Bridal Guide 2014

Page 19
Bridal Guide
2014
Park and Sweet Grass counties
Bridal Guide 2014
Page 2
Bridal . Maids . Prom . Tux
(406) 577-2259
1439 West Babcock

Bozeman MT, 59715

eskaybridal.com
Bridal Guide 2014
Page 3
By Liz Kearney
Enterprise Staff Writer
W
hen Erica Hardesty met her fian-
c, Tim Thigpen, it was love at
first sight.
At the BMX Track.
It was two years ago. Hardestys best friend invited
her to go to the Gallatin Valley BMX track in Bozeman.
The best friends brother would be there, and she hoped
to fix him up with Hardesty.
But in the long-standing tradition of romantic comedy
films everywhere, Hardesty, of Livingston, looked right
past the blind date to his friend Thigpen.
It was odd and awkward, Hardesty laughed.
Hardesty jokes now that her best friend had tried to
fix her up with the wrong guy.
She was like, oh my God, I cant believe I never
thought of him. It was just kind of funny, Hardesty
said.
Asked to describe the
sensation of love at first
sight, Hardesty, 22, didnt
hesitate for a second.
I felt the connection
right away, she said. I
was focused on him, and it
was like nothing around us
even mattered.
The very next day, they
had their first date
cleaning his apartment.
Thigpen, 28, was in the
process of moving from
Bozeman back to his home-
town, Big Timber. He was
clearing out his stuff and
cleaning. Hardesty went over to help.
We talked most of the night and I helped clean most
of the night. It wasnt even a date, she laughed.
Before too long, they moved in together in Livingston.
At Christmas, Thigpen surprised Hardesty with a pro-
posal of marriage.
It was a shocker, she laughed. We had talked, but
never really thought about it.
Thigpen said he had been planning to propose in New
Mexico, during a trip to visit family there. Both families
were in on the planned surprise, but when he picked up
the ring, he just couldnt wait, Thigpen said.
We were on our way to a Christmas party, Hardesty
recalls.
Thigpen was standing near the front door, kneeling.
Hardesty couldnt figure out what he was doing.
He said, Come here, and said, Will you make me the
happiest man alive and marry me?
Hardesty works at her mothers day care center in
Livingston. Thigpen commutes to Bozeman every day to
work as a quality control optics technician. In his spare
time, he takes BMX bicycle racing seriously. Last year,
he was eighth in the NAG (national age group).
Hardesty said she has tried the sport, but doesnt par-
ticipate like Thigpen does. But they love to work out
together, and she hopes to get certified as a personal
trainer.
Falling in love at first sight was surprising, Hardesty
said.
It was weird and amazing, she said. You never feel
this way until you actually meet that person.
Hardesty and Thigpen will have an outdoor wedding
in Livingstons Sacajawea Park this August, with a
reception at the Livingston Civic Center.
For their honeymoon, theyre going on a road trip to
the West Coast that will eventually bring them to Las
Vegas for a wait for it BMX Nationals race.
Love at first sight at the BMX track
Sharon Hardesty photo
When she and Tim Thigpen met, it was love at first
sight, Erica Hardesty said. And it turns out they already
had something in common both are Green Bay Pack-
ers fans.
You never feel
this way until
you actually meet
that person.
Erica Hardesty,
on meeting
her fianc,
Tim Thigpen
On the cover: Kelsey Joronen and Pat Dyess, at Mission Creek Ranch, Sept. 14, 2013, photographed by Cameron Walker
Bridal Guide 2014
Page 4
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Bridal Guide 2014
Page 5
By Laura Nelson
Pioneer Staff Writer
I
ts a fact of life most Montanans
must submit to at some point: Our
lives are ruled by the changing
seasons.
Just as the rise and fall of mercury
and dramatic changes in daylight
hours often dictate life in the Big Sky
state, so do the seasons change wed-
ding planning.
If youre planning a summer wed-
ding in Montana, everything gets
booked up quickly, Chuckwagon
Catering owner Susan Metcalf said.
That sets the timeline for planning.
On the other hand, a winter wedding
might just shorten the amount of time
a bride puts into the planning process.
Most people just dont want to deal
with Montana in the winter ... the
weather, the roads, traveling ... so
everyone is underutilized that time of
year, but overbooked in the summer
months, Chris Dern, manager of Big
Timbers The Grand Hotel and Restau-
rant, said.
Crunch time
With the changing seasons in mind,
businesses that help brides plan their
perfect day agreed: The sooner they
can start the planning process the bet-
ter, especially if they select a date in
June, July or August.
Those popular months are crunch
time for the service industries that
make a large part of their annual
incomes from summer tourists, com-
munity events, family reunions, out-
door recreationists and the plethora of
weddings that pack into the three
months of more dependable sunshine
and warmer temps.
Number of guests
affects everything else
Once a date is set, an invitation list is
the next step that will determine the
rest of the planning.
The invite list is probably one of the
first things youll need to come up
with, Metcalf advised, both as a cater-
er and the mother of a recent summer
bride. Then you can get an idea of
what size youre going to be working
with, which will dictate everything
else.
Book rooms early
Then its all about securing guest
accommodations for the number of
people youve selected, especially
when planning a wedding in smaller
communities like those in Sweet Grass
County.
When it comes to hotel rooms, if
theyre not on the schedule in January
or February, its going to get pretty
hard to block out any hotels for a sum-
mer or fall wedding, Dern said.
Everything gets sold out there
just arent enough rooms between Bill-
ings and Bozeman for what goes
through here in the summer months.
He advised wedding planners to try
to book hotel blocks eight to nine
months ahead of the wedding date to
ensure enough space for a medium to
large wedding.
Make sure you have enough beds
for everybody to start with, then the
rest can fall into place, Dern said.
Simultaneously, ensuring there are
enough seats in a local venue to host
the number youve chosen to put on
the invitation list is also a top priority.
In addition to bulky summer traffic in
Sweet Grass County, be mindful of hol-
iday bookings when it comes to recep-
tion venues, Dern said. If youve decid-
ed to have a December wedding, plan
to get on a venues books long before
holiday party planning begins.
Wedding photographers can also get
booked quickly in the summer months,
so finding the right professional to
document the big day is also an imme-
diate priority after the date is set.
Many couples choose to have engage-
ment photos taken to use on invita-
tions; using the same photographer
and getting on their books at the time
of the engagement photos can check
that item off the list early.
On a traditional planning schedule,
those items should be in line at least
six months ahead of schedule. Then,
wedding planners can turn their atten-
tion to the more personalized details of
the big day.
Give guests lots of notice
Lisa Berg is the owner of Big Tim-
bers Its A Wrap, a custom printing
business that provides invitation ser-
vices and personalized paper materials
for special events. She asks brides
give her at least three weeks notice for
printing invitations, but more if they
want hard-to-find specialty paper or
have an invite list of several hundred.
Save the date cards give wedding
planners more time to create their
invitations, and can be sent at any
time, she said, preferably at least
three to four months in advance, but
can be as far out as a year or more.
It all depends on how far youre
expecting people to be coming for the
wedding, Berg said. If people are
flying in from Texas and need to
schedule several days of vacation time
for travel, they deserve more advance
Plan far, far ahead for summer wedding
Pioneer photo by Laura Nelson
Chris Dern, the manager at the Grand Hotel in Big Timber, sets a table in
the hotels dining room. For a local summer wedding, Dern suggests secur-
ing hotel rooms for your out-of-town guests by January or February.
See Planning, Page 15
Bridal Guide 2014
Page 6
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Bridal Guide 2014
Page 7
What to look for when buying the ring
Beth J. Harpaz
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) Buy-
ing a diamond ring can be
intimidating. What do you
look for? How much should
you pay? Should you buy
online or in a store?
Demystify the process by
learning about the four Cs:
carat, color, clarity and cut.
This system of grading dia-
monds was developed 60
years ago by the Gemologi-
cal Institute of America.
Then do some research
online or visit jewelers.
Youll soon understand your
options. Heres a primer on
the four Cs and other
advice.
The four Cs
Carat is a weight mea-
surement. A 1-carat dia-
mond weighs 200 milli-
grams. But theres no ideal
size for a diamond. It
depends on your budget and
taste. Some women want a
big rock; others prefer a
delicate, less blingy look.
Small diamonds are
cheaper than large dia-
monds. A ring with three
small diamonds totaling 1
carat costs less than a sin-
gle 1-carat stone of similar
quality.
Color is graded by let-
ter, starting with D for rare,
colorless diamonds. E and F
are considered excellent,
but G or H diamonds will
look just as good to the
naked eye.
Farther down the scale,
youll notice differences.
If you put a K color beside
a G color, youll notice more
yellow in the K, said Rus-
sell Shor, senior industry
analyst for the Gemological
Institute.
Clarity measures dia-
mond flaws, called inclu-
sions, which might appear
as tiny spots, clouds or cavi-
ties in the stone. The clarity
grade SI stands for slight-
ly included. VS is a better
grade, very slightly includ-
ed. VVS is even higher,
very, very slightly includ-
ed. Most inclusions in the
VVS-SI range cannot be
seen by the untrained eye
unless someone tells you
where it is, Shor said.
Cut measures workman-
ship, rather than a dia-
monds inherent qualities.
The way a stone is cut
enhances sparkle and lumi-
nosity and can hide flaws.
The best cut rating, ideal, is
rare. About a third of dia-
monds are rated fair, good
or very good.
The formula
What should you look for
in each of the Cs?
The one thing you should
not trade off on is the quali-
ty of the cut, said Shor.
Even a nice color stone, if
not well-cut, will be dull and
lifeless. But if its a middle
color like K and its
got a real excellent cut, it
will pop and flash with all
the sparkle that diamonds
are famous for.
After choosing the cut,
balance the color, clarity
and carat weight based on
your personal preference to
find the best diamond for
you and your budget, said
Amanda Gizzi, spokeswom-
an for Jewelers of America.
For example, for $2,000,
you might pick a 1-carat,
K-color stone with a slight
inclusion, or a half-carat,
G-color, with a very slight
inclusion. An L or M-col-
ored diamond at that price
will get you a 2-carat honk-
er, but youll definitely
notice the yellow and youll
see some inclusions, said
Shor.
Consumers pay $3,500 on
average for engagement
rings, according to Jewel-
ers of America. On the low
end, Shor recommends
spending at least $700 to
$1,000 to get something
thats not too small and of
reasonable quality, a
respectable half-carat
stone.
Its easy to compare
options online. At BlueNile.
com, set your price range,
then play with carat size
and the other Cs to see
tradeoffs.
Many websites list the
four Cs for every ring they
sell. Brick-and-mortar
stores should be able to pro-
vide grading reports,
whether from GIA or anoth-
er expert lab.
Shape and style
Engagement rings tradi-
tionally feature gold bands
with a center diamond,
though some have smaller
diamonds on either side.
Melissa Colgan, senior style
editor for Martha Stewart
Weddings, says the engage-
ment ring that Prince Wil-
liam gave to Kate Middle-
ton, a large sapphire sur-
rounded by diamonds, has
increased interest in rings
with other gemstones.
Diamonds can be cut into
many shapes. Round, the
most common, offers the
biggest bang for your buck
because the difference
between the raw and cut
diamond is smaller, Colgan
said. But she said unusual
shapes with retro looks and
names like marquise, Ass-
cher and pear are having a
resurgence, partly because
celebrities are wearing
them.
Whether a shape is flat-
tering depends on your fin-
gers. If you have long thin
fingers, you can wear some-
thing like Asscher or prin-
cess that is more square-
cut, Colgan said. If you
have shorter fingers or
muscular hands, marquise
or oval will elongate your
fingers.
But long nails dont mix
with oval: It looks like
youve got a weird nail in
the middle of your hand.
The four Cs carat, color, clarity, cut
AP photo
Experts can help you demystify the experience of buy-
ing a diamond wedding ring.
See Ring, Page 9
Bridal Guide 2014
Page 8
1313 W. Park Liv. PIaza 222-7332
The perfect wine glasses
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Youll also nd great wedding gift
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NAME
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406-220-0040
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Bridal Guide 2014
Page 9
Online or brick-and-mortar?
Many major brands, including
Macys, Kay, Zales, Tiffany and even
Costco, sell diamonds both online and
in stores.
Some retailers sell online only. Gem-
vara.coms site is fun for customizing
designs. Just click to see how a ring
looks with diamonds and sapphires,
versus diamonds and rubies, or with
white versus yellow gold.
Blue Nile has sold engagement rings
to 325,000 couples over the Internet,
including one for $1.5 million.
Nervous about ring size? Blue Nile
will mail a free plastic ring-sizer with
no obligation to buy.
Many retail stores offer 30-day
returns with no penalty as well. Thats
important for surprise proposals in
case the bride-to-be says no, or if she
says yes but wants a different ring.
These days, though, couples often
shop together for a ring.
Its perfectly OK to say, Lets just
go and look at things together, said
Colgan, of Martha Stewart Weddings.
This way she knows what he can
afford and he knows aesthetically
what she wants.
Some customers prefer online shop-
ping so they wont be pressured by an
aggressive salesperson. But most dia-
mond rings are bought in person,
according to Jewelers of America, cit-
ing the 2011 Wedding Report, which
found that only 11 percent of engage-
ment rings are bought online. Most
people want to see, touch and try
before buying.
A new online retailer called Ocappi.
com offers to bridge the gap between
in-person and online shopping by mail-
ing out try on rings made from silver
and cubic zirconia.
The replica rings let you see how dif-
ferent styles, shapes and carats look on
your finger, something thats impossi-
ble to judge from most websites. You
can order up to six replicas at once. As
long as you return them, theres no
charge and no obligation to buy the real
thing. Ocappi pays shipping both ways.
Some buyers prefer brands they
know and trust, whether Macys or Tif-
fany. Others want to go local.
For some people, they want to have
a relationship with a jeweler, or they
want to buy something where their
parents bought their rings, Colgan
said.
Estate sales and investments
In 2011, a 33.19-carat diamond
owned by Elizabeth Taylor sold for
$8.8 million. The same stone was
$305,000 in 1968. But thats an excep-
tion: The average diamond does not
appreciate much, if at all.
A diamond will never become
worthless, but I would not buy a stone
for $1,200 thinking Im going to get
$2,000 back for it at some point, Shor
said.
Does that mean estate-sale rings are
a bargain? Shor says older stones can
be a bargain, but cautions that stone-
cutting has improved with computers
and robotics, so older rings may not
have the quality of workmanship
found in modern diamonds.
Its also a matter of taste.
I think some of the old-cut jewelry
is so incredibly beautiful, said Colgan.
Theyre not quite as shimmery or
blingy but they have a really sweet
sparkle. There are also girls out there
who want an estate look because they
identify with a certain decade and they
dont want something blinged out.
Jewelers who specialize in estate
collections are not hard to find, but be
careful buying from a Sunday every-
thing must go sale.
Conflict-free diamonds
In the 1990s, concerns arose that
some African diamond mines support-
ed rebel movements undermining
legitimate governments. The U.S. and
79 other countries agreed to a set of
rules called the Kimberley Process to
ensure that diamonds sold within their
borders are conflict-free, meaning
they do not come from mines support-
ing rebel activity, according to this
definition.
Some organizations like the Anti-
Slavery Society and the Responsible
Jewellery Council are working to raise
awareness of issues not addressed by
the Kimberley Process, such as harm-
ful environmental practices or child
labor in diamond production.
Interested consumers should ask
retailers about their involvement with
these efforts.
Ring, from Page 7
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP)
Worried about the groom
getting cold feet? Theres an
insurance policy for that.
With the cost of the aver-
age American wedding
reaching about $26,000,
insurers have been selling a
growing number of policies
to protect against losses
from extreme weather, ill-
ness and, in one firms case,
even a sudden change of
heart.
Travelers says issues with
vendors account for about a
quarter of the claims, with
most of those related to
issues with photographers
or videographers.
For Travelers, an insur-
ance giant with annual reve-
nue of $26 billion, the poli-
cies will not make or break
the bottom line.
But the wedding insur-
ance it began selling in 2007
is also a way to connect with
a couple who might later
think of the company for
home insurance and other
life milestones.
It could be the beginning
of a relationship with a
young couple, said Ed
Charlebois, a Travelers vice
president for personal
insurance.
Wedsafe, backed by Aon,
also offers wedding insur-
ance, which differs little
from the specialty insur-
ance that firms may offer
for other kinds of events
and celebrations.
For parents concerned
about a relationship souring
before the exchange of
vows, Firemans Fund
Insurance Co. offers change
of heart insurance.
Its been available since
2007, but the program
administrator said the fraud
rate soared in the early
years as policies were
bought for couples who
were known to be fighting.
That coverage now
applies only if the bride or
groom calls off the wedding
more than nine months
beforehand.
Coverage does not exist
once you hit the altar, said
administrator Rob Nuccio
of R.V. Nuccio & Associates.
The only ones who were
buying it were the ones who
knew they would have a
claim.
Kyle Brown, director of
the Bakersfield, Calif.-
based Bridal Association of
America, said he recom-
mends wedding insurance,
but he estimates policies
are taken out for less than
half of 1 percent of the
more than 2 million wed-
dings held annually in the
U.S.
Nobody likes to think
about the bad side, he said.
Spending big bucks? Get wedding insurance
Average American wedding pushing $26,000
Bridal Guide 2014
Page 10
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DOWNTOWN Big Timber
406-932-4459
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Elks Lodge
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Receptions and more...
Bridal Guide
2014
Park and Sweet Grass counties
Need another copy of this
Bridal Guide?
Its available free at retail
oulets in Big Timber,
Bozeman and Livingston.
Copies can also be found
at The Big Timber Pioneer
and at
The Livingston Enterprise
Its also available in its
entirety at:
livingstonenterprise.com
Bridal Guide 2014
Page 11
For information ca
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or visit us at www.Jeepcreekrange.com
On & Off-Site Catering
Available for Rehearsal Dinners
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Call for information on our menu options from
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AP photo
With a Farmland Bacon bouquet in hand, April Davila
weds the bacon-loving man of her dreams, Craig Roush,
at the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival in Des Moines, Iowa.
The chapel where the couple married had a wall full of
windows that looked out over an arena full of vendors
selling bacon-filled foods. Afterward, a cake topped
with a bacon-strip bride and groom awaited the couple
and their guests.
Bridal Guide 2014
Page 12
Engagement Announcement Form
Engagements may be announced several ways.
FOR TRADITIONAL
Names of Bride's parents
(Not Mr. & Mrs.. John Doe, but John and Jane Doe)
of (city and state)
Name of bride to be
of (city and state)
Groom's name
of (city and state)
Groom's parents names
(Not Mr. & Mrs. John Smith but John and Jane Smith)
of (city and state)
Wedding date Wedding location
OPTIONAL: Information about educational background of the prospective bride and groom may be
included. Example: The bride is a (year) graduate of Gardiner High School who graduated from the
University of Montana in (year). Her fance is a (year) graduate of Big Timber High School, who
graduated from Carroll College in (year).
Include this information on the lines below:

IMPORTANT: If neither the prospective bride nor groom resides in Park County (for the Enterprise) or Sweet Grass
County (for the Pioneer), please include information about their connection to the community, unless it is obvious from
the parents' residency here. Example: Sally Doe is the granddaughter of Big Timber resident Harry Doe OR former Big
Timber resident Sally Doe.
PLEASE NOTE: Wedding write-ups and a photo (or photographer's proof) of the bridal couple must be submitted
within six weeks of the ceremony. It is important the information be submitted within this time frame, in order for the
entire write-up to be published.
Information may be sent to: communitynews@livent.net or news@bigtimberpioneer.net or bring them to the Enterprise
offce at 401 So. Main, Livingston or the Big Timber Pioneer offce at 105 W. Second St., Big Timber.
NON-TRADITIONAL
Groom of (city and state)
Bride of (city and state)
are pleased to announce their engagement.
Wedding date Wedding location
They are the children of
Groom's parents' names
of (city and state)
Bride's parents' names
of (city and state)
Bridal Guide 2014
Page 13
Story and photos by Jim Durfey
Enterprise Staff Writer
H
ow does a couple that lives
back east plan a Montana
wedding? They start early.
Kelsey Joronen and Pat
Dyess were going to school in Ver-
mont. Their marriage was slated for
mid-September, 2013, in Livingston.
Their planning began when they
were both home in Montana over the
Christmas break in 2012.
We worked out many plans then,
Joronen explained when she, her
husband and her mother, Sheila, and
father, Mike, met with an Enterprise
reporter in January 2014.
They emailed vendors while they
were back at school.
The website Pinterest was very
helpful for that purpose.
Dyess handled most of that part of
the planning.
Joronen also referred to local
bridal guides and several magazines
for helpful hints.
The couple approached the task
while keeping two things in mind:
They wanted to have all local ven-
dors, and they wanted to avoid let-
ting the process cause them stress.
Both of those rules paid dividends.
It was nice having local vendors,
said Mike Joronen.
Kelsey, Pat and Sheila concurred.
They agreed that having local ven-
dors was great because they were so
friendly and easy to work with.
There is so much drama in-
volved in wedding planning, Kelsey
Joronen said. But we managed to
avoid it because we took our time.
We didnt allow things to upset us.
When they were asked if there
were any glitches, they both agreed
they should have lined up a band
well before they did. They had a
little trouble communicating with
band members. The band wasnt
hired until about a month before the
wedding.
The smallest details need to be
communicated, Pat said.
One of the groomsmen wasnt
aware he needed to bring his own
belt for the tuxedo he would wear.
But other wedding party members
found one for him.
Kelsey Joronen offered some ad-
vice for brides and grooms who are
making wedding plans.
The three main things to concen-
trate on initially are the food, the ac-
tivities and the venue, she advised.
Joronen explained that they had
lawn games at their outdoor wed-
ding so children and adults could
participate in them.
And if a couple is planning an
outdoor wedding, Joronen strongly
suggests a tent.
Attendees at her wedding were
out of the strong wind and heavy
rainstorm that happened as guests
were eating thanks to the tent.
The bride, Kelsey Joronen, and the groom, Pat Dyess, recite vows under an
arch that was built by the brides father, while District Judge Brenda Gilbert
ofciates. The wedding took place at the Mission Creek Ranch east of Liv-
ingston.
Left: Tim Dyess, brother of the groom, signs the wedding certicate as a
witness while Pat Dyess and Brenda Gilbert look on. Right: Erin Joronen,
sister of the bride and maid of honor, gives advice to ring bearer Kayven
Fischer, 5, of Bozeman, as 4-year-old Ian Kelz, of Black Diamond, Wash.,
looks on. Ian was also a ring bearer.
Hints for a low-stress wedding
Bridal Guide 2014
Page 14
ENTERPRISE
t h e l i v i n g s t o n

Please email to communitynews@livingstonenterprise.com or news@bigtimberpioneer.net

or bring it to the appropriate offce: 401 So. Main, Livingston 105 W. Second St., Big Timber
or mail to: P.O. Box 2000, Livingston, MT P.O. Box 830, Big Timber, MT 59011
* Please list city/state for all persons. *This application must be received within 30 days of the event.
Bridal Guide 2014
Page 15
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notice than driving from Livingston
for an afternoon.
If save-the-dates have been issued
well in advance, she said the formal
invitation should be sent at least a
month, preferably closer to two,
before the date.
The six-month mark would also be
the right time to have a wedding gown
and bridesmaid dresses selected and
purchased in order to leave time for
alterations, if needed. If youre rent-
ing tuxedos, thats a good time to get
those secured as well like every-
thing else, supplies can run short on
summer weekends if you wait too
long, Metcalf said.
She and Dern agreed that three to
four months in advance is an appropri-
ate time frame to contact a caterer,
too. An in-house caterer can usually
make accommodations on a shorter
turnaround if the venue is already
reserved, but getting on a contracted
caterers schedule should be a top pri-
ority if thats necessary.
Once youre on the caterers books,
ask them to outline the details of what
services they offer and what youll
still need to contract, Metcalf said
refreshments, cake, speciality treats,
etc., may or may not be provided
through the venue or caterer youve
selected, so make sure to get a full pic-
ture of their services and what their
timeline for planning, head counts and
price quotes are.
With three months to go-time, Tame-
la Saltas of Big Timbers Petal Pushers
said, its time to get in contact with
your florist of choice. Thats when
Saltas likes to get a wedding on her
planning calendar, get an idea of
exactly what the bride envisions for
her special day and prioritize services.
Theyre a one-stop shop for several
needs, from flowers to table linens,
centerpieces, candelabras and tuxedo
rentals, so the more services you plan
to go through their door, the earlier
they want to meet.
That helps me get them a rough
price quote for their planning and
start to get things lined out, Saltas
said.
Once the initial meeting and plan-
ning session is complete, she said,
theyll make contact again about six
weeks ahead of time to make formal
floral plans. Depending on the flowers,
they might need to put an order in
four or more weeks in advance for the
freshest delivery that includes
more exotic blooms like orchids,
hydrangeas or unique rose colorings.
Standard flowers roses, daises,
carnations, etc., can be ordered on
a much shorter turnaround time in a
pinch, too.
But really, its never too early to
plan as far as flowers go, Saltas said.
The sooner you call and give us an
idea, the sooner we can get an esti-
mate and ideas going.
Each professional shared those sen-
timents:
I would say, the earlier the better,
Berg said.
The longer you wait, the harder it
is to find the right space, Dern added.
Get it done as far in advance as
possible, Metcalf said that goes
for everything, not just the essentials
that wont be available if you put it off
until the last minute, especially items
you plan to craft or produce yourself.
Its a big temptation to think, I can
do this all myself, but you have to
think about the stress factor, too, she
said. Give yourself time to actually
enjoy the wedding and not be so wor-
ried about all the details at the last
minute.
Planning, from Page 5
Bridal Guide 2014
Page 16
8 to 15 months to go:
Have engagement photos taken
Announce your engagement
with a photo in The Big Timber
Pioneer and/or The Livingston
Enterprise (form is on page 12)
Choose a wedding date
Decide the kind of wedding you
want - large or small, formal
or informal, themed or non-
themed
Set a budget
Make a system for keeping track
of expenses
Bride, groom and their families
choose whom to invite - save list
in safe place
Select ceremony site and
reception site - reserve these
Ask person who will ofciate to
reserve the date
Select a photographer and a
videographer and have them
save the date
Start shopping for wedding gown
Decide on maid of honor, best
man, bridesmaids, groomsmen
6 to 8 months to go:
Select wedding stationery
including RSVP cards and thank
you cards. Mail invitations with
RSVP cards
Start planning honeymoon
Choose ring bearer and ower
girl
Reserve caterer - choose menu
Decide on a orist
Reserve a band or DJ
Choose bridesmaids attire
4 to 6 months to go:
Reserve rental equipment
Choose accommodations for out-
of-town guests
Send out save the date cards
Establish Bridal registry
Shop for gifts bride and groom
give each other
Have dress alterations made
2 to 4 months to go:
Order party favors and room
decorations
Order wedding cake
Check marriage license
regulations
Order wedding rings
Order bridal party gifts
1 to 2 months to go:
Decide on hair and makeup and
schedule appointment
Keep tack of RSVPs
Purchase ring pillow, cake knife,
guest book, toasting glasses
Change brides name on bank
accounts, drivers license,
subscriptions, etc.
Obtain marriage license
2 to 6 weeks to go:
Plan detailed wedding day
schedule - give to wedding party
members and vendors
Do nal ttings for gown and
veil and for bridesmaids
dresses
Go over ceremony details with
ofciate
Get rings - check for t
Give photographer and
videographer idea of special
photos/events to cover
Plan seating for rehearsal dinner
and wedding
Plan seating for reception
Let band know about special tunes
- father and bride dance, etc.
Make sure bridesmaids and
groomsmen know where to get
their attire
Check with invited guests who
havent responded
1 week to go:
Conrm honeymoon reservations/
travel
Get brides gown and veil and
grooms tux/shoes
Give caterer total guest count
Go over nal schedule with
vendors and wedding party
Pack for the honeymoon
Day of Rehearsal:
Make sure bridal party knows
procedure and musical cues
Go over seating arrangement with
ushers
Give bridal party detailed
schedule for ceremony
Give best man check for ofciant
Day of the wedding:
Follow the detailed schedule
Make sure best man has brides
ring
Make sure maid of honor has
grooms ring
Arrive at ceremony site in timely
manner
Enjoy your wedding
Planning Schedule
Brides and grooms will nd this suggested timeline helpful
Bridal Guide 2014
Page 17
Before you may both say "I do," you need a license
Applying for a
Marriage License
Marriage licenses are avail-
able at the Clerk of the District
Court's ofce
The future bride and groom
must both appear
A valid driver's license, a valid
passport or a birth
certicate may be used for
identication purposes
In the event either party was
previously married, the the exact
date of the divorce or death and
the full name of the ex-spouse
must be written on the
application
Cost is $53.00, cash only
Solemnize the Marriage
License
Only a qualied ofciant may
perform your ceremony and sign
the license.
Those who qualify:
Clergy
Judge or retired judge of a
court of record
Public ofcial with power to
solemnize marriages
Tribal Judge
Mayor
Justice of the Peace
Note: After the ceremony the
ofciant must return the license
to the Clerk of the District
Court's ofce no later than 30
days from the date of the
ceremony
Obtaining a copy
Copies of your marriage license
are available at the Clerk of the
District Court's ofce.
The cost is $5.00 or $7.00 for a
certied copy which is
necessary for ofcial use
Steps in obtaining a license:
Provide full names of couple
(including maiden name of bride)
List date of marriage
Request regular or certied
copy
Proved appropriate fee
(checks should be made out to
Clerk of Court)
Park County:
City/County Complex, 414 E. Callender
Sweet Grass County:
Clerk & Recorder, 200 W. 1st Ave.
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0901033.1
Dean Hendrickson, Agent
224 W Lewis
Livingston, MT 59047
Bus: 406-222-2250
dean.hendrickson.b615@statefarm.com
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Bridal Guide 2014
Page 18
BRIDAL ATTIRE CHECK LIST
BRIDAL
SALON
#1
BRIDAL
SALON
#2
BRIDAL GOWN
Designer
Size
Color/Fabric
Train Length
Cost
HEADDRESS/
VEIL
Style
Color
Veil Length
Cost
SHOES
Size
Style
Color
Dyeing Charge
Cost
ACCESSORIES
Gloves
Garter
Hankie
Cost
FITTINGS/
ALTERATIONS
Cost
TOTAL
UNDERGARMENTS
Bra
Slip
Stockings
Cost
BRIDAL ATTENDANTS ATTIRE
BRIDAL
SALON
#1
BRIDAL
SALON
#2
MAID/MATRON
OF HONOR
DRESS
Color/Fabric
Size
Manufacturer
Cost
BRIDESMAIDS
DRESSES
Color/Fabric
Sizes
Manufacturer
Style #
Cost
SHOES/
STOCKINGS
Size
Style/Color
Dyeing Charge
Cost
ACCESSORIES
Hat
Gloves
Other
Cost
FITTINGS/
ALTERATIONS
Cost
TOTAL
FLOWER GIRLS
DRESS
Color/Fabric
Size
Manufacturer
Style #
Cost
Bridal Guide 2014
Page 19
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Bridal Guide 2014
Page 19
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