“Karl’s ceremony was so filled with beauty, inspiration and ritual. I still am captured by the wonderful ceremony he performed and grateful for his presence. It was awe inspiring to be located in nature as well ~ deer crossed the fields, an eagle flew overhead and early in the day, the good luck for all brides ~ the final drops of rain from the previous days storm fell softly on the fields, blessing the marriage.”

"We’ve revisited the ceremony site, the echo of its incredible energy still emanating from it. The driftwood at the tents entrance, that was bedecked with vibrant greenery and ivory flowers for the wedding, now stands bare, almost like dual sentinels marking the sacred site. The lingering images of the high peaked hexagonal tent, coupled with the similar shape that was reflected in the hay formations capped with flags bearing Nickie and Billys’ names added a note of medieval resonance to the grand affaire.”

The Reception

Heather, one of Nickie’s bridesmaids, best described the ranch barn where the reception was held ... calling it a cathedral. Heather along with best man, Matt, had arrived early and both were part of the “advance barn clean up and get-the-ranch ready” team. Early on I had presented a plan to Nickie and Trish for the reception area. Haystacks [mentioned earlier by Trish] capped with Nickie & Billy pennants would be staggered up the drive and throughout the barn yard. Bales would also be used as wind breaks and to screen the caterers work area. The vast barn ceiling would be broken up with large hanging arrangements and the green and ivory theme would continue in the table arrangements and linens.

During one of our earlier conversations, Nickie read to me a poem she had written as a gift for her parents and described how she planned to frame it along with photos of her over the years. I was impressed and suggested using something along these lines - personal and handcrafted to cover window wells and also provide points of interest for the guests. As Trish mentioned Nickie went above and beyond in providing these. Many other details, like cows with the ranch brand for table numbers, Nickie and Billy ribbons on the chair backs, place cards displayed on bales, a covered wagon to house the outdoor bar and fabulous head table decorations that included cowhide covered chairs for the bride and “cow crazy” groom added to the ambiance.

“The reception in the barn was awesome - who could believe the transformation?!! From the ground up to the hanging floral arrangements the barn had been cleaned and decorated - new cement floor, wood siding stripped through hours of cleaning of its dairy barn residue, window wells cleaned and old window wells covered with posters, party tables graced with pale green satiny linens overlaid with ivory striped clothes, table decorations that continued the natural theme of greenery and ivory flowers. Also displayed were pictures with write ups of each member of the wedding party that Nickie had painstakingly put together so that the guests would know how special these people were to her and Billy. Two collages of photographs added other memories of family and friends.”

 “One final highlight: the milking parlor, complete with a painted wooden sign. Anita Pagliaro our event coordinator provided a wonderful surprise for all of us - a cow table to hold the cow cake. The table was covered with black and white cow fabric, had birch legs, a cow head and a wreath and wedding bells around its neck - so whimsical and fun!!”

This could be my all time “capo lavoro” AND it was quite a feat keeping it a secret until the day of the wedding. Pre me, Billy and Nickie had ordered a cow wedding cake. Don had also filled me in on the barns history, and we had talked about setting up a bar in the milking parlor area. Nickie mentioned that she had wedding bells to hang somewhere. With all this in mind, a fake fur animal hide tablecloth which we were considering for the cake table, inspired me to go a step further ... a cow cake table in the milking parlor was not only appropriate but also the perfect surprise for my clients! At one point, Nickie offered suggestions for where the bells could go .. to which I replied “Nickie, I have the perfect spot, trust me!”

Successfully pulling off an event on ones own property is a formidable task not to be underestimated, but as seen here, the results can be most special. The Langes went above and beyond in preparing their home for guests. Don kept everyone on track and informed with his ‘Heritage Summer 2002 Project List’. In addition to readying the barn and ceremony site, the main house and a campsite were worked on, ranch roads were graded, trees and grass planted around the barn - a small building was even moved. Don estimated his time at 350 hours. Nickie wasn’t only creative - she did her share of ranch work, patiently manning the tractor for our “haystack test” and again to move the giant bales into place. Trish worked on everything from scrubbing the barn to assembling beautiful wedding favors - a task that alone took 150 hours. Many others, family, friends, hired help and, of course, Billy joined the team as the day drew closer. And there was my time .. working at the ranch and away from the ranch .. on the cow that was ‘living’ in my living room.

The result of our combined efforts ... to quote Trish again “In choosing to have our daughter’s wedding on our ranch land, we were able to combine an exceptional natural setting reflecting the great beauty of Montana with a completely personal approach and a unique wedding design. This job had a bonus...it was a gift to have a great group of people that worked so well together.” Indeed it was, and the energy that gathered momentum during the earlier stages eventually permeated every detail of Nickie and Billy’s wedding. Now one final highlight from the ranch guest book: Billy’s entry ... “Sept. 10, 02 Well, I married the ranchers’ daughter 3 days ago. It’s been a beautiful whirlwind of people, emotions & most of all love. Once again, I am quite certain that I am the luckiest man alive. I have a lovely new wife & a darling new Mom & an endearing new Dad. Honeymoon? See you later - GOTTA GO ... “

Heritage Ranch
by Anita Pagliaro and Trish Lange

It is late October now ... autumn covers Heritage Ranch in Montana’s Paradise Valley with a gorgeous mantle of orange and gold. Heritage Ranch owners Don and Trish Lange and I have spent a bright fall afternoon together enjoying the rich afterglow of their family wedding celebration. Only six weeks ago their daughter, Nickie Lange, and her fiancé, Billy Dubbs, spoke their marriage vows at Heritage Ranch, on river land that nature has graced with the awesome backdrop of the Absaroka Mountains. The memories of this wedding still reverberate with sharpness. At the time of the wedding in early September, a vibrant green covering of summer still lingered--in the woods, the fields, and the idyllic wedding site beside the Yellowstone River. As Don, Trish and I drive across the ranch property happily recounting the events of the wedding day, our conversation is imbued with a special satisfaction that reflects the dreaming and planning which have gone into bringing to life such a unique and personal occasion.

A mythological journey of Celtic and Western traditions was the thematic key for this event. We created an environment layered with symbolic references giving everything a kind of spiritual energy. When Trish shared with me her own reflections and comments recorded in the ranch guest book, her words were and still are very pictorially clear to me. I decided to accompany the photographs with her quotes as well as my version of how things evolved. Here also is a behind the scenes look at some of the details, other than the obvious, involved in preparing for a wedding on one’s private property. Working with an experienced and creative designer will eliminate stress, enable you to exceed your expectations and to concentrate on what’s most important ... family, friends and each other.

The Ceremony

The bride and her father arrived at the ceremony site in the 1969 red Ford truck that Don and Trish had purchased shortly after their marriage. Nickie, statuesque in a medieval gown, and Billy in a custom made buckskin suit, literally tied the knot with a beautiful sash hand sewn by Nickie. Standing on a labyrinth and underneath a chandelier sculpted from found wood, the couple was embraced by nature and encompassed by family and friends - a wonderful start to their journey together.

“Still reveling in the blessings and beautiful memories of September 7th the day our girl Nickie ‘tied the knot’ with her sweetheart Billy. A glorious vision ... the bride in her ivory gossamer dress adorned with flowers and the Lady Guinevere sleeves that draped to the ground and Billy so very handsome in his custom buckskin suit ~ a suit that carried three generations of Lange hunting traditions with it.”

When I joined the team, so to speak, arrangements were being considered for the ceremony site Nickie and Billy had selected ... a remote ranch location alongside the Yellowstone River. I felt that the aesthetics and the energy of the site would be further enhanced by making a few changes: a hexagonal tent would be less intrusive to the site, indigenous materials could be used for seating and to sculpt the tent entry and any decorative arrangements. Introducing foreign objects would be kept to the bare minimum. This spectacular location spoke for itself and offered far better options than anything that could have been fabricated or brought in.

Needless to say, Nickie and Trish liked my suggestions and shortly afterwards, Nickie and Billy decided to get married standing on a labyrinth adding yet another dimension to the symbolic journey that was evolving. Don and Trish’s minister from California who performed the ceremony captivated everyone at Friday’s rehearsal with his eloquent and knowledgeable explanation of the meaning, mythology and history of the many elements that contributed to the energy and symbolism of this site ..   whether planned [yes] or unintentional, this place was very special. Following the ceremony the next day, as guests sipped champagne and toasted the newly weds, Don asked Karl to repeat his comments for all to hear.