Laken and David’s Modern & Boho Event at Sage Lodge

Having a Montana winter wedding may seem daunting at first thought but for those of us familiar with the extreme seasons of the northwest, we know that winter really is such a beautiful, peaceful time in Montana. Snow usually blankets the ground as far as the eye can see, the sky is a beautiful blue, and the mountains look more awe-inspiring than normal with their snowy and intimidating peaks. 

And, not only did Laken and David come to me wanting a Montana winter wedding (yay!) but they also wanted to plan it in 3 months! This was a challenge I was SO excited to tackle and Laken and David were just amazing to work with! 

Their entire focus was on NOT on having a trendy, Instagram-worthy wedding but it was on creating a wedding centered around the sacred commitment they were about to make. Each and every detail was well-thought-out, intentional, and totally aligned with their focus on their marriage.

The Venue

Laken and David choose Sage Lodge in Pray, Montana, just south of Bozeman. 

Situated on the banks of the Yellowstone River, Sage Lodge is an idyllic escape, perfect for those that love outdoor activities and equally perfect for those that love a little pampering. It is a stunning space to host a wedding during any season.

Since it was January, there had never been any talk about having the ceremony outside. We had always anticipated having it inside in front of the large windows that look out over the mountains. 

However, when we all showed up for the wedding, it was a pleasant surprise that it was in the 60s (which never happens in January, in Montana). So, in a last-minute decision we moved the ceremony outside (keeping the reception indoors, of course). 

It was such a nice reprise from the typical cold winter days and it gave the couple an unbelievable setting for their ceremony.

The Details

I just loved the details from this wedding. They were so personal and really so different from other winter weddings I have designed. 

The Florals

For starters, Laken did not want any qinter greenery in the florals. Generally, Montana winter weddings are strong on the greenery and usually, you see a lot of evergreen, pine, and sage.

But not at Laken’s wedding. She wanted whites and other neutrals to be the focus, bringing in accent colors of varying shades of blue. From denim blues to icy blues, the white and blues combined helped create a boho vibe that just screamed winter romance. 

Because we wanted very little greenery, Anselmi Florals used neutral, dried florals in whites and creams as fillers. My favorite of these fillers were the white ferns which looked magical. All the fillers made the roses, also in neutral shades, look even more elegant and refined. 

It was a bold and ambitious vision and it 100% worked. The overall result was very modern, very chic, and very season-appropriate. 

The Details

The color scheme went on to inspire a lot of the other details like the sweetheart table linen, with its fabulous denim velvet and the napkins (which were my favorite detail), and their frivolous blue and beige pattern. 

We also added a lot of gold accents, like on the silverware, throughout the decor to help emphasize the modern flare. 

Also on the table were more of the neutral floral arrangements in white vases and a simple silk table runner in a gray-blue color. 

The Dress

I couldn’t write a blog post on this wedding and not touch on Laken’s Grace Loves Lace wedding gown. Lace, long-sleeved, with an open back, it was the perfect Montana winter wedding dress. The roses within the detail of the lace were absolutely swoon-worthy. 

She looked so happy and so stunning in her portraits.

Their Best Friend

Likewise, anything written about Laken and David’s wedding must also include their precious little pup, Sadie. 

Sadie was everywhere at the wedding. She stood upfront with the couple (as a bridesmaid, groomsmen, and ring bearer), was featured as their cake topper, and, of course, tried to take over as the center of attention in the photos.  They even centered their favors around this little Aussie by gifting candles with matchbooks that had Sadie’s face on them. 

This dog was the sweetest and is clearly the center of Laken and David’s world. It only made sense to include her in their nuptials. 

Sadie stepped up her daily look with a wreath of eucalyptus around her neck. It was some of the only greenery used which definitely made it special and made it stand out. 

I hope you have enjoyed this unforgettable Montana winter wedding and that it gave you some ideas for a non-traditional approach to wedding planning.

This wedding was previously published on Montana Bride. Check it out HERE. 

Can’t wait for your next newsletter? You’re in luck—there is so much wedding inspiration already on the blog. Check out this post about Seattle and Blake’s wedding at her family ranch.

Vendors: 

Wedding Designer: Soiree 99

Photography: Opal and Ox

Hair and Makeup: Ethereal Hair and Makeup

Dress: Grace Loves Lace

Florals: Anselmi Florals

Venue: Sage Lodge