Winter Wedding Wonderland

by Lisa Matte

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening,
in the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight,
we're happy tonight,
walking in a winter wonderland.

If your dream wedding involves a winter wonderland setting, the perfect venue awaits on a snow-covered hilltop just outside West Yellowstone, Montana. "Two Top," as it's called by locals because it's comprised of two mountain tops - one right next to the other - is an ideal wedding venue for couples who love the romance of winter.

Longtime West Yellowstone resident, Bill Howell - heck, he's been there so long he might as well be a local - has participated in the planning of two "Two Top" weddings. His associates at West Yellowstone Tour and Travel (800/221-1151) have organized dozens more.

In the meadow we can build a snowman,
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say: Are you married?
we'll say: No man,
But you can do the job
when you're in town.

"We can make the arrangements for all aspects of the event," says Howell who leads guided snowmobile tours in and around each winter and runs a local dude ranch in the summer. "It's basically a customized snowmobile tour. We will arrange a minister or justice of the peace, unless the couple has someone they know in mind to conduct the ceremony."

Howell says most couples opt to make the 32-mile round-trip snowmobile run to Two Top accompanied by the minister and wedding party. They then return to town for the reception. Keep in mind, though, winter weddings at Two Top require weather-appropriate clothing. Could there be a "snow-white" snowmobile suit in your future? Winter wedding season at Two Top runs from approximately mid-December to mid-March.

Later on, we'll conspire,
as we dream by the fire
To face unafraid,
the plans that we've made,
walking in a winter wonderland.

Copyright Lisa Matte