I couldn’t love this Montana mountain wedding any more if I tried… it speaks to me so much! Captured by REBECCA HOLLIS it was held at THE RANCH AT ROCK CREEK – a five-star guest ranch nestled into one of Montana’s most pristine valleys. With planning by MARTINIBIRD (the bride’s own planning company) and florals by GREENWOOD EVENTS it’s a beautiful fusion of modern meets rustic style.
It was a shared interest in fly fishing that first drew George and Rebecca together at college, but the angling pair didn’t manage to hook one another until several years later. Their first date was a fishing trip to Fall River in Northern California. “We had a beautiful time on that trip, and have ever since,” Rebecca says. And it was at Fall River some time later that George proposed, while the pair were (of course!) fly fishing. For their autumn wedding, the couple chose a different location rich in natural beauty, the bride’s home state of Montana. “We fell for The Ranch at Rock Creek not only because of its obvious beauty, but also because of its integrity in its relationship with the land and the local community. It’s a place that gracefully balances rugged and refined, which reminds me a lot of my husband.“
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROPOSAL: Since George and I met, we both have transitioned from full-time positions at companies to becoming entrepreneurs. I founded an event planning company, MartiniBird, and he founded a fly-fishing and outdoor lifestyle company, Lost Coast Outfitters.
Taking trips to Fall River–where we had our first date–became a fond tradition for us and we’d often stay with Val Atkinson, a world-renowned fly-fishing photographer. George let me know that Val would be photographing us on the river because they were creating a few ads for Lost Coast Outfitters. Following a nice dinner at a local lodge, the three of us took a boat out on the river. I was casting the fly rod and Val was taking pictures of me when George tapped me on the shoulder. I was so focused on catching fish and looking good casting on camera that I didn’t bother to turn around! When I finally did, he was on his knee holding a beautiful estate ring.
TELL US ABOUT FINDING YOUR WEDDING DRESS: I traveled to Seattle with my best friend and Maid and Honour, where we met my Mother and Sister in Law. Together, we visited quite a few dress hops but could not find anything that was just right. Finally, at The Dress Theory, my best friend pulled out the designer Johanna Johnson. Her heavy silk and timeless cuts worked so well on me. The moment I knew that I’d found my dress when I wasn’t just thinking about how it looked, but how it visually helped to tell the story of George and me.
WHAT WAS THE I
NSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR WEDDING LOCATION & STYLE? As a proud Montana native, it was important to me that we marry in the state that I grew up in. George and I spend a lot of time in Montana and have fallen more in love with each other every time that we’ve visited my home state.
We fell for The Ranch at Rock Creek not only because of its obvious beauty, but also because of its integrity in its relationship with the land and the local community. It’s a place that gracefully balances rugged and refined, which reminds me a lot of my husband. The Ranch is also close to my Grandfather, and it was important to me that his journey to the wedding would be easy.
We also wanted to be married in fall–when the leaves and the seasons are visibly changing–so that the style could feel elegant, but rooted in the beauty of season and state. As homage to the history of Montana, we infused Victorian elements and an ethos of the old west.
ANY DIY ELEMENTS? Yes—my Mom is a creative force and put together the kid’s table and all of our guest gift bags. We sourced local Montana honey and Montana honey moonshine, and had bags made with “Happy Trails” written on them, a nostalgic song that my Dad used to sing when our visitors or we were leaving the house.
DESCRIBE YOUR WEDDING FLOWERS: Darci Greenwood went beyond our wildest dreams in pulling together our arrangements. We wanted the florals to be a balance of wild and polished–reflecting a rich fall palette and neutral tones while still having bits of contrast. Not an easy feat, but they were absolutely perfect.
FAVOURITE DETAIL OF THE DAY: On our first date, my husband found and gave me a beautiful, tiny little arrowhead. I attached that same arrowhead to my bouquet, along with pearls that my Grandmother had worn on her wedding day.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OUT TO A COUPLE PLANNING THEIR WEDDING? Don’t worry about if everyone else is having a good time–they are!– focus on enjoying every moment you can with your new spouse, surrounded by the love and celebration of your closest family and friends.
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT? The most memorable moment is walking down the aisle with my father at my side and staring at my future husband. I will never forget that moment.
