Montana Wedding Planning Guide
2
dreams We specialize in
• OUTDOOR WEDDINGS • • REhEaRSal DINNERS • RECEPTIONS • • ShOWERS • BRIDal SUITE • • CREaTIvE CUlINaRy • GUEST ROOMS •
In the heart of downtown along the Clark Fork River
200 S. Pattee Street • Missoula, MT 406.532.2046
3
Table of
contents Features 10 You're engaged! Now what?
18
10
18
30
40
make your wedding unique and you
30 catering
your celebration
40 building a bar on a budget
50 bid farewell
to the single life
60 A few to-dos
after i do
Publisher
Mike Gulledge Advertising Director
Jeff Avgeris
section editor
Mindy Glenna Creative director
Adam Potts
montana weddings
6 Brian & Elaina 14 Cris & Shelby 26 Dylan & Katelyn 36 Abe & Bonnie 46 Jeremy & Kassidy 56 Josh & Raena 66 Jesse & Claire 70 Thomas & Torie 74 Morgan &
Planning
78 Countdown to
the Big Day
86 Planning your
Wedding 88 A Guide to Vendors & Venues
Hannah-Laura
Advertising Sales
Taylor Miller, Bryon Bertollt, Debbie Larson, Sherry Haake, Briana Denman, Aspen Zebarth, & Mariah Richtmeyer Cover Photograph
Mackenzie Keough Photography Bride & Groom: Brandon & Grace Plant Married at The Ranch Club on September 23, 2017
Brides and Grooms is a publication of the Missoulian, a division of Lee Enterprises. ŠCopyright 2018 by the Missoulian. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For more information about advertising space in Brides and Grooms, or to request copies of Brides & Grooms, contact Mindy Glenna at (406) 523-5211 or mindy.glenna@missoulian.com.
missoulian.com
A Publication of the 4
fsbmsla.com
Time for a bold move?
Buying a home? Our loan specialists Buying a home? Our loan specialists
are here to get you started. Our Real Estate and Home Loans offer low rates, flexible options and an approval process designed to make it easier to purchase your home. Whether it’s your first home, second home, or simply a better space for you and your family, we can help finance your dream. Talk to the most trusted lenders in Western Montana today, call 406-329-1958.
Real Estate and Home Loans from First Security Bank. Real Estate and Home Loans from First Security Bank.
Here for life. NMLS #472212
DIVISION OF GLACIER BANK
5
6
brian & elaina Married may 28, 2017, at The Daly Mansion in hamilton, montana
7
How did you meet? We met on the first day of college. Brian first noticed me when my family was helping me unload boxes from my car. He says it's one of his most vivid memories. 3 months after that, we had our first conversation. We have been talking and together ever since.
How did you choose your wedding vendors? The Knot website has a lot of good recommendations. My wedding planner, Autumn Kozimer, also knew the area really well and was able to tell me who she has worked with and liked in the past.
Tell us about the proposal! In college, it's tradition to hold a candle ceremony to announce the engagement of a house member. We have a house meeting, we pass around a candle, and the girl who blows it out is the one who is engaged. Then, she tells the story of how it happened and we celebrate. My husband used this tradition, but it had a plot twist. He proposed during the ceremony. All of the girls went to the ceremony having not a single clue who was engaged. As the candle was going around, once it got to me, Brian walked into the room and proposed to me in front of 52 of my closest, screaming friends.
Do you have any advice for other couples who are wedding planning? Yes! It's YOUR wedding. You get to pick who is invited and how big or small it is. You cannot go into your wedding feeling nervous because of the large amount of people invited, or because you don't know people. That's not fun for you! If your parents are helping you with the wedding, thank them kindly and let them know that they can invite 1 person they want to be there, but everything else is all the couple's decision. It's YOUR day.
8
Where did you take your honeymoon? We spent a few nights in a Montana cabin and then went to Thailand with our family to celebrate.
Photographer Stella Kelsie Photography Flowers Bitterroot Flower Shop event design Autumn Kozimer Catering A Moveable Feast Cake Wedding Cakes by AmbroseBarton and Brown Cake Flavor Pink Velvet, and Chocolate Espresso Music Big Sky Mudflaps Bridal Shop Maiden Voyage, St. Louis Tux rental TheBlackTux.com 9
10
You're engaged!
...now what?
H
by tiffany williams
e popped the question, and you couldn't be more thrilled. And a little overwhelmed. There's registries to create and guests to invite and venues to book and bouquets to choose and cake to taste and music and photos and dresses, on and on and on. By the time a wedding takes place, a couple has made hundreds if not thousands of decisions. "There's just so much to do, I don't even know where to begin," a bride lamented to me over the phone the other day. It's a common feeling. As a wedding photographer, I get to be a part of every aspect of a couple's big day. Let me help the decision-making feel a little easier for you.
Step Two: Hone in on a Style Your personal style is a huge reflection of your personality. Are you fun and casual? Elegant and sophisticated? Traditional or trendy? Are you drawn to vibrant tones or monochromatic ones? Glitter and sparkles or natural elements? You want these things to jive on your wedding day, so sit down with a few wedding magazines and dog-ear the pages you like. Start a Pinterest board for inspiration. Think about colors that you feel work well together. The more you search for inspiration, the more confident you'll begin to feel making decisions.
Step One: Choose a Relative Timeline This doesn't mean you have to know the exact date of your wedding right away. It does mean narrowing down the season you want your wedding to be in, this will go a long way in helping you make some preliminary decisions. Plus, it will help put future guests at ease to be able to mentally mark something off on the calendar. Is your soul made of sunshine? You'll want to plan a summer wedding. Drawn to the vibrancy and new life of spring? Tell your friends and family you want an April or May wedding. You can pick a definitive date a little later.
Step Three: Gather Your A-Team My mom was an enormous help before and during my wedding day. I knew the big decisions I wanted to make- cake flavors, dress, catering menu, flowers, etc. I defaulted to her for the little ones like whether the guestbook should be ivory or white linen. Similarly, you're going to want someone whose judgment you trust helping you make the decisions of the wedding day. Are you going to hire a professional wedding coordinator or rely on a sister or trusted friend? Also, who will be standing beside you as you
opposite page: photo by tiffany williams photography 11
above: photo by meera graham photography
say "I do." The people you surround yourself with on your wedding day will make all the difference in your level of comfort and confidence on your big day. Step Four: Budget, Prioritize, and Save This is one of the most important steps because the decisions you make here will determine every aspect of your wedding day. You'll need to answer some important questions, like how much both of your families 12
are contributing and how much you'll personally be able to kick in. You should open a wedding savings account so your finances are all in the same place. Next, make a list of the top things that matter to you on your wedding day. I won't tell you what should be on your list, but some examples are photography, decor, venue, dress, cake/catering, music, flowers, etc. Then put a percentage by how important these things are to you. Again, this should be a reflection of your personality.
Here's an example: Dress 10%, Flowers 10%, Cake/Catering 15%, DJ 5%, Venue 20%, Photography 20%, Decor 15%, Invites/Paper goods 5% The items that have the highest percentages should be the first place where you spend your money. Did anyone notice that not-so-subtle plug for photography? I'm a wedding photographer, so obviously I believe in the significance of photography. But here's why you should. Because after the dress is dirty, the flowers have dried up, the cake is eaten, and the venue has been returned to it's normal state, photos are the only thing you'll have to remember your day. I'll try not to tell you how much weight to attach to that area of your budget, but please don't wait to book a photographer if photos are important to you!
Step Five: Savor the Excitement! You're in a pretty fantastic season of your life where everything is new and wonderful. Take the time to enjoy it with your fiancé. There will be time to plan, but don't forget to relax and appreciate this stage. I like to give my couples an excuse or two to go on a date before a wedding. Sometimes they receive gift cards to coffee shops or restaurants with little notes attached, encouraging them to take a break from planning. By the time the wedding rolls around, couples are often at ease, which registers in their photos.
Memories are made
SERENA PEISSIG PHOTOGRAPHY
AT THE FORT
• 5000-SQ. FT. BELLA VISTA EVENTS PAVILION, FIREPLACE AND PORTABLE DANCE FLOOR • BANQUET TABLES & CHAIRS • DROP-DOWN STAGE • FULL CATERING HOOKUPS
CALL 721-PARK TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION. 13
14
cris & shelby Married october 7, 2017, at Enchanted River Venue in victor, montana
15
How did you meet? At work. I took a summer job at Lowe's in college. After my summer job ended, we started spending time together. Tell us about the proposal! It was on our 4th anniversary. His proposal didn't go as planned. It was supposed to be a romantic proposal at his family's cabin. We get there and the cabin has been winterized. We decided to get a nice hotel room since we were already out of town. That evening, he surprised me in our room. How did you choose your wedding vendors? I met most of my vendors at wedding fairs. I found the caterer through a co-worker that had used them. I found the florist through a co-worker of my mom's. Everyone else was at the wedding fair. My wedding venue was actually a blessing in disguise. I booked my venue in November of 2016. In Mid January 2017, I get a letter with my deposit returned. The venue cancelled. However, the new venue I found was so much better and was so much more perfect for my wedding! 16
Do you have any advice for other couples who are wedding planning? Try not to stress! But also don't put anything off until the last minute. It really sneaks up on you! And many vendors around this area of Montana will get booked fast. What would you do differently if you had the chance? I would have brought snacks for everyone that helped set up the day before. It is an all day event, some snacks would have been nice! Also, I kept my cake in the fridge until just before the cake cutting. The cake was so hard! I should have gotten it out before the ceremony started. I should also have thought to rent a few portable heaters. It was cold on our wedding day and everyone wanted to hang out by the bonfire and not in the pavilion where the reception was. Where did you take your honeymoon? Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - make sure you do an all-inclusive resort!
Photographer Night Owl Imagery Flowers The Flower Bed Catering Pikeman BBQ Cake The Last Best Cupcake Co. Cake Flavor White with almond buttercream paste Music RMf Entertainment Bridal Shop Rococo Bridal & Formal Wear Tux rental Rococo Bridal & Formal Wear 17
18
Make your wedding
unique & you
by rachel crisp philips
M
any couples choose to think outside the box when it comes time to plan their big day. When searching for ideas to make your celebration stand out, there are many options to choose from. Here’s a peek at what’s trending for the 2018 wedding season. NON-TRADITIONAL WEDDINGS There are many reasons that a couple may choose to go the non-traditional route when it comes to getting hitched. Sometimes it can be due to matters of cost or convenience, but other times it becomes a necessity in order to accommodate the attendance of muchdesired friends and family members. When Kathryn Doughty and Oliver Peters got engaged and began to plan their wedding, they were blindsided by news that the father of the groom was facing a terminal illness. Because of that fact, they fast-tracked their marriage plans and found a way to include everyone they wished to have present by holding three separate events. “I think spreading it out that way made it possible for everyone to participate in whatever way they were able to. Some people chose to participate in all three, others were only able to participate in one, but ultimately everyone got to be a part of it in one way or another,” said Doughty.
First, they were married in a simple courthouse ceremony to make things legal and clear the impediments of their international union of an American bride and British groom. Then, they traveled overseas to include the groom’s family in a blessing ceremony. Finally, they hosted a three-day shindig in Glacier National Park in order to celebrate with friends and family from around the world. “It was just kind of awesome, really. It took the pressure off everything, and was more about the weekend and family and friends being together, enjoying us as a couple and them being our friends and our family and less about the stress of being married,” Peters reminices. ELOPEMENTS Simple elopements, without any grand follow-up events, are becoming more common as replacements for a full-fledged wedding celebration. “We are seeing a lot more elopements, which are really, really exciting. They’re just more intimate,” notes Alicia Houghtaling of Champagne & Linen, wedding designers and planners in Missoula. “Since there’s not as many people there it has a bigger budget for flowers, videographers, things like that,” she continues.
opposite page: kathryn doughty and oliver peters. photo by cluney photo 19
Above: photo by cluney photo
THE BUDDY MOON When you’re having more fun than just two people can handle, why not invite all your friends along for the ride? When Doughty and Peters were planning their Glacier Park getaway, fun with friends was at the top of the list. “The way that our celebration in Glacier evolved was essentially we still wanted to have the wedding that we had originally pictured, and we had a big group of family and friends in the United States and abroad that hadn’t been able to participate or celebrate with us yet. So we had what we decided to brand as a group honeymoon, just because it seemed a little redundant to call it a wedding. Then we settled on Montana in part because that was 20
somewhat of a bucket list destination for both of us. Theoretically we just wanted to be in the mountains, kind of in the middle of nowhere, with as many people as we could possibly cram into one location,” laughs Doughty. “We wanted a three day party,” Peters adds. MULTIPLE-DAY GETAWAYS Doughty and Peters’ Glacier gala isn’t alone in its multiple-day duration. While it’s long been common to have a rehearsal dinner the day before a wedding, and a brunch the day after, many couples are choosing to extend their celebrations over several days at a destination location. Autumn Kozimer, owner of Events by Autumn, notes, “It’s definitely become
Above: photo by tiffany photography
more than just a one day event I would say. Especially when it’s an opportunity for all those family members and friends to get together, that doesn’t happen very often so using it to the maximum is always fun for your guests.” “Once you decide that you’re going to have a destination, you want to make sure that your guests have enough time to settle in, be engaged, be present, get to know everyone else that’s there as well as have a good time. And then you want to make sure that you yourself, the bride and groom, theoretically have enough time to do the things you want. Then with a destination like Montana, let alone Glacier, we certainly wanted to make sure there was enough time
for everyone to explore and adventure, relax, whatever might have been their objective on the trip,” Doughty said. With several days to work with, a lot of opportunities and activities can be taken advantage of. One fun idea is to leave a list of local hikes that the bride and groom enjoy in the guests’ hotel rooms along with snacks to take with them. Many other activities can be planned for the bridal party to participate in either alone or together, especially in such a recreationally diverse location such as Montana. DESTINATION MONTANA “Destination weddings are getting really big here, more and more so because people are coming to Montana 21
Above: photo by cluney photo
who have never been here before, but it’s absolutely beautiful so it’s become a destination wedding site,” remarks chef Dominic Glenna of A Moveable Feast catering in Missoula. Indeed, Montanans know just how special Montana is, and word is getting out to more and more visitors from out of state. With numerous venues spanning all tastes and budgets, it’s easy to find the ideal spot to host your special occasion. “Something out of the norm for Montana, venue-wise, is White Raven (near Alberton). They’re just something that we haven’t really seen at all in the area. It’s very modern, but also it’s up in the woods, on the mountains up Clark Fork,” says Houghtaling, “It’s a nice mix of the Montana feel in a more modern 22
way.” Regardless of style preferences, getting out and away from the bustle of urban areas is a refreshing way to make a memorable event. “The thing that I like about a destination is that it becomes about more than just the wedding, it becomes more about life and a group activity,” states Doughty. DAZZLING DECOR It’s no surprise that Montana brides tend to lean toward a rustic style, but influences from bohemian to industrial are making their way into many local weddings. “Of course everybody’s usually pretty rustic, mason jars, burlap, in a barn… But a lot of people are moving away from that. So now it’s still pretty natural, but bohemian, more
PHOTO COURTESY CARRIE ANN PHOTOGRAPHY
Contact Holly DuMay • 406.892.2634 www.izaakwaltoninn.com Winter Weddings • Summer Weddings
F B D loral
akery
eli & Beverage
One stop shop for all your bridal needs. Prices to fit any budget!
We Keep it Fresh You Keep it Local 3801 Reserve Street • 406-251-3311 800 West Broadway • 406-721-2549
Delivery & Set Up for all your Rental Needs
Large Canopies • Chairs & Tables • Specialty Linens • China, Glassware & Flatware Dance Floors • Wedding Decor • Balloons & much more!
500 E. Spruce Ste. C
(Corner E Spruce & Madison)
406-549-5114
Visit missoulaeventrental.com
1345 Clark Fork Lane (Across from Walmart)
406-542-0701 23
24
modern in general,” Houghtaling says. “One thing a lot of people have been doing lately is instead of having elaborate centerpieces, there will be hanging flower chandeliers. We’re really into that. Or just a whole bunch of greenery rather than using a bouquet of roses or something like that, using a lot of greenery,” continues Houghtaling. “I think for 2018 the biggest kind of change in trends we’re seeing come through is people are starting to do more industrial looking weddings, whether it be at the ceremony or the reception or incorporating it throughout. A lot of metals, copper is becoming really big right now, and the more industrial lighting and that sort of thing,” states Brandy Marshall of Oh So Chic Boutique. “It used to be that Montana was really behind the times with trends, but because of Pinterest it seems like we’re pretty on top of it nowadays,” notes Kozimer. “I think that a lot of wood and iron mix, basically a fixer-upper style where you’ve got the whitewashed wood and the metals, that kind of a look I think is going to be popular this coming year,” she predicts. Watercolor, marble and geodes are also on her list
of trends expected to continue into the next season. SKIPPING SATURDAYS For the budget-conscious, it can be advantageous to consider the trend of holding your wedding on an atypical day of the week, such as a Wednesday. Many venues fill up quickly with bigticket clients on the popular Friday through Sunday weekend. But that leaves the middle of the week as fair game, sometimes with discounted rates. “The venues they’re going to that are really beautiful outside of Glacier on those Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are usually booked with large, high-end weddings, so some of these smaller type weddings people are able still to get into those venues that are booked years out, but they get in because they’ll go in the middle of the week that no one else wants,” observes Glenna. Even with weekend weddings, many couples are moving away from planning the big day on a Saturday and instead focusing the celebrations on a Friday or Sunday. “We see trends that happen through the years and in the last couple years a lot of people are going back to having a Friday wedding or a Sunday wedding,” Glenna states.
opposite page: photo by jamie lynn photography
Providing catering for every event type, both on and off-site.
Wedding and Event Catering Let us help you create the event of your dreams! 406-887-2020
finleypointgrill.com
25
26
dylan & katelyn Married July 29, 2017, at The Missoula Country Club in missoula, montana
27
How did you meet? Dylan and I met the first week I was attending collage in Bozeman. My roommate was good friends with Dylan's roommate. We went over to a party at their house and Dylan was sitting on the front steps. We hit it off from there. Tell us about the proposal! Dylan and I had been doing long distance for 3.5 years. It was my 22nd birthday and my parents bought me a ticket to Denver for Thanksgiving break. While we were there, Dylan surprised me with a trip to Vail, Colorado for the night. Dylan is a big hockey player and wanted to take me ice skating that night. We went ice skating in the middle of the town and Dylan said he had another present for me. He dropped down on his knee and said, "I love you with my whole heart, Will you marry me?" How did you choose your wedding vendors? We have been to many weddings in the past and took some vendors from every one. We really wanted a fun DJ and RMF was our match. We wanted very nice things that were in our budget. 28
Do you have any advice for other couples who are wedding planning? Have fun! Make the wedding planning fun, it'll all come down to one day, so try to have some fun while planning. The planning process is so much fun! Try not to get too stressed out about the little things. No one notices them on the day of. Tell us your fondest memory from the big day! My fondest memory of our day was saying our vows in front of our friends and family. It was so special to have them as witnesses to the promises we were making each other. Our ceremony was all about God and I thought that was really special. Also our three grandmas were flower grandmas. That was really special to us to have them there and honored. Where did you take your honeymoon? We went to the Riveria Maya in Mexico. It was so much fun and so relaxing.
Photographer Marianne Wiest Flowers Habitat Floral event design Andrea Leslie weddings and events Catering Missoula Country Club Cake Bernice's Bakery Cake Flavor chocolate with carmel, lavender white chocolate and poppyseed with raspberry Music RMF entertainment Bridal Shop Lilian Lottie bridal boutique Tux rental Generation Tux 29
30
Catering your
celebration
W
hen it comes to celebrating the big day, the food you choose to serve can be just as much a reflection of personal style as any other wedding element. Although you can’t go wrong with the basics, some of these recent trends may be just what you’re looking for to add that extra special something to your celebration. LOCALLY SOURCED One thing requested more and more these days is the incorporation of locally sourced foods into the wedding menu. Any setting can offer a plethora of fresh pickings, but Montana is especially suited to the task. With an abundance of local farmers and ranchers there are more local options than ever before. Aside from the benefits to the local economy, working with your caterer to source local ingredients can also result in a fresher, more flavorful meal. When the food has less distance to travel, and less chance to be frozen, the result is nothing short of delicious. Although sourcing local ingredients can be a challenge when up against the constraints of time, supply and season, working with a caterer who’s familiar with the local market is an invaluable resource. From farm to table, a good catering company will provide suggestions to fit your desires and have
by rachel crisp philips
your back when it comes to balancing your banquet with your budget. UNIQUE DISPLAYS Just because it’s food doesn’t mean it has to stay on a regular, boring table. Many weddings are looking to alternative displays and ways of showcasing their meals. One of the easiest options is to repurpose old furniture, such as a vintage dresser or desk, to serve as the serving space. Another option is to go rustic, and serve food on wood planks or even a grassy surface of clean sod. Ladders and step-stools can be arranged on top of a table to provide differing heights and visual appeal. Old glass windows or doors placed on wooden saw horses can serve as an improvised table. Other clever ideas include donuts arranged vertically on a wall of hooks, or stacked on wooden dowels in towers of sweetness. Wooden wine crates pair well with a smorgasbord of cheese and charcuterie. If you’re an adventurous couple, a canoe can be utilized to display a buffet or contain bottled bar beverages while reflecting an outdoorsy style. MIDNIGHT SNACKS After the standard reception dinner, and before the typical farewell brunch, there’s a whole evening of dancing,
opposite page: photo by cluney photo 31
drinking and hunger-inducing celebrations to be had. A midnight snack can be the perfect treat to help guests maintain an even keel and continue partying on into the night. While it’s not unusual for the wedding party to order pizza or other simple sustenance as the night rolls on, it’s becoming more and more popular to include a midnight meal as part of the catering plan. Destination weddings benefit even more so since they often take place in remote resorts or other locations where late-night options are limited, or even non-existent. “It’s not that the late-night snacks are a new, big trend, it’s always been there and most people do it themselves,” comments chef Dominic Glenna of A Moveable Feast catering in Missoula. “The trend now is to reach out and have a professional caterer do the late night snack, being a little bit higher-end type thing,” he continues. EDIBLE GIFTS Many couples are choosing to include small edible gifts for their guests as favors to take home with them. “A lot of people do the big dessert bars and then they get monogrammed boxes and they have them at the end of the table. They’ll put a cute little note on there like, ‘a sweet treat’, and people take those with them,” said Lisa Diaz, baker at Black Cat Bakery. These treats are often smaller, bit-sized bits such as tea cakes, macarons, mini cupcakes, brownie bites or small candies. For a personal touch, monogrammed cookies make a tasty impression and can be decorated to coordinate with the rest of the wedding theme. opposite: photo by cluney photo 32
WEDDING CAKES & ALTERNATIVES When it comes to the classic wedding cake, semi-naked is the latest craze. This decorating technique involves using a scraper after applying frosting so that the layers of the cake are visible as they peek through. “It’s kind of a rustic style, it pairs really well with natural flowers, like wildflowers, and fresh berries,” remarks Diaz. Another cake style that’s getting more attention lately is darker colored cakes, with rich gemstone tones or even darker shades. Diaz notes, “I am seeing a lot more of the darker tones. We’re doing a lot of navys and blacks, which a few years ago that wasn’t terribly common. So, a little change in palette which is kind of fun.” Of course, not everyone wants to let their guests just eat cake, so dessert bars have been springing up as an alternative to the classic confection. “They’re a little more inclusive than a wedding cake, you can take into account other people’s eating preferences, allergens, that sort of thing,” says Diaz. Dessert bars often offer a wide variety of sweet treats for guests such as pies, donuts, cookies, or even a root beer float station. “A lot of people are going away from traditional kind of desserts and focusing a lot more on just yummy food that can fit a variety of people’s tastes,” remarks Brandy Marshall of Oh So Chic Boutique. ROAMING DINNERS There’s no need to simply sit at a table when you can enjoy the company of your guests in the great outdoors. Roaming dinners provide ample
33
Above: photo by j willis photography
opportunity for socialization while giving guests time to soak in the views of a venue. A roaming dinner can be accomplished several ways. Multiple food stations can be strategically placed along a wilderness trail for guests to wander to and fro, or servers can be sent around the room with platters of food for guests to sample from. Either way, this option maximizes mingling and gives guests a chance to get acquainted with their surroundings and each other.
34
LIVE ACTION STATIONS A fun way to get guests involved in their meal is to arrange for live action stations where food is prepared right in front of them, and can be catered to their individual tastes and requests. “It’s a style of service that’s getting to be more and more popular because it’s very interactive,” said Glenna. Almost any menu item can be adapted for live action, and can be especially popular for late-night snacking. Guests weary from revelling will get a kick from fueling up on live action stations featuring comfort food items such as grilled cheese, BLTs, french fries and more.
Make Your First Dance One To Remember Bride/Groom First Dance, Mother/Father Dances, Bridal Party Choreography
Downtown Dance Collective 121 West Main Street Missoula, Montana 59802 406-360-8763 www.ddcmontana.com
C ALL T ODAY
406-676-0588
free consultation
g n i d d e W & EVENT
YOUR WEDDING
YOUR DAY YOUR WAY
FLORAL AND EVENT RENTALS WWW.STCHARRO.COM
R E N TA L S
• TENTS • TABLES • CHAIRS • LINENS • DINNERWARE • DANCE FLOORS • FLOWERS • MUCH MORE!
DELIVERY & SETUP AVAILABLE 301 MAIN ST, RONAN, MT 59864
Offering full service wedding and event catering. amoveablefeastmissoula.com
(406) 544-8390 35
36
abe & bonnie Married july 11, 2017, at ogren park at allegiance field in missoula, montana
37
How did you meet? We are both avid baseball fans and softball players. We have known each other for many years within the softball community in Missoula. I work for the Missoula Softball Association and coordinate the schedules for the teams and Bonnie serves on the board for the Missoula Christian League, so softball was a common thread. Bonnie is also a Sign Language Interpreter and I work in the video industry and have been the cameraman for several of the events she has interpreted. Our paths would cross , seasonally, several times a year. Tell us about the proposal! I proposed to Bonnie on the 2nd year anniversary of the date when our paths had crossed and we realized we had even more in common than we had ever expected. It was in the parking lot V at the University of Montana where she is a Sign Language Interpreter on the campus, I texted her that morning and asked if she would take a lunch break and meet me at the place we had met back then and when she arrived I surprised her with flowers and dropped to one knee and asked her to marry me. 38
How did you choose your wedding vendors? We chose the venue and catering based on our love for baseball, being fans of the Missoula Osprey and our association with softball. We knew it would be a perfect fit. Also, our other vendors were chosen friends, suggestions and word of mouth on social media. Do you have any advice for other couples who are wedding planning? Work together on all the plans and work through any differences and be willing to compromise. Also remember this day is about you as a couple, keep that as your focal point and enjoy your day and life together. Where did you take your honeymoon? We spent our honeymoon at Chico Hotsprings and spent a night in the little red caboose on the top of the mountain. We also took a day trip through Yellowstone National Park.
Photographer Rita Joleen Photography Flowers Bitterroot Floral Catering Osprey Baseball Franchise Catering Cake Albertson's Bakery Cake Flavor white with Bavarian cream filling, individual cupcakes for guests Music RMF Entertainment Bridal Shop Alterations done by Kathy at Rococco Tux rental Rococco Bridal 39
40
Building a bar
on a budget
Y
ou've put a lot of thought into customizing your flowers, dress and vows- why not the bar? After all, the bar is typically the spot where guests congregate, making it a great place for the bride and groom to highlight their personalities through a signature drink! You want it all, right? But how do you make a full bar fit into the budget? Creating a custom bar and sticking to the budget can be tricky but it is possible! Offering a signature cocktail or two, along with beer and wine, allows the bar to feel like a full bar, but at a fraction of the costs. Signature drinks also add an extra personal touch to your day without a lot of extra planning! Choosing to limit the time you serve liquor versus an open bar for the entire wedding can greatly reduce the overall bar costs. To control the costs and budget effectively, serve cocktails only during the cocktail hour, or a limited time that fits your wedding and then serve beer and wine for the remainder of the event. Highlighting the bride and grooms personalities with signature cocktails can add style to your wedding day and takes the thinking out of ordering for your guests. They can walk up to the bar and already have a fantastic cocktail choice ready to go! While planning the bar details, keep in mind, the bar usually takes up
by melissa wagner
10-20% of the wedding budget, plus tipping the bartenders at the end of the night. It's important to remember to keep these cocktails fairly simple for ease of making and serving to a crowd, as well as the budget. Choosing drinks that can be made in a big batch versus a single drink can save funds in the long run. You can calculate how many servings you will need throughout the cocktail hour and mix the cocktail batch accordingly. Be creative by making slight tweaks to your favorite drink to help control costs. Such as, using a liquor that fits the budget, or an 8 oz serving glass instead of a 12 oz glass. I suggest hiring a beverage caterer to help with this process. They know exactly how to calculate the amount of cocktails needed for a particular party size and can help to keep the bar fun and unique to your day while staying in the budget. Your signature cocktails can be a unique his and hers cocktail or name them after milestone events you have shared together. Be creative and theme them after your wedding day or the time of year. You can also create custom cocktails for the bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, a farewell brunch or any other part of your wedding affair!
opposite page: photo by Mackenzie Keough photography 41
Crowdpleasers Blushing Bride Cosmo ingredients
• Montgomery Distillery Quick Silver Vodka • St. Germaine Elderflower Liquor • White Cranberry Juice • ½ oz Lemon Juice • Garnish with an edible flower
This delicious twist on the classic Cosmo is made with Montgomery Distillery Quick Silver Vodka (or a vodka of your choice), St. Germaine Elderflower Liquor, white cranberry juice, lemon juice and garnished with an edible flower.
love's-a-brewin' ingredients
• 1 cup OJ • 1 cup Raspberry lemonade • 3 Pale Ales • 1 ½ cup Big Horn Burbon • ½ cup triple sec • Garnished with an orange slice
Beer cocktails are a fun twist on tradition. This one is great for the groom's signature drink or the guys golf game before the ceremony! Made with OJ, raspberry lemonade, your favorite pale ale or IPA, bourbon, and garnished with an orange slice.
"i do" ingredients
• 1 ½ oz Vodka • 1 oz basil ginger simple syrup • 2 oz fresh squeezed watermelon and strawberry juice • A squeeze of fresh lime juice • Garnished with a strawberry and basil
If you are planning a summer wedding this is a perfect cocktail for your hot celebration! Vodka, basil ginger simple syrup, fresh squeezed watermelon and strawberry juice, fresh lime juice, and garnished with a strawberry and basil. 42
melissa wagner serves up some of her favorite libations to celebrate love! lucky in love ingredients • •
1 ½ oz dark rum 1 house made spiced butter with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, orange, and sugar garnished with a sprinkle of fall spice
Your favorite dark rum, house made spiced butter with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, orange and brown sugar, garnished with a sprinkle of fall spice, orange and cinnamon. Perfect to keep you warm while cutting the cake!
berry in love ingredients
• Muddled local berries • 1 ½ oz Montana huckleberry vodka • Sugar • 1 ½ oz soda water • ½ oz lemon juice
An option for the bride's cocktail at a spring or summer wedding! Montana Distillery Huckleberry Vodka, seasonal muddled berries, simple syrup, soda water, lemon juice and garnished with fresh local berries.
last dance ingredients • 1 oz Spotted Bear Coffee Liquor • 1 oz Orphan Girl Cream Liquor Shaken and strained into a martini glass • Chocolate garnish
How about a desert cocktail to go with the cake? This delicious desert martini consists of Montana Spirits including Spotted Bear Coffee Liquor and Orphan Girl Cream Liquor shaken and strained into a martini glass with a chocolate garnish. 43
JOAN E. COOK EVENT OFFICIANT
Weddings • VoW ReneWals
YourEventOfficiant@gmail.com YourEventOfficiant.com
(406) 799-0300 44
45
46
jeremy & kassidy Married july 7, 2017, at a family home in stevensville, montana
47
How did you meet? Mutual friends brought us together before he was about to move out of state, we spent 3 weeks together and then he moved. 4 months later he came back and we've been together ever since. That was 8 years ago. He proposed to me on my birthday after only being together for 1 year and 10 months. Tell us about the proposal! It was my birthday...he took me to a romantic dinner at the Red Bird. The day we got married, he had written his vows on a red bird menu like on "The Vow." I guess he had bribed the host lady! But it was extremely romantic and thoughtful! How did you choose your wedding vendors? Tiffany, my photographer was recommended through a friend. Margaret Ambrose Barton was my cake lady I found on facebook (she is AMAZING). Rob Parr with Yellow Horse Recording Studio in Hamilton did our music, my husband interned with him. Missoula Party Time is the rental company my dad used for his wedding! 48
Tell us your fondest memory from the big day! My husband saying his vows and also dropping a lit candle centimeters from the flower girl's dress. Do you have any advice for other couples who are wedding planning? Husbands HELP your wives! Make list after list after list! Party favors are a waste of money!! Make the day about you. Do not over think what the idea of "perfect" is!!The stress you put into your wedding is not worth it when it is over! You can't do it over! Stop stressing! What would you do differently if you had the chance? So much! Too many people! Letting our parents invite everyone and their dog! Less guests equals way less planning and money!
Photographer Tiffany Williams
Flowers Daliah
Catering homemade pasta
Cake Flavor Chocolate cherry salted caramel with white wine raspberry vanilla bean
Music Rob Parr
Bridal Shop Rococo Bridal & Formal Wear 49
50
Bid farewell to
the single life
F
rom riding camels to brewery tours - and everything in between - Bachelor and Bachelorette parties are heading in new, and often unexpected directions. Like many couples across the country, Montana couples are finding unique and personalized ways to celebrate with their guys and gals before the big day. While a night out on the town, complete with shots, bar-hopping and dare we say, strip clubs, is still a classic choice for many – yoga retreats, backpacking trips and craft parties are gaining popularity and redefining what a last night(or weekend!) with your friends is all about. Of course, the possibilities are as varied as the couples themselves and anything is fair game. With that in mind, here are a few new ways to hail in the upcoming nuptials and kick off your lives together in a way that is as true to you as the vows you’ll say on your wedding day.
Brewery & Distillery Tours
Planning a party for a laid back bride or groom-to-be who loves sampling the latest local beer or liquor? A brewery/ distillery tour is the way to go. Whether you choose to go with a tour company or plan and execute it yourself, the day is sure to be filled with good drinks, great friends and amazing memories.
by brianna denman
Craft Party
More and more these days we’re seeing couple’s opt for craft-based parties and with a whole host of options to choose from, there is sure to be a perfect fit for you and your friends. Painting classes, sign making and nude sketching are just a few of the choices available – so do a little research and plan a day all about you and your creativity. Backpacking, Hunting, or Fishing Trip
Really, this list could go on and on – but you get the idea. Grab a few of your best buds and hit the trails! A weekend filled with Montana’s great vistas and gorgeous nature is just the ticket for the bride or groom who loves the outdoors. With the potential for a multi-day get together, your big sky adventure is sure to provide quality bonding time with the friends who are going to see you through the next big phase of your life. Glamping
Similar to the above option, but with a much bigger emphasis on bringing that big city glamour into your nature based setting. Though traditional glamping brings to mind large canvas tents complete with real wood floors and beds, cater the weekend – and the vibe – to your style and glam it up, or
opposite page: photo by jamie lynn photography 51
Above: photo by stella kelsie photography
down, as much as you want. Bonus points if your party opts for a yurt.
wedding planning refreshed and ready for anything.
Yoga Retreats
Learn A New Skill
Take a whole weekend and relax . . . or do a scaled-down version and book a private yoga class for you and the gang. On the plus side you’ll get a good workout in while treating yourselves to some well-deserved de-stressing. Couple a class, or whole weekend of classes, with some post-workout cocktails and face the remainder of the 52
No, seriously. Cooking classes are just the beginning. Rock climbing, surfing and cattle herding have all shot up in favor for many local brides and grooms. Comfort zones are taking a back seat to exciting new activities and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Not to mention, more and more couples are choosing to have their bachelor/bachelorette
extravaganzas together and nothing brings the two sides closer than an activity both groups will love. Destination Adventure
Did you know there is a place in Montana where you and a handful of your closest friends can ride camels? Adventuring in your own backyard has never been so easy. And if camels aren’t your thing, there are plenty of horseback riding and wildlife sightseeing excursions to satisfy any animal
loving enthusiast. Volunteer Together
Pick the newlywed’s-to-be favorite charity and give back. Spending the day with your best friends while helping out your community is an awesome way to make an impact and celebrate life in a mindful, socially conscious way. You can always round out the day with an old fashioned sleepover complete with takeout, movies and junk food. 53
Oh So Chic is Missoula’s locally owned event rental company. Whether your event is modest and intimate or flashy and grand, our goals remain the same; to help our clients have unforgettable, stress free events by providing a stunning selection of products, exceptional service and a professional staff. We invite you to dive in, explore our inventory and… Get inspired!
Farm Tables • Fruitwood Chairs • Chandeliers • Furniture Archway’s • White Resin Chairs • Backdrops • Bars • And So Much More!
Call 406.552.7550 to schedule your appointment today! www.ohsochicmt.com
Heritage Hall at Historic Fort Missoula An affordable venue in a beautiful setting.
For tours & bookings call Northern Rockies Heritage Center
(406) 241-9162 www.nrhc.org info@nrhc.org
54
find us on
� ��
306 Main Street | Stevensville, MT 59870 (254) 760-4641 www.tiffanyphotographymt.com Facebook.com/TiffanyWilliamsPhotography
Experience total wellness at The SPA at the PEAK. Enter a tranquil environment where you can replenish your soul in the serene backdrop of a mountain paradise. Visit the SPA website to learn more. 5000 Blue Mountain Road Missoula, MT 59804 (406) 251-8200 peakmissoulaspa.com 55
56
josh & raena Married August 6, 2017, at atanaha event center in bigfork, montana
57
How did you meet? It was at work, actually. I walked into a room and she was sitting on a sofa. I was immediately spellbound and wanted to do anything to be beside her. It was, and is, the only time in my life that I was overwhelmed with a desire to ensure someone had total happiness, from that second of being in her presence, I knew she was the most important person in the world to me. Tell us about the proposal! I have proposed to her about four different times, so I will share two. All the proposals were at our home. The first: when she came home she found a series of boxes, each leading to the next, all saying the things I found most magical about her in the clues and the final box, of course, was with me on my knee. The second is my favorite. We only had one car at the time and she was going to school and it was February. We had a nice fresh snow, and a balcony that looked down into the yard, so I walked in the snow a few miles to the store, picked up some roses, some for petals and the rest for her, then shoveled a message in the snow so she could see it when she got home. She said yes both times. 58
How did you choose your wedding vendors? Bobbi at Atanaha Event Center heard what we wanted at the first meeting, and worked tirelessly to give us the best. We followed most of her choices for the vendors. Do you have any advice for other couples who are wedding planning? When making decisions on anything regarding your special day, be sure the decision is yours. Follow your heart and be true to what you choose together. After you've chosen, don't obsess about every little detail, relax and let everything fall into place. Even if it doesn't go exactly as you planned, find the joy in the day and make it the best experience you possibly can. What would you do differently if you had the chance? Even if there was something that could be changed, why would you not want to have that memory of every moment to cherish forever.
Photographer Night Owl Imagery Flowers rose mountain floral Catering atanaha event center Cake just desserts Cake Flavor gluten free lemon and raspberry German chocolate with coconut pecan Music DJ Doug at extremely tuned Bridal Shop j Scott couture bridal Tux rental Mimi’s bridal 59
60
A few to-dos
after i do
Y
ou’ve planned every detail down to the letter – and yes, we mean the literal letters that came together to make your invitations, signs, programs, etc. The gifts have been opened and the Thank You notes sent. It’s time to sit back, relax and enjoy married life together with your new spouse, right? Think again. After the hustle and bustle of the wedding we often forget there are important details that still need to be confronted. From combining finances, changing your name, or tackling debt – all with your new partner-in-life by your side for every step of the way – here’s a quick look at some post-wedding to-do items you won’t want to forget. The Fine Line of Finance Sure, having that first conversation about your financial future together can be awkward, but there are important decisions that should be made early on. Much like booking a venue or reserving a photographer – the sooner the better. Biting the bullet and having this talk early will alleviate stress for both of you and allow you to move on to enjoying the perks of married life together. Key points to discuss should include the following:
by brianna denman
Make sure you are on the same financial page as your spouse. Talk about the debt you both are bringing into the marriage and discuss how you will chip away at it together. Don’t forget to share your credit reports so you can make a plan on how you will reach your desired scores. Create a budget so you can reach financial goals, such as saving for a house or vacation. Make sure to assess expenses such as rent/mortgage, utilities, WIFI, cable or alternative TV sources, groceries, gas and car maintenance, insurance, phones, gym memberships, etc. Don’t forget to budget for emergencies so you are financially prepared when they hit. Even if you aren’t combining your bank accounts, you should make sure to assign your spouse as your beneficiary. This will prevent your money from landing in the wrong hands (parents or ex’s) should you pass away. Don’t forget about your assets. Your beneficiaries will need to be changed on your assets as well in case something unexpected should happen to you. An exception would
opposite page: photo by Lindsey Jane photography 61
Above: photo by beth waldron photography
be if you have already implemented a prenuptial agreement that states your spouse does not have access to these assets. Determine how you will file your taxes. Do you want to file them together or keep your taxes separate? Most couples will qualify for a marriage bonus while a few will incur a marriage penalty. Research which of the two you will fall under and decide from there.
62
What’s in a Name? If you choose to change your last name after you are married, there are a few things to keep in mind. Before you do anything else, make sure you have a copy of your marriage license - you will need the original or a certified copy to change your name. Start will all forms of identification and move forward from there. The below list, though not exhaustive, is a great place to begin: • Social Security Card • Driver’s License • Passport • Bank Accounts
Weddings & Events in the Heart of the Bitterroot Valley
Your Wedding, Honeymoon, & Anniversary Venue!
Visit www.LozeauLodgeMontana.com eauLodgeMont (View Photos Online or on Facebook)
Call (406) 822-4561
The Homestead on McVey 338 McVey Rd | Victor, MT, 59875 | (406) 239-2505
www.HomesteadOnMcvey.com
Catch a ride with us. worry-free group transportation • Weddings • Receptions • Rehearsal Dinners and Bachelor & Bachelorette Parties Buses for every budget! Free estimates (406) 549-6121 • www.beachtrans.com
Badlander Catering All Beverage Catering For reservations call 406.830.5644 or email catering@thebadlander.com
www.badlandercatering.com Linda visTa evenT CenTer inCLudes • elegant 2,000 sq foot 4915 Lower MiLLer Creek road MissouLa, MT 59803 406-531-5031 LindavisTagoLfMsLa@gMaiL.CoM
• • •
indoor rooM and rusTiC 20,000 sq foot outdoor grooMed area tables and chairs for 150 dance floor prep kitchen for caterer or personal use 63
Above: photo by cluney photo
• Employers/Payroll • Credit Card Companies • Investment Account Providers • Post Office • Utility Companies • School & Alumni Associations • Landlord or Mortgage Company • Insurance Company • Doctor’s Offices • Voter Registration If the thought of tackling this change seems overwhelming, there is an easier way. In fact, there are services out there that will assist in changing your name for a fee – and believe us, it is well worth the cost. They fill out every 64
form and arrange all the paperwork for you, and all you have to do is sign and mail it back. A perfect solution for a complicated and often stressful process. Marriage is by far one of the greatest adventures you will embark on and addressing the key points of what your life together will look like, both financially and otherwise, is the first step on the journey. Life favors the bold, right? So start early. Don’t be caught off guard by the hurdles you will face in the beginning, confronting these changes early on will bring you peace of mind and leave you free to enjoy the fun surprises waiting for you in the future.
MARK@ CLUNEYPHOTO.COM (406)540-3199 CLUNEYPHOTO.COM
“We’ll make your celebration even sweeter!” Fleur Bake Shop 669 Spokane Ave, Ste B Whitefish, MT 59937 (406) 730-8486
www.FleurBakeShop.com
65
66
jesse & claire Married may 14, 2017, at White Raven in alberton, montana
67
How did you meet? We met for the first time as music students at the University of Montana, when we auditioned for choir. Our relationship truly blossomed, however, when I was run over by a bicyclist on the Oval, and Jesse helped me limp to my classes and to a Halloween party that evening. I knew he was the one when our coffee date downtown turned into two hours walking along the Kim Williams trail. Jesse has been my pianist and hiking buddy ever since. Tell us about the proposal! While we were studying music abroad in Austria, Jesse took me to Salzburg, the birthplace of my favorite composer, Mozart. Although we didn’t have the money for a ring right away, it was an incredibly meaningful place for two college sweethearts to declare their love. How did you choose your wedding vendors? We began by assessing our budget and prioritizing what parts of the wedding experience meant the most to us and our families. For us, that meant prioritizing our food and family experience, with 68
comfortable family style seatings, and having indoor options since it was a spring wedding. From there, we made a point to meet with the vendors whose work we liked from online research or emails. I found talking in person to vendors, with preestablished questions, did quite a lot for my peace of mind. By starting with a budget and researching vendors through local means, we made the process much less stressful. Do you have any advice for other couples who are wedding planning? We think it’s most important to communicate openly with one another (and with your families, if they are involved) regarding desires, budgetary commitments and scheduling issues. Begin by researching locally and online, and make communicating with vendors to find the best fit a priority. Also, establishing a schedule and game plan for the week before and the day of the wedding is incredibly helpful if you are planning yourself.
Photographer Night Owl Imagery Flowers Earth Within Flowers Catering Montana BBQ Cake Crave Catering Cake Flavor Red velvet and vanilla with additional dessert buffet Music Sound Creations Bridal Shop Rococo Bridal Tux rental Men’s Warehouse 69
70
thomas & torie Married september 23, 2017, at Rugged Horizon in St. Ignatius, montana
71
How did you meet? Our mutual friends were dating and we quickly became friends through that. He always chased me and I was too scared to give him a chance. After two years of the best friendship I ever had, I decided he was too great not to risk giving us a chance. We have been together for almost seven years and they have been my favorite years. Tell us about the proposal! I'm a Harry Potter fanatic. No really, like my love of reading (and English major from the University of Montana) stemmed from reading those books in second and third grade. My friends love Tom like an actual blood related brother, so when my best girlfriends and I decided to plan a trip to Harry Potter Land in LA, Tom was the only male worthy an invite. We went to HP Land on the third day, I made everyone get up at 5 am to get there early. He waited until 6pm that night and proposed in the photo booth Hogwarts Express so we got it all on professional camera. My two best friends were there to celebrate over a steak and champagne dinner immediately following. And we got to do one final ride through the castle with a ring on my finger. 72
How did you choose your wedding vendors? Tom and I have lived in Montana most of our lives; he in Missoula, me in Whitefish. So when we got engaged, we had relationships with some great people who were excited to not only be our vendors, but be able to stay and celebrate our marriage after the work was finished. We have always loved being around people, as a couple we are very social, so when we got to pick who would be involved, it was very exciting to go through the options! We're fortunate to know some very talented people. Plus, those mountains and that barn, are you kidding me?! Do you have any advice for other couples who are wedding planning? We know its stressful and overwhelming, but do your best to enjoy the moments. You only get to be stressed about planning your wedding once! Take your time and remember it's your groom's wedding, too, if he wants to be involved, listen. You are going to have enough people surrounding you on your big day who love you, everything will work itself out. Trust that your day will be amazing.
Photographer Marianne Wiest Flowers Bitterroot Floral Catering Montana Q BarB-Que House Cake Bernice's Bakery Cake Flavor Red velvet with cream cheese frosting Music RMF Entertainment Bridal Shop Ania Bridal of Portland, Oregon Tux rental Tuxedo Gallery 73
74
morgan & hannah-laura Married june 1, 2017, at Great Northern Resort in west glacier, montana
75
How did you meet? We met our freshman year of college on the fourth floor of Knowles Hall at the University of Montana. It was friendship at first sight and we started dating a year later. The rest is history. Tell us about the proposal! He proposed at Hidden Lake in Glacier National Park by asking me to take a selfie with my GoPro, then getting down on one knee while I unknowingly recorded my own proposal. The Park was already special to us because, years before, we had taken our first road trip together there. That’s why we decided to get married at a beautiful resort just outside of the park, the place that has so much meaning to us as a couple. How did you choose your wedding vendors? We found all our wedding vendors online, specifically on The Knot. From there, we did further research and chose vendors who best fit our budget, location, and vision.
76
Do you have any advice for other couples who are wedding planning? Listen to your gut. If a major decision or detail doesn't feel right, don't feel pressured to change it until it fits your vision perfectly. It's your day, and your feelings matter most. What would you do differently if you had the chance? I would make the big decisions sooner so that I could focus on the smaller details closer to the ceremony. I would have felt less overwhelmed and the smaller details wouldn't have been sacrificed. Where did you take your honeymoon? We moved from Missoula, MT to Juneau, AK five days after getting married so we decided to have an untraditional honeymoon exploring our new town, chasing waterfalls, combing beaches, hiking to glaciers, and kayaking in the ocean.
Photographer Marianne Wiest Flowers Noele Rudolph Fenger event design Noele Rudolph Fenger Catering ScottiBelli’s Ristorante Italiano Cake Perkins Pies Music RMF Entertainment Bridal Shop J Scott Couture Tux rental Tuxedo Gallery 77
78
Countdown to
the big day
Y
ou’ve found the love of your life and the two of you are getting married! Now what? Your wedding is one of the most complex events you, your spouse-to-be and your families may ever orchestrate. A solid plan moves the process forward, reduces stress levels and gets your marriage off to a happy start.
12
months to go
Select date and time for your wedding Start a wedding planning binder Arrange for parents to get together, perhaps at an engagement party or informally over dinner Interview wedding planners Discuss budget with everyone who will contribute financially; establish priorities, including honeymoon expenses Narrow down and book ceremony and reception sites (some locations need up to 18 months) Select catering service, if not provided by the reception site. Sign contract and pay deposit. Select efficient and visit with him or her to discuss wedding preparation and procedures Choose members of the wedding party Begin to compile guest list Begin Dress Shopping Research legal requirements for marriage license in location where you will wed and mark pertinent dates on your calendar
opposite page: photo by j willis photography 79
9-6
months to go
Book photographer and videographer Book ceremony musicians and reception band or DJ Select florist Reserve party rental equipment (tables, chairs, tents, dĂŠcor, lighting, linens) Shop for and order bridal gown accessories Select dresses for bridesmaids Consider items for registry Arrange Wedding cake tasting and order cake Research honeymoon spots Close in on the final guest list Mail save-the-date cards, especially for destination or holiday wedding
6-4
Make master to-do list; share copies only with those who need to know
months to go
Attend pre-wedding counseling, if required Order wedding invitations, thank-you notes and personal stationery (earlier is better) Reserve location of rehearsal dinner and caterer if needed. Sign contracts and pay deposit Arrange accommodations for out-of-town guests Select and order formal wear for men; schedule fittings Finalize decor Reserve wedding-day transportation to church, from church to reception, reception to wedding-night location Plan honey-moon and make reservations Secure travel documentation; renew or get passports Complete registry
80
GENUINE. MONTANA. WEDDINGS.
HOT SPRINGS LODGING DINING GOLF SPA
FairmontMontana.com | 800.332.3272 81
82
4-2
months to go
Finish addressing invitations Meet with caterer to finalize plans for food at the reception Complete honeymoon plans Select and order wedding rings Set appointments with hairstylist/makeup consultant for rehearsal and wedding day Select gifts for attendants, parents and each other Choose favors and guest book
8-4
Complete cake order
Book room for wedding night
weeks to go
Pick up wedding rings and arrange engraving Have final fitting of wedding gown Have run-though of bridal hair (with headpiece, if applicable) and makeup; experiment now, not later Check that bridesmaids have arranged fittings for their gowns, groomsmen for tuxedos and shoes Finalize catering menu for rehearsal dinner Draw up seating plan for ceremony and reception Finalize song lists to ceremony musician and reception band or DJ Finalize plans with every wedding vendor, including photographer Mail invitations six weeks before wedding, earlier if destination wedding or if many will travel, design map for out-of-town guests Write and order programs for ceremony Create wedding day timeline for vendors, wedding party and those helping throughout the day Create a plan for cleanup Attend bridal shower
opposite page: photo by Mackenzie Keough photography 83
4-2
above: photo by beth waldron photography
weeks to go
Final gown alteration appointment; bring maid of honor so she learns how to secure it Write vows, if desired; write toasts Ask those who you would like to speak at your wedding to prepare a speech Review guest list and provide caterer with final count Finalize seating arrangements Make a check list of personal and emergency items to bring
The
Plan for food and drinks in dressing area
day before
Give schedule to those needed for photos including family and wedding party Double-check that you have all personal items on your checklist, with backups just in case; put bag in competent hands Finalize tips and ensure that any outstanding vendor payments are ready 84
On the
big day
Eat a healthy breakfast, drink lots of water Give groom’s wedding band to maid of honor and bride’s ring to best man Allow extra time to get dressed Be sure to make the rounds at your reception and thank your guests for sharing in your dream day
After the
honeymoon
Write and send out your thank you notes Have your wedding dress cleaned and preserved Keep in touch with your wedding photographer so you get your photos in a timely manner Live happily ever after!
A FREE WEBSITE, FEATURING LOCAL VENDORS WHO SERVICE SOUTHWEST MONTANA
Find Venues, Caterers, Bar Services, Wedding Cakes, Dresses, Beauticians, Event Planners, Florists, Musicians, DJs, Photographers, Videographers, Equipment & Decor Rentals, Invitations, and more!
fhlpirx WWW.BITTERROOTWEDDINGASSOCIATION.COM 85
Planning
your wedding
S
et a budget and stick to it. It may seem like obvious advice, but experts say it also is one of the pieces that might have the most impact on your stress level. There are good, solid options for every budget from invitations to venues to achieve your wonderful day.
above: photo by jamie lynn photography 86
description Engagement Party
budget $
deposit $
Payment $
balance due $
Wedding Planner Ceremony Location Reception Location Photographer Videographer Music for Ceremony Music for Reception Florist Caterer Rental Supplier Bridal Gown Veil/Headpiece/Accessories Invitations/Stationery Favors Honeymoon Wedding Cake/Cake Top Rehearsal Dinner Jewelers Groomsmen's Formal Wear Limousine/Transportation Decorations Beauty (hair, etc.) Attendants’ Gifts Marriage License Gown Preservation
87
alterations
beauty Body Waxing, Braiding, Updos, Color & Texture Services Artistic Hair Cutting
Jessica Deese Salon 406.542.2442 Cell 406.697.9955
Tres Chic
Hair & Nail Salon 1627 S. Ave W Missoula, MT 59801
attire
Rococo Bridal & Tuxedo Missoula, MT
look flawless for your special day. 406.493.1676 • polishedbeauty07@gmail.com
406.728.5111
catering
beauty
amoveablefeastmissoula.com
406.529.9828 sealedwithakissrc@gmail.com
88
(406) 544-8390
catering
photography
We Cater to Your Needs •Weddings •Bachelor/Bachelorette
•Bridal Showers •Anniversaries
101 S Higgins Ave. • 406.880.2614
(406)552-5718 jamielynnphotography_mt@yahoo.com Find us at Facebook.com/jamielynnphotog/
Offering catering for all events 247 West est Front Street • (406) 926-1344
406.546.9643 facebook.com/kcphotomt
photography
lindseyjanephotography@gmail.com 406-253-3145 http://www.lindseyjanephotography.com/
89
photography
planning
Your Guide to Fabulous Events...
mackenziekeoughphoto.com (406) 781-3889
Offering Weddings, Destination Weddings & Honeymoons
www.ErikasEventPlan.com
C+L
Champagne + Linen
Wedding Designers and Planners champagneandlinen.com champagneandlinen@gmail.com Let’s pop some bubbly and start planning!
registry
WEDDING PAINTINGS jefftroupefineart.com/weddings.html
90
venues
venues
Let The Barn at Finley Point make your event the experience of a lifetime. 33213 Finley Point Road, Polson, MT 59860 406-887-2444 • info@barnatfinley.com Barnatfinleypoint.com and
❧
❧
800.735.7897
Arrange for a Tour
weddings@greatnorthernresort.com glacierparkweddings.com
Call 406-273-7745 or Email dunrovin@gmail.com
Great Food Cabins open all winter Great CoUntrY weddinG VenUe LOCATIONS AS BIG AS YOUR DREAMS
glacierparkcollection.com/weddings
(406) 273-6264 • thejacksaloon.com 7000 Graves Creek Rd. Lolo, MT
91
venues Fresh Montana air & stunning scenery will create the perFect wedding atMosphere.
open year-round info@lolohotsprings.com
877.541.5117 www.lolohotsprings.com
venues Snowbowl offers indoor and outdoor seating for 100-300 guests. Last Run Inn has a full service bar with a variety of catering options.
406-549-9777
www.montanasnowbowl.com
Your Wedding, Honeymoon, & Anniversary Venue!
Stone Tower Estate Wedding Venue $1,800 to $5,500 Enchanted River Venue $1,800 to $2,000 (additional location)
Visit www.LozeauLodgeMontana.com
Call (406) 822-4561
Peggy Steffes • 406.777.5353 • PSteffes@live.com
Missoula’s original venue • 5000-SQ. FT. BELLA VISTA EVENTS PAVILION, FIREPLACE AND PORTABLE DANCE FLOOR • BANQUET TABLES & CHAIRS • DROP-DOWN STAGE • FULL CATERING HOOKUPS CALL 721-PARK TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION.
92
since 1879 historic & affordable
406-721-3247
missoulafairgrounds.com
Hobbit House The Hobbit House is the only place on earth
where you can enjoy the enchantment, mystery & wonder of the Shire.
Honeymoons
Birthdays
Anniversaries
Featured on HGTV, MTV & written up in the NY Times, The Shire is a private, romantic one-of-a-kind destination for your special occasion.
The Shire of Montana
Open May 1 – Oct 1
9 Hobbit Lane • Trout Creek, MT 59874 • (406) 827-7200 www.TheShireofMontana.com • Host@TheShireofMontana.com
Reservations Required
Stash The Dress, Not Trash The Dress Expert Wedding Dress • • • •
Inspection Cleaning Restoration Storage Box Preservation
Homee of tH 2fer! 1201 Burlington Missoula 406-543-7798
Special Event Linen Rentals • Tablecloths • Napkins • Table Skirts
Missoula Textile Services Protecting the 21st Century Today!
111 East Spruce Missoula 406-543-5171
Both Locations Open M-F 7:30 am-5:30 pm 93
Advertiser index
Alterations
Merry Bobbins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Apparel
Missoula Textile Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Rococo Bridal & Tuxedo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Beauty
Jessica Deese. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Polished Beauty Salon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Sealed with a Kiss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 The Spa at the Peak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Catering
A Moveable Feast. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35, 88 Badlander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 El Cazador. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Finley Point Grill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Good Food Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Holiday Inn Downtown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Missoula Fresh Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Notorious PIG. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Cakes
Fleur Bake Shop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Dance Lessons
Downtown Dance Collective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Favors
Culligan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Financial
First Security Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Jewelry
Riddles Jewelry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Officiant
Joan E Cook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Photography
Beth Waldron Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Carrie Ann Photography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Cluney Photo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 J Willis Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Jamie Lynn Photography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 K&C Photography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 94
Lindsey Jane Photography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Meera Graham Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Night Owl Imagery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Tiffany Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Planning Bitterroot Wedding Association. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Champagne and Linen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Erika's Event Planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Registry Bob Wards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Jeff Troupe Fine Art. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Trail Head. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Rentals Montana Party Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Oh So Chic Event Rentals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 St-Char-Ro Floral and Event Rentals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Transportation Beach Transportation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Travel Hobbit House. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Venues Atanaha Event Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Caras Park Pavilion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Dunrovin Guest Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Fairmont Hot Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Fort Missoula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Glacier Park, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Glacier Raft, Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Heritage Hall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Holiday Inn Downtown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Izaak Walton Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Linda Vista . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Lolo Hot Springs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Lozeau Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63, 92 Missoula Fair Grounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Snowbowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Stone Tower Estate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 The Barn on Finley Point. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90 The Homestead on McVey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 The Jack Saloon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Weddings at Great Northern Resort. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
D estination r e i m e r P Wedding & Event Center
Welcome to Atanaha!
Let us host your special event at our unique Montana setting at the foothills of the Swan Mountains. Our 12- acre, wooded setting provides a beautiful and scenic backdrop for any type of event. Formerly Brumar Estates we offer all the same features as before, including the same amazing Chef for catering, and much more. For our new additions visit us online www.atanhaeventcenter.com Located off Montana Highway 83, our venue is approximately six miles southeast of Bigfork, offering convenience for all parties. 406.837.2231 | events@brumarestate.com atanahaeventcenter.com
95
Gorgeous Gifts for the Bride & Groom
Delicious Gifts for All of Their Guests
www.goodfoodstore.com 1600 S. 3rd St. West | Missoula | 406-541-3663 96