This Creative Montana Wedding Saw Guests Take Part in Farming Activities, a Chinese Tea Ceremony, and a Vow Of Silence

The following morning, guests enjoyed yoga, pilates, or a run, before taking part in farming activities—such as garlic picking, tree planting, and burdock clearing—led by the owners of the 35-acre permaculture farm, Rayner and Tanya Smith, who have been implementing sustainable practices to improve biodiversity, soil quality and carbon storage since purchasing the property in 2019. “We wanted people to learn about the farm in a very organic way, and make an impact on the property—we didn’t just want to be guests,” Sophia explains.

After lunch, the couple asked their friend and founder of nonprofit Hike Clerb, Evelynn Escobar, to lead a land acknowledgment, before local environmentalist Claire Vlases, one of 16 youth activists that sued Montana for violating their right to a clean environment, spoke to guests. Later in the day, everyone was invited to take a three-hour vow of silence. “It resets everything; you appreciate nature and your surroundings so much more,” Sophia says.

That evening, the couple took part in a traditional Chinese tea ceremony. For the occasion, the bride wore a red silk dress featuring a balloon skirt, made by Olivia Cheng’s Dauphinette using 20th-century kimonos, while the groom sported a traditional red jacket from East Meets Dress. “This night was to honor our ancestors, heritage, and family,” explains Sophia.

For the wedding itself, the couple opted for an outdoor ceremony, which was officiated by one of their closest friends, Lydia Pang. “We wanted it to be very ritualistic and sacred, but in our own way,” says the bride, who chose an archival open-fronted dress and pants by Gabriela Hearst for the occasion, along with a custom hand-embroidered veil by Atelier Jolie and the Afghanistan brand Zarif.

Post-ceremony, guests made their way over to cocktail hour, before enjoying an alfresco three-course dinner that was interspersed with speeches and toasts from family and friends. After a rendition of The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside,” guests made their way onto the dancefloor, where they were treated to a live performance by The Wildfire, before migrating to a separate after-party area in the trees, where the couple’s friend Danielle Powell DJ-ed into the early hours of the morning and Sophia was presented with a hot Cheeto “cake” as she turned 33 at midnight.

Looking back, the couple agrees that the three days they spent in Montana, surrounded by their loved ones, was so much more than just a wedding. “We wanted it to be like this sleepaway adult camp, where you come back a changed person. I was blown away by how much meaning it gave me to connect with people and nature, even though that was the intention,” Sophia reflects. “I’m feeling so grateful and blessed; it was more fun than I could have imagined,” Lawrence adds.