Tips on Planning a Vintage Western Intimate Wedding in Northwest Montana
Looking for that ‘straight out of the 1800’s old cowboy style vintage western intimate wedding’? Northwest Montana is perfect for every couple looking for that old western feel. The gorgeous mountains, open fields and rustic barns scattered around the west side of the state make for the perfect old cowboy style backdrop. Picking out the perfect Northwest Montana location, gorgeous florals, vintage style attire, and decor with an antique touch will have you headed in the right direction for the most incredible Vintage Western Intimate Wedding.
CHOOSE THE PERFECT NORTHWEST MONTANA LOCATION
The location you choose for your wedding has a HUGE impact on the overall look. If you’re going for that old barn, back country western feel, you’re going to want to avoid the bright white, big, shiny, modern venue or open blue water backdrop. Look for something that gives off a more homey, small town western Montana feel. A somewhat warn down rustic old barn or an open field with the mountains in the background are great options. Throw in a few hay bales or an antique carriage and you’re on your way to a gorgeous vintage western wedding.
If you want to keep it a little more clean and classic, Montana has some incredible wedding venues that are perfect for your vintage western wedding.
Snowline Acres // https://www.snowlineacres.com/
The Silver Knot // https://thesilverknot.com/
Sky Ridge Ranch // https://www.skyridgemontana.com/
Green Valley Ranch // https://www.greenvalleyranchmontana.com/
PICK OUT GORGEOUS FLORALS
Incorporate some color into your vintage wedding with amazing hand-dyed flowers or a variety of beautifully colored wildflowers. Blume Hill Studios did an incredible job with this hand-dyed bouquet and the colors really brought the whole vision together. Florals are a great way to add a little pop to your more natural toned wedding attire, decorations and venue.
There are some amazing local flower shops located here in Montana.
Blume Hill Studios // https://blumehillstudios.com/
Mums Flowers // https://www.mumsflowers.net/
Forage & Floral // https://forageandfloral.com/
Alpine Designs // https://www.alpinedesignsmt.com/
Agile Goat Farm // https://www.agilegoatflowerfarm.com/
Habitat Floral // https://habitatfloralstudio.com/
Two Kays Flower Farm // https://www.twokaysflowerfarm.com/
MAKE THE ATTIRE VINTAGE STYLED
It’s all about the dress, right!? Okay, maybe not ALLL about it but the dress is super important along with the groom’s outfit, the jewelry, the tie and all the little details. But, start with the dress! Finding the perfect dress can be so stressful and overwhelming. I recommend trying on every different style you can possibly find because when it comes down to it, you don’t really know what you want until you put it on! For that vintage feel, incorporate some lace or tulle and go for something that’s a tiny bit off white. That bright white color gives the whole look more of a modern feel which is exactly what we’re trying to avoid. Go “old school” with a creamier colored dress. As for the groom, choose a solid natural toned jacket, some matching pants or jeans, a pair of cowboy boots, a button up shirt that compliments the color of the jacket and, if you can, throw in a little velvet. This is a great time to take a look in your grandpa’s closet! For the smaller details like the bride’s earrings and necklace or the grooms tie, see if you can find a family heirloom around or go check out a couple thrifts stores. An old-fashioned bolo tie or great grandma’s favorite turquoise earrings would be the perfect fine details to pull this whole look together.
USE ANTIQUE DECORATIONS
When it comes to the decorations, don’t buy new! Shop antique! This is the easiest way to make sure your wedding has the vintage western feel you’re looking for. Find some local antique shops or thrift stores and have at it. You could also check with some local ranchers and farmers to see if they have any old carriage wheels, tables, or barrels laying around. Think outside the box a little bit. Bonus – this could save you a lot of money on decorations!
MAKE IT VINTAGE | WESTERN | INTIMATE | + BUDGET FRIENDLY
Now take everything you just read and make it budget friendly. This starts with the guest count. It’s easy to understand that the more guests you have, the more expensive your wedding can get. The price of invitations alone can start to add up quickly. Keep it intimate. Pick the people that are there for you every step of the way during the biggest, best and hardest moments of your life. Keeping your invite list short and sweet means you can get gorgeous and unique hand drawn invitations made without breaking the bank. It can also help you save money on food, drinks, and even the location. A larger guest count requires a bigger venue which can get real expensive real fast.
In addition to carefully creating your invite list, you can also save by shopping small. Instead of purchasing overpriced, brand name decorations and attire, go check out your local antique shops and thrifts stores. This will also help you achieve that real vintage, antique feel for your vintage western wedding.
As for the venue, northwest Montana has a lot of open fields and old barns. Find a family member, old friend, family friend or even a complete stranger that’s willing to let you borrow their barn and field for your big day. Just remember, this is Montana, and the weather can be a little unpredictable so make sure you keep that in mind when picking your venue just in case you need to move things in doors.
For all the fine details like jewelry and even decorations, ask your family if they have anything lying around that belonged to your grandparents, great grandparents, great-great grandparents, and so on. You never know what hidden gems you might find, and this is also a great way to incorporate precious family memories into your big day.
This stunning Vintage Western Styled Wedding was made possible thanks to some of the best local vendors Montana has to offer. If you’re still looking for a hair and makeup artist, a cake and florals, invitations and attire, I highly recommend these vendors!
Hair // @boundlessbeautystudio
Makeup // @cloud_marcela
Florals // @blumehillstudios
Cake // @bakesandcakesbybrie
Invitations + Table Design// @foxtailtech
Dress // @rawgoldenrentals
Raw & Golden Rentals – Dress Rentals for Photographers (rawgoldenrentals.com)
His Attire // @asos | @bozemanvintage | @wrangler | @western_outdoor
Her Earrings // @rustycreekdesigns
Each of these vendors can be found on Instagram or by going to their linked websites.
