Favorite Vendor Feature, S&C Studios Salon

I had the pleasure to work with Cat Crawford-Deriana at a styled shoot in March, and ya’ll, not only is she kind, funny, and attentive, she does BEAUTIFUL work!

I’m excited to be able to feature this boss babe–Not only does she own S&C Studios Salon, with TWO locations in Three Forks, MT and Belgrade, MT, she also offers incredible hair and make-up services for weddings and events.

*Spoiler alert: She loves to pamper her bridal parties–read on to learn how!

What inspires your business? What is your biggest passion?

Cat: “What truly is the vision behind S&C Studios Salon is a deep desire to uplift people and love on them!

My heart is to be the safe place that most people need. So many people experience things that they have no one and nowhere to go. My faith in God has allowed me many things and a true understanding of what my calling is. We offer people an opportunity to receive prayer if they want it and support in anyway they need!

I live to create and help people see their true beauty! It’s awesome to be able to be someone’s best hair experience, that is my goal for every client! The mission came from witnessing and experiencing the salon atmosphere for 9 years. Studying at an Aveda Institute, we learned all about what a high end experience looks like but I knew it could be even more than that. I had a vision that was placed in my heart. The goal is to offer people a high end experience that’s more affordable! I knew that I wanted to impact people’s lives by being that sometimes one person who is there for them. My salon is a safe haven for people to enjoy their service and be able to confidently share what they are going through!

There’s always a way to give people what they want whether that’s customizing a more affordable hair color option for them or a wedding package. We give people all the workings of an all around fulfilling, uplifting & refreshing experience!”

What is your biggest passion?

Cat: “My biggest passion is mentoring young stylist in the hair and makeup industry as well as business.”

What is your proudest accomplishment so far?

Cat: “I feel my proudest accomplishment next to my 6 month old son Isaiah would be opening a second salon location in Belgrade and providing homeless locals with haircuts.”

What sets your business apart?

Cat: “I am in this for the ability to create and to uplift. When they encounter me or have me as their hair or makeup artist, I listen to their wants and needs and will accommodate it to the best of my ability.

No one ever leaves my chair without learning, I love educating them on tips and tricks to take care of their hair and skin and know how to style at home.

Part of my job is to take what they want to see and tell them what’s going to ultimately be best for them and their hair and skin type! No one color or style fits all.”

Tell us about the VIP treatment you give bridal parties!

Cat: “We pamper our bridal parties with lip exfoliant and masks and the bride gets the ultimate pampering with a 24k gold face and lip mask.”

Is there anything you wish your wedding clients knew?

Cat: “Everyone receiving hair styling needs to have clean hair washed and completely dry! If your hair is damp it adds so much extra time per head.

For make-up clients, I ask that they all have a fresh face which is: a cleansed face with a light moisturizer on.”

A final piece of advice?

Don’t try out a new color and stylist right before your wedding, always get color done with plenty of time to tweak if necessary!

I suggest 1-2months in advance for any hair color. You can always retouch it before the big day but if it’s not how you want it you won’t have time last minute!

When it comes to wedding day hair and make-up, not only is Cat experienced, but she will bring her expertise TO you so you can truly sit back, relax, and enjoy your day.

If you’re in the market for a new “go to” stylist, or hair and make-up for your wedding day you can find out more about her here.

Photography by the awesome Mackenzie Keough Photography

Romantic Mountain Elopement

Wendy and Phil contacted me in June–they had recently gotten engaged and knew a traditional wedding was NOT the right fit for them. Instead, they had an already planned trip to Bozeman in July and decided to use their vacation as a perfect opportunity to elope.

I talked to them about their dreams (and their budget) and pulled together an inclusive package for them so they had a choice in all of their options, but didn’t have to worry about any of the “technical” details.

Their romantic evening elopement was held near History Rock in Hyalite canyon. They exchanged vows with their two best friends as witnesses.

I set up a simple wooden arch for the ceremony and draped it with a hand-tied greenery garland. The bouquets were made from a variety of bright blooms.

After the ceremony, they were treated to a delicious berry cheesecake and a huckleberry lemonade vodka cocktail. The cute Montana inspired cookies were wrapped up for them to enjoy later.

Here are a few of my favorite photos:

I would LOVE to help you plan your Bozeman elopement!

Visit our elopements page to learn a little more about our services.

Photography by Elements of Light Photography

Patty and Steve’s Surprise Vow Renewal

I literally squealed with excitement when I got the call from Patty, looking for someone to help her plan a surprise 40th Anniversary Vow Renewal.

Here’s a little back story: Patty and her husband are from New Hampshire and they have always dreamed about taking a trip to Yellowstone National Park. The vow renewal was actually the second surprise of the trip!

The first surprise she filled me in on was bringing their kids and grandkids along for the vacation. Steve didn’t know anything about it until they all showed up at the airport to check in. She wanted to be able to share this trip, and their renewed commitment, with their family.

The renewal ceremony was held on the lawn of their rental home on the shoreline of Hebgen Lake, just outside of West Yellowstone. The bride wore pale pink and her daughters and granddaughter wore white. The men wore simple white t-shirts and blue jeans.

After the renewal, they enjoyed a champagne toast (with sparkling cider for the kiddos) and shared a dance to “Remember When” by Alan Jackson. (cue the sappy, happy tears!) A delicious dinner in West Yellowstone followed their family portrait session with Elements of Light Photography.

As someone who’s been in the business of weddings for six years, I can’t express how special it was to be a part of this 40th Anniversary celebration. It was a beautiful reminder that there is so much more life beyond the wedding day. Love is such a wonderful thing!

Our team handled the full planning process: budget, vendors, site selection, floral, timeline, and dinner reservations.

By the way, if you’re in West Yellowstone looking for something delicious, I HIGHLY recommend the huckleberry burger and the 44 North huckleberry lemonade at Madison Crossing Lounge. You won’t regret it!

Favorite Vendor Feature, Elements of Light Photography

Susan Beth Breuner owns Elements of Light Photography and is also the leader of the Bozeman chapter of Tuesday’s Together. Not only have I had the pleasure of working with her on styled shoots and weddings, but she’s been a great business mentor and friend, and I’m really excited to share a little more about her business, in her own words!

What inspires your business? What is your biggest passion?

Susan Beth: “My business is inspired by the connection of people – and what more intense, beautiful and intimate connection is there besides marriage! I love the concept of helping to celebrate marriage relationships, not just for the wedding day, but for the entire family’s legacy for generations. Each couple is the beginning of something new, while at the same time the fruition of the hopes and dreams of the
generations that come before them.”

“My biggest passion in wedding photography is capturing the real way that the couple interacts with each other. Allowing them to be in front of my camera in a way that is genuine, relaxed, and natural is something that I have worked very hard to accomplish over the years, and is an important part of what gives me a thrill when photographing wedding couples – and all of that applies to both their actual wedding day photos and to their engagement session. In fact, the engagement session is where we do the hard work of forming that relationship that allows us to have and easy flow on the wedding day.”

What are your favorite wedding traditions/moments/details to photograph?

Susan Beth: “I’m torn about what to say here because so many moments of the wedding day are a thrill to photograph, and when it comes right down to it, I’m a bit of a thrill junkie. But I can narrow it down to two things:

1. Any opportunity with just the couple, me and the camera. So, think sunset photos, first look opportunities, romping through a field, running up towards Hyalite to capture big open spaces that still aren’t quite big enough to hold their love and excitement.

And 2. The getting ready portion – for both the Bride and the Groom. There is just something special about capturing the attention to detail they give to their look, and highlighting the things they took the time to select for their wedding day because they reflect their hopes and dreams for the relationship. That means the beauty of putting on makeup knowing you are in your best day ever and want to look your best ever, or tying a tie even if you don’t usually wear one, but you want to get it just right. And these moments often involve someone special helping the bride or groom, so it is another opportunity to highlight a relationship.”

What are some traits of your ideal clients?

Susan Beth: “My ideal client is a bride who is creative, sees the flow of the day and of life as an adventure, and knows that the most important thing about the day is that she will be forever bound to the love of her life. She cares about the details of the day, but keeps them in perspective to the life change she is making and knows that when all is said and done, being married to her love is all that counts on that day. And grooms – love the groom with a great sense of humor, a tender care for his bride, a respect for his guests, and an openness to some fun. He is the consummate host for the party being thrown in his honor, and keeps his head about him to care for his wife, while still honoring his mom.”

Is there anything you wish your clients knew?

Susan Beth: “I wish every person, client or not, knew the value of photos beyond themselves or the moment they are taken. Recognizing that photos inform your own memory, the memories of those involved in your life, and the understanding and respect of generations to come. Wedding photos, boudoir photos, day to day photos, family photos, maternity photos – they all preserve information about you, your life, your culture, your values, and your heart. Having them to share is a gift to yourself and to more other people than you could ever imagine.”

Susan Beth is also an incredible boudoir photographer, and I’ll be sharing more about that side of her business in the near future.

If you’re in the market for a wedding, portrait, boudoir, senior, or “day in the life” photographer, you can find out more about her here.

Intimate New Years Eve Wedding 2018

Save the Date & Join History in the Making for a luxury, all-inclusive intimate Bozeman wedding on December 31, 2018!

The ceremony will be held near the East Gallatin Recreation area with a beautiful view of the Bridger mountains. This will be a true Montana Winter wedding, being held outdoors, snow or shine!

Here’s the “fine print”:

• Invitations with RSVP cards and a custom Facebook event page are included.
• There is a non-refundable booking fee of $1000. The remaining $2500 is due by December 21, 2018.
• Payments can be made by check, money order, or credit card
• The couple is responsible for proving their rings, attire, and marriage license

See more from the amazing vendor team:

• Beauty and the Belief 
• April Sky Photography 
• The Flower Bar
• MAP Brewing
• RSVP Motel

Design Inspiration*:

 

*These images have been gathered from Pinterest and will serve as general inspiration for the wedding, though the final design will be created by History in the Making.

 

An Intimate Bozeman Wedding

I was so excited when Katie called me to plan her Montana wedding! She and her fiancé Paul didn’t have a lot of requirements, but they knew they wanted something close to Bozeman with mountain views and a very intimate ceremony (aka less than 20 guests). So perfect.

Over the course of a few months, I got to know their style, suggested the best vendors for their day, and they trusted me to pull everything together.

I met Katie and Paul in person for the first time on their wedding day, about an hour and a half before their ceremony. They were such a cool, laid back couple and I was so happy that they picked me to help plan their day!

We kept the ceremony design very simple and organic, since the goal was to let Montana’s natural summer beauty shine. A mix of chairs and benches provided ample seating for their guests.

They had a very sweet ceremony, including a ring blessing from all of their guests, that concluded with huge cheers from the on looking crowd (just a perk when you get married in a public place!)

They followed up with drinks and dinner at MAP Brewing.

I had so much fun planning this wedding. It really confirmed just how much I LOVE small, intimate weddings. Here’s some of my favorite pictures from their day. Be sure to scroll all the way down to see the other vendors involved.

  

• Planning and Decor: History in the Making
• Photography: Shanna Mae Photography
• Floral: Budget Bouquet and More
• Venue: East Gallatin Recreation Area/MAP Brewing
• Seating: Montana Party Rentals

Interested in learning more about how we can help you plan an amazing elopement or small wedding? You might find these helpful:

• Simple Elopement Styled Shoot 
• Elopement Services

Pony Pop-Up 2018

Save the Date & Join History in the Making for an adventurous, intimate, and all inclusive wedding on July 13, 2018!

This will be a true Montana wedding held in the historic ghost town of Pony, MT.

The Deets:

See more from the amazing vendor team: Beauty and the Belief  Elements of Light Karen’s Floral Artistry

Design Inspiration*:

*These images have been gathered from Pinterest and will serve as general inspiration for the wedding, though the final design will be created by History in the Making.

Spots are extremely limited! Contact us to learn more!

 

Keeping your cool! Easy ways to manage ceremony anxiety.

Your wedding day is one of the most exciting days of your life, but it can also stir up a lot of nerves. Many brides and groom will feel those crazy butterflies before the wedding, and even though it’s completely normal, it doesn’t mean you can’t you do anything about it. Here’s a few of our favorite tips to help lower your ceremony anxiety.

Focus

Look at your partner and be present. Allow yourself to have tunnel vision. Look in their eyes, and hear the officiant’s voice. They are the priority, and allowing yourself to get lost in them will help you forget all of the other eyes that are lovingly staring at you.

Remember to breath!

If you feel yourself getting anxious or faint, focus on your breathing. Feel the air fill your lungs, hold it for a few seconds, then slowly exhale. Wiggle your legs a bit to keep the blood moving and avoid locking your knees.

Prep your vows

If your anxiety stems from stumbling over your vows, make sure to mention it to your officiant! They may be able to modify the “repeat after me” parts into smaller, easier to remember (and repeat) phrases. Also, ask for a copy of the vows in advance–read them at least once before your wedding day so you have an idea of what’s coming.

Don’t get wrapped up in perfection

The flower girl may have a meltdown. The groomsmen may stand in the wrong order. You might forget your words, burst into tears or laughter, or (like me) try put the wedding ring on the wrong hand. Things happen! If you accept that things may not go perfectly, it will do wonders to help ease your stress! And let’s be real, everyone loves those authentic, unexpected moments. On a day that seems to move so quickly, you’ll happily remember those little mishaps that brought real life to the ceremony.

Limit your audience

If all else fails, consider a smaller ceremony. If your audience is only the most important people in your life (or even just an officiant and photographer), it’s likely you’ll feel less stressed about walking down the aisle and saying your vows. Even if you choose to have a small, intimate ceremony, you can still have the big celebration afterwards.

On a final note, if you’re going to have a fancy coffee or a shot to shake the nerves, that’s great–just be sure to limit you caffeine, sugar, and alcohol intake before the ceremony. Water is key to preventing the always dreaded dry mouth! (Trust me, I learned this the hard way on my own wedding day)

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If you liked these tips, here’s a few more wedding planning posts you may enjoy:

• A few reasons to say “I Do” in Bozeman
• Vendor Interviews: 5 questions to ask a wedding planner

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Photography Credits: Missy Short Photography, Lindsay Mulcare Photography, Phil Chester Photography, Simple Reflections Photography

 

 

Unique Bouquet Alternatives

I’m a sucker for a gorgeous wedding bouquet, but I also LOVE the freedom and expression that comes from unique, personalized bouquets. Whether you’re considering something different for yourself or your bridesmaids, I’ve put together this fun look book of some of my favorite bouquet alternatives.

Fabric and Wood

The fabric flower bouquet was handcrafted by one of our brides from a variety of silks, laces, pearls, and brooches. She used similar flowers to make matching boutonnieres and matching sweetheart chair covers.

Wood bouquets, like this one from EcoFlower, are often made from sola wood. Not only were the colors vibrant, but it smelled amazing! (this was the bouquet from MY wedding and I chose the black vanilla raspberry scent, which was included for free)

Both of these options are extremely light weight, especially when compared to a traditional medium/large sized floral bouquet.

Wearables

Wearable floral pieces are great bouquet alternatives, especially for bridesmaids. Some of my favorite ideas are anklets and armbands. They are versatile, chic, and unexpected. And of course, everybody loves a good floral crown! The best part is all of these can be customized in hundreds of ways, and can be worn down the aisle and on the dance floor.

If you’re crafty, these are easy DIY projects to make with faux flowers, leather, and ribbon. If you’d prefer live floral pieces, I recommend using a professional florist to ensure they will be as fresh as possible and have the best chance of lasting through the wedding day.

Wreaths and Lanterns

Ok, so I may be a bit biased because I was dreaming of this cascading lantern bouquet for what felt like forever, but isn’t it gorgeous? Besides flowers, lanterns can be filled with candles, battery operated lights, or even special keepsakes.

Wreaths are another fun option if you want to carry something down the aisle. Wreaths can be designed around the season, and can be as simple or elaborate as you want. After your walk down the aisle, it can become a piece of décor at your reception. Depending on the type of wreath, you may even be able to take it home after the wedding and enjoy it for a long time to come.

A few other ideas:

A candle bouquet would be beautiful for an evening ceremony. Dried herbs are budget friendly and smell awesome. Brooch bouquets, like this one made of heirloom pieces, are a great choice if you want something non-floral.

We’ve also seen brides carry vintage clutches, a favorite book, and paper flowers

Just remember, your bouquet will be one of the most photographed details of your day, so make sure it fits your personality, style, and vision.

Photo credits:

• Missy Short Photography
• Elements of Light Photography
• MC Creations/Photography
• Tracy Montoya Photography

Wearables, lantern, and wreath florals created by Wild Blume.

New Year’s Eve Pop-Up 2017

Save the Date & Join History in the Making for a gorgeous, all inclusive intimate Bozeman wedding on December 31, 2017!

This will be a true Montana Winter wedding, being held outdoors, snow or shine!

See more from the amazing vendor team: Beauty and the Belief  Elements of Light

Design Inspiration*:

*These images have been gathered from Pinterest and will serve as general inspiration for the wedding, though the final design will be created by History in the Making.