The country-hick-montana-elegant wedding

So, when I first met Heather, she was with her mom, dad, and cousin, and had traveled all the way from Seattle to make her wedding wishes come true.  She needed full wedding management on a tight budget, and I knew that I wanted to work with her....immediately!  She grew up in Billings, and there were so many wonderful details that she was creating on her own, that I knew I could help her pull her vision together, and use the materials available to make for her country hick, meets sophisticated elegance wedding a reality! 

When she told me she wanted a country-hickish, Montana elegant wedding with super great tasting food--at Springhill Pavilion, my wheels started spinning...and ultimately knew that she wanted a FUN yet elegant wedding!  So, if we were going to call it that, we would need to live up to it!  The hick parts really didn't evolve much, but did come out in the music (Costas Lazardious & Band--a family friend and recording artist living in Belgrade) and the rustic elements like the burlap table cloths and mason jar florals took center stage. 

The color pallet ended up being red and lavender, a first for me, but I knew that the combination would be striking if used in the right way....

My beautiful friend Morgan Lamare took the photos you are about to see, and captured some really enchanting moments.  Heather was laughing and smiling the entire day....and the warmest thing for me was when Heather and Bill thanked me personally for making everything just perfect for them!

I think we achieved something pretty special--

 Loving, Laughing, having fun....

 more laughing and loving!!!!

 Her dress was just beautiful on her and really matched her personality! 

 The decadent dessert bar was by Elles Belles

 The lilacs in the centerpieces were from my neighbors yard....in late June if you can believe it!

 The Orchids were grown by Bill's Aunt who has an orchid farm in California....GORGEOUS, and we used them in everything! 

 Elles Belles baby bell cookies were part of the dessert bar....

The birds were a theme throughout, and little wooden birds served as take home trinkets for the guests beyond the edible treats....

 I love this combination of flowers against the red dresses.  Simply fabulous!

The bridal bouquet was a collection of blooms from Heather's grandmother's garden and came from Billings in a white little garbage pail full of water....they were lovingly cut knowing that Heather would be carrying them down the isle....

The bride and groom stood under a rustic archway covered with Orchids from his aunts farm....it was a pleasure helping them with their wedding, and enjoyed hours of planning with them! 
Ingredients for the perfect day
Morgan Lamare Photography, photographer
Springhill Pavilion, venue
Steve Kuntz, Chef
Callisto Studios, Video
Leslie Lukas Weddings & Events, full wedding management and floral
Costas Lazardious, band and music
Connie Duglin, Linens

Fourth of July Springhill Pavilion Wedding, Bozeman, MT

So, as I write this post, I am so grateful to be surrounded by such lovely photographers in our great state.  One of my favorites, Melanie Nashan, was hired to shoot Toby and Kim's Fourth of July wedding that took place at the historical Springhill Pavilion just outside of Bozeman, MT.  This is a magical wedding venue, and many of my couples choose it for its charming outbuildings, beautiful fruit trees twinkling with light in the evening hours, and the stunning views of the areas gorgeous mountains.   The couple had so much fun with multiple days of activities, from a ranch style reheasal dinner, the wedding at Springhill, then a fun day after brunch complete with floating on intertubes down the Madison River.  Here are some of my favorite details from their day!

 Fruit Pies were tucked away in these hand caligraphered, stamped muslin bags that lead the guests to their seat!  What a fun and creative parting favor that has dual purpose!  The guests LOVED them!  Thanks to Elles Belles tasty confections....

 We knew paper straws were trendy before anyone else!  These were a fun way to sip spiked lemonade and a fresh lavender spring decorated each jar!~  super cute and a cost effective detail

 Paper parasols are a wonderful way to create shade for your guests while sitting in the sun during the ceremony...our guests used them all evening and thought they were great! 

 We created a wonderful atmosphere in the Pavilion by using banquet style seating for a rustic feel.  We also hung metal chandeliers from the ceiling that looked so wonderful as the evening light streamed through the windows.  This is seating for 120 guests, with plenty of room for dancing. 

 Elles Belles mini pies and environmentally friendly bambu plates and forks...to keep with a natural, rustic feel. 

 The candy bar, which had lots of old fashioned favorites! 

Melanie had this to say about me: 

“Last year I had the pleasure of working with Leslie on Kim and Toby’s wedding at the Springhill Pavillion, one of my favorite wedding spots.  While working with Leslie is always fun, things happen on schedule and as planned.  Not only does Leslie do wedding planning but she creates lovely ‘Montana Style’ flower arrangements that bring a bit of nature into the photos.  Leslie and I have worked together forever and I think you will love working with her just as much as I have.”

Ingredients for the perfect day
Leslie Lukas Weddings & Events--full service flowers and planning
Melanie Nashan--photography http://www.nashan.com/
Zac Kellerman--catering http://www.cookingontherange.com/
Elle Fine--mini pies, fruit pies for escort cards, cupcakes, tarts and yummy desserts  http://www.ellesbelles.com/
Springhill Pavilion--venue http://www.springhillpavilion.com/
Blue Jack--Band  http://www.bluejackband.com/

Etsy--signs and table numbers

Chicago couple falls in love wih Big Sky, MT

Tony and Jill had been dreaming of having a Montana wedding since the beginning of their courtship. Jill is a native Montanan and had played basketball for UM...Tony was from back east and had settled in Chicago to help run his family business. They wanted a beautiful Montana setting to share their special day and chose Moonlight Basin as their location. I had weekly meetings with them via phone for almost 11 months! Jill found many of her treasures from Etsy vendors and we helped the process along by offering our sources as well.  Most of the printed items were locally crafted by Erin Leonard out of Virginia City, MT. 


The weekend couldn't have been more memorable, as President Obama was on his national park tour and ended up being at our same hotel in Big Sky!  It also snowed in Big Sky...in August!  Silly weather!   Thanks for capturing it so well through your beautiful photos, Lauren! 

Ingredients for a perfect day:

Leslie Lukas Weddings & Events--full service planning and floral design
Joe Trudgeon--Joe's Mobile DJ
Lauren Brown--Lauren Brown Photography
Rebecca Nicklin--Cakes from Cabin Ridge
Moonlight Basin--Big Sky, Montana, Venue
Various Etsy Vendors for details and table cards