Danielle & Scott's Montana Memories in Motion

It's a great question. . . What do you hope we remember about this day?

Some memories embody a feeling, an overall experience or even a snapshot in your mind that you will never forget.  Perhaps it's the butterflies of excitement or the way your dad's eyebrows crinkle up in emotion as he sees his little girl walk around the corner to take his arm for that walk down the aisle to a new beginning.

Danielle and Scott experienced their wedding day here in September 2011.  They were thoughtful enough to have a book where they invited everyone at their wedding to share with them a different perspective of what to remember on their special day.  {Brilliant!}

My mom always said 'perspective is everyone looking down on the same valley from different mountain tops'.   You won't remember it all, and yes, it will fly by no matter what.  But even if you are on the best mountain top in the world, what will that mean to you to see it from another perspective, to live it all over again?

That is why a videographer is such a important part of the picture.  What Randi Jacobson with Moonstone Pictures did here and what she does for all her weddings is such a gift.  To capture the sounds, the experiences, the words and then to put it all together is a way that gives new birth to your day.  To see it in ways you didn't get a chance to, while you were playing your own part in creating your life's moments.

What was the one single regret of my own wedding nearly 12 years ago?  I thought I couldn't afford a videographer.  What I would do to snuggle in with my husband on our coming anniversary and just re-live the moments of our day.  I hold snapshots in my mind and treasured snippets, but some of the memories are lost to time.  Kudos to Scott and Danielle for having the foresight to bring in the talent of Moonstone Pictures.

So step back into September 4th 2011 and visit Danielle and Scott's beautiful day at The Woodlands.  It was my pleasure to work with them closely, to handle all the details as their day of wedding coordinator so that they could be living it up like you are about to see.  Click below to live it up with them!

Danielle& Scott - The Woodlands September 2011

Scott & Molly Miller 2011

Scott & Molly Miller celebrated their family and marriage at The Woodlands just about a year ago this July.  I came across the photos recently by the very talented Tori Pintar of Eye in the Sky Photography and just HAD to share them and this wonderful couple with you all.  What a beautiful collection of natural and candid images capturing Scott and Molly, their sweet daughter Ella and the celebration that was had by all.

{Click photos to expand the size to check out all the beautiful details.}

Check out what Scott (master craftsman and architect) made for above the mantle.  Complete with a silhouette of Molly, Scott, Ella and their Golden.  Love.

 Congratulations you two!  

It was a pleasure to have you and your amazing group here for such a beautiful day.

For a complete slideshow  go to Eye in the Sky Photography's website:  Scott & Molly Miller

Sweet peas and tender moments ~ Travis & Kyndra

Kyndra & Travis Campbell shared a beautiful wedding day at 

The Woodlands ~ Bozeman, MT 

on June 23rd, 2012.  

Kyndra choose a soft purple and sweet peas, a fitting match for a such a sweetheart of a person with a soft and gentle demeanor.

The day was captured with tenderness and warmth by Morgan LaMare Photography.  I love the way Morgan seems to find the inner glow in her clients and brings it forth so beautifully in her photographs.

Travis and Kyndra searched long and wide for lovely vintage and re-purposed bottles to cluster on tree rounds on the tables and the groomsmen teamed up to arrange the sweet peas provided by Leslie Lukas Wedding & Events.   I always enjoy centerpieces that vary enough that they invite you to wander the room to see each table.  I love the way it turned out!

Arron at The Zebra provided beverages to keep guests refreshed and Joe's Mobile DJ provided music to keep everyone dancing.  Kyndra said "I didn't know I could laugh and cry so much in one day!"  Congratulations to two lovely people!  We are thankful that The Woodlands got to share in the glowing joy of your day.  All the best, Elsa

The runaway groom & six rules to a great relationship

Weddings are often filled with special ceremony and sweet soft words. But don't you just love a wedding that gives you a refreshing bit of unexpected humor!    Last Friday we attended the wedding of some long time friends for an evening ceremony on The Woodlands lawn.  7pm was a perfectly lovely time of night and everything went as expected until they got to the 'do you give this ring?' part.

You know the part. . . So the best man started fishing in his pockets but Teddy, the groom, didn't hesitate.  He shot off at full sprint, tux and all, across the bridge and commandeered that ring and ran back to the alter fast as light and before we could all finish the joy of a good belly laugh.  Everyone hooted and cheered like it was a great race.  His bride's eyes twinkled as she smiled in her own beautiful and peaceful way and I was stuck by what just took place.  It was actually of a insightful commentary on the philosophy of relationships themselves.  

1. Act immediately when it comes to being there for your partner.

2. Build a great group of people behind your relationship willing to cheer you on!

3. Find the humor and you will find the joy.
4. Allow your man to be your hero.   

5. Show your appreciation.

6. Love unconditionally.

The last one you hear a lot but might not see as often.  What I saw was Jody, a relaxed bride, not judging anyone for an oversight, not frustrated that the ceremony wasn't perfect.  She was gracefully and lovingly there in the moment, smiling. She even gave him a sweet thank you kiss upon his return like he had won the gold just for her. And essentially he had.

So no, the post isn't what you thought it might be when you clicked on the title Runaway Groom. ;) It was something much better.

Congratulations Teddy and Jody and Megan too!

Photo by Marcy Shepherd Surber

Honoring each deliberate step down the aisle.

Tonight's June wedding wrapped up early, leaving time for me to take an evening stroll after getting the chick-lets (my girls) and the chickens (our hens) all settled in.   I walked the winding path through the trees and paused under the bridge alight with twinkle lights.  The birds were coming alive with inspired song around me, I was stuck with how blessed I am to be a guest in such a beautiful corner of the world such as this.  Even more profound is the feeling of being part of something so much bigger than me.

I walked the path of the left over petals from the ceremony earlier today and imagined all the people that have walked each deliberate step down their aisles, to arrive at their love, their husband, the father of their future children and the grandfather of their grandchildren.  So many beginnings happen on these blades of grass.  So many intentions set by people with love in their hearts and commitments solid in mind.  So many webs of support have been woven from all the guests that attend and honor these milestone moments.

I stood  between the cherry trees this evening and I got a chance to imagine them all as I drank in the fragrance of the cherry blossoms.  The setting sun's light cast a soft glow across the canyon hillside and the rush and tumble of the creek just scented the air with the ebb and flow of spring.   As many times as brides, grooms, and families have thanked me for being at The Woodlands, today I felt an answering gratitude for all the people who have chosen to be here.  I am so grateful for all those who helped build the layers of new beginnings here.  Each couple, each exchange of vows, each wedding celebration is what makes the magic of this place deeper and so much more meaningful in the history of love.

Jennie Lynn Photo captured this timeless moment.

Diving into wedding season, diving into now.

I am on my tip-toes at the edge of the spring board of wedding season at The Woodlands.  I have shamelessly abandoned my blog this last year in favor of hunkering down and doing it (instead of writing about it) and more importantly, in favor of choosing to live in the beautiful present moment, as much as humanly possible.  Having a second baby means you are fully aware of how fast they grow and how precious all this family and life stuff really is.  This means a little let-go of the non-essentials like blogging.  Yet I have missed it, the excuse to find my voice in a different way and the opportunity to connect and share pieces of my world with the likes of those who will pause to read.

So I am going to bring you a snippet here and there of our world in our corner of Cottonwood Canyon, Bozeman, Montana 2012.  We will get to weaving our way through the days of joy and celebration held by so many of our lovely couples this coming summer and by myself in my general daily delight in life.  Who says you have to get married to experience joy & celebration?!

A quick catch up on the details since I last blogged.  I filed stacks and stacks of papers.  Found things so old that my kick-ass assistant Taye just laughed.  At me.  A lot.  K-so filing isn't my passion.  I coordinated some truly lovely weddings last year.  While pregnant.  If you have ever been pregnant and you know what hormones do to your mind, well then you will realize the accomplishment it is to keep it all straight in your mind while runing around all day long on your feet (best way to run, really). ;)  I loved it though.  I so enjoy orchestrating the smooth flow of a beautiful day and to see the ease of a couple relaxed and know the trust that they place in me.  To each of you that allowed me to be part of that, thank you.


Also, I won a limbo contest ( still pregnant. . .;) and in November, I got to usher in the sweetest little soul into our family..  Miss Freya Hennessy Campbell. You have probably never heard this from a mom, but she really is spectacular. Really,  I have tried to treasure every moment but sometimes the list is long and the responsibilities are many and you forget to do just that.  But then you remember and you pull yourself back to the place in time that is most powerful.  Now.  So here is wishing you some powerful nows or perhaps just soft, lovely moments to your day.  May you recognize them and smile. I will leave you with a few photos to show off a couple of photographers that helped capture my moments in a way my memory could never achieve.  Thank heavens for that.

Lauren Brown Photography

Morgan LaMare Photography

In the News: Article on a Montana wedding venue.

Alternative online newspaper The Bozeman Magpie and local favorite  Katie Lineberger Thomas introduces those that are not yet in-the-know to a pristine and delightful wedding and event venue.  Any guesses as to where such a treasure might be?  ;)

The article is brought to life by the beautiful images taken by Lauren Brown Photography who shoots at The Woodlands at every opportunity we can have her!  She always brings  warmth with her fresh perspective as she captures the beauty and personality of each event.

Now that you know the talent lowdown, take a peak at what other people are saying about The Woodlands. 

Rustic Elegance at The Woodlands 

by Katie Lineberger Thomas