Advertiser Index Billings Depot..................................................3, 12 Billings Hotel & Convention Center..........10, 12 Bin 119.................................................................2, 12 Dude Rancher Lodge........................................12 Gainan's Flowers...............................................5,12 Hilton Garden Inn............................................9, 12 Moss Mansion................................................11, 12 Red Lodge Mountain Resort............................12 Rock Creek Golf Course.................................8, 12 Total Transportation...........................................12 Uniquely You Planning..................................9, 12 Velvet................................................................12 Wetzel's Quality Cleaners.............................11, 12
Inside
Classic songs to include on your wedding reception playlist...................................................................2 Top 10 mistakes..........................................................................3 The guide to choosing groomsmen...................................4 Be smart about wedding beauty preparation.....................6 Cake-cutting etiquette and guidelines...............................7 Simple solutions to save on your wedding.........................8 Factors to consider when choosing a wedding photography package..........................................................9 Make your engagement photo shoot a success................10 Music mistakes to avoid..........................................................11 Vendor listings............................................................................12
Behind the Scenes General Manager Dave Worstell Special Sections Coordinator Linsay Duty Section Designer Kara Peterson Cover photo courtesy of Liz Gregg
The Wedding Planner is a special advertising section of The Billings Gazette.
Access The Wedding Planner at billingsgazette.com/specialsections
Classic songs to include on your wedding reception playlist Metro Services Felix Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” is popular at wedding ceremonies near and far, but many songs also enjoy such widespread popularity. Sentimental standards help shape the celebration. Unless a couple intends to buck all trends, the following are some popular wedding reception staples. “Unforgettable”: Made popular in the early 1950s by Nat King Cole, “Unforgettable” experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 1990s thanks to a remix of the song that turned it into a duet between the late Cole and his daughter, Natalie.
“Wonderful Tonight”: Many couples love this Eric Clapton classic about enduring love. And guests love to grab their significant others to take their own spins around the dance floor. “Last Dance”: Donna Summer’s “Last Dance” is an ideal choice for the final song of the evening. By the time the song switches from the slow-moving opening chords to a more upbeat pace, guests will be grabbing their party favors and heading for the door.
“Unchained Melody”: The Righteous Brothers classic was a hit in 1965 but rose to even greater popularity when it was included in the 1990 film “Ghost.” Couples still love to cut a rug to this song at their wedding receptions. “The Way You Look Tonight”: This oftcovered song is one of the more romantic songs to grace the American songbook. Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire have put their own unique spins on the song. “At Last”: Although Ella Fitzgerald was not the first artist to record this song, her version is arguably the most popular. “What a Wonderful World”: Louis Armstrong’s rousing rendition of this classic can make any reception even more upbeat. The song is especially popular for mother-son and father-daughter dances.
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American Bistro & Wine Bar Our downtown restaurant provides the highest quality seasonal dishes with a first-class wine & beer selection. The dining ambiance is pleasantly casual and intimate, with seating available in a charming interior setting or romantic garden patio.
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Top 10 mistakes
Courtesy of Patricia Clark, Patricia Clark Weddings
Box Store Photographer
Choosing the right photographer is one of your most important decisions! A heartbreaking mistake is hiring a friend or family member as the photographer because they offered Budget Blindness Decide your budget first! Families need to set a clear dollar a great deal, only to receive poor quality images. Photos become the most tangible memories you will have. To choose amount, and how and when funds will be available. It is key the best photographer, don’t make your final selection based to find the local costs for services; cost for a Billings wedding can be substantially different than other cities. Stick with this on their website; see one entire wedding to make sure you budget and keep good records. Don’t overspend and you’ll be like their overall style. less stressed.
Misunderstanding how venues are priced
You must create the guest list early, as it will affect almost every facet of your day, from caterer to photographer, baker to florist. Not knowing this ahead of time will greatly impact your budget. Final guest count must be available to vendors prior to their ordering product – usually 3 weeks. A good estimate is to expect 70% to attend.
Many couples will call around to find out the venue rental fees, only to find out later that rental amount is only a fraction of the real cost. A venue’s full cost is the rental, plus food, bar service, along with any other miscellaneous charges that are unique to that venue, such as cake cutting fees, setup/ teardown fees, linens, etc. To get any true sense of the price, schedule a consultation.
Getting Stuck on a Date
Waiting too long to Venue Shop!
Guest List Woes
Select a few dates. The key to finding the perfect location is flexibility on the date. Some days of the week offer major benefits or less expensive pricing. Gather information before you make a decision. Check the Billings365.com website events calendar before securing your date. Major local events will greatly affect room rates, availability, parking, rentals, dining, and the overall vibe that weekend.
Once you have a budget and guest count, begin researching venues right away. To gather accurate information, do not get info online. Make appointments to tour and take a list of questions. What is and is not included in your rental? Are you required to use onsite food service, or do you have the freedom to choose a caterer? This option could save you thousands of dollars on food alone.
Perfectionism!
There’s no such thing, especially on a wedding day where there are so many personalities and factors at play. Brides who rave about their wedding say they just “let go” and let the day flow. Remember, you can’t match your bridesmaids’ dresses to the linens, and fresh flower shades vary.
Not Remembering the why!
It’s YOUR Wedding Day!! It’s about the two of you and the beginning of your new life. Have fun and turn your wedding into a true reflection of who you are.
Late vendor search
Book your venue/church first, then book other vendors quickly, but wisely. Vendors book a limited number of weddings per weekend, and for boutique businesses, you are their only event that date. Shop smart, check references, talk with your planner and venue manager, attend bridal events, and ask to see their work.
No Plan B?
Outdoor ceremonies are very popular, but you need to have an alternate rain location. And post someone at the venue directing guests to the alternative site, waiting to start the ceremony to allow travel time.
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The guide to choosing groomsmen Metro Services Grooms-to-be face many decisions regarding their pending nuptials, but few may prove as delicate as choosing the groomsmen for the big day. Friends who expect to be groomsmen may be disappointed if they are not ultimately chosen, while brothers may feel left out if they are not asked to walk a bridesmaid up the aisle.
the task of being a best man, then you might be better off asking him to be a groomsman and finding another best man who’s more capable of juggling the numerous responsibilities that come with being best man.
Don’t forget your fiancée’s family
While you should not feel pressured to pick anyone in particular Choosing groomsmen should not be as your best man, if your fiancée taken lightly. Grooms-to-be who are fachas any brothers, ask her if she ing some difficult choices with regard to had her heart set on including any of that decision can follow a few pointers to them in the bridal party. Some brides ensure they make the right call. want their brothers to be groomsmen, so discuss this with your fiancée before asking anyone to line up beside you. Pick a number This discussion can go both ways as Before you even consider who you well, as you can ask your bride-to-be want your groomsmen to be, speak to your to include a favorite sister in her bridal fiancée about how many bridesmaids she party if you so desire. hopes to have. The number of groomsmen and bridesmaids typically matches, so your fiancée’s intentions may make your deciConfirm their availability sion a lot easier. For example, if you have When asking friends or family memtwo brothers and several friends you’re bers to be groomsmen, it’s best to ensure considering, but your fiancée only intends they can actually make it to the ceremony. to have a maid of honor and one bridesThis is a concern for grooms who are planmaid, then you can just ask both of your ning a destination wedding or those getbrothers to serve as groomsmen. Friends ting married in their fiancée’s hometown are unlikely be offended if family members and not their own, as some guests, includget the nod ahead of them, so discuss ing potential groomsmen, may not be able numbers with your fiancée before you to afford to attend an overseas or faraway begin trimming your list of candidates. If ceremony. When asking, explain the situayou already have an idea of who you want tion to them, and let them know you fully to be your groomsmen but your choices understand if they cannot commit to being outnumber your fiancée’s, see if she has a groomsmen due to travel or financial anyone else she can add to her party so no concerns. Confirm their availability as soon one is left out. as possible, as you don’t want to be down
Choose the best man for the job
one groomsman come your big day. For those who you want to be a groomsmen but are unable to make it, it can be a nice gesture to buy them a groomsmen gift as a token of your appreciation for their friendship.
Many grooms pick a brother to serve as their best man, and while that’s a nice sentiment, it’s important that grooms recognize that being a best man carries with it some responsibility. A best man will organize the bachelor party, give a toast at Many grooms face difficult decisions the wedding and handle any post-wedding when choosing their groomsmen. But there are ways to make such decisions a lot duties, such as returning the tuxes or arranging for the newlyweds’ transportation easier than they may seem. to the airport. If your brother is already incredibly busy or if you doubt he is up to
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Simple solutions to save on your wedding If young children and teenagers will be Timing attending the wedding, negotiate lower The timing of a wedding also affects a rates for their meals, as they won’t be Venue couple’s bottom line. Couples hoping to drinking alcohol and therefore won’t cost get married when wedding season hits its Perhaps no element the venue as much as adult guests. peaks, which is generally considered the of wedding planning is months of May and June and then also more open to negotialate-September into October, can expect tion than the venue Location to pay substantially more than couples where the recepWhere a couple decides to tie the willing to get married at other times of tion will take place. knot will have a significant impact o n Many couples now their bottom line. Certain locales, such as the year. Couples also can save money choose venues large cities, are more expensive than oth- by choosing to get married on Friday or that can host both ers. Couples who come from small towns Sunday nights or Saturday afternoon, the wedding and the may benefit from tying the knot close to when many venues charge considerably reception, and that can home, as vendors tend to charge less the less per person than they do on Saturday save couples the cost of further they are from large metropolises. night, which remains the most popular night of the week to get married. booking two separate Waterfront venues, regardless of which locations and transportcity they happen to be in, also tend to be ing out-of-town guests more expensive than venues with less The cost of a wedding is considerable, from one location to another. impressive surroundings. Couples willing but couples can cut those costs in several Venues are typically open to to sacrifice city lights and breathtaking ways if they’re willing to be flexible and negotiation with regard to the views of the water are likely to find more negotiate with vendors. price per person for the reception, affordable venues for ceremonies and and few will not have some wiggle receptions. room built into their initial quote.
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Factors to consider when choosing a wedding photography package Party size
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Videography
The number of people on the guest list should factor into your choice of wedding photographer. If your guest list is especially large, then you might want to consider hiring two or more photographers to document the day. Many agencies offer separate packages for couples who want one One decision that couples must make carefully concerns photographer and couples who prefer two or more photogthe photography package they choose for their ceremonies raphers, so it pays to examine the price differences between such packages to see if more than one photographer can and receptions. Wedding photographers play a big role on a couple’s big day, and it’s important that men and women fit into your budget. Couples with relatively small guests about to tie the knot consider a host of factors before choos- lists can typically get by with just a single photographer ing the men or women they will ultimately task with visually to document their ceremonies and receptions. documenting their wedding days. Couples must make a host of important decisions when planning their weddings. Some decisions, such as choosing a venue to host the reception, require more effort and research on the part of couples than others.
Many photography agencies also offer videography services in some of their wedding packages. Videography can be a great way for couples to document their wedding days, and it can be fun for couples to watch their wedding videos with their families down the road.
Travel Engagement photo shoot Couples who want to do an engagement photo shoot may want to negotiate such a shoot into their photography package. Some agencies include engagement shoots in their packages while others do not. If the engagement photo shoot is on your list of needs, then look for an agency that provides such services as part of its packages or agencies willing to include the engagement photo shoot for free or for an added fee.
When discussing a wedding photography package, ask how much travel is included in the package. This is important for couples whose ceremonies are in a separate location from their receptions. If the distance between the ceremony site and the reception venue is considerable, you may have to pay extra for the photographer to travel between both sites. While a reasonable amount of travel is typically included in a photography package, it’s best that you confirm this prior to signing an agreement.
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Everything you need to make your wedding a success. Hilton Garden Inn® Billings knows how important your Big Day is, and we can help. From our fabulous food presentations, elegant venue and rooms for your guests, we are here to ensure your biggest day is a success. Ask about our Premier Wedding Package. • 2,400 sq. ft. Ballroom for up to 180 people • Pre-function areas for greeting and cocktails • Bridal King Suite for your wedding night • Personalized online wedding web page for hotel room reservations • Coordinated planning services with our experienced staff, Executive Chef, and more! Call Sales & Catering Today at 406-655-8800 for all the details. Hilton Garden Inn Billings 2465 Grant Road, Billings, MT 59102 406-655-8800 • 1-877-STAY-HGI www.billings.hgi.com
©2015 HILTON WORLDWIDE
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Make your engagement photo shoot a success Metro Services Engagement photos vary depending on the couple. Often reserved for save-the-date cards and now commonly used to spruce up wedding websites, engagement photos can range from formal shoots in which couples are dressed to the nines to more laid back shots featuring couples in more everyday attire. When planning an engagement shoot, couples should give themselves carte blanche with regard to style, as the photo shoot need not follow many of the more accepted rules that the wedding itself will ultimately adhere to. Once couples have settled on a style for their photo shoot, there are additional ways to ensure the session is a success.
want your photos to be more lively and spontaneous. Before you hire anyone, ask for samples of each photographer’s work to be certain you’re getting someone who has experiencing shooting the type of photos you want to take.
Solicit ideas from the photographer Some couples already know exactly where they want their engagement photos to be shot and which poses they want to be arranged. However, many couples have little or no experience with professional photo shoots, and such couples should solicit ideas from each photographer they are considering hiring. A skilled and/or seasoned photographer should propose several ideas. Be wary of photographers who offer little input, as you may ultimately be dissatisfied with their work once the shoot has come and gone.
Find a photographer who shares your sensibilities Photographers can vary greatly in style, and an engagement photo shoot will be most successful when couples find a photographer whose style matches the theme they are looking for with their photo shoot. You likely would not hire a nature photographer to photograph a basketball game, so don’t hire someone who specializes in posed shots if you
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Avoid studio shots Many couples prefer their engagement photos be taken somewhere they have a personal connection to, such as the sight of their first date or a park they frequently visit. Studio photo shoots might provide the best lighting, but
couples have no connection to such spaces, and down the road they may regret not taking the photos in someplace that’s a little more meaningful. In addition, a photo shoot outside the studio affords couples and their photographer more opportunities to experiment and improvise, which can produce a wider array of shots than a studio photo shoot is likely to deliver.
Don’t forget candid shots Candid shots make the photo shoot more fun and loosen couples up a little bit. Many engagement photos will never be seen by anyone other than the photographer and the couple he or she is shooting, so don’t be bashful during candid shots for fear of being embarrassed down the road. Have fun with the candid shots, and your other photos are likely to come out better as a result. An engagement photo shoot should be fun and reflect the personalities of the couple. A few simple strategies can ensure couples’ shoots accomplish both of those things.
Music mistakes to avoid
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list and are associated with negative memories. Band leaders and deejays are not mind readers. Give your band leader or deejay Wedding guests are usually anxious to ample time to review your requests so that head to the reception, where they can let loose and party. Music is an essential compo- he or she has time to find a song that may not be in his or her collection. nent of a lively and fun wedding reception, and there are some musical miscues couples should look to avoid to ensure the music is Dancing to long songs not memorable for all the wrong reasons. Pay attention to a song’s length, and choose spotlight dance songs wisely. Blocks of silence Remember that guests will be watching Nothing makes time seem interminable you dance with parents or each other, and a five-minute song can seem never-ending more than silence. Always have a constant while others are waiting around. Avoid very flow of music to avoid awkward silences. long songs, as the mix of music should be This includes the time guests are waitupbeat. The wedding isn’t the time to play ing prior to the ceremony as well as when “American Pie” by Don McClean, Queen’s they’re entering the cocktail hour. Music “Bohemian Rhapsody” or Lynyrd Skynyrd’s will help everyone feel comfortable, and it creates a pleasing atmosphere, so make sure “Free Bird.” music plays throughout the festivities.
Inappropriate lyrics and volume Second-guessing a professional
Keep the music at an acceptable volume, and avoid songs with suggestive language In an effort to curb costs, some couples or curse words that are inappropriate in a provide their own playlists via an mp3 player family setting. or a streaming service for the music. This is often a mistake. Hiring a professional means you will not have to worry about managing Music is a key element of any good party, music on top of your many other wedding including a wedding reception, and it’s esday responsibilities. A band or deejay usually sential that couples take steps to avoid any also serves as the emcee for the event, anmusical miscues. nouncing key moments of the reception as well as getting guests up on the dance floor.
117 N. 30th • 245-3760 • www.wetzelscleaners.com Weekdays 7:30-6 • Saturdays 8:30-1
Moss Mansion,
where memories are made...
Playing only one type of music Playing too many songs from one genre of music will alienate some of the guests who simply are not interested in that type of music. Professional deejays or performers know how to offer a great mix that will appeal to the masses, and they are often well worth the cost. Try to span different decades and genres to keep as many of your guests on the dance floor as possible.
Failure to make a song list Some songs you may feel are essential to the wedding and others may be on a do-not-play
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Book Your Wedding Today! 256-5100 • events@mossmansion.com
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Vendor listings
Venues, catering, accommodations & more
THE BILLINGS DEPOT 2310 Montana Ave., Billings, MT 59101 (406) 656-7273 - billingsdepot.org
GAINAN’S FLOWERS 502 N. 30th St., Billings, MT 59101 (406) 245-6434 - gainans.com
With its soaring ceilings, high arched windows and roman columns, the historic Billings Depot is an elegant event center specializing in providing the perfect space for your special event. New services include wedding planning, rental of linens and décor, in-house full bar service, guest transportation, and a new outdoor courtyard area created especially for weddings.
No dream is too big. From mountains to masquerade, western to whimsical, Gainan’s offers 60 years of experience to make your wedding vision a reality. Our experienced consultants welcome the privilege of assisting you in planning the day of your dreams. We specialize in destination weddings including Billings, Big Sky, Red Lodge, Flathead Lake, Moonlight Basin and Northern Wyoming.
BILLINGS HOTEL & CONVENTION CENTER 1223 Mullowney Lane, Billings, MT 59101 HILTON GARDEN INN BILLINGS (406) 248-7151 - billingshotel.net 2465 Grant Road, Billings, MT 59102 (406) 655-8800 - billings.hgi.com The Billings Hotel and Convention Center is a full service, newly renovated facility with We offer exceptional wedding reception fa236 rooms and suites. In addition to our cilities, bridal party rooms, guest accommoon-site restaurant, lounge and casino, we dations, concierge services, hotel banquet offer over 25,000 square feet of meeting and hall and more. Hotel features: restaurant, banquet facilities, specializing in groups of bar/lounge, room service, indoor pool, spa 10 to 1,400 people. We also have a ballroom tub, fitness facility, high speed internet acand beautiful court yard for your special day. cess, airport shuttle and laundry facilities. BIN 119 119 N. Broadway, Billings, MT 59101 (406) 294-9119 - bin119.net Bin 119 provides a casual fine dining atmosphere with American bistro and regionally influenced cuisine. We serve lunch and dinner daily as well as a brunch menu every Sunday. The menu offers a great variety of tapas, steaks, seafood, paninis, burgers and desserts. We have an amazing wine list as well as quality beer and ales. Patio and banquet room available.
RED LODGE MOUNTAIN RESORT (406) 446-4610 groups@RedLodgeMountain.com redlodgemountain.com/weddingsbanquets/banquets-conferences
TOTAL TRANSPORTATION (406) 252-1778 or 1 (800) 698-1778 mttotaltransportation.com
Total Transportation has been in service for 33 years. Limo & Carriage Company and Billings Trolley & Bus Company. We do 95% When you’re planning your big day, Red Lodge Mountain Resort’s Banquet facility is of the weddings in the surrounding areas of Montana and Wyoming. We offer elegant that perfect mix of brains and beauty. Our horse drawn carriages, limousines from A-framed Clubhouse with floor-to-ceiling views can accommodate groups of up to 200 Hummers to Cadillac Escalades to Lincoln limo stretches. In 2006, we were awarded people. Our large, timber-framed banquet one of the top ten services in the nation. room has seating for 100 plus room for a band to set up and room for dancing. The party can continue outside to our deck and VELVET patio, where the unforgettable mountain 222 N. Broadway scenery will stay with you long after your (Across from the Alberta Bair) guests have gone home. Call or email to Billings, MT 59101 start making your plans now. (406) 294-0308 - velvetcravings.com velvetcravings@gmail.com ROCK CREEK RESORT 5 miles South of Red Lodge on Hwy 212 Red Lodge, Montana 59068 1 (800) 667-1119 or (406) 446-1111 rockcreekresort.com/weddings.asp
Velvet custom wedding cakes are designed and handcrafted especially for you. We will create a customized cake guaranteed to be as beautiful and elegant as the bride on her wedding day. Whether for a small gatherChoose from our indoor facility which faces ing of family, or for a ballroom packed with out toward Rock Creek, or our many outdoor MOSS MANSION happy loved ones, let Velvet help make your locations. We can accommodate parties 914 Division St., Billings, MT 59101 perfect cake. from 25 to 300 guests. Our on-property ex(406) 256-5100 - mossmansion.com ecutive chef will help you select the perfect Explore a historic local treasure in downtown meal, and we offer a romantic honeymoon WETZEL’S QUALITY CLEANERS Billings. The Moss Mansion Historic House 117 N. 30th St., Billings, MT 59101 cabin. See our website for pictures and Museum brings 1903 history to life, showcas- information. (406) 545-0794 ing original furniture and artifacts. Listed on Welcome to Wetzel’s Quality Cleaners, servthe National Register of Historic Places, this ing the dry cleaning needs of Billings and local treasure is a source of inspiration and eastern Montana for more than 97 years. You education for all. Visit www.mossmansion. can trust us with your precious items. We are com for seasonal tour hours. certified Master Dry Cleaners and specialize in many areas, including wedding gown preservation. Mail order services are also available.
Real Western Hospitality The Historic Dude Rancher Lodge has provided lodging for Billings visitors for over 60 years. Enjoy Historic Ambience with Modern Amenities, including Abundant parking, Free WiFi access, Refrigerators, Microwaves & Flat Screen TV. Enjoy the Casual Dining Atmosphere in a true Coffee Shop serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
406-259-5561 1-800-221-3302 415 N. 29th Street Billings, MT 59101
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