Flathead wedding vendors inundated with bookings, forcing some couples to wait

Flathead Valley couples eager to say "I do" are having to practice patience these days, as many local wedding vendors already are booked into 2023.

"It's off the charts," said TJ Henson, with Celebrate Party Rentals, about the crush of summer destination weddings in the valley. "I don't see that lightening up until October."

Businesspeople like Henson are seeing a deluge of brides and grooms after a lot of weddings were canceled or postponed last season because of the pandemic. But many would-be newlyweds will have to continue waiting for their chance at marital bliss because there's no space left anywhere in the valley.

Venues such as Diamond B Ranch are fully booked this summer and next. Owner Emily Baer said the business already is taking reservations for 2023. The barn usually hosts 30 to 35 weddings between June and September.

"Wedding season is always really busy here, but this year I'm finding it extra busy," said Marin Blandon, owner and head baker at Sugar Happy Cupcakes in Evergreen.

In an average week, Blandon said she makes about 1,000 cupcakes, all decorated in intricate floral patterns. This summer, she expects to bump up to 1,500 treats per week.

Blandon added most of her current orders were placed four to six months ago.

Kate Berry, an officiant with Elope Montana, an elopement service based in Whitefish, also attested to a deluge of nuptials.

"We thought that last summer was busy with folks changing their plans due to COVID, and then this summer is even busier than last," Berry said. "We've all seen [visitation] boom and a ton of population growth in the valley. Both of those things bring a lot more people here."

Last summer, Berry performed 30 ceremonies. This year, Berry, who's part of the small four-woman crew at Elope Montana, said she's been able to squeeze five more elopements into her packed schedule.

DESTINATION WEDDINGS have become a significant economic driver for the Flathead Valley over the years. And weddings in the United States are a $51 billion industry this year, according to market research company IBISWorld.

A key factor in this year's wedding surge is the pent-up demand prompted by the pandemic.

In some ways, the wedding boom is welcome news because cancellations in 2020 took a toll on the local industry and businesses are trying to recoup what was lost.

Mara Strobel has worked as a wedding planner in the Flathead for 10 years. Last year was a challenge because her small company, Always Planning Weddings & Events, typically only works on one ceremony per month.

Strobel found herself in a quandary last summer when she had to refund most of her bookings.

"It wasn't like other people were filling it," she pointed out.

Diamond B Ranch faced a similar dilemma, especially because Canadians couldn't travel to Montana to take their vows. Baer said the influx this summer has helped offset those losses.

"We were able to rebook just as much," she reported.

But there's a limit to how much wedding business the Flathead can accommodate.

It's hard on businesses and their owners — not to mention brides — when they have to say no to potential customers.

"We're turning people away, which is sad," said Allison Leake with Whitefish Mountain Resort. "I feel for some of these brides … a lot wanted to be married a year and a half ago."

Berry, with Elope Montana, echoed Leake's sentiment. "It breaks my heart every time I have to turn people down, and I have turned people down," she said. "There are not necessarily enough people and dates to go around when we squeeze everything into the summer."

WEDDING PROFESSIONALS are adjusting as best they can to try to meet the overflowing demand.

Elope Montana is hiring another officiant and a videographer. Celebrate Party Rentals temporarily closed its Whitefish location so staff members could go out to more events. Diamond B is relying on family members to make sure all of the tasks at the ranch are taken care of.

But the proprietors all urged their clients to make some adaptations, too.

Flexibility, patience and foresight seem to be the keys to achieving wedding bliss in Northwest Montana these days.

"If couples are flexible with their date, my advice would be to consider a weekday wedding," suggested Kristin Davis with Snowline Acres in South Kalispell. "Our venue is available year-round since it's heated and air-conditioned, so it's good to consider all seasons, too."

Couples who can't avoid the busiest dates might be better off avoiding the busiest spots instead. As scenic as Glacier National Park can be, it's far from the only outdoor wedding destination in the valley.

"The great thing about where we live is there is no end to the amount of beautiful places around here," said Berry, who has been urging her clients to consider alternative spots for their elopements this summer, especially in response to the implementation of the Going-to-the-Sun Road ticketed entry system.

Planning ahead goes a long way as well.

"My advice is not usually what some want to hear, but book further out," said Leake, with Whitefish Mountain Resort. "The bright side is you get time to save and enjoy the planning process."

"Be flexible on what your vision is," she said.

Industry veterans stressed the mindset before marriage can be the most important factor in planning a successful wedding.

MStrobel, for instance, said about half of the valley's current vendors weren't in business when she started Always Planning Weddings & Events a decade ago.

In her experience, it's important to keep in mind, "in five years, what's really going to matter?

"You personally have to decide what is most important to you," Strobel said.

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at 406-758-4459 or bserbin@dailyinterlake.com.