1. Real Weddings

Marisa & Shel: A Rustic Wedding in Big Timber, MT

Orange accents, wildflowers, and berry cheesecakes helped make Marisa and Shel's wedding at a sheep farm in Montana a vibrant colorful affair. The Br

Orange accents, wildflowers, and berry cheesecakes helped make Marisa and Shel's wedding at a sheep farm in Montana a vibrant colorful affair. The Bride Marisa LaDou, project manager The Groom Richard Sheldon Huston Jr. (known as Shel), aviation insurance executive The Date August 11 Sometimes, when you least expect it, love just happens! So began the invitations to the wedding of Shel and Marisa. For this couple, love happened thanks to the efforts of a perceptive mutual friend. My friend kept trying to set me up with her boyfriend's best friend, says Marisa. But Shel and I were both such independent people and such homebodies that only one of us would go out when she invited us, and never both of us on the same night. After six months of such near-misses, the two turned up in the same group at a dinner. We haven't left each other's sides since, says Marisa.

The Centerpieces
Marisa chose to walk unescorted down the grassy aisle to where Shel waited with the justice of the peace. Just as she began her procession, one little flower girl turned to the bride and asked Marisa to hold her flowers. She saw a bunny and wanted to go after it, laughs Marisa. I explained to her that it was not a good time for that.
Their wedding was at a Montana sheep ranch, The Duffey Place, which is owned by a friend, Mary Ann Duffey, and her mother, Jean Duffey. The ranch had been a second home to Marisa after college when she spent time living in Montana. A circle of talented and loving friends helped create the wedding. The food was a gift, provided by Jewel Redmon, who owns a catering company where Marisa once worked. Party equipment rentals were a gift from another friend, who owns a party rental shop. A floral designer pal from California gave a gift of the flowers; and another friend with party-planning expertise stepped in as the wedding coordinator.
The Reception
The Couple
The party that followed was happy and relaxed. The children played at the Little Girls' Table, stocked with crayons and books, and ran in and out of a teepee that was once a favorite hiding spot for Mary Ann. The adults sampled hors d'oeuvres, enjoyed a dinner of grilled tenderloin and vegetables, and mingled in the mellow Montana afternoon. Instead of a traditional wedding cake, cheesecake with shortbread crust and topped with berries was the order of the day. As the crowd dispersed and the sky darkened, Marisa and Shel relived the day with a group of loved ones. Says Marisa, We hung out under the stars, remembering good times and laughing.