1. Real Weddings

A Rustic Country-Chic Wedding at Moonlight Basin Resort in Big Sky, Montana

Elizabeth, 29, an executive assistant and Jared, 33, a forester, exchanged vows on the patio of Moonlight Basin Resort in Big Sky, Montana, overlookin

Elizabeth, 29, an executive assistant and Jared, 33, a forester, exchanged vows on the patio of Moonlight Basin Resort in Big Sky, Montana, overlooking Lone Peak and the valley. A yellow and navy color scheme with burlap and wood decor completed the rustic, country-chic theme.

Jared proposed with his great grandmothers diamond engagement ring.
“Everyone wore cowboy boots,” Elizabeth says. “Everything is more fun with boots on!”
The bride wore a lace sheath gown with a sweetheart neckline and empire waistline.
The bride kept her look classic with a side-swept updo and natural makeup.
“The wedding party wanted to be somewhat casual, but put together,” Elizabeth says. The bridesmaids wore knee-length, V-neck navy dresses from Patagonia and the groomsmen wore white dress shirts with Mountain Khakis and their own yellow ties.
The bride carried dahlias, hydrangea, billy balls, orchids and fresh mint. “The combination was delicate, feminine and fresh,” Elizabeth says.
“Jared is an avid skier and Big Sky was one of our first weekends together mountain biking and hiking,” Elizabeth says. “So choosing Big Sky was a no brainer.” The couple loved the destination for out-of-town visitors with a lot of outdoor activities and lodging options.
The flower girls wore pink dress and cowboy boots and threw rose petals. Elizabeth and Jared liked the natural decor of the lodge, and didn’t provide many decorations besides the flowers and some candles.
After dating for five years, Jared proposed at a local hot springs on the very snowy Christmas Day.
Elizabeth and Jared both fist pumped as they took their first steps together.
The couple decorated their guest book table with a burlap-adorned wooden sign asking guests to sign their vintage 1930s skis and simple candles.
The groom is an avid skier, so the couple’s guest book was a pair of wooden skis from the 1930s.
The reception was decorated in the wedding colors: navy, yellow and ivory. “Montana is Big Sky country,” Elizabeth says. “The flowers in the mountains are sunny yellow.” The couple loved how the dining room flowed easily into a classy bar and dance floor.
Hydrangea, dahlias, billy balls and fresh mint were placed in the bride’s grandmother’s old mason jars for simple, rustic centerpieces.
The couple displayed old family wedding photos at the reception.
“A fun country swing band play until midnight,” Elizabeth says. “And we all danced the night away.”
“We wanted the dessert to be easy to grab and eat on the way to the dance floor,” Elizabeth says. The dessert included bite-sized cupcakes, pies, tarts and chocolate gnash.
The groom made a tiered stand out of birch round and glass to display the bite-sixed desserts.
“Sometimes weddings focus on the bride,” Elizabeth says. “So we made out wedding favors groom themed.” The favors were pint glasses monogrammed with the couple’s logo from the stationery and filled with fresh wood chips as a tribute to the groom’s profession as a forester.