An Al Fresco Garden Wedding at Great Northern Resort

Bringing a wedding to life is like putting on a theatrical production. There are curated aesthetics, synchronized choreography, and storytelling, all of which work together to evoke emotion. As Montana wedding planners, we’re like the directors. We guide our couples through the planning process and work to tell their unique love story through every aspect of the design. 

For example, Genevieve and David’s wedding story included an al fresco garden wedding that infused the colorful wildflowers that Montana is known for. They drew inspiration from Montana’s landscapes to help bring a specific feeling to life on their wedding day: the feeling of pure bliss that fills them when they’re here! From Genevieve’s dress to the color palette they used to the organic elements we weaved through the design, every component of the wedding intentionally exuded joy. 

And with an intimate guest count of just 16, their garden wedding celebration also had a warmth and coziness that you can only get when surrounded by your absolute best people! 

So let’s raise the curtains because it’s time to shine the spotlight on Genevieve and David’s al fresco garden wedding! 

Lights, camera, action! 

Garden Wedding Inspiration:

Genevieve and David’s signature garden wedding color palette consisted of dusty blue, bright pink, buttercup yellow, soft orange and natural greenery. When you work with our owner and lead planner, Katie, the first step is getting to know you and your personal style. She’ll share her wedding portfolio to help inspire you and show you ideas of what’s possible for your big day. During this process, Genevieve was drawn to a previous wildflower-inspired wedding we had done and instantly fell in love! From that moment on, she knew she wanted a wildflower garden wedding and we helped her put hers and David’s unique twist on it! 

Great Northern Resort was this couple’s dream venue because of its outdoor event spaces where you could be enveloped by nature. Their ceremony took place in the venue’s meadow surrounded by towering forest trees and stately mountains looming in the background. To enhance the space’s natural feel, we planned for an organic wooden ceremony arch that looked like it was made from tree branches. We accented this with a corner floral spray in their wedding colors. Super dreamy and romantic! 

But it was Genevieve and David’s garden wedding reception table that stole the show! It was both the couple’s and our favorite design element of the day. Genevieve described it as “absolutely stunning and brimming with wildflowers.” 

Keep reading to find out more about it! 

The Opening Act: 

On the day of this gorgeous garden wedding, Genevieve got all dolled up with her mom and closest gals by her side. Her wedding gown could not have been more perfect for this wildflower celebration! It was an off-the-shoulder ivory dress with a sweetheart neckline and soft, flowing train. She complemented this with a simple veil, sparkly hair clip, and of course, her vibrant wildflower bridal bouquet! 

She kicked off the day’s festivities with a first look with her dad while David held one with his mom. These sweet and sentimental first looks are one great example of how this couple thoughtfully included their family in the celebration! 

As your wedding planner and coordinator, it’s our job to skillfully handle any day-of complications that may arise. Over the last 10+ years, we’ve dealt with many challenges, from inclement weather to Glacier access issues to dress zippers breaking. On a wedding day, you can catch Katie with her trusty fanny pack that contains wedding emergency items, like safety pins, bobby pins, a sewing kit, tissues etc. She’s prepared for anything!

On this garden wedding day, some delayed flights almost led to Genevieve’s family missing the wedding. Katie knew how important it was to the couple to have all their loved ones present, so she worked with the vendor team to postpone the ceremony until everyone arrived. This level of communication and care are what we’re all about! 

Getting Married in the Meadow: 

When everyone was ready, the ceremony processional began to the tune of a piano version of “Crazier” by Taylor Swift. Genevieve walked in on her father’s arm and then, Raul, their officiant from Best Day Officiants, conducted the day’s proceedings. It was a heartfelt, authentic ceremony that led to Genevieve and David being pronounced husband and wife! 

Then, it was time for the garden wedding’s “intermission:” cocktail hour! The team at The Kopper Kitchen passed appetizers of salmon cakes and bison huckleberry brat while guests sipped on one of the couple’s signature drinks. They included a huckleberry moscow mule, a huckleberry margarita, and a hard huckleberry lemonade. As the state fruit of Montana, these were a hit! 

Everyone mixed and mingled while playing yard games like cornhole, Jenga, and ladder ball to get the party started. Soon enough, it was time to take a seat at the main dining table for the reception! 

Act 2: An Al Fresco Garden Wedding Reception: 

We told you that this garden wedding’s reception table was the couple’s and our favorite design element of the day, and here’s why! 

We set a long wooden table for 16 under the trees that truly burst with color and personality! The center of the table overflowed with delicate bud vases in all different sizes, shapes, and colors. They each housed a different colorful bunch of wildflowers with hues ranging from tangerine to fuschia to lemon to blush. Gold mercury votives perfectly interspersed the floral, mirroring the soft golden glow from the market lights overhead. 

Each place setting had a knotted dusty blue napkin and wildflower menu card set on a woven charger. Gold flatware, a blush water goblet, and an elegant coupe glass framed this and added to the whimsical yet sophisticated aesthetic. 

We love this table because it beautifully encapsulated what it means to have an al fresco summer garden wedding! 

After guests found their seats and marveled at the beauty of it all, the newlyweds gave a welcome speech before digging into dinner. That evening, everyone dined on a plated meal of halibut and beef medallions, brown butter and sage risotto, and glazed carrots. 

Equally as delicious was the wedding cake! It was a citrus olive oil cake with Flathead cherry filling and orange blossom buttercream. If that wasn’t enough, the exterior was decorated with pressed botanical flowers and a whimsical “Just Married” banner cake topper. 

The rest of the night unfolded with good company and good times! Everyone enjoyed the lawn games, dancing, and stunning sunset together before officially sending Genevieve and David off into their happily ever after. 

It was most certainly a fairy tale kind of day! 

The Epilogue: 

The next day, Genevieve and David had the most epic first day of marriage! They got to explore Glacier National Park with their photographer, Kelly Kirksey , for a newlywed adventure photo session! 

Summer produces the best sunsets in our opinion and this couple took full advantage of the golden light, as they traipsed through the mountains. The images captured and memories made from that day, and the wedding weekend as a whole, were magical enough to last them a lifetime and more! 

A Word from the Bride: 

After their garden wedding day, we asked Genevieve “If you could do it all over again, what is one thing you would change, if anything?” and she said: 

“Everyone told us that our wedding day would be the happiest day of our lives. And while we thought that it was mostly a cheesy saying, it is so true that it will absolutely be the happiest day of your life. We would, of course, love to do it all over again. But, would we change anything? Absolutely not.”

A Word from Katie: 

Genevieve and David, oh my gosh, your wildflower garden wedding was everything! It was truly such a dreamy day filled with beauty and joy, and I could not be happier for you both! Pulling off this perfect day with you guys is something I’ll never forget and I wish you all the best! 

-Katie 

Vendor Team: 

Wedding Planner: An Epic Elopement  

Venue: Great Northern Resort

Photography: Kelly Kirksey Photography

Hair & Makeup: Melanie Hobus

Floral: Flathead Farmworks

Catering: The Kopper Kitchen

Cake & Desserts: Montana Wildflour

Officiant: Best Day Officiants

Rentals: Empress Tents & Events // The Party Store

Linen: BBJ La Tavola

Let’s Plan Your Wildflower 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!

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