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Spectacular Bridal Inspiration in Glacier National Park

There’s something so breathtaking about being surrounded by mountains. Combine that with a picturesque lake, and the result is truly spectacular! Between the vibrant bouquet (that Darci of Greenwood Events created from flowers she grew herself!) and the photography perfection of Shannon Von Eschen, each and every image of this bridal inspiration shoot at Glacier National Park is unforgettable. See them all right here.

From Shannon Von Eschen PhotographyThis is a shoot that Darci with Greenwood Events and I did while I was out at Lake McDonald shooting a wedding. Darci grew ALL the flowers for the bouquet herself. She’s the most amazing designer/stylist/florist ever – so talented! The “model” is actually Jessica of Jessica Lee Calligraphy – the calligrapher for the wedding we were all working on together.

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Photography: Shannon Von Eschen | Floral Design: Greenwood Events | Wedding Dress: Alexandra Grecco | Bridal Boutique: Bash Bozeman | Model: Jessica Lee Calligraphy

Alfresco Wedding Surrounded by the Natural Beauty of Montana

Consider this stunning party a Destination Wedding Au Naturale. Crafted by Goldfinch Events and Design, along with the most wildly beautiful floral arch by Mum’s Flowers, this alfresco affair is plopped down in the wilds of Montana and it couldn’t be more beautiful. The proof is in photograph after stunning photograph by Jeremiah & Rachel. See the full day right here!

Colors
Styles
Al Fresco

From the Bride… When Rich and I initially started planning our wedding we knew we wanted it to be a “destination” for our guests. We wanted our guests to be able to have a vacation and enjoy an amazing party at the same time. I grew up vacationing in the Flathead Valley and my parents built a cabin there nine years ago, so for us it was an easy choice. Plus, Montana is my favorite state and the majority of our friends had never travelled there before! We felt our wedding would be the perfect reason to go. Our wishes for the wedding were for it to be fun, relaxed, have great food and of course be beautiful! We decided on an outdoor venue for the rehearsal, ceremony and reception. That way our guests could enjoy mountain views (although sparce because that week ended up being the worst wild fires the state had seen in some time) and beautiful weather (fingers crossed). Our wedding planner Cara from Goldfinch found the perfect venue that could host all our events and even accommodate some guests. We were sold the moment we drove through the gates. After some weather scares (smoke, wind and rain,), our wedding day turned out just as we had imagined. Then skies even cleared for the ceremony and photos afterwards. For other brides planning their wedding, my advice is to go with your gut when making decisions and hire a team that you trust. Our planner, florist, calligrapher, photographers, everyone understood my vision and aesthetic – this made my life so much easier! Also, your wedding is your day- feel free to do things your way! Since we wanted a relaxed feel, we passed on some “traditional” wedding elements… Including a first dance and a wedding cake. This gave guests more time to be included and enjoy the wedding. One of my favorite elements from the day was the custom flower crown bar during the happy hour. Our guests loved it and made for some awesome pictures. I also loved the signage details. All in all I couldn’t have asked for a better day! Everyone was dancing under a beautiful canopy of flowers and lights until the very last song – Rich and I included!

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Photography: Jeremiah and Rachel Photography | Event Design: Goldfinch Events & Design | Floral Design: Mum's Flowers | Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Bravo Catering | DJ: Sidecar Audio | Grooms Attire: Lanvin | Wedding Venue: Glacier View Lodge | Music: Fresh Off The Vine | Paper Goods: Ice Pond Press | Rentals: The Party Store | Tabletop Rentals: The Top

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The Ultimate Rustic Chic Homestead Wedding

For Tara and Larry, their wedding wishes came down to a day full of love and family. They decided on a celebration in Montana as a nod to their long line of farming and ranching families, plus a shared love for the great outdoors. Greenwood Events designed unique florals for the occasion and Orange Photographie captured in true fine art fashion. More to see this way in the gallery.

From the Bride… Larry and I currently live in San Francisco, but we both wanted a rustic wedding with a barn that would be close for both of our large families to attend. Larry always says that Montana is “God’s Country” and we found the perfect location at Weatherwood Homestead. Larry is from a long line of farming and ranching families from Montana and I am from North Dakota. Our wedding was the perfect combination of our heritages and love for the outdoors. Montana was a dream location of my husband’s and it all fell together beautifully.

My inspiration was to create a day full of love and family, which reflected the elements of our relationship and our heritages. We wanted to create a rustic wedding with soft blushing colors and local elements. I sought a whimsical, flowing and soft feel to all the flowers, clothing and decorations. The bay leafs were an important symbol for us, because on our first date, which involved a run on Mount Tamalpais near San Francisco. While running, we were talking about the medicinal power of plants. Just then Larry pulled a bay leaf from a tree and gave it to me, asking if I knew what it was. To this day, every time Larry goes for a run or we are on a hike together, he will pick a bay leaf for me.

Our wedding was truly the most perfect day of our lives thus far. We were married on the blue moon and we were blessed with the most beautiful 5 days. While the day of our wedding was the most perfect day, leading up the wedding we arranged fly fishing, a boat ride on Lake McDonald, a Rodeo at the Blue Moon Rodeo, horseback riding, a hike, a ride up the gondola at the big mountain to see the blue moon and receive a blessing at sunset. All of these events brought our guest from around the world so close that by the day of our wedding it felt like our already large families (I am one of 8 children and Larry one of 4 children).

Of course like every bride, I thought my wedding was the most beautiful ever. Yet, more importantly, I was so happy because all the planning was so easy that it almost seemed as if the heavens opened up and gave us ease at every corner and more importantly gave us a perfect few days of sunshine and love. The ease in how it all the details came together so perfectly only reaffirmed to us that our marriage was meant to be. We felt overwhelmingly loved with our big families and wonderful friends there to support us.

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Photography: Orange Photographie | Floral Design: Greenwood Events | Bridesmaids' Dresses: David's Bridal | Catering: Kelly with Simple Chef Catering | Groom's Attire: Andreas Gorges Tailoring | Venue: Weatherwood | Bride's Dress: Maggie Sottero | Coordination + Misc. Rentals: Empress Tents & Events | Dress Boutique: J. Scott Couture | Tabletop Rentals: The Top

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Rustic Montana Wedding Infused With “California Cool”

Lindee and Todd’s wedding day wasn’t just about celebrating their love, but about bringing two families together in a meaningful way. Goldfinch Events & Design helped blend their California style with the rustic Montana setting, and even the couple’s children got in on the fun. “We made sure that each of our kids’ personalities were especially incorporated somewhere within the wedding,” added Lindee. Watch how the day unfolded in the gallery captured by Jeremiah and Rachel Photography.

From Jeremiah and Rachel Photography… Lindee and Todd are some of the kindest people we’ve ever met, and spending just one minute with them you’d understand why these two are so perfect together. Lindee and Todd live in California, but chose the beautiful state of Montana for the joining of their families to honor Lindee’s family and upbringing. Cara from Goldfinch Events did an amazing job at blending their cool California vibe with the rustic side of Montana. One of our favorite parts of this wedding was the obvious love they have for their children. Everyone was so involved and caring, and it’s not often that I cry at weddings, but I definitely cried at this wedding. Todd’s three stunning daughters and Lindee’s handsome son all seem as if they have been siblings all their lives and it was so touching to see how happy everyone was that this day had finally arrived!

From the Bride… Our inspiration came from the blending of our families. Every decision, every detail was all about everyone being comfortable and having a good time. We made sure that each of our kids personalities were especially incorporated somewhere within the wedding. From my teenage boy wanting to wear his first bowtie, Todd’s oldest daughter using her wedding coordinator work experience for our ceremony, Todd’s middle daughter loving 50’s music, to Todd’s youngest begging to wear Converse at the reception…we made it all happen! It makes our photo album that much more special when we see those little details, and the huge smiles that accompany the details!

It was also very important to Todd and I to incorporate my rustic Montana farm girl upbringing with his casual California surfer style. Thank goodness for Cara Finch at GoldFinch Events for helping us to bring our ideas and visions to life! It was such a joy to share all of this with friends and family who came from near and far to be with us on this very special day.

Our wedding day was most certainly a celebration of us…”us” as in Todd and I, but it was also so much more… It’s now “us” as a family of 6, and for that we are forever blessed. A special thanks to Jeremiah and Rachel for capturing our big day and big love on 8/8/16 with your beautiful photography!

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Photography: Jeremiah and Rachel Photography | Event Design: Goldfinch Events & Design | Floral Design: Mum's Flowers | Wedding Dress: Rivini | Cake: Cakes By Debi | Ceremony Location: West Kootenai Community Church | Reception Venue: The Lodge at Whitefish Lake | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | DJ: Sidecar Audio | Favors: Huckleberry Haven | Groom's Suit: Nordstrom | Dress Shop: Kingsley James | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: The Party Store | Table Top Rentals: The Top

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Ranch Wedding with To-Die-For Views + 3 Must-Know Tips from the Bride!

One look at this wedding and you’re going to need to know the Bride’s three tips (included in her little writeup below)—how could you not with all this pretty? With a ranch-elegant vision in mind and stuuuning views to boot, she and her groom nailed it and we have Orange Photographie to thank for documenting it all so beautifully. The Vault holds all the lovely, right this way.

From the Bride… I knew I wanted to get married on a ranch, but I didn’t want to have it feel too rustic. I focused on incorporating soft and romantic decor to create an elegant setting with a beautiful mountainous backdrop while highlighting some Montana details such as the horse-drawn wagons and a bluegrass band. It’s so rare that your closest friends and family will all be together with you, so plan and organize to the best of your ability and then just be present and enjoy the day.

There were so many incredible moments from our wedding day, but my favorite was the time we had during our sunset pictures. It was so special to step away and have a moment together to soak in the significance of the day, and getting some amazing photos didn’t hurt either! My three suggestions for a bride’s (and groom’s) sanity:

1) Make a decision and move on
2) Pick vendors that you enjoy working with and will make your vision a reality
3) Don’t sweat the details you can’t control (like weather in the mountains!)

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Photography: Orange Photographie | Floral Design: Labellum | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Cake: Cakes by Jenn | Wedding Invitations: All She Wrote | Shoes: Benjamin Adams | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Hair Stylist: Revive Salon | Groom's Attire: Studio Suits | Wedding Venue: The 320 Guest Ranch | Ceremony Band: Laney Lou & the Bird Dogs | Cocktail Hour Music: Drink Me Pretty | Earrings: BHLDN | Groom's Accessories: The Tie Bar | Groom's Shoes: Magnanni | Planning: Gracefield Events | Rentals: Montana Party Rentals | Skirt Overlay: Willowby by Watters

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Blogger of ‘The Every Hostess’ Shares Her Engagement Session!

You know Kaitlin as the darling blogger behind The Every Hostess so it’ll come as no surprise that her engagement session was styled to a T. Along with Greenwood Events, she designed a picnic for two (make that three with their adorable pup, Winston!) set amongst the natural beauty of Montana. Jeremiah and Rachel photographed and if this gallery is an indication of their upcoming wedding, we’re officially waiting on pins and needles for the big day.

Kaitlin and Jeremy are planning a wonderful Montana wedding with Greenwood Events, and we were so lucky to spend an evening with them documenting this fun season of their lives!! Kaitlin and Jeremy live in Colorado but have always vacationed in Montana, so naturally, they want everyone they love to join them in this beautiful state to celebrate their wedding! Even their adorable dog, Winston joined us for a fun picnic in the park, and he definitely stole the show! Kaitlin is a blogger at The Every Hostess, so a styled picnic was absolutely perfect for these two. Darci from Greenwood Events created a stunning bouquet that so perfectly fit Kaitlin’s girly and delicate style. Even Jeremy was looking dapper in a navy suit! We so appreciate when our couples put extra thought and care into their engagement session and let their personalities show!

From the Bride-to-be… Mine and Jeremy’s love story began in Fort Collins, Colorado when we were attending college at Colorado State University. I had known him for a while before he asked me out, and I admit, I was always curious what kind of girl would date this goofy character. Little did I know… that goof was actually my soul mate. Fast forward to five and a half years later, on a holiday trip to London, England, while sitting in a cafe called Champagne and Fromage, Jeremy got down on one knee (after fake knocking something off the table…) and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. Now, we are saying “I do” in the last best place on Earth: Whitefish, Montana.

Why Whitefish? Ever since I was born, I grew up being lucky enough to spend time in Whitefish every summer and winter. Whitefish is a place I call home. And by sharing this town with Jeremy throughout the last few years, it has grown into his home too. For our engagement session, we wanted to capture this special moment of being newly engaged with two local Whitefish photographers I have always admired, Jeremiah and Rachel Spray Photography. Following them on Instagram over the years, I have always loved Jeremiah and Rachel. Their photographic style completely captures the unique love and romance between a couple. Every photo they post, I want to jump right in and be in that exact scene! When Jeremy and I were first engaged I knew immediately that I wanted them to photograph us in this special time.

For our engagement shoot, I wanted to feel the most like us in our favorite place on earth, Whitefish. The goal was to capture a simple yet modern mountain feel, featuring beautiful florals and natural moments of love and laughter with my fiancé. Rachel and Jeremiah chose the location, a park just outside of Whitefish with the perfect mountain backdrop for a picnic and frolicking through the park. Greenwood Events created a simple yet feminine bouquet for me to hold that perfectly tied in the colors of Montana. I have to say, however, our puppy Winston stole the show! He knew exactly what was going on and was ready for his moments in front of the camera. For the picnic setting, we sat on a Pendleton Blanket with another gorgeous floral arrangement by Greenwood Events. This was the most “us” setting to our engagement session story, drinking wine and laughing.


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Photography: Jeremiah and Rachel Photography | Event Design: Greenwood Events | Floral Design: Greenwood Events | Dress: Ministry of Style | Dress: Self Portrait Studio - Azaelea Red Dress | Shoes: Stuart Weitzmen | Shoes: Cole Haan | Ring: Tacori | Suit: Ben Sherman

Saying I Do in Snowy Winter Mountains Never Looked So Pretty

One of the most beautiful weddings I’ve ever attended was in mid-winter during the most beautiful snow storm. There’s nothing quite as magical as bridal portraits with white blanketed backdrops like this, and I’m reliving that charm today with Simply Sarah Photography and Bash Bozeman with every bit of this cold-weather beauty. See more in The Vault!

From Simply Sarah PhotographyInspired by the raw beauty of the Rocky Mountains, Kait Constanti of Bash Bozeman and I decided to pull together this wintery wedding inspiration in the mountains of Montana. We wanted to provide brides to be with unique mountain wedding inspiration, as most Montana weddings take place in the prime of the summer season. Kait took our concept and turned it into something exquisite! We drew from the subtle smoky wintry hues of the mountains, and landed on dove grey and serenity blue (one of the Pantone colors of the year) as our colors. Rose quartz, the other Pantone color of the year, ended up making a cameo as well in the florals crafted beautifully by Labellum. We used both elegant and natural elements to create something that shows a softer and more romantic side to the traditional rustic mountain weddings. In the end, the shoot was an incredible success, and made me so excited for all our beautiful mountain Rocky Mountain weddings this year!

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Photography: Elizabeth Lanier Photography | Event Planning: Bash Bozeman | Floral Design: Labellum | Wedding Dress: "Lya Tulle Skirt" And "Esra Silk Cami" By Alexandra Grecco | Invitations: Spurle Gul Studios | Ring: Trumpet & Horn | Hair + Makeup: Indulgence | Wedding Venue: Big Yellow Barn | Dress Boutique: Bash Bozeman | Rentals: Montana Party Rentals | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Welcome Box: Marigold & Grey

Winter Wedding Lovers, This One Is For You.

Admittedly, I am a summer wedding lover—but one look at this bit of cold weather beauty from Belle GardensGreenwood Events and Orange Photographie and I’m ready to trade sand for snow when it comes to saying I do. From the piercingly beautiful gem to the ribbon-wrapped cake, you can find me cozying up to every inch in The Vault.

From Belle GardensI had the privilege a few weeks ago to sit under the instruction of some very dear friends Samantha and Reid, of Orange Photographie in Bozeman, Montana. Not only did they share with me a love for film but they set me in a direction of never going back to digital. These images are as a result of a shoot they designed and put together just for me. I have longed to shoot in the beauty of my hometown Montana, and especially covering the most important day in a beloved couples lives. I have named this shoot, Loves Snow White Rose.

Through the veil of the cool mist
my eyes met yours and made a tryst
a promise that our hearts will blend
and our love shall last till the end
over the hills you disappear
and in my dreams reappear
O my delicate snow white rose
ensconced in my poems and prose
O my delicate snow white rose
emanates from my heart a cadence
that resonates with your heavenly fragrance
All the barriers I shall break
My life I shall put on stake
Until I merge with you one day
To be with you forever I pray
From my life please don’t vanish
let our love never diminish
petals of your love I shall always cherish
O my delicate snow white rose

Our models John and Ingrid are a real married couple and we shot the their portraits on the river where John proposed to Ingrid. I adore the words of the poet, John, as he parallels the snow white rose to the love of his life., Ingrid. Montana a vast state with cold winters but a beauty that cannot be denied could also be that snow white rose, a longing to be in her resident once again. Nonetheless, the poet speaks of deep love for its subject.

The first portion of our shoot we captured Ingrid preparing to meet her love John in a beautiful robe and veil from A Girl With A Serious Dream. Our lovely engagement ring was also a feature from Susie Saltzman, and stunning it is. We then captured romantic details of a stunning table in blues, rosy mauves, creams, whites, and grays. These colors only seem fitting because of the snow covered landscape. While we were shooting the snow came down in huge flakes as it so often does in Montana in the spring, only to melt away after a couple of hours. We were then off to the river where the formals were shot, where John originally proposed. The rose has come full circle and life has been burst forth from these two sharing each other’s love and life forever!

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Photography: Romancing Belle Photography By Pam Terpstra | Floral Design: Greenwood Events | Cake: Elles Belles Bakery | Hair + Makeup: Ethereal Hair & Makeup Artistry | Bridal Robe + Veil: Girl & A Serious Dream | Dress Designer: Sarah Janks | Film Lab: The Find Lab | Gown Boutique: Bash Bozeman | Paper Goods: Cast Calligraphy | Rentals: The Top | Ribbon + Table Runner: Tono Co | Stylist + Planner: Orange Photographie | Susie Saltzman: Susie Saltzman

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Planning a Fall 2017 Wedding? Here’s Your Big Day Blueprint.

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.

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.

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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

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An Elegant Montana Wedding – With A Dash of Rustic Romance

Don’t be fooled by these elegant pics courtesy of Simply Sarah Photography; while we may have a classic wedding before us – we’re talking lace and pearls – look a little closer and what do we see? Bridesmaids with cowboy boots peeking out from under those pretty dresses of theirs! The perfect combination of rustic meets elegance, this celebration planned by Habitat Events melds both styles seamlessly for our eager eyes. See every detail and every moment in our Vault right this way!

From Simply Sarah Photography… When Lauren and Andrew first got engaged, choosing their wedding venue was an easy choice! They chose the bride’s family’s private ranch in Red Lodge, Montana as a picturesque destination to bring their family and friends from all over the U. S. to celebrate their fun filled wedding weekend!

From the Bride… Andrew and I had met in passing several times, through introductions from a number of mutual friends, before he asked me out about a year later. We’ve both considered ourselves to be a couple immediately following that first date, a cozy dinner at Aqua Al 2 in DC, where I (admittedly) talked his ear off and he (admittedly) dominated the decorating of “our” very own plate for the restaurant walls. It is hard to put a finger on when or how we fell in love because it was effortless and nearly immediate once we had entered each other’s lives. He would say that it was his dashing good looks and two championship rings that sealed the deal, but in truth, seeing the way he is with our friends and family, it was easy to take the measure of this open, loyal and outgoing person and know that this would be the one for me. Luckily for us, the feeling was mutual!

Our favorite part of our wedding weekend was getting to share the moment, and the time surrounding it in a space that is special to us both, with so many of our friends and family. We are lucky to have found each other and are blessed with the love of and support of so many wonderful people. We dearly missed those that couldn’t be there and appreciated everyone who could make the long trek to experience it with us.


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Photography: Elizabeth Lanier Photography | Event Planning: Habitat Events | Floral Design: Habitat Floral Studio | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Cake: Whipped Confections | Invitations: Minted | Catering: Zac's Montana Kitchen | Hair + Makeup: Indulgence | Groom's Attire: Read Wall | Wedding Venue: Private Ranch | Rentals: Montana Party Rentals

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Romantic Light-Filled Montana Wedding

When you come upon a chapel this light and bright and beautiful, it’s really not even a choice, you gotta say “I do” there. After a meet cute at the airport, these two continued their romance and it didn’t take much to settle on Big Sky, Montana to start their official happily ever after – and Simply Sarah captured all the beauty. Fall in love with this couple – and this magical place – in our Vault right this way!

From the Bride… Kyle and I met at the Minneapolis airport while we were both traveling for work. We started emailing and texting, which led to FaceTiming, which led to us deciding to meet in Kansas City for a sit down dinner date. I was living in Omaha at the time and he was in St. Louis. After our Kansas City date, we started seeing each other every few weeks. Flying back and forth to see each other every chance we got. Eventually we started seeing each other every weekend and couldn’t stand having to leave. Kyle would tell you we knew very quickly this was going to be it! I would have to agree! We got engaged in Charleston on a romantic getaway. I was hoping this would be the weekend we got engaged however, Kyle had me thoroughly convinced it was not happening any time soon! I was a bit bummed but did my best to enjoy the weekend anyway. The last night of the weekend we started walking to dinner and he kept naming the streets we were walking on. I didn’t think anything of it as we love learning about new cities and why things are named the way they are. Our hotel was on King Street and we started walking and made a turn on Queen Street and then another on Meeting Street and then one last turn on Church Street. He took me down a beautiful walkway between two brick buildings and proceeded to say,” the King can’t meet the Queen at the church without one of these…”as he pulled a ring out of his pocket! It was so perfect and I was so surprised!

We chose Montana for our destination wedding for several reasons… first, we fell in love with the little chapel we were married in. It was so neat that the church celebrates different religious services. I am Catholic and Kyle is Presbyterian and we wanted our wedding day to be a true representation of the both of us so it was a perfect fit! Having an intimate wedding was really important to us. I have a HUGE extended family and although I would have loved for every last one of them to be there, it just would have been TOO big to include everyone we love. Choosing Big Sky was an easy decision because we love the area so much and we wanted to share a little bit of that love with our closest friends and family. In the end we are so glad we opted for an intimate wedding in a place that means so much to us. As cheesy as it sounds, our wedding day truly was the best day of our lives. Everything worked out better than we could have imagined and I wish we could do it all over again!

Photography: Elizabeth Lanier Photography | Event Planning: Bash Bozeman | Floral Design: The Flower Hat | Wedding Dress: Legends by Romona Keveza | Cakes: Elles Belles Bakery | Hair: Ethereal Hair & Makeup Artistry | Venue: Moonlight Basin

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Simple + Intimate Fall Elopement in Paradise Valley, Montana

‘Tis the season to spend time with our families, which is why this sweet Montana elopement feels so appropriate to share. Captured by the talented Danford Photography, it’s a seriously sweet reminder that family is first and foremost, and we’ve got it all waiting in The Vault!

From Danford PhotographyMelanie and James decided to have a simple elopement while they were on vacation in Montana with their two year old little boy and baby girl. They chose gorgeous Paradise Valley for the simple and sweet occasion. The day of their elopement, the mountains were blanketed in low-hanging clouds, but the rain held off. Melanie wore her beautiful red hair down her back, complemented by a lace BHLDN dress and her vintage emerald engagement ring. Her bouquet was a gorgeous pop of yellow on an overcast day. We all casually strolled up the hill to a field with beautiful 360-degree views of the cloud-covered mountains and the horses grazing nearby. Melanie and James made vows to their children and each other, exchanged rings and kisses, and then we took photos of their adorable family as their little boy ran off some energy. Afterward, they sent us off with a generous slice of the most incredible lemon blueberry lavender cake. The afternoon was relaxed, intimate and full of love.

Photography: Danford Photography | Floral Design: The Flower Hat | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Cake: Whipped Confections | Ring: Trumpet & Horn | Officiant: Beth Renick

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Elegant Wedding Inspiration With Mountains, Lakes & A Greenhouse, Oh My!

How do you decide between saying “I do” with a mountain view, lakeside, or celebrating in a chic greenhouse!? Well, no need to pick just one because we found a venue that encompasses the beauty of all of these special spots. Diving Dog Vineyard is the place and Rebecca Hollis captured every beautiful bit from this shoot there, designed and planned by Greenwood Events. From the lush bridal bouquet and lakeside ceremony, to the reception in the greenhouse, our Vault gallery has it all!

From Rebecca Hollis PhotographyWhat more could you need for a wedding day than beautiful views of the mountains from a lake, a greenhouse and a vineyard! Greenwood Events did a beautiful job tying together all the elements at this new venue, Diving Dog Vineyard, located on Flathead Lake in Montana. Albeit a cloudy and sprinkling day, the views were still spectacular and speak to all that Montana has to offer.

Photography: Rebecca Hollis | Event Planning + Design: Greenwood Events | Floral Design: Greenwood Events | Wedding Dress: Leanne Marshall | Cake: Vintage Whites | Makeup: Kristen O'Leary | Hair: Stephanie Kuhl | Calligraphy: Cast Calligraphy | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: Diving Dog Vineyard | Bridal Boutique: Velvet Bride | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints | Flower Farm: Ella Rose Farm | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Model: Laice O'Malley | Model: Jacob Fowler | Ribbon: Tono Co | Tabletop Rentals: The Top

The West Becomes A Romantic Oasis with this Elegant Wedding Inspiration

I wouldn’t really describe myself as a “rustic” person so I never felt the need to venture out to the “wild, wild west” but there has been a major change of heart around here and it’s all due to The Ranch at Rock Creek. This gem of a venue is an escape from reality and the wedding wonders created here never fail to leave us breathless. Case in point: this shoot planned by Habitat Events. Simply Sarah captured the rustic elegant details and the windswept romance between these two – head to our Vault for it all!

From Simply Sarah Photography… This lovely wedding editorial was designed by Simply Sarah Photography and Habitat Events to show off the beauty that is early fall in Montana. The Ranch at Rock Creek created the perfect backdrop and Jenny of Habitat Events created an elegant, rustic affair for our sweet couple Katie and Adam.

From Jennifer with Habitat EventsThe Ranch at the Rock Creek is one of the loveliest places on earth, especially during the fall months! The Ranch has such a relaxed and authentic Montana vibe we wanted to mirror that sentiment in the floral and decorative touches we brought to the shoot. The ceremony site is situated in one of the prettiest prairies, which we wanted to extend to the arch by covering it in soft flowy pampas grass and delicate vines to make it feel as though it was an extension of the tall grasses and aspens groves behind it. The table for two is set on the tippy top of a mountain, aptly named, The Top of the World. The 360 degree views of the Pintler Mountains makes for the most stunning dining views anyone could ask for! The vendor team on this shoot was an absolute dream to collaborate with; it is one of our very favorite intimate editorials to date!

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Photography: Elizabeth Lanier Photography | Event Planning: Habitat Events | Floral Design: Habitat Floral Studio | Wedding Dress: Saint Isabel Bridal | Bride's Shoes: Bella Belle | Jewelry: Susie Saltzman | Calligraphy + Invitations: Spurle Gul Studios | Venue: The Ranch At Rock Creek | Rentals: Oh So Chic | Table Runner: Silk and Willow | Vow Book: Wedding Story Writer

Laurie Arons 2016 Wedding Planner Masterclass Part II

Seeing as we’ve already witnessed the pretty that is Part I, it’s time we find our seats at the ever-so-stunning ceremony. And for those of you that question if you can pull off a modern affair in Montana, allow me to introduce you to the incomparable Laurie Arons. Complete with ice sculpture votives, cozy cashmere blankets, and the cutest bridal party EVER, this is once celebration that’s sure to have you on #teamwinter. Fall in love with every innovative detail captured by Jose Villa Photography below!


From Laurie Arons Special EventsThe location for our styled ceremony was an intimate pier over a small lake on the Ranch. We loved the cool reflection of the sky in the water, creating a wintery mood for the shoot. Weathered wood benches were draped with soft grey cashmere wraps, to keep ‘guests’ warm for the winter ceremony. Sarah Winward created ice candles for a modern approach to the ceremony design, and snowy blooms lined the aisle.

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Want to personally partake in the pretty? Don’t miss out on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in next years Masterclass, get all the dreamy details below!

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2017 Wedding Planner Masterclass by Laurie Arons

Dates: March 20th–24th, 2017
Location: The Santa Lucia Preserve, Carmel California

Click here for more details and to apply!

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Event Designer + Event Planner + Workshop Host: Laurie Arons Special Events | Photography: Jose Villa Photography | Styling: Daniel Tran | Floral Design: Honey of a Thousand Flowers | Wedding Cake: Perfect Endings | Calligraphy: Written Word Calligraphy | Groom’s Attire:Mr. Porter | Venue: The Ranch At Rock Creek | Beauty: Sherrie Long Makeup Hair & Effects | Brass Pencils: Modern Fuel | Bridal Boutique: Little White Dress Bridal Shop | Bridal Gown: J. Mendel | Bridal Gown: Naeem Khan | Candles: Creative Candles | Farewell Dinner Rental Tables:Vintage Whites | Farewell Dinner Rentals Chairs: Montana Party Rentals | Farewell Dinner Table Top:March SF | Floral Assistant: Kelly Lenard | Graphic Design: Amber Moon Design | Models: Wilhelmina Denver | Printing: Czar Press | Welcome Dinner Rentals: The Party Store | Workshop Notebooks + Brass Rulers: Appointed

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Peek the pretty that was Laurie Arons 2015 Masterclass, here!

Part One | Part Two

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
Laurie Arons 2016 Wedding Planner Masterclass Part I

To simply state that Laurie Arons plans picture-perfect affairs would be the understatement of the century. For this mastermind? She is an expert in style, grace, and all-around gorgeousness, and her 2016 Masterclass at The Ranch At Rock Creek? Well, it is (and was) nothing short if incredible. From the warm welcome dinner to the fond farewell, this team of talented vendors orchestrated perfection and we’ve got it all captured by Jose Villa waiting for you here. P.S. Learn about the 2017 Masterclass below!


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“In contrast to the moody, masculine Farewell Dinner,

the Welcome Dinner in the Blue Canteen had a lighter feel.”

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From Laurie Arons Special EventsThe design inspiration for this year’s Masterclass was a Modern Montana wedding. It’s common in a natural Western setting like The Ranch At Rock Creek to see rustic or vintage inspired events. But I wanted the opportunity to show how a sleek and modern aesthetic could compliment the rugged environment, if the right elements were brought together. To do this, I balanced stark modern components with cozy knits & soft velvet textiles. Masculine colors like matte black, slate and chestnut brown, a nod to the wooden architecture at the Ranch, were contrasted with romantic, spilling flowers by Sarah Winward of Honey of a Thousand Flowers.

I chose the metallic accent of brass for the overall Masterclass design and farewell dinner, because it felt contemporary but is also a metal that is historically seen in a ranch location. The table top by March SF, a beautiful and luxurious home boutique in San Francisco, incorporated brass flatware and smokey amber glassware in a similar tone. The hand-crafted matte black wood chargers and slate stoneware dinner plates anchored the place setting.

The winter wedding design needed to feel cozy, so we lit tall black tapers, brass votives and iron candelabras to warm up the space. We also draped each black chiavari chair with a grey cashmere scarf as well.

Amber Moon Design created a beautiful modern invitation suite and menu card, but brought in Western elements with cow hide pouches and brass tags. Cowhide agendas and brass rulers, pencils and zip drives were used by the students in the class room.

In contrast to the moody, masculine wedding dinner shoot, the welcome dinner in the Blue Canteen had a lighter feel. We featured copper instead of brass because the canteen had an existing copper counter top that was a prominent feature in the room. Copper chairs, lanterns and a copper menu board brought those elements together.

The color tones were soft – ivory, tan, taupe & brown. Neutral toned splatterware and tan fabric panels set the table. Sarah Winward created an installation of pussy willow branches above the table and little wood bundles served as placecards at the table.

The attendees of the 2016 class were a fantastic group of planners, who sparked incredible discussions about our industry. We had a lot of fun getting to know each other while sharing delicious meals, kicking around the ranch in our matching Sorel boots, and laughing at late night karaoke. I’m excited to continue building this community at the 2017 class, at one of my favorite, most beautiful settings in the country.

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2017 Wedding Planner Masterclass by Laurie Arons

Dates: March 20th–24th, 2017
Location: The Santa Lucia Preserve, Carmel California

Click here for more details and to apply!

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Event Designer + Event Planner + Workshop Host: Laurie Arons Special Events | Photography: Jose Villa Photography | Styling: Daniel Tran | Floral Design: Honey of a Thousand Flowers | Wedding Cake: Perfect Endings | Calligraphy: Written Word Calligraphy | Groom’s Attire:Richard James from Mr Porter | Venue: The Ranch At Rock Creek | Beauty: Sherrie Long Makeup Hair & Effects | Brass Pencils: Modern Fuel | Bridal Boutique: Little White Dress Bridal Shop | Bridal Gown: J. Mendel | Bridal Gown: Naeem Khan | Candles: Creative Candles | Farewell Dinner Rental Tables:Vintage Whites | Farewell Dinner Rentals Chairs: Montana Party Rentals | Farewell Dinner Table Top: March SF | Floral Assistant: Kelly Lenard | Graphic Design: Amber Moon Design | Models: Wilhelmina Denver | Printing: Czar Press | Welcome Dinner Rentals: The Party Store | Workshop Notebooks + Brass Rulers: Appointed

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Peek the pretty that was Laurie Arons 2015 Masterclass, here!

Part One | Part Two

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
Two Trends You’ll See Everywhere This Wedding Season

Floral-free bouquets and mega modern gowns, two trends we’re forecasting as the next big thing this wedding season. And if this inspiration styled by Bash Bozeman is any indication of the pretty we’re about to (hopefully) partake in then consider it game over, because we’re completely obsessed. Thankfully, Orange Photographie was ahead of the curve and captured it all to share in The Vault!

From Bash BozemanWhen Samantha from Orange Photographie approached me about designing this shoot, she included the verbiage ‘modern’, ‘clean’ and ‘romantic.’ From there, I had a schematic design dreamt up pretty quickly as that’s the aesthetic I lean towards. I took inspiration from the contemporary fashion designer Acne, yet approached it with a more romantic look in mind, adding the dark lip as seen on many runways for Spring of 2016. I wanted the overall feel to have a solid juxtaposition of clean lines through the styling of the model, while ensuring the bouquet offered some softness — hellebores have a way of making a bouquet immediately feel feminine. The concept of this shoot came out perfectly on all ends and I’m both thrilled and humbled with the talents behind our ‘Modern Romance’ shoot.

Photography: Orange Photographie | Styling: Bash Bozeman | Floral Design: Labellum | Wedding Dress: Houghton Bride | Bride's Shoes: Topshop | Jewelry: Tart | Hair + Makeup: Ethereal Hair & Makeup Artistry | Bridal Boutique: Bash Bozeman | Model: Shay Bjordahl | Save the Date + Calligraphy: Cast Calligraphy

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Love the modern look? See a few more favorites below!

Modern Wedding Dresses For the Stylish Bride
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Modern Wedding Dresses For the Stylish Bride
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Glacier National Park Engagement Session

Call me biased (I am a Montana girl, after all), but this beautiful e-shoot is everything that is right in the wedding world.  Think a stunning duo meets a whole lot of adventuring meets my favorite national park as the always-breathtaking backdrop. It’s one awe-inspiring moment after another captured in brilliant images by the talented Katie DeLorme Photography.  See every last one in THE VAULT.


From Katie DeLorme Photography… Laura and Mac live in Montana and really wanted to take advantage of the gorgeous landscape. Additionally, they wanted to celebrate their engagement by doing an activity true to them. I always strive to find clients who want me to tell their story authentically – its always a bonus if they are adventurous spirits. We opted to hike through the woods and to canoe the choppy waters of Lake McDonald. Their lust for adventure became the cornerstone for this session and as such when the waves crashed against them and the chill in the air became bitter – the harder they laughed and the closer they became. This is just the epitome of love and enjoying life together.

This day was so special as the sun shined and they were able to explore with no time commitments or worries at all. The following day, which was their wedding, the heavens opened up but again, in their true form, they laughed it off and still insisted on an outdoor ceremony. Their hearts and love for this Earth is unyielding and truly inspiring.

Photography: Katie DeLorme Photography | Event Planning: Field: A Wedding Design Studio | Venue: Glacier National Park

Classic + Romantic Backyard Wedding in Montana

Want to hear something adorable? Morgan and Brandon were married at her parent’s house. I mean, how sweet and intimate is that?! With Rebecca Hollis Photography capturing every lovestruck moment, it’s hard to imagine anything more beautiful than their Greenwood Events celebration. It’s a day that proves to be as classic as it is sentimental, and thankfully we’ve got it all to share via The Vault!

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From the Bride… The first time Brandon and I ever saw one another was at a church clean up early one Saturday morning. We did not officially meet until some time later, but after the church clean up we both inquired to our pastor about each other. I had no idea who Brandon was or what his story looked like, but I knew I had to find out. He felt the same. We eventually got formally introduced one day after church by our associate pastor. As I walked away from the meeting, I turned around and gave Brandon my best “come and get it” smile that I could muster up. We continued to run into one another on campus and at church until finally one day, I approached him after the service. It was the beginning of Spring Break, and I wanted to know what his plans were. After making it very clear I wanted him to ask me out, he suggested we go on a hike over the break. I agreed. We met up to hike Mt. Sentinel and any and all awkwardness we felt evaporated after about three minutes. We hiked for almost three hours, talked the entire time, and laughed the whole way down. After that, the rest was history. We fell fast, and hard for one another.

It was only a short four months later that we were ring shopping together. Three months after that, we were engaged. Brandon proposed to me on Christmas Eve with my mom, dad, sister, and brother-in-law all there to witness it. It was perfect, simple, and 100% me. My family has a tradition where, every Christmas Eve after church, we sit around the fire and Christmas tree, and we open one gift. For the last 22 years of my life, that gift has been matching nighties for my sister and I that we eagerly run upstairs and put on to show my mom. This year, as my sister handed out presents, I knew there was no way a night gown would fit into the tiny sack I was handed.

The sack was gold and shiny, and inside it was a gold glittery Reindeer Christmas Ornament. Tied onto the Reindeer’s horn was something that out-sparked the sack and the ornament combined; a ring. Before I could really react, Brandon was kneeling by my side. At this point I blacked out…and so did he. We were both so nervous and excited that we were shaking. If it weren’t for my parents recording and us re-watching it, I don’t think I would even know what we said to one another.

My favorite memory from the wedding day was walking back down the aisle after being announced as Mr. and Mrs. Smith for the first time. As we made our way back down the aisle we were both so excited and happy. Once we got back into the house we had a moment to celebrate with each other, our groomsmen, our bridesmaids, and our families. That was so special!

Brandon and I got married in my parent’s home. That in itself held more value and sentiment than all the decor combined. Having grown up in that home with the mother that I have has given me a certain type of taste, so it was no surprise that the house and the yard matched the theme and colors I wanted. My sister and I were back upstairs, in our old rooms, and sleeping in my childhood bed the night before the wedding. It calmed me down a lot, and made me feel a lot more at ease. Waking up in my own bedroom the morning of my wedding day was something that I think is really special.

The overall theme and feel of our wedding was drawn from the home and yard it took place in; romantic, classic with a modern twist, and simple. My parents home is whites and creams surrounded by natural lush greens of tree leaves, the golds in the field grasses, and the soft colors of fall when the season starts to change. This color palette is my favorite of them all. The wedding colors, white, cream, gold and natural greens, plays directly into the property and vice versa. If there is one thing wedding planning has taught me it’s to work WITH your surroundings, not against them. One of my favorite part’s about Darci’s decor ideas was the pampas grass that she used to line the aisle, toss into some of the bouquets, and use at the head table. The grass was totally unique, and while not at all part of Montana’s natural grasses, fit in perfectly.

From the Groom… My favorite memory from the day was seeing Morgan walk down the Aisle with her Dad right there was something that I don’t really think I can describe. She and her dad have such a special relationship, she looked unbelievably beautiful, and it just suddenly all became real that I was seeing my almost wife walking towards me. That rocked.

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Photography: Rebecca Hollis | Cinematography: Britney Paige Cinematographers | Event Planning + Design: Greenwood Events | Floral Design: Greenwood Events | Wedding Dress: Galia Lahav | Cake: Dani Smith | Invitations: Noteworthy Paper And Press | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Arte Latica | Catering: Smokin' Hot Mamas | Hair: Dani Hubbard | Calligraphy: Jessica Lee Calligraphy | DJ: Aaron Traylor | Groom's Attire: Saks Fifth Avenue | Desserts: Black Cat Bake Shop | Film Lab: PhotoVision Prints | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Private Residence: N/a | Ribbon: Tono Co | Tables: Empress Tents & Events | Tabletop Rentals: Greenwood Events | Tent, Lighting, Chairs: The Party Store

Rustic + Intimate Northwest Montana Wedding

Now this is a wedding that does rustic romance right.  Think luxurious gold detailsstunning florals from Greenwood Events and a setting that is all sorts of Montana awesome.  It’s the perfect happily ever after for two sweeties who craved an intimate, tranquil affair that was all at once laid-back and elegant. (Read: They nailed it.)  See it all captured beautifully by Jeremiah And Rachel Photography in THE VAULT, then press play on the sweet film from Blue Kite Cinema below.

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From the Bride... We had been together for seven years before getting married, so we knew we wanted a small wedding, but it quickly grew to be much larger than we had envisioned. Nine months before our wedding date, we decided to cancel everything and plan a destination wedding in Montana with just immediate family. We both love the outdoors and wanted to enjoy the beauty and tranquility Montana had to offer, so we booked a cabin and planned everything in less than a month.

We had nine guests total at our wedding, plus our two Labradors, Kodi and Chase. It was intimate, romantic, relaxing, and a truly beautiful day for us. We decided to get married on a Tuesday, September 15th, 2015. Everything about the day felt right to us. While everyone else was working on a typical weekday, the world stopped in our eyes and became the happiest day of our lives.

Even though we woke up next to each other and had breakfast together, our favorite moment was still seeing each other for the first time after getting ready. The photographers picked a beautiful wooded spot and it was just the two of us with our dogs. That moment was full of emotions and private for us and didn’t take away any emotions when seeing each other again at the altar, so we would definitely recommend doing a first look!

Our photographers were the first people we booked because we love the use of film and were fans of their work. They captured the most beautiful moments and film gave the photos a timeless feeling. We saw our videographers on Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book and we thought no one else compared to their style. We couldn’t imagine not having them capture our day and we cry every time we watch the video. Plus, they are the nicest and most fun guys you’ll meet! The rest of the vendors were found through either Style Me Pretty or Instagram by having a connection with our photographers and yes, everything was planned and booked in under a month! It was the most relaxing and fun experience planning our intimate wedding versus planning the initial large wedding.

We did have a very last minute change with the ceremony venue and our officiant. We were going to have both the ceremony and reception at the cabin we were staying at but we decided last minute that it didn’t feel right for the ceremony. The day before the wedding, we decided to look at the site where we ended up having the ceremony and booked it that afternoon. We also went whitewater rafting a few days before our wedding and found out our raft guide was ordained. The day before the wedding, the person we had hired just didn’t feel like a good fit for us so we called up our raft guide and asked him to marry us! He ended up being the perfect fit and did an amazing job.

We wanted our wedding to be rustic, elegant, and relaxing with a mix of masculinity and femininity. In the décor, we used antlers, fur, and leather. Our invitations were custom using handmade paper and watercolors and had leather wrapped around them as well as our menus being leather. The bowties, groom’s tie, and best man’s suspenders were also leather. We had rabbit fur on the chairs at the reception and antlers throughout the venues.

The colors were dark brown, navy blue, forest green, and touches of gold. The flowers were subtle with various colors of cream and a variety of greens and touches of navy blue. Our florist actually clipped flowers and greenery from the woods near the cabin we stayed at to include in the bouquets and flower runner on the reception table. In honor of the late father-of-the-bride, the bouquets and boutonnieres were wrapped in gold guitar string.

For the ceremony, we had two wine barrels with flower arrangements on them and antlers and candles for the aisle. The reception was very romantic with lots of candle light and one long table with a floral table runner on the deck of the cabin overlooking a flowing creek and wooded area. We had whiskey, beef jerky, and cigars as well as crawfish, prime rib, and lobster for our reception at the cabin that everyone stayed at. One of the best parts about a small wedding is we got to have everything we wanted without worrying about cost! We also had an amazing acoustic duo play at our ceremony and dinner so we could still have a first dance even though we weren’t having a traditional reception and dance.

The one piece of advice we would give to brides and couples is DO WHAT YOU WANT! You’re going to get a lot of opinions when planning a wedding but ultimately the both of you know what is best for you as a couple. The day is truly about you and the love and commitment you are making to one another. We realized that a small wedding definitely isn’t for everyone but it was perfect for us. And even though people were disappointed that they weren’t invited, everyone seemed to understand after they saw the photos and video.

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Photography: Jeremiah and Rachel Photography | Cinematography: Blue Kite Cinema | Floral Design: Greenwood Events | Wedding Dress: Posh Bridal Couture | Cake: Naked Cakes Montana | Ceremony Venue: Glacier Outdoor Weddings | Reception Venue: At Home | Catering: Oso Catering | Makeup: EMJ Cosmetics | Hair: CS Bridal Styling | Bridal Boutique: Posh Bridal Couture | Ceremony + Reception Music: Mike Murray Duo | Invitations + Menus: Birdwalk Press | Rentals: The Party Store | Tabletop Rentals: Greenwood Events