Valley Vows 2017

VALLEY VOWS 2017 FREE

A Guide to Getting Married in the Methow s e i r o t True Sdings in d e W f o y e ll a V the

A SUPPLEMENT TO THE METHOW VALLEY NEWS

Inspired Beginnings Happen Here.

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To learn more, please contact our wedding planner at 509.996.4728.

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Don Nelson, publisher/editor Sheila Ward, advertising Tyson Kellie, advertising Rebecca Walker, office manager Dana Sphar, ad design/production Darla Hussey, design A publication of the Methow Valley News P.O. Box 97, Twisp, WA 98856 509.997.7011 • 509.997.3277 fax editor@methowvalleynews.com www.methowvalleynews.com

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NeveR-eNdiNg StORY

valleY vOWS

You wedding, your story.

You committed, you planned, you probably fretted a bit, and then it all came together in an unforgettable day.

Who better to talk about it?

For the 2016 –17 edition of Valley Vows, we invited brides and their families to talk about their Methow Valley weddings. Four wedding parties took us up on it, and you’ll find their self-told experiences personable and, perhaps, helpful.

In each case, the wedding party found the Methow Valley accommodating in every sense of the word.

To help those contemplating a Methow Wedding, we’ve also including an overview of potential locations for the ceremony and all of the related celebrations, from one end of the valley to the other.

As for gift-giving, why not make it a completely Methow experience by taking advantage of the extraordinary array of Methow-made products and experiences to honor the happy couple? You’ll find a guide to local gift-giving in Valley Vows 2016 –17 as well.

Look to our advertisers as well for information and inspiration. They’re ready to meet your every need and help create your dream — and to make your Methow Valley wedding a unique story in itself.

— Don Nelson

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Ode to the village Friends, family and professionals combined to create a perfect wedding experience for Lliam and Mandi

a multitude of thanks Local vendors made it a memorable day at Gardner View Ranch

‘the Methow Way’ Generosity and neighborliness contributed to a wonderful day

taking charge Planning, great help and a lovely site add up to a memorable wedding

location, location, location: inside and out, we’ve got you covered The ideal Methow Valley setting is whatever you want it to be

Perfect gifts for the perfect setting Shop the Methow Valley for an amazing variety of wedding-worthy presents

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Ode to the village Friends, family and professionals combined to create a perfect wedding experience for Lliam and Mandi

By M a ndi Smith Donohue

“I

t takes a village” easily sums up ‌the sentiments I have about our Methow Valley wedding.

At the time, my husband, Lliam Donohue, was working for a towing company and I was working as a baker.

While we are “rich in spirit” as they say, we knew our funds were limited bigtime. We also had a myriad of friends and family coming from out of town, so while we tried to keep our costs down, we also wanted to make sure it was worth our while for them.

We decided to spend the big money on the photographer and our deejay.

Everything else we tried to do was as cost-effective as possible or was gifted and determined by friends and family.

We used Stillpoint Photography for our wedding photos. Angela Parris, the incredibly sweet photographer and owner, is based out of Spokane and did an amazing job across the board. She met with us ahead of time to make sure she knew what we were looking for

The wedding mini-cake was decorated with real flowers. Photo by Angela Parris

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and made sure we got all the shots we wanted.

Throughout the day, she was a mere fly on the wall. When we got our pictures back, we were amazed. I’m not sure how or when she got the shots she did; she was so stealthy! She caught a photo of me with my dad that made me cry instantly. With so much wedding experience, she was also super helpful with tips and tricks that went above and beyond the call of photographer. I would hire her again in a heartbeat!

Local hair magician Phoebe Rudd did hair for myself and a few other ladies in the bridal party. She hosted us as we enjoyed mimosas in her adorable workspace in Winthrop. Let me tell you, the woman is a saint!

I considered myself a very “chill bride,” going with the flow like a champ and always choosing to have a sense of humor about what is out of your control. Everything was moving along swimmingly until about a week before the wedding when my car died and it was out of commission for the remainder of the week. As a gal that likes her freedom, and had serious places to be, this is what broke me.

Many of my friends and family didn’t have cell reception so there was no way to get in touch with people, and that morning, everything came to a screeching halt. I unexpectedly lost it — tears, snot and a puffy face like you can only imagine! While I didn’t exactly plan that into my day, Phoebe was beyond gracious, a true professional, and did an amazing job!

Our deejay, Noah Ashford of Boom Boom Productions, was also integral to our day. Noah, one of my favorite people in general and a local to the Methow Valley, was just so much fun!

He was absolutely professional, had all of his equipment ready to go, asked questions without being invasive and absolutely listened to our picks in music. He also went above and beyond as we had my sister and a friend sing throughout the reception and was able to make everything happen beautifully.

Noah kept the flow of the wedding going as well, even when things were up in the air due to unforeseen circumstances. At the end of the night, he concluded with an hour-long medley of 1980s hits that my friends requested last-minute. After a recent trip to Los Angeles, they are still talking about it!

So grateful he was a part of our day!

Lliam and Mandi appreciated the outdoor setting. Photo by Angela Parris Our reception was catered by Lliam’s friends, Bill and Suellen White. We knew Bill was going to smoke some pork for us but when another catering friend that had signed up to do side dishes had to drop out, the Whites graciously offered to do all of it and put our minds at ease.

There are just no words that can speak to the generosity and deliciousness that they literally brought to the table. Bill smoked a ton of pork for us and Suellen made a variety of sides perfect for our gourmet barbecue. Our guests were going back for seconds and thirds. We still have a ton of leftovers in our freezer! We are forever grateful.

We bought a couple of kegs locally from Old Schoolhouse Brewery in Winthrop, and with some parts given to him by the owner of Twisp River Pub, Lliam was able to make a jockey box, which can be really hard to find in the valley. We also purchased gin and tonic from Costco, and a few cases of wine.

We had a friend bartend for the evening. Everyone had a blast!

We ordered our flowers from an online wholesale site called Fifty

Flowers. More costly than anticipated, but we were incredibly grateful to have Lliam’s sister Nora save us money by offering to put together our bouquets and boutonnieres for us as she previously worked at a flower shop. A true labor of love, the bouquets turned out lovely and it made the day more special to know I was carrying something made by family!

Paul Butler and Bo Thrasher gave us a screaming good deal on the Heli Ski Barn in Mazama, right behind The Freestone Inn. The decorations were created by a dream team of local ladies that went above and beyond our greatest expectations. My aunt, Micki Thomas, gifted us our decoration costs and together with Cheryl Crosby and Tammy Nielsen, they scavenged, shopped and borrowed decorations for our wedding day, with amazing finds from neighbors to antique shows.

Lliam is a “gear head” and I am a baker, so our decorations included a beautiful and perfect blend of baking tools and antique car parts. We even borrowed an old Model T from local Walt Foster. Teresa Nielsen also

assisted and painted a gorgeous replicated mural of our wedding invitation that we have hanging in our house today. The amount of time, patience and energy that went into this endeavor is just something you can’t put into words. I’m not sure we will ever find the right ones to express our gratitude.

I also can’t say enough about the Mazama Store and its co-owner Missy LeDuc. I was working in their bakery at the time and we were so blessed to have them involved. We opted out of the traditional wedding cake and instead went with a table of mini-desserts. I spent months baking and freezing treats at home for the reception but I also ordered cupcakes, banana puddings, a vegan salad and a mini wedding cake to cut from store. One of our local bakery ladies did the mini-cake and it was absolutely gorgeous. Decorated with real flowers, it almost looked hand-painted.

The day after the wedding they hosted and gifted us a beautiful and delicious brunch out on the courtyard. They provided an assortment of delicious pastries, breakfast sandwiches and coffee.

I was so grateful. It was probably my favorite part of the weekend as it was totally stress-free and I finally had a chance to talk with friends.

Friends and family helped decorate the Heli Barn near Freestone Inn for the reception. Photo by Angela Parris And this isn’t even the half of it!

Writing about the gratitude I have for everyone involved in our wedding is easy. Putting that gratitude into words is supremely difficult. Hindsight is

rs atercolo W n te hris Paula C s t n prese

! e v i L painter g e t t i s s n O rti eddin

A

r for you

20/20 vision. There are so many things we didn’t know to think about and so many things that went wrong. But the way our village supported us and loved us on that day, was the most amazing

feeling of our lives. As my husband says, “We wouldn’t have been married without the village!” I concur. We wouldn’t be who we are without them either. We love you! 

Forever

w

As you plan for your lives together, know that we are protecting the natural beauty, working farmlands, and clean flowing rivers that have drawn you here.

A wedding gift made in your honor to the Methow Conservancy or another local nonprofit organization is a special way to ensure that what you love about the Methow Valley endures.

Creating an original work of art and treasured heirloom of your celebration

www.methowconservancy.org

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A multitude of thanks Local vendors made it a memorable day at Gardner View Ranch

By Lolly a nd John A nder son

H

ello, Methow Valley friends!

Our daughter got married in June 2016 at Gardner View Ranch and it was absolutely beautiful. We used Methow Valley vendors except for the photographer. Following is the email I sent out thanking the vendors we used.

A huge thank you to each of you for making Sarah and Erik’s wedding a beautiful event. We are forever grateful to all of you for making their day so special. We had a “Methow Made” wedding and we appreciate each and every one of you!

Gardner View Ranch — Rick Fulcher Rick, your ranch is beautiful and it provided a setting that was intimate and elegant. We loved the barn, and the pasture was a perfect place to do the ceremony with Mt. Gardner in the background. It was a pleasure to work with you and we appreciate all of your help. We realize that this is a new undertaking for you and we would be more than happy to share our thoughts about what the experience was like from the other side. We hope that if there is anything we can do to help promote your venue you will call on us.

Stewart Dietz Catering — Stewart Dietz Stew, what can we say but you are top-notch! Your attention to detail, organizational skills and planning

Sarah and Erik in the pasture at Gardner View Ranch. Photo by Erin Schedler were exceptional. We absolutely loved working with you! Best of all, the food was outstanding! We had many, many compliments and have enjoyed the leftovers. Your staff was amazing. Friendly and efficient, we hardly noticed they were there. Also, please give our thanks to Scott who provided the tents, chairs, tables, etc. He went above and beyond and his crew was exceptional. It was a real pleasure working with him both on the setup and the breakdown.

Fawn Meadow Design — Katie Hover Katie, the flowers were absolutely

beautiful! Loved, loved, loved all of them! The combinations of flowers, greenery and color were perfect. Beautifully hand-made and elegant. Plus, they smell so good! We are still enjoying the ones we brought home. Thank you for working taking our ideas and making them happen. You are a pleasure to work with.

DJ Bull Frog — Jeremiah Fossness Thank you Jeremiah for being our deejay. Perfect! Incredibly easy to work with, spot-on with transitions and flow. We especially appreciate how you

Available for Weddings & Parties

For info and Reservations call: Kim 509-997-8050 or Susan 509-449-5900

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Door No. 3 — Robin Doggett and Laura Gunnip Thank you, Robin and Laura, for

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included all of the different play list requests that we sent to you. We know that Erik and Sarah, along with all of the guests, really had a lot of fun. Plus, we loved having a beer with you and rehashing the evening’s events after the party was over. We’re looking forward to the next time you are deejay-ing at The Copper Glance, or someplace else in the area. We’ll be the ones who are having the most fun on the dance floor.

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Lost River Winery — Liam Doyle A huge shout-out to Lost River Winery for the fantastic wine and especially the use of your wine barrels.

The barrels were the perfect addition for this venue and we can’t thank you enough for letting us use them. Thanks, too, to Paul, who made himself readily available so that we could pick them up and return them on our schedule.

We have been wine club members for as long as we can remember and it was really special to feature the Lost River wines at both the rehearsal dinner and the wedding reception. We have a couple of cases left over that are going into our wine cellar for future fun times. Thank you for everything you did for us.

and be together while someone was having their hair done and someone else was having their make-up done. I loved the picture taken of the girls at the end.

Thank you!

Nectar Skin Bar — Kelsi Kelsi, you are wonderful. To “put on our faces” with such care and patience while pregnant raises the bar for all makeup artists. I never felt like you were hurrying us but instead working with us to make us look our best. I really appreciate it. Sarah was gorgeous!

DJ NOAH

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Mountain Sound — Terry Hunt Thank you, Terry, for the phenomenal guitar music during the ceremony.

John and I still laugh about when we came to your studio and you played some sample selections. You made everything sound great and we enjoyed our mini-concert. You are an incredible guitarist and everything you played was exceptional. Everything sounded amazing to us! Your picks added an element that was perfect during the ceremony.

Wine Shed — Dave Swenson Thanks, Dave, for ordering the kegs!

It made things so easy for us working with you. You have a great shop there in Winthrop and I’m sure we will be by for a tequila tasting or whatever event you are putting on.

Honey — Russ Thomas I wanted a wedding favor that was Methow Made. After several inquiries, Russ was recommended to us. We bought 24 pounds of delicious honey from him and made darling 1.5-ounce wedding favors.

Studio 509 — Phoebe Rudd Phoebe, we had so much fun the morning of the wedding hanging out in your new studio in jammies, drinking mimosas and having breakfast! And, we loved our hair to boot! The bridesmaids’ hair was gorgeous and Sarah’s hair was stunning. My mom and I especially commented on the wonderful head massage you gave both of us. I needed it! It was great having your place for us to gather

Most important to John and me is that we made some great new friends in the valley. We have been coming to the valley to our family home up Balky Hill for over 30 years. It’s a special place with special people. All of you are our treasured friends and we look forward to seeing you soon in and around the Methow. It would be an honor for us to recommend each of you at any time. We appreciate all of you. 

509-341-9292

creating a perfect wedding invitation suite (invitation, RSVP and thank you card) that captured the essence of Sarah and Erik and the valley. You took our ideas and added your touch of magic and flair. You both made things very easy and fun at our first meeting and subsequent email conversations. It was a pleasure to work with you both.

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‘The Methow Way’ Generosity and neighborliness contributed to a wonderful day

By R . Todd Fr edr ickson

M

y daughter Emily and her fiancé, James, decided to get married at my parents’ place in the Methow Valley. Joy and Keith Olmsted’s country house sits just east of Early Winters, and within walking distance to the Methow River.

We were hearing the expected numbers were anywhere between 50 to 130 friends and family. My wife and I showed up six days early to help set things up.

I was struck by the kindness and generosity of those in the valley. Neighbors who were out of town let the groom’s family stay in their house, and my siblings in another house.

Someone else across town loaned 80 feet of quality wood tables and benches. Another provided fresh-cut flowers from their yard.

Even Hank’s Harvest Foods in Twisp let my daughter order bulk flowers so she could get them at the latest possible time, allowing them to be the freshest.

We used wood pallets and plywood to build a dance floor and then built Methow fence posts by stacking rocks into rolled fencing that were then posted at the corner of the stage, holding up poplar limbs and lights. Two speakers were up on the deck playing a variety of music that was programmed on Emily’s phone. As the evening turned dark and the lights came on, the music became somewhat louder — a prerequisite for a good time for sure.

The comment I heard later was a neighbor saying that it sounded like the newlyweds had a good time. Nobody complained about the noise.

Out of respect for their privacy I won’t mention any names of the folks who contributed to an event they had no part of. They know who they are and I take my hat off to them.

My step-dad Keith Olmsted summed it up perfectly: “People in this part of the state are 30 years behind times. They take care of each other, loan their time or resources without expecting something in return.”

I agree with that picture and might add, “It’s the Methow Way.” 

Todd Fredrickson walking his daughter Emily through the garden gate at his mother’s place.

Photo Courtesy of R. Todd Fredrickson

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Taking charge Planning, great help and a lovely site add up to a memorable wedding

By K ea na Cruz

M

Keana and her father at Twisp Riverfront Event Center. Photo by Brandon Lovejoy, Lovejoy Photography

When the Honeymoon is over ...

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y husband, Jordan, and I were married in August 2016 in our beautiful valley!

We were very fortunate to be able to rent the Twisp Riverfront Event Center up Poorman Creek for the whole weekend. It was a gorgeous outdoor venue with a wide variety of kitchen utilities, which helped us make all of the sides and appetizers ourselves.

We were thankful that the space is dotted with big beautiful trees, leaving many shady areas so the August heat didn’t bother us a bit. It also had lots of space. We had 200-plus guests, many of whom decided to pitch a tent and camp for the weekend in a designated camping area.

The guys in the Hank’s Harvest Foods

meat section took care of our main dish — lovely pans of steaming, slowpulled pork with buns.

Our photographer was Brandon Lovejoy at Lovejoy Photography, based in Okanogan, and he was very talented at capturing our precious moments.

We also rented tents, beautiful white “pop-ups,” from Nancy’s Party Rentals in Wenatchee, which were very easy to assemble and added a gorgeous touch.

Hillary Ketcham Roseland was my hair stylist and makeup artist. She was amazingly talented and took care of my bridesmaids as well. She also made all of the flower crowns that morning for myself and my bridesmaids. She is incredible.

When it came to planning, we took charge and planned the entire day ourselves with the help of The Knot wedding planner app, which was very thorough and helped us stay on track in the months before the wedding. It reminded me to do everything from the engagement party, to sending invites, to packing for the honeymoon. We couldn’t have done it without The Knot! 

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Location, location, location: inside and out, we’ve got you covered The ideal Methow Valley setting is whatever you want it to be

By Joa nna Basti a n

D

ream up a picture-perfect wedding setting, and the Methow Valley will provide the real-life counterpart to frame your special day.

The Methow is a premier wedding destination with something for everyone, from forests to fields. Clear blue skies, pristine river valleys, charming orchards and the dramatic spires of the North Cascades form naturally elegant backdrops.

Within each individual location, there are many options to create either an intimate or grand celebration. Whether you tie the knot on a mountain ridge, a riverbank, in a forest, orchard, or meadow, the Methow Valley has a unique location that fits your style and reflects your love story. You can even get married on the very public Spring Creek Bridge, but the Town of Winthrop advises that it can’t reserve the bridge for events, so you might expect the company of strollers, joggers and bicyclists.

Different venues in the Methow

P

Valley have a wide variety of event settings, catering services, accommodations and recreation. Use this guide as a resource to find the perfect location for your perfect day.

Distinctive lodges • Sun Mountain Lodge (www.sunmountainlodge.com), offers full-service wedding packages, event planning and catering — with stunning views in all directions, and an elegant, inventive restaurant. For activities surrounding the big day, the lodge has an extensive trails system, horseback riding tours and mountain bike rentals.

• Freestone Inn (www.freestoneinn. com) near Mazama takes full advantage of the location and views that have made the Wilson Ranch a special place in the Methow for decades. Lodge rooms, cabins, a first-class restaurant, and Jack’s Hut (food, coffee, clothing, gear, rentals) are part of the offerings, along with a serene lakeside setting.

• River Run Inn (www.riverrun-inn. com) is another beautiful setting for a destination wedding. The inn provides event planning, catering services and a gorgeous setting along the river.

• Mazama Country Inn (www.

MazamaCountryInn.com) offers winter wedding event planning, catering and horse drawn sleigh rides.

Skalitude Retreat Skalitude Retreat (www.skalitude.

dances, r o f e u n e v t erfec dings. parties, wed

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Table and chair rental off site.

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Lakeside at Freestone Inn: just one of many lovely outdoor settings in the Methow Valley. Photo by EA Weym com) is a model of sustainable living.

The stunning Mount Panchenmama serves as the backdrop to the 160-acre eco retreat. Located just south of Carlton and nestled in the foothills of the east slopes of the North Cascades, the scenic meadow surrounded by mountains is perfect for either intimate or large gatherings.

The basic wedding package includes lodging, use of the kitchen and place settings, tables and chairs, PA system and site support. Owner Lindsey Swope has the experience and local connections to help plan your celebration.

In the basin-shaped meadow, a 2,000-square-foot Sky Lodge seats up to 200 people and is a breezy shaded option for rain or shine

Goat Wall View At the foot of the stunning Goat Wall in Mazama, Goat Wall View (www.

goatwallview.com), is an ideal setting for the ceremony and the reception. Five acres of woods surround an intimately secluded meadow bordered by gardens that change with the seasons.

Owner Claudia Napp Weber is an event planner with over a decade of experience. She can connect you with local vendors that fit your personality and budget to create an experience that you and your guests will not forget.

On-site restrooms, a full kitchen, gas grill, covered porches and plenty of parking make this scenic location very guest friendly. On-site lodging includes a roomy three-level home and separate studio apartment. Additional lodging at the Mazama Country Inn and Mazama Ranch House are just minutes away.

Spring Creek Ranch Located across the Methow River from downtown Winthrop, Spring Creek Ranch (www.

Wedding & Event Flowers

Fresh, local, unique flowers & foliage Methow grown at Brightwood Gardens Do It Yourself Bucket & bulk sales Melissa (509) 860-1938

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vendors so that you can enjoy your stay without worry. Wedding packages include a two-night stay for up to 15 people.

Additional lodging is available at the nearby Methow River Lodge and Cabins (methowriverlodge.com), or at several establishments in or near downtown Winthrop. Wintertime guests can ski out the front door onto the groomed cross-country ski trails of the scenic Methow Trails system.

muller

springcreekwinthrop.com), is a quiet escape from the ordinary. Lush meadows, a creek, and a picturesque pond are surrounded by mountain views.

Owner Sarah Berns can help you plan your event and organize with local

Pipestone Canyon Ranch Pipestone Canyon Ranch (www. pipestonecanyonranch.com), near the historic and breathtaking Pipestone Canyon, is a secluded paradise for any event. Backdrop options are varied, with the choice of a rocky hillside, lush pasture, meadows, and a cottonwood lined creek.

The Pipestone Canyon ranch is a working ranch, with alfalfa meadows and a rustic barn. The barn has modern renovations and is now a warm and welcoming event center.

The barn has kitchen and prep area, and dishes, tables and chairs are available for event use. The barn can accommodate indoor seating for up to 200 guests, and the doors open to an

expansive outdoor area with incredible views of the surrounding hills and farm lands.

And more ...

• The Winthrop Barn (www.winthropbarn.com) is a popular wedding venue, with its spacious hall, full kitchen and town park just outside its doors.

• Bear Creek Golf Course (www.bearcreekgolfcourse.com) near Winthrop can host wedding parties in a charming setting — they call it the Eagle’s Nest — that may just have you reaching for your clubs.

• Brown’s Farm (methownet.com/ brownsfarm/index.html), on Wolf Creek Road just off of Highway 20 west of Winthrop, has a variety of lodging options and a gracious setting with compelling Methow Valley views.

• For receptions and events, consider the roomy Methow Valley Community Center (methowvalleycommunitycenter. weebly.com) and Twisp Valley Grange (twispgrange.blogspot.com) in Twisp.

Elegant lodging is available nearby at Twisp River Suites (www.twispriversuites.com), which offers special rooms for folks with dogs; groups can rent the venerable Methow Valley Inn (www. methowvalleyinn.com) and make it their

own personal B&B; or find quiet relaxation at Methow Suites B&B (www. methowsuites.com).

• The North Cascade Heli Barn (heliski.com), adjacent to the Freestone Inn, is a welcoming space that opens up to a sunny meadow. It’s back-country skiing headquarters in the winter, but available at other times of the year.

• The Winthrop Rink (www.winthropicerink.com) has an upstairs room with a view of the rink (ice skating in the winter, roller skating in the summer) that is available for rentals.

• 3 Bears Cafe & Quilts in Winthrop (3bearscafe.com) has an upstairs room available for events.

• Confluence Gallery (confluencegallery.com) in Twisp can be rented for special occasions.

• Coming in the summer of 2017 is the new Barnyard Cinema on Highway 20 in Winthrop. While it will be primarily devoted to movies, the multi-use space will accommodate other events as well.

These are just a few highlights of all the locations the Methow Valley has to offer. You can certain that whichever location you choose, the scenery will be just as memorable as the ceremony. 

The perfect location for your wedding!

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Perfect gifts for the perfect setting Shop the Methow Valley for an amazing variety of weddingworthy presents

By A shley Lodato

I

n days of old, wedding gifts served the purpose of helping a new couple set up housekeeping together, providing them with linens, appliances, china and flatware. These days, however, many couples enter a marriage with one — if not two — household’s worth of stuff, and the need for basic housewares is less acute. This makes wedding gift shopping far more fun, but far more difficult as well, as the options seem limitless.

For the betrothed and wedding guests alike, the job will become more enjoyable — and quite possibly more meaningful — if gift sourcing is done in the Methow Valley. If you’ve chosen to hold your special event in the Methow Valley, it’s only fitting that your gifts reflect your connection to this special place.

Wedding gift selection often, but not always, begins with the affianced couple creating a registry of desired gifts. Although this process is not as streamlined at Methow Valley vendors as it is for online chains and box stores, presenting a small Methow Valley shop with a list of your coveted items is still possible at many vendors; your guests can then check with proprietors to see

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what items fit their budget and pique their interest.

As a shopper, Methow Made (www.

MethowMade.com) is a great place to begin. An information source for locally crafted goods, Methow Made features some of the valley’s finest artisans, growers, and producers. Ranging from pottery to botanicals to fruit to hot sauce, the products of Methow Made reflect the wide and varied talents of Methow producers.

If you can take the time, stroll through the towns of Mazama, Winthrop and Twisp and see what catches your eye.

Chances are if you are attracted to a particular item, the wedding couple is as well, and you will find something to suit your needs. And as you shop, consider the five senses of the Methow Valley and gifts that appeal to them.

Taste From Blue Star and Lariat coffee roasters, to Sixknot and Methow Ciderhouse hard ciders, to Lost River wines, to Old Schoolhouse Brewery beers, to numerous honey producers, to chocolatier Lisa Picklesimer, the Methow Valley is filled with local treats to sample and savor. A gift basket filled with drinks, condiments, and artisan grains from Bluebird Grain Farms will tickle the taste buds of the newlyweds and remind them of their Methow Valley wedding with every bite.

You could also give the happy couple a night out at one of the fine dining establishments, such as The Freestone Inn or Mazama Country Inn in Mazama, Arrowleaf Bistro in Winthrop, Sun Mountain Lodge or Tappi in Twisp.

Or give the gift of pottery or

. h s Fre l. a c o L . r o v a l F

Many local retailers carry a variety of Methow-made items. Photo by Don nelson glassware, from which the couple will later eat and drink and savor flavors.

Emily Post, Tamera Abate and Jim Neupert, as well as John and Agnes Almquist, make beautiful, functional, dishwasher-safe pottery. And using glassware created by Sam Carlin of Lucid Glassworks or Garth Mudge of Winthrop Glassworks is simply a delight.

Smell The smells of the Methow Valley come to life through many of the herbal and botanical products made here.

Handmade soaps by Molly’s soaps carry delicate scents of lavender and chamomile, Bee Happy Candle Co. products smell sweetly of honey, and Texas Creek Hot Sauces will awaken

the senses with a single sniff.

Hear When birds occupy your artisan bird box made by Nice Nests, their songs will keep you company. Nice Nests are functional, species-specific birdhouses created from salvaged wood and funky hardware and they create a home for cavity nesting species on your property. What better way to celebrate the union of two people than through the symbolism of creating a home — a cozy nest.

Another way to allow the newlyweds to celebrate the sounds of the Methow Valley is by giving them coveted tickets to the Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival. Held each summer on a hilltop overlooking the valley, the Chamber

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Touch What outdoor equipment might lack in elegance is more than compensated for by the use your outdoorsy wedding couple will get out of it. If the betrothed are the active type, you’ll be able to find any number of useful gifts at Winthrop and Mazama’s outdoor stores: Winthrop Mountain Sports, Cascades Outdoor Store, Methow Cycle & Sport, and Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies.

From climbing gear to ski equipment to bikes to camping gear, these outdoor stores carry all the latest — and lightest — in backcountry equipment. You might consider a lightweight cook kit or a new stove, or a bike repair kit; or put together an outdoor gift basket of matching wool socks, a solar lantern and new headlamps.

If the newlyweds are gardeners (or aspiring green thumbs), fun garden gifts and yard art can be found at Inside Out, Wild Hearts Nursery, or Yard Food. Sure, the wedding gifts will get scratched and dirty, but just think of the fun the recipients will have breaking them in.

Music Festival is host to renowned musicians and captivates audiences night after summer night.

See If it’s the gift of art you seek, any one of the valley’s galleries and

studios (Conf luence, Winthrop Gallery, D*Sign Studios, TwispWorks) can answer your need. From paintings to sculpture to photography to fibers, Methow Valley artists create art both beautiful and functional. If the season is right, you can catch the Sunday market in the Winthrop Park and select something from one of the many artists showing at the venue.

Or give the couple a gift certificate so they can choose their own art that will conjure up Methow Valley memories for them.

Spend Although it’s not one of the five senses, one thing that wedding couple has almost certainly been doing over the past few months is spending money.

One might argue that giving them cash as a wedding gift is tacky, but has anyone ever opened an envelope full of cash and thought “how gauche”? If you’re inclined to give cash, include a personal note about how you hope the cash will enable the newlyweds to treat themselves to something special.

Whether your cash gets applied to a mortgage payment, wedding bills or a dinner out at a fancy restaurant, you know it will be appreciated.

Donate For the couple that already has everything, make a donation in their name to a local nonprofit. If the newlyweds are interested in land use and conservation, give to the Methow Conservancy or the Methow Valley Citizens Council. If they’re interested in social services, give to Room One or The Cove. Are they patrons of the arts? Give to Methow Arts Alliance or The Merc Playhouse. Gifts to the Public School Funding Alliance, Little Star Montessori School and the Methow Valley Education Fund will support education efforts in the valley. Recreationalists might appreciate gifts in their name given to Methow Trails or Methow Valley Riding Unlimited.

Give back Party favors for wedding guests seem to be becoming de rigueur, although certainly no guests ever expect to receive them (heavens, you’re already providing them with a catered meal and free alcohol!) and the majority seem to forget them on the banquet tables after the wedding. If you have decided to send your loved ones home with a memento of your special day, make it a signature Methow Valley token, such

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as a bar of Molly’s soaps, a candle from Bee Light Enterprises, a tub of skin cream from Gardner Gardens, or a jar of honey from Highway 20 Honey.

Or stroll around the Methow Valley Farmers

Market or TwispWorks studios one Saturday in the spring and pick out personal, individualized gifts for your wedding party and guests. Seriously, your guests would rather receive a packet of letter-press greeting cards from the local print shop than a massproduced paperweight engraved with the intertwined initials of the bride and groom. There are dozens of artisans who create small, affordable, high-quality, meaningful products; share with your guests the feel or f lavor of the Methow through your party favors.

Bag it up One final thought: Give the wedding couple a few sturdy tote bags in which to haul all their loot home from the wedding. The attractive and indestructible bags from eqpd, located on the TwispWorks campus, will not only help them gather up their new possessions, but they will become a staple of grocery shopping and road trip packing. The new couple’s eqpd bags — like their marriage — are intended to last a lifetime. d Nice Nests could be a nice gift option. Photo by lAURelle WAlsh

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Directory of Advertisers Announcements & Invitations

Door No. 3 Print Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Beauty Salons

Sun Mountain Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Banquet/Reception Facilities

Brown’s Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Freestone Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Mazama Country Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Methow Valley Community Center . . . . . . . 10 Methow Valley Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Pipestone Canyon Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Spring Creek Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Sun Mountain Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Twisp River Suites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Twisp Valley Grange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Winthrop Barn Auditorium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Cafes/Dining/Espresso

Cinnamon Twisp Bakery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Freestone Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Mazama Country Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Mazama Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Sun Mountain Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Catering

Stewart Dietz Catering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Sunflower Catering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Contractors

JA Wright Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Entertainment/Musicians

Abracadoodles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 DJ Noah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Methow Valley DJ Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Winthrop Guitar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Event Planners & Consultants

Northern Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Stewart Dietz Catering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Sun Mountain Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Your Lake Chelan Wedding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Flowers & Floral Designers

Every Day Bouquets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Fawn Meadow Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Northern Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Local Goods

Cinnamon Twisp Bakery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Mazama Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

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Lodging

Brown’s Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Central Reservations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Freestone Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Mazama Country Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Methow Valley Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Spring Creek Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Sun Mountain Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Twisp River Suites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Non-Profit Organizations

Rental Equipment

Action Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 J.A. Wright Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Main Event Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Methow Moments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Methow Valley Community Center . . . . . . . 10 Pipestone Canyon Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Spa Services

Massage in the Methow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Sun Mountain Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Wedding Cakes & Confections

Methow Conservancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Photographers/Painters

Autumn Pines Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Paula Christen’s Watercolors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Weymuller Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Rehearsal Dinner Facilities

Freestone Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Mazama Country Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Methow Valley Community Center . . . . . . . 10 Methow Valley Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Spring Creek Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Sun Mountain Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Twisp River Suites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Twisp Valley Grange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Mazama Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Wedding Venues

Brown’s Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Freestone Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Mazama Country Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Methow Valley Community Center . . . . . . . 10 Methow Valley Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Pipestone Canyon Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Spring Creek Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Sun Mountain Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Twisp River Suites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Twisp Valley Grange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Winthrop Barn Auditorium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

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