My Montana Wedding 2019 | Vol. 2

MY WEDDING

2019 | Vol. 2 MYMONTANAWEDDING.COM

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

EDITOR & DESIGNER Lynn Stoll MAGAZINE CHAIR

Kate Gunderson Huckleberr y Wedding & Event Planning MAGAZINE COMMITTEE Cassie Baldelli Leah Lamberson Amy Deering Mar ti Paugh Kate Gunderson Lynn Stoll Elsa Schuldheiss Matthew Wetzler BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Marti Paugh Blue Heron Events

PRESIDENT

Matthew Wetzler Thewmatt Photography VICE PRESIDENT

Jennifer Goff Jennifer Goff Designs & Events SECRETARY

Stephanie Thompson Raj Salon TREASURER

Sandy Hensen Celebrate Event & Party Rentals EXPO VICE PRESIDENT

Sam Dennison Destination DJ

EXPO CHAIR

Tiffany Baldwin Book of Love – Wedding & Event Planning SOCIAL MEDIA CHAIR

Leah Lamberson Leah Lamberson Photography My Montana Wedding is the official publication of the My Montana Wedding Association P.O. Box 8731 Kalispell, MT 59904 (406) 250-3213 This is a biannual publication with 10,000 copies for distribution for the Spring/Summer (Vol. 1) edition. The Fall/Winter edition (Vol. 2) is digital only.

Cover photography by Elsa Eileen Photography. See the full feature on page 10.

Cover photography chosen by My Montana Wedding Facebook poll.

Follow us to vote on future covers!

Don’t miss the annual My Montana Wedding Expo: Saturday, January 11, 2020 VIP Only: 10 a.m. to Noon | General Admission: Noon to 5 p.m.

Flathead County Fairgrounds, Trade Center Building, Kalispell, MT See the back cover, page 7, and www.mymontanawedding.com/expo for more info.

The winning print magazine cover is voted on by brides only at the January Expo.

Don't miss your chance to vote!

The 2nd Annual Inspiration Expo will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2019, at the Red Lion Hotel in Kalispell, MT, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. See page 51.

Visit us at www.mymontanawedding.com.

MYMONTANAWEDDING.COM

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GLACIER PARK LODGE

Begin Life Together on a Grand Scale.

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BOOK YOUR WEDDING TODAY MY MONTANA WEDDING

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Contents

2019 | Vol. 2

from the magazine chair 10 ON THE COVER Alaina + Darby 14 WOODLAND DREAMS Thewmatt Photography 34 A RUSTIC RANCH ELOPEMENT Joanna Adams Photography 44 BOHO FANTASY Elsa Eileen Photography 56 MONTANA IN BLOOM Honeybee Weddings 62 MMW DIRECTORY find your vendors 63 AD DIRECTORY find our advertisers 8 WELCOME

SAMANTHA + MIKE; PAGE 18 MARIANNE WIEST PHOTOGRAPHY

MYMONTANAWEDDING.COM

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REAL WEDDINGS

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COLUMBIA FALLS

KALISPELL

40 SARA + JERRY

30 KAITYLN + ROLAND

Leah Lamberson Photography

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK 10 ALAINA + DARBYElsa Eileen Photography 18 SAMANTHA + MIKE Marianne Wiest Photography 60 EMMA + PATRICK Lindsey Jane Photography

Haley Jessat Photography

WEST GLACIER

Lindsey Jane Photography 36 CHELSEA + ROB Marianne Wiest Photography 22 JENNIFER + ADAM

WHITEFISH 26 ERICA + SHANE

Dina Remi Studios 48 AIMEE + TYLER Amber Lynn Photography 52 MEGHAN + CHARLES Marianne Wiest Photography

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

Let us treat you like royalty.

BE OUR VIP.

MY MONTANA WEDDING EXPO | JANUARY 11, 2020 FLATHEAD COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS | KALISPELL, MT

JOANNA ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY | BEAUTY SOUCIE SOUCIE SALON & MED SPA COUTURE J SCOTT COUTURE | FLORAL CONRAD FLORAL VENUE COLUMBIA MOUNTAIN RANCH

FOR JUST $25,

your perks will make you queen for the day.

VIP-ONLY ENTRANCE FROM 10 A.M. TO 12 P.M. EXCLUSIVE VENDOR DISCOUNTS | VIP-ONLY GIVEAWAYS BRUNCH | SWAG BAG | COCKTAILS | VIP STYLE SHOW SEATING VIP TICKETS WILL SELL OUT, SO DON'T WAIT! WWW.MYMONTANAWEDDING.COM/EXPO MYMONTANAWEDDING.COM

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WELCOME

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We are beyond excited to launch My Montana Wedding's first ever digital edition magazine! The digital edition is the perfect

accessory to our print magazine, which has been a distinguished success for nearly a decade. Our wonderful executive

director, Marti Paugh, has been shipping out magazines left and right to fulfill requests from all over the country. One can only imagine the breadth of reach for our new digital magazine with scaled social media presence, improved SEO, and access to our full online membership directory.

As more and more couples seek out weddings here in our beautiful corner of the earth, there is a clear demand for another vehicle to showcase the endless selection of premium vendors here in the Valley. In 2019 to date, there have been 1,775 registered marriage licenses in Flathead County. It is apparent everyone is working extremely hard to create memorable experiences for our couples! It is truly incredible that we live and work in a place that so many seek out for the dream union they will treasure forever.

Born and raised here in the Flathead Valley, I celebrate with anyone who wants to experience even just one day in this beautiful place we call home. I joined the My Montana Wedding Association earlier this year and they have welcomed me with open arms.

It has been such a fun experience exploring venues, meeting vendors, and making new friends. I am both excited and proud to now promote yet another avenue to feature our incredible members and their skills in this digital edition! Enjoy!

Kate Gunderson

Magazine Chair, My Montana Wedding Huckleberry Wedding & Event Planning

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

Photography by Kelly Kirksey Photography

Triple B Ranch is a beautiful venue set on 40 acres just minutes from Kalispell and Whitefish, Montana.

Once an operating horse ranch, it has been converted into a beautiful wedding and event venue. It is a breathtaking property with ponds, waterfalls, and beautiful flower beds. It offers a 12,000 square foot heated indoor arena that can accommodate large weddings of up to 350 guests.

Contact us today to reserve your date at Triple B Ranch!

1187 Hodgson Road Columbia Falls, MT 59912

406.250.3409 www.triplebbbranchvenue.com

MYMONTANAWEDDING.COM

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

ON THE COVER

ALAINA & DARBY GLACIER NATIONAL PARK | 09.01.18 ELSA EILEEN PHOTOGRAPHY WITH THE HELP OF THE MY MONTANA WEDDING WEBSITE, I WAS ABLE TO SEAMLESSLY COORDINATE A SMALL, INTIMATE GATHERING THAT WOULD SPEAK TO BOTH OF OUR PERSONALITIES. WE KNEW THAT WE WANTED TO HAVE ONLY IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS PRESENT AND KEEP AN INTIMATE FEEL, SO BEING ABLE TO RENT A LODGE THROUGH GLACIER RAFT COMPANY FOR THE WEEKEND WAS THE PERFECT OPTION. THIS ALLOWED FOR FAMILY MEMBERS TO COME AND GO AS THEY PLEASED OR DO ACTIVITIES TOGETHER. EVERY MEMBER OF OUR FAMILY WAS ABLE TO HAVE THEIR OWN MINI VACATION. AS WE APPROACH OUR ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY, WE CAN HONESTLY STATE THAT THERE WOULDN'T BE ONE THING THAT WE WOULD CHANGE. THE CATERING WAS PHENOMENAL, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. OUR WEDDING CAKE WAS ABSOLUTELY SCRUMPTIOUS. OUR CEREMONY WAS PERSONALIZED TO US AND OUR FAMILY. THE VENUE WAS STUNNING, AND OUR PHOTOGRAPHER CAPTURED THE MOST AMAZING MOMENTS AND SCENES THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO REMINISCE OVER FOR YEARS TO COME. THE DECISION TO MAKE A FAMILY TRIP TO MONTANA AND GLACIER NATIONAL PARK WAS BEFITTING, LEAVING NOTHING TO REGRET. -ALAINA

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ON THE COVER

BEAUTY BRIDAL BLISS – HAIR & MAKEUP BY LANA | CAKE & DESSERTS MISS PATTICAKES CATERING THE CUISINE MACHINE | FLORAL ROSE MOUNTAIN FLORAL | OFFICIANT MEETMEINMONTANA.LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY ELSA EILEEN PHOTOGRAPHY | RENTALS & DECOR THE PARTY STORE VENUE GLACIER RAFT COMPANY WEDDINGS & EVENTS

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

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woodland dreams THEWMATT PHOTOGRAPHY

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

INSPIRATION

THE VENDOR TEAM WHO MADE THIS SHOOT POSSIBLE WAS AN ABSOLUTE DREAM. WE WANTED TO SHOWCASE THE GREAT MONTANA OUTDOORS AND SHOW BRIDES HOW TO UTILIZE THE LANDSCAPE, AS WELL AS INCORPORATE NATURE INTO THE DECOR. – REPEAT BOUTIQUE & DESIGN

MYMONTANAWEDDING.COM

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INSPIRATION

BEAUTY BRIDAL BLISS – HAIR & MAKEUP BY LANA | CAKE & DESSERTS SWEET TRADITIONS | COUTURE J SCOTT COUTURE FLORAL REPEAT BOUTIQUE & DESIGN | PHOTOGRAPHY THEWMATT PHOTOGRAPHY | PLANNING REPEAT BOUTIQUE & DESIGN RENTALS & DECOR CELEBRATE EVENT & PARTY RENTALS, EMPRESS TENTS & EVENTS, AND REPEAT BOUTIQUE & DESIGN VENUE MOUNTAINSIDE WEDDINGS | VIDEOGRAPHY WHITEFISH PRODUCTIONS

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

ELOPEMENT

samantha + mike

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK | 08.02.18 MARIANNE WIEST PHOTOGRAPHY

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ELOPEMENT

We wanted an incredible experience with minimal stress. Planning a Montana wedding from Illinois (having never been to Montana) seemed daunting, so we curated traditions to focus on those important to us. For example, we really wanted to do the cake cutting, but also preferred a capsule size wedding party and guest list. The result of these deliberate decisions is captured in our photos; an amazing week in Montana and an incredible honeymoon. –Samantha

BEAUTY SOUCIE SOUCIE SALON & MED SPA | CAKE & DESSERTS DELECTABLE DESSERTS AND CATERING FLORAL GLACIER WALLFLOWER & GIFTS | LOCAL ACTIVITIES GLACIER RAFT COMPANY LODGING THE FIREBRAND HOTEL | OFFICIANT "I DO" OFFICIATE | PHOTOGRAPHY MARIANNE WIEST PHOTOGRAPHY PLANNING JENNIFER GOFF DESIGNS & EVENTS | RENTALS & DECOR EMPRESS TENTS & EVENTS

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

REAL WEDDING

JENNIFER & ADAM GLACIER RAFT CO. WEDDINGS & EVENTS 06.01.19 | LINDSEY JANE PHOTOGRAPHY I HAVE A BABY BLUE, VINTAGE, TWIN TANDEM BICYCLE THAT BELONGED TO MY GRANDPARENTS WHO PASSED AWAY. I LOVE THAT BIKE, AND REMEMBER THE STORIES THEY TOLD ME ABOUT RIDING IT TOGETHER. WE DECORATED IT WITH FLOWERS AND GREENERY AND A “BEST DAY EVER” SIGN ON THE HANDLE BARS AND A “JUST MARRIED” SIGN ON THE REAR. IT LOOKED SO BEAUTIFUL DECORATED, AND HAVING IT THERE MADE IT FEEL LIKE MY GRANDPARENTS WERE THERE AND A PART OF THE DAY. THE ENTIRE DAY WAS A DREAM. I ENJOYED LISTENING TO THE SPEECHES OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY SHARED DURING THE RECEPTION. THEIR WORDS MADE US FEEL SO SUPPORTED AS A COUPLE AND REALLY REPRESENTED THE JOINING OF OUR TWO FAMILIES. THE DAY REALLY FELT SO FULL OF LOVE AND OUR GUESTS GENUINELY ALL SEEMED TO HAVE A GREAT TIME, WHICH MADE US FEEL LIKE WE HAD SUCCESSFULLY CREATED THE DREAM DAY WE HAD HOPED FOR. –JENNIFER

MYMONTANAWEDDING.COM

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REAL WEDDING

CATERING DESOTO GRILL | FLORAL CONRAD FLORAL MUSIC & DJ DESTINATION DJ | PHOTOGRAPHY LINDSEY JANE PHOTOGRAPHY RENTALS & DECOR CELEBRATE EVENT & PARTY RENTALS | SPA LODGE AT WHITEFISH LAKE VENUE GLACIER RAFT COMPANY WEDDINGS & EVENTS

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

REAL WEDDING

ERIKA & SHANE THE LODGE AT WHITEFISH LAKE 06.15.19 | DINA REMI STUDIOS BEFORE OUR WEDDING, SHANE AND I DISCUSSED SHARING OUR VOWS AND DECIDED TO SHARE THEM PERSONALLY BETWEEN THE TWO OF US. WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO GO OUT ON A BOAT ON WHITEFISH LAKE RIGHT AFTER OUR CEREMONY, AND WE SHARED OUR VOWS WITH EACH OTHER THEN. I BELIEVE THAT THIS ALLOWED US TO BE MORE INTIMATE WITHOUT 70 PEOPLE STARING AT US, AND OF COURSE, WE HAD OUR FAVORITE DRINK IN HAND AND A NICE COOL BREEZE. I AM SO GLAD THAT WE DID THIS, IT WAS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY. THIRTY MINUTES JUST FOR US IN THE MIDDLE OF A CRAZY DAY WAS JUST WHAT WE NEEDED. ONCE THE EVENING CAME TO AN END, SHANE, MYSELF AND THE ENTIRE BRIDAL PARTY JUMPED INTO WHITEFISH LAKE. YES, I JUMPED IN MY DRESS. IT WAS MAGICAL AND THE PERFECT WAY TO END THE EVENING. –ERIKA

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REAL WEDDING

BAR SERVICES LODGE AT WHITEFISH LAKE | CAKE & DESSERTS MISS PATTICAKES | CATERING LODGE AT WHITEFISH LAKE FLORAL MUM'S FLOWERS | LOCAL ACTIVITIES GLACIER RAFT COMPANY | LODGING LODGE AT WHITEFISH LAKE PHOTO BOOTH PIXELATED PHOTOBOOTH GIGS | PHOTOGRAPHY DINA REMI STUDIOS RENTALS & DECOR THE PARTY STORE | VENUE LODGE AT WHITEFISH LAKE

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

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REAL WEDDING

KAITLYN & ROLAND KALISPELL, MONTANA 07.06.19 | HALEY JESSAT PHOTOGRAPHY WE MADE OUR WEDDING DINNER VERY SPECIFIC TO OUR LIFESTYLE AND WHAT WE ARE KNOWN FOR. OUR HOME IS ALWAYS OPEN TO GUESTS, AND WE TYPICALLY SERVE RICE BOWLS OR STIR FRY – ALWAYS BEING HEALTHY, HEARTY MEALS! WE HAD OUR CATERER, TONY, FROM FORK IN THE ROAD, CREATE AN ASIAN-INSPIRED BUFFET AND SAUCE BAR! THE SAUCES WERE CREATED TO MIMIC OUR FAVORITE GO-TO SAUCES, CUSTOM MADE BY TONY. HE ALSO CREATED A BEAUTIFUL SALAD BAR WITH AN ARRAY OF COLORFUL VEGETABLES TO COMPLIMENT THE MAIN DISH. IT WAS THE PERFECT HEALTHY, WHOLESOME AND FILLING WEDDING DINNER! –KAITLYN

MYMONTANAWEDDING.COM

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REAL WEDDING

BAR SERVICES O'BRIENS LIQUOR & WINE | CAKE & DESSERTS DELECTABLE CATERING & DESSERTS CATERING FORK IN THE ROAD | COUTURE J SCOTT COUTURE | FLORAL FARM TO MARKET FLORAL JEWELRY MCGOUGH & COMPANY | MUSIC & DJ TREASURE STATE ENTERTAINMENT | PARTIES & SHOWERS CYPRESS YARD PLANNING BLUE HERON EVENTS | PHOTOGRAPHY HALEY JESSAT PHOTOGRAPHY RENTALS & DECOR CELEBRATE EVENT & PARTY RENTALS

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

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INSPIRATION

rustic ranch elopement

JOANNA ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY

THIS RUSTIC MONTANA STYLED ELOPEMENT BEGAN AT SUNRISE. AS THE SUN PEEKED OVER THE MOUNTAINS, THE MIST FROM THE FIELD LINGERED, CREATING THE MOST MAGICAL EFFECT. FALL AND WINTER IN MONTANA ARE INCREDIBLE, AND I WANTED TO CAPTURE THE BEAUTY OF THE SEASON.

BEAUTY SOUCIE SOUCIE SALON & MED SPA | COUTURE J SCOTT COUTURE FLORAL CONRAD FLORAL | PHOTOGRAPHY JOANNA ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY VENUE COLUMBIA MOUNTAIN RANCH MYMONTANAWEDDING.COM

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REAL WEDDING

CHELSEA & ROB GLACIER RAFT CO. WEDDINGS & EVENTS 09.22.18 | MARIANNE WIEST PHOTOGRAPHY THIS WAS A DESTINATION WEDDING FOR US AND ALL OF OUR GUESTS. WHEN WE TOURED VENUES BACK HOME, NOTHING FELT LIKE "US." WE SHARE A LOVE OF THE OUTDOORS, CAMPING, BACKPACKING, PADDLING, AND ESPECIALLY NATIONAL PARKS. WE FEEL THE MOST CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER WHEN IN NATURE, SO WE KNEW THAT NEEDED TO SET THE SCENE FOR OUR WEDDING DAY. HAVING OUR WEDDING PHOTOS AMONG SUCH BEAUTIFUL SCENERY BOTH IN AND OUT OF GLACIER MADE THE WHOLE DAY FEEL LIKE MAGIC. THE DAYS PRIOR TO THE WEDDING WERE ALSO VERY SPECIAL TO US, AS WE WERE ABLE TO SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH OUR GUESTS IN THE OUTDOORS. WE RENTED FOUR GLACIER PARK RED BUSES FOR OUR GUESTS TO EXPERIENCE THE PARK THE DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING. IT WAS CHILLY BUT MEMORABLE! WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO GET IN SOME HIKING, FISHING, AND BEER DRINKING IN WITH OUR FRIENDS THE WEEK PRIOR. –CHELSEA

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REAL WEDDING

BEAUTY SOUCIE SOUCIE SALON & MED SPA | FLORAL MUM'S FLOWERS | LODGING THE FIREBRAND HOTEL MUSIC & DJ RMF ENTERTAINMENT | RENTALS & DECOR THE PARTY STORE | TRANSPORTATION MONTANA TROLLEY CO. PHOTOGRAPHY MARIANNE WIEST PHOTOGRAPHY | VENUE GLACIER RAFT COMPANY WEDDINGS & EVENTS

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

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REAL WEDDING

SARA & JERRY NORTH FORTY RESORT | 04.27.19 LEAH LAMBERSON PHOTOGRAPHY THE VENUE ALLOWED US TO HAVE THE CEREMONY IN A BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR SETTING, AND THEN GO INSIDE FOR THE RECEPTION, WHERE THERE WAS A FULL KITCHEN TO GET EVERYTHING READY. LEAH, OUR PHOTOGRAPHER, MADE US COMFORTABLE AND TOOK THE PERFECT PICTURES TO CAPTURE OUR DAY. WE KEPT THE WEDDING SMALL AND INTIMATE TO ENSURE THE DAY WAS FOR US AND NOT FOR EVERYONE ELSE. IT ALL CAME TOGETHER SO PERFECTLY. EVEN THROUGH THE WIND RAIN, AND SNOW. THE SUN CAME OUT JUST IN TIME FOR ME TO WALK DOWN THE AISLE AND MARRY MY BEST FRIEND. –SARA

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REAL WEDDING

COUTURE J SCOTT COUTURE (DRESS) AND MIMI'S BRIDAL (TUX) LODGING NORTH FORTY RESORT | PHOTOGRAPHY LEAH LAMBERSON PHOTOGRAPHY VENUE NORTH FORTY RESORT

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

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boho fantasy ELSA EILEEN PHOTOGRAPHY

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

INSPIRATION

THIS BOHO STYLED SHOOT WAS SO FUN TO CREATE BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR THE FLATHEAD VALLEY. RAW BEAUTY, WITH AN EARTHY AND NATURAL COLOR PALETTE, ALONG WITH RICH TONES AND INTERESTING TEXTURES MAKE UP THIS ALLURING STYLE. IT WAS SO FUN CREATING A RUGGED, RELAXED VIBE WITH HINTS OF A MOODY AND INTIMATE FEEL IN A GORGEOUS SETTING! – HUCKLEBERRY WEDDING & EVENT PLANNING MYMONTANAWEDDING.COM

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INSPIRATION

BEAUTY BRIDAL BLISS – HAIR & MAKEUP BY LANA | COUTURE MIMI'S BRIDAL FLORAL ROSE MOUNTAIN FLORAL | PHOTOGRAPHY ELSA EILEEN PHOTOGRAPHY PLANNING HUCKLEBERRY WEDDING & EVENT PLANNING RENTALS & DECOR EMPRESS TENTS & EVENTS

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

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REAL WEDDING

AIMEE & TYLER CYPRESS YARD | 03.16.19 AMBER LYNN PHOTOGRAPHY WE HAD A RELATIVELY SHORT ENGAGEMENT AT LESS THAN FIVE MONTHS AND HAD TO MAKE QUICK DECISIONS. THIS WAS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE AS WE DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO SECOND GUESS OURSELVES OR STRESS ABOUT THE DETAILS. WE ALSO TOOK A LEAP OF FAITH AND GOT MARRIED IN THE "OFF-SEASON," AS WE DID NOT WANT A TYPICAL CHRISTMAS OR SUMMER WEDDING. WE ARE NOT ORIGINALLY FROM MONTANA, SO NEARLY EVERY GUEST HAD TO TRAVEL. WE MADE IT AN ENTIRE EXPERIENCE FOR THEM INSTEAD OF JUST ONE DAY, AND THEY GOT TO EXPERIENCE SPRING IN WHITEFISH. TO KEEP THE WEDDING SPECIAL TO US, AND KEEP IT LIVELY, WE SKIPPED TRADITIONS SUCH AS A BRIDAL PARTY ENTRANCE, BOUQUET TOSS, AND GAMES. WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO ENJOY JUST ONE ANOTHER AS WE HAD A "SWEETHEART" TABLE FOR DINNER, AND OUR BRIDAL PARTY WAS SEATED THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE GUESTS. –AIMEE

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REAL WEDDING

CAKE & DESSERTS DELECTABLE DESSERTS & CATERING | CATERING FORK IN THE ROAD | COUTURE MIMI'S BRIDAL LOCAL ACTIVITIES WHITEFISH MOUNTAIN RESORT | LODGING NORTH FORTY RESORT PHOTOGRAPHY AMBER LYNN PHOTOGRAPHY | VENUE CYPRESS YARD

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

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REAL WEDDING

MEGHAN & CHARLES LODGE AT WHITEFISH LAKE | 09.29.18 MARIANNE WIEST PHOTOGRAPHY GROWING UP ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE COUNTRY, WE KNEW WE WANTED A DESTINATION WEDDING. WHEN WE FIRST SAW GLACIER NATIONAL PARK IN MAY 2018, WE KNEW WE WANTED TO SHARE THIS BEAUTIFUL PART OF THE COUNTRY WITH OUR FAMILIES. WE WERE ABLE TO TURN THE WEEK BEFORE OUR WEDDING INTO A HIKING EXPERIENCE WITH OUR CLOSEST FRIENDS AND FAMILY. IT WAS SO SPECIAL TO US THAT OUR LOVED ONES MADE THE BIG TRIP TO BEAUTIFUL MONTANA TO CELEBRATE OUR LOVE WITH US. PLANNING A DESTINATION WEDDING MEANT STRONG COMMUNICATION WITH OUR VENDORS WAS EXTRA IMPORTANT. LUCKILY, WE WORKED WITH THE BEST! FROM OUR PHOTOGRAPHER, WHO PICKED US UP AT OUR HOTEL AND DROVE US TO GLACIER NATIONAL PARK FOR OUR ENGAGEMENT PHOTO SHOOT, TO MUM'S FLOWERS, WHO ANSWERED MY COUNTLESS QUESTIONS AND ALWAYS WITH A SMILE. WE COULDN'T HAVE HAD A BETTER EXPERIENCE WITH EVERYONE WE WORKED WITH.

–MEGHAN

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REAL WEDDING

BAR SERVICES LODGE AT WHITEFISH LAKE | BEAUTY LA VITA E BELLA | CAKE & DESSERTS MISS PATTICAKES CATERING LODGE AT WHITEFISH LAKE | FLORAL MUM'S FLOWERS | LODGING LODGE AT WHITEFISH LAKE MUSIC & DJ RMF ENTERTAINMENT | PHOTOGRAPHY MARIANNE WIEST PHOTOGRAPHY RENTALS & DECOR THE PARTY STORE | VENUE LODGE AT WHITEFISH LAKE

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

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montana in bloom

HONEYBEE WEDDINGS

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

INSPIRATION

THE INSPIRATION FOR THIS STYLED WEDDING COMES FROM THE STUNNING CHERRY BLOSSOMS THAT LINE THE ORCHARD IN THE SPRING. AFTER THE BLUSTERY WINTER SEASON, THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS BRING NEW LIFE. WE WANTED TO CREATE A SHOOT THAT IS FRESH, PRETTY, AND ROMANTIC, INSPIRED BY THE SPRING BLOSSOMS. – HONEYBEE WEDDINGS

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INSPIRATION

COUTURE J SCOTT COUTURE | PHOTOGRAPHY HONEYBEE WEDDINGS PLANNING HONEYBEE WEDDINGS | RENTALS & DECOR CELEBRATE EVENT & PARTY RENTALS

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emma + patrick GLACIER NATIONAL PARK | 06.17.19

FLORAL MUM'S FLOWERS | LODGING BELTON CHALET

OFFICIANT JOYFUL MATRIMONY BY KATE BERRY COACHING PHOTOGRAPHY LINDSEY JANE PHOTOGRAPHY

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

ELOPEMENT

"We met when Patrick was studying mechanical engineering and I lived locally in Northeast Connecticut. We had mutual friends who were having a party celebrating the full moon in September of 2006. I arrived at the party and tried these incredible chocolate and wild mint brownies, and I said to the host, 'You have to introduce me to whoever made these, they are so incredibly good I am going to marry them!'

Little did I know I would.

Patrick and I are both musicians and bonded very early over our love of music. We have traveled the country and lived out of a camp trailer together, re-built cars and motorcycles together, surfed our home waters of Rhode Island together, and have been on many journeys both home and abroad together. We have been together for 12 and a half years and have seen a lot together in that time. Love is a profound gift and changes through time, and we are so glad to see those changes together.

We wanted our words and ceremony to be the focal point for our day. We have a lot of relationship behind us already, and we wanted to find ways to strengthen and honor that commitment. We spent some time driving and hiking in the national forest to find just the right spot for our ceremony, and it was special to do that together – to take our time and find the spot of land next to the river that felt right.

I asked my father to build us a small box for our rings. I grew up in a rural area on a very old property that had a barn. The barn was built with American chestnut but was in very rough shape and was finally taken down a few years ago. My dad made us a small, dovetailed box out of wood from that barn. For something blue, my mom lined the box with blue velour stuffed with sage and put a little piece of Lapis inside.

Before coming to Montana, Pat and I went back to the Fenton River in Connecticut where we spent a lot of time together when we first met. There, we collected two rocks to bring and throw into the Flathead River! I collect heart rocks in my travels and when Pat bent down to retrieve two stones out of the river that day, low and behold the one he pulled out was a heart. We also handwrote our vows, poetry, and readings on postcards that we collected on our travels together.

We kept our elopement completely under wraps from most friends and family, and though upon our return they have been nothing but positive, it felt fun that it was just us, and just our secret, with our time devoted fully to each other for the whole experience." –Emma

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MY MONTANA WEDDING

AD DIRECTORY CLICK ON THE BUSINESS NAME BELOW TO GO DIRECTLY TO THEIR WEB SITE.

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BAR W GUEST RANCH 29 BRIDAL BLISS – HAIR & MAKEUP

BY LANA 13

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CAKES BY DEBI 21 CELEBRATE EVENT & PARTY

RENTALS 59

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FARM TO MARKET FLORAL 33 FLEUR BAKE SHOP 43

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GLACIER PARK LODGE 4 GLACIER PARK VFW LOUNGE

CATERING 43 GLACIER RAFT COMPANY

WEDDINGS & EVENTS 39 GROUSE MOUNTAIN LODGE 4

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HUCKLEBERRY WEDDING

& EVENT PLANNING 51

JEWEL BASIN WEDDINGS 3

KENT MEIREIS PHOTOGRAPHY 39

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LEAH LAMBERSON PHOTOGRAPHY 43 LINDSEY JANE PHOTOGRAPHY 25

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MAVERICKS CASINO MOBILE

BAR SERVICES 29 MOUNTAINSIDE WEDDINGS 17 MY MONTANA WEDDING 7 & 51

PIXELATED PHOTOBOOTH GIGS 29 PORTEUS BBQ 21

REPEAT BOUTIQUE & DESIGN 55

SKEETER JOHNSTON PRODUCTIONS 47 SWEET TRADITIONS 39

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THEWMATT PHOTOGRAPHY 21 TRIPLE B RANCH WEDDINGS & EVENTS 9

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WILD HORSE LIMOUSINE 2

JENNIFER + ADAM; PAGE 22 LINDSEY JANE PHOTOGRAPHY

MYMONTANAWEDDING.COM

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MY MONTANA WEDDING