My Montana Wedding 2017 Edition

2017 Edition Complimentary

MY WEDDING

W

W President’s LETTER}

elcome to beautiful “Big Sky Country,” or maybe you are blessed

to call it home. Do you have a dream of your special day? We hope to help you make it come true. I was born and raised in Montana and haven’t found any other place I would want to be. The mountains, the lakes, and the people make “Big Sky Country” unlike any other place. There are so many ways to enjoy your wedding day with family and friends: nearby hiking in Glacier National Park, boating or jet skiing on Flathead Lake, or simply roasting marshmallows on a campfire at a campsite anywhere around the Flathead Valley.

In my eight years of working with the members of the My Montana Wedding Association, I have found that everyone is dedicated and passionate. The members work together as a team to make the Montana dream come true. It is about building relationships with you and with each other. The My Montana Wedding Association is ready to help lower your stress while adding to your dream.

Photo by Jennifer Mooney Photography

My

Montana Wedding 2017 Edition

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SANDY HENSEN President, My Montana Wedding Association

CONTRIBUTORS

Jennifer Goff President Sandy Hensen Cassie Baldelli DawnD Kjensrud

Celebrate Event & Party Rentals Aileen Brosten Billy Gross Bailey Lalum Vice President Cassie Baldelli Nancy Jo Connell Paige Grover Jennifer Mooney Glacier Raft Company Samantha Connor Lynn Hofeldt Judy Mundell Secretary Amy Deering Amy Deering Mike Howe Britlee Penney Amy Deering Events Beth Dix Kelly Kirksey Jamie Wyman Treasurer Sherry Toavs My Montana Wedding is the official publication of Porteus BBQ Expo Vice President Sam Dennison My Montana Wedding (MMW) Destination DJ P.O. Box 8731, Kalispell, MT 59904 Expo Chair GJ Hensen 406.250.3213

Celebrate Event & Party Rentals This is an annual publication with 10,000 copies for distribution.

Social Media Chair Jennifer Mooney Jennifer Mooney Photography Don’t miss the annual My Montana Wedding & Events Expo!

Magazine Chair Bailey Lalum Saturday, January 13, 2018, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Flathead

Whitefish Events County Fairgrounds Trade Center Building, Kalispell, MT. Executive Director Aileen Brosten See the back cover and page 33 for more info!

ART DIRECTOR & EDITOR Lynn Hofeldt

Visit us at mymontanawedding.com, and on Facebook and Instagram.

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My Montana Wedding

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CONTENTS

Photography clockwise from top: Lindsey Jane Photography, Carrie Ann Photography, Carrie Ann Photography

FEATURED WEDDINGS freya & colton callie & dustyn allison & michael erica & ben jillian & josh cat & jeff callie & travis melissa & michael amy & jairo amy & reis maren & jeff paige & raun celia & brady alisha & matt leah & charlie

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ARTICLES 8 things not to forget the magic of elegance style your engagement shoot memories on the water q&a a tale as old as time kid-friendly weddings

beyond the cake testing the trends live music eloping: as easy as 1-2-3

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MEMBER DIRECTORY AD DIRECTORY

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FREYA & COLTON 10-22-16

Ronan, MT

Photography by Carrie Ann Photography

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01.

How did you and Colton meet?

A friend and I had been having a nice girl’s day, riding horses and enjoying a sushi dinner, when we decided to go out on the town and ended up at the only country bar in Post Falls, Idaho. After we had been there for a short time catching up with some friends, I noticed a couple of guys that I didn’t recognize. I quickly noticed that the tall one was super good looking and wearing a Cowboy Fresh ball cap, but was also wearing blue “runners” (as he calls them) instead of cowboy boots so I was a little confused. I know most of the local cowboys, so the odds were he either wasn’t actually a cowboy, or he wasn’t from around here. I couldn’t resist, I had to go pick on him about his shoes. We ended up chatting for the rest of the evening and were the last ones to leave that night.

How did Colton propose?

02.

Colton tried to plan something a few different times and finally told me I’m the hardest person in the world to plan anything for! He ended up catching me completely off guard by asking me to slow down and take in the view while we were looking at a piece of property one day. He got me to take a few breaths and then asked me to marry him. He gave me a one-of-a-kind ring that his brother (a very talented silver and goldsmith) made to top off a perfect proposal.

03.

What was special to you about being married in Montana?

Colton is from Southern Alberta, and I’m from Northern Idaho. We wanted someplace new for both of us. We have both always loved Montana and it was a great spot to “meet in the middle” for our friends and family. Once we found Sky Ridge Ranch, we knew Montana was the perfect place to start our forever journey.

04.

Did anything happen on your wedding day that you did not plan for?

Aside from the normal “where are the flowers?” and “anyone have wine we could borrow for communion?” nothing catastrophic happened, thankfully!

One thing we didn’t plan for but were pleasantly surprised with was the weather. For one of the wettest Octobers on record, we were blessed with a few early showers, some great cloud cover for photos and then an incredible burst of sunshine for our ceremony. It was blissful!

What was the best part of your day?

05.

Every part of it, truly. We have amazing friends and family who made the trek to share in the day with us, and everything was awesome. We loved our location and our vendors, our food and cake were to die for, our photographers and videographers were stellar and we got to really just enjoy the day! One particular highlight was getting to share our faith with our friends and family in our ceremony. It was important to us that those attending our wedding knew the foundation we are building our relationship on.

06.

Do you have any tips to help brides plan their dream weddings?

If you’re coming from out of town, get there early. We could have used an extra day to relax before the work of setting up began. >>>

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“THE WEEKEND I MET FREYA WAS THE PINNACLE TURNING POINT IN MY LIFE. I FOUND THE LORD THAT WEEK, AND I FOUND MY WIFE.” -Colton

VENDORS Photographer Carrie Ann Photography Venue Sky Ridge Ranch

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h, Montana, we can’t help but love you. Your very name means “mountainous country,” and what is more romantic than getting married in the Flathead Valley, which is home to the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River on one end and the Crown of the Continent on the other? We sure can’t think of anything. However, it is no secret that choosing to get married on top of a mountain can pose its own set of challenges. Here are eight things you don’t want to forget while planning your perfect Montana wedding:

T to

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We try our best to make your fairy tale wedding go off without a hitch, we really do. But all of the bibbity boppity boo we have isn’t going to make an electrical outlet magically appear at the top of a mountain or in the middle of a field.

Your guests are going to want to hear your “I do’s,” and most of the time that requires a microphone. Photographers also have a lot of equipment that must be hauled wherever you go as well. In order for everyone to be able to do their job, please consider logistics for all of your vendors when considering a ceremony location.

Your guests want to look good.

Not as good as you of course, but good. However, looking good means guests can leave themselves unprepared. No matter what you put on the invitation, some guests are still going to want to wear their summer dresses and strappy heels and will not be prepared for the variable weather Northwest Montana is known for. You should consider having warm blankets, a fire pit, area heaters, and even some warm beverages like tea and cocoa to keep your guests toasty and happy “all night long …” (yes, that’s a Lionel Richie reference).

2

Your guests need to get home safely.

At some point the wonderful evening will come to an end.

Weddings are a celebration, and the Flathead Valley makes a wonderful setting to get together to do just that. If your wedding is at a location that can be potentially unsafe in the evening, please make a plan of action to ensure that your guests get home safely. (See the article on page 26 for ways to accomplish this in the Flathead Valley.)

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Your vendors need easy access to

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Make a “what-if” plan.

It’s always important to have a back-up plan in case of inclement weather. Storms have a tendency to pop up unexpectedly and snow can happened in the summer months. Please consider having a back-up venue or heated tent just in case. (See the article on page 26 for tips on creating a plan B.)

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Be clear in your directions.

Believe it or not, there are places in Montana where Siri is going to say, “huh?” when you ask her for directions. (Ok,

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not literally.) But seriously, mountain roads can be tricky, dangerous and unclear. It is important to be super specific in your invitations with directions. Road signs aren’t always easy to spot so include landmarks as well. (A moose isn’t a great choice for a landmark; he tends to wander.) Another suggestion is to mark the turns to your location with noticeable, easy-to-read signs. You can also use a shuttle service to take the navigational stress off your guests entirely. (See the article on page 26 for a couple of services that can help your guests get to your wedding location!)

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Little things make your guests comfortable.

How far do your guests have to walk to find the restroom?

Is there proper lighting to get guests to the restrooms and parking area or will they have to rely on their cell phone flashlights and a Marco Polo system? Do you have comfy seating for your older guests? Have you considered having late night snacks for all those guests who have danced their socks off? Remember, it’s the little things that count.

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Help your guests make the most of their trip.

I love it when wedding invitations include fun things to do around the area (and not to brag, but there’s too many fun things in the Flathead Valley to even list here). Help your guests make the most of their trip, and include suggestions for fun activities on your invitation and wedding web site. If you need some suggestions, visit mymontanawedding.com or page 84 for our member directory.

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Be grateful to those who helped make your wed-

ding day amazing.

It often goes without saying that Montana isn’t the easiest part of the country to access. Despite this, all your guests drove in, flew in, or saddled up to make it for your special day. Favors, thank-you notes, and just saying a few words can be all it takes to let your friends and family know just how much it means to you that they were here to share in your beautiful Montana wedding. u Photos from left to right: Lindsey Jane Photography, Marianne Wiest Photography, Kelly Kirksey Photography, Lindsey Jane Photography, Kelly Kirksey Photography, Kelly Kirksey Photography, Glacier Raft Company, Jennifer Mooney Photography mymontanawedding.com

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Callie & Dustyn Baethke July 30, 2016 u Bigfork, Montana

H

ow did you meet?

Dustyn and I met in biomechanics class in graduate school at Boise State University in 2009. He was the quiet, Iowa football player in the back of the room, and I was the extroverted Montana woman in the front.

We reconnected in 2013 after three years of not seeing each other and started a long-distance relationship between Iowa and Oregon.

How did Dustyn propose?

My sisters and I went hiking in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon one afternoon, and they convinced me to visit one last waterfall just as a massive thunderstorm was beginning. We got to the waterfall and my sister quickly instructed me to go on the bridge for a picture. Just as I did, I noticed a man walking down the trail in a sharp navy suit holding an umbrella. I remember thinking this well-dressed individual was insane. But as he raised the umbrella, I realized it was Dustyn! He met me on the bridge and got down on one knee – him in his suit, me in my hiking boots. I will never forget running up the trail hand in hand as the rain and thunder celebrated with us.

What was special to you about being married here?

Photography by Marianne Wiest Photography

I am a born and raised Montana woman, so an outdoor wedding there was always my vision and dream. We decided to get married at my Dad’s house, which is the property where I grew up. I spent summers swimming in the pond and riding horses, building forts in the trees and chasing our animals. I love that property for the views of the mountains and open pasture. We chose our ceremony area because it was framed by two, several hundred-year-old douglas fir trees. The entire property is a story of history merged with new beginnings.

Did anything happen that you had not planned for?

Yes! Two things: First, our prop bin designated for the photo booth area was raided by all the kids! It was hilarious to see children ages 2 to 10 running around

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My Montana Wedding

“OUR PROP BIN DESIGNATED FOR THE PHOTO BOOTH AREA WAS RAIDED BY ALL THE KIDS!” -CALLIE

VENDORS Lodging Best Western Plus Flathead Lake Inn & Suites Photographer Marianne Wiest Photography Rentals Empress Tents & Events

with hats, masks, and feather boas. What was meant for the adults actually turned out to be a unique form of entertainment!

Second, we took photos with one of our horses, and as I was leading him back to the coral, he stepped on my dress! We both came to a screeching halt, all the guests gasped, and I gave him a friendly shove to remove him from my train. Not a single rip in the lace!

What was the best part of your day?

I requested that I have time alone prior to the ceremony to live in the moment of joy and anticipation. My bridal suite overlooked the dance floor, reception tables, and the ceremony area, and I watched everyone arrive, socialize, and enjoy the setting. It was surreal. My dream had become a reality right before my eyes.

What advice do you have for future brides?

Hire a consultant or friend to work behind the scenes on your wedding day.

You will want someone else taking care of the details! And although DIY is a great cost saver, don’t over-commit to projects when you could pay for the product or service instead. For an outdoor wedding, it’s helpful to hire people to help set up and tear down. Trust me, it’s worth the money for the peace of mind that it’s all taken care of. u

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Allison & Michael Hibbs August 7, 2016 u Kalispell, Montana

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ow did you meet?

Michael and I met when we were only 15 and 16 years old, in 2009, on a summer mission trip to Yakima, WA. We noticed each other right away, and did everything we could to work together during the short trip. We both felt something special, like a little spark, but we were so young that we couldn’t quite identify it yet.

What was special to you about being married here?

Kalispell is my hometown, and I had always envisioned myself getting married here amidst the glowing light of late summer. The little white church that I grew up attending always fit into that classic-yet-whimsical vision, too.

What was the best part of your day?

Reading our vows that we had written for each other was the most emotional and deeply special part of our day. Our words were such a beautiful declaration and promise of what our marriage was going to mean. I remember those moments very clearly, even when other parts of our day were a beautiful, happy blur.

I will always remember the look in his eyes as he paused during his vows to hand me a Photography by handwritten note from five years before, which said, “Rest Jennifer Mooney Photography assured, my love, one day I will marry you.”

Tell us about your wedding theme.

Our wedding theme drew deeply from the visual narrative of “The Secret Garden,” one of my most treasured books. We wanted the details to feel intimate and filled with romance.

Our color scheme of dusty blue and blush, with accents of soft green, reflected a summer garden basked in a soft afternoon glow. Ultimately, our goal was to encapsulate the feeling of walking hand-in-hand with your sweetheart through a private, enchanted garden, and somehow help each of our guests access that experience.

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“OUR WEDDING THEME DREW DEEPLY FROM THE VISUAL NARRATIVE OF ‘THE SECRET GARDEN,’ ONE OF MY MOST TREASURED BOOKS.” -ALLISON

VENDORS Beauty Soucie Soucie Salon Cakes & Desserts Delectable Desserts Caterer The Cuisine Machine Floral Mum’s Flowers, LLC Photographer Jennifer Mooney Photography Rentals Celebrate Event & Party Rentals

Tell us about when you fell in love.

We fell in love in a very old-fashioned way, pouring over handwritten letters, long sweet e-mails, and lingering after-school phone calls during that first Fall together. We soon became best friends. The highlight of each day was a letter in the mailbox or a quick long-distance call goodnight.

What was your favorite wedding experience?

My favorite part of planning our wedding was the creative control that we had. Our day could look and feel exactly how we wanted, and I was so inspired by that! I adored being able to translate my love of pretty visuals, details, and words into tangible experiences like finding my wed-

ding gown or designing our reception space.

What advice do you have for future brides?

Design the day for you and your love, and do not fret about anything else! The process should feel beautiful to you, too, so if stress or worry begin to sneak in as your day approaches, look closely at where those feelings are stemming from and consider letting those pieces of the wedding go. u

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My Montana Wedding

photography by jennifer mooney photography

the magic of elegance

finding the pure magic of Montana and turning it into something beautiful

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I

magine the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen.

Imagine the most beautiful place you’ve ever been.

Now add a touch of elegance and you’ve created magic.

To capture the magic of Montana’s breathtaking beauty, we found a couple in love: Josiah & Amber (who just happened to be celebrating their anniversary), and created an atmosphere using the organic beauty of the Flathead Valley while featuring amazingly graceful details.

From charming pastel florals, to a lace-topped princess gown – all with the unmistakable natural beauty of horses, mountains and pastures – the setting was pure magic. The heart of Montana’s elegance captured.u 22 My Montana Wedding

vendors beauty christina stevens – bridal styling cakes & desserts delectable desserts couture xclusive events & formalwear floral rose mountain floral jewelry mcgough & company planner amy deering events photographer jennifer mooney photography rentals empress tents & events venue whitefish equestrian center

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A NEW TREND:

styled engagement

shoots

By Amy Deering, Amy Deering Events

Broadening horizons When you hear “engagement photo shoot” you probably picture a couple standing in a beautiful location taking pretty pictures. But what if I told you it could be so much more? Styled engagement shoots are becoming increasingly popular. Such photo shoots create the perfect opportunity for the bride and groom tobe to let their personality and personal style shine through.

Endless options If you love camping and the outdoors, you could set up a campfire complete with marshmallows and hot chocolate and give yourselves a reason to cuddle up. Or maybe a more intimate setting at home with breakfast in bed is more your thing. Don’t forget the pillow fight! This is also the perfect time to bring your hobbies into your pictures. Bring your fishing poles and the cute puppy you adopted to your favorite fishing hole. You can take it one step further and visit the place where you had your first date, first kiss, or got engaged. This could be as simple as a coffee shop, brewery, or skiing on the mountain.

The photo shoot can also be styled to create a feeling of certain locations for those couples who travel the world together.

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VENDORS Cakes & Desserts Delectable Desserts Planner Amy Deering Events Photographer Kelly Kirksey Photography

Let your creativity show Creative couples often want their creativity showcased in their everyday life and your engagement pictures shouldn’t be the exception. Let your imagination come to life with a room full of balloons, a paint fight or another setup of your favorite things that embody your style, personality and attitude. If planning just the right photo shoot sounds daunting, remember that wedding planners and stylists are experts at these things.

Skip planning this yourself, and let them work with you to create the best possible styled engagement shoot! u

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Making

Memories on the

Water

By Mike Howe, Howe's Fishing Photography by Kelly Kirksey Photography

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lathead Lake is a special place here in the Flathead Valley. You’re planning your special day, one that you want to be absolutely perfect, so what are you forgetting? What is that one touch that folks will remember about your day, when they have long forgotten many others?

Bachelor and bachelorette parties

You see, here in Northwest Montana we have an abundance of water. From the smallest streams, to the largest natural freshwater lake West of the Mississippi, we are blessed to be surrounded by these waters. So, if your wedding guests might find some outdoor adventures to be fun, get them out to the beautiful bodies of water that we are surrounded with here in the Flathead Valley. Whether it is part of your ceremony, or you just need to keep out-of-town folks busy, there are neverending options to include water in your celebration.

Activities for visiting guests

Engagement or marriage

This could be a grand surprise like “popping the question” while on a charter fishing trip or lake tour, or having your actual wedding ceremony on a boat or on Wild Horse Island.

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Perhaps a fishing trip or hike on Wild Horse Island would be just the ticket for your pre-wedding parties. Or just cruise the shores of the lake marveling at some of the grand mansions and natural features of Flathead Lake.

Along with fishing or touring Flathead Lake, watercraft rentals, such as jet skiing, are also available for your guests for touring around the lake on their own.

Alone time before the big event

How about a quiet, backwater kayak trip for just the two of you, or a peaceful twilight cruise to relax and just take in the scenery.

The big day is approaching; give yourselves some time to reflect on what your new life together may hold. The options are almost as many and meaningful as your new start in life with your special loved one. If you are having a Montana wedding, it is only natural to include a water component in your plans. After all, it’s what we, and our state, are made of. u

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You’ve got the questions; we’ve got the answers. Read on, my friend.

MOTHER NATURE RULES

UNIQUE TRANSPORTATION Q: What can Montana Trolley do for a wedding event?

A: We provide unique transportation for all the events surrounding the wedding. We have provided transportation for rehearsal dinners, bachelor and bachelorette parties, as well transportation on the wedding day.

We can also pick up guests at their lodging facilities and take them to the venue.

This is used often with our destination brides for guests that have never been here before and do not know their way around. It also ensures the safety of guests getting to and from the event. We have also been hired so the bride can have her “grand entrance” and for the bride and groom to have their “grand exit” as well.

DawnD Kjensrud Montana Trolley Q: What can we do to ensure our guests are safe at the end of the night?

A: Chauffeured transportation ensures the safety of you and your guests and lets you focus on what matters most: your family and friends. Your wedding day is usually a long, emotional occasion filled with non-stop activity and often, after the ceremony, alcohol.

You can entrust Wild Horse Limousine with the safety of yourself and your guests on your special day while enjoying the unsurpassed hospitality of our professional service.

Marc Rold Wild Horse Limousine

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Q: We woke up, and it’s raining. What do we do? We don’t have a plan B. A: Every situation is a little different as far as options to keep you and your guests dry on your special day. One option would be to move everything indoors if you have that ability at your venue. Sometimes, if a local rental company has a tent leftover for that date (and you have space for said tent), you may be able to have one setup day of and continue using your planned location.

If neither of the first two options are doable then you may potentially consider moving your wedding to a different location that can accommodate your wedding party.

Q: Can I make changes after I make a reservation for rental equipment?

A: Yes, customers can typically make changes until a few days prior to your event delivery, although, larger items such as tents are best to have locked down earlier rather than later. It is best to plan for higher guest counts initially so that if a week prior to your event your counts are looking a little low, simply ask your rental company to deduct from your chair, table, or dishware reservation. It is much less stressful to do that (for both the rental company, and the bride and groom), than to try adding numbers upon short notice because typically all of the rental companies in the valley are booked full on all of their equipment.

Billy Gross Flathead Valley Party Rentals

BY THE NUMBERS Q: How do I gauge the quantity of desserts I need?

A: It is important that couples remember to ensure that there are enough desserts. If most of the desserts are less than two inches, couples should plan on having two pieces per person, three if your family loves sweets. Regardless of your dream wedding dessert, be sure to book the dessert specialist at least three months in advance.

Judy Mundell Pink Hippo Sweets, LLC

Photography from top to bottom: Crown Photography, Lindsey Jane Photography, Crown Photography

Questions & Answers

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Erica & Ben Graham August 6, 2016 u Whitefish, Montana

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ow did you meet?

What was the best part of your day?

We met at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. It was freshmen move-in day, and we met in “the quad” where the freshmen were hanging out and meeting each other. We quickly became very good friends, regularly studying and grabbing lunch together, but we didn’t start dating until our senior year.

Two of our favorite parts were the ceremony and the chairlift ride down to our reception. Our ceremony was an incredible part of our day. Our dear family friend was our pastor, and he did such an amazing job personalizing the ceremony for us. After the ceremony, Ben and I rode the chairlift down to our reception. It was incredible to look out over Flathead Valley and talk about our day. The time together on the chairlift gave us an intimate opportunity to reminisce about the ceremony and events of the day.

What was the most memorable part of your day?

Photography by Kelly Kirksey Photography

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Some of the best advice we received was to make sure to take a few moments to enjoy our wedding day together. So we planned our first look to be just the two of us. It was an amazing experience, and definitely the most memorable moments we shared that day. We both surprised ourselves with how nervous we were beforehand, but that moment when Ben turned around and we saw each other for the first time was unforgettable. We both started crying, smiling, and laughing all at once. Those are some of our favorite pictures to look back on because they captured exactly how we were feeling.

My Montana Wedding

“OUR GUESTS LOVED MONTANA! OUT OF 125 GUESTS, 124 OF THEM WERE FROM OUT OF STATE.” -ERICA

VENDORS Planner Jennifer Goff Designs & Events, LLC Floral Mum’s Flowers, LLC Lodging Whitefish Mountain Resort Photographer Kelly Kirksey Photography Rentals Celebrate Event and Party Rentals Venue Whitefish Mountain Resort

What did your guests say about Montana?

Our guests loved Montana! Out of our 125 guests, 124 of them were from outof-state. We wanted to make their experience fantastic so we organized events prior to our wedding day. We spent one day hiking in Glacier National Park and one day on a rafting trip with Glacier Rafting Company (76 of our guests came!). The group adventures were so much fun!

We also invited all of our guests to our barbecue and lawn game rehearsal dinner. Nearly all of our guests made a vacation out of their trips, and they embraced all of the activities that Montana has to offer.

What helped you plan your wedding from afar?

Planning a wedding in another state was much more challenging than I had anticipated. I quickly figured out that wordof-mouth was extremely important, and I needed to trust those individuals I developed relationships with early in the planning process. Kelly (our photographer) and Jennifer (our planner) were always able to give me advice about vendors, which was so helpful because they had worked with these companies previously.

I also took two trips to Montana to meet with the majority of our vendors. u

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JILLIAN & JOSH

8-14-16

West Glacier, MT

Photography by Jennifer Mooney Photography

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My Montana Wedding

01.

How did you and Josh meet?

In July 2014, Josh and I set out on separate road trips to Glacier National Park. Josh was making a solo trip from his home in Chicago, and I was traveling with my mom from our home in Vancouver, B.C. Early on July 4th, my mom and I stopped for a quick breakfast at the Swiftcurrent Restaurant in Glacier before venturing out. Josh was also having breakfast at the restaurant just a few tables away. We never spoke, but we did exchange a few stolen glances.

After breakfast, my mom and I made a quick stop to pick up bear spray for a hike, but it was sold out. Disheartened, but not willing to chance a bear encounter, we decided to go to the trail head and see if we could tag along with someone. We waited and waited and were about to give up when along came the cute young man from the restaurant. Much to my horror, my mom approached Josh and asked if we could tag along with him. And so our story began.

02.

How did Josh propose?

Living in Chicago we try to escape the city as much as we can on weekends and enjoy nature and the outdoors. One morning we went for a hike at one of the forest preserves here. About halfway through the hike he asked if I could climb this huge oak tree in front of us so he would take a picture. I start climbing, and when I turned around a few seconds into it he was on one knee with red rose petals scattered all around. It was so beautiful.

03.

It was so wonderful having our friends and family come together to celebrate our special day with us.

What was the best part of your day?

04.

Why did you choose not to have a bridal party?

Our friends and family were making long road trips and/or flights to get to Glacier to celebrate our wedding so it was essential to us that the day be relaxing and stress-free for our guests with no formalities for them to worry about.

Tell us about your dessert and flowers!

05.

We both wanted a non-traditional style wedding so we opted for pies instead of the traditional wedding cake. It was important to us that we celebrate the locally grown produce, so we included huckleberry pies.

My bridal bouquet was made by Rose Mountain Floral in Kalispell. It included hydrangeas, lisianthus, amnesia roses, succulents and seeded eucalyptus. Josh’s boutonniere was amnesia roses with seeded eucalyptus. The combination of flowers was stunning; it was natural and earthy and blended well with the surroundings.

06.

Is there anything else you’d like to share that was significant to your day?

Josh and I wrote down our vows and had my brother deliver them to us on the morning of the wedding. It was so special to have a few minutes alone to read what we had to say to one another. >>> mymontanawedding.com

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“... HE WAS ON ONE KNEE WITH RED ROSE PETALS SCATTERED ALL AROUND. IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL.”

-Jillian

VENDORS Bar Service Fuller Ventures Beverages & Catering Services Beauty Christina Stevens – Bridal Styling Caterer The Cuisine Machine Floral Rose Mountain Floral Officiant MarryMeInMontana Photographer Jennifer Mooney Photography Rentals The Party Store Venue Glacier Raft Company Weddings & Events

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Who doesn’t like royal treatment?

Let us roll out the red carpet for you.

Be a VIP

BRIDE at the

My Montana Wedding u 2018 Wedding Expo u January 13, 2018 u Kalispell, MT

For just $20, your perks will be the envy of all the other brides.

Get your ticket online at mymontanawedding.com.

Hurry, this offer is limited to the first 100, and ANYONE is eligible to purchase a ticket!

u Exclusive

vendor

discounts valid all day u Early

10 a.m. entrance

u Entered

into an extra drawing

u Complimentary u Front-row u MMW u Drink

parking

signature jar

ticket

u MMW u VIP

brunch

canvas tote bag

seating at the style shows

Photography by Carrie Ann Photography

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CAT & JEFF 9-17-16

Ronan, MT

Photography by Marianne Wiest Photography

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My Montana Wedding

01.

How did you meet?

A mutual friend introduced us during a transitional period in our lives. Jeff was finishing his last semester of college in San Diego, and I was about to start a new semester of college in Los Angeles. The distance allowed us to build a strong friendship before pursuing each other a year later, where our love for one another developed into something we both knew was really special.

How did Jeff propose?

02.

During Jeff’s professional baseball career he invited me to attend a professional athlete’s conference in Florida where he asked me to be his girlfriend. A year later, we attended the same conference together and celebrated our one-year anniversary.

This year the conference was held at The Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, Colo., and Jeff thought this would be a great place to pop the question, and boy was he right! He took me on a beautiful walk around the resort’s private lake where we approached a band singing “You Are So Beautiful” on a bridge. I thought we were walking into a music video because I could see a fancy videographer hiding behind a tree, filming it all. He thought of every detail! Jeff poured out his heart to me with the sweetest nervous speech, dropped down on one knee, and asked me the four words that every girl dreams about. It was absolutely perfect!

03.

Did anything happen on your wedding day that you had not planned for?

I don’t think anyone is truly prepared for rain on their wedding day. The morning of the wedding we watched the rain come pouring down with tears and nervous

jitters. But because of the rain, our coordinators executed plan B, and we had the most romantic indoor ceremony. It felt warm, intimate, and the wooden scenery that filled Sky Ridge Ranch’s barn provided the country touch that photographed so beautifully.

04.

What was the best part of your day?

We had extra time to take romantic shots after the ceremony. It was such a sweet and intimate time of focusing on each other, being present in the moment, and embracing our new titles as husband and wife.

When did you know Jeff was “the one”?

05.

I never understood what people meant when they would say, “when you know, you know,” until I experienced this with Jeff. With him, I always knew there was something special between us. Being friends for a year before dating allowed me to really know who Jeff was and I was always attracted to the way he carried himself, what he stood for, and how he treated others. So when he asked me to be his girlfriend, I was sure that he was “the one.”

What is love to you?

06.

Love is surrendering your selfish desires in order to prioritize the needs of someone else. It’s a conscious decision to be selfless, compassionate, and understanding through the good, the bad, and the ugly. Love knows that no matter what life brings, it will stand the test of time. That is what Jeff and I share, total love. >>>

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“IT WAS SUCH AN INTIMATE TIME OF FOCUSING ON EACH OTHER, BEING PRESENT IN THE MOMENT, AND EMBRACING OUR NEW TITLES AS HUSBAND AND WIFE.” -Cat

VENDORS Photographer Marianne Wiest Photography Venue Sky Ridge Ranch

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My Montana Wedding

Tale As Old As Time A

Photography by Kelly Kirksey Photography

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“Disneyland was where Aaron and I first met, first held hands, had our first kiss, and got engaged. It holds such a special place in both our hearts now. It truly is a magical place, and we wanted to bring that same magic to life in our engagement session.”

VENDORS Beauty Christina Stevens – Bridal Styling La Vita é Bella Couture Mimi’s Bridal Photographer Kelly Kirksey Photography

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My Montana Wedding

Planner Amy Deering Events Rentals Vintage Whites Wedding Rentals Venue Bar W Guest Ranch

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CALLIE & TRAVIS

1-14-17

Photography by Kelly Kirksey Photography

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My Montana Wedding

Whitefish, MT

01.

How did you meet?

We both went to Carroll College, and Callie moved next door the summer before my senior year. We had a lot of mutual friends and hit it off right away. She was literally the girl next door.

02.

What was special to you about being married here?

Travis’ Grandfather was able to marry us, and there’s nothing more beautiful to us than Whitefish in the winter.

03.

Did anything happen that you had not planned for?

No, we tried to get everything done early on so we didn’t have any surprises at the end. It’s also the reason we picked the vendors we did. They are all veterans when it comes to planning a wedding, and we couldn’t be more impressed.

05.

What made you decide on a winter wedding?

There is a song by The Avett Brothers called “January Wedding.” When we first started dating, Travis had me listen to the song. When we got engaged it made sense that we should get married in January.

Is there anything that you look back on and wish you had done or not done?

Everything was absolutely perfect, and we couldn’t have dreamed of a better wedding. I do wish we would have gotten a videographer to relive it.

06.

04. 07.

What was the best part of your day?

The best part of our day was our first look. We were both pretty nervous, but once we saw each other we were both so calm and happy.

What advice would you give other couples thinking about a winter wedding?

We would strongly recommend it. There isn’t as much competition with vendors and guests don’t have as many weddings all in a row.

What is something that you’re glad you splurged on and why?

08.

I’m happy that we splurged on my dress. It was the first one I tried on, and everything else came together around it. >>> mymontanawedding.com

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“... THERE’S NOTHING MORE BEAUTIFUL TO US THAN WHITEFISH IN THE WINTER.”

-Callie

VENDORS Beauty La Vita é Bella Bar Service Lodge at Whitefish Lake Cakes & Desserts Miss PattiCakes Caterer Lodge at Whitefish Lake Floral Conrad Floral Lodging Lodge at Whitefish Lake Music Sidecar Audio Registry Bed, Bath & Beyond Photographer Kelly Kirksey Photography Rentals Celebrate Event & Party Rentals Transportation Montana Trolley Co., Inc. Venue Lodge at Whitefish Lake

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Creating A

Kid-Friendly

Wedding

By Paige Grover, A 2016 Bride and Mom of Two

Photography by Jennifer Mooney Photography

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Photography below of Paige’s wedding by Kelly Kirksey Photography

ife happened, and I found myself planning the wedding of my dreams with a two year old and a six month old by my side. We were also in our mid-thirties, and so many of our friends that would be attending our wedding not only had one child, but two or three, making our wedding invites go from two adults to five people including the littles. As I started tallying up my guests it seemed like the amount of tiny humans under the age of 12 was going to be a very large chunk of our audience! My first thought: “What am I going to do with them all?!” If this is you, let me give you some tips that worked for us. (You can read all about Paige’s wedding on page 66.)

A kid-friendly venue is key If you're planning your wedding and you know there will be a lot of children attending then picking your venue is going to make or break your success. I would

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My Montana Wedding

recommend a venue where you cannot only combine your ceremony and reception, but most importantly a venue that has a lot of open space where the kids can run their little hearts out! Diamond B Weddings & Events in Kalispell, MT, was the venue that worked for us!

Avoid the "hangry" child Food! “Hungry” plus “child” equals hangry! Need I say more? We had snack food everywhere and that’s no joke. This included a popcorn bar for after the ceremony with a lot of cold soda and water so the kids could hydrate as they needed.

We had a buffet-style dinner that included items that both adults and children would love: a mashed potato bar, three different kinds of amazing macaroni and cheese, and pulled pork just to name a few. For dessert there was an ice cream and candy bar.

As you can see, there was plenty of food around at all times!

Seat for success Seating arrangements for dinner can be the most stressful part of planning your wedding because you want your adult guests to be comfortable, and you want to make sure they have a seat to enjoy their dinner without fighting a child off their seat. Not to mention, it’s very likely that your guests could decide at the last minute to bring their children that they weren’t planning to bring, or make it a date night after they said they would be bringing their children. This makes the planning even harder! The solution I came up with that worked great for us was to have the adults at assigned seats inside our venue, which included “almost adults” and any children young enough that they needed their parents. This is also where I really dressed up the tables, which cut costs a lot because

this seating didn’t take into account all the remaining kiddos. The other children sat outside on the other tables that were surrounding the dance floor where they could eat and run or just run and not eat! Those tables also doubled as seats for the dance party that would be happening later.

Endless entertainment This leads me to the main entertainment: dancing paired with a photobooth equals hours of entertainment for all ages! The reality is, as a bride, you have enough on your plate.

Don’t feel like you have to put together special activities for the children too. If you can afford a couple of babysitters to hangout and watch children that would be fabulous, but it’s not necessary. Just follow a few of these tips and the children will most likely leave the party exhausted and with a smile on their faces and most importantly your adult guests will too! u

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MELISSA & MICHAEL 6-25-16

West Glacier, MT

Photography by Jennifer Mooney Photography

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My Montana Wedding

01.

How did you meet?

We met by chance at the Silver Slipper Casino where I work. I was meeting a couple of my friends there to go float the river. As I walked into the bar, I noticed a very sexy man sitting at the bar talking with the bartender, Dave, who I worked with. I sat a couple chairs down from him and asked Dave if he and his friend (Michael) would like to do a shot with me. After that, we started chatting, and I asked him if he would like to go floating with me.

He initially decided he couldn’t go because he didn’t have the right gear on, and I headed out to make my float purchases and meet my friends. Then the next thing I knew he was next to me saying he had changed his mind and would love to go floating with me. We met up with my friends and walked our tubes down to the river. We talked so comfortably that day, and I felt an immediate connection to him. I would consider the float one of the best days of my life. I met my best friend in the whole wide world.

02.

What was special to you about being married here?

Our ceremony was held at The Glacier Outdoor Center. The only part of my wedding I had dreamed about is getting married in Glacier National Park. It is the most beautiful place in the world to me. The Glacier Outdoor Center was everything we wanted: beautiful log outdoor pavilion, Glacier National Park in the background, cabins for family and friends to stay and celebrate with us, and plenty of activities around to entertain our guests and wedding party throughout the week prior to the big day!

03.

Tell us about the significance of the American flag in your wedding and your relationship.

One of things that attracted us to each other is our passion for the American flag. Neither of us are members of the military, but we were both raised by strong families who taught us the love and respect for our country. We love to show our patriotism and thought no better time than at our wedding. It is a good representation of our relationship: strong, loyal, and relentless.

Tell us about your experience having a blindfolded first look.

04.

We had differing opinions on whether we wanted to see each other before the ceremony. Mikey didn’t want us to see each other until the ceremony. I was afraid my nerves would be hard to deal with during the ceremony so I was rooting for a private first look. We compromised on a blindfolded first look, which was perfect. I was so nervous, shaking, and excited. The second I saw him, so handsome and strong, I started crying. I walked up to him, and gave him a hug, and instantly all my nerves were alleviated. We were in our own world, just the two of us, cherishing the little bit of privacy we would have for the remainder of the night.

05.

Anything else you want to share with us?

It was so nice to have a few minutes together at sunset, after the chaos of dinner, toasts, thanking people for coming, and cake cutting. The pictures felt much more sincere and warm, just the two of us. >>> mymontanawedding.com

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“THE ONLY PART OF MY WEDDING I HAD DREAMED ABOUT IS GETTING MARRIED IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK. IT’S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN THE WORLD TO ME.”

-Melissa

VENDORS Bar Service Glacier Distilling Company Beauty La Vita é Bella Caterer Oso Catering Floral Glacier Wallflower Photographer Jennifer Mooney Photography Rentals Empress Tents & Events Venue Glacier Raft Company Wedding & Events

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Thinking Beyond the Cake Top photo: Kelly Kirksey Photography; Middle photos: Marianne Wiest Photography; Bottom photo: Jennifer Mooney Photography

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ooking for that perfect sweet substitute to the traditional tiered wedding cake? Well, look no further. We’ve found several options to help you satisfy your sweet tooth without having to cut the cake.

Petite Bites Perhaps small bites of classy pastries are the cake replacement you’re after. Beth Dix at Delectable Catering & Desserts in Kalispell shares an option for your cake replacement:

New traditions are quickly becoming vogue, where the tall cake is replaced by small bites of pastries with endless flavor possibilities.

For example, Le Petit Four are individual bites of stunning and delicate cake. Or the airy and decadent cream puff filled with Bavarian custard and dipped in chocolate is to die for. How refreshing are the mini fruit tarts shined with apricot glaze? Coconut custard pies with little pipes of whipped cream and wrapped in delicate pastry are so simple and small enough to be all yours. No need to wonder if these assorted arrangements are enough; there are so many colors and flavors, all gathered on beautifully arranged platters of varying heights atop your reception table. All of this will never leave a guest to ask, “where’s the cake?”

Options Abound Judy Mundell at Pink Hippo Sweets, LLC, shares a popular option for couples in search of a replacement for the traditional wedding cake: a dessert buffet. This option gives brides and grooms flexibility in their dessert budget and the ability to provide choices to their

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My Montana Wedding

Left photo: Marianne Wiest Photography; Right photo: Crown Photography guests. Trendy couples frequently opt for just a small cake to cut and then offer their guests desserts based on their individual likes and family traditions. From cupcakes, candy and cake pops, to lemon bars, macaroons and cookies, the choices are nearly endless.

Familiar Favorite The favorite creamy cold treat might be the way to go. Nicole Buckallew at Cold Stone Creamery in Kalispell shared this testimony from a client’s wedding:

“We had the Cold Stone ice cream truck at my daughter’s wedding last summer, and it was the highlight of the wedding! Guests of all ages commented on how fun it was to have something different, and to have so many choices of flavors and toppings. There was truly something for everyone. I think often wedding guests skip dessert, or just take a bite or two of cake, but not with ice cream.

There were smiles all around. The owners/servers were delightful and added to the celebratory atmosphere with their enthusiasm, which was contagious. I highly recommend considering an ice cream truck at your event. I promise you won’t be disappointed!”

Nancy Jo Connell Missoula, MT

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Amy & Jairo Freyre December 31, 2016 u Whitefish, Montana

H

ow did you meet?

We met through mutual friends at the University of Montana. We both went to school there and had quite a few mutual friends in Missoula, but we never hung out when we both lived there. He came back one summer to visit, and we ended up at the same cabin on Flathead Lake with a big group of friends. He was living in Austin, Texas, at the time and I had plans to move to Dallas the next month. When he flew back to Texas after the weekend at the lake we immediately started texting and talking nonstop. When I moved to Dallas the next month, we long-distance dated for two months before Jairo moved in with me in Dallas.

Tell us about your elopement!

Photography by Marianne Wiest Photography

We actually planned our elopement in one week. After months of stressing and trying to plan a large Texas wedding, we both realized that it wasn’t for us. My best friend from Missoula called me a couple days before Christmas and begged us to come there for New Year’s Eve. After a few glasses of wine with her over the phone, we booked plane tickets to arrive in Montana one week later. When I told another friend that we were coming for New Year’s Eve, she said “you should elope while you’re here!” I laughed and mentioned her suggestion to Jairo and he said, “let’s do it.” Needless to say, with lots of help from our friends, we planned our elopement in one week! I actually brought two dresses with me to Montana that I had ordered online and picked the one that I wore the day of! We winged it, and it was perfect!

What was the best part of your day?

The best part of our day was taking gorgeous, snowy, romantic, and fun photos with our photographer, Marianne Wiest. We also loved getting to celebrate our

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My Montana Wedding

“... ANYONE WHO LOVES THE TWO OF YOU SHOULD BE HAPPY WITH HOWEVER YOU CHOOSE TO SAY ‘I DO’.”

-AMY

marriage and New Year’s Eve with a few of our closest Montana friends. It was small, simple, short, and sweet.

How did he propose?

VENDORS Floral Mum’s Flowers, LLC Photographer Marianne Wiest Photography

My birthday was on a Wednesday and he proposed the following Saturday. I am very hard to surprise and this worked out because he played it off like he was throwing me a birthday party. He got a room at a nice hotel with a rooftop pool in downtown Dallas and worked with my sister on how to plan the day-of. I showed up at the hotel room and he was on his knee with the ring. Once I said yes, all of our friends showed up and we pool partied the day away!

What was special to you about being married here?

Both of us love the state of Montana, so the fact that we got married in the same state that we met in was extremely special.

What advice do you have for future brides?

Do what you want to do! Don’t try to please everyone because it will never happen. Ultimately this is between you and your partner and anyone who loves the two of you should be happy with however you choose to say “I do.” u

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>Testing THE

Trends

> Every bride wants to look her best on her big day. Contributors Bailey Lalum and Cassie Baldelli personally tested three hot cosmetic bride trends to help you know if the spray tan, lashes, and facial will leave you more beautiful than before.

Photography by Carrie Ann Photography

>Spray Tan

By Britlee Penney, La Vita é Bella

>How to prepare for your spray tan: 1. Be sure to wax or shave prior to your spray tanning appointment.

2. Your skin should be freshly exfoliated with a mild exfoliate.

3. If possible, come to your appointment free of any makeup, perfumes or deodorants.

BEFORE

AFTER

>Bailey tried it out, and she said: “I was worried about getting a spray tan, but these have come a long way! Britlee succeeded in giving me a natural-looking tan that (gasp!) did not come off all over my clothes.”

“I would also suggest that all brides be sure to get their spray tan done at least one day before the big day so that you can shower and remove the spray tan scent. Other than that, this was such a seamless process.”

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Photography by Kelly Kirksey Photography

>Facial

Provided by The Laser Cosmetic Center & Dermatology Assoc. >How to prepare for your facial:

Photography by Jennifer Mooney Photography

>Lashes

>Brides should plan their facial approximately two days before their wedding day. Come to the appointment without makeup and wearing comfortable clothes, and be ready to relax and get pampered!

>Cassie tried it out, and she said: “The whole experience was great. The treatment was very relaxing and was a mix of hot towels, different cleansers and lotions, and a machine that removed dead skin cells. My skin looked a little red that day but by day two looked amazing. I would highly recommend this treatment to brides a couple days before their wedding.”

By Samantha Connor, The Lash Studio

BEFORE

>How to prepare for your lash appointment: Before your appointment be sure to cleanse your face and lashes well with an oil-free cleanser. It’s also a good idea to wash your hair because you need to keep the lashes dry AFTER and away from any water for 24 hours.

>Bailey tried it out, and she said: “I could not have been happier with how my lashes turned out! After specifying the look I wanted – do your research ladies! – I came out with a natural eyelash look that would have turned out amazing in wedding photos. I would highly recommend lashes to a bride looking to enhance her

Photos provided by The Lash Studio

look for the big day.”

>Frequently Asked Questions >LASHES FAQs 1. How long will the appointment take?

The first time you get your lashes the appointment will take two hours. After that the fills take one hour.

2. How long before my wedding should I get my lashes done?

I suggest that you get the first full set of lashes done at least four weeks before your wedding. This gives you time to get used to them prior to your big day and allows you enough time to decide the length and fullness that you want for sure. Then schedule your fill appointment approximately two days before your wedding day.

>SPRAY TAN FAQs 1. What should I wear to my spray tan appointment?

Ladies: If you choose to wear undergarments or swim suits, dark colored ones are always best. Gentlemen should wear either dark briefs or swim trunks.

Also, some cosmetic bronzers may rub off, so it’s best to bring a pair of dark, loose-fitting clothes to go home in.

Photography by Marianne Wiest Photography

2. How do I take care of my spray tan?

Tanning products usually takes eight hours for the color to fully develop, so during that eight hours, you should not shower, and it’s best to avoid any other exposure to water so that the product can develop properly.

3. How long will my spray tan last?

Spray tans usually last 7 to 12 days. To ensure you’re getting the most out of your spray tan, be sure to keep your skin hydrated by drinking lots of water!

>FACIAL FAQs 1. What if I have a sunburn or breakout?

There are many different products and ways the esthetician can treat sunburns or problem areas during your facial. If you are struggling with breakouts they recommend starting a course of regular treatments six months prior to your facial, if possible.

2. Does it hurt?

My experience was pain free.

3. What will my skin look like after?

It will be slightly red for a day, and you should also wear sunscreen for two days following your appointment. u mymontanawedding.com

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AMY & REIS 9-4-16

Whitefish, MT

Photography by Carrie Ann Photography

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My Montana Wedding

01.

How did you meet?

A friend from Reis’ hometown was in my master’s program in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and introduced us during my second summer in Saskatoon. After I moved back home to Edmonton at the end of the summer, Reis made the effort to continue pursuing the relationship, and we quickly began making the trip back and forth to foster our relationship. After one and a half years of long-distance dating, Reis moved to Edmonton.

02.

How did Reis propose?

We got engaged during a family trip in Kiawah Island, South Carolina! I almost blew the surprise while we were out at a romantic dinner. Reis had the ring in his shirt pocket because the box was too big to carry with him. In between courses, I leaned over and flicked his pocket where the ring was and immediately questioned what was in his pocket. After dinner we went to a beautiful clubhouse with a wraparound veranda and found two chairs at the end of the veranda to watch the sunset over the ocean, and that is when Reis popped the question.

03.

What was special to you about being married in Montana?

My family has spent the summers golfing and boating and the winters skiing in Whitefish for as long as I can remember. Reis first met my parents in Whitefish and has since become equally as fond of Whitefish. Being able to share this special spot with all of our family and friends was an amazing experience.

Did anything happen that you did not plan for?

04.

The weather! After a beautiful week in Whitefish leading up to the wedding, two or three days before the wedding the weather turned chilly and the forecast was calling for a chance of rain the day of the wedding.

We worked with the amazing staff at The Party Store the night before the wedding to ensure that we had sufficient heaters and walls for all of the tents.

Luckily, the weather warmed up, the rain held off, and the sun came out for our celebration!

What was the best part of your day?

05.

Reis loved the boat ride on The Lodge’s wooden boat following the ceremony. It was a great to take a few moments to relax with the bridal party, enjoy the sunshine, the lake and have a couple of drinks. My favorite moment was the first look. I couldn’t wait for Reis to see my dress and get to see him all dapper in his custom suit!

06.

What advice would you give to other brides who are planning a wedding here?

Plan ahead, ask lots of questions, and stick to your vision. One of the great things about planning a wedding in Montana from a distance was that we could make decisions with our unbelievable vendors and not have to second-guess our decisions.

Also, we debated whether or not to have a videographer as they can be quite expensive. In the end we decided this was our splurge item and went ahead with having one, and we are so glad we did! Being able to relive portions of the day that flew by, and to see so many of our friends and family celebrating is a blessing. >>>

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“BEING ABLE TO SHARE THIS SPECIAL SPOT WITH ALL OF OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS WAS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE.”

-Amy

VENDORS Bar Service Lodge at Whitefish Lake Cakes & Desserts Miss PattiCakes Caterer Lodge at Whitefish Lake Floral Mum’s Flowers, LLC Lodging Lodge at Whitefish Lake Photographer Carrie Ann Photography Rentals The Party Store Venue Lodge at Whitefish Lake

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Maren & Jeff Schuman September 17, 2016 u Whitefish, Montana

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ow did you meet?

We first met in high school but reunited again 11 years ago when we were both asked by a mutual friend to work at The Craggy Range in Whitefish.

What was special to you about being married here?

Jeff and I were both born and raised in Kalispell.

We have a lot of family and friends in the Flathead Valley, so we both felt strongly about getting married here at home.

Did anything happen that you had not planned for?

Photography by Lindsey Jane Photography

The weather all week was sunny and warm – too perfect to last! The day before the wedding I received a phone call from Dennis at The Party Store, warning me of potential heavy rain and wind storms the next day. Ugh! Not what a bride wants to hear! We ended up adding walls to the tent and moving the entire ceremony inside the tent. It poured all night long, but it made for some great photos!

What was the best part of your day?

The best part was getting to spend the day with all of our family and friends, especially my 87-year-old Grandmother who traveled with her husband all the way from Bakersfield, Calif.

If you could change anything about your day, what would it be?

Not getting enough time to visit with all of our friends and family. It went by way too fast!!

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“WE ENDED UP ADDING WALLS TO THE TENT AND MOVING THE ENTIRE CEREMONY INSIDE THE TENT. IT POURED ALL NIGHT LONG, BUT IT MADE FOR SOME GREAT PHOTOS!” -MAREN

What was your experience like doing a first look?

VENDORS Couture J Scott Couture Floral Angie’s Greenhouse Jewelry Keenan’s Jewelry Photographer Lindsey Jane Photography Rentals The Party Store

Jeff: It helped me keep my composure during the actual ceremony because I totally lost it when I turned around and saw her.

Maren: I liked that it saved time at the end of the ceremony so we could spend more time with our guests.

What did you find to be the most stressful part of planning your wedding? What was the easiest part?

The food was definitely the most stressful for us because we catered it ourselves.

The easiest part was picking all the musi-

cians, our coordinator, and our photographer. We have the most talented friends!

Who would you like to thank for helping you pull off your wedding?

We would love to thank our parents first and foremost for all they did for us. It was a lot!

We also want to thank our siblings, close friends and family for helping us set everything up and pull off the wedding of our dreams. It really did take a village!

We love you! u mymontanawedding.com

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PAIGE &RAUN

7-23-16 Kalispell, MT

Photography by Kelly Kirksey Photography

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My Montana Wedding

01.

How did you and Raun meet?

I was a single girl doing my thing in Seattle and came home to the Flathead Valley for a good friend’s wedding.

While I was back, I was introduced to Raun when wakeboarding with my cousin and her husband, also Raun’s best friend. To this day, I still don’t know why it took so long to meet him, and I always said that I wasn’t moving back home because I loved the city life. Before I knew it, I relocated back to my hometown and left my city life behind, all for this guy name Raun Grover. The guy that stole my heart.

02.

What was special to you about being married here?

This is God’s country. There is no place like the Flathead Valley and getting married at Diamond B gave us 360 degree views of the perfect canvas for the wedding I dreamed about. We also had a lot of guests come in from out of town that had never been to Montana.

It was important to me that the people we love were able to experience the views that we get to experience every single day.

Did anything happen that you had not planned for?

03.

No, and I still can’t believe how perfect the day was! I even had my two-and-a half-year-old son pulling his 7-month-old sis down the aisle! But lo and behold, our sweet and very shy little man, pulled his little sis down the aisle just how he practiced the day before. To this day, I can’t believe how smoothly everything went, but I do think we had the dream team of vendors and they all worked so well together!

04.

What advice would you give to other couples anticipating having children at their wedding?

We had so many children at our wedding!

I think location

is key and Diamond B was perfect for kids.

We were able to keep the ceremony and reception at the same venue and give the kids a lot of space to run. For dinner the adults were in the barn with assigned seats, and there we had additional tables outside for the kids to sit and eat, or not eat and play! The seating was my biggest worry and, this was the best solution for our wedding. We also had a popcorn bar for after the ceremony as well as an ice cream and candy bar for dessert, so there were plenty of snacks. Nobody wants a hangry child! (For more kid-friendly tips from Paige, read the article on page 46.)

05.

Is there anything you did that you regret or something you didn’t do and you wish you had?

The one thing I would change is to make sure to make the rounds and talk to everyone that made it to our special day. Everything went by so fast, and I just hope that everyone who was able to attend knows how much it meant to us that they were there with us. With that said, I wish we would have hired a videographer alongside our wonderful photographer. To be able to have it to reminisce over year after year would have been great.

06.

What’s the one thing that you think all couples should splurge on?

Don’t spend months planning the biggest day of your life – every little detail – to then show up the day of your wedding and have to coordinate it! The best money I spent, hands down, was to hire a coordinator. I had no worries in the world on the best day of my life. >>> mymontanawedding.com

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“IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ME THAT THE PEOPLE WE LOVE WERE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THE VIEWS THAT WE GET TO EXPERIENCE EVERY

SINGLE DAY.” -Paige

VENDORS Beauty Soucie Soucie Salon Caterer Desoto Grill Photobooth Pixelated Photobooth Gigs Planner Amy Deering Events Photographer Kelly Kirksey Photography Rentals Celebrate Event & Party Rentals Empress Tents & Events Venue Diamond B Weddings & Events, LLC

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My Montana Wedding

By Jamie Wyman, Jamie Wyman Music

Is Live

Music Right for Your Wedding?

A

wedding without music is like a movie without a soundtrack. Music sets the scene and evokes emotion at just the right moment. Without it, we just know something is missing. There are many different ways to incorporate music into your wedding, but the biggest decision is whether or not to hire live musicians. Here are some things to think about when you are making this important decision.

Budget We all know creating your budget is wedding planning 101, and the same goes for music as well. Decide how much you want to spend, and then make a plan. Ask yourself questions like, “Do I want a pianist or extra flowers?� If you have a smaller

budget, maybe you only want to hire

a solo musician to play for your ceremony.

If you have a bigger budget, you could have a variety of live music throughout the day.

Live musicians usually cost more than hitting play on your iTunes play list or hiring a DJ. However, musicians charge a wide range of fees. Ask for quotes from some potential musicians in your area before you make any decisions.

Ambiance Skilled musicians add a touch of magic to your wedding. They provide an element that cannot be created by a play list or even a great DJ. Imagine a string quartet accentuating your steps as you walk down the aisle. Cocktail hour musicians interact with and entertain your guests in the moments when you are not there. The instruments themselves are added decoration and their vibrations create a deeper emotional connection than any prerecorded song. When your wedding music is done right you and your guests will feel enchanted and exhilarated.

Details Whether you choose to push the play button or hire a live musician, there will be details to consider.

It is probably easier to find another power cord for a speaker than to replace a musician who comes down with the flu. On mymontanawedding.com

71

the other hand, if you have an outdoor wedding with no power available, a violin might be an easier option.

Do you have a

wedding planner

or friend helping

you with these types of details? Consider the logistics unique to your wedding to decide which option is best for you.

No matter which route you go, music is a must. Spend some time imagining your perfect soundtrack, and then be creative and flexible, and have some fun, when you are planning it. Your wedding is worth the magic. u

Song Choices If you have a long list of specific song choices for your reception, you may want to choose a DJ over a live band.

Some bands are formed for the purpose of playing weddings, and these bands will know a lot of cover songs.

Other bands will charge extra to learn new songs. When you are exploring your options, be sure to decide in advance which songs you cannot live without.

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My Montana Wedding

Photography first page clockwise: Jennifer Mooney Photography, Carrie Ann Photography, Carrie Ann Photography, Kelly Kirksey Photography.

Photography this page: Kelly Kirksey Photography, Carrie Ann Photography.

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Celia & Brady Nittmann September 23, 2016 u Bigfork, Montana

H

ow did you meet?

I first laid eyes on him in our shared freshman dorm hall, at The University of Arizona in 2010. Brady, however, didn’t notice me until a class we had together that spring semester. A month before leaving Arizona to reside in Montana for the summer, Brady built up the courage to ask for my number. Our first date was at a low-budget Asian restaurant. We sat in the middle of the room at a two-person table, and I remember thinking that I was oddly comfortable.

After Brady bought me dinner, we walked down to the university mall and weaved our way through the palm trees talking for hours on end.

What was special to you about being married here?

Photography by Marianne Wiest Photography

Montana is my home. When you’re from here, there will never be another place that you truly feel is home. Throughout our relationship, I wanted him to experience the place that had my heart. I wanted him to feel what I felt for this state. So I did what any Montana girl would do: We hiked in Glacier National Park and Jewel Basin, picked huckleberries in the Swan Valley, and floated down the Swan River. We went boating, paddle boarding, biking, kayaking, jet skiing, fly fishing, camping, and shooting in the Flathead Valley. Our adventures were endless during our visits to my hometown.

Montana was always and will always be a part of me, but it became a big part of us.

What was the best part of your day?

I tear up just thinking of the ceremony. I peeked around the corner of the house to see my handsome man standing by the river waiting for me. He had the most excited smile on his face, and I wanted to run to him. The moment I reached him, time slowed down. I thought I would be nervous and miss everything that was said, but the sun was setting over the golden trees and the river

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My Montana Wedding

“MONTANA IS MY HOME. WHEN YOU’RE FROM HERE, THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER PLACE THAT YOU TRULY FEEL IS HOME.” -CELIA

VENDORS Bar Service Atanaha Events Center Cakes & Desserts Miss PattiCakes Caterer Atanaha Events Center Lodging Marina Cay Resort Music Destination DJ Registry Bed Bath & Beyond Photographer Marianne Wiest Photography Rentals The Party Store Venue Atanaha Events Center

was moving slowly by what felt like just the two of us. This day was finally here, and it was taking place in a field on the river that I’ve known since I was four years old. He looked at me and whispered, “Are you with me baby? Soak it all in.” And then it was time to say our vows. We wrote them ourselves, and I could have him repeat those words every day of my life. The ceremony, the entire ceremony, was the best part of our day.

What advice do you have for future brides?

It is so easy to get wrapped up in the hype.

Plan the day for you and your significant other. Include personal touches that reflect the two of you and the life you share together; that is what is most important!

Take little moments throughout the day

and night to look around and absorb the love surrounding you. And then take another moment to look into the eyes of your spouse. You get to spend the rest of your life with this person! And that’s what this day is about, after all.

What is love to you?

It is everything to me. Love is an emotion, an action, and a word that lets your spouse know that they’re your world. It is something that is worth fighting for, and it isn’t always happiness. But it is always beautiful.u

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Eloping:

As Easy As

1-2-3

By Jennifer Goff Designs & Events, LLC Photography by Carrie Ann Photography

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My Montana Wedding

Bouquet by Glacier Wallflower

W

hen you think of the word “elope” you probably picture a mad, last-minute dash to the courthouse with a stop at the local market to pick up a bundle of flowers. Or maybe you visualize a spur-of-the-moment trip to Vegas to escape the mad planning of seemingly endless details involved in planning a wedding. Well, the times have changed, my friend.

These days, an elopement is a simple alternative to an out-ofcontrol guest list and a sneaky way to keep input from family and friends to a minimum. Here are the essentials for a simple, romantic elopement that you can be excited about:

1

First, hire a planner. A good planner can tell you the best go-to spots for the landscape you seek. Are you looking for a beautiful spot next to water? Or do you prefer a majestic mountain view? Maybe a quiet country spot is what you’re after? No matter what it is, a planner is familiar with many different locations that could be your dream come true, and she can pull together all the right professionals to shape your unforgettable wedding day. When you are eloping, time is of the essence, and you simply don’t have the time to ensure the last-minute details yourself.

2

Next, hire a photographer. He or she will capture the moments of your most special day. Many of your friends and family won’t be there, but an experienced photographer will tell your story through your photographs. Once you share those moments with them, they will be able to relive and enjoy the day with you. The photos will make the memory of that day last forever.

3

Lastly, don’t forget the florist. Just because you are eloping doesn’t mean you need to buy your bouquet from a grocery store. You deserve a talented florist who can make a wonderful creation especially for you. It’s an accessory that will reflect your tastes and bring out your personality.

If you are planning to elope, there’s no reason to skimp. It’s still your wedding day! With a small amount of thought and effort, you can make it special, beautiful and memorable.

At the end of your day, your wedding planner can help you arrange a quaint dinner location where the two of you, or the few of you, can celebrate the fact that you chose to simply enjoy the day your way. u

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ALISHA & MATT ON THE COVER:

10-1-16

Whitefish, MT

Photography by Jennifer Mooney Photography

78

My Montana Wedding

01.

How did you and Alisha meet?

I met Alisha when I invited her over to work on a class project for Airman Leadership School at our Air Force Base. She came over with her dog Ozzie and we worked on our project with a couple of other friends. As the day progressed, Alisha stayed after the other friends left, and we sat around watching TV, talking, and listening to music. I played her a song I thought she might have never heard before. Alisha listened and asked if she could play me a song. She then proceeded to play “Lua” by Bright Eyes, and I was really taken aback.

You see, Alisha was a girl who was the life of the party, a gym rat, and every inch of her radiated beauty.

She was the popular girl who I never had a chance with in high school, but in this moment she was just like me.

What was special to you about being married here?

02.

Alisha: Getting married in Montana was an amazing experience. We had never been to Montana, but my parents had recently moved there. Originally, we had planned to marry on their property but that came with a lot of unforeseen issues. I decided that we needed an all-inclusive venue to make planning an out-of-state wedding as stress free as possible. This is when I stumbled across the Lodge at Whitefish Lake online. We were completely blown away with the unspoiled beauty of this state.

Montana immediately became a place that we wanted to stay and explore.

03.

What was your favorite part of the day?

We both agree that our favorite wedding experience was our first dance. We had lots of fun laughing and being silly, and it didn’t matter who was watching us; it felt like we were the only two in the room.

04.

What was your experience like waiting to see each other until the ceremony?

Matt: I spent most of the day running around picking up flowers, filling up gigantic balloons, picking up my best man, and getting some last-minute things for my bride. It wasn’t until we walked out to the wedding site that I got extremely nervous. Here I was all dressed up and there were no more errands to run or people to pick up, and I just needed to wait for my bride. I skipped rocks with my best man to help pass the time. Waiting was one of the most nerve-wracking things that I’ve ever done.

Tell us about going to Glacier National Park for your “day-after” pictures.

05.

The trip to Glacier Park for the day after shoot was incredibly fun! We brought our little dog Ozzie, and he ran around doing his thing and even set himself up in some of our photos completely unplanned! Those turned out to be some of our favorite shots that Jennifer captured. The fall colors were insanely beautiful, and Jennifer knows the best places to take pictures. She made the entire shoot seem effortless.

06.

Do you have anything else you’d like to share?

Montana is full of surprises.

It is the most beautiful state we’ve ever seen, and it’s one of the best kept secrets! If you are considering a Montana wedding don’t think twice. The vendors here know what they are doing! >>>

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“MONTANA IS FULL OF SURPRISES. IT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL STATE WE’VE EVER SEEN, AND IT’S ONE OF THE BEST KEPT SECRETS!”

-Alisha

VENDORS Bar Service Lodge at Whitefish Lake Beauty Christina Stevens – Bridal Styling La Vita é Bella Cakes & Desserts Cakes by Debi Caterer Lodge at Whitefish Lake Floral Rose Mountain Floral Lodging Lodge at Whitefish Lake Photographer Jennifer Mooney Photography Rentals Celebrate Events & Party Rentals The Party Store Venue Lodge at Whitefish Lake

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My Montana Wedding

Angie’s Greenhouse 1722 Hwy 2 East Columbia Falls, MT 59912 (406) 253-7888

vLet us help you decorate!

vLargest selection of succulents in the Valley!

vFollow us on Facebook, and check out our schedule of DIY classes! mymontanawedding.com

81

LEAH & CHARLIE 1-30-17

Photography by Carrie Ann Photography

82

My Montana Wedding

Whitefish, MT

01.

How did you and Charlie meet?

We met during our sophomore year in college at the University of Montana. We hung out in the same group of friends but it took us until our junior year to actually start dating.

02.

06.

How did Charlie propose?

We have lived in Portland for the last five years and have started a new tradition of going to the Oregon coast for our anniversary every year. We always go to Florence, Ore., and have dinner at the same restaurant. We were doing that for our 6-year anniversary and Charlie proposed at the end of dinner in front of the whole restaurant!

03.

What was special to you about being married in Montana?

We both grew up in Montana; Charlie in Missoula, and I in Whitefish. It is a very special place to us and somewhere we will always call home; we couldn’t have been married anywhere else! It was important for us to share where we grew up and the beauty of Montana with our friends and family who had not experienced it.

What made you choose the time of year that you got married?

04.

Winter is our favorite season!

We love to ski, and we wanted our friends and family to be able to enjoy the magic of Whitefish during the wintertime and have the opportunity to make a little ski vacation out of it.

05.

Did anything happen on your wedding day that you did not plan for?

and we had fresh snow and sunshine on our wedding day.

What advice would you give to brides who are planning a wedding here?

Don’t be afraid to ask for opinions or suggestions. We found a lot of our vendors through word of mouth and from other friends who had also been married in Whitefish. Also, for a lot of our friends and family, coming to Montana was a destination, so we planned an après ski get together and a meet and greet for the nights leading up to the wedding that gave our guests a chance to explore the town and get to know one another.

Do you have any tips to help brides plan their dream weddings?

07.

Since we live in Portland, it was challenging planning a wedding in Whitefish, but luckily our families were extremely helpful. We also hired a coordinator, which I was against in the beginning but turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. She made a huge difference in making sure everything went smoothly, which eliminated added stress to our day.

08.

What was the best part of your day?

The best part for us was the ceremony and walking out of the church for the first time as a married couple.

>>>

Rain in January! But luckily the weather turned around for us mymontanawedding.com

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“WE PLANNED AN APRÉS SKI GET TOGETHER AND A MEET AND GREET FOR THE NIGHTS LEADING UP TO THE WEDDING THAT GAVE OUR GUESTS A CHANCE TO EXPLORE THE TOWN.”

-Leah

VENDORS Photographer Carrie Ann Photography Venue Grouse Mountain Lodge

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My Montana Wedding

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MMW DIRECTORY 86

My Montana Wedding

BAR SERVICES

BEAUTY

Atanaha Events Center 406-837-2231 www.atanahaeventcenter.com

Arbonne 460-890-5277

Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern Catering 406-758-2583 www.kalispell.hgi.com

Christina Stevens – Bridal Styling 406-885-4140 www.csbridalstyling.com

Desoto Grill 406-314-6095 www.desotogrill.com

La Vita é Bella 406-212-4585 www.lavitaebellamt.com

Finley Point Grill 406-887-2020 www.finleypointgrill.com

Raj Salon 406-755-7254 facebook.com/rajsalon

Great Northern Brewing Co. 406-863-1000

Soucie Soucie Salon & Med Spa 406-752-3501 www.souciesouciesalon.com

www.greatnorthernbrewing.com

Hell Roaring Saloon & Catering

406-862-6364 www.hellroaringsaloon.com Lodge at Whitefish Lake 406-863-4000 www.lodgeatwhitefishlake.com

Mavericks Casino Mobil Bar Services 406-270-3936 www.marverickscasinomt.com Piggyback BBQ 406-863-9895 www.piggybackbbq.com Pin ‘N’ Cue Mobile Bartending 406-885-6455 www.pinandcue.com Scotty’s Bar Catering 406-261-9011 www.scottysmt.com Spinnaker’s Bar Service 406-844-2176 www.facebook.com/spinnaker.com

Tea Kettle Café 406-212-4013 www.facebook.com/ teakettlecafecolumbiafalls/

www.jenniferbolin.arbonne.com

Murphy’s State Liquor & Wine 406-257-3840 www.facebook.com/murphysliquorandwine O’Brien’s Liquor & Wine 406-892-5335 www.obriensliquor.com BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES Glacier Distilling Company, LLC

406-387-9887 www.glacierdistilling.com CAKES & DESSERTS Cakes by Debi 406-752-2978 www.cakesbydebi.com

"The Essential Home" 406-752-5314 www.mydoterra.com/tracyrickel

Delectable Desserts and Catering 406-471-2617 www.bdelectables.com

The Laser & Cosmetic Center at Dermatology Assoc.

406-756-7558

Fleur Bake Shop 406-730-8486 www.fleurbakeshop.com

www.lasercosmeticcentermt.com

The Lash Studio 406-407-4180 www.facebook.com/thelashstudio.mt/

Ty Nykole Hair & Makeup 406-534-9055 www.tynykole.com Younique by Stephine LaCross-Scott 406-291-2176 www.montanalash.com BEVERAGE CONSULTANTS 4 Seasons Lodging 406-756-7032

Miss PattiCakes 406-250-9654 www.misspatticakes.com Pink Hippo Sweets, LLC 406-249-4255 www.pinkhipposweets.com Sweet Traditions, LLC 406-260-6442 www.mtsweettraditions.com CARRIAGE RIDES Cripple Creek Horse Ranch 406-889-3674 www.cripplecreekhorseranch.com

www.4seasonsoutdoorkitchens.com

CATERERS

Hungry Horse Liquor Store 406-387-5506 www.liquorinthecanyon.com

All Occasions Catering 406-407-2000 www.cateringkalispell.com

Atanaha Events Center 406-837-2231 www.atanahaeventcenter.com

Porteus BBQ 406-471-6622 www.porteusbbq.com

Glacier Wallflower and Gifts 406-892-4069 www.glacierwallflowers.com

Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern Catering 406-758-2583 www.kalispell.hgi.com

Tea Kettle Café 406-212-4013 www.facebook.com/teakettlecafecolumbiafalls/

Mum’s Flowers 406-862-2757 www.mumsflowers.net

Cold Stone Creamery 406-752-2653 www.facebook.com/flatheadcoldstone

The Simple Chef 406-261-9440

Cuisine Machine 406-270-7742 www.cuisinemachinecatering.com

D & T BBQ 406-837-3442 www.dtbbq.com

www.thesimplechefcatering.com

COFFEE Maven Coffee Works 406-260-0950 www.facebook.com/mavencoffeeworks/ COUTURE

Desoto Grill 406-314-6095 www.desotogrill.com

J Scott Couture 406-837-7902 www.jscottcouture.com

Dickey's Barbecue Pit 406-890-6340 www.facebook.com/ dickeysbarbecuepitkalispell/

Mimi’s Bridal 406-257-4684

Famous Dave’s 406-752-7427 www.famousdaves.com Farmer and Chef 406-370-2890 www.farmerandchefmt.com Finley Point Grill 406-887-2020 www.finleypointgrill.com John’s Angels Catering, LLC 406-270-4600 www.johnsangelscatering.com Lodge at Whitefish Lake 406-863-4000 www.lodgeatwhitefishlake.com

Oso Catering 406-309-4439 www.osocatering.com Piggyback BBQ 406-863-9895 www.piggybackbbq.com

www.mimisbridalmontana.com

Xclusive Bridal & Formalwear 406-892-1509 www.xclusiveeventsandformalwear.com

FINANCIAL SERVICES Accurate Tax Professionals & Bookkeeping, Inc. 406-270-3113 accuratetaxprof@gmail.com Parkside Credit Union 406-863-1424 www.parksidecreditunion.com FLORAL Angie's Greenhouse 406-253-7888 www.angie-olson.squarespace.com

Conrad Floral 406-837-3787 www.conradfloralwedding.com

Rose Mountain Floral 406-752-7673 www.rosemountainfloral.com St-Char-Ro Floral & Event Rentals 406-676-0588 www.st-char-ro.com

FLORAL PRESERVATION

Best Western Plus Flathead Lake Inn & Suites 406-857-2400 www.bestwesternflatheadlake.com

Camas Flats, LLC 406-212-2438 www.camasflats.com Cedar Creek Lodge and Conference Center 406-897-7070 www.glaciernationalparklodges. com/lodging/cedar-creek-lodge/ FairBridge Inn & Suites 406-755-6100 www.fairbridgekalispell.com

Blooms to Heirlooms 406-607-0313 www.bloomstoheirlooms.com

Hilton Garden Inn 406-758-2579 www.kalispell.hgi.com

INVITES & STATIONARY

Izaak Walton Inn 406-888-5700 www.izaakwaltoninn.com

Utmost Graphics & Printing, LLC 406-756-0801 www.utmostgraphics.com JEWELRY Jensen Jewelers 406-755-2704 www.jensen-jewelers.com Keenan's Jewelry 406-752-6002 www.facebook.com/ keenans-jewelry McGough & Company 406-862-9199 www.mcgoughandco.com Riddles Jewelry 406-755-8400 www.riddlesjewelry.com

LODGING 4 Seasons Lodging 406-756-7032 www.4seasonsoutdoorkitchens.com

Kandahar Lodge 406-862-6098 www.kandaharlodge.com Lake Blaine Lodge 406-314-6264 www.lakeblainelodge.com Lodge at Whitefish Lake 406-863-4000 www.lodgeatwhitefishlake.com

Marina Cay Resort 406-837-5861 www.marinacay.com Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell 406-751-5050 www.redlion.com The Firebrand Hotel 406-863-1900 www.firebrandhotel.com Whitefish Bike Retreat 406-260-0274 www.whitefishbikeretreat.com Whitefish Mountain Resort 406-862-1952 www.skiwhitefish.com

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MUSIC Destination DJ 406-212-2314 www.destinationdj.biz M&T Productions 406-534-9114 www.mandtproductions.com Moose Lake Media 406-270-5649 www.mooselakemedia.com Music On The Move 406-261-6826 www.facebook.com/page/MUSIC-ON-THE-MOVE-MONTANA Noise Box Productions 406-261-9406 Kalispell, MT Sidecar Audio – The Traveling DJ Company 406-471-2994 www.sidecaraudio.com Treasure State Entertainment 406-270-3842 www.treasurestateentertainment.com

Howe's Fishing - A Able Charters 406-257-5214 www.howesfishing.com/ Pink Hippo Sweets, LLC 406-249-4255 www.pinkhipposweets.com Pure Romance by JoEllen 406-261-1089 www.pureromance.com/joellenwilliams Whitefish Equestrian Center 406-862-6400 www.whitefishec.com With Love, Vintage Rentals 406-871-0022 www.withlovevintagerentals.com

PHOTO BOOTH Capturing the Starz-Mirror Me Photo Booth & Events 406-890-4882 www.capturingthestarz.com Oh Shoot Photo Booths 406-885-0872 www.ohshootphotobooths.com

Whitefish Events 406-212-7850 www.whitefishevents.com

Pixelated Photobooth Gigs 406-471-2994 www.pixelatedgigs.com

MUSICIANS

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jamie Wyman Music 406-871-2837 www.jamiewymanmusic.com/ weddings

Archer Messenger 406-369-0082 www.archermessenger.com

OFFICIANTS MarryMeInMontana 858-822-8109 www.marrymeinmontana.love PARTIES & SHOWERS Great Northern Brewing Co. 406-863-1000 www.greatnorthernbrewing.com

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My Montana Wedding

Carrie Ann Photography 406-471-5076 www.carrieann-photography.net

Crown Photography 406-752-6116 www.mtcrownphoto.com Jennifer Mooney Photography

406-465-5219 www.jennifermooney.com

Joanna Adams Photography 406-270-7632 www.joannaadamsphoto.com Kelly Kirksey Photography 406-471-7938

REGISTRIES Bed Bath & Beyond 406-755-4610 www.bedbathandbeyond.com

www.kellykirkseyphotography.com

RENTALS

Lindsey Jane Photography 406-253-3145

Barn Door Event Rentals 406-752-1266

www.lindseyjanephotography.com

www.barndooreventrentals.com

Marianne Wiest Photography 406-871-3524 www.mariannewiest.com

Celebrate Event & Party Rentals 406-862-4636 or 406-837-3040 www.celebraterentals.com

Rockies Photography 307-421-0369 www.rockiesphotography.com Treasure State Entertainment 406-270-3842 www.treasurestateentertainment.com Whitefish Photography & Media 406-890-8651 www.whitefishphoto.com PLANNERS

Empress Tents & Events 406-892-7600 www.empresstentsevents.com Flathead Valley Party Rentals, LLC 406-890-9500 www.fvpartyrentals.com Northwest Convention Services 406-261-1479 www.northwestconventionservices.com

Amy Deering Events 406-885-0975 www.amydeeringevents.com

Pee Wee’s Porta Potties 406-892-7933

Empress Tents & Events 406-892-7600 www.empresstentsevents.com

Repeat Boutique & Design 406-471-3575

Goldfinch Events & Design 406-249-2619 www.goldfinchevents.com

St-Char-Ro Floral & Event Rentals 406-676-0588 www.st-char-ro.com

Jennifer Goff Designs & Events 406-471-9261 www.jennifergoffdesigns.com

www.peeweeportapotties.com

www.repeatboutiqueweddings.com

The Party Store 406-892-7368 www.thepartystoremt.com

Repeat Boutique & Design 406-471-3575 www.repeatboutiqueweddings.com

Vintage Whites Wedding Rentals 406-249-5822

St-Char-Ro Floral & Event Rentals 406-676-0588 www.st-char-ro.com

With Love, Vintage Rentals 406-871-0022

www.vintagewhitesweddings.com

www.withlovevintagerentals.com

SPA Lodge at Whitefish Lake - Spa 406-863-4050 www.spaatwhitefishlake.com The Laser & Cosmetic Center at Dermatology Assoc.

406-756-7558 www.lasercosmeticcentermt.com

TRANSPORTATION

Cripple Creek Horse Ranch 406-889-3674 www.cripplecreekhorseranch.com

Diamond B Weddings and Events, LLC 406-261-8622 www.diamondbweddings.com FairBridge Inn & Suites 406-755-6100 www.fairbridgekalispell.com

Harlow’s Bus Service 406-755-4272 Kalispell, MT

Far West Boat Tours 406-844-2628

Montana Trolley Co., Inc. 406-858-0899 www.montanatrolleyco.com

Wild Horse Limousine 406-756-2290 www.wildhorselimo.com

VENUES

Flathead Lake Lodge 406-837-4391 www.flatheadlakelodge.com

www.flatheadlakeboattour.com

Flathead Lake United Methodist Camp 406-844-3483 www.flatheadcamp.org

www.montanadreamwedding.com

Gentry River Ranch 406-892-1464 www.gentryriverranch.com/ gallery

Abayance Bay Marina 406-297-5400 www.abayancebay.com

Glacier Park Lodge 406-892-6710 www.glacierparkinc.com

Atanaha Events Center 406-837-2231 www.atanahaeventcenter.com

Glacier Park Weddings 406-387-9007

Bar W Guest Ranch 406-863-9099 www.thebarw.com

Glacier Raft Company Weddings & Events 406-888-5454

A Field of Dreams 406-897-4275

Best Western Plus Flathead Lake Inn & Suites 406-857-2400

www.glacierparkweddings.com

www.glacieroutdoorweddings.com

Izaak Walton Inn 406-888-5700 www.izaakwaltoninn.com

Whitefish Community Center 406-862-4923

Jewel Basin Weddings 406-890-0386 www.jewelbasinweddings.com

Whitefish Equestrian Center 406-862-6400 www.whitefishec.com

Kandahar Lodge 406-862-6098 www.kandaharlodge.com

Whitefish Mountain Resort 406-862-1952 www.skiwhitefish.com

Lodge at Whitefish Lake 406-863-4000

VIDEOGRAPHY

www.lodgeatwhitefishlake.com

Marina Cay Resort 406-837-5861 www.marinacay.com McGough Pavilion 406-862-5030 www.mcgoughmountain.com

Love Life Creative Media 406-871-5056 www.lovelifecreativemedia.com Skeeter Johnston Productions, LLC 406-471-4345 www.skeeterjohnstonproductions.com

Montana 45 406-253-0747

Treasure State Entertainment 406-270-3842

www.thevenueatmontana45.com

www.treasurestateentertainment.com

North Forty Resort 406-862-7740 www.northfortyresort.com Pavilion at Creative Vision, Inc.

406-755-5112 www.creativevisiononline.com

Be sure to visit www.mymontanawedding.com for more information and for links to all of our members.

Happy planning from all of us at My Montana Wedding! u

Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell 406-751-5050 www.redlion.com Sky Ridge Ranch 406-270-5237 www.skyridgemontana.com

www.bestwesternflatheadlake.com

www.grousemountainlodge.com

The Barn at Finley Point 406-887-2444 www.barnatfinleypoint.com

Bootjack Farm 425-503-9241 www.bootjackfarm.com

Hilton Garden Inn 406-758-2579 www.kalispell.hgi.com

The Silver Knot 406-270-5237 www.thesilverknot.com

Cedar Creek Lodge and Conference Center 406-897-7070 www.glaciernationalparklodges. com/lodging/cedar-creeklodge/

Holt Stage Hideaway 406-270-1258 www.holtstagehideaway.com

Whitefish Bike Retreat 406-260-0274 www.whitefishbikeretreat.com

Grouse Mountain Lodge 406-892-6710

www.whitefishcommunitycenter.org

Photography by Carrie Ann Photography

mymontanawedding.com

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AD DIRECTORY A

A Field of Dreams 12 Abayance Bay Marina 83 Accurate Tax Professionals & Bookkeeping, Inc. 27 All Occasions Catering 41 Amy Deering Events 70 Angie’s Greenhouse 79 Atanaha Events Center 5

B

Bar W Guest Ranch 37 Barn Door Event Rentals 9 Blooms to Heirlooms 83 Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern Catering 70

I

M

Izaak Walton Inn 25

J

J Scott Couture 27 Jamie Wyman Music 70 Jewel Basin Weddings 41

K

Kelly Kirksey Photography 27

L

Lake Blaine Lodge 25 Lodge at Whitefish Lake 59

C

M&T Productions 45 Marianne Wiest Photography 63 Marina Cay Resort 41 McGough & Company Inside Back Cover Mimi’s Bridal 45 Miss PattiCakes 53 My Montana Wedding 33

P

Pee Wee, Inc. 71 Pink Hippo Sweets 47 Pixelated Photobooth Gigs 13 Porteus BBQ 13 Pure Romance by Jo Ellen 27

R

Cakes by Debi 79 Celebrate Event & Party Rentals 4 Conrad Floral 21

Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell 71 Repeat Boutique & Design 75

S

D

Desoto Grill 51 Diamond B Weddings and Events, LLC 51

Sky Ridge Ranch 37 Soucie Soucie Salon 27 St-Char-Ro Floral & Event Rental 71 Sweet Traditions, LLC 51

E

T

F

Finley Point Grill 45 Fleur Bake Shop 25

The Firebrand Hotel 21 The Laser & Cosmetic Center at Dermatology Associates 58 The Party Store 63 The Silver Knot 37

G

W

Empress Tents & Events 12

Glacier Park Lodge 51 Glacier Park Weddings 47 Glacier Raft Company Weddings & Events 13 Grouse Mountain Lodge 51

Whitefish Bike Retreat 9 Whitefish Equestrian Center 79 Whitefish Mountain Resort 71 Whitefish Photography & Media 83 Wild Horse Limousine Inside Front Cover

H

X

Harlow’s Bus Service 12 Hilton Garden Inn 70 Holt Stage Hideaway 45

90

My Montana Wedding

Xclusive Bridal & Formalwear 37

Photography by Kelly Kirksey Photography

My Montana Wedding presents the

2018 Wedding Expo

Saturday, January 13, 2018 u 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. u Kalispell, MT u High-quality

vendors u Exclusive vendor specials u Cake and catering samples u Cocktails u Style shows u Giveaways*

u Bring

$6 Admission

a donation for the food bank and get $1 off. u

Want to be a VIP Bride?

See page 33 for more information!

*Bride or groom must be present to win.

Photography by Marianne Wiest Photography Photo taken at Montana 45