A Romantic Backyard Wedding at a Private Residence in Missoula, Montana

Morgan Braby (22 and a student) and Brandon Smith (24 and in marketing) met at a church cleanup (their pastor introduced them). After making it clear

Morgan Braby (22 and a student) and Brandon Smith (24 and in marketing) met at a church cleanup (their pastor introduced them). After making it clear Morgan wanted Brandon to ask her out, he suggested they go on a hike over spring break. They hiked Mount Sentinel in Missoula, Montana, and “any and all awkwardness we felt evaporated after about three minutes,” Morgan says. “We hiked for almost three hours, talked the entire time and laughed the whole way down.” They fell fast and hard for each other. In four months they were ring shopping. Three months later they were engaged. They got married at Morgan’s parents’ property outside Missoula, keeping the decor simple, natural, romantic and “classic with a modern twist.” The wedding colors of white, cream, green and gold played directly into the strengths of the natural surroundings. Growing up in that home helped influence Morgan's tastes and style, “so it was no surprise that the house and the yard matched the theme and colors I wanted,” she says. Her favorite ceremony decor was the pampas grass lining the aisle—a grass shipped into Montana just for the occasion. The couple share a love of camping, adventure, movie nights, pizza, family and most of all, their strong faith. “It’s what we bonded over, it keeps us centered, and it’s something we’re both deeply committed to, just like we are to each other,” Morgan says. —Chrissy Sorenson

Morgan described her style as “modern flair with traditional class.” Her goal? To combine the two. Wedding planner Darci Greenwood helped Morgan create her dream theme with a palette of cream, beige and green, tying those neutral hues into the season and the natural surroundings. "She brought my ideas and my theme to life in a way I never could have," Morgan says.
Morgan spent the night in her childhood bedroom and got ready there the morning of the wedding—familiar, comfortable surroundings. Her sister helped her do her makeup.
The minute Morgan tried on her sheath-cut Galia Lahav gown, she was in love. With a strapless sweetheart neckline, geometric embroidery, form-fitting mermaid-style silhouette and sheer paneling through the sides, it was “a little edgy,” she says. “So I wore a very traditional cathedral-length veil to help balance it out for the ceremony.”
Morgan's bouquet consisted of cream hydrangeas, ivory garden roses and greenery. The bouquet had a long, flowing hand-dyed ribbon wrapped around the base, from Tono & Co.
The bridesmaids wore off-white floor-length gowns with sweetheart necklines and form-fitting silhouettes.
Brandon and his groomsmen wore traditional black suits, crisp white button-downs and black ties.
"Brandon's heart for the Lord is incredible and he really inspired me," Morgan says. "He's incredibly smart, tenacious, loving, brave and ultimately humble. I knew on our first dinner date I was going to marry him." Brandon says of Morgan, "I love her heart and the way she loves me."
One unique element of the ceremony decor was the tall wheat-colored pampas grass lining the aisle. The wedding planner had the grass flown in for the wedding. The tufted grass looked almost like ostrich feathers, creating a romantic, stylish, bohemian aesthetic.
A floral arch was created to frame the pretty mountain views.
Hanging tealights in small vases adds an ethereal glow to an outdoor wedding and reception in Missoula, Montana.
Brandon's favorite memory from their wedding day was seeing Morgan walk down the aisle with her dad. "She and her dad have such a special relationship, she looked unbelievably beautiful, and it just suddenly all became real that I was seeing my almost-wife walking toward me," he says.
These low-key centerpieces were perfect for the cocktail tables.
Chandeliers, lights, linens and floral centerpieces added a sophisticated feel to the tent's interior.
Morgan and Brandon offered his and her cocktails, a hot chocolate and espresso bar and doughnuts “because we’re obsessed,” Morgan says.
The furniture, linens, flatware, glassware and centerpieces at the reception worked together in harmony to paint a romantic picture.
Hanging embroidery hoops, decorated with flowers and greenery, is a creative way to display the menu.
One single tall centerpiece for the reception table design is all that's needed to make a statement.
Brandon and Morgan offered three flavors of cake to their guests: champagne, red velvet and white almond.
Morgan and Brandon's first dance was to "Rivers and Roads" by the Head and the Heart.