Montana Wedding Guide

Elegant Montana Bride at the Storey Mansion

2010-01-16T05:22:00.000-08:00

Dylan & Suzanne are fun, compassionate people that everyone seems to LOVE. They chose to get married on the first weekend on January and were lucky enough to miss the freezing cold snap that made us all freeze for more than two weeks.

I think she looks like Grace Kelly in these photos? Don't you?
Suzanne gave Dylan a watch for a gift. Evidently Dylan LOVED it because he kept showing it to people!

On the steps of the church in Belgrade.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the shoes.
and the hair feathers. They are so light and flitter around making everyone feel so glamorous!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this photo. She is such an elegant Montana Bride.
Winter weddings are wonderful but are a challenge for photos because it gets dark so early. Suzanne didn't want to see Dylan before the wedding, but luckily we were able to photograph the two of them immediately after the wedding with natural light. Dylan had requested one thing for the wedding. He wanted photos of Suzanne in the natural light at her parent's home.

She is even elegant beside the work shop. I LOVE this photo because it reminds me of Anthropologie...

I LOVE the look of Dylan when he first sees Suzanne.

Don't forget to follow us on FB and Twitter!

Download the 2010 Wedding Guide

2010-01-14T11:02:00.000-08:00

In an effort to reach clients planning a destination wedding in Montana, and to satisfy our environmentally conscious minds, we have made the 2010 Montana Wedding Guide available in a downloadable pdf version. Click on the button in the header at the top of any page on the site, and enjoy the full guide in less than 30 seconds!

Montana Wedding Guide Launch Party!

2010-01-08T08:03:00.000-08:00

As we mentioned in our last post, the Montana Wedding Guide print edition for 2010 is here and we can't wait to share it with you!

To kick off what we hope to be a great wedding season and to introduce everyone to our new guide we will be hosting a meet-and-greet party on Thursday, January 14th from 5-8pm at the Weaver Room in the Emerson Cultural Center in Bozeman. Please join us for coffee, tea and dessert along with two very special guest speakers, a drawing for a free ad and a chance to pick up your copies of the Montana Wedding Guide printed edition.

Special guests Christi McDermott, CPA of McDermott Financial and Toni O'Berry of O'Berry Collaborative will give brief presentations beginning at 6:30pm. Christi will be giving tax break tips for individuals and small businesses. Toni will present "Change is Certain: Marketing Fundamentals" focusing on fundamental practices that can help businesses stay focused yet be nimble.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to be entered into a drawing for a FREE ad in the 2011 Montana Wedding Guide printed edition. If you commit to advertising with us in 2011, we'll give you a second ad of equal or lesser value for free. The drawing will take place at 6pm and you must be present to win.

Additionally, if you bring a friend to the party who advertises with us in the 2011 edition you will receive %5 off of your ad!

To RSVP or if you have any questions please email us at nashan@nashan.com or give us a call at 406.222.2881.

And don't worry - if you can't make it to the party we will still be delivering Montana Wedding Guides to all of the vendors and additional locations throughout the state of Montana. To request copies just contact us.

The 2010 Montana Wedding Guide is here!

2009-12-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

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!

2010 MWG: Fitness for the Bride

2009-12-30T08:00:00.001-08:00

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!

Bringing the Big Sky Into Your Wedding, Cont.

2009-12-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

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!

Elegant Montana Bride at Chico Hot Springs

2009-12-28T03:20:00.000-08:00

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 & Ryan

2009-12-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

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!

Cassie & Chris: E-Session

2009-12-02T12:51:00.000-08:00

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!

Kylee & Jake: E-Session

2009-12-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

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!

Danielle & Casey

2009-11-30T11:24:00.000-08:00

Danielle and Casey were wed on November 7th at Chico Hot Springs. Although a cold front came through Paradise Valley that day, the sun was shining and the wind had ceased, allowing Chieko of Nashan Photographers to get some great shots of the couple outside of their honeymoon cabin overlooking the valley and resort.

Danielle and Casey were great sports about standing outside in the cold in order to take their portraits. The entire wedding party was a fun crew!

The berry accents are a great way to capture the Autumn season in the flower arrangements!

Thanks to Danielle and Casey for sharing your wedding day with us!

Sneak Peak: Danielle and Casey's Chico wedding

2009-11-27T11:10:00.000-08:00

Come back on Monday for more photos and details of Danielle and Casey's November 7th Montana wedding at the beautiful Chico Hot Springs!

Katie & Ryan: E-Session

2009-11-25T11:00:00.000-08:00

Nashan Photographers associate Chieko shot Katie and Ryan's engagement portraits northeast of Livingston a few weeks ago. Ryan owns a fly fishing shop, and he and Katie spend a lot of time outdoors with their two Spaniels -- so they all headed to a local fishing access along the Yellowstone River for the session.

The couple was quick to comment on how nice it will be to have some pictures of the two of them that are not in a boat on the river with a fish!

Ryan was feeling a little under the weather that day, but the whole session still turned out fantastic!

It was unusually warm and sunny for the beginning of November, but the Livingston wind was still blowing like crazy, as you can see from Katie's hair!

We're really looking forward to Katie and Ryan's February wedding at the Gallatin Gateway Inn in Bozeman -- it's such a beautiful location! And since Montana is such a popular destination in the summertime for outdoor ceremonies, we don't get a chance to shoot many mid-winter weddings! Katie has a very classy and simple celebration planned, so be sure to check back for those shots in a couple of months!

We're back!

2009-11-18T09:56:00.000-08:00

Many apologies for the brief hiatus -- we have been busy this month putting together our first annual Montana Wedding Guide printed edition! The majority of the work is complete, and we're back to the daily grind, which means we're back to blogging. Stay tuned for the guide. We'll be distributing in early January to locations throughout Montana, and we'll have an eco-friendly pdf posted on the site for you to download at your leisure.

Arnold.Jorgenson

2009-10-15T12:40:00.001-07:00

The first time I photographed Kristen and Scott we were running from a huge rain storm. After deciding that we could not outrun it, we decided to do the photos in the rain and then suddenly it stopped and the light was beautiful! Here is a link to the engagement session:
http://www.nashan.com/2009/06/arnoldjorgenson-engagement.html

Thank goodness that was for their engagement session and not their wedding. Their wedding was held in September at The Wild Flower Gardens in Red Lodge on one of the last really hot days that we had this summer.

Kristen and Scott met at a branding and he works on a ranch and his family runs cows. All of the vessels from the wedding were gathered from his family's ranch. I LOVE all of the old milk bottles and various containers that they used to decorate the tables with.
Not only were they beautiful, they brought meaning into the beautifully arranged flowers.

They used the colors of the wedding and topped the cake off with a small bouquet of flowers.
Kristen had made all of the programs and displayed them in a milk bucket on the welcoming table.
Each guest was asked to write a short note on a note card that Kristen had made.

Each guest was given a carmel coated apple on their way out....
Kristen's dress was just perfect for her and her boots were comfortable throughout the night.

One of Kristen's bridesmaids was fluffing te under part of her dress just minutes before the wedding.

I Loved the small details that really made Kristen look so beautiful!

In the heat of the afternoon Kristen walked down the aisle without a cloud in the sky. When you plan your Montana Wedding you need to be prepared for all sort of weather. Although it was piping hot during the ceremony it did get a little chilly for the reception.

I LOVED Scott's feather...

As I was walking around photographing the wedding I saw this Cowboy standing behind the last row of chairs and I think it is one of my favorite photos because it captures the feeling of the wedding and gives a very clear sense of place.
Scott made the Arbor that they were married under...

One of the best times to photograph a couple is as they walk down the aisle right after being pronounced man and wife.

The good, the bad, the...

Kristen and her sweet niece.

Elegant Montana Bride

2009-10-08T09:32:00.001-07:00

This Monday morning I was given some bad news from a friend of mine. In his Email he told me that Elegant Bride and Modern Bride had folded! I LOVED each of the magazines for different reasons and have been featured in both publications many times over the past eight years. More importantly the two photo editors that I have known for all of this time found themselves out of work on Monday morning. They lost their jobs rather unexpectedly although we all know that the publication business has been in turmoil since this time last year when the financial crisis first started to hit all of us.

Both publications have been a great resource over the years for women, and a few interested grooms, who have been planning their weddings. So there will be a great gap to fill. Fortunately I also got news that Brides magazine, which has been published on a quarterly basis, will now go monthly so not everything is lost. All three publications were run from offices on the same floor in NY. Each had their own specialty and style but all of the editors were in close touch with the each other so I think Brides will fill in a lot of the missing gaps now that they are being published more frequently.

One of my favorite features of the publications was the Elegant Bride section of EB's publication. I have had two bride's featured in it over the years and thought of continuing the idea on our blog. The title of our feature will be Elegant Montana Bride. This is our first feature and we will continue to host a new bride on a regular basis. In the publication there was only one photo of the bride and we will be hosting several images that really show off the individual style of our Elegant Montana Bride.

Brand New Montana Bride

2009-10-03T21:23:00.000-07:00

Last week's guest blogger, Rebecca, was married on Saturday at the Lazy B Ranch in Bozeman, Montana.

Rebecca epitomizes a Montana Bride in so many ways! She had a very clear idea of what she wanted her wedding to be and went to great lengths to make sure everything was just right. Their destination Montana wedding had so many personal touches that it was really amazing.

Elk antlers that Mark and his brother had found over the years lined the aisle, and they used bench seats instead of chairs for a more intimate feel. Autumn leaves were scattered on the grass to enhance the feeling of Fall.

Real Bride Blog: Rebecca and Mark

2009-09-28T09:51:00.000-07:00

Hi all! Wedding plans are coming along and we're getting close now! Yay! I just hammered out all of the details for our wedding day photography schedule, and I'm so excited for the pictures. Melanie Nashan and I are doing some boudoir shots to start as a little something for me to give to my new husband...I'll admit, I'm a little nervous about how my body's gonna look, but I know Mark will love them!

Also, Mark and I have decided to see each other and do all of our posed shots before the ceremony. We decided to do this for a of couple reasons. First, Mark and I wanted to have a very intimate moment when we saw each other for the first time. I think, for us, it will be a more personal, loving, and intimate situation. We both get really nervous in front of a lot of people, so we wanted to remember that moment and not be so nervous about me falling on my face. Secondly, we want to enjoy every drop of our wedding that we have put so much time, effort, and money into.

I think photography is SO important for your wedding day, so that you can have those memories and snapshots to tell your wedding story, but we wanted to be able to mingle with guests at the cocktail hour and not be doing all of our posed shots then. Our guests will have spent a lot of money to get out to Bozeman (both of our families are from Wisconsin) that we want to make sure we can spend time with everybody and not be rushed after the ceremony. As a wedding photographer myself, I have noticed over time that when a couple does all of their pictures before the ceremony, it gives a relaxed, romantic feel to pictures and also to that time right after the ceremony. Couples that decide to do posed shots after still get great pictures with a lot of emotion in them, but usually want to hurry through it so they can enjoy the rest of their wedding.

We wanted to be able to enjoy finally being married, instead of running around trying to get the family together for a picture. I know it's not for everybody, but for Mark and I, it was a really good fit. Plus, we like to live on the wild side and tempt superstitions...

- Rebecca Bonson, soon-to-be Rebecca Hollis

Sneak Peek: Mike and Jessica Engagement Session in Bozeman

2009-09-18T08:44:00.000-07:00

Mike and Jessica are getting married in October at The Woodlands. Nashan Photographers associate Chieko shot their engagement photos earlier this week in downtown Bozeman. The couple created a fun and playful atmosphere by carrying the color scheme of their wedding (pink and black) into the clothing that they chose for their engagement session.

Keeping with this week's theme of featuring gift ideas for your guests, we wanted to share with you the unique gift idea that Jessica and Mike are sharing with their wedding guests: the couple donated to a breast cancer charity in the names of each of their guests. At the wedding, they are giving friends and family pink breast cancer awareness bracelets, which continues with the theme of pink and black.

Check out the shots from their entire engagement session in the Nashan Photographers event gallery.

Gifts for guests on your wedding day, Part IV

2009-09-17T10:26:00.000-07:00

Personalized Packaging
An easy way to carry your theme throughout every last detail is to incorporate it into the way you package your gifts. Design your boxes or bags with the colors worn by your bridal party. Match the fonts on your tags to the font you used for your invitations. Think about what you want the life span of your package to be -- if it's made of sturdy material, your guests can reuse them.

Purchase simple and plain-colored boxes from a packaging store like WrapSmart
and dress them up with creative ribbons that coordinate with your colors.

Ask the supplier of your gift if they offer gift-wrapping services -- it can save you
and your family valuable time when you're preparing for the wedding day.

Don your gift inside see-through packaging and attach a poem, quote,
or phrase that you want to share with your guests.

The gifts you provide on your wedding day is a wonderful way to tell your guests just how much you appreciate their presence. Many guests will have traveled far to be with you, and a memento from your special day is a great way to say thanks!

Gifts for guests on your wedding day, Part III

2009-09-16T09:26:00.000-07:00

Gifts that radiate personal style
Give your guests a piece of yourself when you share with them one of your most-loved passions. If you're a jewelry-maker, give them one of your favorite pieces. Do you knit in your free time? Share your love of knitting by handing out something you've made, or a set of needles. The options are endless!

Share one of your favorite indulgences with your guests. You can even separate
it with gifts for the guys (your most-loved cigar), and gifts for the gals (your perfume of
choice). Friends and family will adore a favor that is something you enjoy as well.

This bride and groom gifted pine trees to their guests. The wedding was in the beautiful Big Sky,
and the couple wanted to share their love for the mountains and forests in a last way.

Nothing tells your friends and family more about your style than the music you listen to -- so share it with them!
Sit down together as a couple and put together a "mixed tape" for your guests to take with them.
Every time they hear these songs, they're likely to be reminded of the two of you.

One of our close friends, who happens to be an amazing photographer, personally printed one
of her favorite images and set them on the dinner plates for her guests to take home with them.

We hope you're grabbing some great ideas from these posts! Check back tomorrow for our final installment -- all about creative packaging!

Gifts for guests on your wedding day, Part II

2009-09-15T10:23:00.000-07:00

Party favors
One of the best ways to start the celebration off right is to make sure your guests are cared for from the moment the arrive by having food and beverages readily available. It's easy to incorporate gifts for guests that are personalized to your wedding through this avenue.

Design beer koozies to match your Montana wedding's theme, and hand them out as soon as the guests arrive.
They'll be happy to sip on a beverage that stays cool, and they're sure to use them again.

Another gift that keeps on giving is a personalized wine key. Wine keys are classy and convenient,
and are typically an item that many people don't think to buy or renew on their own. And, personalizing
it according to your wedding's colors, theme, and date is easy and affordable to do.

Another fun way to incorporate a gift into the hospitality side of your wedding is through personalized cups,
beer mugs, wine glasses, etc. Have your wedding date and names etched on the glass and be sure guests know
to take them home. You can even create and name a unique cocktail that is specific to your wedding celebration.

Have more ideas? As always, share them in our comments! And stay tuned for tomorrow's post on how to incorporate your individual style into the gifts you give.

Gifts for guests on your wedding day, Part I

2009-09-10T13:16:00.000-07:00

Celebrating your marriage is infinitely more enjoyable when you have your friends and family there beside you. At the end of the night, you want them to walk away with precious memories and a gift that will remind the guests of the wonderful time they had on your Montana wedding day.

There are a million different routes you can take when you're deciding on wedding favors:

purchase the gift and hand-craft the package according to your colors and your wedding's theme
you can opt for a complete do-it-yourself gift, which you build from the ground-up and is full of hard work and love for your guests
distribute a useful item that is personalized with your wedding date and names
hand out a gift that will aid in guests' entertainment for the night, such as those individual s'more packets above (which the recently wed couple Kari and Brandon Gardner handed out at their wedding in Bozeman, Montana. Many guests roasted the marshmallows over the candles adorning the tables at the reception!)

...and the list goes on. We have compiled some of our favorite Montana wedding guest gifts, which will be published on the blog in four installments throughout the week, to get your creative wheels turning.

Weather- or location-related gifts
Are you having an outdoor wedding in the hot sun, or are you nervous that it might rain? Will your guests be forced to trek along a dark path at the end of the night to return to their cars? Help your guests out by being prepared for them, and plan your gifts accordingly!

Umbrellas, nestled between the chairs in case it starts to drizzle...

...or collected in a basket right by the entrance.

Keep your guests cool with personalized fans...

...or keep them shaded with parasols.

Help your loved ones return to their cars safely at the
end of the night with personalized flash lights.

Guests will always appreciate the thought you put into the favors they take home at the end of the night, especially if it's one that keeps them dry or cool. Has anyone else seen this type of favor at a wedding? Please share it in the comments!

Come back tomorrow -- we'll be sharing ideas that revolve around wedding-day, or any-day, beverages.

Featured in BRIDES

2009-09-04T10:16:00.000-07:00

Melanie Nashan's beautiful image of these bridesmaids is featured in the BRIDES September 2009 issue. The shot is the opener for a spread on "Friends & Family," which provides ideas for vivid colors, great gifts, and advice if sibling rivalry appears in your wedding! Check it out on the stands today!

Wishing the Molitors a wonderful one year anniversary!

2009-09-01T12:15:00.001-07:00

On Sunday, August 30th, Rachel and Eric Molitors celebrated their one year anniversary -- 14 time zones apart. Eric, who is in the Marine Corps, has been in Afghanistan since May, and Rachel lives in Honolulu.

A couple of weeks ago, we received an email from Eric's mother, Karen, with a special request. Eric, without internet or email access in Afghanistan, had called to ask if she would help him send flowers to Rachel on their anniversary. Together, they decided to send the exact flowers that were in their wedding ceremony. We were more than happy to help out. We contacted the planner, who contacted the florist, who assisted in arranging for this BEAUTIFUL bouquet to be sent to Hawaii.

Visit our gallery to see all of the images from this elegant wedding!

Wishing you all the best, Rachel and Eric!