Katalin Green Designs - Small Business Revolution

It’s the relationship building that I have spent so much time investing in, and developing and maintaining. That’s really what I do.

Katalin Green still gets goosebumps every time she watches a bride walk down the aisle. In 2002 she helped save a friend’s potentially disastrous wedding and simultaneously realized her natural affinity for event planning. One year later, she left her position in network television to pursue what she knew she was capable of – using her production and art direction skills to plan weddings and create memorable events.

In the 14 years since she founded Katalin Green Design, Green has been instrumental in developing the wedding industry in Montana with her magazine, Montana Bride, and by fostering relationships with other local businesses across the state. In addition to weddings and events, Green also lends her talented eye to styling photo shoots and floral arrangements. While no two projects are the same, one thing they all have in common is their location. Green utilizes the natural beauty of the state and specialized local vendors to create an experience for her clients that is authentically Montana.

A large part of the work Katalin Green Design produces is dependent on other small businesses like bakeries, photographers, and letterpress printers and they rely on her in return.

“The growth component is learning how to time-manage and work with incredible people,” said Green. “It really is about relationship building.”

Therein also lies the biggest challenge for Green: not having enough time in the day to do all the things she wants to do, and give them the personal touch she feels is so important. Green’s hands-on approach to every detail of her work is reflective of her emotional connection to what she does, and her understanding of how important an event can be in someone’s life – particularly a wedding.

“It’s a really important time for people, it’s not like a corporate project, it’s an emotional project.”

Photos by Ed Kashi

Katalin Green, who runs a high end events planning business, meets with a bride to be to check out her wedding dress in Bozeman, Montana, on March 30, 2015.
Through her work, Katalin Green shares the scenic beauty of Montana with people who are visiting or returning for events and weddings.
The dinner table for a small, private dinner in Bozeman, Mont., styled by Katalin Green.
Katalin Green arranges the table for a small, private dinner in Bozeman, Mont.
The location of Katalin Green Designs allows for a stunning natural backdrop. Green also takes advantage of her close proximity to some of the country's most spectacular outdoor destinations, like Yellowstone and Glacier National Park.
Katalin Green, owner of high end event design studio Katalin Green Designs in Bozeman, Mont.
Katalin Green arranges flowers in a barn in Bozeman, Mont. Her hands-on approach to events is felt in every tiny detail, and she strives to provide an extra personal touch to make something special.
Katalin Green utilizes the natural beauty of the state and specialized local vendors to create an experience for her clients that is authentically Montanan. Over the last 14 years she has been instrumental in creating an industry for weddings in Montana.
Katalin Green, owner of Katalin Green Designs, meets with a bride-to-be for a wedding dress fitting.
A bride-to-be tries on her dress in the Katalin Green Designs studio in Bozeman, Mont. Despite her many years of experience and numerous weddings, Green still gets goosebumps when she watches a bride walk down the aisle.
Inside the Katalin Green Designs studio in Bozeman, Mont.
Dresses and vases catch the light in the Katalin Green Designs studio. In addition to wedding and event design, Katalin Green also lends her talented eye to styling shoots and floral arrangements.
Katalin Green meets with another local business, leather maker Brian Esslinger (Black Sheep Custom Leather), in Bozeman, Mont. Green is working with Esslinger to make custom key fobs as a wedding favor.
Katalin Green meets with chef Daniel Wendell (The Food Studio) in Bozeman, Mont. Green works with many other small businesses like bakeries, photographers, and letterpress printers, and recognizes the importance of local business owners supporting each other.
Katalin Green, owner of Katalin Green Designs, in her Bozeman, Mont. studio. After helping a friend plan her wedding, Green discovered a natural affinity for event planning and styling. She left her network TV job and started her own business 14 years ago.