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!!!

Elegant Montana Bride

Isn't Rachel stunning?  My glamour, Hollywood-esque bride, blew me away.  Photograph by www.laurenbrownphoto.com

More to come.

Cheers to a Beautiful Summer!

Things have been rolling along well for us here at Leslie Lukas Weddings & Events this summer!  I am so happy with all of my clients, vendors, and team members and what we have been able to accomplish with each and every wedding weekend!  It has also been a beautiful summer here in Southwest Montana, which dramatically makes my mood change with every sunbeam!

I just want to share a bit of summer lovin, and a bit more of our style of floral and design.  I hope you enjoy these photographs as much as I do of a beautiful couple, Blythe and Greg, who were married on August 13th at a private residence in the Madison Valley!  I can't wait to show you the entire wedding story by budding photographer, Amy Hallenius, of PhotoArt by Amy.

My coffee lady gets Hitched!!!

Living in a small community has it's advantages for sure, but in my book, it's all about your relationship with your coffee lady.  It could be a coffee man, for that matter, but mine happens to be Jessica, a lady.  She married the love of her life yesterday, Jason, and I had the privilege of doing her flowers.

Modest by nature, and just wanting this day to get here.....and so it did.  We saw the signs around town that a shindig was about to take place, and I couldn't be happier for her. 

So, here is my coffee lady.  The one that nurtures me, gives me my energy to get through the day, fixings for my sweet tooth, and some of the best salads on the planet.  To all the crew at Corral Creek Coffee Company....cheers to the newlywed, Jessica!!!!

Photos:  PhotoArt by Amy

RSVP---what the heck?

Well, I have news for you!  I have planned weddings for over 10 years, and I have never received 100% return on RSVP's---Why can't everyone do their part and put their RSVP card in the mail?  I only have theories, but no real data to support the why behind the non-rsvp'ers, but it is frustrating!  

Procrastinators by nature?  Not sure if they can make it?  Don't have a mail slot convenient enough?  Whatever the reason, here are some ways to get more positive results from your guests---

1. Make it as easy as possible.  Always stamp the rsvp card with appropriate postage and be sure it is labeled with the correct return address to come straight to you.
2. You can use language to make RSVP'ing more fun.  I have currently seen my brides and grooms use phrases such as "why not?" "just can't..." even ad-lib games to get more responses. Traditional is also good...if it is straight, to the point and gives you the information you need.
3. Give them more than one way to RSVP.  While this is more work for you, it may get more responses from your guests.  Provide an email address for them to send their RSVP or many of the free wedding websites have an RSVP feature. 
4. When all else fails, track your guest down via email or a call. 

If you are guilty of not sending an RSVP card....the reasons why it is so important should be clear by now.  While you invited your guests for a reason, and you truly want them to be there for your special day, you also want the opportunity to save a few dollars if you can.

So, the next time you get an invitation in the mail, email, whatever....do your part, and let your first gift to that couple be your RSVP in the mail!  Pronto! 

Disposable Wedding Cameras

I have been doing a little research lately, on...you guessed it, disposable wedding cameras.  I had always questioned the decision of my brides about having them.  I know the idea and concept of guests taking candid photos to capture those "missed moments", but it always has seemed that the little kid at the wedding gets a hold of it, and the end result is 27 photos of the floor.  And, you did just spend money on a quality, professional photographer, right?

SUPER CUTE STYLE, 27 exp.

http://www.mywedcams.com/ starting at 2.99.  The black and white above retails for $4.99

So, I am admitting, as a planner, I never really new what to do with them.  I mean, I knew what to do with them, but was so reluctant!!!  Do I put them on the fabulously dressed guest table that we spent months picking out the linen, flowers, and all of the fine details, only to cheapen the look by YIKES!!! a disposable camera?  Do I a decorate a special box or basket and print a cute note and stuff them in there, hoping someone notices them or knows what to do with them? 

None of the above!  I have finally figured it out. 

SIMPLE, CLASSY STYLE, 27 exp.

http://www.myweddingfavors.com/ $6.99 more colors available



The only way that I see these being "a cool" thing to do at your wedding, is to include them in your GUEST WELCOME BAGS as your guests arrive for your wedding weekend .  You  know, the ones that go to the hotel or resort where your guests are staying  to warmly welcome them???  or, the following fun ways to incoporate them into your reception......
Here are a few cute ways to make it happen:

1.  Instruct your guests that you want pictures of them enjoying their vacation and wedding related activities.  Encourage them to take photos along the way, and bring it to the wedding to finish off the roll and leave it in a special basket on the gift table.  You can always post the photos on a site like flickr or facebook and direct them to the site after the wedding is over.

2.  Make a wedding scavenger hunt for your guests.  Type up a cute and fun list of things they must see while they are on vacation.  Such as: take a picture with the dinosaur at the Museum of the Rockies, or show off your vacation wear...or take a picture from the zip line at Big Sky Resort, then finish with a photo of you and your new husband kissing.  Tell them the guests who get the most creative will get a fun surprise after the wedding!  Be sure to take a photo of yourselves, indicating who the photographers were of that particular camera!!!

3.  Personalize it even further by instructing your bridal party and family to get photos of people that are really special to you.  My brother took photos of all the couples at my wedding kissing.  Now, that was a surprise when we developed the photos later, and memories I will always cherish!!!

4.  If you are NOT going to do welcome bags for your guests, use the concepts above at your wedding reception to make it more interactive for your guests and to get the results that you are looking for. This would be a great way to have a photo booth at your wedding, too. 

I hope these ideas get you started on a new way of thinking and bring new life to those disposable cameras!  Now I LOVE them!!!

Custom Camera, $5.99

http://www.wedcams.com/

Leslie Lukas, regular contributor of BRIDES magazine

http://www.leslielukas.com/

copyright 2011



Montana Flowers--Inspriation for today!

Spring has officially sprung, and I have had the best time creating some fantastic gift bouquets for friends the past couple days!  Here are some of my favorites!  Enjoy!

Best trip ever!

So, if you are a client or friend of mine....you know that I recently went on a trip with my family to Maui. and..... it was everything we hoped it would be! Lots of sun, sand, and sandcastles....and of course fresh food, family time and relaxation!

The following photos just can't say enough to the amazing time we all had, and how refreshed I feel to move forward into wedding season!  We stayed in a modest condo unit that we found on http://www.vrbo.com/ for $120 a night, cooked for ourselves, enjoyed the sea turtles, whales, and all the other abundant flora that comes with going to a Hawaiian island.  We bought banana bread and the best coconut candy I have ever had on a trip around the island on one of the craziest stretches of road I have ever been....we laughed the entire time it was so fun to drive on!  Joe went fishing, I went snorkleing....our days went kind of like this:  wake up, breakfast, beach, pool, nap, pool, beach, pineapple break, more beach....and tons of fun with the kiddos!