Bo & Cece: A Small Town Wedding in Montana!

Whether a couple is tying the knot at their family ranch, in their backyard, or even in a big, beautiful barn, there is something about western weddings that are oh-so charming. Bo & Cece’s wedding may have been hosted in a small town, but the details of their big day were anything but small. Their beautiful wedding, hosted at The Round Barn at Twin Bridges, was jam-packed full of details that were Western-inspired, gorgeous, and above all else, intentional!

Bo & Cece’s wedding day was perfectly captured by Kayla Mehlhoff with Silver Sage Photo & Design. Based in southwestern Montana, Kayla has an ever-growing passion for photography. With a love for wedding photography, adventure photography, ranch photography, and capturing the wild lands out west, she is truly the perfect choice for any couple looking for a photographer who understands the complexities of capturing a western-themed wedding.

Their Love Story Begins:

Bo and Cece first met at the University of Montana Western, in Dillion, MT. As she puts it:

The University of Montana Western provided more than an education to us. Twelve years ago we met at the bowling alley where I was the bartender and he was the good-looking football player.
Cece Herak, Bride

While they had a connection, life ended up taking Bo and Cece in different directions. This being said, fate has a funny way of bringing people together! Years later, Bo’s name randomly happened to pop up on Cece’s phone, and that was the beginning of forever for this love-struck couple.

It took one date and that was all we needed. Twin Bridges, MT became our home where we place roots and started our marriage as Mr. and Mrs. Herak!
Cece Herak, Bride

Their Heartfelt Proposal:

Every year Cece and her family go camping at the base of the Bob Marshal Wilderness. Since she has been going to this place since she was a kid, it is extremely near and dear to her heart! It is a well-known rule in her family that significant others aren’t allowed to attend the camping trip, as kids they decided you had to be married in order to share this sentimental outing with the family.

The day Cece was leaving for the mountains, Bo surprised her on her family’s deck in Kalispell, MT. As he got down on one knee he said, “Will you be the best decision of my life and be my wife?” How romantic!

We are both so excited to make new memories in a place that I can finally share with the love of my life!
Cece Herak, Bride

The Bride:

From head to toe, Cece was the most beautiful western-inspired bride. Wearing a beautiful lace gown from Linda’s Bridal, a textured updo designed by Kristy Pozega at NV Salon, and of course, her beautiful bridal booties, Cece was truly jaw-dropping on her wedding day.

The Groom:

Bo was the epitome of a dapper western groom on his wedding day. From his causal western getup to his custom hat band designed by Christie Nichols with Cowgirl Beading, and of course, his custom-designed leatherwork belt by Jesse Dickens, he surely lived up to the western theme of this one-of-a-kind small-town Montana wedding!

By the way, we may or may not have shed a tear when we saw this emotional photo of Bo reading his wedding vows!

The Details:

When curating the perfect Western wedding, it is truly the details that matter most. Boy, oh boy, did Bo and Cece nail down the details! From their simplistic wedding stationery to their rustic wedding decor & wardrobe, the characteristics of the Herak’s wedding day truly made for a unique and memorable occasion.

As BRIDES puts it:

If you’re a couple that loves spending time outdoors, taking country drives, listening to country music, or you even grew up in the West, there’s a good chance a western wedding is the perfect fit for you. Western weddings tend to be a bit more rustic, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be jam-packed with gorgeous details just like any other wedding theme.

While each and every detail of their wedding day was #swoonworthy, one of our favorites is undoubtedly the wooden florals designed by Big Sky Boho and Sheena Hansen. While traditional florals are classic and beautiful, there is something so special about florals that you can keep forever. Big Sky Boho is a Montana-based business that specializes in creating beautiful Sola Wood Flower Arrangements. This company is passionate about creating bouquets and floral details that are unique to each couple and will stand the test of time. These wooden florals are hand-made, hand-dyed, and completely unique! So cool!

In addition to their beautiful Sola Wood Floral Bouquets, Bo and Cece featured beautifully custom-designed leather and beaded artwork, only adding to the distinctive western concept of their Montana wedding!

The Heartfelt First Look!

If you are on the fence about whether or not to share the first look with your partner before your wedding ceremony, let these sentimental shots convince you to do so!

On your wedding day, you will be surrounded by those you know, love, and keep near and dear to your heart. This being said, intimate moments like these might be few and far between! Not only are first-looks perfect for letting go of any pre-wedding jitters, but they will allow you to spend some much-needed alone time with your other half.

We’re not gonna lie, we got emotional when seeing Bo and Cece’s first look photos. There is something so special about a groom getting teary-eyed when seeing his bride in her white dress for the very first time on their wedding day!

The Ceremony:

With incredible views of The Ruby Valley behind them, Bo and Cece tied the knot on a beautiful summer day under Montana’s big sky. Trust us, this was truly a ceremony to remember! Surrounded by beautiful rustic florals from Big Sky Boho, this couple decided to commemorate their union with a branding unity ceremony!

A wedding branding ceremony is a unique way for a couple to demonstrate their unity. Branding is a tradition that signifies identity and belonging, so when a couple brands together, they are declaring that they belong to one another.
Gearheart Industry

Not only does a branding unity ceremony add to the rustic feel of your wedding day, but it offers a tangible way to remember the ceremony for a lifetime, and to physically display your union in your home for years to come!

Surrounded by their friends, family, and loved ones, Bo and Cece said their “I Dos” in one of the most beautiful places on earth – Montana!

The Reception:

Bo & Cece’s fun-filled reception was hosted at the beautiful Round Barn at Twin Bridges. First built in 1882, this beautiful barn was once used as a stable for thoroughbred horses, even being the birthplace of Spokane, a famous racehorse best known for winning the 1889 Kentucky Derby and setting the standing record time for the 1 ½ mile derby! Today, the round barn has been renovated to host weddings, large gatherings, meetings, and even retreats! Based in the beautiful Ruby Valley, the Round Barn at Twin Bridges is truly a piece of Montana’s history and acts as a one-of-a-kind venue for any couple looking to host a unique western wedding.

Featuring simplistic tablescapes designed by Sheena Hansen, Bo & Cece’s talented wedding planner, this couple allowed the beauty of this historic barn to shine! Their reception was catered by Pig Out BBQ, a popular catering company in the Twin Bridges area, and their western-inspired dessert table was designed by Farm Girl Cakes to resemble a carved birch tree.

These lovebirds enjoyed their very first night as a married couple surrounded by those they love most. They shared laughs and tears (of happiness, of course) as they listened to their bridal parties’ heartfelt speeches, and they danced the night away!