Julie & Bill

My wife and I were planning to elope in Glacier National Park last fall, but due to family objections, we gave in and got married in our home state of New York. Our ceremony there was nice, but it wasn’t what we wanted. Sometime in the spring of this year I decided to surprise my wife and plan a one-year anniversary trip to Kalispell to renew our vows. I began planning!

After booking Kelly Kirksey Photography and Wild Horse Limousine, I couldn’t keep the secret any longer. I had to let my wife in on the surprise in order for her to plan her bouquet with Conrad Floral. As a way of honoring my father who passed away a few years ago, we included his badge with the New York Police Department in Julie’s bouquet. He meant the world to both of us. I think sometimes Julie was his favorite. Joyce at Conrad Floral did an outstanding job on Julie’s bouquet.

When we arrived in Kalispell, we met with Kelly, and she put my wife at ease. We were disappointed with the pictures from our New York wedding, but after talking to Kelly and seeing some of her work she wasn’t nervous anymore – so she started worrying about the weather. We met with our officiate, Sally Hanger, so we could discuss doing a Celtic Knot Tying Ceremony. I don’t know who was more excited us or Sally.

I had reserved a room in Glacier National Park for our special day, but due to the Sprague Creek fire it, along with most of West Glacier, was closed. We ended up at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake, and we were able to get a suite there for two nights. They also allowed us the use of their bridal room for Julie to get ready in, as well as the location for our ceremony.

At this point, the weather forecast wasn’t looking good, and Julie was nervous. Guess what? The weatherman was wrong, and we had a beautiful day! When it was time for the ceremony to begin I was out by Whitefish Lake with Sally. She told me not to turn around until she told me to. When I finally was told to turn around, I was speechless and started to cry. My baby was the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on. The ceremony Sally performed was beautiful.

We were very fortunate to have had the pleasure of meeting our team of vendors. We definitely had the A-team, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend any one of them to anyone.