Valley Vows 2022

2022

A guide to getting married

in the Methow

A supplement to the

Methow Valley News

•FREE•

Valley Vows 2022

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Methow Valley News

Inside 4

Dig in: Caterers and bakers in the valley

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Picking your wedding day soundtrack

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Married in the Methow

f you’re planning to get married in Washington, the Methow Valley should be on your list. With its natural, scenic beauty in every direction you turn, it’s hard to pick a location that won’t lead to showstopping wedding photography and a chorus of “oohs” and “aahs” from guests.

In this year’s Valley Vows guide, we’ve highlighted local caterers and bakers who work with each couple to provide one-of-a-kind meals and desserts for a memorable wedding day; area floral designers who follow wedding trends and incorporate native Eastern Washington flora; and the considerable choice couples have in wedding music — from guitar soloists, to classical quartets to a DJ. We’ve also included a

comprehensive list of places to have your wedding — unless that is, you’re planning to trek into the forest for a modern-day elopement.

Whatever your tastes, the Methow Valley is a wedding destination growing in popularity in the Pacific Northwest. Be sure to book early, and know that the businesses featured in the stories and advertisements in this edition of Valley Vows have the expertise to help you plan a memorable celebration.

Valley Vows

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2022

A guide to area venues

Don Nelson, publisher/editor Natalie Johnson, managing editor Sheila Ward, advertising Tera Evans, office manager Marcy Stamper, reporter

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Floral arrangements to accompany your big day

Advertiser Index ...15

Ann McCreary, reporter Joe Novotny, design

On the cover

This couple from New York pops a cork in the Cascades. They stayed at a house on the lake at the Freestone Inn. Photo by the Foxes Photography, thefoxesphotography.com

509-341-9292

DJ NOAH

www.boomboomproductions.com Valley Vows 2022

A publication of the

Methow Valley News

P.O. Box 97, Twisp, WA 98856 509.997.7011 • 509.997.3277 fax editor@methowvalleynews.com www.methowvalleynews.com

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

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

www.methowconservancy.org

Methow Conservancy

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Callie Lovette, left, and Kathy Borgersen have been catering weddings in the Methow Valley for more than 10 years.

Dig In

By Natalie Johnson

F

or Kathy Borgersen, of Sunflower Catering & Events, each of her meals starts with a conversation — but long before anything goes in the oven.

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Photo courtesy Kathy Borgersen

Methow Valley’s bakers, caterers take pride in wedding-day fare

“It’s just good to have a conversation and get to know the couple and kind of what their connection is to the valley, what their thoughts are about food and what they would like to serve their guests. Just kind of getting to know them a little bit,” she said. “Who are you and what would you like your wedding to look like? What would you like your

reception to feel like?”

Borgersen and business partner Callie Lovette have been catering weddings and other events in the valley for more than 10 years, and cater at least 10 weddings a year since first breaking into the business. All those weddings have given them the experience to help ask the right questions during that first

conversation, and answer couples’ questions as well.

“I think it feels overwhelming, especially for young couples when they’re thinking about spending a lot of money on something when they haven’t done it before,” Borgersen said.

A couple should come with a budget and an idea of what they

Methow Valley News

Photo by Kami Lavarrio

Molly Starcher uses fondant to create marble-inspired cakes like this one.

like, but they don’t have to sweat the tiny details.

“We will worry about those details,” Borgersen said. “That’s what’s fun for us. … Some of the other details of your wedding will be hard, but this is going to be easy.”

Caterers and bakers in the valley encourage couples to plan far in advance and book early — the area is a booming wedding destination, and local businesses fill up their schedules fast.

FINDING A CATERER Sometimes couples planning a wedding do research on their own to find Borgersen and Lovette, and other times they’re referred to a caterer by the venue they choose.

Word of mouth advertising is key in a place like the Methow Valley.

Some couples are friends, or friends of friends.

“A lot of people who do get married in the Methow Valley do have a connection to the valley,” Borgersen said.

Some caterers have set menus a couple can pick from. Sunflower Catering and Events works with their couples to make a unique meal, based on their answers in that first conversation, and others.

“We like to work with other local vendors, we like to buy local as much as possible, we cook with all fresh ingredients,” Borgersen said.

That could mean Washington salmon, regional wine, fruits and vegetables or other products made

by Methow Valley farmers and

Valley Vows 2022

Photo courtesy Sophia Boesenberg

Some couples prefer smaller bites to a big wedding cake, said Sophia Boesenberg of Saskatoon Kitchens.

Sunflower Catering and Events works with couples to craft menues for their special day.

artisans, such as products made by local Bluebird Grain Farms, she said.

“Weddings are a big expense for people and they are a big event for

people and … we just want it to be really tailored to what the couple wants,” Borgersen said. “And we love it when we hear from people who get a hold of us later and say,

Photo courtesy Kathy Borgersen

‘Our guests are still talking about the food.’ ” And if the couple wants food Borgersen and Lovette aren’t as familiar with — for example, a

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Greek feast — they’re ready for a challenge.

“I say, ‘Well we haven’t done that, but we’ll practice that and come up with a menu,’ ” she said.

AND NOW FOR DESSERT …

Some caterers also provide dessert, but Borgersen said she outsources large desserts, like wedding cakes, to the Methow Valley’s skilled bakers and cake decorators.

Molly Starcher has been decorating cakes in the Methow Valley for five years, and in 2021 opened The Little Dipper Cafe & Bakery in Winthrop.

Starcher views cakes as an individual work of art.

“I love the creativity,” she said.

“I’ve made the process fun and really personalized to each couple.

I’ll start the design process with a questionnaire and kind of ask specific questions about the couple and the cake ends up being a surprise for them.”

In the past, she’s worked with couples who have their heart set on a specific, often Pinterest-inspired idea for a cake, but she’s moved away from that kind of cookie-cutter dessert. Now, they’re all unique, based on the couple’s personality.

“One question [I ask] is kind of gauging if they’re a plan-everything-out-with-backup-plans kind of couple or an adventurous, go-with-the-flow kind of couple,” she said. “I kind of explain to them if you want to come to me for a wedding cake, you want to do it because it’s going to be a surprise and it’s going to be a work of art.”

Starcher’s designs often feature

Photo courtesy Sophia Boesenberg

Saskatoon Kitchens’ cakes often feature buttercream icing and real flowers.

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Methow Valley caterers SUNFLOWER CATERING & EVENTS Contact: Sunflowercateringinfo@gmail.com (509) 341-4311 SASKATOON KITCHENS www.facebook.com/ saskatoonkitchens saskatoonkitchens@gmail. com (509) 740-9004 METHOW CATERING, FROM THE OWNERS OF LINWOOD IN TWISP www.linwoodtwisp.com/ catering methowcatering@gmail.com 513-407-0514

Wedding cakes pies and other baked goods

Photo by Svetlana Sauer

Molly Starcher designs cakes to be unique for each couple she works with.

fondant, a moldable, sugary paste that can be rolled into sheets to cover cakes, or into shapes to make a sculpture.

“It opens up a lot of options for really cool decorations,” she said.

“You can add so much texture to fondant and a lot of my favorite designs in the past year or two have been super textured fondant that almost looks like stone or marble. … It’s really fun and makes everything one of a kind.”

Sophia Boesenberg, of Saskatoon Kitchens, both caters meals and provides wedding cakes and other desserts for weddings in the Methow.

She sticks to buttercream and other frostings rather than decorating with fondant.

“I use natural decorations like foliage and flowers from the arrangements to decorate,” she said. “I try to use seasonal fruit as the flavor is best when in season.

While cakes are one of the most well-known wedding traditions, Boesenberg said they’re falling out of fashion with some couples. But you don’t need a cake to have a fancy dessert.

“In terms of desserts, what has been popular these last few years are mini dessert bars,” she said. “So I usually offer a trio of mini desserts like pavlovas with lemon curd and berries, chocolate mousse with tart cherry compote, mini shortbreads with basil macerated stone fruit or an orange sponge cake with Swiss meringue buttercream.”

SASKATOON KITCHENS www.facebook.com/ saskatoonkitchens saskatoonkitchens@gmail. com (509) 740-9004 MOLLY STARCHER, THE LITTLE DIPPER CAFE & BAKERY 94 Bridge St, Winthrop, WA 98862 www.facebook.com/ mollyscustomcake/ www.mollyscakes.com/ (509) 996-2127 CINNAMON TWISP BAKERY www.cinnamontwispbakery. com/ (509) 997-5030 MAZAMA STORE 50 Lost River Road, Mazama (509) 996-2855

Methow Valley News

Photo by Steve Mitchell

The Tamarack quartet often performs at weddings.

Creating the soundtrack for Methow Valley weddings Local musicians help set the tone

By A nn McCreary

C

ouples who choose to get married in the Methow Valley are generally not wedded to tradition. When they plan their Methow nuptials, they are creating a unique experience in a unique place.

Valley Vows 2022

Methow Valley weddings are usually designed to take advantage of the valley’s most alluring feature – its breathtaking natural surroundings. Hence, most weddings in the valley are outdoor events.

So when it comes to the music at a Methow Valley wedding ceremony, it’s not going to be a traditional church organ. Because, after all, it’s tough to haul an organ into a meadow, or onto a river bank, or

into a rustic barn, or up to the top of Washington Pass.

With the spectacular scenery of the Methow Valley as the backdrop, the music selected for valley weddings provides the soundtrack for the event. Although it’s a small community, the Methow Valley is home to an array of talented musicians who are able to create a vibe to match the musical vision of the bride and groom.

Classical musicians, DJs and dance bands are able to set the tone for the different moments of a wedding ceremony and reception.

And local musicians know how to do that in the sometimes unpredictable outdoor venues of Methow Valley weddings.

Terry Hunt is a guitarist who performs solo as well as in a band with horns, drums and vocalists. He has been providing music at weddings

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for 45 years.

“I started when I was younger than the bride and groom. Then I was their age … soon I’ll the age of their grandparents,” Hunt said with a laugh. “I’ve probably done 350 weddings in my life.”

He has participated in weddings with a variety of Methow Valley locations and styles. In one wedding the bride floated down the river in a canoe to the wedding site.

During one ceremony a dog was the ring-bearer. Another couple exchanged vows at the overlook at Washington Pass.

He’s played at fall weddings in early snowstorms “with my fingers so cold I couldn’t feel them,” at summer weddings with temperatures well above 100 degrees, and on days so windy that music stands blew over. From those experiences he has gained a perspective that is valuable to any couple planning a Methow Valley wedding.

“My advice to a bride and groom is be willing to accept whatever comes their way when they get married here. Whatever happens, be happy. It’s a metaphor for the rest of their lives.”

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Contacts Contact information for musicians interviewed for this article: Terry Hunt: terryahunt.com Keeley Brooks: keeleybrooksviolin.weebly.com Tamarack Quartet: tamarackquartet.com Stephen Kish: winthropguitar. com Nolan Loucks: Insite Sounds Facebook Noah Ashford: noahbrainer@ gmail.com Jeremiah Fosness: dj bullfrog Facebook

MUSIC TO MATCH Wedding advisors recommend that when couples book their music, they consider the message they want to share with their wedding guests and the overall vibe of the event. The bride may be wearing cowboy boots or heels, and the music reflects that.

The bride and groom may choose music performed by musicians or DJs, or a combination of both, and the Methow Valley has many talented musicians offering those options.

Hunt said he is often hired to perform solo classical guitar during social hour and dinner, or to provide music during the different phases of the ceremony: the prelude, while guests are taking their seats; the processional, while the wedding party is walking down the aisle (or more likely a path in the Methow); the interlude during the ceremony; and the recessional, when the wedding party and guests leave at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Hunt’s seven-piece band is sought

Stephen Kish plays guitar at weddings.

after for receptions. The band has a diverse repertoire to match the tastes of the bride and groom, “from Benny Goodman to ‘Play That Funky Music White Boy,’ ” Hunt said.

Keeley Brooks, a classically trained violinist, is generally asked to play before and after the ceremony, and offers a repertoire of traditional classical music for wedding ceremonies. But she happily expands her classical repertoire to include “more pop style” or folk tunes if the bride and groom

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Photo courtesy Stephen Kish

request it. “I work with the couple to choose what they want,” Brooks said.

The Tamarack String Quartet offers “classy and elegant background music,” said Pam Hunt, who plays cello in the quartet.

The quartet also has a repertoire of love songs, popular music, jazz and movie themes. “Over the years we’ve had a lot of requests for special songs, including love songs from different eras, and we’re happy to come up with them,” Hunt said.

Stephen Kish performs solo guitar music and said he is generally hired to play during the cocktail hour and ceremony portion of a wedding. He usually plays traditional classical pieces, but has been known to “sneak a little Metallica riff” into the music after learning that the groom liked the heavy metal band.

Kish also rents PA equipment for weddings, including microphones and speakers, and can run sound systems for musicians or bands that don’t bring their own. Some couples have musicians and singers in their families who perform at their

Methow Valley News

wedding, and just need the sound equipment, Kish said.

DJ MUSIC Many couples decide to hire a DJ, either for the entire wedding event or for the reception. About 75% of couples are choosing DJs for their receptions these days, according to bridalguide.com.

DJs create a customized music list in consultation with the bride and groom, provide sound systems, lights, and microphones, and can act as masters of ceremonies. Depending on the desires of the bride and groom, they may take an active role in guiding the entire wedding and reception.

“I consider myself a party motivator, with a great understanding of the importance of making the bride happy,” said Nolan Loucks, whose DJ business is called Insite Sounds.

Noah Ashford, who works as DJ Noah and Boom Boom Productions, offers a ceremony package of pre-ceremony DJ music, wireless lapel mics for officiants and the bride and groom, as well as microphones for poems, songs or instrumental interludes during the ceremony.

His reception package includes

Photo by EA Weymuller

DJ Noah Ashford talks with a bride at a wedding where he was the DJ.

wireless mics for toasts and speeches, a “custom curated DJ mix built collaboratively with the bride and groom,” or a mix of their own creation, and motion activated lights.

Ashford said he will also act as a

The Winthrop Barn

full-service master of ceremonies if the bride and groom request it.

DJ Bullfrog, aka Jeremiah Fosness, says he takes a “fully interactive” role as DJ at weddings. “When you book me for your wedding, I

take care of everything from music to emcee work. I’m very active with the crowd.”

Fosness said he obtains the timeline for the entire event from the bride and groom, or works with wedding coordinators to make announcements and introductions.

He likes to get background information about people making speeches to make introductions personal.

He might host a game to see which table gets to get food first at dinner.

“My go-to is crowd interaction.

Having fun with them, keeping them thoroughly entertained,” Fosness said. “My biggest goal is I want everyone there to feel super comfortable, like they’ve known me for years.”

Like other DJs, Fosness curates a music list to match the tastes of the bride and groom, and he likes to “read the crowd” to determine which types of songs get people onto the dance floor.

“It’s just so fun getting to know people,” said Fosness. “I really enjoy this job because it’s such a personal thing.”

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A destination for weddings Spring Creek Ranch provides a wedding setting close to downtown Winthrop.

T

he Methow Valley is a top wedding destination in Washington, but you still have to pick a venue. Here are some of the area’s top choices.

LODGES • Sun Mountain Lodge, www.

SunMountainLodge.com Sun Mountain Lodge offers several visually stunning outdoor wedding sites, such as the bluff overlooking snow-capped Mt. Gardner and the valley, or the cool and tranquil shores of Patterson Lake.

It also includes indoor facilities such as a main lobby with massive stone fireplaces. Make lasting memories with the Cowboy Dinner Ride or a wine cellar dinner. The signature Four Diamond Award-winning restaurant at Sun Mountain Lodge provides elegant catered meals and intimate romantic dinners. Lodge

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rooms and lakeside cabins accommodate overnight guests, and the on-site gear rental shop provides bike, ski, and snowshoe rentals for visitors to explore the Sun Mountain trail system in any season.

• Freestone Inn, www.FreeStoneInn.com The Freestone Inn has a reputation for excellence, earning the “Top 25 Lodges in America” award from Travel and Leisure magazine.

Located on the historic Wilson Ranch, Freestone Inn sits along a private lake below the towering spires of the majestic North Cascades. A stone fireplace greets guests underneath the timbers of

the main lodge. The first-class dining room of the Sandy Butte Bistro and Bar offers views of the lake from every table. A renovated stock barn onsite is a different option for signature events. Lodge rooms, cabins, and lakeside lodges provide a variety of accommodations for overnight guests. Jack’s Hut Pizza & Brews offers a dining alternative.

• Mazama Country Inn, www.

MazamaCountryInn.com The Mazama Country Inn offers year-round wedding planning, gorgeous scenery, and several different indoor/outdoor venues with performance stages. The Mazama Country Inn Restaurant caters delicious Northwest cuisine. The lodge has 18 rooms, 15 cabins, and the inn offers over 30 privately owned vacation homes for guests who enjoy a little more space.

Photo courtesy Spring Creek Ranch

PRIVATE RETREATS • Skalitude Retreat, www.Skalitude.com The rolling meadows of secluded Skalitude eco-retreat are embraced by peaceful mountaintops. The basic wedding package includes lodging for 18 people for up to three nights. Up to 100 guests can camp on the grounds. Perfect for intimate or large gatherings, a 2,000-squarefoot Sky Lodge seats up to 150 people and is a breezy shaded option for rain or shine.

• Goat Wall View, 509-846-5035 Goat Wall View near Mazama is located in a secluded meadow surrounded by woods and bordered by gardens that change with the seasons. Onsite restrooms, a full kitchen, gas grill, covered porches and plenty of parking make this scenic location very guest friendly

Methow Valley News

for an intimate weekend gathering.

On-site lodging includes a roomy three-level home and separate studio apartment. Additional lodging is just minutes away.

• Spring Creek Ranch, www.

SpringCreekWinthrop.com Spring Creek Ranch, near Winthrop, is a quiet escape from the ordinary, with multiple options for different styles. Wintertime guests can ski out the front door onto the groomed cross-country ski trails of the scenic Methow Trails system.

Wedding packages include a two-night stay for up to 13 people.

Seven additional lodging options are within walking distance.

• Pipestone Canyon Ranch, www.PipestoneCanyonRanch. com Pipestone Canyon Ranch, located near the historic Pipestone Canyon, is a secluded paradise for any event. Backdrop options are varied, with wide ranging choices of rocky cliffs, lush pasture, meadows, and a cottonwood-lined creek.

The Pipestone Canyon ranch is a working ranch, with alfalfa meadows and a rustic barn. The modern renovated barn is a warm and welcoming event center. Event bookings include the use of the kitchen and prep area, table settings and plenty of seating options. The barn can accommodate indoor seating for up to 200 guests, and the doors open to an expansive outdoor area with incredible views of the surrounding hills and farmlands.

• Twisp Terrace Lodge at Rockchuck Ranch, www.TwispTerrace.com The Twisp Terrace Lodge is the “perfect marriage of Northwest Charm” with timber and stone accents, grand views, and distinct luxury. The 300-acre ranch offers multiple outdoor and indoor choices, all with awe-inspiring views of the North Cascade Mountain Range and the Methow Valley. The lodge offers guestrooms and suites for overnight accommodations, and an exquisite menu. Your guests will be sure to enjoy the 18th Century Pub located just past the entryway.

• Methow Valley Inn, www.

MethowValleyInn.com The Methow Valley Inn in Twisp is available as a group vacation rental. The spacious indoors open up to a beautifully landscaped courtyard and gardens.

Valley Vows 2022

A rustic wedding setting at Spring Creek Ranch

• Brown’s Farm, www.

MethowNet.com/BrownsFarm Brown’s Farm, on Wolf Creek Road just off of Highway 20 west of Winthrop, has individual cabins, a barn for events, and a gracious setting with compelling Methow Valley views.

Ryan Flynn Photography

• The Winthrop Rink, www.WinthropRink.org The Winthrop Rink has a spacious and beautiful room with a view of the rink and is available year-round. Party packages for either winter ice skating or summer time roller skating are available.

• Bear Creek Golf Course, www.

BearCreekGolfCourse.com The Eagles Nest at Bear Creek Golf Course is an indoor/outdoor facility overlooking the Sawtooth Mountains, and the scenic golf course.

• Methow Valley Community Center, www.MethowCommunity.org The historic Methow Valley Community Center features a large gathering hall, and smaller intimate rooms. A unique setting in the heart of Twisp.

• Twisp Valley Grange, www.

TwispGrange.com An intimate setting with both stage and a kitchen.

• Confluence Gallery, www.ConfluenceGallery.com The Confluence Gallery in Twisp offers an artful backdrop to any gathering. Rental includes tables and chairs. Additional services and features available upon request.

• The Plaza at TwispWorks, www.TwispWorks.org Located in the heart of Twisp, on the historic ranger station campus.

A 14,000-square-foot lawn is encircled by concrete bench seating, native plants and art, a splashpad offers fun for the kids, and artist studios, shops, tasting room, and a Native and Natural History museum offers on site fun for everyone.

• Howards on the River, www.

HowardsOnTheRiver.com Enjoy scenic views of Columbia River along the shorelines of Pateros City Park. Howards On the River offers a private event venue for weddings and private parties.

The intimate space accommodates up to 100 people, and offers special event catering from Rivers Restaurant. Every room at the inn has a sunset view of the Columbia River.

PUBLIC VENUES • The Winthrop Barn, www.WinthropBarn.com The Winthrop Barn is a popular wedding venue with a spacious hall, full kitchen, ample parking, and town park just outside its doors.

• The Barnyard Cinema, www.

TheBarnyardCinema.com The Barnyard Cinema in Winthrop offers theater seating, with a majestic backdrop view of the mountains via the floor-to-ceiling picture window. The theater opens up to a full-service bar.

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Bouquets in bloom

Methow’s natural beauty, growing season inspire floral arrangements

By Marcy Stamper

F

rom alstroemeria to zinnias, through dahlias and echinacea, lupine and larkspur, and peonies and sunflowers, flowers are the consummate symbol of growth and new beginnings when a couple celebrates their life together.

Photo by Svetlana Sauer

Katie Hover designed this floral arrangement for a wedding at the Washington Pass Overlook.

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Fortuitously, the popular weeding season coincides with the Methow growing season, providing numerous options to adorn a wedding with locally grown flowers.

Methow Valley–based floral designers Katie Hover, of Twisted Willow Floral Studio, and Autumn Jateff, of Northern Farms, use local flowers as much as possible, although they also source blooms from other florists in the colder months or to fill special requests.

Couples typically start with a color scheme for their entire wedding, Hover said. She builds on that concept to create a cohesive look for the bouquets, boutonnieres and table arrangements.

“Lots of people are intimidated by the process and don’t know the names of flowers,” said Hover, who’s been creating floral designs for weddings and special events for 15 years. “I’m the expert here to guide them.”

For a huge selection of local blossoms, Jateff steps outside her house, where she grows 40 varieties of vibrant flowers in seven long rows on half an acre, plus more in a greenhouse. She asks couples for an inspirational photo that shows the shape of the bridal bouquet or a table setting, and then designs to suit their vision with the flowers in bloom.

“My style has more of a wildflower feel,” Jateff said. “Lots of people will say, ‘I want it to look like I just frolicked through a field and picked a bunch of flowers.’ They’re looking for something that’s looser and that

Methow Valley News

Photo courtesy Northern Farms

Photo by Logan Smith

Modern brides look for a variety of floral styles.

Katie Hover designed these floral arrangements for a winter wedding at Sun Mountain Lodge.

doesn’t look too perfect.”

With many people wanting a more natural look, Jateff will also gather wildflowers and greenery like cedar boughs, pines and grasses. She’ll forage for ornamental wheat and fluffy bunny tails, or pick larkspur and lupine in season, she said.

Hover creates a wildflower look using cultivated blossoms, since wildflowers often don’t hold up long enough for an arrangement, she said.

The growing season can help guide the color scheme. In May and June,

want small, tight handhelds, while others want overflowing, drooping bouquets.

Today, many people choose ample greenery and cascading, overflowing arrangements, particularly for arches and floor pieces, Hover said. But others seek a different aesthetic. It could be a single-stemmed vase with a couple of flowers and a spray of grasses.

Or the couple may want 50 stems in a funky quart-size mason jar, or table runners with scattered loose flowers and greenery, Jateff said.

As couples look for ways to

with lots of blues, pinks and creams in bloom, pastel colors tend to be popular. Fall weddings are more likely to feature sunflowers and dahlias in deeper colors like orange, burgundy and yellow, Jateff said.

Jateff can usually supply weddings all season long from her garden, since flowers bloom again quickly at the height of summer.

“The more you cut, the more they grow,” she said.

The handheld bouquets carried by the bride are typically white or cream, sometimes with a splash of burgundy, Jateff said. Some brides

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personalize their weddings and highlight their passions, Jateff has found herself incorporating unusual elements in arrangements, including feathers and antlers.

Sometimes people want the flowers to reflect their personal interests, like a colorful flyfishing lure integrated into the boutonniere.

Other new trends include a “boho” theme that incorporates grasses and dried pods. Eucalyptus and pampas grass are also popular, Hover said.

Flowers can add a beguiling touch to personal adornment. Brides may have blossoms woven into their hair. Jateff has created her share of floral collars for the best dog.

Jateff has also decorated the bubble guns that flower girls use to blow bubbles, so that it looks like the bubbles are erupting from a handful of blooms.

Requests for small bouquets for modest weddings are becoming more common, Hover said. Elopements in the North Cascades – at an overlook or on a hiking trail – are popular, where Hover creates understated floral arrangements to complement the forest and mountains.

Photo courtesy Northern Farms

Some couples like to buy bulk flowers and create their own arrangements, often with friends and family on the day before the wedding. “It becomes a bonding experience,” Jateff said.

Couples are growing increasingly aware of sustainability and want floral arrangements that are better for the environment, Hover said.

Today she uses netting and other materials to secure arrangements, rather than foam bases.

Whatever the style, fresh flowers enhance and personalize the celebration. “They’re flowers. They make everyone happy,” Jateff said.

Photo courtesy Northern Farms

Local florists work with couples to determine floral styles for a wedding.

Making your day special, beautiful, and simple as possible.

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Weddings - Anniversaries - Reunions Special Events - Birthdays - Conferences Available for rent year-round Call (509) 557-3402 or www.skitheloup.com 14

Also serving your needs with Lake Chelan Event Rentals

Locally, family owned.

Contact us for a quote!

methowmoments@gmail.com www.methowmoments.com

Paul & Mandy Schmekel (509) 341-4257

Tents • Tables • Farm Tables • Chairs • Custom Lighting • Dance Floors Expanded inventory of wooden furniture, specialty flatware & accessory items

Methow Valley News

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ENTERTAINMENT

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CI

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ON TWISP BAK M A E NN

WEDDING FAVORITES ~ Before & after the “I Do’s” ~ Cinnamon Twisps • Fruit Delight Pecan Rolls • Bear Claws Quiche • Scones • Muffins Fruit Danish • Bagels • Granola • Gift Cards for your Guests • SPECIAL ORDERS WELCOME Pastries for your Wedding Brunch 116 N. Glover St. Twisp 509.997.5030 Valley Vows 2022

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Inspired Beginnings Happen Here

Washington’s Premier Destination Resort Sun Mountain Lodge offers spectacular outdoor wedding sites, elegant indoor facilities, distinctive cuisine and unparalleled wedding services.

To learn more, call LenElla Tabor at 509.996.4770.

604 Patterson Lake Road, Winthrop WA 98862 | sunmountainlodge.com 15

Est. Est.

1984

Methow Reservations is your local lodging source for legal, licensed nightly rental cabins, historic homes, condos, small inns and B & B's.

We are a great resource for everything local, we live here, we can help! The Methow Reservations Gang is an e-mail or phone call away, at your service.

You are welcome to stop by our office in the Purple Sage Gallery on the old west Winthrop boardwalk, at 245 Riverside Ave. Book local, not global!

509-996-2148

16

info@MethowReservations.com

WWW.METHOWRESERVATIONS.COM Methow Valley News