For the past several weeks I’ve been sitting on our pro-pics and stewing. I’ve been having an exceptionally difficult time figuring out how to begin sorting through over TWO THOUSAND images to find the choice few to share with you.

After several revisions and one massive dump into Flickr (which I will share with you after I am done with recap posts so you can see the rest of the photos), I think I have finally narrowed down the best photos enough to begin with my “Official” Wedding Bee recap. As a forewarning, each of the following recap posts will probably contain 15-30 photos. I figure that I’d better err on the heavy side rather than risk tossing out any favorites or destroying the story.

For this recap, I’ve decided that the best place to begin was the beginning, and with a bit of a narrative tone. Let’s allow the balmy day of our reception, Friday, September 5, 2008, to set the stage and provide some atmosphere…

Join me on the way to Polebridge, Montana. We’re headed to the edge of the mountains…

down a long dirt road…

to the middle of a field.

Welcome, travelers…

to Polebridge, home to a handful of odd Montanans, one saloon, a mercantile, a stage, and several free-ranging dogs.

C’mon into the mercantile, where you’ll find an eclectic assortment of goods…

and possibly a few locals lounging

amid a rustic decor…

And, of course, the famous baked goods that draw crowds to this remote town:

What’s that he’s baking? It looks like a wedding cake!

Why yes, it is! And it just so happens that we’re here for a wedding. But that won’t happen until tomorrow.

Right now, the bride and groom are outside, practicing their walk to the altar.

And while the musicians practice their cues…

the bride and groom rehearse the ceremony…

…and joke while their friends & family look on…

(Note: These are my two next-youngest sisters… I love how alike they look in this photo!)

because tomorrow is a celebration! So, when they are done, they bring out supplies…

put together a token of their thanks for guests…

and finish up last-minute crafts for decoration.

(Note: This is my grandmother and grandfather on my dad’s side on their wedding day. They took the train from Michigan to join us.)

Finally, it’s time for pizza…

and drinking beer, relaxing on the porch of the Northern Lights Saloon…

and just one more cookie inside the warmth of the Mercantile as the lights come on and the day draws to a close.

Come back tomorrow… it’s time for a wedding!

Filed under: Photos, Recap, Venue on February 9th, 2009