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How do you start planning a wedding when you don’t know what you want? It seems odd that I didn’t have any sort of vision for my wedding when I first started planning, especially considering my fiancé and I were together for over five years before he proposed. Defining and creating the vision for your wedding is a big task that encompasses every aspect of your wedding planning, so it’s important to determine what you want.

Do you want a summer or winter wedding? Do you want a formal event, something more rustic and informal, or even a destination wedding? Do you want a specific theme? One of the most helpful exercises was something I learned from a bridal magazine: make a list of ten specific words or short phrases that you associate with your wedding. The more concise you can be by picking just a few words to describe a concept, the better. The first few words on my list were easy enough for me to think of, but after that, I had to think much harder to make sure each one was meaningful and specific.  You probably won’t think of all ten in your first sitting, or even in your first month or two of planning. I’m over a year into my engagement (about three months away from my wedding) and I still don’t have all ten, but the ones I do have on my list have helped me define my vision.

When you start noticing that you’re continually being drawn to something specific, work on describing it with a short phrase and add it to your list. Bring your list with you when you meet with your vendors like the florist or even the cake decorator-it will help them understand the vision you are trying to create and they may even help you add to your list.

As you begin exploring the options and creating your list of ten words to describe your wedding, take a little time to imagine the ideal experience for your wedding. What stands out as the most important part(s) (food, cake, music, venue, flowers, etc.)? What do you want to be able to say after your wedding, or what do you want your wedding to say about you and your fiancé? What do you want your guests to say about your wedding when they leave at the end of the night? Think about the answers to these questions and go from there to develop your vision.

I have gained inspiration along the way from many sources, including magazines, vendors, friends and family. I did lots of browsing-I highly encourage you to do the same! As you’re browsing, make a note when something catches your eye or figure out the reason why you love a certain detail-you’ll start to notice a common theme (whether it’s a certain shade or style for your color scheme or outfits, or a certain decorative detail like flowers in mason jars). Also look through pictures of other weddings to find flowers, décor, or color combinations that speak to you. Magazines are also helpful resources, but don’t just limit yourself to bridal magazines-also look at publications for gardening, home décor, etc. that might seem outside the box.

When you find something you like in a magazine, mark the page. For me, it was helpful to use small sticky notes or colored sticky tabs to mark something I liked. You can even use color-coded tabs for each different area of your wedding-flowers, bridesmaids dresses, centerpiece concepts, seating charts, invitations, etiquette, etc.

(As a side note, don’t feel obligated to buy every brand new bridal magazine on the news stand-borrow older ones from friends who are already married, or check with the local library to see if they have copies that were donated. You will still find lots of great ideas even if the magazine isn’t filled with today’s latest trends. If you already have tons of magazines, don’t throw them away after you get married-donate them or pass them on to the next bride. It saves everyone money-bridal magazines are expensive and when you’re on a budget, you want your money going toward the actual wedding, not the magazines!)

Anyway, back to sources of inspiration…watch wedding shows on tv-it’s free access to creative concepts you might otherwise have to pay a wedding coordinator for. There are also great local resources available as you search for elements to incorporate into your wedding vision. Attend bridal events in your local area to meet vendors in person and see their work. Look at photo galleries on the websites for venues and photographers-you’ll probably find creative ideas from photographers, wedding coordinators and other local brides. What better way to visualize how your event space will look than to find photos from other weddings at the same venue?

The vision for your wedding will continue to develop throughout the planning process, so don’t worry if you don’t have an exact vision right away. I am still about three months away from my wedding, and my scattered ideas are just starting to come together to form a cohesive vision. As you meet with and/or book each vendor, you will get additional ideas that enhance and move your vision forward. Eventually, the fragments of ideas you’ve collected during your planning will all come together in perfect harmony to create the vision for your ideal wedding.

Until next time, best of luck creating your ultimate wedding vision!

Swithin

Last April, after only one month of dating, my boyfriend surprised me with a ring in his freezer presented on a plate that said “Will you marry me?” We tossed around wedding dates ranging upon one month to a year. Thankfully we settled on a date that was just over a year. I say thankfully because I am a frugal person. I shop around until I know I have the best deal. I was also happy because I would have the time to put a personal touch on many areas in my wedding. Pinterest and Etsy came in hand to figure out what “areas” these would be. The main item that caught my eye was an elegant brooch bouquet. After reviewing the price on one of these I knew I couldn’t take the plunge and buy one. I was lucky enough to receive several brooches at my wedding shower. In turn, 25 hours later, I created my very own brooch bouquet, which will not wilt after the “I dos.” I also created a mini version for a toss away bouquet. I have created a personal touch by adding labels to items our groomsmen and bridesmaids will wear. I also sewed a ring bearer pillow out of fabric from my dress. We saved up to have a photo booth at our wedding as well. With this in mind, I printed off items like mustaches and lips, pasted them to foam board, cut them out with an xacto knife and glued them to wooden dowels for folks to use in the booth. I cannot wait to see the pictures! To be a DIY bride takes patience, but I think by the big day it will all pay off .  I would like to thank Billings, Montana Photographer Brittany Putnam for allowing us to use her images and also a big thank you to Halley. I know your wedding will be so much fun and you will enjoy each and every minute.

Thank you to Billings  Montana Photographer Brittany Putnam, for allowing us to use your images.

And thank you Halley, I know your story will inspire a reader to DIY. Your wedding will be beautiful and memorable. Enjoy each and every moment.

When you start visiting your favorite businesses in Bozeman and Livingston, you will soon see our large display cards. Look a little closer and scan the barcode which is located on the bottom right of the card. Scan it with your phone, and it will take you directly to our site.

Since many of our brides and grooms have their own web sites now, it may be fun to use your own bar code, (also called QR code). I found  this site easy and reliable. Just make sure you check your code with your own phone before you put is on a lot of printed material. So when you run across our card, pull out your phone, aim, and bookmark us right on your phone. The 2 apps that I found to work well are ShopSavy and QR Reader. Fun and easy as pie, and you can even forward our code directly to your friends. Or better yet, leave us a comment or write to us at info@montanaweddingguide.com and tell us what may interest you in future posts. We are always looking for interesting wedding ideas that you are implementing in your own weddings.

Invitations set the tone for your event and Ro Sham Bo has been working with brides for the past nine years to help brides customize the “first look” of their big day.
By layering handmade papers as well as ribbon and fabric you can create a look that is uniquely yours.
Custom artwork is always nice to include, especially if it comes from someone near and dear to you, such as these horses which were a drawing by the bride’s father.

There are countless ways that you can create an invitation that will capture the essence of the upcoming event. The sky really is the limit.

Go and visit with Priscilla and Kathy. I promise, Ro Sham Bo will become one of your favorite stops in town.

www.roshambomt.com     Ro Sham Bo Paperie     17 South Tracy Avenue      Bozeman, Montana 59715

This is pretty tool to test out some new looks.

But no matter how much I try, I never look as good as when a seasoned pro has helped me with my make up.

Video Make Up Tutorials – Makeup Looks & Tips by Maybelline New York.

Recently I was chatting with Keith. who offers a wonderful Bar Service in South West Montana. He mentioned how easy it would be to offer a few specialty cocktails on your wedding day. He has been known to work with couples to  match the color of the drink to the theme of the wedding.

Thank you Lauren Brown Photography for this fun image which tells exactly how a great drink can complement your wedding.

In future editions I will explore the complexities of a good bar.

If you have any great recipes for wedding cocktails you may like to share with us, we would love to publish them right here on teh MONTANA WEDDING GUIDE.