Montana Wedding & Event Planner

Montana Christmas!

Leslie Lukas — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:24:27 GMT

Greetings!!!! I thought I would blog a bit about this coming Holiday Season and a few things that I enjoy...

Montana is so amazing in the winter...as is spending the holiday season here with family and friends! From the Christmas Strolls in our little communities like Bozeman, Livingston, and Ennis, to the best and biggest skiing in America, to wonderful food, music, and parties...

Enjoy the links to some of my favorite Holiday things....

Hey Day: WONDERFUL and whimsical gifts including Joe's Parkway gourmet foods...
Moonlight Basin: Awesome accommodations, food, and SKIING
Sweetpea Bakery: Order early to satisfy your sweet tooth...have them do the baking for you!!!
Laura B. Palmer Art: Beautiful artwork that should adorn your walls...if not now, someday!
Gifts.com: The on-line source to every gift possible!--a generic way to shop if you don't have the time to stroll!
Jeni Fleming Trio: CD Release, "Home for the Holidays" gets my SEAL of APPROVAL!!! Congrats on such an amazing album!
320 Ranch: Authentic Sleigh Ride dinners...can that be any more Norman Rockwell????
Dew Drop In: get the holiday shopping done without your kids!
Downtown Bozeman: Boutique Shopping at its best!
Bequet Confections: Homemade caramel confections made in Bozeman, MT to send all over the country...spread the caramel joy!

other favorite things--cooking dinner for family and friends, christmas decorating, Hot Buttered Rum, Santa Claus, my Children (seeing the holidays through thier eyes brings me great joy!), and fudge, no nuts!

Season's Greetings and hold your loved ones close!!!

Best, LL

MONTANA MULE: 2 shots whisky, juice of half a lime, shaken with ice, strained over two cocktail glasses with ice, and topped with ginger beer...mmmmmmm!

Lauren Brown Photography and LL Team UP

Leslie Lukas — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:13:47 GMT

Details, Details, Details!!! Oh, it's so fun to plot and create new ideas and combinations to use as design inspiration for weddings and events! I had the privilege of working with one of Montana's top photographers, Lauren Brown, on a recent shoot that we put together to freshen our portfolios and have a lot of fun in the process! Thanks to Elsa Campbell of the Woodlands for the use of one of the most gorgeous venues for our location and to Montana Party Rentals for allowing us to use a few rentals....A special thanks to Lauren for making it look so effortless and for putting together these inspiration boards!

Holiday....i love the hand stamped table cards that were created to greet our guests and the punch of color from the jewel pink rose. This typically would have been on the boring side without them! Rules need not apply for Holiday!!!

Winter Scene...winter wheat from my families farm and white winter berries help achieve a diverse use of natural materials with interesting textures that don't compete with the wild table cloth...for a simpler look, one could have just used all white flowers in a clear vase for immediate distinction and definition between cloth and decor. This looked completely amazing in the stunning setting of the woodlands...and it left your eyes pleasantly seeking out each pleasant detail.

Fall Flair...I love the fall colors in this story. The red increases the vibrancy of the other materials, making each element POP!

Montana Spring Weddings...

Leslie Lukas — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:33:04 GMT

Just a quick note if you are looking ahead and planning a spring time wedding in the Rockies...you must be able to embrace the weather! Anything can happen in Montana spring, from snow, rain, wind and glorious sunshine or all four in the same day! Please take a look at this beautiful and intimate spring wedding. Photography by none other than Lauren Brown Photography of Southwest Montana...

Ruth and Robert's wedding happened to be on the only day in April where it didn't snow! What are the chances! The couple chose Leslie Lukas Weddings and Events while on a mission to find great vendors for their wedding at the Museum of the Rockies Wine Classic, in Bozeman, summer of 2007. At the Classic they saw the gorgeous flowers and design that we did, and they also found their caterer, Ryan Lafoley....you never know where your plans will formulate!

Letter of Praise...

Leslie Lukas — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:24:43 GMT

"I want to share an incredible letter of praise that I just received from Laura and Mike, a wedding that I coordinated and designed flowers for in late August of this year...the photo story is incredible, as is the photographer that took them, Lauren Brown...! Enjoy!" LL

Dear Leslie,
Let me just say that having you help us with our wedding was
incredible. You are kind, creative, fun, and you pay extra special
attention to the details. You are also professional, prompt, and easy to work
with. We think you are simply adorable and we loved having you with us. In
fact, we both felt incredibly lucky to have you there to help direct our guests and bridal party,
given that our wedding was pretty large.

Leslie, you think of things that we never would have thought about! Here
are a few tiny examples that I would have forgotten.

You made made these beautifully decorated little kits for the wash rooms during the wedding reception filled with combs, hairspray, mouthwash, and mints. People really seemed to appreciated that.
Also, you organized a small ladies party while I got ready for the actual wedding, we had
plenty of drinks, sandwiches, cookies, and fun before the ceremony. It felt so special to have all of my favorite people come and be with me during this time.
You even made beautiful ribbon wands for our flower girls to have on their place settings at dinner! They loved that!

My husband was a little shy at first about having a planner help, and
for us, you were the perfect fit. My mother, who happens to be quite
high strung, was concerned about many of the details with planning and
the flowers in particular. Leslie, you brought a level of comfort and
relaxation to her and we felt that it was imperative. You did a
fabulous job and my mother was elated.

The highlight for me was that we had also hired you to do our
flowers. I had no idea what was in store for us but when I saw what
you had done, my eyes almost popped out of my head! Your flowers were
the most amazing arrangements I have ever seen in my life and I
would not say that if I did not mean it. They were UNBELIEVABLE. Leslie, you
made our wedding look and feel so warm and amazing. Mike and I are
still talking about it and so are our guests. It was the most
beautiful time of our lives. Given the size of our event, you made
it all go more smoothly than any other wedding I have been to. There
was virtually no stress whatsoever!

Leslie, you are awesome and our wedding was personal, perfect, and
unforgettable. I really want other brides to know how extraordinary you are.
Cloud 9 is the best place to be on your wedding day.

Big Hugs,

Laura B. Sawaya
2410 Westridge Drive
Bozeman, MT 59715
www.laurabluepalmerart.com

"Laura is a local artist, and the flower selections that I made were a reflection of some of the dominating color pallets found in her work as I new she would love it! Mike is a bear biologist and I brought in rustic elements that he felt comfortable with, like moss and rocks!"

The guests were greeted with beautiful arrangements in rich, bold, colors. We placed a water table near the entrance with a great looking enamelware water dispenser and glassware, that looked elegant with a small arrangement and river rocks to weight the table cloth...

We almost made the call to move the ceremony, as it started spitting rain, but as the ceremony time grew near, the storm bypassed us, opening up the sky to a gorgeous gray-blue....

Laura and Mike had a non-traditional ceremony which encompassed several religions and spiritual elements...to bring together the difference of religions between thier families and friends....

Guests tossed petals at the newlyweds to help them celebrate....

The couples favorite drink...the mojito...was in plenitude during the cocktail hour, while the bride and groom snuck away for some portraits! Good thinking!!!

More photos by Lauren Brown Photography to be featured in an upcoming blog on this wedding...

BRIDES MAGAZINE, Published again

Leslie Lukas — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:52:05 GMT

I am lucky enough to work closely with Nashan Photographers who has wonderful relationships with many national bridal magazines such as Brides, Modern Bride, Elegant Bride, the KNOT and Martha Stewart Weddings Magazines. Melanie submits many weddings that she shoots, and since we work together so much, it allows my work and the work of my company to be published as well. Since 2002, Paradise Custom Weddings has been published over 14 times because of Melanie...and I want to thank her! It adds such creditbility to the level of design and planning that we do for our brides each year. Enjoy this wedding that was published in Brides Magazine just this spring. To see the spread that was recently published follow this link to Brides.com: Devan and Jeff
and to see other weddings that were published a few years ago, follow these links: Mark and Mandy and Jessica and Sean

The detail on the cake mimicks that on Devan's dress....

The bride spared nothing when it came to the details of this carefully planned and executed wedding...

I LOVE the bridesmaids dresses and how they related to the style of the wedding...

and the guests enjoyed every minute...

Ingredients for this perfect wedding:

Leslie Lukas Weddings & Events (formerly Paradise Custom Weddings): wedding design, planning and flowers
Montana Party Rentals: Rentals
Nashan Photographers: Photograhy by Melanie Nashan with second shooter Keegan Nashan
Second Street Catering: Catering
Cakes from Cabin Ridge: Rebecca Nicklin, award winning cake designer
Vision: Devan Pederson, Bride

SILVER CELEBRATION HUGE SUCCESS

Leslie Lukas — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 08:37:54 GMT

I am so excited to blog about the local non-profit group Hand Me Down Some Silver, INC. I have jumped on board this train to assist with their events throughout the year. We just completed the 3rd Annual Silver Celebration and Fund raiser that was a huge success. It took place at the historical Gallatin Gateway Inn. The warmth and vitality of the wonderful people behind this organization is truly inspirational.

Hand me down some silver, Inc. was created to provide young musicians the education, tools and opportunities to more fully experience the life-enriching benefit of music, as well as explore the many aspects of music through the following ways: Scholarships to help kids purchase instruments Financial, educational, logistical and technical support for young musicians´ensembles, Educational seminars/workshops/performances specific cally for the benefit of young music students with a goal of instilling a richer culture within the community, Grants to young musicians for the purposes of performing and recording their own CD projects such that the young musician learns many practical aspects of the music industry, Working in conjunction with, but separate from, other local music and charitable organizations

The evening was spectacular and included musical performances by local Jazz musician Jeni Fleming, Jazz by the children's group Blue Shoes, Eden Atwood, Stephanie Davis and much more....A special thank you to Keegan Nashan, age 15, who took the spectacular photographs of this event. Keegan is an associate photographer that shoots with Nashan Photographers (her mother Melanie is a dear friend and colleague). Keegan, thank you for your clever shooting abilities, you are a true talent.

WEBSITE COMING SOON!

Leslie Lukas — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 10:16:56 GMT

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!

My top favorite planning tools of the moment:

Martha Stewart Weddings on-line: new budget and seating chart tools...the best seating assignment diy software I have found for free..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
www.stylemepretty.com -most favorite wedding blog!
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!!!

Snow and Montana Weddings

Leslie Lukas — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 10:26:24 GMT

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

Leslie Lukas — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:15:34 GMT

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.

Shawn Colvin & Private Ranch Event

Leslie Lukas — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 10:18:05 GMT

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.
http://montanaweddingflorist.com/2008/07/25/current-events.aspx

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, NEW NAME

Leslie Lukas — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 10:17:31 GMT

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!!!

Leslie Lukas — Wed, 21 May 2008 22:50:27 GMT

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!!!

Leslie Lukas — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:48:59 GMT

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

Leslie Lukas — Sat, 10 May 2008 08:04:29 GMT

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