Alexandra is an elegant human being inside and out! When we began planning together, over a year ago now, I felt an instant connection to her even through the computer. Most of our sessions were spent virtually connecting, and the few times I’ve been able to be in her presence we both felt like old friends genuinely fueled by our shared enthusiasm. It’s rare to forge connection through challenges and this year brought plenty of those! Even before Covid, there was the challenge of designing a “modern, ethereal, garden inspired,” reception in a Hotel ballroom. We knew we’d have to be so smart with our design.
For their venue, Ali and Kyle chose the Double Tree here in Billings because of the level of service and accommodation they could give to out-of-town guests. There’s a limited number of venues equipped to provide every guest a room, a seated and served meal, full-service hospitality, and bar for a head count between 200 and 300 people. Because the Double Tree had all of these, it was the clear choice for a venue. Guests could have a downtown, urban experience within walking distance from local breweries and restaurants. Then, within an hours drive, be in the mountains enjoying a scenic drive over the pass and into a national park.
Our next challenge came as Covid developed. Our couple stayed in contact with relatives and their venue coordinator decided to move their wedding till later in the year when it was safer to gather. While this meant many revisions to the floor plan and seating chart to accommodate the requirements for Yellowstone county, in the end the room felt luxuriously comfortable with all tables socially distanced and more elbow room at each table for fine dining. The choice of venue ended up being fortuitous as the hotel staff was amazing at adapting to a new plan and helping our couple through it all. One of the great lessons I’ve learned from this national emergency is the value of seasoned vendors. It really was a saving grace to have a trusted vendor team that could honor their commitments to our shared client and creatively navigate the situational challenges that arose with open communication and kindness.
If you look at the images of this couple you might notice that the groom, Kyle is just as fashionable as his bride. Let’s be honest, ladies love a man with their own signature style who can keep up with our own. Ali + Kyle found they had a love for fashionable expression in common when they spent time together in Italy – dressing up and going out for amazing dinners together as often as possible was, and still is, a forever fave for this pair. In addition to being chic, these two are generous with each other, gracious to those in their lives, adventurous of spirit, and you had better believe if there is a dance-floor – they are ON IT!
One of the most unique details of their day was the custom dance-floor we helped to source and design in tandem with Magic City Productions. It truly became the centerpiece of the reception space; not only because it transformed the room when paired with stunning linens (BBJ) and a 65+’ wall of fabric Drape (BTG), but also because it helped provide a feeling of lightness in the space.
You might notice that this couple enjoyed an intimate, backyard wedding ceremony. While this was not part of the original plan, we had the help of Patricia Clark in re-scouting and selecting an alternative option as their original location was at the church (due to Covid, it was safer to move the gathering outdoors). The church approved the two to be wed in the church at a very private couple-and-family only service the day beforehand. Then, extended family was able to come for an outdoor, garden wedding. It really is heart warming to see everyone pull together and problem solve. I couldn’t be more grateful for the experience of working with this client and all the people they chose to support them. Every wedding day is beautiful but these weddings that overcome additional challenges have become even more precious to us as we realize that love will always be worth celebrating.
