Hearts & Thanks

Working with families planning weddings is a real privilege.  It’s an important day, one of the most important; the beginning of something new but also the continuation of and growth of family.  Two become one, both as a couple and as family. 

This is not to say it’s always an easy process, because as we all know, just because its ‘family’ does not make it easy.  Ask any Bride, Mother, or wedding planner if you don’t believe me!  But ultimately, what makes family so precious is no matter what was happening a few minutes ago, when the chips are down, when the rubber hits the road, they are there with you.  I am often asked about the most important piece of advice I would offer in planning a wedding.  It’s this…embrace those around you!  Forgive the past and look to the future. Begin this new chapter fresh and bring all that are important along with you.  Love and forgiveness sometimes come hand in hand.  So reach out, embrace, hug, cry, laugh and enjoy! 

Now I want to take a moment to say how important my family, actual and extended, are to me.  It’s a busy world for all of us, and it’s so easy to get caught up in the day to day.  I am lucky enough to see some of them on a daily basis, while others are far away.  But what I know is whether far or near, they are all there for me.  To write it down and realize it, “they are there for me”, it’s really an amazing thought, the idea of unconditional love. So to all of you I say Thank you!!  Thank you for being there, for loving me, for allowing me to love you, for bearing with me, for forgiving me, for accepting me and for allowing me to be part of your life.  Thank you!!  I know I don’t say if often enough, but it’s important for each of you to know how important you are to me.  Love to you all!!!

Even After All These Years!

           

Sometimes it’s easy to take it all for granted, the place in which we find ourselves, the people that surround us, the bliss that is ours to grasp.  As I sat on my deck the other evening mesmerized by the changing big sky giving way to a grand finale of the sunset, I experienced one of those moments of extreme clarity and gratitude for the place in which I find myself.  It had been an amazing weekend of exploring new places, walking along a river and later into the mountains with those I love and surrounded by alternating blue sky as vast as can be imagined and thunderstorms building and breaking apart.  I was lucky enough to find a huge clump of bison fur on a private ranch and a beautiful small piece of obsidian along a trail, to enjoy the tiniest wildflower and the mountain that held it.  I realized, as I stood surrounded by all this beauty that even after being here for 20+ years, I can never take enough pictures, never find a lens wide enough to capture it all.  It’s still as inspiring and breath taking and fulfilling as it was when I first moved here.

How could it get better you may ask.  If the landscape is the fabric of Montana, the people are most certainly the tread that binds it together.  I am lucky to have a job that takes me out into the folds of the state, down the dirt roads, into the small towns, and onto the ranches, large and small.  Meeting with people that gauge their devotion to the land in generations, who talk about water and cattle and rattlesnakes before deciding where to put the wedding tent.  Enjoying a burger at the local bar with a beer sent over from the rancher down at the end just because I drove out to help with Hank’s daughter’s wedding. Chatting with the bartender about horses and elk and the dog sleeping in the middle of the doorway…just where he sleeps, most people don’t seem to mind.  They are people who stand up for each other and tell you what they think, even if it’s not what you want to hear.  And when someone walks in and announces there’s a nice sunset, everyone steps out, beer in hand to take a look, because no matter how long you’ve been here, you can never see enough Montana sunsets.

What I Have Learned As A Stylist

What have I learned as a stylist? The things that appear simple are usually not. A beauty that seems effortless is an end result that does not betray the work involved to reach it. Whether I am styling a photoshoot, a look, a room or an event, my goal is produce something beautiful but also magical. And like magic, it’s what you don’t see that elicits the elation of the moment.

For the 2013 issue of Montana Bride, I knew I wanted my pug Brutus in the book because 1. he is so cute and 2. I love him more than you can imagine and 3. I love him more than you can imagine and he is so cute! I also love…love…love bow ties. So as is my right as a stylist and publisher, I unilaterally made the decision that I would combine these 2 great loves for one fabulous photograph…Brutus in a bow tie! "How cute is this going to be?" I asked the team. Everyone nodded their heads and rolled their eyes when they thought I was not looking. But I was onto something, I knew it. Now to just find a beautiful silk bow tie that would fit the neck of Brutus. Yes, pugs have necks albeit they are sort of morphed between body and head. One thing led to another and soon there were fabric samples spread across the table, measurements being taken of the pug’s non-neck, a consult with a seamstress and giggles galore from all of us. And then a week later, it arrived…the shantung silk custom bow tie in pastel pinks and greens. I was giddy! Calls were placed, cameras secured, a model lined up, organic dog treats purchased! And then finally…the day! Brutus arrived early, well I brought him early because I just could not wait anymore. We dressed the model in the wedding dress, the photographer moved the couch into the best light and set up the shot, and I readied Brutus for his big day. "See how easy this is", I said. The model took her place, Brutus hopped up beside her because in his mind he is not pug, but a king and should never sit on anything but furniture. The photographer knelt behind the camera, we stood behind waving snacks and making noises and funny faces. We shot and shot and shot. That one might work, try it this way, wave from over there. We were close but just not quite where I had envisioned it. Maybe a break. The model went to check her make-up, the others wandered off and Brutus, glad to finally have the couch to himself stretched out. "Shoot it" I said! I stood over the photographers shoulder and made the little noices I tend to make whenever Brutus is around…. and then there it was! The magic! Of course we shot more because after all, we did have a pug in a custom made silk bow tie. The model came back, and Brutus sensing the burden of the perfect shot was off his shoulders (yes they have shoulders too!), performed wonderfully. And so there you have it, the story of the simple shot of Brutus the pug in a bow tie. And with it why I love my job. In the end, it’s always worth it. When it all comes together in the delight of that moment when the magic happens.

This Too Shall Pass

It’s the thing no one wants to talk about. One minute everything is all smiles and giggles and then out of left field, blowing in on a hard wind, collapsing like a table with 3 legs, slowing to a crawl like an overheated engine, leaving a stain like red wine on a white dress, tipping like a cake with one too many tiers, buzzing like a bee up the skirt….the crisis! As professional wedding planners, we spend hours going over plans, rechecking details, testing structures, checking the weather, calling vendors and then starting back at the top of the list and doing it all again. But even with all the planning, the double-checking, and the preparation, sometimes life just tosses a lemon in to see how you deal with it. Over hundreds of weddings, we’ve seen a lot lemons…..split pants, hurricane force winds, snow in the summer, red wine on the wedding dress, and a highly allergic bridesmaid stung by a bee just to name a few. Our job in these instances is to adapt, adjust, minimize the impact and move forward.  That’s where the preparedness part pays off. We are focused on details and have done enough events that we can quickly assess the situation and address it. But what if you don’t have a professional wedding planner on hand, what to do? Well, here’s our advice and we hope you take it to heart. Take a deep breath, laughing is better than crying, get a hug from your Mom or Dad, and look at the one you love and know that you are going to have a GREAT wedding story to share! It’s all going to be OK! As the old saying goes, "This too shall pass". Every couple wants a perfect wedding, but ultimately you are there to share you love for your true love with all the people you love. That is perfection, the rest is just gravy. So if the unforeseen shows up unannounced….adapt….adjust and move on. In the end the thing that matters the most is saying "I do" to the love of your life!

Rental Essentials

If you are planning a wedding at a venue that does not have an inventory or tables, chairs and place settings, you are going to have to rent or supply your own. Your wedding planner or the professionals at one of Montana’s premier rental stores will be able to help you with rental details to fit your budget and your vision. Here are some basics to help you in your decision process. Between high-end rental shops and wedding planners, you will be able to rent just about everything you need for the perfect wedding. The only limits are your vision and budget. Here’s the scoop on the essentials.

Tables

There are 3 basic choices for tables, 60" round, 72" round and 8" banquet. High-end rental shops will also offer a variety of vintage tables which can be used for smaller eclectic seating or as a sweetheart guest table. The 60" round comfortably seats 8, the 72" round seats 10 and the banquet seats 4 per side and can accommodate diners at the ends depending on the complexity of your place settings. Keep in mind, legroom for the guests on the end may be a bit restricted.

Delivery and pickup

Flat, legs folded. Stacked in a central location

Chairs

Most rental shops offer a few options for chairs. The most cost effective is the folding chair. These are generally a higher end, white plastic chair. If you are looking for a nicer chair, the chiavari (a straight back, delicate chair with a padded cushion) is available from most rental shops. High-end rental shops also offer a variety of vintage chairs. Inventory may vary and could be an issue. Vintage chairs are a great option to dress a head table.

Delivery and pickup

Folding chairs are stacked and strapped to a base. Chiavari chairs are slipcovered and stacked. Cushions are delivered separately in large bags.

Linens

Your options are limited only by our budget. Most rental shops offer linens that range from standard restaurant-grade white to beautiful custom linens. Many wedding planners also have access to extensive collections of custom linens. Keep in mind many linens are folded for delivery and will have some wrinkles and fold marks. Depending on the material, you can also release the wrinkles or folds by using water and a spray bottle. If you have heavy folds, you will have to use an iron or steamer. Napkins are shipped flat and will have to be folded.

Delivery and pickup

Linens are generally delivered folded. Bags are provided for return. If renting from more than one supplier, linens should be sorted and bagged by supplier.

Place settings / Glassware

Once again, most rental shops offer a selection of options for place settings from standard restaurant grade to mismatched vintage (a hot trend right now). You can dress up with setting with shapes, sizes, or chargers. Whether you want classic elegance or a bit more whimsy, there’s a perfect rental option for you.

Delivery and pickup

Glassware is delivered in large boxes, plates are delivered in slotted crates and silverware generally arrives in tubs. Most rental companies require these rentals be returned ‘scraped clean’. This means there should be no food particles on plates. Glasses should be rinsed. Silverware should not have food particles. All items should be returned in boxes it was delivered in.

Keep in mind if you are a DYI bride, rentals are delivered ‘raw’. That is to say they are stacked in a central location and will need to be unpacked and setup or dispersed to the proper areas of the wedding. You will also need to make sure everything is broken down and repackaged for pickup the following morning. Rental companies hit the road early, so it’s a good idea to check with your rental company representative to find out what time you are scheduled for pick-up so you can make sure you have everything ready and don’t incur any additional charges. Also, make sure you put all the rentals in a central location so everything gets loaded on the truck. If you are renting from several companies, separate the rentals by company so everyone picks up the right items. This will help you avoid possible late fees and additional running around on the day after your wedding.

Setting up and breaking down a room is time consuming work and takes a strong back. Most rental companies offer set-up and break down but generally charge on a per-piece basis. This generally only includes setting up the tables, chairs, and other infrastructure. You will still need to arrange to have the tables set. If you don’t have a planner or day of coordinator, speak with your caterer. Many caterers will set tables and box up your rental dishes at the end of the night, but there may be additional fees incurred.

The important thing is to know what you are heading into and that you schedule accordingly. If you feel like it’s more than you want to take on, contact a day of coordinator to handle the setup and breakdown. It may seem like a luxury, but believe us…it’s a small price to pay to have a relaxed and stress free wedding day.

All Design and setup by Katalin Green Events
Tables, Glassware, Vintage &Chaivari Chairs from Montana Party Rentals
Custom Rental Linens from Katalin Green Events
Sweetheart Table photo by Amelia Anne Photography
Linen and glasswear photo by:  Tori Pintar / Eye in the Sky Photography
Chair and Setup photos at Big Yellow Barn
Sweetheart Table photo at Moonlight Basin

Sami + Dylan {Featured Montana Bride Wedding}

Though Sami and Dylan live in Minnesota, Montana and the venue held a special meaning to the groom since his family once owned the fishing lodge. Sami planned most of the wedding herself with assistance with the décor and flowers from a family friend. Family and friends were happy to make the trip to Montana to celebrate with the couple and to enjoy a mini vacation in the "Last Best Place". The couple chose their siblings as the bridal party to keep it intimate and to know those standing with them would stand by them forever, no matter what.  The ceremony took place in a small field next to the river and the reception in a tent facing the mountains and river so they could be engulfed in nature.  

 

Locaton: Wise River Montana

Photography:

Jacilyn M Photography

Venue: The Complete Fly Fisher　

Caterer: Casagranda’s　

Wedding Gown Designer: Maria Clara by Lila Couture from Posh Bridal Couture　

Shoes: Jellypop　Hair & Makeup: Jade Hair Salon

Bethanne + Solomon {Featured Montana Bride Wedding}

Bethanne and Solomon were married by Bethanne’s father in his church where she grew up. The couple actually met in the basement of the same church at auditions for a movie being filmed in Bigfork. Bethanne was helping out with reading lines and Solomon was there to audition.

The Couple used assorted china and silver form the bride’s mother, had raspberry jam made by the groom’s sister as favors and assembled with assistance from his neice. When it came to the flower girls, there was no way the bride could choose from her 13 nieces so she just enlisted all of them (According to Bethanne, "There was no way I could choose which nieces of mine were going to be in the wedding and which ones weren't. I love them all SO much! I am the ninth child of ten, which means I was an aunt at a young age and our family is continuing to grow!"). The bride’s mother no doubt stayed very busy sewing each and every one of the flower girl dresses … as well as the vests for the ringbearer. After the ceremony, the flower girls attended the lemonade stand where guests could drop a donation in the jar to help the couple with their honeymoon

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 The picture outside the barn is of the bride’s family (only parents, my brothers and sisters and their spouses and kids), but two of my siblings and their families were unable to make it unfortunately so in the picture 10 people are missing. The bride is the 9^th of 10 children, so this was really a wedding embraced by the love a big family brings.

Ceremony Location: The Little Brown Church (Bigfork, MT)

Reception Location: Ten Arrows Ranch Wedding Venue (Bigfork, MT) Also the bride’s parents barn.

Photographer: Marianne Wiest Photography - talented sister of the bride (it sure comes in handy to have a sister as a photographer!)
Flowers: Mum's Flowers (Whitefish, MT)
Makeup & Hair: Saretta Eash (Sousie & Sousie, Kalispell, MT)
Food: John's Angels Catering (Kalispell, MT)
Cake: Kaitlyn Shults