Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Welcome to the Marry Montana Blog
So glad that you ran into our blog. This blog is associated with www.MarryMontana.com and aims to allow everyone (both businesses and individuals) who has experience with getting married in Montana a chance to chat. The specific reviews about a business should be entered on the vendor section of the website but if you have any additional advice to offer share it here. Any suggestions on ways to improve www.MarryMontana.com ? Add it here. This is your playground for sharing your Montana Wedding thoughts and experiences.
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20 comments:
This website is long long long overdue. I feel your pain with trying to find the best Montana vendors. And it's not even just that... it's finding them in general. Most of the sites out there make the businesses spend money to advertise so you're only seeing a subset of the talented services that are available. Now to spread the word so more people with start rating! Thanks MarryMontana! You've helped my montana wedding planning become that much smoother.
This website is great. I wish it was up and running when I was in my planning stages. I left plenty of reviews for vendors, so hopefully others will benefit from my experiences.
I would suggest making a category for officiants. As someone not living in Montana it was the hardest thing to find a good officiant.
Dear Brides; Canyon Ferry Mansion, a BnB Historic Inn has a new Wedding Chapel and a long list of officiates ready to marry you today. M-F Licenses, Witnesses, Proxy Weddings, Vow Renewals, Blood Test Waivers,Full Service Weddings,even full Week-end destination weddings all over looking Canyon Ferry Lake.
Finally a place with a Choice not Chance when it comes to weather, including a main floor Ballroom, Big Party Pavilion, Garden Walk and Trellis, Romance Bridge over a Warm Springs Creek, and Candlelight Dinner Honeymoon Packages.
All of their services including catering are optional, cakes,flowers, photo work,carriages, djs, live bands,dress rentals are priced at levels for an elopement for 2 to theme weddings for 300.
Get this...they even have BYO liquor services...Soft, or Hard.The 5.5 acres is meticuously groomed with white gravel parking and easy access. Safe for your guest who may be your responcibility when leaving the reception. This place has it all.
Their prices are less for more! Call 877- WED-SPA-1# or 406-266-3599.Here is their web site www.canyonferrymansion.com. Good Luck with your wedding!
Wow this web site is a great idea.
Can I share my nightmare wedding with you? Let's talk about outdoor weddings...Boy what a rude awakening when you try to do it yourself. We thought we were organized but we just weren't prepared for this...
We had our wedding in a public park, thinking we would save money....hah! We rented chairs, an archway, a big canopy,a portapotty,and $3000 later spent hours in the hot sun setting up the tables and chairs ourselves. Then the decorating, having a major fight with the plastic table clothes that kept blowing off.We left someone to guars our little bit of turf with more chairs on the tables than off to hold down the table clothes.
Then realized we had to clean up dog poo. yuk! A Wedding planner would have definitely been a good investment. After all I might be a book keeper but I had never planned a wedding...Married friends tried to warn me. "Better to do it right and small than big and screwed up."
Later at the ceremony, it seemed like the whole world walked right through the wedding, used our port-a-potty,and let their dogs loose to terrorize my grandmother, and knock down our small flower girl. Oh I could have screamed! Trust me ..."Public" should not be in any one's Bridal volcabulary.
We at least rented a dance floor...$600 for a 12 x 12 postage stamp. No one told us it would arrive dirty and scarred.
The next big mistake...we thought we would save too, by dressing at home, so at the last minute, we had to rent a limo. We were late because we had not allowed enough time to set-up and decorate. I could tell my Bridal Party was really miffed at me for having to help, instead of leisurely getting their hair done...obviously they were not having fun.
We splurged $75. on an aisle runner, but know one knew how to fasten it down. I wanted to help decorate, but my cell phone just kept ringing. Finally we just gave up, only putting up half of the expensive decorations I had bought with my hard earned money.
We got in the Limo at the house, running late and then tried to do our make-up on the way, as I stuck the mascara wand in my eye. When I got out of the Limo the back of my dress was all wrinkled...and no one got their cues right from the informal, hurried rehearsal the night before. Since we didn't have a rehearsal dinner, everyone just wanted to get to the bar for pizza. The whole Bridal Party was out of control and the Minister was ready to pull his hair out.
Then later before the reception...horror of horrors, I had to use the potty with my full skirt wedding dress on...I thought I would never get in ..in time and then could hardly get out. Picture 3 Bridesmaids trying to block the view, since the door wouldn't close. I was so embarrassed.
Again to save money...yeeh... not!!!!!...we had earlier decided the Mom's should prepare all the food and I bought a huge cake at a discount grocery store.
The icing was about a 1/2 inch thick and sagging in the heat with bright Blue icing...not anything like the picture I ordered from. No one thought to pick it up in an airconditioned car and grocery stores and bakeries don't deliver. Big mistake.
The Moms,ya got to love 'em but... didn't make any contingency for a hot day,the cake slid in the car, without a iced salad bar, the jello whip salad melted, and the potato salad looked really poisonous. They went to rent serving gear but ouch it seemed too expensive to rent it! I can tell you every thing in tupperware with mis-matched spoons looked really classy.
But that wasn't the worst of it, the cake attracted bees like crazy. My dad keep making trips to the hardware store to buy bug spray and stinky bug bombs to no avail as he fumigated us.
With all that money that the Mom's spent on way too much food in the giant economy size... we could have had it beautifully catered.
I could have cried, so much food was wasted. On top of that, the keg of beer foamed, cause the guys went to get it themselves and then didn't keep it iced enough.The DJ didn't have enough cord to get "juice" and so was late setting up.
We didn't think to bring trash containers, and the ones in the park were just "gross" and not close to the party...so the guests just left stuff to blow, so we lost our cleaning deposit.
That night came the clean-up, Mom, Grandma, and the aunts all pitched in and the guys were greateven without lights, but the tuxes got damaged and parts lost in the park during clean up as there was no place to change.Don't think that didn't cost us.
The bridesmaids didn't do their share, grabed bottles of champagne, and all got in the Limo, and left without me...really!
Finally the limo came back, and I picked up my grass stained dress (since I didn't have an aisle runner that would roll out)... wiped my mascara blackend tear runs from my eyes, grabbed the groom in his rolled up sleeves and lost cuff links, noticing my broken nails, and piled in, with stringy sweaty hair, and hoped my night bag was in the trunk.
Thank God, we went to a local BnB, and were welcomed with a Bottle of Bubbly of our very own. We doned big teri robes and soft slippers, slipped into their hot tub, and eased into bliss, trying to forget our nightmare of a wedding.
The BnB was the best money we spent...and trust me, after sleeping in, a great gourmet breakfast, and a relaxing massage the next morning, we started our lives together with a least a wonderful mini-honeymoon.
We vowed to tell all our unmarried friends to get a wedding planner and a professional wedding site with pest control, reception covering, and catering equipment. We probably would have not only saved money... but saved face. You will forgive me if I don't embarass myself by giving my name.
You better be very careful if you choose to have your wedding at Canyon Ferry Mansion. I have heard NOTHING but nightmares!!!!!!!!
Hi
We are thinking of marrying at Canyon Ferry Mansion....
Please give us reviews of weddings there. Why the nightmares?
Hope you can help....
We had our 2nd wedding last October at the Canyon Ferry Mansion, and it was stunning!I looked all over Montana and could'nt find a central location with so much to offer. I flew in 1/2 my guests from Seattle. As my groom was from Montana, we wanted to save his family money in traveling expenses. While money was no object for my half, the Mansion wedding with everything was an estimated $30,000 less than Seattle.
They did the cake, the flowers, the prime rib, and the centerpeices. As a profession and busy mom of 4, I had little time, so Sandy Rose coordinated and custom designed everything,keeping me abreast by e-mail. Steve Rose is an incredible chef.
They found us an photo-grapher, and DJ. They were
help-full, cordial, and patient with my persnikety guests from Seattle. The food all week-end was great, the staff friendly, and the rooms beautiful. I have been a professional event planner in the highend wholesale liquor business, so I know a good operation when I see one. We started out with a wedding for 50 and ended up with a 100 guests, as so many guests had heard of the Mansion and wanted to attend. The Roses went out of their way to make us comfortable, and waited on us hand and footfrom Thursday thru Sunday. There is no way they cover their personal time. They even picked up a rental car for us, late at night,bringing it to the airport, as one of our flights were late.
I wanted this wedding to be perfect for my new inlaws. I told Sandy to give me a Seattle Prin-cess & Montana Country Wedding combined. It was all of that and more.
The Mansion put on a Murder Mystery Night for our Rehearsal Dinner.She also took care of local Motel reservations, and found us a guest ranch for even more guests.
It was halloween week-end... so Sandy even made arrangements for my kids to go to the local Corn Maize. They loved it. What a blast. We were so happy we tipped them $500 over the normal hotel/resort gratuity added to the bill. I wish I could leave you a picture. Acolades to the Mansion! Sincerely,
Shannon Le (Nordstom)Dunckel
Canyon Ferry Mansion:
I have lived in the Gallatin Valley for 30 years and spend a great deal of time recreating on Canyon Ferry Lake so am very familiar with the area.
I have attended several weddings and other events at Canyon Ferry Mansion. They have always been wonderful affairs! The setting is beautiful! The grounds are very well kept. The addition of the newly restored Rose Chapel (formerly the Toston Catholic Church) allows even more flexibility for year round weddings. The food is always fabulous and beautifully presented. The staff is friendly and willing to work with any budget. I have been to some darling ”theme” a wedding that has been a combination of the bride’s ideas and the staff’s knowledge.
It is nice to have a facility where people can relax and enjoy themselves for the weekend and not have to travel. This gives the entire bridal party a chance to spend time together, rather than traveling long distances only to spend a few hours at the wedding and then leave.
I whole heartedly recommend this historic mansion.
This is the place to elope...for a small elegant wedding with out all the work and stress, or months of planning. Sandy Rose and her staff are great...the food, service and
hospitality top notch.
The Canyon Ferry Mansion are all about attention to detail. The Rose Chapel is so tastefully restored. The minister words absolutely memorable. No Las Vegas Elvis here! I called every possibility in the Northwest...and saved over $3000 by eloping right here in Montana.
Mini florals, mini wedding cake both to match my dress. Little trays of snacks and Rose Petals for the bed. They gave us a photo package for $100...The poses were adorable.
We stayed an extra night for our honeymoon and had huge lobster tails while dining in front of the fireplace by candlelight. We stayed in the Cattle Baron Suite with the Jacuzzi & Fireplace...so Romantic. The staff made Fritz & I feel like the "Rich & Famous" !.
We recommend the Canyon Ferry Mansion to any and all!!! Candy Porter, now Mrs. Fritz Helmer of Lewistown, Montana.
Thank You for posting this Blog site and thanks to the wedding clients that have posted positive comments... signing their name. We here at the Canyon Ferry Mansion know most of the fine Montana companies in the Wedding Business...companies that are licensed, pay taxes, and live up to their contracts.
From Tux Rental Shops to DeeJays, from Carriages to Photographers, and of course other site venues, as well, Montana has one of the lowest overall wedding price averages. It is our loyal customers who help us keep our service standards high and our prices low.
Not a day goes by that we don't recommend most of these businesses when we are already booked. While we offer more services than most sites for the convenience of our Brides ... we never close our doors to other Wedding Vendors and are happy to work with all, least we offend those that think we are just trying to "grab it all".
We carry six licenses to serve you; Bed & Breakfast, Hotel, Touring Cabin, Catering, Spa, and Public Water Source.We allow BYO beverages but only with strict compliance to safety standards.
Yes, having all the services in one place is a convenience to our professional brides, but accomodating the budget family wedding where everyone wants to help is always welcome as well at the Mansion, as long as your vendors or family behave responsibly.
We applaude FREE Speach in America...fortunately most Blog comments are good usefull information. We here at the Mansion invite constructive critisim...we want to nothing more than to offer the absolute best service for the absolute best price.
Perhaps some negative blanket blog comments are innocent or just idle gossip...but anyone slandering an individual or company without signing their name is committing a crime that could be punishable by law. In our opinion...not only is it cowardly it is one of the lowest forms of human behavoir. Go on make a comment but put your pen to it.
We will be the first to say we are not perfect, but we are proud of our property and the immense personal investment in time and money we have made over the last 8 years, in this special historic property. We are absolutely dedicated to our Bridal Couples. People in the wedding business generally like doing weddings. The difference is in the time and experience offered. Someone in business as a hobby or with little experience can generally only offer one thing... price.
Perhaps no other site in Montana, save the Montana Club and the Helena Cathedral, can claim the number of weddings held at the Canyon Ferry Mansion, be it garden, ballroom, pavilion, or our new historic Rose Chapel. In answer to the only negative blog against us...We sadly comment that at least once a year a bride or groom come along who just plan "not to pay their bill"...but when held to their contract try to bad mouth us.
For the record, our working estimates for services are broken down and are carried over to a working invoice tied to a simple contract. Our policy is that while we take payments...all weddings must be paid for before the ceremony. To be clear... If a Bride and Groom add extra meals, or have extra guests, perhaps order extra flowers not on the original contract to cover extra guest tables at the last minute, ask the DJ to play longer, request the photographer to take extra pictures, etc. a charge will be added at the going rate per our published price list. Check with any hotel or wedding service... they will tell you the same.
All venues of quality i.e. country club, hotel, wedding sites where wait staff is part of the package, etc. generally add on a reasonable gratuity for a experienced crew that works hard... usually on a week-end away from their families to make the nuptial couple's day a memorable event.
If you wonder why a gratuity is added to the bill automatically ... it is for several reasons...first...so the groom, father, or host doesn't accidently tip the wrong persons, perhaps have cash fall out of his pocket causing embarrassment when lost and can't tip at the end of the event, mainly so the staff working behind the scenes like the dishwasher, gets their fair share, and lastly because the State of Montana wants all tips reported.
If one doesn't plan to pay a tip (gratuity) because they don't budget the proper amount ... when the staff did give good service, they as much "cheated" the waitstaff. Note; A cheater is often defined as; deceptive, dishonest, a liar, one giving false witness, and a thief.
Fortunately, most of our Bridal Couples and BnB guests are wonderful guests and tip far beyond the average 10% to 15% usually paid in Montana. Most places across the USA put on 20% across the board whether you like the service or not.
We have always had the policy to adjust any gratuity fairly for any service one felt not received in full. We all so are up front about our deposits. Deposits in the wedding trade are generally non-refundable. We have but 13 summer week-ends a year to host the really big wedding. Conversely we have never backed out of a commitment to a bride or event client. We are there and square.
If one of our vendors doesn't come through we have back-up vendors on call...how many Brides know 20 ministers they can call in an emergency?
Steve and I have been mastering weddings and events for over 30 years for family, friends, and clients. We love our work and may personally put over 16 hour days, 4 to 5 days in a row, to master the detail required by a larger destination wedding week-end event, not to mention the hours of planning and ordering in advance.
But whether an elopement for two on a modest budget, or a designer fairy tale wedding for 300, we not only strive to make every bride and groom feel pampered and special on their day, but go all out for their special guests, especially making it a stress and care free day for parents, and going far beyond the norm in service.
Please feel free to come by, ask for a price list, enjoy our beautiful property,inspect our spotless kitchens, review our contract, look over our thousands of thank you cards and photos, ask any questions, pick-up one of our many budget packages or let us work up a custom estimate for you... then decide for yourself whether we know our business.
We think it will be obvious to you that we here at the Mansion want to make your wedding day... your "dream come true"! Thank you for your time.
Sincerely, Steve & Sandy Rose along with their exceptional staff and vendor team.
Canyon Ferry Mansion & Rose Bridal Chapel
Not just the perfect setting and so much history, but great food by the Chef! Thanks for the wonderful spot to stop & catch one's breath. I recommend a soak and a massage. I found the Mansion at 7pm exhausted ...and was relaxing in front of the Fireplace in a comp robe with cookies & hot chocolate within 15 minutes of checking in, without a reservation. As a world traveler who lives in Montana I can tell you that Canyon Ferry Mansion BnB Inn is truely a Treasure in Montana! I'm bringing back my husband and recommending friends for a wedding stay as well. Carol Kulish, Ovando, Mt.
Well I just had my wedding for 200in the groom's parents wheat field with "no tent" this last week-end. Oh the sun-burns. Finally we gave up the prescribed picnic area that my fiancee' worked all week to mow the weeds in...at least away from the cow corral. Wooh... odiferaous to say the least.
Walking on prickly pear... don't wear a floor length gown...I got stuck 3 times coming down the aisle. Aisle runner? After trying to lay it down and fasten it?...we wadded it up and threw it on the Bon Fire. Toasting Marshmellos was the one thing we did and had fun with. Oh... I should have worn white Tennis Shoes...heels are difinitely out.
The wedding cake arrived cracked because it was put on a card board instead of a 1/2" pc of cut plywood, and then promptly melted in the sun...all supplied by a "freind of the groom's mother" at a whopping $100 savings...yeah right. I could have cried, but held my tongue and tears. No one will call me a Bridezilla!
Half of the guests left early, and the rest crowded into the "way too little" farm house, that was in no way ready for guests and had only 1 bathroom. Neither of our moms are great housekeepers, but ick... and the plumbing old. My mother was just a #%*^! after that!
To say the least, my new in-laws are now my out-laws. When it came time to go down the aisle we all just stood there not knowing what to do. Never thought to have a rehearsal dahhhh...and no music or electricity in the back 40.
Then there is the food...let's just have a pot luck...right? Well guess what, not a single gift or check was for over $10 to $15. on his side... I'm not greedy mind you...but since they all had to bring a dish (all in tupperware and classy "colrnel style" buckets), buy gas for the pick-up, load up all the kids, not even dressed for Sunday school, they were just lookin for FREE Beer Fest is my guess, evident because they wore t-shirts and jeans...My fiancee said just say "casual" on the invitation! Big mistake in Montana!
Here is some sage advice...I love Montana and I stand by my man, but don't let these Montana Cowboys talk you into the family compound for your wedding.
Speaking of which someone had to drive clear into town 3 times for more ice. Definitely a bar caterer would have been a God Send.
For peat sakes girlfriends... Cowgirl up and insist on hirirg a Wedding Planner to get everyone organized and have a freind when time to talk "down and dirty" to the grooms parents about being realistic on their share of the expenses. Rent a Tent,and at least a Portapotty... or just "Lie there and get Stomped" by the wind, weather, burnt guests, hot foamy beer, mad cows, spoiled potato salad, greesy chicken, melted cake, and madder in-laws.
My parents were not impressed after flying in and staying in the small town motel with 8 trains a night, not 200 yds from their door and no airconditioning, or breakfast. They were hungry, tired and cranky...thought I had moved to the end of the earth. Well Mom, no but we can see it from here!
Wish I had put my pink cowgirl boot down! Well so long partners...and good luck with your cow pie party, if you get my drift!
Signed; Embarrassed Bride and new Cowhand on the Family Homestead.
Dear Reader;
Thanks to everyone; Staff & Sandy, that made our elopement even more special than we could possibly have anticipated at the Canyon Ferry Mansion. We had such a wonderful time! We will forever be grateful for our special day April 28th, 2008. Being from th U.S.'s oldest city...naturally we loved the history, the antiques, the decor, as well as the detailed friendly mini wedding services and the darling Romance Bridge over the rushing Warm Springs Creek. Thanks a Million! Sandy & Steve...if you are ever our way...give us a call, we will give you the Grand Tour! Sara & Joe, St. Augustine, Florida
Thanks again to the Canyon Ferry Mansion for our Family Wedding Week-end. Being my second wedding with 5 Children from a former marrige... and this was Eppie's first...I wanted it to be so special for her. She is Filapino and so her family couldn't be here. We only had 4 weeks to plan as Eppie's "Travel Visa" would run out.
Steve & Sandy...you made it great. Your theme ideas to combine our cultures was just through the roof. The invitations and the announcements sent to the Philapines for her family were worded perfectly. We would not have known where to begin. The Cake was a masterpeice.
Everything so detailed. The flowers with a hint of Asian Design was perfect.
It was so special to be able to show up and have you take care of every last detail right down to the Roast Pig. Eppie says your roast Pig Presentation was the prettiest she had ever seen
(that's a huge compliment from a Filapino).
We hate to leave the Mansion and the beautiful grounds, we had such a wonderful time. Eppie says she never dreamed she could be so relaxed and feel so pampered on her wedding day even with her new instant family including active 3 & 4 year olds and in the wedding to boot.
All the custom favors & accessories, including the Irish Bookmarks for the Irish/Montana Theme rehearsal Steak Dinner were so clever. Everyone raved over the food... We will be back not only for our anniversary, but a Family Reunion soon.
We love you and your staff and we count you as new found friends.
Sincerely, Mike Connolly -Chemnet Associate, Helena, Mt.
Thank you so much for creating this website! I am getting married next summer and have been searching for vendors all over the place, so this is very handy.
Wow, some of the wedding horror stories on here really scared me...it makes me feel better about having my ceremony and reception indoors (some think its weird because Montana is so beautiful).
Anyways-I don't have too much else to say except that weddings are EXPENSIVE and it is going to be a challenge to afford it since I will have just graduated from college...crossing my fingers my fiance's parents will help out since my parents said they would not. Wish me luck!
My love Rob and I are from Butte, Mt. He is a ...back to college "late life student" on a budget... studying engineering. I'm a busy, young working grandmother and computer surfer.I work in the bakery at Walmart to keep busy and love good food.
Rob & I wanted to elope right awaybut needed to stay in Montana, because of his busy school schedule.
I watch my pennys too.. but wanted this to be a special romantic occasion. So I went on line...Yowsa...Hawaii was out of the question. Drive-thru in cheesey Las Vegas?..Never!!! Couer d' Alene, ID.(sp?) Inn was way over budget...and the chapel if you can call it that...been there...not romantic.
But then I found the perfect place...all with an affordable ELOPEMENT PACKAGE including a cute attic room overlooking a lake and the mountains, even breakfast & a complimentary bottle of bubbly plus use of the Spa with a private hot tub porch. Now thats romantic!
This Tuesday we said our vows before the sweetest judge at the Canyon Ferry Mansion, in Townsend MT. I had three site choices for the ceremony...The Chapel, the little Romance Bridge over the creek, or the big fireplace in the Ballroom. I chose the Ballroom even though it was a beautiful fall day, so I wouldn't muss my hair and mini veil. The base package is just $595. including the lodging.
During the ceremony, the Mansion took pictures for us having a little dance with the whole ballroom to ourselves, more pictures on the grounds, cutting a little cake, rings over my bouquet, and later over a wonderful candlelight dinner in front of the fire. Wait till you hear this...25 Great Poses for only $50. They were so good we bought 15 more for only $30.
Sandy, the owner made all the arrangements for the license, judge, witnesses, easy blood test waiver, and told us what to bring...all in just one phone call.
We arrived at 11am had the paper work done by 11:30 and were married by 1:30 including a wonderful light lunch tray in our room while we dressed. Can you beleive she made us Monte Cristo Sandwiches and Tomato Bisque Soup?
After the simple Wedding Ceremony... Tea Tray, Nap, Free Hors d'oeurves...then a romantic dinner. We were so full...we had to get out of our "monkey suits" as they say in Montana, then get on big teri robes and soak in the Hot Tub. Oh Baby...is all Rob could say! well not all...!
Such specialized attention! This was just exactly what we were looking for ... Thank You all at the Mansion for taking such good care of us!
All of this for under $600 even with taxes & gratuities.. unheard of anywhere else I can tell you from experience...I looked everywhere!!!
Sincerely, Happy Newlyweds; Nadine & Rob Sevores
Murder Mystery Wedding Party ...What a great idea.
Everyones a Sleezy Character while you solve the Mystery...like playing Clue over a Gourmet Dinner except everyone is laughing so hard you can hardly eat. We all wore hysterical costumes to a staged Las Vegas Wedding & Dinner complete with Murder and Crime Scene...A great idea for a Rehearsal Dinner. The Canyon Ferry Mansion just did one for us and I truely recommend it...The food was great, the decor fantastic, Scripts and Props all provided. What a hoot! Sincerely Tamra J. Gauthier
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Canyon ferry Mansion is a shit hole and Sandy Rose is a thief! Beware and do your research if you are planning to hold a wedding at this dump. You will save yourself a lot of trouble. Sandy Rose is a low life and she is very bad news!!!
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