Allison & Nathan came to Just Us through the aunt of a previous couple. They were living in Florida at the time, Allison in her final semester of pharmacy school, and Nathan a prior Marine. They are two extremely busy humans, but regardless of their schedules, they were sure to make each and every planning call very productive.
When Just Us was hired onto their vendor team, we had less than 6 months to pull together this beautiful destination wedding in Montana; with only their venue booked, the oh-so stunning Lodge at Whitefish Lake in Whitefish, Montana.
Given that the Just Us planning team was responsible for all events over their wedding weekend, we were sure to arrive to town with plenty of time to work. We flew into Glacier Park Airport, approx. a 30 minute drive to the lodge. Once we arrived onsite, we immediately went to work and met with the events team, confirming all planned details, menus, layouts, and vendor plans. Once we finished work on day 1, we rode bikes from the lodge to explore downtown Whitefish, and enjoyed a lovely dinner at Tupelo Grille, with dessert from Sweet Peaks Ice Cream.
Day 2 of the trip consisted of meeting with Allison & Nathan, getting all of their attire ready (from the cross country travel it had endured), ventured on a quick hike on the Reservoir Trailhead, then returned to the lodge to prepare and get ready for their ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
The couples wedding ceremony was to be held on the Lakefront lawn, with their cocktail hour and reception in the lakeside pavilion, situated next to the lawn. Guests were then transported to the Gross Mountain Lodge for the rehearsal dinner held in their restaurant, Logan’s Bar & Grill (although this restaurant was far nicer than a bar & grill in my opinion).
Before we knew it, we were kicking of day 3, wedding day! Allison and her favorite ladies began the day in the Lodge’s stateroom for hair and makeup by Honey Beauty Montana.
Not long after, Karli + David Photography arrived and began shooting the couples details, such as their invitation suite, custom coordinating converse, and luggage tag favors that doubled as escort cards for the reception.
In the meantime, the Just Us team started their setup bright and early, with the help of The Rose Petal. Allison loved a classic navy blue, and wanted to pair this with crisp, clean white and shades of burnt orange accented in her florals pieces.
Once hair and makeup finished, Allison put on her gown with the help of her mother, and then exchanged a first touch and letter reading with Nathan. Karli + David Photography choose to do this intimate moment around a large oak tree situated just on the shores of Whitefish Lake. It was a beautiful moment filled with a few tears, and even more laughs.
Sidecar Audio handled our prelude and ceremony music, which created quite a moment when Nathan processed down the aisle with his best man (which may or may not have ended with a good ole bromance hug and butt squeeze). Allison was escorted by her older brother, and the two were married by Anna of Weddings by Anna. The two became one, and were dusted in white petals as they recessed as husband and wife.
Following their ceremony, the two took pictures with their families, and Sidecar Audio continued the entertainment through cocktail hour, as hors d’louvres were passed by the Lodge’s catering team.
Allison & Nathan have two adorable pups named Maggie & Flynn, and sadly they were unable to travel for the wedding, but no fear, as we of course incorporated them into the day, more specifically, into their bar. We served a Huckleberry Flynn (shinning light to huckleberry vodka distilled in Montana) and an Old Maggie (similar to an old fashioned).
Our newlywed’s ended cocktail hour with a boat ride around the lake, just before some light rain graced us with its presence.
The reception began and our newlyweds were introduced, had their first dance, and dinner began. Also paying homage to the area by serving bison and more huckleberry as apart of their buffet. During Allison & Nathan’s cake cutting, an extra yummy cake supplied by the oh so lovely Montana Wildflour, every single guests found themselves at the bar, and took what I’m calling a ‘unity shot’ in honor of the couple.
Guests partied their lakeside-hearts out with continued entertainment from Sidecar Audio, so much so that a handful of gentleman (including Nathan) took it upon themselves to strip down and take a chilly little night swim in the lake.
It was such a pleasure to not only be apart of Allison & Nathan’s day, but to have grown so close with their family and friends, so much so that Allison & I still talk on a weekly basis.
Congratulations Mr & Dr. Wideman!
Love the Just Us Weddings Team
