Bobby and Brittany Kaminski.
It has a beautiful ring to it, doesn’t it?
Their wedding day at Sweet Water Hollow in Salmon, Idaho was nothing short of unforgettable. A warm summer afternoon gave way to a celebration that blended rustic country charm with vintage boho elegance, every detail carefully chosen and deeply meaningful. As an Idaho wedding photographer, I’ve seen a lot of stunning weddings, but what made this one so special was the heart behind it.
If you know me, you know I live for the details. Wedding details tell a couple’s story in a quiet, beautiful way, through textures, heirlooms, colors, and the sentimental touches they choose to include. Brittany’s details were extraordinary. The cowboy boots she wore weren’t just for style, they were her dad’s, handcrafted by him in the 1970s and worn with pride. He passed them down to her, and she walked down the aisle in them. He also made her a custom leather bouquet wrap, adding one more thread of connection between them on her wedding day.
Their ceremony took place by the Salmon River, under an arch adorned with antlers and fresh florals a backdrop that was both rugged and romantic. It was the hottest day of the year, and the groomsmen, John Kaminski, Seth Stansbury, Cory Noonan, Jeremy Haddon, and Austin Shaw, endured the heat in their black outfits like true champs (with only minor complaints, of course). The bridesmaids, Kelly Ruddell, Shelley Burch, Jenn Weed, and Aubrie Shaw, walked gracefully across the wooden bridge in shades of teal and plum, a vibrant contrast against the landscape.
One especially touching moment was when Jeremy Haddon carried a bouquet down the aisle in honor of Bobby’s sister, Teresa Kaminski, who had recently passed away. It was a subtle yet deeply emotional gesture that reminded everyone of the love that transcends this life.
Little Natalie Ruddell, the flower girl, led Brittany and her father across the bridge and down the aisle, where Tyrell Stranger, officiant and longtime friend, married the couple in a short and sweet ceremony that every guest appreciated.
Afterward, guests were treated to a backyard BBQ, just the way Brittany envisioned: relaxed, meaningful, and filled with love. Bobby and his family handled the main course while guests loaded up plates with sides, salads, Kinder’s BBQ sauce, and cool drinks. Instead of a traditional cake cutting, Bobby and Brittany chose something unique and symbolic: a branding ceremony using her family’s cattle brand. It was a nod to heritage, roots, and building a life together that’s uniquely theirs.
And then, a moment I’ll never forget - one of those little things that makes a wedding day feel touched by something bigger. As they sat at their sweetheart table, a large, bright yellow butterfly fluttered through the air. After some digging, I believe it was a Western Tiger Swallowtail. It danced around the guests and circled back to Bobby and Brittany again and again. It nearly landed right on their table. Whether you believe in signs or not, I believe that moment was a reminder: our loved ones never really leave us. They show up in quiet, beautiful ways when we need them most.
As a Salmon Idaho wedding photographer, it’s moments like this that remind me why I do what I do. I get to witness joy, legacy, and love wrapped up into one day stories passed down through leather boots, butterflies, and BBQ. Bobby and Brittany, thank you for letting me be part of yours.