Summer Star Ranch
Holds ceremonies and receptions
Starr & Matt Daw
OWNER
Typically responds within 24h
AWARD WINNER (10X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Nestled within the awe-inspiring Helena National Forest with enchanting 360° views of the Montana Rockies, Summer Star Ranch combines luxury in a wild west setting for your one-of-a-kind event!
Woman-owned Business
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Covered Outdoors Space
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
On-Site Accommodations
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Settings
Barn
Farm & Ranch
Mountain
Trees
Venue Service Offerings
Destination Weddings
Destination Wedding Packages
Destination Wedding Planning
Planning
Destination Wedding Planning
Rentals & Equipment
Awards and Affiliations
Any questions?
Meet the team
Starr & Matt Daw
Owner
We bought Summer Star Ranch back in 2005 as our ultimate escape from the hustle of New York City. It quickly became our go-to vacation spot, our sanctuary from the chaos. When it came time to tie the knot after 19 amazing years together, there was no question – Summer Star Ranch was the only place to have our wedding.
As we exchanged vows surrounded by Montana's breathtaking beauty, our photographer casually remarked, 'There's nowhere quite like this in Montana. You guys should do weddings here.' And just like that, the idea for Summer Star Ranch wedding venue was born!
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.0112 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Summer Star Ranch is highly praised by multiple reviewers for its stunning beauty, exceptional service, and attention to detail. The owners, Starr and Matt, are commended for their kindness and professionalism, making the planning process smooth and stress-free. The venue, nestled in the mountains of Montana, offers breathtaking views and a rustic yet elegant barn space, perfect for weddings of varying themes. Guests appreciate the thoughtful amenities, including cabins, glamping tents, and a fire pit, adding to the magical and unforgettable experience at Summer Star Ranch.Review photos
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Shelsea D
5.0
10/29/2025
Summer Star Ranch was the perfect venue for our perfect day! Starr and Matt are amazing to work with: extremely kind, helpful, and accommodating. The location is great: a beautiful...
30min drive out of Helena (close enough for easy access for guests and vendors but far enough to feel like you’ve been transported to a magical mountain getaway), nestled in the Big Belt Mountains, with stunning views for all your photography needs. The barn is beautiful and is equipped with pretty much everything you need (no need to rent tables or chairs) and can be decorated however you like. There are two ceremony spots to choose, both beautiful. There are also a couple of cabins and a glamping tent on the property. We stayed in the glamping tent on our wedding night and we also rented the two cabins for our immediate family and bridal party to get ready in and stay in. There is also a campground down the road that many of our guests camped at. The large horse pastures made for some amazing photos, and since we were married they have also added some highland cows! It did end up raining on our day, but even that couldn’t have ruined the beauty of the ranch, and honestly, the photos turned out amazing. It was the moody magical western wedding day of our dreams and we couldn’t have asked for anything more. We cannot recommend Summer Star Ranch highly enough! Thank you so much Starr and Matt!
Wendy I
5.0
8/17/2025
I wouldn’t have changed a thing for our daughter’s destination wedding at Summer Star Ranch.
Starr and Matt went above and beyond making sure that our weekend was perfect! Thei...
r attention to detail ensured every moment of the weekend was delightful. We couldn’t have achieved this level of perfection without Starr’s day of service.
Her suggestions for vendors were spot on! As we were coming from the east coast and many of our guests were international, a wonderful time was had by all!
Our daughter and her husband are starting their married life with the most perfect ceremony and celebration thanks to Summer Star Ranch.
Any questions?
Paige I
5.0
8/01/2025
Summer Star Ranch is truly a dream come true! From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by the breathtaking views and the incredible beauty of the entire property. The barn ev...
ent space is absolutely gorgeous—rustic elegance at its finest—and it provided the perfect backdrop for our wedding.
Starr and Matt, the owners, are genuinely the best people you could ever hope to work with. They made the entire planning process so smooth and stress-free, and their kindness, professionalism, and attention to detail went above and beyond.
Whether you’re going for a chic, rustic celebration or a timeless romantic look, this venue captures any wedding vision perfectly. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful place to say “I do.” Highly recommend Summer Star Ranch to anyone looking for a magical, unforgettable venue!
Olivia F
5.0
7/14/2025
Star and Matt were great to work with. The venue is beautiful, from the Barn to the property it has great views. They were both super responsive when I needed any of my questions a...
nswered. The day of went super smooth and they made sure to check in consistently. I would highly recommend Summer Star for a wedding!
Sami Z
5.0
7/08/2025
This place is absolutely stunning and so easy to work with! They take care of you on your special day and made it all so easy! I recommend them so much!
Sarah K
5.0
5/12/2025
We absolutely loved Summer Star Ranch! This venue and its incredible owners, Starr and Matt, exceeded all our expectations. From our initial tour to our wedding day, they were incr...
edibly kind and supportive. We sought an affordable venue that showcased the stunning beauty of Montana while allowing us the creative freedom to personalize our wedding, and we found it here. The ranch's location, nestled in the breathtaking mountainous landscape of western Montana, was perfect for our wedding weekend. Our photos turned out beautifully with the natural beauty of Montana scenery and the wild beauty of their horses as our backdrop.
Staying in the cabins on the property made the experience even more enjoyable. Throughout the planning process, Starr was always quick to respond to my inquiries. We chose one of the many picturesque fields for our ceremony, and Matt was extremely helpful in providing the log benches that the ranch offered. We envisioned a wedding that embodied the spirit of Montana, and this venue delivered exactly that. The barn was beautiful and offered a romantic touch with the rustic wooden tables and chairs. As well, the venue provided wine barrels and rustic sideboards to rent for decor, which were perfect for creating our rustic romantic western mountain wedding. The venue even provided ice for the bar, which is very handy. As a couple who enjoys camping, seeing the fire pit we were immediately drawn to the venue. Matt was incredibly helpful in getting the fire started on our wedding day, which kept our guests entertained throughout the evening. By the end of the night, many guests were gathered around the fire pit, enjoying warm conversations and their last drinks. The kids loved it too, especially with the s'mores bar we set up. We loved that our guests could wander in and out of the barn, playing ladder toss, dancing, taking pictures in front of the photo backdrop, or simply enjoying good conversation under the big blue sky.
The bridal party got ready in the JW Cabin, enjoying a calm morning while watching horses graze just outside the window, while the groomsmen relaxed in the Family Cottage. Parking was hassle-free for our guests, and Starr and Matt went above and beyond to assist with parking logistics. Although the weather turned unexpectedly, Starr and Matt ensured our guests stayed warm and dry in the barn and safeguarded our outdoor decor until the storm passed. We felt incredibly fortunate to have Starr step in as an unofficial wedding coordinator during the ceremony, ensuring that the wedding party and pastor were perfectly in sync for the procession without disrupting the moment, which contributed to a smooth and stress-free ceremony. Their attention to detail made everything run smoothly. These owners were incredibly accommodating with our checkout time, as we still needed to tear down the ceremony field the next day.
These owners are among the few in our area who support our veterans and active duty service members, which we greatly appreciated. No detail is too small for them; they are exceptionally organized and take great pride in their work. Overall, our wedding at Summer Star Ranch was absolutely perfect, and the venue was our favorite aspect! If you're considering booking this venue, I highly recommend scheduling a tour to see it for yourself. The moment we arrived, we knew it was the right choice! Thank you, Starr and Matt, for an unforgettable wedding experience!
Dani B
5.0
10/11/2024
I cannot say enough amazing things about Summer Star Ranch. The entire ranch including the cabin and glamping tent were PERFECT for our fall wedding. We also loved having a bonfire...
. Would absolutely recommend this venue, it is stunning. Starr and Matt were also so incredible to work with, they are truly incredible people and our big day was seamless thanks to them.
Nicole W
5.0
10/07/2024
I would HIGHLY recommend Summer Star Ranch for your wedding venue, especially for destination weddings! Starr, Matt, and Alex were amazing to work with and made all our wedding dre...
ams come true! I cannot put into words how grateful I am for all the hard work they did organizing and planning our special day. From the moment you book with Starr and her team, you can tell how much they love the work they do and how dedicated they are to making your wedding as stress free as possible while focusing on making it the most perfect day for you and all your guest!
My husband and I had our destination wedding at Summer Star and did not get a chance to visit Montana prior to our wedding and due to work and our busy schedules. With all of our friends and family traveling in from out of state, we were super stressed about planning and making sure our guests had all the information they needed before flying out. Not only did Starr and her team assist with contacting vendors and the wedding coordination, Starr also went above and beyond and put together a travel itinerary to put on our website and share with guests. Every detail was covered- from where to fly into depending on how long guests were visiting Montana, what hotels to stay at, things to do in Montana and near Helena, etc. We wanted our guests to not only enjoy the wedding, but experience Montana! Most, if not all our guests, planned their trip using the suggestions made by Starr and could not stop talking about how much fun they had!
We had both our welcome party and wedding ceremony/reception at Summer Star, and you can tell this is a team of professionals. Every detail of our wedding weekend was perfect! I am so grateful for Starr’s attention to detail and truly capturing the vision I had in mind. Planning a destination wedding was stressful, but with the help of Starr my worries were quickly eased- she was quick to respond to all my emails and made time to hop on a call when needed. Starr made excellent recommendations for food, desserts, florals, drinks, DJ, and transportation that perfectly fit our budget. They had everything set up and were quick to adjust with any last-minute thoughts or details we wanted.
The venue space is something out of a fairy tale. No matter where you are on the ranch, the views are simply breathtaking, and photos of this place do not do it justice! They also have a bonfire right outside the barn which allowed our guests to mingle away from the party or warm up due to the dropping temperatures at night. If I had to do my wedding again, I would book here in a heart beat!
Danielle D
5.0
9/04/2024
We LOVED Summer Star Ranch! I cannot say enough great things about this venue and the amazing owners! Starr and Matt were so kind and helpful from the day we toured the venue, up u...
ntil our Big Day! We were looking for an affordable venue that portrayed the beauty of Montana while allowing some creative freedom to make our wedding our own. We were able to do just that at Summer Star as we DIYed most of our decor and brought our own self-serve alcohol as well as hired our own vendors (with helpful suggestions from Starr!). They even let us store our trailer with all the decor onsite a week before our wedding day so that we didn’t have to haul it to our bachelor/bachelorette parties earlier that week. I probably asked Start a million questions, but she was always quick to respond and gave helpful suggestions and ideas! On the day of the wedding, Matt frequently popped in to ask if we had any questions or needed anything while we were setting up. The venue itself is absolutely stunning and our guests raved about the views from the venue and even the drive to the venue! We wanted our wedding to have a Montana-feel without being super western and that’s exactly what we got with this venue (you could also make it more western which is the best part!). We loved the choice of two ceremony spots as well as onsite ice and a prep kitchen. The girls chose the Family Cabin as the bridal suite and had the most relaxing and peaceful morning getting ready as we watched the horses graze in the pasture right outside the window! The guys enjoyed the glamping tent as well, even with 7 guys they did not find it to be crowded and specifically loved the plush bathroom inside the tent! Parking at the venue was a breeze for all of our guests and Starr & Matt even came down to help facilitate parking to make it super seamless. Overall, we had the most perfect wedding at Summer Star Ranch and our favorite part was the venue! If you are on the fence about booking this venue- I recommend just setting up a tour and seeing it for yourself! Once we stepped foot on the property it was a easy yes for us! Thank you Starr & Matt for a wonderful wedding experience!
Heidi W
5.0
8/24/2024
We couldn’t have asked for a better venue for our wedding weekend. The ranch location highlighted Montana so well. Having the ability to stay on the ranch the whole weekend was won...
derful with the cabins on the actual property. In the planning process, Starr was always prompt to answer all my questions. The ranch has already ready ceremony sites with benches and an arch which made planning that much easier. As well as the beautiful wood tables and chairs in the reception barn. For the wedding weekend, we opted for the day of coordination that the ranch offered and we were so happy we did. They made the day absolutely seamless and we were able to enjoy all of it without worrying about anything. I received so many compliments from my guests on how beautiful and unique the venue was. We are so happy we chose this venue. It truly made our wedding unforgettable. Starr and Matt were so easy and helpful to work with. We would highly recommend to local Montanan’s like myself as well as anyone else who wants to be married with beautiful Montana as your backdrop.
Danielle K
5.0
8/10/2024
The BEST experience ever. The venue was perfect and Starr is the best day of coordinator in existence. Her expertise and kindness made the day perfect. It was the perfect place to ...
have friends and family both local and out of state enjoy! The venue itself is everything you could dream of. Starr and her husband are some of the best people. Were grateful to have had them by our side on the wedding day! Summer star ranch is THE wedding venue here in Montana. 🤍
Jenn H
5.0
7/12/2024
We knew immediately after visiting the ranch that this was where we wanted to get married! The venue is gorgeous and perfect for a stress-free wedding with the ceremony spots near ...
the reception barn and multiple cabins on the property for getting ready and staying. Because the area is so beautiful, we didn't have to spend much on decorations and just let the natural beauty of the location shine. Honestly though, the best part of the whole experience was Starr and her team. Planning the wedding from out of state, I knew we would rely heavily on Starr for local recommendations and advice -- she was amazing and so responsive to all my questions. We ended up using most of the vendors who she recommended and they were all fantastic. I don't know what we would have done without Starr! The day-of planning went so smoothly, too, because she understood what we wanted and was always clear and communicative. I strongly recommend having them take care of day-of coordinating so you don't have to worry. Also, if you can, rent the glamping cabin for the night so you can wake up with coffee and watch the horses graze by the fence -- incredibly peaceful. Again, I can't recommend them enough!
Lucinda W
5.0
7/07/2024
We booked Summer Star Ranch without ever seeing it. I spoke with Starr on the phone and was sold. She was so kind, helpful, and personable! When we made the trip to see the venue, ...
we were stunned. It was incredibly beautiful! While I was searching for a venue on the Knot, the ranch was the first one I found. My dad told me “you need to look around! Don’t book the first one you find!” And I’m here to tell you to book the first one you find (if it’s Summer Star Ranch!!!) We are so thankful we chose Summer Star Ranch - it was the perfect venue. Starr knows all the ins and outs and made sure the day ran so smoothly. She is an absolute pro! Our guests could not stop bragging about our wedding day and we can’t stop bragging about Summer Star Ranch!
Chanel B
5.0
6/26/2024
This venue is absolutely exceptional! Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a venue of any kind! Professional and lovely to deal with!
Hannah M
5.0
6/09/2024
When looking for a wedding venue, we were in search of something rustic and a place that reflected the beauty of Montana. When we first visited the Summer Star Ranch, we loved the ...
woodsy feel and also the beauty of the open space. As a couple who enjoys camping, seeing the fire pit and hearing about the camping area just down the road, we were immediately drawn to the venue. The barn is beautiful and we loved all of the wooden tables and chairs. The venue captured our style and what we enjoy about Montana.
Starr was our point of contact throughout the wedding planning process. She responded to emails quickly and was always happy to answer any questions. She gave us helpful suggestions for what works well and made the planning process so smooth. Starr contacted all of our vendors two weeks before the wedding to check in and make sure everything was in order!
We also loved that there were spaces for us to get ready on the venue site. The girls had so much fun getting ready in a cute, rustic cabin with a lovely porch while the boys had the glamping tent as there morning hangout spot. This allowed for even better pictures, being about to walk outside and have the most scenic views. There are two areas outside where the ceremony can be held and we chose the woodland side. It was magical walking down the aisle through the trees!
Matt and Alex were our day-of-coordinators. Alex did an amazing job making sure our flower arrangements and décor turned out perfectly! We were able to keep our decorations simple because the venue is so beautiful on its own! Matt was there for our both our rehearsal and the wedding day and made us feel very confident that he would make sure everything went according to plan. Matt came to find us when the food was ready to make sure we got a chance to sit down and eat! He also put some desserts aside for us. Matt and Alex would check on us to see if we needed a drink or snack. Matt told our photographer about the perfect spot for sunset photos! We appreciated all of the little gestures!
We loved that our guests could wander in and out of the barn, playing corn hole, taking pictures in front of the photo backdrop, dancing, or simply enjoying good conversation under the big blue sky. Once the fire was going, many of our guests enjoyed making s’mores.
Matt was there late into the evening to make sure we had everything we needed and to take us to the glamping tent where we spent the night.
We received so much amazing feedback from our guests about how beautiful the venue is and how much they enjoyed the wedding! It is very clear that the Summer Star Ranch staff are well-versed in hosting a wedding. Not one little detail is overlooked. They are beyond organized and clearly take pride in the work they do. Matt and Starr make the most amazing team! They are also kind and friendly people that were an absolute pleasure to work with!
After months of wedding planning, with some stressful and overwhelming moments, we are forever grateful to the Summer Start Ranch staff for allowing us to enjoy our wedding day free of stress or worries. To see our wedding vision come to life was all we could have asked for! We had the absolute best wedding day at the Summer Star Ranch on May 18, 2024 and could not recommend this venue enough!! Thank you so much Starr, Matt, and Alex!! We can’t wait to come back for a staycation!
- Hannah and Monroe Mathis
Brendan M
5.0
6/07/2024
We hosted an event at Summer Star Ranch and it was beyond expectations. Matt and Star went above anything we could have expected to make the whole weekend truly amazing. Every si...
ngle guest was in love with the location, the views, the spaces and the overall atmosphere of the ranch. Guests who took part in trail rides and ATV rides all loved the experiences. If you are considering Summer Star don't hesitate, absolutely book it!
Sara S
5.0
6/04/2024
The venue was fully clean when we got there, as well with the cabins, clamping tent, and barn venue. The owners are the sweetest couple and are extremely helpful whether it comes t...
o communicating and getting back to you at least in the same day or helping out the day of wedding and making sure that everything is running smoothly. I would 100% recommend this venue to anyone!!
Loren L
5.0
5/20/2024
I’d give 10 stars if I could! Summer Star Ranch provided party planning and decor for my bridal shower in New York. Starr worked diligently to ensure the venue was set up just righ...
t, spent hours creating beautiful centerpieces filled with dozens of stunning flowers, and made sure no small detail was left behind. I mean, she even set up a typewriter and had a paper placed with mine and my finances names printed out as if it was just typed. Starr utilized antiques, florals, and personal pieces to create the bridal shower of my dreams! She helped to create fun bridal shower games, menu cards, and even made the place cards herself. I highly recommend Summer Star Ranch for all things wedding to all brides!
Morgan G
5.0
5/14/2024
My husband and I absolutely loved getting married at Summer Star. It was the perfect blend of ‘rustic backyard’ but with all the amenities you hope to get from a venue. Star and Ma...
tt are incredibly helpful and organized. The venue is about 40 minutes outside of Helena and the drive is beautiful! We would recommend this venue to anyone and hope to come back!
Gabriella M
5.0
10/21/2023
One word...PERFECTION! Thank you to Star, Matt, Alex and Summer for making our day more than we could have ever hoped for! We hired Summer Star for their day of services and we cou...
ldn't have been more thrilled that we did. They handled everything and we just relaxed and enjoyed our day! And the venue was spectacular-gorgeous barn, gorgeous views and gorgeous pictures...It was our dream day!
Samantha S
5.0
9/14/2023
Starr, Matt and Alex really go above and beyond for your wedding day/weekend!! Matt and Alex were my day coordinators day of and set up on Friday and they hustle their butts off! W...
e ended up with a big hiccup out of their control but they handle everything with such ease and grace. It turned out to be the best day ever! 1000000% do the day of service. YOU WILL NOT REGRET A THING!
Shelby P
5.0
8/25/2023
I cannot say enough good things about this venue and starr.
She was our day of coordinator and was SO kind and helpful. HIGHLY recommend having her as your coordinator for the da...
y as well! They were a dream to work with… I cannot recommend this venue enough. Thank you for making our dream wedding come true. 🩷
Adam S
5.0
8/13/2023
The Summer Star Ranch team along with all of their partners and vendors deserves a standing ovation for their flawless execution. Their professionalism, attentiveness, and genuine ...
enthusiasm were palpable throughout the entire wedding weekend, making every guest feel like an honored member of the celebration. Their ability to anticipate every need ensured that our special day flowed seamlessly, allowing us to bask in the magic of the day without a worry in the world.
In every sense, Summer Star Ranch exceeded our expectations. It is not merely a wedding venue; it's a canvas where our story was painted. For us, our wedding at Summer Star Ranch was an experience that transcended the ordinary and etched a memory in our hearts that will last a lifetime. If you're seeking a venue that epitomizes romance, beauty, and the spirit of Montana, look no further than this heavenly oasis.
Lauren S
5.0
8/08/2023
Having planned my wedding completely out of state with only one visit to the ranch before my wedding, everything about my experience far exceeded my expectations! As soon as I met ...
with Starr a few days before my wedding, I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I knew I was in good hands. Matt and Starr took care of every detail, communicated with my vendors, and made sure the day flowed without any hiccups. The venue is spectacular on its own and our out of town guests loved the experience! We shuttled people from Helena (highly recommend) and paid for the day of coordination services - cannot recommend these options enough! It made everything SO much easier.
Starr and Matt, thank you for everything! It was better to an our wildest dreams and I hope to have an opportunity to come back and visit in the future!
Kind regards,
Lauren & RJ
Alex H
5.0
8/01/2023
If you’re looking for a venue that has a rustic Montana vibe with sprinkles of city chic, this is the place. Matt and Starr went above and beyond to make our dream wedding a realit...
y. Matt answered all our questions during the initial tour and we felt at ease knowing we found the perfect spot. I’m a bit of a type A planner, and they were quick to respond to my emails and offered great suggestions. I HIGHLY recommend purchasing the day-of coordination service. It took so much stress off me knowing they would orchestrate the whole day. I met with Starr prior to the wedding day and told her all of my ideas. She’s so talented and beautifully put my vision to life without question. My family stayed at the cabins on the property - it was so fun and convenient to all be there! The barn is absolutely beautiful and the long farmhouse tables and wood chairs really elevate the area. The reception on the back patio was a blast! We had a fun bar, a roaring fire with marshmellows and hot dogs, and of course corn hole! Overall, it was a beautiful venue and the day was perfect thanks to them.
Mackenzie A
5.0
7/18/2023
Everything was absolutely perfect at Summer Star Ranch for our big day! Starr was constantly there for me before my wedding day, helping me organize and plan! She was also there fo...
r us for our ceremony and reception and without her, it would’ve been pretty unorganized. This venue has so much to offer as well, like a bar, a fire pit, two areas for the ceremony and a nice sized dance floor! We are so thankful that we found this venue!
Micaela V
5.0
6/29/2023
I can’t recommend Summer Star Ranch enough! We had our wedding here a couple of weeks ago and it was the most perfect day ever! The venue is absolutely stunning with so many places...
to take amazing photos and the getting ready spaces were awesome as well! And the owners are absolutely fabulous. Right from the very first time we contacted Starr and Matt to set up a tour, I knew that I wanted to have our wedding at their ranch purely based on how helpful and nice they are to work with. And so it was just an awesome bonus that the venue is gorgeous! We also decided to hire Starr for her day of services and that was quite possibly one of the best decisions we made in the planning process. She was such a huge help in getting everything set up exactly the way I envisioned it and was amazing at keeping us on track and making sure everyone knew what was needed of them and at what times. Our day went so smoothly in large part due to her and her assistant’s amazing work!
And I have to say, while pictures can show a lot, it really is a different experience being able to visit the ranch in person. There’s just so much beautiful land! So give them a call and set up a tour, you won’t regret it!
(Also, all photo credit goes to our incredible photographer Brogan Steininger of Photography by Brogan!)
Brooklyn L
5.0
6/18/2023
If you are on the fence about booking your wedding at Summer Star Ranch. DO IT.
We could not have had a better experience for our wedding. They have truly thought of everything for...
the perfect venue. The owners were some of the kindest and most genuine people. They ensure through the whole weekend that we had everything we could possibly need and we’re so great at answering any questions we had.
The ranch is absolutely beautiful. If I could give them 100 stars I would.
Brittney R
4.0
11/16/2022
Starr and Summer Star ranch are both amazing! It couldn’t have gone better for a July wedding. We were able to get in early for set up, and Starr and her husband were both so helpf...
ul. The venue has cabins available and I highly recommend those as well. The cabin and glamping tent both worked so perfectly to get ready in and you couldn’t ask for better views for your photos.
Olivia S
5.0
10/31/2022
Summer Star Ranch was absolutely amazing, it had snowed the day before our wedding and they called to make sure we had enough heaters and had our ceremony area set up upon our arr...
ival. The venue was stunning with the snow and the owners were extremely helpful. Star saved the day with directing traffic through the muddy conditions and her husband Matt was awesome with getting the heaters ready and a fire started. It was an extremely smooth wedding.
Lacey G
4.0
10/16/2022
Pros: beautiful location, great ceremony spots, don’t need to rent your own tables/chairs, nice bathrooms, the barn building is stunning and doesn’t need a ton of decorations, cabi...
ns/glamping tent onsite for a limited number of people. We didn't interact a ton with Matt and Starr day-of since we couldn’t afford to spend an extra grand on wedding planning services, but they were very helpful about answering our questions over email before the wedding and let us come out to the venue multiple times to visit. They were also in the area on our wedding day and periodically checked in after helping with parking.
Cons: cell service is very limited/poor (ours didn’t work at the barn, only further up the road). If you have everything dialed/planned to a T this might not matter, but it made some things difficult for us. I got ready in the cabin, and there’s also no wifi. For brides/grooms getting ready in the glamping tent and cabins, there’s limited to no AC so it can get hot inside in the summer. There’s no potable water at the barn (very tiny sign above the sink we only noticed the day before…oops). The kitchenette attached to barn is essentially empty, the cabinets are locked and no regular cooking stuff is available. We made our own rehearsal dinner there so the lack of supplies was very apparent. No recycling services (we were able to rent some recycling receptacles from 406 and it was a lot of extra coordination, but worth it to produce less waste!).
FYI to budget conscious brides- We were led to believe it was only $125 to rent a bus for guests but it’s more like $800+. Also, stuff at the venue like whiskey barrel tables, drink dispensers, mason jars, etc. are extra money.
Response from Summer Star Ranch on 10/21/2022
We are so glad that your experience at our ranch overall was a very pleasant one. Our brid...
e's and groom's happiness is so very important to us!
I did want to address the "cons" in your review. As we are located in the middle of the National Forest, unfortunately, cell service is not widely available. We never represent to any bride or groom that there is cell service at our barn. Cell service, for all of the major carriers, IS available in our accommodations. We do not have WiFi as our ranch is where people go to "get away" from these things. This is the first time I have heard that the air conditioning was not strong enough in any of the accommodations and we will look into this immediately. As there is an air conditioner in each building I am not sure what you are referring to when you said there was no air conditioning.
We are not a catering establishment, we are a wedding venue, therefore we wouldn't stock cooking utensils . As you decided to cook your own rehearsal dinner you would then have had to bring your own cooking implements. Never do we state that our kitchen is intended for cooking in. Our kitchen is always show on every tour and it is always explained on these tours that it is to be a prep area for your caterers to use to get your meal set-up. As you mentioned in your review, you had come to visit on multiple occasions and would have seen each time that our kitchen isn't set up or stocked for you to cook a meal in. Our cabinets are locked because our rental items are located inside and not for the public to go through.
When given a tour you are shown everything that is included in our packages. Additionally, both our proposal and contract are VERY specific and include all of the services and items that are included in each of our packages. Unlike most venues, things like tables, chairs, a bar, and cabins are already included in all of our packages. We do offer additional items for rent should you want to use them, at an additional charge.
Regarding the bus, the cost of any vendor service outside of what we offer at our ranch is always subject to their own pricing and availability and we simply supply our brides and grooms with the vendor's contact information to discuss pricing. Unfortunately, the bus company is their own entity and not something we handle through our ranch.
We do work very hard to make sure that every wedding is as close to perfect as can be, I am so sorry that you experienced any of these issues and we wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!
Rachael T
5.0
10/06/2022
Starr and Matt were wonderful! They responded to us and answered our questions quickly leading up to our big day. They were very friendly and accommodating once we arrived at the r...
anch. It was absolutely pouring rain all weekend & Starr came to me with many ideas in order to save our decorations. The venue was BEAUTIFUL. & Starr was a huge blessing as our “day of” wedding planner. 10/10 recommend. We wish we could relive this day all over again.
Aly M
5.0
9/23/2022
Starr, Julie, and Matt were amazing from the first day we met all the way up until the wedding. Beautiful venue and wonderful people to work with. They had so many ideas and sugges...
tions I would not have even thought of. They also offer so much from on site lodging, to an ice chest for drinks or whatever else you may need it for, to barrels and other rentals you can use in your decor. Matt was a great help and did an amazing job stepping up to be our day of coordinator. I cannot say enough good things about this place! Made many of my guests want to move to Montana.
Morgan S
5.0
8/30/2022
Loved our experience with the Summer Star Ranch! Matt and Starr were extremely helpful and made our wedding day a breeze. Highly recommend the ranch!
Andie V
5.0
8/18/2022
Stunning venue, and Starr is a true professional. She met or exceeded all our requests and expectations. Our day went perfectly and we would highly recommend this venue to anyone i...
n the area.
Taylor K
5.0
8/09/2022
We could not have asked for a better experience for our wedding! Starr was so kind and helpful. The venue was absolutely dreamy and created the perfect environment to celebrate our...
love.
Haeley H
5.0
8/08/2022
This venue made all of our wedding dreams come true! The venue was amazing but let’s be honest Starr the owner is what makes this venue a top choice! She works SO hard to make sure...
the day before & the day of your wedding goes as smoothly as possible. My husband & I never had to stress at all the day of. She was so trustworthy & got everything set up & done the day of without any obstacles. She checked in on us continuously during the day to make sure we had everything we needed while also allowing space & time to celebrate our day accordingly. If you’re looking for a wedding venue that incorporates all the special aspects of Montana, this is it. The views, the private location, & the rustic barn is perfect for an indoor/outdoor wedding.
Faith P
5.0
7/29/2022
My husband and I had the best experience with Summer Star Ranch! Starr and Matt were amazing throughout the entire process of planning our wedding and made sure that our wedding da...
y went off without a hitch. The price, location, and amazing owners make Summer Star Ranch the best wedding venue in Helena.
Teresa M
5.0
7/28/2022
The ranch was more beautiful than we imagined! We stayed in the tent fir our honeymoon, which was decorated so fabulous in western decor. Matt and Starr had us set up with every...
thing we needed. We had a relaxing horseback ride with Starr. Matt was so kind to follow behind with the photographer to snap wedding photos for us. We got married on the ranch on Matt and Starr’s horses. They took care of every detail and made our stay so comfortable and relaxing. We felt like they were family when we left. It was my first trip to Montana and if I ever get to go back, I would definitely stay at Summer Starr Ranch!
Haley E
5.0
7/05/2022
I cannot say enough good things about Summer Star Ranch! We received so many compliments on the venue from our guests. Starr and Matthew were so amazing to work with and helped tak...
e a lot of the worry away. Starr coordinated with our vendors week of to ensure they all had directions and information about the venue. She dealt with everything so that I would not have to day of and I am so grateful for that! I would highly highly recommend working with Summer Star Ranch and they will work so hard to make your wedding vision be exactly what you want.
Kelly H
5.0
6/29/2022
Star and Matt at Summer Star Ranch are amazing! The ranch it's self is so beautiful and remote and everything you could want from a mountain/forest wedding. It was a destination we...
dding for us and Star and Matt had the best recommendations for vendors and decor and did everything they could to make our day perfect. Highly recommend!!
Celena M
5.0
6/29/2022
We cannot say enough about how wonderful Summer Star Ranch is! It is an absolutely stunning location, but best of all, Starr and Julie are truly remarkable. Our day wouldn’t have b...
een perfect without them!
Katie B
5.0
6/29/2022
Summer Star Ranch was super accommodating to our needs leading up to our wedding, answering all our questions promptly and offering suggestions when needed. The venue itself was th...
e perfect place for our wedding, I loved that it was happily tucked in the forest. Our out of country and state guests were super impressed.
Hannah J
5.0
6/22/2022
Starr and Matt were excellent vendors. They really went out of their way to make our wedding special and run smoothly! I highly recommend Summer Star to anyone looking for the perf...
ect Montana venue.
Jennifer S
5.0
6/09/2022
Couldn’t ask for a better venue!
Any and all the help you need to make your day as smooth as possible!
Maddie P
5.0
10/27/2021
Very helpful with whatever you needed… But they also give you your own space to have your wedding weekend how you want it!
Bridgette W
5.0
10/08/2021
Summer star was amazing! The staff at summer star helped us have an absolutely amazing day. They were always around to answer any questions or help us with any last minute things. ...
The actual barn is stunning and worked so well for our wedding. We would definitely rebook with them if we were to do it over again!
Olivia V
5.0
10/06/2021
My husband and I couldn’t be happier with the decision that we made with choosing Summer Star Ranch as our wedding venue. Matt and Star were so helpful and there whenever we needed...
it. From Friday all of the way through Sunday. I would choose if 100x over. And not to mention, it’s so beautiful up there. It’s the perfect rustic and chic venue.
Jessica A
5.0
8/31/2021
This venue and this couple are so amazing it’s hard to put into words! They made everything about our day and weekend so perfect. They are beyond helpful with anything you may need...
. The ranch is so gorgeous I couldn’t have imagined a more beautiful place to get married. Summer Star Ranch will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
Tiffany J
5.0
8/26/2021
Starr & Summer Star Ranch were incredible for our wedding here in Montana. They were beyond helpful leading up to and day of. The venue is STUNNING. If I could give more than 5 st...
ars I would. Thank you for such a wonderful experience and beautiful wedding day. I would recommend you and your wonderful venue to anyone looking for a gorgeous wedding venue and incredibly helpful team.
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Summer Star Ranch
Starr & Matt Daw
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Summer Star Ranch
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