Mackay, Idaho is one of those places that just stops you in your tracks. Every time I visit, I catch myself saying out loud, “Wow, this place is unreal.” Towering mountain peaks, including Idaho’s tallest, Borah Peak, stand like quiet giants watching over a valley that feels untouched and perfectly rugged. The farmland stretches endlessly in every direction, and the views? They’re the kind that make you want to take a deep breath and stay a while.

That’s exactly what Scott and Shasta did. They made this incredible little pocket of Idaho their home and then they made it their wedding venue.

Yes, that view you see in the photos? That’s their backyard. A literal million-dollar backdrop where they said “I do,” surrounded by friends, family, laughter, and more love than most people experience in a lifetime. As an Idaho Wedding Photographer, I’ve shot weddings in some stunning locations, but this one felt different. This one felt homegrown—the kind of day that doesn’t need a fancy venue because the love and story behind it are already beautiful.

Now let me tell you a bit about the couple.

Scott and Shasta are the kind of people who make you feel like family instantly. Shasta is funny, kind, and doesn’t take herself too seriously especially when there’s a White Claw in hand. (Which, by the way, was often. At one point I’m pretty sure we were all wondering when the sponsorship announcement was coming.) And Scott? He’s calm, grounded, and totally smitten with her. It’s obvious.

Wedding days can be unpredictable. As a photographer, I walk in with a timeline, gear, backup gear, a smile, and absolutely zero expectations. And even when I know the couple personally, the day always brings surprises. Scott and Shasta’s wedding? No exception.

Shasta spent the morning getting ready with her daughters, laughter echoing through the house. The mood was light and happy and then came the surprise of a lifetime. Her daughter Lexy, who lives in Japan with her husband, wasn’t expected to be there. But she was. She showed up and made Shasta’s day go from special to unforgettable. Cue the tears.

And then came the rain.

You’ve heard the superstition, right? Rain on your wedding day is supposed to bring good luck. In some cultures, it symbolizes growth. And if that’s the case, then Scott and Shasta just hit the jackpot. Because not only did it rain—it poured. The kind of downpour that turns tent setups into team efforts and has guests ducking for cover. Their custom arch needed backup. The tent tried to escape. And then came the hail, because why not?

But here's the beautiful thing: not one guest left. Everyone huddled under the awning, laughing, waiting, staying. Shasta? She was tucked away in the bathroom with her kids, sipping a White Claw, laughing, and looking like a total goddess while doing it. That’s just who she is.

When the storm passed, everyone found their seats, the mountains peeked through the clouds again, and Scott took his place. His children and Shasta’s children walked the aisle first, blending their families just as beautifully as they blended their day. And then came Shasta. She looked angelic. Scott cried. (Yes, I got the photo.) It was real and emotional and perfectly imperfect in all the best ways.

Their handwritten vows were tender and genuine. Their kiss sealed the deal. And from there? It was time to party.

The rest of the day was full of backyard fun, good food, yard games, music, and laughter floating in the mountain air. And, of course, more White Claws. I think by the end of the night we’d unofficially dubbed it the “White Claw Wedding of the Year.” I'm still waiting for Shasta to get that brand deal.

I’m so thankful I got to be part of this day. I laughed so much with Shasta and her kids, soaked in the beauty of Mackay, and left feeling like I’d been part of something rare - a love that doesn’t try too hard to impress, because it doesn’t have to.

Scott and Shasta’s backyard wedding was a reminder that love is best when it’s real. Weather won’t ruin that. Mud won’t ruin that. And too many White Claws definitely won’t ruin that.

Cheers to chaos, to love, and to backyard views that beat any ballroom.