Photo: Lauren Brown Photography
Lauren and Brad's romance bloomed over a bet. For a game in the highly-anticipated 2010 National Basketball Association finals—the Celtics versus the Lakers—Lauren sided with the East Coast team, while Las Vegas-resident Brad bet on the Lakers. "When the Celtics sadly lost, Brad called me to brag about winning the bet," Lauren recalls. "By the end of that phone call, he agreed to meet me in New York City for dinner the following day."
Photo: Lauren Brown Photography
The pair went to lunch, "and by the time the bill was paid, I was in love," Lauren says. "We attempted a long-distance relationship for awhile, but it really didn't work for us." Within weeks, Brad asked Lauren to move to Las Vegas. "And after while, I agreed."
On the couple's weekly date night more than a year later, Brad escorted Lauren to La Cave, a favorite restaurant the soon-to-be groom had invested in. His two young daughters, Coby and Kenzie, awaited the couple on the balcony, and "while I was giving them hugs and paying attention to them, Brad got down on one knee behind me with the ring," Lauren recalls. "Then all three of them proposed. It was very sweet."
The couple chose The Ranch at Rock Creek in Philipsburg, Montana, as the location for their June nuptials. A horse-drawn carriage brought the bride to the ceremony site, an open field at the base of the mountains aptly-dubbed Paradise.
"Because we got married on a ranch, the wedding was fairly rustic," Lauren explains. Mason jars filled with white flowers and tied with twine lined the aisles, while guests watched the couple wed from rustic benches. "We kept the colors neutral for the ceremony, with mostly white and greens," the bride says.
Photo: Lauren Brown Photography
Lauren's lace St. Patrick gown featured a cathedral-length train with a scalloped edge.
The bride did not wear a veil. Her only accessory, she said, was "a beautiful tennis bracelet that Brad gave me the night before the wedding."
Photo: Lauren Brown Photography
Cheetah-print Ariat cowgirl boots peeked out from beneath the bride's gown.
Photo: Lauren Brown Photography
Lauren's round bouquet was made of a mixture of white peonies, hydrangea and sweet-smelling freesia.
Brad wore a classic Brioni bow tie tuxedo. He also donned a white rose boutonniere.
The couple's four-member bridal party stayed within their neutral palette. Bridesmaids wore knee-length dresses in the palest pink.
While Lauren and Brad may have kept their ceremony mostly white, their "reception was the something blue," the bride says. Invitations, as well as Montana sky-blue napkins, were accented with horseshoe details.
Photo: Lauren Brown Photography
Asked about the highlights from their dinner, Lauren exclaims, "Ice cream cake! I loved all the food—it is hard to capture just one thing."
Photo: Lauren Brown Photography
Lauren and Brad also served a signature cocktail—called a Brown Sugar, the drink was mixed with pineapple juice and rum.
Photo: Lauren Brown Photography
Before embarking on their honeymoon—a trip that included touring Paris, sailing the Greek Isles, wandering Istanbul, driving through Italy and more—Lauren and Brad returned to where things began. "We started in New York City," Lauren says, "going to our first date spot."
—Jillian Kramer
Wedding Planner: Katalin Green Event Design || Wedding Concierge: Life: Styled || Ceremony Venue: The Ranch at Rock Creek || Reception Venue: The Ranch at Rock Creek || Bride's Wedding Dress: St. Patrick || Bride's Shoes: Ariat || Bride's Wedding Ring: The Jewelers, Inc. || Groom's Tux: Brioni || Groom's Shoes: Gucci || Groom's Wedding Ring: The Jewelers, Inc. || Florist: Avant Floral || Caterer: The Ranch at Rock Creek || Stationery: Meant To Be Sent || Cake Baker: Cold Stone Creamery || Rentals: Montana Party Rentals || Linen Rentals: La Tavola Fine Linen Rental || Entertainment: Evenflow of Dustree Productions || Sound and Equipment: Poindexter's || Videography: Moonstone Pictures || Photo Booth: Flip Side Photo Booth || Photography: Lauren Brown Photography