Delightful Wedding by the River
Photo: Jason Shikora Photography
As a wedding officiant in northwest Montana I”m always delighted to explore a new wedding venue near both the mountains and the water. The Fred Brown Pavilion, the ceremony site of this beautiful fall wedding by the river, offers stunning views of the Kootenai waters and nearby Cabinet Mountains. This thoughtful and sweet couple shared their seasonally festive day with family and friends from near and far.
Alex and Brandon chose the sheltered Fred Brown Pavilion right next to the Kootenai River in Libby, Montana where they like to go for walks and enjoy being outside without needing to travel too far from home. It was an ideal spot for the congregation of 100 guests where we could all be outside, see the river and mountains, but be under shelter from the sun and any other dramatic elements. The smooth access from the parking lot via a sidewalk to the pavilion floor was a thoughtful perk to ease physical access for all of the guests.
Photo: Jason Shikora Photography
This early October weekend wedding surprised us with delightful warmth and beautiful colors. A beautiful draped altar flanked with an array of squash and pumpkins provided a perfect backdrop for the wedding party dressed in terracotta, rust and slate. There was a casual pace to the gathering, sprinkled with excitement and anticipation. The ceremony start was slightly delayed as we waited for the arrival of the bridal bouquet which beautifully complemented the scene —completely worth the wait!
Excellent services, we were so pleased with the entire process and the ceremony. Thank you!!!
Excellent services, we were so pleased with the entire process and the ceremony. Thank you!!!
On our very first phone call when I asked Alex and Brandon to share a little of their history they were so excited to claim their two years of steady dating and how they've known since the beginning that they had something special together. In those earliest days of getting to know each other, having met as teachers in the same district, Alex boldly and excitedly announced, “I'm going to marry you someday!” and Brandon, in his steady voice of reason and reassurance, responded, “That makes sense, because we get along so well.” 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.
The wedding party was dressed in the favorite colors of the Bride, each suit in their own personalities, complemented with boutonnieres and bouquets.
My favorite moments of this ceremony are the processional and recessional that featured their eight-year-old daughter. She entered delightfully by tossing leaves side to side from her basket. Her exit involved gathering two others in the wedding party to skip with her side by side down the aisle.
I first learned of Alex and Brandon's wedding from their maid of honor Olivia who attended a “My Montana Wedding” Expo in Kalispell with Alex's mom. They seem to have found me independently through the officiant directory but we quickly made the connection that they were the same teaching couple I had learned would be married in Libby this fall . They were drawn to work with me as I offered their preferred non-religious approach and yet was willing to include some Bible passages for the comfort of the congregation.
I was so pleased to work with this couple over the breadth of ten months, getting to know them and through their sharing of stories, learned a bit of their family and friends - which I wove into the retelling of their love story as part of the ceremony. Arriving the night before, I led a full rehearsal which provided confidence and clarity for all players and meant we were ready for anything on the actual day.
“Dear Audrey,
Thank you so much for a truly wonderful and joyful ceremony. We are so happy with everything and especially the personal touches you wrote into the ceremony. We could not have asked for a more beautiful ceremony.
”
VENDOR TEAM
Officiant: Audrey Hyvonen, Bespoke Ceremonies Montana
Photos: Jason Shikora Photography
Sound: Peak Audio, Kalispell, MT
Ceremony Site: Fred Brown Pavilion at Riverfront Park, Libby MT
Reception venue: The Ponderosa Room, Libby MT
Create Your Own Bespoke Magical Wedding
Are you dreaming of a stunning and unforgettable elopement or wedding ceremony in Montana? Look no further than Bespoke Ceremonies Montana!
I can help make your ceremony perfectly tailored to your unique style and vision, whether you're dreaming of an intimate mountain top wedding, a romantic lakeside ceremony, or something truly off the beaten path.
At Bespoke Ceremonies Montana, I know that your wedding may be more than just a ceremony - it's a celebration of your love story. That's why I offer a service that partners closely with you as a couple to design every aspect of your ceremony, from choosing the perfect location to crafting personalized vows and selecting the perfect readings and rituals. Be in touch and let me know your plans!
