Welcome to my latest adventure as I explore the breathtaking beauty this newly remodeled wonder, Somers Mansion! Nestled amidst the stunning views of Flathead Lake and the majestic Swan Mountain range, this historic gem is more than just a venue; it's a picturesque sanctuary for your special day. Join us as we take you on a journey through the thoughtful details woven throughout the property, from its rich history to its modern amenities. Whether you're planning a dream wedding or simply seeking solace in nature's embrace, Somers Mansion offers an unparalleled experience. Don't miss out on discovering this hidden treasure and envisioning your perfect day against the backdrop of Montana's natural splendor.

Choosing The Perfect Forest Wedding Venue Setting:

As a Montana wedding officiant I have done ceremonies in all sorts of outdoor locations. Choosing a forest setting as your wedding venue is a fantastic way to anchor your ceremony in a swirl of magnificent sights, delightful sounds and form precious olfactory memories to cherish for all time.

Whether it's securing joint health insurance, filing taxes jointly, or simply enjoying the peace of mind that comes with the knowledge that your marriage is officially recognized, obtaining a Montana Marriage License is the gateway to a solid and prosperous future together.

This early summer wedding at the end of June on the easternmost side of Glacier National Park at Sun Point provided epic conditions for a stunning Montana elopement. The wind was not only strong, it was blustery, gale force, whirlwind magic. The energy was high, the laughter came quickly and we had to literally bend our knees and brace against the forces of nature that were accentuating every word we spoke. The wind picked up even more around the time of the vow exchange, which delighted the couple, creating squeals and peals. This upbeat and playful tone continued throughout the ceremony and on into their gorgeous posed photos and license signing time. From the look of it, the rest of their park session with photographer Dina just extended the joy. The day was a true delight for all.

Anchor your love with rituals in your ceremony! Hand fasting is a fun and creative way to personalize a ritual through the use of meaningful ropes, cords or ribbons (I.e. a trapeze/trick rope artist and her sailor/rock climbing partner might choose retired ropes that are still sturdy and strong for the symbolism they hold- and yes- this is a personal reference!)

Your canine companions are part of your family and including them on your special day can add a special and heartwarming touch to the celebration. Here are some strategies to ensure that when choosing to have your dog at your wedding, everything goes smoothly:

Whether you call it a Brief Sidewalk Signing, a Drive-Thru-wedding, a Las Vegas style elopement, a “Sign and Go!”, a civil wedding or a courthouse wedding- the gist of it is the same. This is a no frills paper work exchange in which the marriage license is signed by a wedding officiant. It is a quick and easy way to get married in Montana!

He may not have said the words out loud at that point but in the re-telling, a super cute smile fills his face, his whole body relaxes with contentment and you know the thought of this shared future has made him happy for a long time already.

My favorite moment was when I asked for the rings, Nicole declared she had to go get one. She buzzed through the crowd back to her bag to retrieve the ring she had for Jon, which provided a sweet moment for everyone to grab a Kleenex after the emotional exchange of vows they had just shared. The normalcy of our human behavior was punctuated and celebrated through this moment and it fit so well with their attitude of both reverence for the occasion and go with the flow approach.

My absolute favorite moment was when Kailin arrived at the front of our little makeshift walkway, Micah could barely breathe and whispered, “They didn’t tell me I was marrying an angel!” while Mary, Kailin’s mom, extended the dress train out in billowing waves around her.

Libby and Chad wanted a short and sweet ceremony with a standard Declaration of Intent and though they didn't want to create personalized vows, they did choose written vows that had special meaning to them. They spoke of not having to cherish and honor each other but “getting to”, of the privilege of being in relationship, and how they valued that as their main intention.

There was so much build-up, an entire drive across the country and early-morning preparation, in the dark, to get ready for this short, sweet ceremony and being in that space and time was truly standing on the threshold of their life together.

An elopement by the lake sets these two up for a lIfetime of love – a rock solid ceremony full of both sincerity and fun.

Jennifer and Kevin are fun and funny. They had visited Holland Lake Lodge in early June and were both smitten and charmed. They also clearly had the blessing of some Holland Lake Magic for their Montana wedding celebration. Their day came together perfectly.

Erica and Dan took a break from the kids, flew to Kalispell for a destination elopement adventure. Their time included fly fishing, a helicopter tour, play time in downtown Whitefish, a sweet serene ceremony on the shore of Flathead Lake, and an adventure photo documentation day in Glacier National Park.

This midsummer evening wedding was blessed with the bluest sky, a gentle warm sunshine, clear air, high energy, and an atmosphere of humor, glitter, and delight. Not exactly last minute, but late in their planning process, I was so honored to be brought in as the minister for a wedding of these two charmers.

Take a soothing and calming wander with me through the ceremony grounds of the Holland Lake Lodge in Condon MT. A stunning site with a serene lake, bordered by the Swan and Mission mountains. Can't you just picture your intimate family and friends gathering here with kayaks, s'mores and trout dinners galore? Makes me want to get married all over again!

The most delightful surprise (except to those of us in the know) was the arrival of the five year old nephew, in his cheetah suit, riding down the aisle on his bicycle equipped with a basket to transport the rings. Full of confidence and humor, he almost stole the show from the vibrant couple, sharing high fives and filling every one of the guests with smile.