Real Montana Weddings – Stephanie _ Marshall

We planned a three-day celebration with family and friends and started with co-bachelor/bachelorette parties in lively downtown Missoula. The bridesmaids _ I made a quick tube run down the Clark Fork in our oldest, ugliest bridesmaid dresses. My sister, Kendra, picked out the perfect ugly white dress for me and even made a veil to wear. It was really cold water so we only floated a few hundred yards. Shockingly, we were the only ones on the river! We organized a massive float down Alberton Gorge on Friday. We had 24 people float with us – then our rehearsal dinner / camp out was held at scenic Big Pine Campground. We really tried to show our friends and family everything we love about living in Montana.

Then Saturday, wedding day, dawned sunny and bright and we headed to the winery to exchange our vows. Marshall and I were married in about two minutes flat in a simple ceremony followed by drinks, dinner and dancing.

What Was Unique About Your Wedding?

We kept it really informal without ‘cut the cake’, ‘first dance’, and other restricting agenda items. We wanted it to feel like a party that we’d want to go to.

Why Did You Choose Montana?

We chose Montana to give our guests a taste of life in the great outdoors. Even the bride camped out the night before the wedding. It’s truly amazing to be able to be completely alone in the woods and then back in the city getting your makeup professionally done, all in the same hour.

Favorite Part?

My favorite part was Marshall’s uber-sweet vows and the crowd’s reaction. His family was stunned to learn he was so romantic.

Advice for Those Starting To Plan?

Keep a good list of things you want to accomplish each week. Don’t second guess every detail. I spent too much time changing my mind as we got closer and closer on things that ended up not mattering at all. Don’t overcrowd your table tops! My centerpieces were a little bit too big.

What Would You Change if You Could Go Back?

I would eat dinner! I got all our favorite things for everyone else and didn’t get to eat any myself. I kept looking at the crowd and thinking how lucky we were that everyone was here to celebrate this occasion. What a good start for a newly married couple.