry.  “I compare the slow flower movement to the slow food movement,” explains Katie Knipe, designer for Red House Flowers in Victor, Idaho. “Yet, unlike food, there are very few regulations in the flower industry regarding the use of chemicals and worker conditions. … Choosing flowers [for your wedding] that are local and organically grown shows support for a healthier industry.” Emily Sustick, a former community-supported agriculture farm worker, farm-to-school educator, and co-owner of Red House Flowers, always had an affinity for blooms. “I remember hauling in the veggies and passing by the flower beds at Snowdrift Farms thinking, ‘I wish I was on the flower team.’”  Then, in the winter of 2017, Sustick tore her ACL skiing. Surfing the internet during the resulting couch time, she stumbled across Erin Benzakein of Floret, a small family-operated flower farm in Skagit Valley, Washington. “I was re-inspired,” says Sustick. She bought seeds, grew different flower varieties in her backyard that spring, and brought her collection to the People’s Market in Jackson that same fall. Word got out, causing Knipe, Linn Canyon Ranch’s gardener and designer, to reach out to Emily for flowers for a friend’s wedding. That’s when the light […]

BLEMISH FREE NUPTIALS

BLEMISH FREE NUPTIALS Jackson Hole’s fresh mountain air comes with a trifecta of extremes: dryness, temperature swings, and high-altitude sun exposure. Any one of these elements can have detrimental effects on your skin—especially if you are coming from a coastal locale. Be proactive about protecting your skin with a pre-wedding skincare routine that delivers the perfect day-of glow. Stress Self-CareYour skin is a canvas for stress, showing it in the form of fine lines, red spots, acne, and rashes. You can mitigate these problems, first and foremost, by devoting time to pre-wedding self-care. Incorporate sleep and activity into your weekly routine. Sweating while enjoying the plethora of recreational activities in the Tetons improves circulation to the skin and flushes the body of impurities. And getting plenty of rest before your big day is the least expensive way to avoid undereye bags. Hello, HydrationDrinking water may be the easiest way to hydrate, but it’s not the be-all, end-all when it comes to quenching your body from the inside out. Incorporate hydrating foods into your diet, too, like watermelon, cucumbers, celery, and tomatoes. At Healthy Being Café & Juicery in Jackson you’ll find multiple water-rich ingredients in its cold-pressed juices—especially in its Skin Glow concoction. Finally, when you’re asleep, add moisture to the mountain air with a humidifier.  Keep It SimpleGrace Mahoney, licensed esthetician and owner of Grace Spa in Jackson, recommends a simple daily skincare routine. She finds that people are too aggressive with their regimen—stripping natural oils and resulting in “rashy, flaky, and irritated skin,” she says. For the Teton climate, she recommends using a cleansing milk instead of a gel or foaming soap, both morning and night. Then, apply a day or night cream and an eye cream. The skin around your eyes is thin and sensitive, requiring extra […]

HOSTING A ZERO-WASTE BASH

HOSTING A ZERO-WASTE BASH When string lights are replaced with night sky, natural beauty takes over for cut floral and lace cloths, and solitude awaits future sight-seers, adventure-seekers, and soon-to-be-spouses, how will you return the land you borrow for your wedding day? In 2017, Ashley Watson Wold stepped into Jackson’s wedding scene with similar questions in mind.  After joining the wedding industry and noticing its incredible waste, she opened a small but mighty coordination service. Wild Rose’s “Earth-friendly events” presented a new dimension that Jackson’s wedding and event industry had not yet seen, one that was born not only from Wold’s love of celebrations, but also from a passion for protecting her home. Today, she proves that we can have it all: all the perfect details, that is, with none of the harmful impact. It’s a mission that the Teton region can get behind, as this little community has made major changes proving that “Jackson is too good to waste.” In 2014, Teton County approved the Zero Waste Resolution, and by 2030, via its Road to Zero Waste plan, it hopes to divert 60 percent of the community’s leftovers from landfills.  Weddings and events play a huge role in this plan.  The Huffington Post estimates that in six hours, a wedding of 100 guests generates 400 to 600 pounds of waste, and roadtozerowastejh.org talks about mitigating the effects of “a considerable amount of waste [generated] in a very short time period.” So, we outlined an easy-to-implement green wedding guide—with the help of Wild Rose’s innovative ideas, of course—using Jackson’s Road to Zero Waste initiatives. How to think “green” during planning: 1. Ask yourself: “What’s worth fighting for?” The road to a zero-waste wedding will include detours that take time, potholes that will consume emotional effort, and toll zones that will […]