“Blake and Bailey have the story that should have never worked out. It took seven years, a couple near misses, one cross country move, and some serious serious luck to end up here. Across Over the Tapas restaurant in Bozeman, Bailey and Blake saw each other for the first time, both recognizing something special, but did not say hello. While taking a ski break in the lodge at Bridger the next day, Bailey heard a gravelly voice ask, ‘How was dinner last night?’ from behind her. She turned around to see the handsome man from the night before. They struck up a conversation but did not exchange numbers (both admit to some swooning during said conversation). After a light google search the next day, Bailey emailed Blake’s business, choosing to correct his oversight in not asking for her number. He called immediately upon receipt of her email. Blake was living in Vermont at the time, and Bailey had just opened a business in Bozeman. Realizing the logistics were not in their favor, they settled for a cross country friendship, that frequently included bailey asking for business and dating advice from Blake. Seven years later, Blake called Bailey and told her he was coming to Montana in a few months to finally pursue the woman of his dreams, so to do whatever she needed to be ready for him (a.k.a. ditch whatever boy she was letting hang around). He was certain she was his forever and was sick of waiting for it to start. Fast forward to that fall, and after a day of hunting, they both realized the seven years of friendship was always meant to be the foundation of forever. Eight months later, Blake moved to Bozeman to start building their life together. Ten months after that fateful day, on Bailey’s favorite hike in the Flathead Valley, Bailey joked maybe she would say yes to a proposal when he got around to it the next decade, Blake dropped to a knee and asked, ‘How about now?’ with Bailey’s dream ring in hand. They knew they wanted to be married the following summer so they quickly got to work with Cara Finch of Goldfinch and Mums in Whitefish, Montana to plan their dream wedding. They knew they wanted black tie, but laid back with a focus on extraordinary food and fun and flowers. They already had the perfect venue, Bailey’s parents house on Loon Lake. What Cara and her team put together was a weekend of magic, complete with a huge welcome dinner at a private elk reserve.”
– Bailey, the bride
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