Garden-Inspired Summer Wedding | Marlee + Andrew

This darling, garden-inspired summer wedding in Columbia Falls gives us all the feels. And the dress – oh, how we love her dress! Photography by Montana Bride Vendor Aly Kauffman Photography

"In September 2020, we took a road trip from our home state of California to Montana to celebrate an amazing first year of being together. We visited Glacier National Park and, on a single paddle board together, floated in the middle of Lake McDonald, taking in the stillness of the glassy emerald water and the beauty of the surrounding mountains. Almost exactly two years later, we were again floating on this same lake when Andrew told me he wanted to do this with me forever and asked me to marry him. He slipped a ring on my finger with a sapphire the color of the emerald water below us. Almost exactly one year later, we were married at my parents’ home in Columbia Falls, Montana, in front of Columbia Mountain and all of our friends and family."

"I know I’m likely biased as the bride, but I truly don’t believe I’ve ever been to a more beautiful wedding than our own. It wasn’t because it was the most expensive or decked out with extravagant details. But because it was a labor of love, literally, that wouldn’t have been possible without the help of our friends and family. Our wedding and reception were held at my parents’ house in Columbia Falls. I knew I always wanted to have my wedding at this house, despite being from California, along with most of the people we know and love. Being a wedding at home, I wanted it to feel intimate and charming, yet magical, without becoming a production. I hand-picked every detail, from the dahlias to the amber depression glassware to the cocktail menu; my mom spent months sourcing hanging lanterns, thrifting store vases, and more; the neighbors cut aspen stumps to deck out the stage; my mother-in-law brought fresh garland all the way from her garden for the centerpieces; family friends and aunties assembled to create our floral arrangements and set the tables; and my dad strung the patio lights throughout the yard. Our 100 guests kindly and graciously made the trek for us and watched us exchange vows in front of the great Columbia Mountain as Andrew’s brother officiated for us. For the reception, two things I knew we had to go big on were the food and the live music. The appetizer spread and prime rib dinner by Great Northwest Catering were outstanding and the beautiful tunes by the Mike Murray Duo added to a truly magical atmosphere in the mountains. Additionally, we wanted to include and commemorate our family members who are no longer with us by hanging their photos from a tree, while I wore my maternal grandmother’s pearl necklace and my paternal grandmother’s rosary in my bouquet. At the end of it all, we had a wedding authentic to who we are and enveloped in love, a day we will always cherish." –Marlee, the bride