DONNELLY, Idaho — 2020 has been a nightmare for weddings, for those unfortunate couples who had their wedding planned for spring or summer, the COVID-19 pandemic forced many cancellations.
Raymond Martinez and Amanda Zoubi have been together for nine years, and they had their destination wedding planned for Las Vegas, they tried to adjust but ended up not being able to get married.
"It was pretty devastating," said Amanda. "To be honest, I'm pretty sure I broke down and locked myself in a closet."
Several couples have similar stories, so Tamarack Mountain Resort planned an elopement ceremony on Saturday to give couples a chance to tie the know.
Sixteen couples will exchange vows on Saturday, including Raymond and Amanda.
"I expect happiness and joy tomorrow," said Hayley Johnson the wedding coordinator at Tamarack. "That is what I'm looking forward to the most, they are all in Valley County, they are all ready for their big day tomorrow and it is going to be really exciting."
Tamarack has been busy this summer, but the resort has had to cancel some of their weddings, but this opportunity gives them a chance to help some of those couples who had their special day ruined.
"We are trying to make it memorable for them," said Johnson. "They will have amazing views as well as have some private time with our photographer to get those great photos that they can cherish forever."
The mid-mountain ceremony includes taking a ride up the chair lift with ten of the couple's closest family members and friends.
Each couple will get their own ceremony followed by a champaign toast, cupcakes from Stacy Cakes in McCall, and their first dance as husband and wife.
The ceremony cost each couple $200 and came with discounts for lodging at the Village at Tamarack, however, Raymond and Amanda won the prize given away by Tamarack to do their ceremony at no cost.
"Oh, we are super excited," said Amanda.
"It feels very surreal I don't think it is going to hit me until we are standing there and she walks down the aisle in her dress," said Raymond. "I think that is when it is finally going to hit me, like wow, we are actually going to get married."
McCall Weddings helped provide the decorations, and the arbor as this team in Valley County came together to give couples something that was taken away by the pandemic.
