To us here at An Epic Elopement, wedding planning means more than helping you get down the aisle. It means truly getting to know you and your partner to thoughtfully create the wedding adventure of your dreams. I absolutely love the process of learning about your love story, unique interests, and personal tastes, and oftentimes, we’ll find that we become real-life friends along the way!
This was certainly the case with Anna and Brad, for whom I had the privilege of planning, coordinating, and even officiating their mountain adventure elopement last winter. We had SO much fun at Montana Treehouse Retreat, getting married in the snow, having a sweetheart cake celebration, and even going for a post-ceremony ski! So when this adorable couple asked if I would also be a part of their “happily ever after” garden wedding celebration with their family and friends, it was a no brainer for me to say YES!
While Anna and Brad’s mountain elopement was all about cozy winter vibes, their post-elopement garden wedding was all about bright colors and vibrant wildflowers. This summertime garden wedding was both intimate and elaborate as well as romantic and fun. It is the perfect example of how you can have the best of both worlds by having a unique elopement with just the two of you, and still have a full celebration with all your loved ones.
Plus, Anna and Brad had a special surprise guest for their garden wedding that was the absolute perfect cherry on top of a beautiful day! Keep reading to find out who it was!
Colorful Garden Wedding Design Details
For Anna and Brad’s garden wedding celebration, we selected Haymoon Resort for its serene lakeside ceremony site, surrounding woodland, and its rustic, indoor reception space. Its indoor/outdoor nature was ideal for this couple’s 55 guests. For the design, we were inspired by the natural wildflowers that pop up every Montana summer. They burst with color, from pinks to yellows to oranges to blues, so those are the hues we infused into their special day.
At this garden wedding ceremony site, we set a triangular wooden arch with the shape reminiscent of a Glacier mountain, which was our little ode to Anna and Brad’s original mountain elopement. We planned for vibrant floral sprays to accent the arch to add pops of color to the natural backdrop of the lake and forest trees. To finish it off, we used the “Welcome to our Happily Ever After” sign and the “Unplugged Ceremony” sign from our in-house décor inventory, which is complimentary to all AEE couples.
For this garden wedding’s cocktail hour, we set cocktail tables with alternating sky blue and buttercup linens. Their décor tables would display their Polaroid guest book, favorite photos from their winter elopement, and fluffy floral arrangements. But my favorite design feature of their cocktail hour was definitely the lounge area! Set on the covered outdoor patio area, this lounge set consisted of a gray sofa, cream and rattan accent chairs, a rustic wood coffee table, and knit ottomans. We placed tangerine and blush throw pillows on the sofa and had bright florals dot the tables, creating a space that really invited guests in to mix, mingle, and relax.
Just wait until you see this garden wedding reception space!
Outdoor Garden Wedding Ceremony
For each and every wedding that we coordinate, we handle every last detail, so you don’t have to! From liaising with each of your vendors, setting up your personal décor, and managing setup of the wedding sites to attending to you and your fiancé and ensuring the timeline goes smoothly, we’ve got you covered! On Anna and Brad’s garden wedding day, our team arrived about four hours ahead of the ceremony to check in on the happy couple and manage setup. We made sure Anna got into her stunning wedding dress on time, and assisted with setting up the first look between her and her dad, and then the first look between Anna and Brad.
After capturing these photos, it was time for the ceremony. For this, we lined up the wedding party, double checked the music with the DJ, and on cue, sent everyone down the aisle, including Brad, his sister/Best Lady, and Anna’s sister/Matron of Honor. Last but not least, we fluffed the back of Anna’s dress before sending her down the aisle on the arm of her father, David. That’s not all though! For this beautiful garden wedding, Anna was escorted into the ceremony by one more person… Anna and Brad’s little one! Anna was actually pregnant for their wedding, making this celebration that much more special for them.
Their garden wedding ceremony was filled with emotion. There were laughter, happy tears, and many romantic gazes, as Anna and Brad tied the knot once more with all their family and friends as witnesses.
A Garden Wedding Reception at Haymoon Resort
As guests munched on delicious appetizers of bacon wrapped dates, caprese skewers, and prosciutto and melon, our team repurposed the ceremony floral sprays to the bar and dessert table. Once the wedding party had finished with pictures, we also repurposed the bridesmaids’ bouquets as additional décor for the head table.
Anna and Brad’s garden wedding reception was a dream! We set 3 long wooden farm tables in a “U” shape with white cross back chairs at each one. Every place setting had a scalloped rattan charger with a cream, patterned linen napkin and a blue water glass. The center of each table looked like a true garden with colorful florals running up and down the entire length of the table. Both pillar and votive candles completed the aesthetic, adding an extra layer of soft and romantic vibes. Full of whimsy and effervescence, this reception tablescape truly embodied the colorful meadows of Montana in the summertime!
After cocktail hour, we invited the guests to delight in the reception with us and then helped release tables for the dinner buffet. That evening, everyone enjoyed delicacies like poached beet salad, Greek marinated chicken, and grilled beef tri-tip roast while reveling in each other’s company. Later on, they would indulge in specialty pies and ice cream for dessert. Anna and Brad even treated their guests to a late night snack of avocado toast once the party got going!
Overall, the newlyweds and soon-to-be parents’ garden wedding was a smash! It was so special to be able to witness the love and joy that was in the room that night, especially having been part of this couple’s journey from the beginning. This was their moment to celebrate to their hearts’ content, dancing like nobody was watching, laughing until it hurt, and soaking in every second with their loved ones. We were honored to have been a part of it all!
A Word from Katie
Anna & Brad, we did it! It was such a joy getting to plan this gorgeous garden wedding with you. Words cannot express how much it’s meant to me to get to know the both of you, and call you friends! Wishing you two and your little one so much happiness and love!
-Katie
Wedding Planner: An Epic Elopement
Venue: Haymoon Resort
Photography: Kelly Kirksey Photography
Hair & Makeup: Bridal Bliss
Floral: Flathead Farmworks
Desserts: Sweet Traditions
Rentals: Empress Tents & Events
Linen: BBJ La Tavola
Officiant: Sarah Harding
Bartender: Lady Luck Hospitality & Events
Catering: The Kopper Kitchen
Let’s Plan Your Garden Wedding!
Based in Kalispell, Montana, An Epic Elopement specializes in all-inclusive elopements, micro-weddings, and intimate weddings. Here, you get the full experience of having a traditional wedding, but with a little more adventure included!
Are you ready to start your elopement journey? Send me a note describing your vision and let’s make it happen!