Kristine Paulsen Photography – Lifestyle Portraits, Editorial and Wedding Photography in Missoula Montana

From what I’ve been told, there is an art to love. And Charity and Matt have certainly created a masterpiece out of their true love for one another.

I had the honor of photographing their jaw-droppingly gorgeous wedding at a private family residence near Rock Creek, Montana. The day was hot, not a cloud in the blue, blue sky (very different from their snowy engagement session!), and the water sparkled with the sun as Charity and Matt gussied themselves up for their unforgettable day.

Their wedding married not only their hearts, but their passions in life. Matt is an artist and Charity is a chef – she made both the huckleberry lemonade AND her own cake!

Their voices quavered with emotion as they spoke their vows to one another, and guests had a blast showering the couple with confetti as they walked down the aisle as husband and wife.

Matt and Charity’s favorite food was served for dinner, and guests got to indulge their sweet tooth in a delectable dessert bar.

Live music got everyone’s feet tapping and dancing and a full moon shined over the mountaintops, casting a cool glow over the hillside.

It was an amazing wedding, what can only be the start of an amazing marriage. Charity and Matt – thank you from the bottom of my heart for honoring me with the invitation to document such a special day in your lives. You two are, hands-down, fabulous, as are all your family and friends! What a wonderful day, and congrats again! Have a lovely honeymoon, and I’ll see you soon! :)

Vendor Information:
Venue: Private family residence, Rock Creek, MT
Floral and Event Design: The fabulous Habitat Floral and Event Planning, Missoula, MT
Makeup: by Christina DeCoite from Alchemy Mineral Blends, Missoula, MT
Catering: Fabulous Food Fine Catering and Events, Kalispell, MT
Cake: Made by the bride!
Desserts: from Posh Chocolate, Goldings Goodies, and Cafe Dolce, all of Missoula, MT
Photo Booth Photographer: friend of the bride, Wynter Krallis
Band: SolBird R&B Motwon Band, Seattle, WA

On the docket: weddings, portraits and more! By the way, seniors, if you haven’t had your senior photos done, now’s the time to be thinking about it. Especially since the cooler weather is here and the leaves are bound to be turning color sooner than we think! Take advantage of nature’s splendor in your senior photos!

Cheers,

-Kristine

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There wasn’t a cloud in Montana’s big sky as Katherine and Mike prepared for their Montana ranch wedding out in Huson. In between having makeup and hair perfected, and donning tuxes just-so, Mike and Katherine stole moments to write each other sweet little love notes, delivered by dear friends.

The day was hot and breezy (very different from their engagement session!), and family and friends buzzed with happiness, much as the bees did around the wildflower bouquets.

Katherine and Mike’s loyal dog, Buck, also made an appearance at their wedding as “ring bearer” and looked mighty content as he sat by his masters on their most important of days.

Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner, champagne and cake, and dancing began as the sun turned golden, and continued as the stars twinkled amidst the bright streak of the Milky Way in the night sky.

What a magical day, Katherine and Mike! Thank you again for having me photograph such a very, very special time in your lives – it was an absolute pleasure, and I had a wonderful time getting to know your family and friends. Cheers to you in your new lives together!

Vendor Information:
Venue: Private Ranch, Huson, MT
Designer and Florist: Katalin Green, Bozeman, MT; and the mother of the bride, Connie
Caterer: Two Sisters Catering, Missoula, MT
Rentals: Celebrate Events and Party Rentals, Whitefish, MT
Cake Baker: Margaret Ambrose-Barton, Missoula, MT
Officiant: Reverend John S. Byerly
DJ: Joe’s Mobile DJ Service, Bozeman, MT
Transportation: Hellgate Transportation, Missoula, MT

On the docket: portraits, weddings, and more weddings!

Cheers!

-Kristine

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Travis and Siobhan were married at Travis’s family ranch on “the back forty,” a place filled with many fond memories for Travis – and now he and Siobhan have just a few more to carry with them as they embark upon their lives together as a married couple.

The sun was shining and hot (quite a difference from the day we photographed their snowy engagement session!), a warm breeze blew, and family and friends’ smiles shined brilliantly as Travis and Siobhan spoke their heartfelt vows to one another.

Everyone was howling with laughter at the many wonderful and hilarious toasts presented to the new couple (Travis, my lips are sealed!) – and even Senator Jon Tester made a special appearance via video to wish Travis and Siobhan well. Dancing continued late into the night, punctuated by a lovely ballad sung to Siobhan by a group of earnest men.

Travis and Siobhan – you two are just such amazing people. And so meant for one another. I know I’ve already said this to you, but you are incredibly special and I am just so honored that you asked me to document such a memorable and important day in your lives. Thank you!

Vendor Information:
Venue: Private Family Ranch, Florence, MT
Flowers: Habitat Floral, Missoula, MT
Caterer: Famous Dave’s, Missoula, MT
Coordinator and DJ: Riverhaus Productions, Missoula, MT
Cupcakes: ?
(Siobhan, if I’ve left out anyone, will you please let me know so I can give them credit? Thanks!)

On the docket: portraits, videos and weddings!

Cheers!

-Kristine

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Everything about John and Lisa’s wedding at the Slack House homestead, which is owned by The Teller (a nonprofit wildlife conservation organization that owns 1,200 acres of wildlife preserve in the Bitterroot Valley), shouted their personalities – fun, beautiful and full of charm.

From their hand-painted signs to the chalkboard menus to the strings of engagement photos posted around the property, John and Lisa’s joy was ever-present. Their gorgeous, sun-dappled ceremony under two gigantic willows was filled with personal touches, heartfelt vows they wrote themselves, and a very moving reading by Lisa’s sister Caroline. (It’s ok Caroline, I don’t think there was a dry eye present, mine included!)

Family and friends took in a delicious dinner, followed by an amazing rainbow and an even more stunning sunset. The party moved into the hayloft of the barn and people danced so hard and with such gusto to the tunes of the Whiskey Rebellion band, that the floor bounced!

John stole the show with a surprise Elvis song for Lisa, and rocked the mic to the cheers of everyone present. Dancing continued into the night, the barn bathed in the light of a full moon, music streaming out into the night air.

John and Lisa – I can’t say enough about you two. You are amazing people, such a fabulous couple, with THE most awesome family and friends, and I sincerely wish you all the best in your lives together. It’s been an absolute honor to get to know you and photograph such a special moment in your lives. Thank you SO much for having me be a part of your day. And, if ever you would like, let’s grab a beer or two some time. :)

Vendor Information:
Venue: The Slack House Homestead owned by The Teller, Corvallis, MT
Hair and Makeup: Megan Buxton
Flowers: Habitat Floral, Missoula, MT
Catering: All Events Catering, Missoula, MT
Cake: Bernice’s Bakery, Missoula, MT
Band: The Whiskey Rebellion, Missoula, MT
(Lisa, can you fill in the blanks of the vendors whose info I’m unsure of? Also, if I’ve left anyone out, please let me know so I can give them credit. Thanks!)

On the docket: weddings and portraits!

Cheers!

-Kristine

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When Hannah, a class of 2012 senior at Big Sky High School in Missoula, first e-mailed me about having her senior pictures done, she told me that she loves to have fun to the point where she radiates sunshine – and, I swear, she wasn’t kidding! She glowed in her portraits, lighting up the frame with her smile, or taking your breath away with her big, blue eyes.

We had such a great time, Hannah was gung ho to try out all my ideas, and she definitely rocked the several outfits she brought along! It’s safe to say that the camera loved her. :)

When Hannah isn’t busy working her inner-model, she loves to spend time playing basketball and volleyball for Big Sky, being goofy, folfing (frisbee golfing for all you non-folfers), and having a good time being with her friends.

Thanks again Hannah for such a fun session!

On the docket: weddings!

Cheers,

-Kristine

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I had the pleasure of meeting up with Shelby High School class of 2012 senior Jordan and her mom this past week to make some fun senior photos – all whilst watching a storm approaching us, lightning included! While dashing between raindrops we had a great time walking and talking and even dodging a garter snake! (Thank you Jordan for braving the tall grass after that little surprise!)

Jordan is a tall, beautiful girl, which suits her interest in both basketball and volleyball in Shelby. She’s also a big fan of camping, which she was taking a break from up in Seeley Lake, to come hang with me in Missoula for a bit. :)

Thanks so much Jordan for a fun session! Can’t wait to see you again sometime! :)

On the docket: senior photos and weddings!

Cheers,

-Kristine

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There was an abundance of happiness at Shannon and Shafer’s wedding at the Double Arrow Lodge in Seeley Lake, Montana – and plenty of luck, too, since Shannon included a lucky sixpence in her shoe, according to her family tradition.

Their bright yellow and gray wedding palette added colorful exclamation points to their smile-filled, and laughter-filled wedding ceremony – made even sweeter by the inclusion of 15 adorable children carrying golden balloons down the aisle. Shannon and Shafer are both early childhood special education teachers, so these little rays of sunshine walking down the aisle were especially meaningful to them as a couple. There were many personal touches throughout their ceremony, including a Celtic hand-fastening ritual, which utilized cloth from both Shannon and Shafer’s childhood blankets, plus a new cloth to carry them into the future together.

Toasts were hilarious and had everybody howling with laughter and this energy carried over into dancing, which was a mixture of beautiful, wild, wacky and fun!

Thank you again, Shannon and Shafer, for sharing such a gorgeous, heartfelt day with me. You two are fantastic people with amazing family and friends, and I’m honored to have captured the start of your life together. Congratulations!

Vendor Information:
Venue: Double Arrow Lodge, Seeley Lake, MT
Catering: Double Arrow Lodge
Flowers: Arranged by the groom’s father
Cake: The Vanilla Bean Bakery and Cafe, Helena, MT
DJ: Hey Mister DJ, Missoula, MT
Videographer: Callisto Studios, Chester, MT

(Shannon, am I leaving anyone out? If so, please let me know so I can give them proper credit. Thanks!)

On the docket: portraits, weddings and more weddings!

Cheers!

-Kristine

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I met up with Chris and Kelcy a day after their gorgeous Missoula wedding for their super fun trash the dress/rock the dress session. It was roasting hot, but we all had a blast making some really fun images of the two of them doing something they mutually dig – jeeping! I hadn’t ever been in a jeep before (I know, I know…I’m a woman of small, deceptively tough cars) and I’ve got to say, it was definitely a good time! We also made some stunning non-jeeping images of the two of them, and Chris definitely won the award for best veil assistant ever. With a veil as long as Kelcy’s, it liked to grab onto twigs and such, and Chris was always there to help her out. :)

Thanks again, you two! What a fun session! You rocked it!

On the docket: weddings and portraits and weddings galore!

Cheers,

-Kristine

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And there was lots of both at Chris and Kelcy’s wedding at The Keep in Missoula, Montana. From their absolutely sweet first look (I think Chris had his breath taken away when he first saw Kelcy) to the moving toasts given by family – it was a day to remember. The day started out sunny, but a little Montana microburst decided to sneak its way into things right when the ceremony was supposed to begin. This might have derailed things and jangled the nerves of many couples, but Chris and Kelcy took it in stride and instead shook up the schedule a bit, starting with toasts and champagne. When the sun came out, everyone gathered outside again and Kelcy walked down the aisle on her father’s arm, only the brightness of her smile rivaling that of the sun peeking through the clouds.

Thank you SO much Chris and Kelcy for having me photograph your absolutely beautiful and emotion-filled wedding day – such a treat! Here’s to a long life together filled with happiness and laughter!

Vendor Information:
Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Keep, Missoula, MT
Dress:
Hair:
Flowers: Bitterroot Flower Shop, Missoula, MT
Catering:
Cake:
Live Music:
DJ: RMF Entertainment, Missoula, MT

(Kelcy, can you please help me fill in the blanks and if I’ve left out anybody, will you let me know? Thanks!)

On the docket: a super fun trash the dress creative bridal session and weddings!

Cheers!

-Kristine

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From the cowboy boots on Emily’s feet to the cowboy hat on George’s head, theirs was a wedding that truly spoke to who they are as a couple (remember their awesome e-session from a bit ago?). Every bit of their wedding was simply beautiful and simply THEM. A friend married them, their siblings stood up with them, and they looked to the mountains as they pledged their vows to one another.

Even as the wind whipped and rain threatened, George and Emily took it all in stride and had a blast sharing their wedding day with their friends and family. Big Sky beers flowed (gotta love Summer Honey and Scapegoat), the conversation and toasts were both merry and touching, and the dancing was punctuated by quite a lot of comedy (I’m still smiling!).

Thank you so much, George and Emily, for inviting me to document your wedding day and for being such kind, caring people – what an absolutely wonderful and moving celebration of the two of you getting to spend the rest of your lives together. Congratulations and all the best to you both!

Vendor Information:
Venue: The Double Arrow Lodge, Seeley Lake, MT
Catering: The Double Arrow Lodge
Cake: Bernice’s Bakery, Missoula, MT
Flowers: Habitat Floral, Missoula, MT
DJ: Friend of the groom
(If I’ve left anyone out, will you please let me know so I can give them credit? Thanks!)

On the docket: weddings, a fun trash the dress session, portraits and more weddings!

Cheers,

-Kristine

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