Blaine County Beacon: Saying 'NO' Opens Doors.

What better time to launch a wedding planning business than Valentine's Day? On February 14, Crystal (Miller) Gordon announced that her childhood dream to become a wedding planner has led not only to a career but to unveiling hidden passions and a business adventure. On that iconic day, she toasted her husband Billy-whom she calls her partner-in-crime and best friend: "Here's to new adventures!"

With her new business, Curated by Crystal, Gordon went on to say that "I cherish the opportunity to get to know the couples I work with personally through the planning process. In doing so, I am able to understand the unique vision clients have for their wedding day."

Gordon described her main goal as hoping "to provide effective consulting and styling services with a personal touch, so that couples can focus on beginning their new lives together. It's the special touches that contribute to an unforgettable wedding day."

To fulfill that goal, Curated offers a one-hour complimentary initial consultation. "Maybe you want to add an extra touch to your ceremony set up, create a stunning styled head table space, incorporate design elements that guests won't forget, or brainstorm ideas that make your wedding even more YOU. No matter how big or small your vision, we want to help bring it all to life," Gordon explained.

Her business slogan is "Carefully chosen~thoughtfully organized," and Gordon confessed that styled head tables are her favorite. "Styled head table options offer unique rental possibilities with glassware, china, candle decor, area rugs, decorative linens, and more."

Curated by Crystal has its roots in a childhood dream that has flourished with time. In 2010, Gordon began working as the Lead Coordinator for Montana Wildflower Weddings (MWW), a company based out of Red Lodge. With MWW, Gordon plans and coordinates weddings but also started designing weddings/events for family members and close friends.

She thanked her brother James and his wife Samantha for giving her the confidence to perhaps be a wedding planner in her own right. She described the Dietz-Miller wedding in 2017, which was her first 'official' design, as "the wedding that sparked an obsession."

She also wished to give a shout out to her sister-in-law Andie, who is married to her brother Howard, for creating the Curated logo.

Gordon's passion percolated until she knew it was time to branch out. Although Gordon continues to work as a consultant for Wildflower, she now can offer styling and design services as well as décor pieces and specialized rental items for events in the Billings area, throughout the state of Montana, and all the way to Cody, Wyoming.

This Hi-Line girl graduated from Chinook High School in 1993 and describes herself as "Montana to the core-born and raised, never left and never want to."

While in high school, as Crystal Miller, she worked alongside her mother, Pauly Miller who owned Blaine County Abstract and Title. The younger Miller continued down that path when she moved to Billings and worked as an escrow assistant, a real estate office administrator, and then a mortgage loan assistant.

"Every position helped me to grow professionally in customer service, leadership, and communication skills. When my last mortgage position at US Bank ended, I didn't hesitate to chase my childhood dream," she stated.

Another item on which she thought she'd never waver was her choice for a mate. She swore she would never even date a Marine, after being raised by one-her stepfather is Perry Miller. However, as fate would have it, "God laughed big. I married my favorite Marine (sorry, Dad) on New Year's Eve in 2008; Billy is a retired Marine Infantry Officer and my favorite person on God's earth," Gordon stated.

The coupled blended a large family of seven children: Thomas (Sarah), Ashley, Shelby (Garrett), Brittany, Shianne, Hunter, and Hayden. "Let me just say that having four teen/tween girls under one roof at the same time is not for the weak. I questioned my sanity frequently," Gordon reported.

In addition to her roles as wedding planner, wife, and mother, Gordon calls herself an enthusiastic baker and avid Harley rider. In fact, Gordon claims riding a Harley as her one addiction: "I acquired my motorcycle endorsement in '08, bought my first Harley the following spring, and added a sparkly white Road King to the garage three years ago. I can't get enough of riding and wish motorcycling monopolized more of my time!"

She and her husband enjoy riding together, as well as traveling, shooting sports, hunting, and attending a Marine Corps Birthday Ball every November when possible. The couple also cherishes time spent with their five grandchildren, spreading their love between Montana, Michigan, and Hawaii.

According to Gordon, "All of the chaos of a big family made sense when the grandbabies were born! I swear, they are the greatest gift. Ever."

Gordon credits her own grandmother Agnes McMaster for her love of baking. Because of this passion, she frequently creates goodies for baby showers, weddings, anniversary parties, birthdays, and other events.

After so many years of talking about a wedding planning business, doubting herself, and waiting for the time to be 'just right,' part of Gordon still can't believe that Curated has finally come to fruition. "I can't wait to share my passion for all things wedding with all of you!"

Gordon's 2021 calendar is filling quickly, and she has already begun booking for 2022. Anyone interested in planning a wedding can reach her by email (curatedbycrystal@gmail.com) or by phone (406-860-1134). Curated by Crystal also has a presence on Facebook.

When asked what about owning a business has most surprised her, Gordon responded, "Paying my own taxes! My husband is a financial advisor, so being a month late on my first quarterly tax payment was NOT okay."

Since Gordon is still in the fledgling stage of business ownership, she continues to see challenges, with the greatest of those attributed to her being what she calls "a total control freak."

"I take on too much at one time and 'forget' to ask for help or delegate when I should. My mom recently gave me a wooden sign that reads 'As long as everything is exactly the way I want it, I'm totally flexible.' She obviously knows me well," Gordon laughed.

Gordon described her biggest reward as her pleasure for serving the couples she works with. "If you know my parents, you know I come by that trait honestly. It 100% fills my tank to help clients put together details while I work behind the scenes for them so their focus can be where it should: on their marriage. Although a wedding is an amazing celebration of our most significant earthly relationship, it's a tiny blip on the screen overall. A wedding represents a single day, while marriage is a lifetime."

Because the Gordons will officially become empty-nesters when the last of their seven children graduates from high school next year, their plan is to relocate to the western side of Montana, where they would like to retire. Curated will follow her in that move, since Gordon hopes to continue growing the business "until God shows [her] otherwise."

To others interested in business ownership, Gordon shares this advice: "Let your 'no,' be NO; and your 'yes,' be YES. In other words, say what you mean and mean what you say. And that's it. Leave it there, move on, and be okay with it. I feel that learning to say no is especially critical to success in any business, and life in general for that matter! It opens the door to set necessary boundaries and to effectively manage precious time."