Montana Wedding Cakes: Cakes by Jenn

I am always amazed at the talented vendors I find living in the far reaching corners of Montana.  Here is a sketch by little known dessert artist and cake baker, Jennifer Regester. She lives just up the road from my home town of Ennis--near Harrison, MT.  Her cakes and desserts taste amazing....and I can't wait to work with her this coming year!  Who doesn't get excited about dessert!  And, like me, she travels all over southwest montana delivering her yummy goodies.  She is also a designer at Big Sky Carvers and has a generous design background. 

There are few cake designers that take the time to sketch their ideas, but Jenn is one of them.  If you would like more information on her work or how to find her...just look at FaceBook!  She has some great photos of things she has been working on lately! 

This is a sketch that we are working on for a Bride of mine for next August!  Enjoy! 

Montana Destination Wedding: what you would do for friends

I was priveledged to be a part of Kristi and Josh's wedding in a very partial, yet, wonderful role.  Amazingly enough, I have never met Kristi in person, but I know her sister Jeni Fleming, a local jazz artist, very well.  I have worked with Jeni for years in the industry and with her non-profit Hand Me Down Some Silver. Whenever Jeni calls, I am happy to help!   

Kristi sent me a few photos of what she was looking for for flowers, and since she has such an amazing sense of style, we just helped pull together a few details behind the scenes and the family took charge of the rest!

So, to be completely honest, I only created the bridal bouquet and boutonnier, purchased the flowers for her friend Kathy to put together, and provided the linens.  The rest is a complete effort by the family from the dessert tower, place-settings, and everything in-between.  I did have several converstations with Jeni about set-up, liquor amounts to order, among other things....but this is what friends do for each other.  I am so glad I got to be a part of something so beatuiful! 

PHOTOGRAPHER:  Audrey Hall

LOCATION:  Deep Creek Grange

FLORIST:  Leslie Lukas and Kathy Koelzer

RENTALS: Montana Party Rentals

Invitations, Business Cards, Graphic Design and a beautiful lady

I had the privledge of doing Bri Davey's flowers for her wedding a couple summers ago.  Her family owns The Rainbow Valley Lodge in Ennis, MT.  At the time of her wedding, she was working for Fancy Flour's doing marketing and web for them!  She is an amazing designer and has a keen eye for detail.  She currently lives in Portland, OR and has bought a letterpress!  I can't say enough about Bri's energy and style....and as you can see by these gorgeous designs and the quality of her work, she is going to take the market by storm! 

She recently aquired a letterpress, and if you are in the market for letterpress anything, don't count out this talented woman!  Here are some fabulous styles that I took from her blog to share with you that she has already created for some lucky clients....enjoy and be sure to visit her online to see more of her work-- {www.creativelabpress.com}

This rustic invitation suite is one of her flat-print (digital) designs (not run on a letter press) really caught my eye...and would be perfect for a late summer/fall wedding or party! She has

Dynamic Color Combo--Young and Fun

A friend called upon me to do the flowers for her daughter's wedding just outside of Livingston, MT at a ranch on the Wine Glass Mountain.  The event barn where the reception was, is a family party spot where many country stars have performed for their private parties. 

I called on my friend Angela of Fresh Designs to help do the planning, so I could concentrate on the flowers.  Here is a sample of what came about!

Photo Credit:  Morgan Lamare Photography

Catering:  Zac's Montana Kitchen

Planning:  Fresh Designs

Rentals:  Montana Party Rentals

Flowers:  Leslie Lukas Weddings & Events

Grace Ormonde Wedding Style...yes. we. can.

photo credit to www.laurenbrownphoto.com  (1.)

I have always set my sights high in this business.  To be the friendliest, most organized, and consistent planner and designer in Montana.  Sometimes, I strive for perfection, even though in a perfect world, perfection still doesn't exist.  I am flattered by the magazine editors that have chosen our work time and time again to feature in their prestigious magazines.  We are pleased to announce that we have THREE, yes THREE photographs of our work that will be featured on Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Magazine's on-line gallery.  It was going to be launched September 1st, but with the recent events of Hurricane Irene on the East Coast, it put their team behind.  I will be sure to shout it from the roof tops when it is actually on the site!  I am so thankful that they were all ok, and thankful for such an AMAZING publication!!!  Thank you for bringing our photos to life in your gallery.  We are grateful.

Lauren Brown has captured two images that caught the eyes of Grace Ormonde and staff. The first one, featured above (1.), is a styled shoot at The Woodlands that took place in the fall.  We used bamboo chairs and linen provided by Montana Party Rentals, and Leslie Lukas Weddings & Events provided the table settings, floral, and fine details that made the scene look urban-rustic.  The second photo by Lauren Brown, featured below (2.) was taken of a bridal bouquet designed by Leslie Lukas for her bride, Kendra Haugen, who was married at the Rainbow Ranch last year. Alexa Miller captured a photo that they loved as well.  (3.) featured at the bottom of this post was from a wedding at the Rainbow Ranch as well.  Grace Ormonde made a call out to designers and photographers looking for simple styling and modesty.  You just never know if your photo/design could be the next big thing!!!!

To be recognized by Grace Ormonde is beyond amazing!!!  I get to work with Montana's finest photographers.  So, I wanted to take a moment to thank them for documenting amazing photos for me and my clients.

Lauren Brown  www.laurenbrownphoto.com  (featured together on Grace Ormonde Wedding Style)
Melanie Nashan  www.nashan.com  (featured together in Martha Stewart Weddings, The Knot, BRIDES, and Modern Bride magazines)
Kene Sperry  www.eyeintheskyphotography.com  (featured together in The Knot)
Audrey Hall  www.audreyhall.com (featured together in Mountain Living and Montana Living magazines)

Others I admire and should be recognized:
Morgan Lamare  www.morganlamare.com 
Doug Loneman www.lonemanphotography.com 
Cali Sparring  www.calisparingphotography.com
Janie Osbourne  www.janieoweddings.com  (did her wedding flowers and LOVE her to pieces!)
Larry Stanley www.montanaweddingphotographer.com

There are so many photographers out there, and if we haven't met, be sure to give me a shout!!!  The above mentioned photographers are in my comfort zone, and I have worked closely with all of them.....so don't be shy, someone gave me a chance when I first started out in the business, maybe you deserve one!  I know there are more great photographers out there!  and more opportunities to get our work published, bringing attention to our great state and attention to quality vendors for brides and grooms looking for their dream team!

photo credit www.laurenbrownphoto.com  (2.)

photo credit www.alexamiller.com (3.)

Horse Ranch Wedding...my summer favorite!

I had the privilege to work with an amazing couple this summer, Susanne and Andrew, who choose to dedicate their life to rescuing horses and animals that simply need to be cared for and loved.  Many of their animals are "seniors" and they take care of them through their last breaths.  They have a beautiful horse ranch on River Road just outside of Bozeman, and this property will be available to host tented events in the coming year!

Their love is so apparent for each other, and once those rings were on their hands, they have vowed to never take them off!  They were brought together by life's circumstances.  I LOVE this type of devotion and love, and I want to congratulate them on having found one another, and choosing to live beautifully.....

I had so much fun choosing all the fine details for their wedding to make sure it was family friendly, rich with memories, and an unforgettable day.  I used as many local sources as possible.  We are so fortunate to live in an area with so much talent!  Here is some outstanding photography by Lauren Brown, who captured the love so eloquently.

There are so many vendors to thank for making this all come together on the fourth of July Weekend.  I will be posting about details of the wedding in future blogs, as there were so many fun things that we did to make this wedding so special!  Cheers to the following vendors and a HUGE thank you!

Ingredients for the Perfect Day

Leslie Lukas Weddings & Events: Full Service Coordination, Flowers and Concept to Completion Event Management.  Ennis, Montana
Lauren Brown Photography: Photographer. Bozeman, Montana
Ro Sham Bo, Priscilla Foster Hand-Made Books:  Horse Logo, Invitations, Photo Book, Menus, and more. Bozeman, Montana
Montana Party Rentals: Rentals.  Bozeman, Montana
Chef Knecht: Catering.  Livingston, Montana
Cakes from Cabinridge: Wedding Cake.  Bozeman, Montana
The Pie Lady, delicious pies!  made in Ennis, Montana
Casanova Carriage, Horse Drawn Wagon and Carriage.  Virginia City, Montana
Six Shooter Photo Booth:  Retro Style Photo Booth.  Helena, Montana

More sources to come as details are unveiled!!!