Clearly Jolly Old Saint Nick was on our side this holiday season, as we were treated with an early delivery of first printed edition of the Montana Wedding Guide! Our copies are in and we're all ooooh-ing and awww-ing over the gorgeous publication.

We'll be working on loading the downloadable pdf version of the guide onto the site over the next week. Feel free to swing by the office at 124 1/2 N Main St in Livingston to grab your copy today!

Finding the perfect dress is only half the battle -- you want to feel great about how you look in the dress, too. After you have decided on the style of your dress, you should consider these simple exercises to help tone your back, shoulders, and arms.

Strapless Dress Shape up your shoulders and strengthen your back
Exercises: Bent Over Row, 'L' Lateral Raises, and Resistance Band Shoulder Fly Lunges
Halter-top Dress Tone your arms
Exercises: Hammer Curl and Shoulder Press
Asymmetrical Dress Work your triceps and chest
Exercises: Yoga Push-Ups and Triceps Kick-Back

Find a complete description of the best exercises for your dress style at the following locations:
Brides.com: Power Moves slideshow
Junebug blog: Get Toned Arms for your Wedding

Also: Check out the workout that Kelly Ripa swears by, which is a new office favorite! It's a cardiovascular program of isometric exercises and orthopedic stretches that strengthens and tones your body: Physique 57.

Music For Your Ears Work out to the same tunes as the pros. Go to http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/playlists and download the song sets that keep Olympic gymnasts and gold medal soccer players motivated.

Happy exercising!

Continued from the article in our printed publication...

WESTERN HERITAGE
Montana's history is much like that of a classic Western. Native Americans, cowboys, and settlers inhabited the vast mountain ranges, deep valleys, and rolling riverbeds for two centuries before the territory became the 41st state in 1889. If it's Montana’s history that interests you, incorporate it into your Big Sky wedding from the very beginning. Start by choosing your theme. Are you a fan of the Calamity Jane era, the time of the unlawful West? Or perhaps you prefer the idea of the cowboy, the rancher, the history of local brands -- whatever you choose, be sure to have this theme resonate throughout your wedding, and reflected in each minute detail.


Create a very strong sense of place that takes your guests back in time when you choose your venue. Find a location with a rustic feel to it, whether it's in a barn, on a ranch, or near one of Montana's many ghost towns. Create place cards and distinguish tables with unique brands. Serve cocktails and water in mason jars, cover the tables in cowhides, and swap out chairs for hay bales. Tie the flowers with leather, and accent the centerpiece with bandanas. Book a live country band that will play old favorites, and hand out flasks to show your bridal party how much you appreciate their participation. Be sure to send your friends and family home with a jar of homemade jam, a deck of cards, mini mason jar candles, or cigars.


BIG SKY PASTIMES
One of the most notable facts about Montana is its sheer size coupled with a low population, which combine for optimum conditions if you're an avid outdoorsman. Whether your passion lies on the riverbank or atop a peak, weddings are a perfect opportunity in which to share your love with the friends and family closest to you, so choose a venue that reflects this. Are you a devoted fly fisherman? Have the ceremony on the banks of the river. A zealous hiking couple can commit in the mountains on a trail, or enthusiastic skiers can say their vows at a ski resort. Let your guests know your theme from the beginning when you design your save-the-dates and invitations accordingly, whether you do this by including a photo of the two of you on a chairlift, or design the invitations on a map of your favorite Montanan hiking trails. Plan an entire weekend of activities that center on your love for the outdoors -- you can have a non-traditional rehearsal dinner by taking your friends and family on a rafting trip, guided fishing float, or a group hike. You could also gift these activities to your bridal party and family members.


Give your guests a welcome bag with all the supplies they need for the great outdoors: sunblock, bug spray, locally tied flies, trail mix and a map. At your reception, serve wild game and trout. You can name the tables after your favorite fishing accesses or ski runs, lakes or trails. Party favors at this type of wedding are useful and endless, as you could hand out personalized Chap Stick, water bottles, or flashlights. Bring the excitement of the outdoors into the wedding reception with a posed adventure photo booth – set up props so it looks like your guests are on a chair lift or at the top of a peak.

To read the beginning of this article, pick up a Montana Wedding Guide or download the PDF version!

A couple of months ago, while the grass was still green and the weather pleasant Keegan photographed Josh and Erin's wedding at the historic Chico Hot Springs. As most of you know Elegant Bride folded this year and in honor of their "Elegant Bride" section we will periodically feature one of our Montana Elegant Brides in their stead. This post we are featuring an Elegant Montana Bride that truely embodies what a Montana Bride represents in my mind. While Keegan photographed the wedding I was there 'just in case' she needed any assistance. Erin was relaxed, beautiful and up for all different types of photos.

This is one of my favorite moments of every wedding. When the couple first sees each other it is a perfect opportunity for some emotional photos that really capture the essence of their connection. While planning your wedding consider having your photographs taken before the wedding so that you can enjoy some time alone just the two of you and that you can enjoy the entire cocktail party with your friends and family.


Erin looked fabulous in her strapless gown. I LOVE the way they look with Ross Peak in the background as they spend a few moments together.

Tara and Ryan were married in Missoula in September. We posted about their beautiful and simple invitations (see below) a few months back, and wanted to finally share the wedding with you, too!


Downtown Missoula offered a laid-back urban backdrop for the wedding party portraits.


The bridal dressing room!

A gorgeous ring shot.

Such an intimate ceremony!

This is one of my favorite couple portraits. Thanks for sharing this cute and simple wedding with us!

Labels: Missoula Montana, Montana Bride, Montana weddings

I've been filtering through engagement sessions over the past year, and realized I never posted this fun session with Cassie and Chris at Roy's Barn in Bozeman, Montana.

Cassie had a very clear idea of the sort of engagement portraits she wanted, and she incorporated bright colors and fun props to communicate a playful mood.

Everything went so well together! I especially adore her shoes.

Ice cream cones and balloons always help to create a relaxed and candid atmosphere. Montana is a fantastic backdrop for portraits -- whether it's a barn, the side of a red building in a quaint downtown, or simply the big blue sky, there's always a great photo opportunity.

Cassie and Chris have an elaborate, carnival-themed wedding planned for next August, and we can't wait to share it!

Labels: Bozeman, Bozeman Wedding, engagement session, Montana Bride, Roy's Barn

BEAUTIFUL!


Melanie of Nashan Photographers took engagement portraits for Kylee and Jake in Montana. Kylee works with Jill at Montana Party Rentals (one of our Rental Vendors), and Jill recommended Nashan Photographers. The couple has a Michigan wedding planned next summer, and we wish them the best! Melanie had a great time photographing the couple!