VALLEY VOWS 2015

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A resource guide for weddings in the Methow Valley

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Venues • Photography • Caterers • So much more!

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SUPPLEMENT TO THE NEWS

M ETHOW VALLEY www.MethowValleyNews.com

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Off-site catering Wedding cakes Group dinners at the Bistro

996-3919 • Winthrop, WA www.arrowleafbistro.com

joanne@arrowleafbistro.com

The Place to Stay for Your Special Day....

Here you’ll find a luxurious and relaxed atmosphere with hospitality at its finest. We offer comfortable, romantic accommodations for the bride and groom as well as wedding party and guest lodging.

Beautifully Appointed Hotel Suites

Private, River-Front Decks

Full Gourmet Kitchens and Barbecues

Separate, Pet-Friendly Suites

Deluxe Memory Foam Mattresses

Flat Screen Satellite TV ’s Free Wi-Fi

Complimentary Gourmet Breakfast Wine & Cheese Plates Available

Let us help make your special day more enjoyable.

Excellent customer service, elevator access and ample parking.

Breakfast included and smiles guaranteed.

welcome home

TwispRiverSuites.com

(855) 784-8328 • (509) 997-0100 2

Valley Vows 2015

VOWS

Don Nelson, publisher/editor Sheila Ward, advertising Tyson Kellie, advertising Rebecca Walker, office manager Dana Sphar, ad design/production Darla Hussey, design Articles by Joanna Bastian 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

Find us on Facebook COVER PHOTO OF JESSICA & PHILLIP ROBERTS. PHOTO BY NICOLE CONNER

MEMORABLE

Valley

Everyone knows the Methow Valley provides an idyllic backdrop for weddings. Finding the right location isn’t a matter of settling for a suitable spot, but rather choosing from a dazzling variety of options.

What may be less appreciated is that the Methow is also a self-contained environment for providing just about everything a couple needs for their wedding, guests and related events.

It’s all here: lodging, facilities, catering, gifts, flowers, entertainment, planning help, recreational diversions, photography, salons, equipment, furnishings and other amenities.

Fully formal? You can do that. Creatively informal? Think as far outside the box as you like. There aren’t many places that offer so many ways to enjoy a truly distinct wedding experience.

Valley Vows will help you make decisions about every aspect of your special day. Check out the array of articles about the local possibilities. Take note of our advertisers as well — they are all ready to respond to your every desire.

After the planning and ceremony and celebration, you’ll need only one word to describe your Methow Valley wedding: memorable.

— Don Nelson

Contents The perfect stage

Methow Valley offers an abundance of scenic settings

4

Captured moments

Contemporary wedding photography is a full-immersion process

8

Say ‘I do’ to the Methow’s attractions

Check out the action options for you and your guests

9

Tastefully done

Methow Valley caterers use fresh local products to grace your wedding day table

12

Special gifts

A local gift registry will give your wedding a unique Methow flavor

13

INSPIRED BEGINNINGS...

HAPPEN HERE.

WEDDING FAVORITES ~ Before & after the “I Do’s” ~ Cinnamon Twisps • Fruit Delight Pecan Rolls • Bear Claws Quiche • Scones • Muffins Fruit Danish • Bagels • Granola • Gift Cards for your Guests

Sun Mountain Lodge offers spectacular outdoor wedding sites, elegant indoor facilities, distinctive cuisine and unparalleled wedding services.

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

Photos: Spring Wedding courtesy of Nicole Goddard and Winter Wedding courtesy of Sarah Hart Boyd Photography.

604 Patterson Lake RD Winthrop WA 98862 | sunmountainlodge.com www.MethowValleyNews.com

SPECIAL ORDERS WELCOME We can assist you with your planning

Downtown Twisp 509.997.5030 cinnamontwisp.com 3

The perfect stage The Methow Valley offers an abundance of scenic settings

By Joanna Bastian

If

you are planning a wedding, the Methow Valley is the perfect “Chapel of Love,” with more than 300 days of clear blue skies, pristine river valleys, charming orchards and the spires of the North Cascades. In any season, the Methow Valley is an outdoor cathedral of beauty for the perfect destination wedding that you and your guests will enjoy.

The ideal location could be in a meadow, mountain top, riverside, or even a hot air balloon. The possibilities are endless. Even within each location, there are many options to make your wedding as intimate or as grand as you like.

For Debra Campbell and Isabel Childs, the Methow Valley is a special place. Originally from Bozeman, Montana, the couple recently planned a fall wedding in the Methow Valley after vacationing here for 13 years.

Debra and Isabel decided to share this beautiful valley with their family and friends. For some of their guests, it was the first time driving over the North Cascades Highway and into the Methow Valley. “It blew people away. We took the whole weekend 4

Skalitude Retreat offers a number of outdoor options. PHOTO BY KEN BEVIS, REFLECTED LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

to celebrate the people we loved in a place we loved. It was the happiest day of our life,” Campbell said.

Here are a few options for Methowstyle nuptials: Skalitude Retreat www.skalitude.com Skalitude Retreat is a 160-acre playground where guests can interact with wind and gravity. A model of sustainable living, Skalitude’s name comes from the Salish language and means “to be in harmony with nature.” Located just south of Carlton and nestled in the foothills of the North Cascades, the scenic setting is perfect for either intimate or large gatherings.

Couples and their guests can enjoy a mountain getaway in a main lodge, a berm house, and on-site camping.

The main lodge is perched on the rim above the meadow with views of the canyon and surrounding mountains.

Cathedral ceilings and skylights create an inspiring atmosphere, and the bamboo floor with radiant heat is perfect for a relaxing yoga session. A handsome rock fireplace, full kitchen, and fire sauna complete the setting of relaxation and renewal.

In the basin-shaped meadow, couples can choose a variety of sites to exchange their vows. A 2,000square-foot Sky Lodge seats up to

200 people and is a breezy, shaded option for rain or shine. A flag circle, created with 40 flowing white flags, represents peace and serenity. Also in the meadow is the Medicine Wheel, a stone circle about 50 feet in diameter, perfect for celebrating the neverending circle of life. The stunning Mount Panchenmama serves as the backdrop to the Skalitude meadows.

The basic wedding package includes lodging, use of the kitchen and place settings, tables and chairs, p.a. system and site support. Owner Lindsey Swope has the experience and local connections to help plan your celebration. Skalitude Retreat is a truly spectacular setting to celebrate love and a sense of connection.

Goat Wall View www.goatwallview.com Nestled at the foot of the stunning Goat Wall in Mazama, the aptly named Goat Wall View is an ideal natural setting for the ceremony and the reception. Five acres of woods surround a secluded meadow bordered by charming gardens, landscaped with each season in mind. It is a divine location for a ceremony and reception.

Claudia Napp Weber, owner of Goat Wall View, is a creative 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.

Goat Wall View has on-site lodging with a roomy three-level home and separate studio apartment. The main house sleeps 16 and includes a full kitchen, washer and dryer, and intimate conversation areas. The studio apartment offers privacy and intimacy for two very special guests.

A bridal path leads to a picturesque meadow with large boulders that are perfect for use as an altar, cocktail tables, and gift tables. Restrooms, a full kitchen, gas grill, covered porches and plenty of parking make this scenic location very guest friendly.

Just steps away, the Methow Trails trail system with seasonal hiking and 200 kilometers of groomed ski trails runs right along the grounds. Additional lodging at the Mazama Country Inn, Mazama Ranch House, Freestone Inn and North Cascades Basecamp are just minutes away. At the nearby Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies store, guests can rent bikes and ski equipment and fully enjoy the Methow Valley’s renowned trail system.

Spring Creek Ranch www.springcreekwinthrop.com In the heart of Winthrop, 60-acre Spring Creek Ranch is a quiet escape from the ordinary. Lush pastures, meadows, riverfront, a creek and a Valley Vows 2015

picturesque pond are surrounded by mountain views. Wintertime guests can ski out the front door onto the groomed cross country ski trails of the Methow Trails system.

The lodgings at Spring Creek Ranch are privately secluded in picturesque surroundings. Personal touches highlight Methow Valley craftsmanship with handcrafted soaps and locally made pottery. The Ranch House sleeps nine and is ideal for family gatherings. The Ranch Cabin sleeps four, and the Studio Cabin, tucked demurely away among 5 acres of ponderosa pine forest, sleeps two.

Wedding packages include two nights stay for up to 15 people in the Ranch House, Ranch Cabin and the Studio Cabin. Owner Sarah Berns can help you plan your event and organize with local vendors so that you can enjoy your stay without worry. Additional lodging is just a stroll across the Spring Creek Bridge, connecting to the boardwalks of downtown Winthrop.

Danny and Heather Karell, who spent years enjoying Nordic skiing,

cycling, and climbing the various peaks of Methow Valley, said they felt “inspired and energized” with each visit. When Heather and Danny decided to tie the knot, it was a given that they would get married in the Methow. “Spring Creek Ranch was a great fit for us because it offered us the opportunity to share a beautiful piece of the Methow Valley with our

friends and family, many of whom were traveling from out of the state,” said Heather. “We felt that gathering everyone there allowed them experience the valley in a comfortable, visually stunning way. Our celebrations would not have been the same without the assistance of Sarah Berns, who went far above and beyond our expectations.”

Mazama Ranch House (www.mazamaranchhouse.com) is another option for rustic weddings. PHOTO BY SOL GUTIERREZ

Gardner View Ranch www.gardnerviewranch.com Spectacular views of Mount Gardner frame the 33-acre meadows, orchards and charming riverside barn of Gardner View Ranch in Winthrop.

Owners Rick and Jan Fulcher have the experience and the Methow Valley contacts to help couples plan all the details for their special day. They can coordinate catering, photography, flowers, desserts, live music, a DJ, an officiant, and even arrange for horse-drawn wagons to transport guests and the bridal party.

Gardner View Ranch has comfortable and spacious “getting ready” spaces for members of the wedding party. The barn is an ideal event venue with a commercial-grade kitchen, sound system, stage, and second-floor suite. Amenities include a ranch-style pine log altar, hay bales, chairs, tables, linens, silver service, glassware, a kitchen and plenty of parking.

For Elyse Darwood, Rick and Jan’s daughter, Gardner View Ranch was the perfect location to marry her partner, Jesse. “I spent a lot of my

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509.996.2117

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childhood here and I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful or meaningful venue. Jesse is a local outfitter and we wanted to incorporate horses and the outdoors as much as possible to reflect our unique lifestyle,” she said.

Guests were driven to the ceremony in horse-drawn wagons.

The groom rode to the wedding on his good rope horse. Vows were exchanged under the watchful gaze of the stunning Mount Gardner. At the end of the ceremony, Jesse lifted Elyse into a horse-drawn buggy, and the couple drove off into the sunset.

Gardner View Ranch offers several settings with amazing views, including a serene, tree-lined stretch of the Methow River.

Elyse offers sound advice for couples planning a wedding: “For any wedding, I think it’s really important that the details reflect the couple and that guests leave the event feeling like they got a greater sense of the couple’s love and their new life together. Don’t sweat the small stuff ... no one else remembers that we forgot to put the cake topper on the cake

before serving it. They remember the wagon ride that transported them to the site, and the amazing view of Mount Gardner behind us as we said our vows.”

Pipestone Canyon Ranch www.pipestonecanyonranch.com For Crystal and David Elliot-Perez, the Methow Valley had always been a special place. After many years of weekend trips to the Methow, “getting married in the Methow and exchanging vows in the place we loved so much felt like a natural choice,” Crystal said.

The couple chose creek-lined Pipestone Canyon Ranch near the historic and breathtaking Pipestone Canyon. They found owners Candy and George Hoksbergen to be “the nicest people. They were incredibly helpful and supportive throughout the entire planning process all the way through to the day-after cleanup. We also loved the casual ranch setting, and the top-notch facility accommodated all of our needs. It is such a beautiful location,” said Crystal.

Pipestone Canyon ranch is a

METHOW VALLEY’S

PIPESTONE CANYON RANCH

WEDDINGS MEETINGS Wedding, Reception, Lodging!

Fine Northwest Cuisine 18 Rooms plus Cabins for your Guests Extraordinary Scenery www.mazamacountryinn.com

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800-843-7951

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Valley Vows 2015

working ranch, with alfalfa meadows and a rustic barn, upgraded to be a warm and welcoming event center.

Backdrop options are varied, with the choice of a rocky hillside, lush pasture, meadows, and a cottonwoodlined creek.

The barn has kitchen and prep area, and the doors open to an expansive outdoor area with incredible views of the surrounding hills and farm lands. Dishes, stemware, stainless, tables and chairs are available for event use. There is indoor seating for up to 200 guests, with ample parking and lots of outdoor space for mingling. Campsites and rental homes are available nearby, and lodging and restaurants are within a short distance of Twisp.

The setting is perfect for an intimate gathering, or a full-on party.

Crystal’s favorite moment was during the dance party. “D.J. Noah got everyone to shake their stuff – it was a blast,” she said.

Her advice for planning a wedding: “Try to keep it simple, because it will still be more complicated and require more planning time than you think.

Forever 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.

Jesse and Elyse Darwood leave Gardner View Ranch in style. PHOTO BY SOL GUTTIEREZ

Find a setting that speaks to you – a place that fits your style and reflects your personalities. For us, that was the Upper Beaver Creek/Finley Canyon area.”

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

event l a i c e p your s ental r o f e hair r Venu le & c Tab

METHOW VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER 509-997-2926

www.methowvalleycommunitycenter.org mvccenter@methownet.com Located in the Historic Twisp School • 201 South Hwy. 20, Twisp, WA 98856

T AMARACK S T RING Q UAR UART TET Weddings Occasions Concerts Beautiful & amazing orchard site Complete with Sky Lodge Tent Organic Apple Ciders and Juice Excellent Music Venue 15% of on Keg or Case prices

Methow Conservancy

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ethow Valley alley Methow DJ Services

Ceremonies Receptions Dance parties

PO Box 346 ~ Twisp, WA 98856 509-341-4194 ~ teekaykay@hotmail.com

Travis J Smith 808 280 0606

methowvalleydjservices@yahoo.com

Local Fare Planning Gatherings

509-341-4354 methowvalleyciderhouse.com 2.5 miles north of Winthrop on the E. Chewuch Rd. www.MethowValleyNews.com

dietzcatering.com 7

Captured moments Contemporary wedding photography is a full-immersion process

By Joanna Bastian

For

professional photographer Teri Pieper, the main attraction of the Methow Valley as a destination for weddings is the natural beauty of the area. With all the varied terrain in the Methow Valley, it is certain that no two wedding photos will ever look alike.

Beautiful rivers lined with colorful aspens and cottonwoods flow through the valley floor. Waterfalls cascade along mountain trails. Orchards full of delicate pick and white blossoms in spring transform photo opportunities later in the season as branches become laden with peaches, bright red cherries, and crisp apples.

The scenery stretches across dramatic backdrops of every type and color: aspen groves, snow-capped mountains and wildflower meadows, unharvested fields and rustic barns in the valley below. Each captured image of vivid sunsets and fireside gatherings tells a story.

Experienced local photographers such as Pieper, Sol Gutierrez and E.A. Weymuller are intimately familiar with the breathtaking landscape of the Methow Valley and its unusual possibilities. To capture your moments in time, they will want to get to know you and find out what makes your story unique. Generally, couples meet with the photographer well in advance of the wedding to discuss pricing and options, and then another meeting on location to plan out how the day will unfold.

Pieper, owner of Reflected Light 8

Images in Winthrop (www.teripieper.com), is known for capturing moments that make every wedding unique. Her specialty, she said, is “capturing the light of the day and the season,” and, the spirit of your special day. One of her favorite weddings was a couple who chose to elope on the pedestrian bridge in Winthrop.

“It was so sweet and tender to get away from the ‘over the top’ and make it simple,” she said.

Gutierrez (www.solgutierrez. com) loves to create pictures that tell stories. Her style has been described as organic, modern and photojournalistic. It is important to Gutierrez that she be a good match for you. Her philosophy is that the photographer will spend the most time with you, from the beginning of the day to the very end, so it is important to have a photographer that you are comfortable with and who will accurately represent your day. “I enjoy the most being in the moment with these people and their family, being immersed in that extension of their personality,” she said.

Gutierrez provides online galleries, prints, and personalized photo albums with a variety of artistic covers in different textiles, colors and designs.

Weymuller’s gallery (www.weymullerphotography.com) demonstrates his wide range and ability to capture intimate moments, spontaneity,

There are many talented photographers in the valley who will record your special day in pictures. PHOTO BY DANA SPHAR

small details and large settings with a keen, opportunistic eye for unposed storytelling. As he explains on his website: “The practice of living in the moment is an aspiration that I try to live up to on a daily basis, and photography helps me recognize and remember that each instant is unique and that every one of us has the capability to fully experience it in our own way. I have chosen to spend time behind the lens to record these blink-and-you-miss-it moments.”

If you have friends who have been married in the Methow, ask them about the photography experience.

In addition to the professional ranks, there are also accomplished local photographers who shoot weddings as a sideline.

Wedding photography has evolved with smaller, more efficient equipment.

In the not-so-far past, happy couples were limited to posing in a studio, or in one location outdoors because the equipment was bulky and not easy to transport. As a result, poses were sedentary and, let’s be honest, boring.

Today, wedding photos tell a complete story from start to finish. The story may begin the night before at a rehearsal barbecue, it might continue on the next day and show action footage of you and your guests enjoying everything the Methow Valley has to offer. The photo montage may include details of the couple getting ready, flowers being arranged, moments being shared between mother and daughter, father and son, friends and family. For each of these moments, you will want a photographer that will honor the details of your love story in the Methow Valley. 

SKALITUDE RETREAT eco-retreat on 160 wild acres NUMEROUS CEREMONY SITES Sky Lodge tent (2000 square foot) available for off-site rental Photo by Teri Pieper

www.skalitude.com

• 509-997-1032 Valley Vows 2015

Twisp Valley Grange Available for Weddings & Parties Beautiful Dance Floor Full Kitchen/Dining Area Very Affordable Rates For info and Reservations call: Kim 509-997-8050 or Billie 509-997-4841

509.341.4311 Kathy Borgersen & Callie Lovette kathyborgersen@gmail.com

Unique, Memorable, Inspiring

Celebrating outside can be part of a Methow winter wedding.

PHOTO BY TERI PIEPER

Say ‘I do’ to the Methow’s attractions

Check out the action options for you and your guests

Gardner View Ranch Rick Fulcher 425.281.6420 gardnerviewranch.com

www.MethowValleyNews.com

Spectacular barn weddings ...on the Methow River near Winthrop

By Joanna Bastian

It

isn’t all about the ceremony.

After all, this is the Methow Valley, where diversions abound; couples and their guests should plan to come early and stay late to take advantage of them in any season.

Do we need to list them? Maybe not, but we will: hiking, biking (road and trail), climbing, golfing, birding, camping, backpacking, fishing,

horseback riding, photography, stargazing, boating, rafting, hot air ballooning, swimming, personal pampering, hanging around in coffee shops or just driving around. Add to that music and entertainment, galleries, museums, educational tours and leisurely shopping, and your to-do list is overflowing.

Things don’t slow down much in winter. It starts with cross country skiing and branches into alpine and back-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sledding, ice fishing, fat biking and ice skating.

Your nature-loving wedding guests will enjoy day hikes perfect for bird watching and wildlife viewing. Sun Mountain Lodge (www.sunmountainlodge.com) offers full-service wedding packages, event planning and catering. For activities surrounding the big day, the lodge has an extensive trails 9

system, horseback riding tours and mountain bike rentals.

For guided naturalist hikes along Audubon-certified birding trails, contact Steve and Kim Bondi at North Cascades Basecamp in Mazama (www. northcascadesbasecamp.com). Nestled in the cedar forests of the upper Methow Valley, this comfortable Europeanstyle lodge and cabin has spectacular views of the North Cascades. Basecamp trails meander over 20 acres of cedar forest and protected wetlands along the shores of the Methow River.

The Methow Trails system (www. methowtrails.org) lies just out the door with groomed winter ski trails and summer hiking trails.

For the more adventuresome wedding party with cool photo ops, spend the afternoon shooting the rapids along the Methow River with a guided raft trip by Osprey River Adventures (www.ospreyrafting.com) or River Run Inn (www.riverruninncom).

While enjoying a summer wedding in the Methow Valley, guests can swing a club at Alta Lake Resort (altalakegolf.com) or Bear Creek Golf Course (www.bearcreekgolfcourse.

com) near Winthrop. Just down the road from Alta Lake Golf Course is Alta Lake, perfect for swimming, kayaking, and camping. At the end of the lake is Whistlin’ Pine Ranch and Sawtooth Outfitters, with guided horse tours (look for both at www. altalake.com).

Pearrygin Lake State Park outside of Winthrop is one of the most popular camping and recreation destinations in the state, with a variety of family-friendly activities. Silverline Resort (www.silverlineresort.com) is another option on the lake.

After the snow flies, the Methow Valley transforms into a winter wonderland, renowned for powdery snow and blue skies. Over 200 kilometers of groomed Nordic ski trails criss-cross the Methow Valley and surrounding ridgelines.

If downhill skiing with a rush of adrenaline is on your wedding wish list, North Cascade Heli Skiing (www. heli-ski.com)offers guided hut-to-hut tours and heli skiing in the magnificent North Cascades back country.

The Loup Loup Ski Bowl on Highway 20 east of Twisp (www.skitheloup.

Light and Sound Photography

Custom Florist Specializing in Weddings & Events 509.996.8036 info@fawnmeadowdesign.com www.fawnmeadowdesign.com 10

com) features 1,240 vertical feet of alpine skiing (and snowboarding) with a quad chair and rope tow for tubers.

You may want to schedule some relaxation and pampering during your wedding getaway.

Maureen Collins offers personal yoga instruction to individuals and groups up to 30 guests. She can be found, along with other local yoga instructors, at Methow Valley Yoga (www.methowvalleyyoga.com), which lists yoga studios and schedules.

Many instructors are willing to meet you and your guests for a smaller,

more personalized yoga session. before the big day. Nectar Skin Bar in Winthrop (www.nectarskinbarwinthrop.com) and Sun Mountain Lodge offer spa services.

Classic Mountain Cabby in Twisp — (509) 996-2894 — can provide shuttle services for your guests.

Visit www.winthropwashington.com, www.twispinfo.com, www.okanogancountry.com or www.cascadeloop.com for information about activities, lodging, dining, shopping and maps.

For a calendar of current events, visit www.methowvalleynews.com. 

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Wedding & Event Flowers

Fresh, local, unique flowers & foliage Methow grown at Brightwood Gardens D.I.Y. Bucket & bulk sales April through first frost Melissa (509) 860-1938

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Reflected Light

Photography

You said “Yes” Let us help with the “I Do” All the tools and resources you need to plan your wedding in Lake Chelan, WA.

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Images that Capture the Spirit of the Day portraits weddings celebrations

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11

Tastefully done Methow Valley caterers use fresh local products to grace your wedding day table

By Joanna Bastian

Caterers

in the Methow Valley are personal, professional and anything but small town.

Using fresh local ingredients, caterers will work with you to create a tantalizing table of foods.

Local menus offer a cornucopia of delicious dishes and creative cocktails, such as hot mulled apple cider and trays of local artisan cheeses, tart grapes and apple slices.

You may start the wedding weekend off right with a grilling party arranged by Northcott BBQ in Winthrop. Farm-raised, grass-fed organic meats and locally grown fruits and veggies highlight the finest foods the Methow Valley has to offer.

Suekii Cornwall (suekii@centurylink. net) is in her words, “a nonconventional caterer.” She offers ala carte items along with menu suggestions.

There is a flat fee for labor plus the cost of groceries. Cornwall will come up with a menu that fits your budget and tastes, and after the first

meeting, will invite you back for a tasting. Her goal is to make your favorite foods and introduce you to some new tastes.

Stewart Dietz (www.dietzcatering. com) likes to work seasonally with what is available in the Methow Valley. Locally sourced cheese, wine, beer, and grains are used in every menu to compliment locally grown produce and meats. Mouth-watering photos of her creations can be found on her Facebook page and website.

Dietz is also an event planner and provides linens, tents, glassware, setup and cleanup.

Sunflower Catering & Events (www.methowcateringevents.com), a partnership of Kathy Borgersen, Callie Lovette and Heather McArthur, is prepared to handle small events all the way up to major gatherings with food and complete planning.

“Our style is based on our personal love of fresh and flavorful foods,” according to their website. “We like to work with … local growers, vendors, and businesses in the Methow Valley.”

Rocking Horse Bakery (www. rockinghorsebakery.com) and Arrowleaf Bistro (www.arrowleafbistro.com), both in Winthrop, are also excellent choices for catered meals. Joanne Uehara of Arrowleaf Bistro is constantly evolving her desserts around local and seasonal ingredients. Of Danny and Heather Karell’s wedding party, she said, “some of our friends still mention the berry pie!” 

Methow Valley caterers can take care of your dining needs inside or out. PHOTO COURTESY STEWART DIETZ CATERING

Suekii Cornwall

THE PERFECT WEDDING VENUE!

Caterer

Offering honest food for your special day

509 429 1516 suekii@winthroptipidinners.com 12

The

MethowValley Inn

Enjoy the romance and charm of this historic Inn, with beautiful rooms and lovely, private gardens and grounds.

Methow Valley Inn www.methowvalleyinn.com Valley Vows 2015

Special gifts A local gift registry will give your wedding a unique Methow flavor

By Joanna Bastian

Wedding

Unique gifts can be found at many locations in the Methow Valley. PHOTO BY DANA SPHAR

gifts used to be pretty simple. When people first married, they needed everything to stock a new household.

Today’s newlyweds are much more challenging — or shall we say interesting — to shop for. It is not uncommon for newlyweds to live on their own for years before joining together in wedded bliss. The last thing they need is a third or fourth toaster oven.

Friends and family are looking

for something useful and lasting, something that celebrates you and your partner. Gift hunting for the modern couple can be an adventure in creativity.

To help friends and relatives find something suitable, the soon-to-bemarried couple can make the gift hunting a little less daunting by creating a local gift list that celebrates their intimate connection to the Methow Valley.

Friendly merchants and artists can help you create an eclectic gift list (or an entirely practical one) that is easy for friends and family to access and shop from.

To create a local gift list, start by visiting www.methowmade.com to find a directory of retailers that carry locally made products of all kinds.

Contact your favorite shops to create a gift list that they will keep on

re o t S a m Maza

Bakery

Cakes, Pies, Cupcakes and lots of

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for your special Occasion Give us a call to order your treats!

Mazama Store 996-2855 Open 7-6 every day 50 Lost River Road, Mazama

www.MethowValleyNews.com

OFFERING

MEMORABLE WEDDINGS The Freestone Inn offers options such as lakeside ceremonies, as well as gourmet full-service catering and a great wine selection.

Call 996-3906 for further information.

70 person maximum

996.3906 ~ 800.639.3809 • freestoneinn.com 13

location and update as well-wishers shop — an informal registry, as it were. You can then either email or post the list of retailers for friends and family. Guests can place their orders in person, over the phone or by email.

Charitable donations For all the enjoyment that the Methow provides — consider suggesting the gift of a contribution to support the landscape and community that form our beautiful Methow Valley.

The Methow Conservancy works with land owners to secure conservation easements to protect the open space and scenic views that define the Methow Valley.

Methow Valley Long Term Recovery is a new organization, hosted

by Room One, that is coordinating the recovery efforts to rebuild and restore after the Carlton Complex Fires of 2014. Donations can be made through Room One. The Merc Playhouse, Confluence Gallery, The Cove, Little Star Montessori School and Methow Valley Community School are among the worthy nonprofits that help make the valley special.

Specialty foods and beverages Hank’s Harvest Foods and Glover Street Market in Twisp offer gift cards and carry a wide selection of locally grown foods, artisan cheeses, and handcrafted spice mixes and sauces. Find local comestibles and imbibables at other retailers including the Mazama Store, Evergreen IGA and Methow Masala in Winthrop, and the Carlton Store.

For coffee lovers, Lariat Coffee Roasters has an online store at www. lariatcoffee.com. Blue Star Coffee Roasters also has an online store and offers coffee subscriptions, brewing equipment and accessories at www. bluestarcoffeeroasters.com.

Lost River wines, Methow Valley Ciderhouse and Sinclair Orchards and Ciderhouse selections, and beers from Old Schoolhouse Brewery and Methow Valley Brewing Company (Twisp River Pub) are also widely available.

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Outdoor gear and adventure Several sporting goods stores in the valley provide high-quality gear to equip every adventure. Gift cards are available, and owners can keep a personalized gift registry at the store.

Methow Cycle & Sport in Winthrop is on the leading edge of new technology in the cycling world. The small town shop offers rentals, repairs, and a wide selection of bicycles and accessories.

Winthrop Mountain Sports is overflowing with running, hiking and camping gear, along with clothing and ski equipment. The Outdoorsman carries locally made knives among its clothing and hunting and fishing equipment. The newest addition to the outdoor gear lineup is Cascades Outdoor Store, also on Riverside Avenue in Winthrop.

Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies in Mazama is the local hot spot for climbers and skiers. Knowledgeable staff will help you compile a wish list of gear and keep the list at the store so friends and family will know exactly what you need. Down Highway 20 a ways, Jack’s Hut at Freestone Inn also stocks gear, clothing and rentals.

Art and more The Winthrop Gallery, www. winthropgallery.com, is a fine art co-op gallery representing 30 local artists.

Couples may tour the gallery and make a gift list for fine handcrafted furniture, sculptures, and artwork that captures the beauty of the Methow Valley.

Confluence Gallery in Twisp exhibits world-class works by local artists, and its gift shop offers an impressive selection of unique gifts created by Methow Valley talent.

For book lovers, Trail’s End Bookstore in Winthrop offers gift cards and a gift list. Maps, trail books, travel guides, gourmet cookbooks and gifts for writers can be found in this little shop, along with tomes from every genre. The bookstore baristas will keep your list on hand to update as your books are selected by well-wishers.

Many other local retailers carry a selection of Methow Valley artistry and crafts. For yard art and garden

ideas, check out Inside Out Home and Garden in Winthrop. A few doors down, Aspen Grove specializes in household items with flair.

Local 98856 in Twisp offers heirloom vegetable seeds, beautifully potted succulents, and a healthy selection of outdoor landscaping options.

For a guide to locally made products, pick up a copy of the Made in the Methow publication, or check out the digital version at www.methowvalleynews.com.

Gifts for guests Make your guests’ stay more memorable with a gift basket of Methow Valley specialty items. Debra Campbell and Isabel Childs presented their wedding guests with gift bags of hiking maps and a list of fun things to do, like farmers markets and art galleries. They chose local wines and jars of honey for guests to take home.

Say ‘thank you’ Don’t forget the thank you notes!

What better way to acknowledge a gift than to send a little something

Look for Methow Made displays at valley retailers for locally-made gifts. IMAGE COURTESY TWISPWORKS

special from the Methow Valley? Gift cards created by local photographers capture the breathless beauty of the Methow. Packets of cards can be found at art galleries, the Mazama Store and other outlets. Your wellwishers will enjoy hearing how their gift is being used in your new life together as a couple, and they get a little piece of the Methow as a keepsake. 

The perfect location for your wedding!

Our private setting has a lush lawn nestled among towering pines for your ceremony and reception.

(509) 996-2571

www.methownet.com /brownsfarm Valley Vows 2015

Directory of Advertisers Beauty Salons Sun Mountain Lodge .............................3 Banquet/Reception Facilities Brown’s Farm....................................... 14 Freestone Inn ...................................... 13 Gardner View Ranch ..............................9 Mazama Country Inn ............................6 Methow Valley Community Center .......7 Methow Valley Inn .............................. 12 North Cascades Basecamp ................. 10 Pipestone Canyon Ranch .......................6 Skalitude Retreat....................................8 Spring Creek Ranch ...............................2 Sun Mountain Lodge .............................3 Twisp River Pub .....................................5 Twisp Valley Grange ..............................9 Winthrop Barn Auditorium ...................5 Cafes/Dining/Espresso Arrowleaf Bistro .....................................2 Cinnamon Twisp Bakery........................3 Freestone Inn ...................................... 13 Mazama Country Inn .............................6 Mazama Store...................................... 13 Sun Mountain Lodge .............................3 Twisp River Pub......................................5 Catering Arrowleaf Bistro .....................................2 Stewart Dietz Catering ..........................7 Sunflower Catering ................................9

Catering, Cont.

Winthrop Tipi Dinners, Suekii Cornwall ................................ 12 Contractors JA Wright Construction .................... 11 Entertainment/Musicians DJ Noah .................................................6 Methow Valley DJ Services....................7 Tamarack String Quartet .......................7 Event Planners & Consultants Stewart Dietz Catering ..........................7 Sun Mountain Lodge .............................3 Flowers & Floral Designers Fawn Meadow Design ........................ 10 Everyday Bouquets ............................. 11 Gifts Methow Conservancy ...........................7 Local Goods Aspen Grove ........................................ 11 Cinnamon Twisp Bakery........................3 Mazama Store...................................... 13 Twisp River Pub......................................5 Lodging Brown’s Farm....................................... 14 Central Reservations........................... 16 Freestone Inn ...................................... 13

Lodging, Cont.

Mazama Country Inn .............................6 Methow Valley Inn .............................. 12 North Cascades Basecamp .................. 10 North Cascades Mountain Hostel ..... 15 Skalitude Retreat....................................8 Spring Creek Ranch ...............................2 Sun Mountain Lodge .............................3 Twisp River Suites .................................2 Non-Profit Organizations Methow Conservancy ...........................7 Photographers & Videographers Reflected Light Photography .............. 11 Weymuller Photography .......................6 Rehearsal Dinner Facilities Arrowleaf Bistro .....................................2 Freestone Inn ...................................... 13 Mazama Country Inn ............................6 Methow Valley Community Center ......7 Methow Valley Inn .............................. 12 Spring Creek Ranch ...............................2 Sun Mountain Lodge .............................3 Twisp River Pub .....................................5 Twisp River Suites .................................2 Twisp Valley Grange ..............................9 Rental Equipment Action Rentals ..................................... 15 J.A. Wright Construction ................... 11 Methow Valley Community Center .......7 Pipestone Canyon Ranch .......................6

Rental Equipment, Cont.

Tarnished Vintage Rentals.................. 10 Twisp River Pub .....................................5 Spa Services Sun Mountain Lodge .............................3 Tuxedo Rental Company 107 ..................................... 10 Wedding Cakes & Confections Arrowleaf Bistro .....................................2 Mazama Store...................................... 13 Wedding Planning Your Lake Chelan Wedding................. 11 Wedding Venues Brown’s Farm ...................................... 14 Freestone Inn ...................................... 13 Gardner View Ranch ..............................9 Mazama Country Inn .............................6 Methow Valley Ciderhouse ....................7 Methow Valley Community Center .......7 Methow Valley Inn .............................. 12 North Cascades Basecamp ................. 10 Pipestone Canyon Ranch .......................6 Spring Creek Ranch ...............................2 Skalitude Retreat....................................8 Sun Mountain Lodge .............................3 Twisp River Suites ..................................2 Twisp Valley Grange ...............................9 Winthrop Barn Auditorium ...................5

Action Rentals

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509-630-7317 www.partyactionrentals.com www.MethowValleyNews.com

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Valley Vows 2015