UPLOAD YOUR PHOTOS!
Many thanks to everyone who made our big day so special! We’d love to see the photos you took.
Upload your images of the event to our Google Drive folder by clicking the button below!
If you know Lynsey and Jayel, then you know two people have never better fit the description of partners. From tackling life’s most mundane tasks together, to sharing their innermost dreams to co-shaping a better future and figuring out the logistics of working toward it, they share breath with mirrored smiles on every adventure they set out on together, while always encouraging each other’s individual dreams and sojourns, that they may be more free together than they would be apart.
“You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”
—Bob Marley
Over 10 years ago Lynsey and Jayel embarked on a creative journey together. With the single small spark of a plan to make one image together, began a collaboration that would branch forward into all facets of life, and then some. They co-founded a company, where they now co-create stories, co-guide a burgeoning creative community, and co-facilitate environmental initiatives, all while cohabitating. Even while co-piloting all of those shared responsibilities, they find the time to laugh, sing, snuggle, and dance together.
In their sacred union, they honor their friends and family who have seen them through the ups and downs necessary to become the people who entered into this partnership, the people who laughed and danced with them on their adventures, the people who helped them see reason when life’s lessons felt harsh, the people who encouraged them to keep going when they thought perhaps they’d bitten off more than they could chew together…Thank you!
CEREMONY & RECEPTION
WHEN
Friday, June 23, 2023
4:00 PM MDT
WHERE
Raven’s Ridge
33384 Terrace Lake Rd
Ronan, MT 59864
Join us for an outdoor handfasting (that’s pagan-speak for “wedding”) ceremony in the forest of the beautiful Mission Mountains, at the home of our dear friends Heather and Wren Robbins.
Ceremony will be followed by dinner, drinks, dancing…and karaoke! Be prepared to boogie and sing your favorite love song!
Please wear whatever makes you feel FABULOUS!
(Costumes, wings, sparkles, and self-expression encouraged!)
What is handfasting?
A handfasting is an old Pagan custom, dating back to the time of the ancient Celts. Today, Pagans have embraced handfasting as a part of their wedding ceremony. After the couple declare their intent to enter into this union, their hands are clasped and fastened together with cords before, after, or during their vows. The wrapping of the cord forms an infinity symbol. The handfasting knot that is tied is a symbolic representation of oneness between the couple.
Learn more about handfasting here.
LIVE-STREAM
We understand that many will not be able to travel to Montana for the ceremony.
Therefore, we will live-stream the event, so you can watch from anywhere, leave comments, and chat with other viewers!
REGISTRY
We’re not looking for gifts—we just want to celebrate with you!
We will collect tips for our caterers, bartenders, DJs, and other helpers at the event—helping them out helps us out!
However, as we have just purchased our condo, we’re open to additions to the “make our home nice” fund!
We also have a few items on a registry on Amazon.
We’ve also been planting trees through our company’s official partnership with One Tree Planted! Every dollar donated plants a tree where it’s most needed around the world. Donations to the cause of reforestation make our hearts sing!
A NOTE ON THE WEATHER:
The handfasting and reception will be held outdoors in the Mission Mountains outside Ronan, Montana.
Weather in June can vary wildly in this locale, so please check the local weather when you’re packing and planning!
TRAVEL
The nearest airport is
Missoula International Airport (MSO).
Missoula itself is easily accessible from I-90.
Raven’s Ridge in Ronan is a one-hour drive north of Missoula, or about 25 minutes south of Polson, off of Route 93.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Ronan, where the ceremony will be held, is a small town with no hotels. However, guests may stay in and around Missoula, or to find accommodations in the Ronan, Charlo, or Polson area.
There are many Airbnbs, Vrbos, and other private rentals available in the area.
Hotels are available mostly in Missoula and Polson. Our recommendations are below.
Ninepipes Lodge
69286 Hwy 93, Charlo, MT 59824
P: (406) 644- 2588
E: brian@ninepipeslodge.com
Website
Red Lion Ridgewater Inn & Suites Polson
209 Ridgewater Dr, Polson, MT 59860
P: (406) 872-2200
Website
Kwataqnuk – Flathead Lake Resort & Casino
49708 US Highway 93 E, Polson, MT 59860
P: (800) 882-6363
E: FRONTDESK@KWATAQNUK.COM
Website
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Missoula
100 Madison St, Missoula, MT 59802
P: (406) 728-3100
Website
C’mon Inn Hotel & Suites
2775 Expo Pkwy, Missoula, MT 59808
P: (406) 543-4600
Website
NEARBY STUFF TO DO
We know that many of our guests will be visiting Montana for the first time, and may want to see the local sights. So we’ve put together a list of our favorites!
Missoula, MT
Missoula, Montana: The city Jayel and Lynsey now call home, also known as The City of Many Shoulders, Zootown, and the liberal bastion of Montana, Missoula offers great food, arts, hiking, people-watching, and nightlife. Missoula also offers a robust urban wildlife population of deer, beavers, foxes, raccoons, weasels, and occasionally bears and moose!
Food
Culture
- Missoula Art Museum
- The Roxy Theater
- Missoula Pride (6/16 – 6/18)
- Missoula Community Theater
- Zootown Arts & Community Center
- Spectrum Discovery Area
- Unseen Missoula Tours
- Historical Museum at Fort Missoula
- Montana Natural History Center
- Smokejumper Visitor Center
- National Museum of Forest Service History
Outdoors
- Missoula Farmer’s Market (Saturday mornings)
- A Carousel for Missoula
- Mobash Skate Park
- Missoula Paddleheads Minor League Baseball (& other events)
- River Pines Horse Sanctuary
- Greenough Park
- Rattlesnake Recreation & Wilderness Area
- Mt. Sentinel “M” Hike
- Waterworks Hill Hike
- Nimrod Hot Springs
- Floating the Clark Fork River (IF it’s warm enough and the water is low enough!)
TO THE NORTH
Ronan, MT
1 hr north of Missoula. This is where the handfasting ceremony & reception will be held.
- Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana
- Ninepipe Wildlife Refuge
- Ronan Co-Op Brewery
- The Hi-Line Dispensary
- Sweet Cakes by Melissa
- Pizza Cafe
- Valley Club Bar & Cafe
- Lynn’s Drive-In
Mission Valley, MT
The Mission Valley offers gorgeous scenery on the way from Missoula to Ronan.
Flathead Lake, MT
Due north of Missoula (1.5 hrs) and Ronan (25 mins).
- Cherry orchards (all over the eastern side of the lake)
- Flathead Lake State Park
- Wild Horse Island
- The Miracle of America Museum
Hot Springs, MT
1.5 hrs northwest of Missoula, or 1 hr west of Ronan
Glacier National Park
The “Crown of the Continent” is one of our area’s most majestic and beloved attractions. This is at least a day trip away from Ronan, but the views, wildlife, and especially the late-spring wildflowers are worth the drive in late June. If we’re lucky, MacDonald Pass might even be open by June 23!
Be aware: there are strict limits on driving into the park, so visit the website ahead of time to get your pass!
TO THE NORTHEAST
Great Falls, MT
3 hrs northeast of Missoula
- The Sip’n’Dip Lounge & Mermaids (no, really, there are mermaids)
- First People’s Buffalo Jump State Park
Garnet Ghost Town
1 hr northeast of Missoula
Montana’s most intact ghost town wasn’t built to last. Enterprising miners were more interested in extracting the riches below ground than building above. As a result, buildings grew quickly, most lacking foundations. They were small and easy to heat. Yet, a century after Garnet emerged, remnants of the town stand, hidden high in the Garnet Mountain Range east of Missoula.
TO THE EAST
Deer Lodge, MT
1.25 hrs east of Missoula
- Old Montana Prison Museum
- Prison Pizza
- Elk Ridge Brewing Company
Anaconda, MT
1.5 hrs east of Missoula
Butte, MT
1.75 hours east of Missoula
- World Museum of Mining
- Mai Wah Museum
- Berkeley Pit
- Dumas Brothel Museum
- Butte Historic Haunts
- Old Butte Historic Adventures
- Lewis & Clarke Caverns
- The Hummingbird Cafe
TO THE SOUTHEAST
Virginia City & Nevada City Ghost Towns
2.5 hrs southeast of Missoula
Virginia City and Nevada City lie along Alder Gulch about one mile apart, and is the site of the richest placer gold strike in the Rocky Mountains, with an estimated total value of $100 million throughout the 18th and 19th century! The area represents the true and original Old West.
Quake Lake, MT
4 hrs southeast of Missoula
The 1959 quake at Hebgen Lake, on the Madison River near Ennis, turned out to be Montana’s largest ever recorded earthquake, and it was devastating enough to cause more than 28 deaths.
You will be able to see some of the remaining effects of the massive earthquake and landslide that hit the area and caused the formation of the lake as you drive towards it along Route 287.
Yellowstone National Park
At least 4.5 hrs southeast of Missoula, Yellowstone is NOT a day trip. But it IS worth the drive!
On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park for all to enjoy the unique hydrothermal and geologic features. Within Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres, visitors have unparalleled opportunities to observe wildlife in an intact ecosystem, explore geothermal areas that contain about half the world’s active geysers, and view geologic wonders like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.
TO THE SOUTH
TO THE WEST
Wallace, ID
About 1.5 hours west of Missoula
- Wallace District Mining Museum
- Sierra Silver Mine Tour
- Crystal Gold Mine Tour
- Hiawatha Bike Trail
- Oasis Bordello Museum (call ahead; this may have closed)
Feel free to drop us a comment, share your thoughts, ideas, tell us what you like most about our page, or ask us any questions you might be wondering about below:
If you’re looking for help figuring out ride-share options, feel free to respond to this comment, and see who else might be in a similar situation. Teamwork makes the dream work!
If you’re looking for help figuring out shared lodging, respond to this comment, perhaps some other folks might appreciate having someone wonderful to share a space with.