Timeless Outdoor Wedding Inspiration at Paddle Ridge

We love a good wedding trend, but nothing beats a timeless wedding design! Just like a little black dress in fashion, you can never go wrong with classic wedding elements, like organic floral arrangements and a color palette with soft hues and neutral accents. 

Kristina and Casey’s outdoor wedding was the perfect example of this timeless elegance. For their big day, they took inspiration from Montana’s stunning natural landscapes, letting the venue’s breathtaking views shine while accentuating them with a soft lavender and ivory color palette. Their celebration unfolded over two unforgettable days, starting with a laidback welcome dinner to greet friends and family followed by a dreamy wedding day filled with classic charm. 

From their outdoor wedding ceremony to their open-air reception, it was a wedding weekend focused on intentional quality time: Our favorite kind of celebration! If this speaks to you, keep reading to meet Kristina and Casey and find out how we pulled off their gorgeous Montana wedding day. 

The Love Story: 

It wouldn’t be a complete love story without the backstory! Kristina and Casey had a whirlwind romance in Los Angeles, where they originally met on Hinge. They hit it off right away through texts, bonding over their mutual love of trying new restaurants and being foodies. Their connection was even more evident on their first date, where they got to know each other for hours over delicious wine and oysters. After this amazing night and an even more incredible first kiss, they were inseparable, going on various adventures in the city, from hiking to sharing all their favorite restaurants with one another. It only took them a couple weeks to make their relationship official and say “I love you” to each other. Their story is proof that there is truth to the saying, “When you know, you know!”

Fast forward to an extra special holiday season, Kristina and Casey were in Chicago, one of their favorite cities other than their home in LA. They had just spent Christmas with Casey’s family at their lake house and were now simply enjoying each other’s company, just the two of them, before heading back home. They strolled through the iconic Millennium Park with the city lights and stars gleaming around them. When they reached a bridge with the skyline in the background, Casey dropped down to one knee to propose to the love of his life. With tears streaming down her face, Kristina of course said yes! They both couldn’t believe they were going to spend forever with their person, and were just as excited to continue building their life together. 

Wildflower Inspired Wedding Welcome:

When we first met Kristina and Casey, we instantly resonated with them and their story. Katie, Big Day Celebrations’ owner and lead planner, also got to know this couple’s desires for their entire Montana wedding weekend. They expressed wanting to spend intentional quality time with their friends and family in addition to enjoying the beautiful sights and scenery that Montana has to offer. Over the course of the wedding planning process, Katie guided them in building their perfect outdoor wedding itinerary. 

This started with a wildflower inspired welcome dinner the night before their wedding! Set at Paddle Ridge, this was a laidback evening where Kristina and Casey could simply hang with all their favorite people. Although it was a relaxed setting, the way this couple wined and dined their guests was still top notch! We arranged for a full bar, lawn games, a “build your own burrito” buffet, and gorgeous tablescapes with colorful wildflower centerpieces. 

With a breathtaking panorama of the mountain range, guests couldn’t have asked for a better start to the weekend! 

Classic Montana Wedding Design: 

On the day of this outdoor wedding, we got to work alongside the vendor team to set up Kristina and Casey’s dream wedding. At the ceremony site, Hawthorn House Flowers affixed lush lavender and ivory floral sprays on the venue’s wooden arch, which mirrored the floral arrangements set at the top of the aisle. Ivory flower petals lined both sides of the aisle as well, creating a beautiful pathway to the altar. 

On the lawn for cocktail hour, we set high top tables with gathered ivory linens, short cocktail tables with sage linens, and lawn games like ladder ball and cornhole. We also set up the memory table with special framed photos, a welcome table with their custom photo guest book, and a table for their matchbook escort cards.  

Last but certainly not least, for their reception, we decorated the dining tables with lavender and ivory floral arrangements, textured sage green goblets, and sage linen napkins. The gold rimmed chargers and gold flatware gave the tablescape that little extra glimmer, especially when the light from the setting sun hit them just right. The ceiling of the Park View Pavilion was swagged with fabric draping and Edison lights, softening the rustic feel of the space and lending a touch of elegance. 

One of our favorite features of this space at Paddle Ridge is its indoor/outdoor nature! This is a covered wooden pavilion, but the sides are open air, allowing everyone to enjoy the fresh mountain air and awe-inspiring views of the mountains and valley. All evening long, the newlyweds and their guests bounced between the covered dance floor and the grassy lawn to mix, mingle, and enjoy the atmosphere. 

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony:

Seeing Kristina and Casey get married and celebrate in all these beautiful sites was so rewarding! After getting to know these two so well during the planning process, it was an honor to witness their love story’s climax, from their first look that day to their last dance. 

Before the ceremony, they held their first look in a private, wooded area, where they exchanged vows and rings together in a world of their own. The sun shone upon them beautifully that day, as they moved side by side through their wedding party and bride & groom photos. Kristina’s floral embroidered wedding gown matched the dreamy feel of the meadows they traipsed through with her lavender bouquet popping against the natural greenery everywhere. 

When it came time for their outdoor wedding ceremony, the musical stylings of Mike Murray Tunes filled the air as guests filled the seats. We could not have asked for more perfect weather that day! Fluffy clouds floated across the sky and the sunshine illuminated the mountains and valley so beautifully. Casey and the wedding party walked down the aisle to “Say You Won’t Let Go” by James Taylor and everyone began to tear up when Kristina walked down the aisle to “Lifetime” by Justin Bieber.

The moment when you first join hands at the altar is always a special one for us! We breathe a sigh of happiness and relief, as this is the moment that we have all been waiting for. 

Timeless Wedding Reception Celebration:

Private Moment at Cocktail Hour:

After a sweet and sentimental outdoor wedding ceremony, Kristina and Casey were declared husband and wife! At that point, we led guests to cocktail hour and guided the newlyweds to the Bear’s Den for a few moments alone together. There, we had a plate of appetizers and signature drinks waiting for them, so they could take a moment to relax and savor the fact that they were now married! 

Whether it’s a private first look, private meal, or private first or last dance, we believe in the importance of building in this one-on-one time on your wedding day. 

Wedding Reception Fun:

Then, Katie bustled the back of Kristina’s gown and invited everyone into the reception space for a night of incredible food, entertainment, and fun! Beginning with a delicious dinner by The Kopper Kitchen, the reception was relaxed yet still full of all the wedding festivities that Kristina and Casey wanted. Striking the right balance between honoring meaningful wedding traditions and keeping the timeline relaxed and unhurried is truly an art form in and of itself. It takes years of experience to craft a wedding reception timeline that is structured yet allows for the perfect amount of wiggle room. After all, it’s your special day and if the toasts run longer than expected or you linger for a few extra sunset photos, we never want you to worry about being present in the moment!

That’s exactly what Kristina and Casey did for the rest of their reception! It was a privilege to witness the emotions during their loved ones’ speeches, the laughter shared over dinner, and the fun the two had while cutting their cake! The joy and excitement flowed as easily as the drinks and conversation did, spilling out onto the dance floor as Sidecar Audio got the party started. Late night snacks of grilled cheese and tomato soup kept everyone going all evening long, even well past when the sun went down. As the celebration came to a close, Kristina and Casey shared one last celebratory moment together as they did a private last dance to the song, “Simply the Best” by Sidney. It was a sweet moment of connection for them before they said their final goodbyes and officially started their marriage together.

 

A Word from Katie: 

What a day! Kristina and Casey, your outdoor wedding at Paddle Ridge was truly exquisite. The joy and love were palpable throughout the weekend, which is a testament to the amazing friends and family you have and the life you two have built together. I couldn’t be happier for you and know that you are meant to be! Wishing you lots of love forever! 

-Katie

Montana Wedding Vendors: 

Wedding Planner: Big Day Celebrations
Venue: Paddle Ridge
Catering: The Kopper Kitchen
Rentals: Empress Tents & Events // The Party Store
Photography: Thewmatt Photography
DJ: Sidecar Audio
Musicians: Mike Murray Tunes
Videography: Lexi Jane Captures 
Cake & Desserts: Miss Patti Cakes
Hair & Makeup: Honey Beauty
Officiant: Best Day Officiants
Floral: Hawthorn House Flowers 
Linen: BBJ La Tavola
Invitations:  Dodeline Design

Let’s Plan Your Outdoor Wedding in Montana!

Big Day Celebrations offers full-service wedding planning, coordination & design services, and micro-wedding packages, so no matter how you envision your wedding, we will make it happen and have a whole lot of fun along the way!

Ready to get started? Drop me a note below and let’s do this!