A Montana Wedding 2014

2014/2015 wedding Plannera special advertising section

of the bozeman daily chronicleG r e e n e r V i s u a l s w e d d i n G p h o t o G r a p h yw w w. G r e e n e rV i s u a l s . c o m

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2014

8 P r e f a c e

6 A b o u t t h e C o v e r C o u p l e

10 L o v e S t o r y

14 G e n e r a l T i m e l i n e

18 B r i d e & G r o o m A t t i r e

2 4 G r o o m T i p s

3 0 F o o d & D r i n k

3 4 D e s s e r t s

3 6 S u r v i v a l G u i d e

4 0 H a i r

4 6 W e d d i n g A c t i v i t i e s

4 8 L o v e S t o r y

5 0 P h o t o b o o t h s

5 4 H a v i n g a F r i e n d O f f i c i a t e

5 6 F l o w e r s


62 L o v e S t o r y


7 0 M a k e i t O f f i c i a l

7 2 A n n o u n c e m e n t s

76 R e c e p t i o n S t y l e s


8 0 A d v e r t i s i n g I n d e x

e d i t o r : E r i n S c h a t t a u e r

p h o t o e d i t o r : M i k e G r e e n e r

c o n t r i b u t i n G w r i t e r s :

T i f f a n y J e r r y

W h i t n e y B e r m e s

c o n t r i b u t i n G p h o t o G r a p h e r s

G r e e n e r V i s u a l s W e d d i n g P h o t o g r a p h y

l i l l i a n b p h o t o g r a p h y

L o c k i e P h o t o g r a p h y

l ay o u t & d e s i G n : T y r e l T h o r n t o n c a l l i G r a p h y: A n n a B o s w e l l

C r e d i t s :

Chris & Courtney met during leadership training with

the Montana Conservation Corps in Bozeman. Both

were participating as crew leaders, and during the

three-month long training they laid the foundation for

a friendship that later blossomed into more.

Their wedding took place in August 2014 at the

Springhill Pavilion near Bozeman. It was a day that

was colorful, vibrant and full of surprises.

Courtney offers some advice for couples getting

ready to walk down the aisle.

“The world will tell you what a wedding should

look like. If possible, let go of the calling to look or be

perfect and find what feels true to you.”

Read more of Chris & Courtney’s story on page 11.

Table of contents:

on the cover

G r e e n e r V i s u a l s w e d d i n G p h o t o G r a p h yw w w. G r e e n e rV i s u a l s . c o m

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pa g e n o . 48

pa g e n o . 58

pa g e n o . 62

pa g e n o . 78

pa g e n o . 66

pa g e n o . 10

pa g e n o .

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2014

In these pages we celebrate all the

beauty and magic Montana has to of-

fer as you prepare for your wedding.

With its grand mountains, lush fields,

sparkling rivers and vast blue skies,

there is no place that compares to

Montana. That is why you are here.

That is why you invite friends and

family from as close as next-door and

as far as across the globe to celebrate

your big day here.

The couples featured in this magazine

are all unique, their stories all different,

all personal, all special. But Montana is

the thread that connects them.

In talking to couples whose stories

are included in these pages, I have

been reminded of the magic that is

Montana: hands held under a starry

sky, love blooming during long day

hikes and the first time you see the

person with whom you want to share

all of life’s adventures.

As you embark on this next great

adventure, we invite you to find inspira-

tion in all these wonderful things that

make Montana special. Listen to the

birds sing, feel the river water wash

over your feet and smell the wildflowers.

These details will set the scene and

help provide vision for your wedding

day, but in the end it is about you

and the one you love. Cherish this

day and celebrate. It is the beginning

of a great adventure!

PREFACE By Erin Schattauer

Congratulations and welcome to this edition of A Montana Wedding!


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It's your day. Cherish it and celebrate. It is the beginning of a great adventure.

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2014


11

2014

It was a first time she saw him, stand-

ing in a group of people at their first

Montana Conservation Corps meeting

where they were both serving as crew

leaders.

Courtney remembers scanning the

circle of people and stopping when

she saw Chris’s familiar looking face.

“Oh, there’s the man I’m going to

marry,” she remembers thinking.

The more she got to know Chris,

Courtney knew her initial feelings

were right.

For Chris, it was more of a gradual

understanding that Courtney was his

perfect match.

“We moved in with each other after

three months of dating. I admired her

independence. Everything she did ap-

peared beautiful to me. At some point,

after a year of living and laughing

together, I just knew I could fall in love

with this lady over and over again

and that she indeed was the one I

wanted to marry,” Chris says.

The couple was married August 16,

2014 at the Springhill Pavilion

near Bozeman, Montana.

The feelings of love and support

from their community of friends and

family were part of what made their

wedding day so memorable.

“We set a strong intention to widen

our circle and create experiences

prior to the wedding for people to get

to know one another. Whether it was

rafting, hiking, farm-to-table dinners

or field games, by the time the wed-

ding came around people had already

shared fun experiences. They were

getting to know us better by getting to

know one another,” the couple writes.

They describe their wedding as “col-

orful and full of surprises.”

“We themed the wedding by chakra

colors (energy centers in the body).

The bridal brigade and groom gang

wore colors with respect to which part

of our lives they represented. From

the ceremony to the food and prayer

flag decorations, our wedding built

and incorporated colors,” they write.

The couple found focus when

planning their wedding by asking

themselves questions about why they

were getting married and what was

important to them.

“We wanted a big wedding for the

rare opportunity to bring all the peo-

ple we love together in beautiful Mon-

tana. We wanted our circles to come

together and celebrate love. When

you get clear on intention and what’s

important to you then everything else

will fall into place,” they write.

For future brides & grooms, they

offer this advice: “Remember to find

moments to relax and nothing can go

wrong, because at the end of it all it’s

you and the person you love together!”

Chris & CourtneyCourtney remembers the moment she knew Chris would be her future husband.

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2014

9-12 months out: Announce your engagement. Take engagement photos. Send your engagement announcement information and photo to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle! (pg.72) Pick a date for your wedding. Decide on the type of wedding you want. Large or small. Decide on a budget and how expenses will be shared. Set up a folder to keep receipts and a ledger to help you stay on budget. Make a spreadsheet list of everyone you, your groom and your families would like to invite. Break the list into must invites, should invites, and would-be-nice-to invites. Tactfully remove the would-not-be-nice-to invites. Reserve your ceremony site. Book your officiant. Reserve your reception site. Book your photographer. Choose your color scheme. Hunt for your wedding gown and veil. Choose your maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen and ushers, if any. Apply for a passport and visa if you’ll need them for the honey-moon.

6-9 months out: Send out save-the-date cards. Choose your flower girl and ring bearer, if any. Reserve your wedding night suite. Choose your bridesmaids’ attire -- dresses, shoes and accessories. Go for tastings and book your caterer. Book your florist. Book your band or deejay. Book your videographer. Start planning your honeymoon.

4-6 months out: Start shopping for each other’s wedding gifts. Reserve rental items. Finalize your list of guests to invite. Order wedding stationery -- invitations, thank-you cards, wedding programs, seating cards, RSVP cards. Address your invitation enve-lopes. Register for gifts.

Reserve a time and place for your rehearsal dinner. Arrange accommodations for your out-of-town guests. Buy shoes and accessories.

2-4 months out: Order your wedding cake. Order/make party favors. Order room decorations. Shop for honeymoon attire. Book transportation for the wedding day. Check marriage license requirements. Order your wedding rings. Plan pre- and post-wedding activities for your out-of-town guests. Buy gifts for your bridal party.

6-8 weeks out: Mail your invitations. Record the RSVPs on your wedding guest spreadsheet. Start sending thank-you cards to early gifters. Decide on your hair style and makeup. Schedule hair, makeup and nails for your wedding day. Buy toasting glasses, a cake knife, a ring pillow, a guest book, etc. Change your name and address on drivers license, social secu-rity card, insurance policies, subscriptions, bank accounts, etc. Reserve wedding attire for the groom, groomsmen, ushers, father of the bride and ring bearer. Mail rehearsal dinner invitations. Get your marriage license. Find the proverbial “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” Finalize your menu and bever-age order.

2-6 weeks out: Finalize ceremony details with your officiant. Go in for the final fitting of your wedding gown and veil. Arrange the final fitting for your bridesmaids’ dresses. Finalize your rehearsal dinner plans and arrange seating. Start packing for your honey-moon. Contact guests who haven’t responded.

Write out a detailed wedding day timeline for your bridal party and vendors. Give the timeline to your vendors.Pick up your wedding bands and check for fit.Meet with your photographer and outline the special photos you want. Meet with your videographer and outline the special events or people you want videotaped.Meet with your band/DJ and outline the music you want played during special events like the first dance, father daughter dance, etc.Remind bridesmaids and groomsmen when and where they can pick up their attire.Decide on ceremony seating for your special guests, and give the list to your ushers. Plan your reception room layout and seating arrangement.

ReheaRsal day: Rehearse the bridal party entrance order, exit order, stand-ing arrangement and musical cues. Give the best man the offici-ant’s fee and any other checks to be delivered the day of the wedding. Provide your bridal party with the finalized detailed timeline. Review ceremony seating with the ushers.

the final week: Pick up your wedding attire and make sure everything fits. Tell your caterer the final guest count. Review the detailed timeline with your vendors, and modify if needed. Confirm your honeymoon reser-vations and accommodations. Finish packing for your honey-moon.

the BiG day: Give the groom’s ring to the maid of honor. Give the bride’s ring to the best man. Follow your detailed timeline. Get to the altar. Relax and enjoy your wedding.

P lanning Timeline

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2014

l o c k i e p h o t o G r a p h yl o c k i e p h o t o G r a p h y. c o m

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Bozeman

Montana

WEDDING CATERER

406.586.0597

1230 N 7th Ave

famousdaves.com

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2014


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2014

BIt begins with

the dress

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2014

ThE BRidE

He popped the question, you said, "I do" and the journey to the big day begins.

21

a lthough the wedding

to-do list is typically filled

with a variety of different

tasks, for many brides the

first, and perhaps most important, is

finding the perfect dress.

According to formal wear consultant Anne Porter,

who runs Persnickety Formal Wear in Bozeman with

her daughter, the best place to start is the Internet.

Porter said looking at dresses online can help a

bride determine which styles and colors she likes

and can give her an idea of where to start when she

goes shopping.

Porter said the next step is to try dresses on. She

recommends bringing only a few people along on

the shopping trip – the mother of the bride and one

or two close friends. She said bringing too many

people can result in opposing opinions and tends to

make the decision more difficult for the bride.

In addition to bringing only a small group of peo-

ple, Porter also recommends trying on just a hand-

ful of dresses. She said the bride should narrow her

selections down to the top six, try them on and select

the best one.

She said the bride should plan to be in the store

for about an hour.

For Montana weddings, Porter said the trend con-

tinues to be lace dresses.

“Montana is all about the lace,” Porter said. “Lace

and boots.”

As for color, Porter said Montana weddings “seem

to be 99 percent ivory.”

By next year, Porter said she expects to see more

high-low gowns (short in front, longer in back) so

that brides can show off their boots.

No matter what style of dress the bride is after,

Porter said it is important to plan ahead and start

shopping early.

“I would say start at least six months prior to the

wedding,” Porter said. “It takes at least three months

if you’re going to order one in.”

B A X T E RT H E

KATIE HANSELLE V E N T C O O R D I N A T O R

[email protected]

t h e b a x t e r h o t e l . c o m

C R E A T I N G T I M E L E S S

M E M O R I E S

Socials, Dinners & Weddings


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G

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GDressing

to Impress


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2014

“There really is a science to fitting

men,” Porter said. “You have to

know what you’re doing.”

With a variety of different styles

and fits, accessories and colors, Por-

ter said when it comes to selecting

groom attire, there are a number of

choices to make.

One of the main considerations

is color. As with the ladies, Porter

said it is best for the groom to try on

some different suits. For grooms, she

also recommends planning about

an hour and trying on different

styles and colors.

This year in Montana, Porter said

heather gray, charcoal gray, slate

blue and tan have been popular

colors for suits.

“You still get the traditional guy

that wants black,” Porter said. “If

you’re doing an evening wedding or

a really formal wedding, I think the

black is nice.”

According to Porter, “bow ties are

back” and suspenders and pants

without pleats are also in this year.

Additionally, she said more grooms

are selecting a slim fit.

Porter said when selecting a suit,

it’s important that it not clash with the

bride’s gown. She recommends bring-

ing in a photo of the dress to ensure

the suit includes the right colors.

She also suggests giving the

groom one distinguishing feature

– something as simple as a differ-

ent colored pocket square or a vest

instead of suspenders. She said this

will allow the groom to stand out

from the groomsmen.

For any fitting, whether it be bride

and groom or bridesmaids and

groomsmen, Porter said it is essen-

tial that each person be measured

by a professional. This will help

reduce the chance of someone in

the wedding party ending up in the

wrong size.

W hile the bride may spend a considerable amount of time deciding on and acquiring the perfect wedding dress,

the groom’s job of selecting a suit is typi-cally a quicker task. However, according to Porter, it’s not necessarily easier.

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2014

ThE GRoom

" There really is a science to fitting men."


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2014

The wedding spotlight

casts its beam directly

on the bride.

She’s been dreaming

of this day for as long

as she could remember.

So she takes the reins in

planning, in coordinat-

ing, in pulling off the

day of her dreams.

But it takes two to tan-

go. And grooms play an

equally important role in

pulling off a wedding to

remember.

Here are some tips for

the grooms to help make

their wedding day the

best it can be.

Take an active part in the planning It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle

of what the bride’s wishes when it

comes to wedding planning. But the

day is about both of you! Take the

time to give your input on everything

– from the location and the number of

guests, to the reception food and the

color scheme. Your wedding will be

more meaningful to you if you take

an active role in planning.

Spend some time on your look Your bride has already spent a big

chunk of change on her dress. Add

in help with hair, with makeup and

with accessories and she has gone

the extra mile to look glamorous for

your big day. Don’t be afraid to do

the same. Get a professional shave

and hairstyle. Try a manicure and a

facial. Get a teeth whitening.

In the same vein, take an active

part in helping your groomsmen look

their best.

Picking the right outfit What do you want to wear on

one of the most important days of

your life? That question can be quite

daunting. But there are a few things

you can keep in mind when coming

up with the best outfit for you and

your bride.

Whether you’re leaning toward ul-

tra-formal or wanting a more casual

look, there are many options, ranging

from a standard tux to a sport jacket

and slacks. No matter what route you

go, however, keep it tasteful. Wed-

ding photos last a lifetime.

Choosing the right crew Who do you want standing by your

side as you take your vows? Choos-

ing groomsmen can be a daunting

task. Many wedding blogs suggest

making your decision at least 10

months in advance of your big day.

Go with those you know. Brothers,

old friends, your fiancé’s brothers,

cousins or nephews – all are safe bets

to be by your side.

Once you’ve decided on your

crew, put them in nice suits and

given them the “groomsmen” label,

what comes next?

Have a talk with your groomsmen

about your expectations – for their

look, for their role in your wedding,

for their responsibilities throughout

the celebration and expectations of

their behavior.

Keep a checklist The wedding day has arrived. That

means there are dozens of things to

do. Do you know what time photos

will be? How about what you need to

pick up on your way to your wedding

venue? Did you remember to put on

all the pieces of your tux? Creating a

list will help you remember every last

detail to make sure the day runs as

smoothly as possible.

GRoom TiPS

27

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2014


31

2014

fFrom food trucks to

fully catered

32

2014

Food trucks In the last year, Bozeman has seen an

influx of food trucks serving a vast array

of dishes. From Cambodian and tacos,

to artisan pizzas and hamburgers, one

option wedding parties are choosing

more often to is have mobile food op-

tions come to them.

When picking the right food truck for

your wedding, there are a few things

to consider.

Keep in mind what season your wed-

ding is. With food trucks, wedding guests

will be standing in line to get their

dinner. Speaking of lines, think about

the size of your reception when deciding

whether or not to have a food truck. Lines

will move slower with food trucks than

with other reception food options.

And don’t just think of the menu when

choosing the right food truck for your

wedding. Take into consideration your

décor and your theme and pick a truck

that will fit in.

Potlucks Do you have some phenomenal cooks

on the invite list for your wedding?

A family-style potluck reception is an

option that is right up your alley.

Before asking your guests to be chefs

for the day, consider if a potluck wed-

ding is practical for your gathering. It’s

simple for guests who are coming from

nearby to bring a dish. But if your guest

list includes many out-of-state visitors, a

potluck reception might not be realistic.

Have a theme for your dinner.

Whether it’s a home-style barbecue or

an Italian feast, give your guests some

direction when asking them to pitch in

with food.

And be organized. Be sure to commu-

nicate with guests who will bring what

so you don’t get duplicate dishes.

The vows have been said. The knot has been tied. The union has been sealed with a kiss.

Now it’s time to party!

But what are you going to feed your hungry loved ones who are celebrat-ing your special day with you?

Here is a look at some of the options for reception food fare.


33

Fully catered There is a long list of items to keep in

mind when choosing the best caterer for

your wedding.

Get some background on the caterer. In

addition to what styles of food they offer,

find out how long they’ve been in business,

what their wedding experience is and if

they help with any other parts of the wed-

ding, like event design.

It’s also wise to know if caterers can ac-

commodate any guests who might have

dietary restrictions, like food allergies or

preferences.

Also ask caterers if they handle rental

equipment, such as tables and chairs, and

what their policy is on after-dinner cleanup.

Book early. Whether you’re going with

hors d’oeuvres, a buffet or a sit down din-

ner, or whether you want full or partial ser-

vice from your caterer, whether there will

be 50 people or 500, lock down your caterer

as soon as possible.


34

2014

Elle Fine of Elle’s Belles Bak-

ery in Bozeman sees it all.

Each year, trends flow back

and forth, from rustic elegant

cakes to fondant cakes to

full dessert tables. Lately,

Fine has seen a lot of people

return to the idea of having

one big cake. Edible sequins

and painted cakes are also

having a moment, and Fine

doesn’t see them going away

anytime soon. Also popular

are cakes that have an earthy

elegance with leaves and

fresh herbs as décor.

Alternative ideas are also

popular. S’mores bars are

popular. On hot summer days,

some people opt for gourmet

popsicles. Others ask for their

family recipes to be recreated

for the dessert table.

Fine specializes in the

unique. She’s baked cakes

that look like a raft, a trout

and a tree trunk. She’s cre-

ated a Game of Thrones cake

and several that incorporate

other themes.

Another dessert option is

the groom’s cake.

“Grooms cakes are cool in

that they can show the per-

sonality of the groom or the

couple together,” Fine said.

She’s baked grooms’ cakes

that resemble dead deer and

big horn sheep skulls, sports

themed golf and football

cakes, one that looked like a

jet and another that had an

Angry Birds theme.

Another idea is having a

second round of desserts later

in the night. With dancing

and other activities at wed-

ding receptions, people often

grow hungry again later in

the evening. Fine suggests

doing a small course later in

the night and including min-

iature desserts.

Fine’s advice for choosing

the perfect desserts: ask for

what you want.

“Don’t be afraid to say this is

my dream cake, this is what I

want,” she said. “I think there

are so many beautiful options

out there, and so many things

people can do.”

SomEThinG SwEET

From full bars dedicated to the sweet

tooth to traditional tiered cakes, a

dizzying array of desserts awaits

soon to be bride and grooms.

35G r e e n e r V i s u a l s w e d d i n G p h o t o G r a p h y

w w w. G r e e n e rV i s u a l s . c o m

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2014

PAINTED PONY PRESS

letterpress & designwww.paintedponypress.com

invitations • rsvp • thank you cards • greeting cards • business cards

Beauty & waRdRoBe

Ballet slippers or flipflops

Blotting papers

Bobby pins

Breath mints

Buttons to match the ones on your dress

Compact steamer

Contact lenses (spares)

Curling iron

Dental floss

Deodorant

Earring backs

Eye-makeup remover

Face powder

Lint brush

Lipstick/lipgloss

Nail glue/polish

Panty hose

Perfume

Small sewing kit with safety pins

Stain remover wipes tissues

White chalk to disguise dress stains

White gaffer’s tape (if you need to patch tears in your dress)

misc

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Backup Ipod/Ipad/ chargers!

Bandages

Cell phone and charger

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Granola bars

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Straws to avoid smudging lipstick

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H20

Survival Kit:

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Phone numBeR list

“pour yourself a drink, put

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8-29-14_ChronWedding.indd 1 8/29/14 2:29 PM

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l o c k i e p h o t o G r a p h yl o c k i e p h o t o G r a p h y. c o m

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2014

wEddinG hAiR idEASBad hair days. We’ve all had them. Those dreaded days where no matter how much you brush, curl, tease and spray, nothing can make your hair look right. They are unwelcome on any regular day of the week and are one of the last things a bride wants to deal with on her wedding day.

With a bit of preparation however, and some help from a stylist, the dreaded bad hair day does not have to make an appearance at your wedding.

According to Katie Wing, owner of The Loft Spa in Bozeman, “it’s really important to start planning early.” She recommends planning the wedding day hairstyle at least three months in advance and meet-ing with a stylist for a trial run.

“The trial runs gives you the opportunity to go through the look and see what’s working and what might need to be changed for the day of,” Wing said.

She suggests that brides bring “as much inspira-tion as they’re able to provide for us” to the trial run, including photos of the dress and any poten-tial hairstyles as well as the veil, tiara or any other headpiece. Veils and other headpieces should also be brought in on the day of the wedding.

For brides who aren’t quite sure what look they hope to achieve, Wing suggests looking at images online and in magazines to get some inspiration and to discover current trends.

In Montana, Wing said brides typically go for a pol-ished, but loose, romantic style, though “it’s really indi-vidual to each bride and the look they are going for.”

“We see more loose styles and a lot of advanced braiding techniques,” Wing said. “Montana brides typically go for a look that is true to themselves, romantic and playful.”

In fact, Wing said that is the key for any bride to achieving the best wedding day hairstyle.

“Find a look that’s slightly out of your comfort zone, but that is true to yourself,” Wing said. “It’s your special day, so you should go a little bit fancy, but always stay true to who you are.”

42

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43

135 Hideaway Drive | Bozeman, Montana 59718

Gallatin River Hideaway“Making Memories”• • • •

“Birds Nest” Honeymoon Treehouse“Creekside” Gazebo

Photo by Kali Foley

“Bridal Veil” Gazebo

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MONTANA WEDDINGS& SPECIAL EVENTS

46

2014

aTreat your guests to more

than just cake

47

2014

Montana is known for its outdoor activities. From fish-ing and rafting to hiking and skiing, it’s no wonder that visitors to the “The Last Best Place” want to get out and see what this state has to offer.

AdvEnTuRES in ThE BiG SKy

Out-of-state wedding guests are no excep-

tion. Although the main purpose of their

visit may be to celebrate the marriage of a

friend or loved one, chances are, they want

to get outside and explore. And depending

on the number of events surrounding the

big day, there is often plenty of down time

that will need to be filled.

To help guests plan activities before

(and in some cases, after) the big day, Ab-

bey Cook, event coordinator and manag-

er for Icing on the Cake Events, suggests

that the bride and groom provide guests

with a list of activities. The list should

include information for each activity

including hours, cost, who to call for more

information, the website (if available) and

transportation options. The list should

include a variety of activities to accom-

modate guests of all ages.

Cook said another option is for the

bride and groom to plan a group activity

with their guests.

“I’ve had bridal parties do a coordinated

hike on the day of their wedding,” Cook said.

As with activity lists, for group outings,

Cook said it is important to consider the

guests. She said it is important to ensure

the planned activity is not only something

the bride and groom want to do, but also

that it is suitable for everyone who plans

to join in.

According to Cook, some popular activi-

ties that couples recommend or partici-

pate in with their guests include kayak-

ing, hiking, zip lining, rafting, fly fishing,

museum visits, whiskey tasting, shopping

at farmers’ markets or traveling to Yellow-

stone National Park.

“I’ve seen a lot of different styles in

choices of activities,” Cook said.

“Everything from the most epic – ice

climbing – down to learning to fly fish

on the Yellowstone.”

No matter what the plans entail, Cook

said it is important that guests have time

to get settled in before activities start.

“Just be considerate of your guests

needs and wants and give them a couple

of hours to get settled in,” Cook said.

For more activity ideas in your area, visit your local chamber of commerce.

C h r o n i C l e F i l e P h o t o s

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49

2014

It was that bridge that separated the Kappa Sigma fraternity house

where James lived at the University of California, Irvine from the

Delta Gamma house, which Rachel was moving into when James

first remembers seeing her.

James says it was fate and convenience that strengthened their

friendship and led to what would be a beautiful relationship.

In the years that followed, Rachel and James learned the impor-

tance of frequent dates, laughter, respect and support for one another.

They also learned some fabulous dance moves, according to James.

James moved to Bozeman when he decided to go back to school,

and Rachel later joined him. While neither ever thought they would

end up in Montana, they soon came to love it and feel lucky each

day to be living in such a beautiful place.

Over the Christmas 2013 holiday, the couple drove to California

to visit family, taking with them their new addition, a black lab

named Deacon.

Dec. 22, 2013 is a day Rachel will never forget.

“We had just finished up eating breakfast with James’ family and

we were headed back to Half Moon Bay. James was not nervous at

all and I would have never guessed what the rest of the day had in

store for us. To tell you exactly how ‘normal’ he was in the car ride

over, he cut me off from radio duty and was making fun of my loud

hip hop music. I definitely had no idea that that there was a dia-

mond ring sitting under his car seat wrapped in a big sweatshirt.

When we got to the beach, again, it was just a normal, but perfect

day. I remember staring at the ocean and feeling him pull on my

arm a little bit and when I turned around, he was on one knee. Of

course I said yes! My family was close by and it was the perfect pro-

posal with the most perfect ring.”

James jokes that he probably kept the U.S. Postal Service in busi-

ness with the amount of times the engagement ring was shipped.

With the diamond coming from his uncle in Cleveland and the set-

ting from Bozeman, the ring traveled across country several times

before landing on Rachel’s finger.

While Rachel voiced her dislike of James’s go-to outfit of blue

jeans and running shoes early on in their relationship, James

points out that they were both wearing jeans and running shoes on

the day he proposed.

The couple is planning an upcoming wedding.

Rachel & JamesA 20-foot bridge initially is what brought Rachel and James together.

50

In today’s world of digital technology and

social media, having a photo booth at your

wedding reception can mean more than a

traditional booth that produces photostrips

showcasing three or four poses.

Professional photo booth companies are

widening their portfolios to offer cutting-

edge technologies like “green screening,”

instant uploads to social media and live

slideshows.

Other concepts gaining popularity involve

creative use of video. Guests can take a

short, silly video that is made into a printed

action flipbook in minutes. Animated GIFs

are also trending. These are short video

loops that guests create and upload to so-

cial media for the bride and groom.

Other booth technologies involve super-

imposing guests in front of a funny, virtual

backdrop that matches your event’s theme.

Interactive touchscreen kiosks are another

offering allowing guests to upload photo-

strips or individual poses directly to Face-

book, Twitter or Instagram. If your crowd

is dispersed across your wedding venue,

images from the photo booth can be project-

ed remotely to a distant location such as a

patio or upper level.

Of course, some couples stick with the

classic photo booth that prints long, skinny,

old school photostrips. Not only do guests

love the instant keepsake, but there is some-

thing magical and timeless about pulling

the curtain to strike a pose.

Strike a poSe: Photo booths evolving in digital age

By Tara Martin

Big Sky Photo Booth

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2014

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54

2014

For some couples, having a faith leader or judge officiate isn't their style

l i l l i a n b p h o t o g r a p h yw w w. l i l l i a n b p h o t o g r a p h y. c o m

55

2014

He met the couple while working in

Yellowstone National Park. He shared

dinners, hiking trips and other adven-

tures with them as their love grew. So

when it came time to find someone to

officiate their wedding, they asked him.

For some couples, having a faith

leader or judge officiate isn’t their style.

So they are opting to have a friend or

someone close to them perform the

wedding ceremony.

Wong has now performed ceremonies

for two sets of friends – one in Duluth,

Minn. and the other in Bozeman.

While he never thought he would of-

ficiate a wedding ceremony, Wong soon

learned that it’s something anyone can do.

“If you’re lucky enough to have your

good friends ask you, you’re right for

the job,” he said.

He researched the topic online. He

was ordained through the Universal

Life Church. It was free to register, but

this credentials cost around $30.

There are several other online min-

istries that will help you through the

process of becoming ordained. Wong

suggests researching ministries to find

one that is right for you.

It’s also important to check state

and county offices during the process

because restrictions vary by place. In

Duluth, Wong had to present his cer-

tificate from the Universal Life Church

at the county courthouse. That was not

required for the wedding he officiated

in Gallatin County.

The couples also put it in Wong’s

hands to find the ceremony. He

searched in books and on the Internet

until he found one that he felt was

applicable to the couple. He took the

basic outline of the ceremony and per-

sonalized it.

The result was a beautiful and unique

ceremony.

For Wong, it’s a personal experience.

He said he wouldn’t feel comfortable

officiating for just anyone and he

wouldn’t do it for money.

“It definitely felt natural marrying

those two couples,” he said.

Having a friend officiate

Sam Wong never thought he would lead a wedding ceremony, but when a couple of his friends started talking

about getting married, the topic came up.

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2014

g r e e n e r V i s u a l s w e d d i n g p h o t o g r a p h yw w w. g r e e n e rV i s u a l s . c o m


l o c k i e p h o t o g r a p h yl o c k i e p h o t o g r a p h y. c o m

t o r i p i n ta r p h o t o g r a p h yt o r i p i n ta r b l o g . c o m

57

2014

Rhonda & Michelle,

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58

2014

He spent the evening thinking about

talking to her. Later, he got up from his

seat and when he came back, there she

was sitting at the table next to his. They

struck up a conversation and agreed to

go on a date.

Their first date was in November 2008

to a Ladies United for the Preservation

of Endangered Cocktails gathering,

a fundraiser for a women’s veterans

organization. The theme was 1940-50s

and Brian remembers Cierra going “all

out,” fixing her hair in victory rolls.

Both were going to school in Boston

at the time. When Brian graduated

in May 2009 and moved to Washing-

ton D.C., Cierra still had a year left

in school, so the couple maintained a

long distance relationship until Cierra

graduated a year later and moved to

D.C. too.

In October 2011, the couple moved to

Pittsburgh where Brian grew up. It was

during that move the Cierra says she

knew Brian was the one.

In early 2012, the couple put a down

payment on a house. It was in front of

that house where Brian would later get

down on one knee and propose.

The engagement ring was custom-

made with three diamonds: Brian’s

great grandmother’s engagement

stone, his grandmother’s engagement

stone and a new one.

Cierra, who grew up in Kalispell,

knew she wanted to get married in

Montana.

They invited 115 guests to take part

in their “relaxed Montana wedding,”

which was held at a vacation rental

home in Bigfork.

Sharing Montana with their friends

and family, some who had never been

to the Treasure State, was one of the

most memorable parts of the wedding.

Some of the guests spent a week at the

vacation rental and explored the area.

The ceremony was held in the back-

yard of the vacation rental.

Brian surprised Cierra by having her

favorite cupcakes overnighted from

D.C. A cookie table, a Pennsylvania

tradition, included treats made by fam-

ily members.

A friend set off fireworks and the

couple and their guests danced and

celebrated until 3 a.m.

“I couldn’t imagine getting married

anywhere else,” Cierra said.

Brian & cierraCierra first caught Brian’s eye the night she walked into a Boston bar with a group of friends.

59

2014


61

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2014

"It was important to have a wedding that celebrated our loved ones."


63

2014

Two years later, at the same retreat, I

saw Christina again and knew that she

was the woman I was going to marry.

After the retreat, I white-knuckled it

home to Bozeman where I quit my job

then drove to Vancouver, Canada to

see Christina.

I got there on a Sunday and we kissed

for the first time. On Monday, I told her that

I loved her and she reciprocated.

On Tuesday, I proposed and she said yes.

On Wednesday, she jokingly said we

should just get married right then, and I

un-jokingly said of course we should. That

same day we bought rings and on the fol-

lowing Sunday, a week after my arrival,

we were married in the backyard of a mar-

riage commissioner’s condo. It was the first

of what would be three weddings.

This year, we made the pilgrimage to

New Mexico, now as man and wife, and

were married for the second time in a tra-

ditional Sikh ceremony.

For our third wedding, close family friends

were gracious enough to host us on their

beautiful property in the Gallatin Valley.

Friends and family members made the

trip from Mexico, Canada and destinations

across the United States.

It was important for us to have a wedding

that celebrated our loved ones. We wanted

to include everyone in the ceremony in

some way, and we wanted to keep the cer-

emony short and sweet, but very personal.

The most touching part of the whole day

for me was when Christina left my side

at the altar, because she had supposedly

forgotten her vows, only to walk over to the

microphone and start singing “At Last” by

Etta James. What was so touching and so

incredibly special about the song was that

she had conquered her fear of singing in

front of others just to share this with me on

our wedding day.

With yoga being such an important part

of our union, it was crucial that we conduct

a group meditation and blessing. The med-

itation we chose is made stronger when

practiced on the full moon, and to make it

even more sublime (unbeknownst to us) our

wedding occurred on the super moon.

Though we originally intended for this

wedding to be more of a party, the ceremo-

ny ended up being our favorite part of the

wedding, and something that will endure

in our hearts.

Levi & christina

W e met at a Kundalini yoga retreat in 2011 outside of the

town of Espanola, New Mexico in the Jemez Mountains.

Christina was my first partner for the first day of White

Tantric Yoga, a partnered meditation that lasted over 12 hours.

In Levi’s Words,

64

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66

2014

When I saw Jill, I knew she was spe-

cial. I had heard about her when I first

arrived to Yellowstone as an employee

in 2006. All I knew was that she was

gorgeous and from Michigan. When she

came for a visit, I was excited to finally

meet this "gorgeous" girl from Michigan,

but at the same time reminded myself

throughout the night to act cool.

I saw her for the first time standing

in the doorway of the Lake Employee

Pub. Seeing her changed everything.

We were introduced by a mutual friend.

I kept my distance and "acted cool,"

knowing our paths would cross again.

After that weekend, she decided to

spend another summer in the park. She

moved in next door to me and worked

the same job and shifts with me for the

rest of the summer. We quickly became

friends. We walked to and from work

together every day. We backpacked

on the weekends and talked for hours

under the stars.

In August of that summer we decided

to officially start dating. Two weeks

later, I told her I loved her for the first

time. We've been together ever since.

Eventually, there came a point where

we had get serious about life and leave

Yellowstone. We moved to Denver with

a goal of moving back to the Yellow-

stone area, preferably Bozeman at some

point down the road. We landed jobs

and built our resumes over the next five

years, while frequenting Yellowstone

and Bozeman on vacation, until we

finally had to get back to the mountains

of Yellowstone that brought us together.

We moved to Bozeman in the spring of

2012. That fall, at a National Forest Ser-

vice cabin in the company of some of our

closest friends, I asked Jill to marry me.

We decided to have our wedding in

Montana for several reasons, but I think

more than anything we decided to have

it here because it represents all of the

things that brought us together.

We're both from Michigan, and a very

large percentage of our family and

friends live in the Midwest. We thought,

why not give them a reason to come

here and experience our love affair

with this great state and tie our favorite

things into the entire weekend. It's home.

Jill & adam

I 'll never forget the first time I met Jill. It was 2006, my first summer in Yellowstone National Park and my first time west of the Mississippi River. The guy responsible for my apply-ing and moving to YNP told me it would change my life.

l i l l i a n b p h o t o g r a p h yw w w. l i l l i a n b p h o t o g r a p h y. c o m

In Adams’s Words,

67

2014

"When I saw Jill I knew she was special."

68

Go to VisitYellowstonePark.com or call 877-404-4583 to get one step closer

to the perfect wedding you’ve always imagined.

The Holiday Inn West Yellowstone is owned and operated by Hospitality by Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Inc.

©2014 DNC Parks & Resorts at West Yellowstone, Inc. 315 Yellowstone Ave., West Yellowstone, MT 59758

Known for geysers, waterfalls and wildlife, Yellowstone is the site of some of nature’s most beautiful displays.

Why not make it the site of your most beautiful day? Whether your ceremony is held outdoors in nature’s

full glory or in the historic Union Pacifi c Dining Hall, it’s sure to be the wedding of your dreams.

Our wedding specialists at the Holiday Inn West Yellowstone make sure every detail is perfect – from

fl owers and music to special requests. And of course, Yellowstone is a destination full of activities that

your wedding guests will delight in.

So dream big and watch it all come true in the magic of Yellowstone.

A B R E A T H T A K I N G B A C K D R O P F O R A

B E A U T I F U L B E G I N N I N G .

DNWY160_4842_BozemanDailyChronicle_8.375x10.875_09152014_P.indd 1 8/14/14 10:21 AM

69

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70

2014

Make It OFFICIaL

gallatin countyLaw and Justice Center615 S. 16th Ave.Bozeman, MT 59715

park countyCity-County Complex414 East Callender StreetLivingston, MT 59047(406) 222-4110

madison countyMadison County Courthouse110 East WallaceVirginia City, MT 59755(406) 843-4230

Where to go:

m i k e c a i t l i n p h o t o g r a p h y

Marriage licenses can be

obtained at Montana county

courthouses.

From the date of applica-

tion, you have 180 days in which to use it. A license is valid in any county in Mon-tana, but not in another state or country.

When you go to apply for a license, don’t forget to bring:

Both the bride and groom.

A valid form of identification (driver’s

license, passport or birth certificate).

If either person was previously married,

the name of the ex-spouse as well as the

date of divorce or death, which must be

written on the application. A dissolution

decree or death certificate are not required.

$53 cash. Checks, debit cards and credit

cards are not accepted.

Out-of-state applicants who can’t appear

at the Clerk of District Court’s Office before

the ceremony can fill out a Montana Mar-

riage Application before a clerk of district

court or notary public in another state.

After the application is complete, paper-

work and the $53 license fee can be sent

to the courthouse in the county where the

wedding is being held.

after the license is obtained, a marriage can be solemnized by:

Clergy• Judge or retired judge of a cour t of record• Public of ficial with power • to solemnize marriage

Mayor• City judge or justice of the peace• Tribal judge•

After the ceremony, the person who

performed the ceremony must return the

license to the clerk of district court’s office

within 30 days. Once it is returned to the

couple, the license can be used as proof of

name change with Social Security and for

your driver’s license and for other identifi-

cation needs.

72

annOunCeMentSSubmit your announcements online at milestones.

bozemandailychronicle.com. Announcements are

$95 and include a photo. Be sure to spell all first and

last names correctly; we will print them as they ap-

pear. Announcements are limited to 150 words.

To submit your announcement in person, stop by

the Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Forms are available

at the front desk. Drop off your announcement, pay-

ment and a clear photo (300 dpi) by Wednesday at

5 p.m. to ensure it appears in the upcoming Sunday

paper. Photos may be picked up after your

announcement is printed.

Announcements are printed in the Bozeman Daily

Chronicle and will be included in the Milestones sec-

tion of the Chronicle website.

The Chronicle reserves editorial discretion over all

submissions.

S U B M I S S I O N G U I D E L I N E S :

When writing engagement announcements, please include:

The first and last name of both the bride- and groom-to-be•The first and last name of the person announcing the engage-•ment and his or her relationship to the coupleThe city of residence for both the bride- and groom-to-be•The first and last names of the parents of the bride- and groom-•to -be and their cities of residenceThe wedding date (if known).•Also, be sure to include the name of the photographer if you •are submit ting a professional photo.

When writing wedding announcements, please include:

The first and last name of the bride and groom•The couple’s cit y of residence•The date of the wedding•The location of the wedding•The name of the wedding of ficiant•The location of the reception•The names of the parents of both the bride and the groom.•Also, be sure to include the name of the photographer if you •are submit ting a professional photo.

73

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74

2014

rrReceptions


75

2014

76

2014

Small-scale receptions Receptions don’t have to

include catered sit-down dinners

with a 10-piece band. They can

be as big or as small as you want.

For a smaller, less expensive

option, try an afternoon tea,

perfect for following morning

or early afternoon weddings,

that features different varieties

of hot teas as well as cham-

pagne, and finger-food like

sandwiches, tarts and cake.

For evening weddings, host a

champagne and cake reception,

or a cocktail party, both of which

tend to be more relaxed than

a larger reception. They don’t

require seating charts.

Buffet-style and formal sit-down dinners A formal sit-down dinner is

a classic and elegant reception

style that treats your guests to

several plated courses.

While sit-down dinners have

their perks, buffet-style recep-

tions offer guests a little more

flexibility than a formal dinner.

When you eliminate waiters

and waitresses, guests are al-

lowed to mix and mingle more.

And for guests who come with

a bit more of an appetite, they

can hop up and get seconds

any time they want.

A way to get the best of

both worlds is to include a

cocktail party buffet prior to a

sit-down dinner.

Music Do you have a favorite local

band that you want to serenade

you and your guests? Or maybe

you’d like a DJ who can play

all the tunes you know will get

your guests out of their chairs

and onto the dance floor.

Aside from personal taste,

consider your reception venue.

Does it have the capacity to

outfit an entire band? Maybe

a string quartet is more your

style. Or a DJ who can pick the

tunes for you.

Other less expensive options

include compiling your own

playlist of music for both ambi-

ance and dancing.

You’re

officially

Mr. & Mrs.

Time to

kick up

your

heels!

W edding receptions can be the most

memorable part of the night for your

wedding guests. But what style fits your

tastes best? Here are some things to keep in mind

while planning your perfect reception.

reception StyLeS

77

2014


78

2014

A few years later, a great opportunity

took us to Chicago. Though we knew we

would miss our Montana family, it was

time for a change and we knew that we

would always be welcomed back.

Will proposed to me at sunset on a

California beach while we were on

vacation. I knew we would get married

someday, but I was completely surprised

and overjoyed.

We both agreed the only place that felt

right for our wedding was Bozeman.

The next year was a whirlwind, and as

if wedding planning wasn’t a big enough

job, we also welcomed an awesome little

boy to our family.

Will and I had similar visions for our

wedding and we both agreed that we

wanted it to be casual and incorporate

our shared appreciation for history with

a vintage style.

Bozeman’s Story Mansion was the

perfect setting. Everything about the

mansion was exactly what we were

looking for, with its sweeping lawn for

our ceremony to the historic interior for

our reception.

The weather was perfect on Aug. 31,

2013 and together with our 9-month old

son, we read the vows we had written for

each other.

Afterward, we enjoyed cocktail hour

on the mansion’s porch. For dinner,

guests were served a buffet of dill salm-

on, herbed flank steak and roasted Brus-

sels sprouts. For dessert we opted for an

assortment of pies from Elle’s Belles. Not

only had one of Elle’s cookies started our

first conversation, but we thought pies

would look beautiful and bring a vintage

feel to the dessert table.

Decorations were simple with brightly

colored wild flowers, milk glass and hob-

nail vases and vintage spice tins.

In the year leading up to our wed-

ding, Will and I had a great time looking

in thrift stores for old wedding photos,

which we placed on tables. There were

photos from the ‘60s that had hilarious

hairstyles and haunting photos from the

‘20s. Though we didn’t know the people

in the pictures, the common thread was

that we were all embarking on the same

journey: marriage.

With family all over the country and a

home in Chicago, we could have gotten

married anywhere, but Bozeman was the

only place that felt right for us.

cammie & Will

W ill and I met during a typical Bozeman summer

filled with floating the Madison, Music on Main

and camping at Hyalite. He worked at a burger

place on Main Street and I delivered food. We

sparked a conversation about which Elle’s Belles cookie is the

best and both agreed on snickerdoodle.

In Cammie’s Words,

79

2014

" together with our 9-month-old son, we read the vows we had written

for each other."

80

2014

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82

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83

COUNTRY FLOWER8TH & MAIN • 587-7679

WWW.COUNTRYFLOWER.COM George Dunlap photography

A Montana Wedding 2014

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