Montana Weddings

This is one of the most spectacular translations of Fall that I have truly ever seen. It’s The Wild West Flower Workshop hosted by Greenwood Events out in Montana and you’ll see in the series of images below, that the “students” brought their A game to play. With gorgeous bouquets, a stunning tablescape and two different arbors this is a side of Fall that has left me speechless. Gorgeous collection of photos by Rebecca Hollis.

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Floral designers from all around the US made their way to The Wild West Flower Workshop this past Fall. Student bouquets were all incredibly inspiring and the fact that so many of the flowers were Montana grown and a majority of the foliage and greenery being foraged makes every design even more special. The students also broke up into two groups and worked together as a team to create incredibly beautiful arbors while being coached by Greenwood Events and assistant floral instructor Ashley Fox Designs. Such inspirational pieces! Greenwood Events hosted a Farewell Dinner that honored the heritage of Montana and the West with a horse theme this year in the middle of a pasture with a mountain backdrop that will light up your heart. Florals centerpieces by Greenwood Events designed with colors that show off the colors of Fall in Western Montana.

Photography: Rebecca Hollis | Floral Design: Greenwood Events | Wedding Dress: Charlie Brear | Makeup: Skin Chic | Wedding Venue: Green Valley Ranch | Dress Boutique: Charlie Brear From Lilac Rose | Dress Boutique: Willow Bride | Event Rentals: The Party Store | Floral Design Teaching Assistant: Ashley Fox Designs | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Model: Jenny Silva | Ribbon: Tono Co | Tabletop Rentals: The Top | Workshop Host: Greenwood Events

I’ve always adored flowers (who doesn’t) but when I worked with our floral designers for my wedding, that adoration turned to a full blown love affair. So when these images by Rebecca Hollis came across my desk, I stopped and stared… and have barely resumed work since. Captured at The Wild West Flower Workshop, hosted by Darci Greenwood of Beargrass Gardens Florals + Events, floral designers came from all over to learn, grown, and create, and the finished results – all here in our VAULT – are downright frame-worthy. Take your pick among all this pretty!

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From Darci Greenwood at Beargrass Gardens Floral & Events… The Wild West Flower Workshop was held September 21st-23rd, 2015 at the majestic Green Valley Ranch at the gates to Glacier National Park. Hosted and instructed by me, Darci Greenwood of Beargrass Gardens Floral & Events, 13 floral designers from all over the United States traveled to Montana for three days of flower camaraderie and fun. Nancy Teasley from Oak and the Owl and Ashley Fox from Ashley Fox Designs were my guest instructors and made this experience even more amazing with their smiles and expertise. The Wild West Flower Workshop is an all-inclusive package, as we all stay together on property at the luxuriously rustic lodge and all meals are prepared in the beautiful main kitchen. I can’t even begin to explain how much support and friendship developed in such a short time between these designers.

Our first day, after breakfast, we sat in the main living area and had amazing discussions on business and marketing. Everyone spoke of their story and the reasons they love the flower and wedding business. Just listening to each other, students were learning. Many questions were asked and we were thrilled to answer and discuss.

That afternoon we strolled down by the horse pastures to the pole barn and designed bridal bouquets. Students had hundreds and hundred of stems to chose from and it was so much fun to watch everyone pick the product for their design. Mayesh Wholesale provided some of the gorgeous blooms and botanicals and we also brought in local Montana grown dahlias and California grown garden roses. Foraging was probably what thrilled students the most. The Montana surrounding forest and fields provided students with hundred of acres of beauty for them to snip from. There were times when I could hear laughter and squeals of delight from deep in the forest.

A beautiful model was brought in to photograph with each of the students finished bouquet. Rebecca Hollis Photography worked with each student to perfectly capture their work. Our lovely model wore a LeeAnn Marshall gown provided by Velvet Bride.

The next day we worked on centerpieces and tabletop styling. Students again chose from beautiful floral product and forged for much of their foliage. Shape, style and design construction was discussed and everyone dove head first into their creations. Students also were given the opportunity to chose from The TOP tabletop items to create the perfect place setting that speaks of each of their style and their work. I had so much fun watching how each of their personalities and personal styles came out in each of their place settings. All of them very beautiful and unique.

That afternoon students traveled into Glacier National Park on a red jammer tour. Many of them had never witnessed the sheer and magnificent beauty. It was a treat. Rebecca Hollis was along for the ride and captured some of the jaw dropping scenery.

That evening was our Farewell Dinner. While the students were enjoying their tour to the Crown of the Continent in Glacier Park. Nancy, Ashley, Arden, Jessica and myself were preparing. We designed the florals and set the tables for the feast. So many laughs and many memories were made. We all dined that evening under the “big sky” of Montana with thousands of stars.

Showing off my beautiful state could not have made me more proud. And sharing such moments with so many special people was a gift, I was honored!!!

Special thank you to my amazing staff, Arden Greenwood and Jessica Gutierrez for all of your dedication, support and love!

The Wild West Flower Workshop & Retreat at Green Valley Ranch Montana has new dates scheduled: May 23rd-25th, 2016 and September 19th-21st, 2016. Email darci@beargrassgardens.com for all the details!

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Craving more floral inspiration!? Head to our VAULT right here!

Photography: Rebecca Hollis | Floral Design: Greenwood Events | Wedding Dress: Velvet Bride | Calligraphy: Jessica Lee Calligraphy | Venue: Green Valley Ranch | Event Rentals: The Party Store | Guest Instructor: Ashley Fox Designs | Guest Instructor: Oak And The Owl | Host + Instructor: Greenwood Events | Model: Rocky Mountain Entertainment Agency | Ribbon: Tono Co | Tabletop Rentals: Greenwood Events

Sure, Montana winters can be tough, but this snowy photo shoot is proof they can also be breathtakingly beautiful. Brought to us by Rebecca Hollis Photography and Beargrass Gardens Floral & Events it channels the romance of the French countryside all while embracing the cool quiet of a Montana winter. With a dreamy lace gown, gorgeous florals, and an intimate fireside celebration it will leaving you longing for cooler weather and candlelight… and you can see  it all right here in the gallery.

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From Beargrass Gardens Floral & Events… Green Valley Ranch sits on 480 acres just outside Glacier National Park, Montana. A historic family homestead rich in tradition, with warmth and grandeur. Therefore, much of the inspiration in designing this shoot was the location and venue. As a wedding designer and planner, Green Valley Ranch is always a “go-to” when showing engaged Brides an intimate option for a wedding. Small and intimate weddings are often my most memorable and where I see the Bride and Groom most relaxed and able to enjoy their day. I hope to inspire future Bride’s to think about the idea of a setting such as this and even during the dead of winter in a blizzard.

The Main Lodge of Green Valley Ranch has such a formal, yet rustic feel that I found myself wanting to use some color to create a look that would radiate romance. A single porcelain red and cream toile compote was my first find that led me down the road to want to design a French Country wedding in rich reds and French blues. For the table settings, French blue toile napkins tied with Frou Frou Chic ribbon and simple menu cards were placed. Brass candlesticks with cream tapers lined the table between three compotes filled with sahara roses, white clematis, piers japonica, white sweet peas, red garden spray roses, red ranunculus, white lilacs, tweedia, scented geranium, blush astilbe, privet berry, white scabiosa, narcissus and white anemones longing to escape down the table. A blue and white ticking runner with a cream lace overlay ran down the center of the large wood farmhouse table. Berries and fresh herbs were used as accents for the dining experience.

In the Main Living Room we created the perfect and intimate ceremony location directly in front of the grand stone fireplace. Ivy, rosemary topiaries, lemon cypress and lavender plants all wrapped in red and blue toile fabrics, tied with lace ribbons lined the mantle and hearth. Candles of many different shapes and sizes were placed amongst the plants. The setting was absolutely enchanting. A large floral arrangement was designed in a vintage brass pedestal container and placed in the center of the mantle that had white clematis dripping out for a romantic garden feel.

The snow fell all-day and only added to the romance and beauty of this inspirational shoot that Rebecca Hollis Photography captured wonderfully.

Photography: Rebecca Hollis | Floral Design: Greenwood Events | Makeup: Skin Chic | Hair: Boom Swagger Salon | Wedding Venue: Green Valley Ranch | Bridal Store: Velvet Bride | Cake And Food: Greenwood Events | Invitations And Paper Goods: Ink The Paperie | Model Styling: Velvet Bride | Planning, Design And Styling: Greenwood Events