In June, Emily and Maybelline celebrated their love in a vibrant and heartfelt backyard wedding that epitomized warmth and individuality. Hosted in Columbia Falls, a tiny town in Northwest Montana, this intimate celebration featured personal touches, meaningful moments, and a fun atmosphere that left everyone smiling ear-to-ear. As their wedding officiant, I was delighted to work closely with the couple to devise a ceremony that incorporated their faith, values, family and friends in meaningful ways. From live musicians and crystals, to canine companions and an incorporated license signing, the whole event was created to reflect their love for each other, and their chosen community.

As a Montana based officiant who specializes in creating personalized, meaningful ceremonies, particularly for LGBTQ+ couples, I aim to ensure each celebration reflects the unique love story and vision of the couple. For Tommy and Jake, their mountaintop wedding at Whitefish Mountain Resort was not just a ceremony—it was a heartfelt experience that embraced both their individuality and the love shared with their friends and family.

As a wedding officiant in northwest Montana I delight in sharing our natural beauty and wilderness with our visitors. At this wedding, I was even more excited, as my couple was bringing me somewhere new! Caleb and Silvana’s wedding was an unforgettable morning at the Big Arm unit of Flathead Lake State Park, surrounded by the beauty of nature and a calm sense of peace that settled over the landscape after a storm. With a small reception to follow at the local Nine Pipes Lodge, this day was filled with love, family, and heartfelt moments that captured the essence of a perfect outdoor Montana wedding.

The weather was warm and breezy adding to the festive atmosphere of the day. The vibe was a delightful mix of elegance and playfulness, with parents and guests decked out in fancy attire. The ice carved mountains bordering Glacier National Park provided a majestic backdrop for the ceremony itself, which was held directly next to a promising and enticing set dinner table. The slippery calfskin rug added an adventurous touch, making the ceremony even more memorable and a champagne tower greeted the couple immediately following their exit.

As a Montana wedding officiant serving couples getting married in Glacier National Park. I have done ceremonies in a great variety of conditions. When it’s smoky, we welcome the diffuse light patterns that develop and the skill of our local photographers to handle the layer of haze that bring warmth and glow to images.

Welcome to my latest adventure as I explore the breathtaking beauty this newly remodeled wonder, Somers Mansion! Nestled amidst the stunning views of Flathead Lake and the majestic Swan Mountain range, this historic gem is more than just a venue; it's a picturesque sanctuary for your special day. Join us as we take you on a journey through the thoughtful details woven throughout the property, from its rich history to its modern amenities. Whether you're planning a dream wedding or simply seeking solace in nature's embrace, Somers Mansion offers an unparalleled experience. Don't miss out on discovering this hidden treasure and envisioning your perfect day against the backdrop of Montana's natural splendor.

Choosing The Perfect Forest Wedding Venue Setting:

As a Montana wedding officiant I have done ceremonies in all sorts of outdoor locations. Choosing a forest setting as your wedding venue is a fantastic way to anchor your ceremony in a swirl of magnificent sights, delightful sounds and form precious olfactory memories to cherish for all time.

Whether it's securing joint health insurance, filing taxes jointly, or simply enjoying the peace of mind that comes with the knowledge that your marriage is officially recognized, obtaining a Montana Marriage License is the gateway to a solid and prosperous future together.

This early summer wedding at the end of June on the easternmost side of Glacier National Park at Sun Point provided epic conditions for a stunning Montana elopement. The wind was not only strong, it was blustery, gale force, whirlwind magic. The energy was high, the laughter came quickly and we had to literally bend our knees and brace against the forces of nature that were accentuating every word we spoke. The wind picked up even more around the time of the vow exchange, which delighted the couple, creating squeals and peals. This upbeat and playful tone continued throughout the ceremony and on into their gorgeous posed photos and license signing time. From the look of it, the rest of their park session with photographer Dina just extended the joy. The day was a true delight for all.

Anchor your love with rituals in your ceremony! Hand fasting is a fun and creative way to personalize a ritual through the use of meaningful ropes, cords or ribbons (I.e. a trapeze/trick rope artist and her sailor/rock climbing partner might choose retired ropes that are still sturdy and strong for the symbolism they hold- and yes- this is a personal reference!)

Your canine companions are part of your family and including them on your special day can add a special and heartwarming touch to the celebration. Here are some strategies to ensure that when choosing to have your dog at your wedding, everything goes smoothly:

Whether you call it a Brief Sidewalk Signing, a Drive-Thru-wedding, a Las Vegas style elopement, a “Sign and Go!”, a civil wedding or a courthouse wedding- the gist of it is the same. This is a no frills paper work exchange in which the marriage license is signed by a wedding officiant. It is a quick and easy way to get married in Montana!

He may not have said the words out loud at that point but in the re-telling, a super cute smile fills his face, his whole body relaxes with contentment and you know the thought of this shared future has made him happy for a long time already.

My favorite moment was when I asked for the rings, Nicole declared she had to go get one. She buzzed through the crowd back to her bag to retrieve the ring she had for Jon, which provided a sweet moment for everyone to grab a Kleenex after the emotional exchange of vows they had just shared. The normalcy of our human behavior was punctuated and celebrated through this moment and it fit so well with their attitude of both reverence for the occasion and go with the flow approach.

My absolute favorite moment was when Kailin arrived at the front of our little makeshift walkway, Micah could barely breathe and whispered, “They didn’t tell me I was marrying an angel!” while Mary, Kailin’s mom, extended the dress train out in billowing waves around her.

Libby and Chad wanted a short and sweet ceremony with a standard Declaration of Intent and though they didn't want to create personalized vows, they did choose written vows that had special meaning to them. They spoke of not having to cherish and honor each other but “getting to”, of the privilege of being in relationship, and how they valued that as their main intention.

There was so much build-up, an entire drive across the country and early-morning preparation, in the dark, to get ready for this short, sweet ceremony and being in that space and time was truly standing on the threshold of their life together.

An elopement by the lake sets these two up for a lIfetime of love – a rock solid ceremony full of both sincerity and fun.