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.

Labels: Montana Planning, Montana wedding, wedding planning

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.




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!

Labels: Destination wedding, gifts, Montana wedding, Montana weddings, packaging, wedding planning

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!

Labels: gifts, Montana wedding, Montana weddings, wedding planning

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!

Labels: Destination wedding, gifts, Montana wedding, Montana weddings, wedding planning