a montana wedding planner
Leslie Lukas Weddings & Events
Leslie S Lukas
My signature is approachable design and unforgettable events through use of texture, specialty lighting, color and interesting, organic materials. I bring an un-pretentious yet sophisticated style to every wedding or event that I design. Visit the link to my website by clicking above or call 406-570-3624.
Montana Wedding & Event Planner
WEBSITE COMING SOON!
I am so excited about the launch of my new wesite www.leslielukas.com! There you will find tips and ideas to plan the perfect Montana Wedding, my top 10 favorite things, a gallery of my work, event showcase and most of all, plenty of design ideas!
I have been planning montana weddings and events for over a decade, and I have to tell you, that I am tolling with the idea of writing a book on my experiences as a wedding planner! I was approached a while ago by a popular photographer in the area that wanted to create an elegant book about me and the weddings I was working on...well, it did not come to fruition, and another planner is working on it with her...but don't you think a book about real experience or better yet, the most outrageous moments would be handy!
I encourage you to write to me your thoughts on this subject, and maybe we can all co-create a great book on weddings together!
Until then...My top favorite planning tools of the moment:
- Martha Stewart Weddings on-line: new budget and seating chart tools...the best I have found..check them out at http://www.marthastewart.com
- Grace Ormand Weddings Magazine...for the most modern, cutting edge, and spendy weddings you could imagine! A girl can dream...right?
- Real Simple's Wedding Planner
- The Anti-Bride Guide (a wedding planner for the non-traditional)
- Elegant Bride, Bride, Modern Bride, Martha Stewart Weddings (and not just because my work has been featured in them either! Great publications!)
- Suze Orman's Book: Women & Money "owning the power to control your destinany" Not only is this book educational, it's an easy read and important to begin your marriage with the right financial state of mind! It will also enable you to budget your wedding better, with the understanding of what other financial commitments you have! It basically is a guide to get you what you want. It has helped me with the pitfalls and successes of my business, and to manage my finances- present and future!!!
- www.idealbite.com a website for a greener you!
- www.weddingbee.com a brides must read blog
- www.theknot.com LOVE thier wedding website tool
- www.moonlightonthemadison.com My favorite montana getaway at the present time.
Best to you and happy planning!!!
September Snow....
Ok, so it can happen! Snow in June, July, September! In the past decade, it has decided to shed a flake or two on what was suppose to be (in the brides mind) a beatiful, warm, and sunny Montana day! I have to say, that these unexpected moments were some of the most magical weddings that I have worked on, and the guests and couples alike embraced the fluffy stuff! Here's a quick story about a well-planned, September Wedding:What gorgeous photos I recieved from Doug Loneman (www.lonemanphotography.com) on a wedding that I coordinated a while back. Karli and Brent are from Missoula and planned a September destination wedding to Chico Hot Springs, just south of Livingston, MT. The fire season had been so rough we were bummed about how smokey the area had been. The week proved to be so much different than we had anticipated! Instead of smoke, thankfully, it decided to get very cold and rainy, and we saw snow in the mountains for the first time...offering wonderful photo opportunities!
Karli and Brent had wanted to get married outside in the field of dreams, but the weather proved too cold, so we had all of our back-up plans in place and everything turned out beautifully. Chico (www.chicohotsprings.com) is such a great location to hold a wedding because of all the options available to have a ceremony on location. They offer two wonderful back-up plans in case of weather emergencies (they own thier own tent and have the convention center). I can't say enough how all the fine details of this wedding played an important role in personalizing this event, and how the snow made it a most memorable occassion for the family.
If you are planning a destination wedding to Montana, and are worried about snow in June...July or even September, just plan your wedding knowing that your guests will embrace anything...montana is a magical backdrop in any season or weather situation. Look for this wedding featured in the Gallery of www.leslielukas.com!
A favorite Montana Wedding Photographer
A few beautiful images from my friend Melanie Nashan, owner of Nashan Photographers! Congratulations on your new space in quaint downtown Livingston! Best wishes to you and your crew this season! I just love the look on the bride's face when she saw the cake.
Current Events
I have to say that I just completed the most amazing work to date.
I was the logistical planner behind a most magnificient vision that my client had to celebrate his wedding anniversary to his wife of 25 years. This vision took guests from check-in at an old cock fighting building on thier private ranch in the Shield's Valley to flyfishing, horseback riding and floating down a private creek on airmatresses; to sleeping in tipi's, floating the Yellowstone River, hiking, and celebrating the 4th at the Livingston Round-up Rodeo, complete with fireworks and a private dinner in a sales barn! The weekend ended with a creek side dinner under a tent in their ranch yard and a private concert under a canopy of stars by Shawn Colvin for 170 of the ranch owners closest family and friends.
The job was a full month and a half of amazing logistical challenges and wonderful details to hammer out. I joined in on the fun late in the game, sorted everything out, and had the time of my life.
Shawn Colvin:
This wonderful artist was the perfect acoustic compliment to the already amazing montana evening.
I will be featuring this event in a story on my new website www.leslielukas.com, that should be ready in the next month or so. I will be listing the ingredients for the success of the event. I could not have done it withought the fabulous family believing in my skills or our vendor team pulling through! Best, LL
I was the logistical planner behind a most magnificient vision that my client had to celebrate his wedding anniversary to his wife of 25 years. This vision took guests from check-in at an old cock fighting building on thier private ranch in the Shield's Valley to flyfishing, horseback riding and floating down a private creek on airmatresses; to sleeping in tipi's, floating the Yellowstone River, hiking, and celebrating the 4th at the Livingston Round-up Rodeo, complete with fireworks and a private dinner in a sales barn! The weekend ended with a creek side dinner under a tent in their ranch yard and a private concert under a canopy of stars by Shawn Colvin for 170 of the ranch owners closest family and friends.
The job was a full month and a half of amazing logistical challenges and wonderful details to hammer out. I joined in on the fun late in the game, sorted everything out, and had the time of my life.
Shawn Colvin:
This wonderful artist was the perfect acoustic compliment to the already amazing montana evening.
I will be featuring this event in a story on my new website www.leslielukas.com, that should be ready in the next month or so. I will be listing the ingredients for the success of the event. I could not have done it withought the fabulous family believing in my skills or our vendor team pulling through! Best, LL
NEW LOOK!
I am thrilled to unveil the new look of my business, Leslie Lukas, weddings and events.
I have struggled for years, contemplating whether to brand my name, and finally, the decision has come where www.paradisecustomweddings.com just does not encompass the work that I do beyond weddings. While PCW will always be around, it is time to bring Leslie Lukas to life.
I look around at my peers in this industry, and many of us are still standing tall, passionate about the weddings and events that we take on, completely respectful of each other, inspired by our clients desires and the area in which we work and live. I want to take this time to thank all who are dear to me and make going to work a wonderful thing:
Kietra Nelson, owner of Classic Ink, is the magic behind my brand. She is such a talent and I am so thankful to have her as my graphic designer, marketing strategist, and friend. Invaluable. We have watched each other ebb and flow over the last decade, as the area has grown and our business models changed, both for the better. I encourage you to visit her at Peach Street Studios, located in the historic NE side, at 627 East Peach, Bozeman.
Melanie Nashan, Nashan Photographers
Jill Redmon, Montana Party Rentals
Priscilla Foster, Ro Sham Bo
Larry Stanley, Larry Stanley Photography
Doug Loneman, Loneman Photography
Lauren Brown, Lauren Brown Photography
Colin Davis, Chico Hot Springs
Ching Ling Coleman, Chico Hot Springs
Sally and Chum, Spring Hill Pavilion
Karen Lum, Moonlight Basin
Yarrow Kraner, Chisel Industries
Kene Sperry, Eye in the Sky Photography
Rich Hohne
JP Gabriel, Film Lites
Leslie Woodland, Capers
Randi Jacobson, Moonstone Productions
Zac Kellerman, Zac's Montana Kitchen
Becky Hill, Custom Dining Experiences & Bar 3 BBQ
Rainbow Ranch
Chico Hot Springs
Gallatin Gateway Inn
Springhill Pavilion
Moonlight Basin
There are so many others, and thank you, from the bottom of my heart! I am excited for what the future holds, and each new client that may come my way under this new business name. THANK YOU!!!!!
Best, LL
THE KNOT MAGAZINE!!!
I just want to congratulate my colleague, Kene Sperry of www.eyeintheskyphotography.com , for his work featured in the latest issue of The Knot bridal magazine, on store shelves now!!! I had the privilege to plan and execute the design for this amazing wedding located at Moonlight on the Madison, just last summer. The bride had an amazing book of ideas and new exactly what her vision was and the style that she wished to create. I assisted the couple with their destination wedding for 30 of thier closest friends and family. The primative, riverside venue, located in the Madison Valley, just minutes from Ennis, MT, was the perfect location for the outdoor enthusiest couple. The bride, an avid angler, was also thrilled with the prospect of tossing a line! To view a slide show of their wedding, follow this link: http://www.eyeintheskyphotography.com/data/slideshow/13/AlexandraPhil/index.html
Phil and Alexandra, were amazing in spirit, and had beautiful families and friends that I grew very fond of. We planned a very intimate ceremony, with the couples closest family and friends in attendance. From the gorgeous bride, carrying a fresh bouquet of peonies and sweet peas to the handsome groom, witty and charming as ever, this wedding was a gorgeous pallet of flawless details.
Kene has an amazing eye for detail and caputured this event with true passion. He has an exquisite, creative outlook on every event that he shoots. This wedding was truly one of my most memorable and favorites of the past decade. Thanks must go to the couple and Kene, for a glorious day!
Ingredients for Phil and Alexandra's perfect wedding:
www.paradisecustomweddings.com
www.montanapartyrentals.com
www.eyeintheskyphotography.com
www.sweetpeabakery.com
www.andrewgromiller.com
www.moonlightonthemadison.com
Leslie Lukas
Paradise Custom Weddings & Events
Serving Southwest Montana
406.570.3624
Destination Wedding for Two!!!
Alison and Barrett were such a joy to work with. Carefully executed, the couple decided to have their nuptials take place while on a ski vacation to Moonlight Basin Resort, a destination wedding in its true form. I had the pleasure of working with Alison and Barrett as their wedding planner while working for Moonlight Basin this past season. I assisted the couple with all the plans from just the right vendor team, to creating the sweet, delicate florals that the bride was so anxious to have. We began the planning process in February, knowing that a month was not long to pull things together. Having the comfort that I knew just who to call was a complete asset to this couple who were planning from Texas!
We held the wedding in their beautiful Mountain Chalet and staged the ceremony in front of a large picture window, looking out to the Spanish Peaks Mountains. The florals were subtle, yet a perfect compliment in everyway. Romantic candlelight and soft guitar music was offered by a local musician. A private chef prepared a delectable meal, and a token wedding cake finished off the evening in the most beautiful way.
I had the pleasure of being a witness, personal assistant, chauffeur, and coordinator for this memorable destination wedding. The bride also has personal ties to Jack Nicklaus, a legendary golfer, who was vacationing at Moonlight Basin this very time. The couple had the opportunity to sneak away from their dinner to talk with Jack and his family. It was an impressive weekend, a gorgeous wedding, and a true experience to be a part of. To view a = few great photographs from this wedding, please follow this link: http://www.morganroofphotography.net/slideshows/AlisonBarrett/
I have to mention the photographer, because she just NAILED IT!!! I took a leap of faith in hiring Morgan for this special weekend, as it was her first year in business on her own, and she did not have one wedding photo to share with me, but she had a wonderful portfolio that consisted of mostly her children! I had to step back and think about how when I was just stepping into this adventure, and remembering back the first client that believed in me. Even though I have so many veteran photographer friends to call on, I knew I had to give her a chance. It’s all about believing in people and knowing in my gut, through all my experience, that she could do it. Morgan Roof of http://www.morganroofphotography.com was fabulous to work with and I would gladly work with her again.
My First Entry
I am so passionate about my work that I wanted a place to be able to share with you the really initmate details of what I do and why I love planning Montana weddings and events so very much. This is also going to be an outlet for me to express my thoughts and visions about design and wedding planning. My hope is to bring stability and joy into each event I co-create with my clients through careful planning and execution. I have so many wonderful photographer friends, that you will be able to benefit from thier beautiful work as I share images of events that I had the pleasure of working together on. Melanie Nashan, a dear friend, took this shot a few years back; I just love the photo to this day! www.nashan.com for more information. I look forward to sharing my thoughts on the latest trends in floral and wedding design as well as elaborate on favorite decorating ideas and how to add flowers into your daily lives! Thank you for visiting my blog, I was inspired by Melanie to begin one...and so the story goes!!! Best, LL