As a wedding photographer, I’m often asked about different venues and other wedding vendors that I recommend in an area. Wedding photographers in Missoula, MT have a great advantage because of the abundance of wonderfully talented business owners in the industry that we get to work with. In no particular order below, I’ve outlined some of my absolute favorites that you should take the time to check out while planning.
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Wedding Venues in Missoula, MT
Missoula has some great wedding venues, some of which you may not have heard of or considered for your day. As a local photographer, I can provide some insight into a few of them below.
Gibson Mansion: The Gibson Mansion is an absolutely classic venue on the south side of Missoula. As you can tell by the name, it is in fact a mansion. It is a gorgeous white structure with black trim accents giving it such a classic and timeless appeal. This is actually where my husband and I were married and I couldn’t be happier that we chose this venue. They have beautiful suites for the bridal parties to get ready that makes for amazing photos. The actual ceremony is held in their vibrant, lush garden in the back. They have a gazebo as the front of the alter and a well-manicured patio perfect for cocktail hour with passed hors d’evours. Although this venue is geared toward a smaller, intimate guest list, it is by far one of the top wedding venues in Missoula.
Heritage Hall: This is an ever-popular wedding venue. The hall itself can accommodate a larger guest list and while it can seem a bit dated in terms of décor, I’ve also seen it fit absolutely perfectly for a wedding a slightly vintage flair. The grounds are simple and basic but with the right event rentals and styling, this can be turned into a gorgeous space.
The Barn on Mullan: This venue books up quickly every year. It is located at the Ranch Club on the golf course off of Mullan. The building itself was built to look like an old rustic barn and it is just that but with great amenities! This venue is great because in many ways it’s a bit of an inclusive venue with catering and a bar provided on site. This eliminates booking multiple vendors and the chefs have a great reputation. The ceremony site is on the golf course. While the lawn is obviously well manicured, there are little to no trees that might provide shade to guests on a hot summer day.
The Keep: Much like the Barn on Mullan, The Keep is located on a golf course in the Pattee Canyon area. The building itself has a completely different vibe with its stone walls and cozy feel. I would recommend this venue for a smaller guest list if you want to have your reception inside the building. If you have a large number of guests, they will likely be split among the two separate rooms insides. This isn’t a huge drawback until it comes to the evenings festivities such as toasts, cake cutting and first dances. The location is set among the southeastern hills of Missoula with a great view from the golf course where most ceremonies are held. Wedding photographers tend to love unique venues such as this because of their different architecture and variety in shooting environments that it can bring.
White Raven: Although this is on the outskirts of Missoula (in Alberton, MT), it is a newer venue that you definitely must check out. It’s really the best of all worlds. It’s near enough Missoula that it’s easy to line up transportation for guests to and from a hotel but it’s also far enough that you don’t feel like you are “in-town.” The ceremony location is in a beautiful treed area that has a that Montana feel. And the new building has a small rustic flair but not enough that you feel like you’d need to have a rustic themed wedding there. As a wedding photographer, light in a venue is one of the top things I look for to make beautiful images. This venue has gorgeous windows available to bring in lots of natural light to the space not to mention great tables and wooden crossback chairs which elevate the style of a wedding in an instant. Definitely check this location out!
Tarkio River Lodge: This location is probably one of my top recommendations. I lean towards venues that have that true “Montana vibe” and this is one of them. The ceremony space is located near the river in an open meadow with mountains surrounding it. The quaint cabin on the property really makes it picturesque. While this spot really does require a tented reception, it’s really a top pick if you’re wanting a beautiful outdoor wedding with an evening dancing under Montana’s big sky. I should add that this is definitely not “in Missoula” but really more toward Superior (a little under an hour away). BUT, it is definitely worth looking into depending on the vibe you’d like for your day.
The Ranch at Rock Creek: While this is most definitely outside of Missoula, it is a MUST see if you are looking at wedding venues and have a larger budget for your wedding. This is definitely a higher end venue with stunning western buildings ordained with rustic barnwood, cowhide upholstered furniture and grand lighting fixtures in some of their buildings. They have accommodations for guests as well as activities such as horseback riding for everyone to partake in. I would describe the venue as being everything that you would picture a classy Montana wedding to be.
Paws Up: This is another high-end venue with a true Montana/western feel. It too is outside of Missoula, but if you’re looking for a true destination vacation get-away for your guests, it’s worth seeing. It’s a top destination resort known for it’s amazing hospitality, western activities and amazing chefs. It’s quite similar to the Ranch at Rock Creek. I would say the difference between the two is 1. the proximity to Missoula; the Ranch at Rock Creek is definitely closer and 2. The Ranch at Rock Creek might lend itself to feeling a bit more private. While Paws Up is technically a resort, I wouldn’t say it has an overwhelming amount of guests that would interfere with your day. Both venues are top choices for Missoula, MT wedding photographers!!!
Wedding Floral Design
Habitat Floral: Floral arrangements can truly make or break how high end a wedding can look and how beautiful your detail photos can be. If you are seeking the most on-trend floral designers, definitely check out Habitat Floral. I cannot say enough about their work. They can create any look or style you are seeking but their work really shines when it comes to large, loose bouquets with greenery and full blooms combined. See some of their work below.
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Bitterroot Flower Shop: Another great florist is Bitterroot Floral. They always have fresh blooms and put together perfectly arranged pieces. Their price point is also great especially if you are looking for some floral arrangements for each table in your reception. They did the flowers at my own wedding and I loved them! I recommend either of these two florists. Really, the importance of beautifully designed floral arrangements can TOTALLY elevate your images so that everything looks high-scale.
Missoula Wedding Dress Boutiques
Velvet Bride: Ok, if you’re from Missoula and you are a twenty something bride-to-be, you’ve probably heard of Velvet Bride. This is truly a wedding dress shop that Montana needed. The shop is located in downtown Missoula on Higgins and inside you’ll find the most classic but hip atmosphere with gowns from top designers. They carry a wide variety of dress styles and price points but I would say they are geared more toward accommodating the bride that wants a unique dress that hasn’t been seen on countless other brides. Really, the dresses at Velvet Bride are a Missoula wedding photographer’s dream. Call them to set up an appointment and be sure to check out their website for a list of designers they carry.
Bakeries & Caterers
Bernice’s Bakery: Again, if you happen to be from Missoula, went to college here or even if you’ve only lived here a short time, you’ve probably heard of Bernice’s Bakery. It’s a bit of an iconic shop in Missoula which stands to reason with it’s huge variety of baked goods. They also do amazing wedding cakes with gluten free options!
The Silk Road:There really are no words for the Silk Road. They are simply THE best. If you want unique foods that will make your guests’ experience at your wedding stand out, definitely book them and book them quick! They are completely self-contained and do a phenomenal job. Not to mention that their food is literally to die for. And I’m not exaggerating. We also used them for our own wedding and 6 years later I STILL have guests tell me how great the food was at our wedding!
Invitations/Paper Goods
August + Stone: Many brides overlook the importance of stationary and even forget to bring it as part of the details photographed on the wedding day. But really, it sets the tone for your wedding and getting custom designed invitation suites and other paper goods for your wedding is a simple process with August + Stone. They will work closely with you to align the look and feel of your wedding and incorporate other special elements throughout the designs as well. It’s well worth the small upgrade from the mass invitation sites online.