Miss Cherry Pie, Seattle/Polebridge, MontanaAge and Occupation: 25, Marketing Communications SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Nurse PractitionerEngagement Date: August 26, 2006Wedding Date: September 2008Blogging Since: April 1, 2008Venue: A tiny town just outside of Glacier National ParkAbout Me: I think of life as a journey and I love the places it's taking me! I went to school to study Magazine Journalism, ended up with a second major in Japanese language, and now work at a company that makes software for libraries. I love writing, computers, photography, and the great outdoors. I spend most of my time playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band or geeking out online with Mr. Cherry Pie. I'm happiest when I'm on the road, especially traveling abroad, or just nesting quietly at home with my sweetie, who is a fabulous cook and bakes a delicious rendition of a certain cherry-filled dessert!
Like most people, I suffer from the malady of time passing faster as I get older. When I finished my recaps half a year had passed since our wedding. In the blink of an eye, another half year was gone, and we’d made it to the one-year mark. Last September, we celebrated our paper anniversary in a quiet cliff-top house on Orcas Island, eating wedding cake and watching Fight Club. (Why Fight Club? Don’t ask… I’ve no idea. As for the cake, it was actually DELICIOUS. Ya just have to store it right!)
Aside from cards, cake, and champagne, we only really had one special thing planned…a Trash the Dress shoot with our friend and fabulous wedding photographer, Kate McElwee. I didn’t want to actually “trash” my dress because I had just had it cleaned and was coming to terms with the idea of someday selling it. (I still might. Soon.) I really just wanted an excuse to put it on and feel like a bride again… to celebrate our wedding in style. So that’s what we did!
Miss Cherry Pie, Seattle/Polebridge, MontanaAge and Occupation: 25, Marketing Communications SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Nurse PractitionerEngagement Date: August 26, 2006Wedding Date: September 2008Blogging Since: April 1, 2008Venue: A tiny town just outside of Glacier National ParkAbout Me: I think of life as a journey and I love the places it's taking me! I went to school to study Magazine Journalism, ended up with a second major in Japanese language, and now work at a company that makes software for libraries. I love writing, computers, photography, and the great outdoors. I spend most of my time playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band or geeking out online with Mr. Cherry Pie. I'm happiest when I'm on the road, especially traveling abroad, or just nesting quietly at home with my sweetie, who is a fabulous cook and bakes a delicious rendition of a certain cherry-filled dessert!
Today I’m delighted to share with you the first of two detail-oriented recap posts. These are sort of like recaps of the recap - focused on all the outfits, accessories, DIY projects, decorations, and edible/drinkable pieces of our wedding. Many of you have asked me questions about specific things that we wore, made, or did. Well, these detail posts are the best place to look for all that information, and to see new photos of all the little things that made our wedding day special.
Miss Cherry Pie, Seattle/Polebridge, MontanaAge and Occupation: 25, Marketing Communications SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Nurse PractitionerEngagement Date: August 26, 2006Wedding Date: September 2008Blogging Since: April 1, 2008Venue: A tiny town just outside of Glacier National ParkAbout Me: I think of life as a journey and I love the places it's taking me! I went to school to study Magazine Journalism, ended up with a second major in Japanese language, and now work at a company that makes software for libraries. I love writing, computers, photography, and the great outdoors. I spend most of my time playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band or geeking out online with Mr. Cherry Pie. I'm happiest when I'm on the road, especially traveling abroad, or just nesting quietly at home with my sweetie, who is a fabulous cook and bakes a delicious rendition of a certain cherry-filled dessert!
After our bouquet and garter tosses, the Good Wood Band again took the stage for the second half of their three-hour set. By this time it was very dark - the kind of pitch blackness you can only experience on a cloudy night in the middle of nowhere - and quite cold. But the rain from earlier had still not returned, and between dancing, drinking, and huddling near the wood stove, we were staying warm and content. Read more…
Miss Cherry Pie, Seattle/Polebridge, MontanaAge and Occupation: 25, Marketing Communications SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Nurse PractitionerEngagement Date: August 26, 2006Wedding Date: September 2008Blogging Since: April 1, 2008Venue: A tiny town just outside of Glacier National ParkAbout Me: I think of life as a journey and I love the places it's taking me! I went to school to study Magazine Journalism, ended up with a second major in Japanese language, and now work at a company that makes software for libraries. I love writing, computers, photography, and the great outdoors. I spend most of my time playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band or geeking out online with Mr. Cherry Pie. I'm happiest when I'm on the road, especially traveling abroad, or just nesting quietly at home with my sweetie, who is a fabulous cook and bakes a delicious rendition of a certain cherry-filled dessert!
In my last post, I introduced you to our bluegrass band, Good Wood. In my next post, I’ll let you hear some of their music and detail the craziness at the end of the evening. But now, as the band is taking a break between sets, it’s time for us to take the stage for the garter and bouquet toss!
I’ve always been a big fan of bouquet tosses. As a single girl, I loved the symbolism of “passing the torch”. I’ve caught my fair share of flowers over the last few years– and it’s always been a source of great entertainment and pride. Plus, free pretty flowers are a nice souvenir!
The garter toss, however, gives me mixed feelings. I’ve always found the symbolic “deflowering” to be somewhat tasteless, and not particularly relevant (myself having been deflowered a long while ago). Also, while it seems that everyone enjoys watching the groom fish around in the bride’s dress for her undergarments (ack!), my observation has been that male audience participation in the garter toss is always less enthusiastic than female participation in the bouquet toss.
But whatever, Mr. CP seemed eager to toss a garter, and I’m an equal opportunity bride, so I decided to oblige, and we had both…
Miss Cherry Pie, Seattle/Polebridge, MontanaAge and Occupation: 25, Marketing Communications SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Nurse PractitionerEngagement Date: August 26, 2006Wedding Date: September 2008Blogging Since: April 1, 2008Venue: A tiny town just outside of Glacier National ParkAbout Me: I think of life as a journey and I love the places it's taking me! I went to school to study Magazine Journalism, ended up with a second major in Japanese language, and now work at a company that makes software for libraries. I love writing, computers, photography, and the great outdoors. I spend most of my time playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band or geeking out online with Mr. Cherry Pie. I'm happiest when I'm on the road, especially traveling abroad, or just nesting quietly at home with my sweetie, who is a fabulous cook and bakes a delicious rendition of a certain cherry-filled dessert!
After our ceremony, even the mountains came out to say hello! The clouds that had been hanging low over some of the highest peaks lifted, revealing a brand new dusting of snow. Despite the increasing chance of rain and fast-moving weather, it had been a beautiful afternoon.
Miss Cherry Pie, Seattle/Polebridge, MontanaAge and Occupation: 25, Marketing Communications SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Nurse PractitionerEngagement Date: August 26, 2006Wedding Date: September 2008Blogging Since: April 1, 2008Venue: A tiny town just outside of Glacier National ParkAbout Me: I think of life as a journey and I love the places it's taking me! I went to school to study Magazine Journalism, ended up with a second major in Japanese language, and now work at a company that makes software for libraries. I love writing, computers, photography, and the great outdoors. I spend most of my time playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band or geeking out online with Mr. Cherry Pie. I'm happiest when I'm on the road, especially traveling abroad, or just nesting quietly at home with my sweetie, who is a fabulous cook and bakes a delicious rendition of a certain cherry-filled dessert!
What better way to finish my guest recap posts than with some photographs of details from the day!
First, to set the mood, a shot of the Polebridge Mercantile, home of the Polebridge bakery (responsible for our cake and tartlets). This sight greets guests as they drive into Polebridge. You can see our tent in the field behind it…
Miss Cherry Pie, Seattle/Polebridge, MontanaAge and Occupation: 25, Marketing Communications SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Nurse PractitionerEngagement Date: August 26, 2006Wedding Date: September 2008Blogging Since: April 1, 2008Venue: A tiny town just outside of Glacier National ParkAbout Me: I think of life as a journey and I love the places it's taking me! I went to school to study Magazine Journalism, ended up with a second major in Japanese language, and now work at a company that makes software for libraries. I love writing, computers, photography, and the great outdoors. I spend most of my time playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band or geeking out online with Mr. Cherry Pie. I'm happiest when I'm on the road, especially traveling abroad, or just nesting quietly at home with my sweetie, who is a fabulous cook and bakes a delicious rendition of a certain cherry-filled dessert!
After dinner, our band took the stage. We’d hired Good Wood, a bluegrass band from Kalispell, for their awesome sound and great price - $1200 for 3 hours! Neither of us had ever heard our band live before.
We just knew that Polebridge’s hand-built stage deserved live music, and something with a local flair. Good Wood was the first band that turned up after a Google search for “Kalispell and Whitefish bluegrass bands” and after much more extensive research, they remained the best. What can I say; they make a good first impression.
I was sad that I wasn’t able to see them perform during my trip to Glacier in May, as I had planned (thanks to a flat tire), but once they took the stage I knew for sure we’d chosen right…
Miss Cherry Pie, Seattle/Polebridge, MontanaAge and Occupation: 25, Marketing Communications SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Nurse PractitionerEngagement Date: August 26, 2006Wedding Date: September 2008Blogging Since: April 1, 2008Venue: A tiny town just outside of Glacier National ParkAbout Me: I think of life as a journey and I love the places it's taking me! I went to school to study Magazine Journalism, ended up with a second major in Japanese language, and now work at a company that makes software for libraries. I love writing, computers, photography, and the great outdoors. I spend most of my time playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band or geeking out online with Mr. Cherry Pie. I'm happiest when I'm on the road, especially traveling abroad, or just nesting quietly at home with my sweetie, who is a fabulous cook and bakes a delicious rendition of a certain cherry-filled dessert!
Well peeps, I have a confession to make. I murdered my hair.
Ok, so technically it isn’t dead. It may in fact be healthier than ever since I had most of it hacked skillfully off by a certified hairsassin.
I’ve had long hair since I grew out my last “bob” during freshman year of college. Like many of you, I let my hair grow for the wedding, and while I loved the length of my locks, and how they would hold “Jessica Simpson curls” I was also really tired of long-hair maintenance and upkeep. I didn’t like constantly having to brush and de-tangle my hair, and the fact that I was simply too lazy to do anything but ponytail it 90% of the time made me feel sloppy and lazy.
Here’s me and Mrs. Avocado outside a Seattle sushi joint the week before her wedding, an occasion I actually saw fit to “style” for:
Miss Cherry Pie, Seattle/Polebridge, MontanaAge and Occupation: 25, Marketing Communications SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Nurse PractitionerEngagement Date: August 26, 2006Wedding Date: September 2008Blogging Since: April 1, 2008Venue: A tiny town just outside of Glacier National ParkAbout Me: I think of life as a journey and I love the places it's taking me! I went to school to study Magazine Journalism, ended up with a second major in Japanese language, and now work at a company that makes software for libraries. I love writing, computers, photography, and the great outdoors. I spend most of my time playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band or geeking out online with Mr. Cherry Pie. I'm happiest when I'm on the road, especially traveling abroad, or just nesting quietly at home with my sweetie, who is a fabulous cook and bakes a delicious rendition of a certain cherry-filled dessert!
After our cocktail hour it was time to head to the tent for dinner: a Polebridge-catered buffet of baked ruby trout, buffalo tri-tip, grilled veggies, herbed potatoes, fresh-baked bread, garlic noodles, and organic salad greens. YEEEE-HAW!!
Miss Cherry Pie, Seattle/Polebridge, MontanaAge and Occupation: 25, Marketing Communications SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Nurse PractitionerEngagement Date: August 26, 2006Wedding Date: September 2008Blogging Since: April 1, 2008Venue: A tiny town just outside of Glacier National ParkAbout Me: I think of life as a journey and I love the places it's taking me! I went to school to study Magazine Journalism, ended up with a second major in Japanese language, and now work at a company that makes software for libraries. I love writing, computers, photography, and the great outdoors. I spend most of my time playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band or geeking out online with Mr. Cherry Pie. I'm happiest when I'm on the road, especially traveling abroad, or just nesting quietly at home with my sweetie, who is a fabulous cook and bakes a delicious rendition of a certain cherry-filled dessert!
Without further ado, I present to you guest photos of our cocktail hour and a lengthy narrative to accompany them!
Mmm, don’t those hors d’ouevres look scrumptious? It looks like one of our guests set up this plate just for a photo! (Notice the suspiciously well-placed garnish…) Read more…
Miss Cherry Pie, Seattle/Polebridge, MontanaAge and Occupation: 25, Marketing Communications SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Nurse PractitionerEngagement Date: August 26, 2006Wedding Date: September 2008Blogging Since: April 1, 2008Venue: A tiny town just outside of Glacier National ParkAbout Me: I think of life as a journey and I love the places it's taking me! I went to school to study Magazine Journalism, ended up with a second major in Japanese language, and now work at a company that makes software for libraries. I love writing, computers, photography, and the great outdoors. I spend most of my time playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band or geeking out online with Mr. Cherry Pie. I'm happiest when I'm on the road, especially traveling abroad, or just nesting quietly at home with my sweetie, who is a fabulous cook and bakes a delicious rendition of a certain cherry-filled dessert!
Miss Cherry Pie, Seattle/Polebridge, MontanaAge and Occupation: 25, Marketing Communications SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Nurse PractitionerEngagement Date: August 26, 2006Wedding Date: September 2008Blogging Since: April 1, 2008Venue: A tiny town just outside of Glacier National ParkAbout Me: I think of life as a journey and I love the places it's taking me! I went to school to study Magazine Journalism, ended up with a second major in Japanese language, and now work at a company that makes software for libraries. I love writing, computers, photography, and the great outdoors. I spend most of my time playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band or geeking out online with Mr. Cherry Pie. I'm happiest when I'm on the road, especially traveling abroad, or just nesting quietly at home with my sweetie, who is a fabulous cook and bakes a delicious rendition of a certain cherry-filled dessert!
In this edition of “Married in Montana,” I’ll take you deep into the Glacier backcountry on our pre-wedding, 2-night, 3-day trip to Cracker Lake. The trip was fraught with action, adventure, and… ah, mostly angst… and a lot of rain. Plus, there was some extremely gorgeous scenery:
But the real reason I’m writing about this trip isn’t just to share glorious photos; it’s to tell you about “the fight“. Read more…
Miss Cherry Pie, Seattle/Polebridge, MontanaAge and Occupation: 25, Marketing Communications SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Nurse PractitionerEngagement Date: August 26, 2006Wedding Date: September 2008Blogging Since: April 1, 2008Venue: A tiny town just outside of Glacier National ParkAbout Me: I think of life as a journey and I love the places it's taking me! I went to school to study Magazine Journalism, ended up with a second major in Japanese language, and now work at a company that makes software for libraries. I love writing, computers, photography, and the great outdoors. I spend most of my time playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band or geeking out online with Mr. Cherry Pie. I'm happiest when I'm on the road, especially traveling abroad, or just nesting quietly at home with my sweetie, who is a fabulous cook and bakes a delicious rendition of a certain cherry-filled dessert!
To get back into the wedding recap, I have to rewind to one week before the wedding, when Mr. CP and I drove from Seattle to Glacier National Park for a pre-wedding vacation. When we arrived, I was exhausted and fed-up. I wrote:
The truth is that the last two weeks have been absolute hell, and I have wanted, very badly, not to be dealing with this wedding any more [...] I am tired of unreturned phone calls and email, missing critical details, and misinformation. I am ready to break up with our wedding.
But as soon as we crossed state lines from Washington to Idaho and Idaho to Montana, my stress lifted. And this is why the drive to Montana is my favorite rite of passage: The beautiful scenery was passing, and I was a full part of the journey to my favorite place to marry my favorite man.
And, between you and me, I planned to marry him not once, but TWICE.
Miss Cherry Pie, Seattle/Polebridge, MontanaAge and Occupation: 25, Marketing Communications SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Nurse PractitionerEngagement Date: August 26, 2006Wedding Date: September 2008Blogging Since: April 1, 2008Venue: A tiny town just outside of Glacier National ParkAbout Me: I think of life as a journey and I love the places it's taking me! I went to school to study Magazine Journalism, ended up with a second major in Japanese language, and now work at a company that makes software for libraries. I love writing, computers, photography, and the great outdoors. I spend most of my time playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band or geeking out online with Mr. Cherry Pie. I'm happiest when I'm on the road, especially traveling abroad, or just nesting quietly at home with my sweetie, who is a fabulous cook and bakes a delicious rendition of a certain cherry-filled dessert!
Well everyone, we did it! The whole wedding went off without a hitch, thanks to our amazing planners… and despite the fact that it poured for a good 45 minutes. (The weather was eerily well-behaved.) But I’ll share more details about that, the ceremony, the reception, and everything else when we get back from a week at Amuleto in Zihuatanejo.
Miss Cherry Pie, Seattle/Polebridge, MontanaAge and Occupation: 25, Marketing Communications SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Nurse PractitionerEngagement Date: August 26, 2006Wedding Date: September 2008Blogging Since: April 1, 2008Venue: A tiny town just outside of Glacier National ParkAbout Me: I think of life as a journey and I love the places it's taking me! I went to school to study Magazine Journalism, ended up with a second major in Japanese language, and now work at a company that makes software for libraries. I love writing, computers, photography, and the great outdoors. I spend most of my time playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band or geeking out online with Mr. Cherry Pie. I'm happiest when I'm on the road, especially traveling abroad, or just nesting quietly at home with my sweetie, who is a fabulous cook and bakes a delicious rendition of a certain cherry-filled dessert!
Shh… no one but you is supposed to know. And don’t tell my family, because they don’t know either.
When we started planning our wedding, it was my dream to get married on the banks of Swiftcurrent Lake in Many Glacier. Look at it… isn’t it gorgeous?
But after a few months of bandying back and forth with the park, we established that a wedding in Many Glacier just wouldn’t work. For us, as planners, and for our guests. Read more…