Dimitri and Jenn, along with their immediate family, traveled up to Montana from California for their September Triple Creek Ranch elopement. And boy, was it ever a perfect day for these two to promise their love to each other!

We started the day out by zipping around to some pretty sweet vistas overlooking the Bitterroot mountains, and were treated to a blue sky day — a bit of a rarity during a fairly smoky summer! Autumn colors had even started to pop in amongst the greenery, which made the most stunning backdrop for some fun portraits of the soon-to-be-married couple.

After making our images (and kudos to Dimitri and Jenn for navigating some seriously steep rocks in slippery dress shoes!), we all headed back to the ranch where Dimitri and Jenn got ready to say their “I do’s.”

Against a backdrop of evergreens, a pond, and a lush floral arch, and in front of their beloved family, Dimitri and Jenn shared their vows, some laughs, and some tears with each other. As Jenn’s father officiated, and while Dimitri’s mother and grandmother shared readings and words of wisdom with the couple, dragonflies flitted about, adding even more magic to a very special day. Dimitri and Jenn sealed it all with a joyous kiss, and celebrated with champagne toasts that had everyone laughing, smiling, and hugging one another.

Dimitri and Jenn! It was so nice to meet you both, and I wish you a lifetime of happiness together — and many more Montana visits! Here’s to you two and your bright and brilliant future! Congratulations!

On the docket:

Portraits and brand sessions! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Though Alena and Dan’s springtime Missoula mountainside wedding was smaller than planned due to Covid-19-related restrictions, it was still such a beautiful day for these two! The mountains and valley provided the perfect backdrop, wildflowers swayed in the breeze, and the clouds upped their drama factor for the day.

They married at Alena’s parents’ home, and started the day off helping each other get ready, with lots of laughs and smiles as they navigated their way through tying Dan’s bowtie.

Before long, it was time to officially say their “I Do’s” (which were being live-streamed for friends and family who couldn’t make it to Montana in person). The smiles and laughter continued as they promised their love to one another, exchanged rings and sealed it all with a kiss!

A small storm headed its way towards us, but we still managed to get in some fun pictures of just the two of them amidst the arrowleaf balsamroot wildflowers that dotted the mountains before the rain really started to come down.

The merriment continued as friends and family toasted the newlyweds. And there were even Zoom toasts, too, from those friends and family who couldn’t be there in person. Thank goodness for technology!

Folks enjoyed a socially-distanced meal and were treated to a schwarzwaeldekirschtorte made by Alena’s mom, which is a traditional German cake from the Black Forest region where Alena’s Opa is from.  After everyone had their fill of this super special (and delicious cake), people mingled and chatted alongside a raging bonfire while the sun skipped across the valley down below.

Alena and Dan! It was such a pleasure to make these images for you and to meet your friends and family! You two have had such a positive, beautiful attitude surrounding all these changes to your original plans, but I’m pretty sure that just solidifies the fact that you were meant to be together through thick and thin. Here’s to your newest set of adventures in Utah, and to continued adventures in your lives together! Congratulations again!

Vendors for Alena and Dan’s Springtime Missoula Mountainside Wedding:

Venue: Private residence
Officiant: Couple’s friend, Alex
Musicians: Couple’s friends, Ally and Joel
Florist: Bitterroot Flower Shop, Missoula, Montana
Caterer: Biga Pizza, Missoula, Montana
Cake: Made by Alena’s mother
Rentals: Oh So Chic and Eastgate Rentals, Missoula, Montana
Paper Goods: Noteworthy Paper and Press, Missoula, Montana
Wedding Dress: Reformation
Groom’s Attire: J. Crew and Calvin Klein

On the docket:

Portraits – stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Rilee and Nick had to postpone their their original, large wedding due to the pandemic, so instead they downsized in 2020 and embraced their intimate rainy Missoula wedding – mega party to be had in 2021!

And what a gorgeous, magical day it was for them, even in spite of the rain! They had an emotional set of first looks – with each other, and then with Rilee and her dad.

The rain quickly began to move in, so a few of us hung out under a gigantic tree that was perfectly placed right near their ceremony site as their guests began to stroll through a field of spring wildflowers.

Soon it was time to get things started, and Rilee made her way through the flowers up to Nick, on her dad’s arm and sheltered by an umbrella.

Tears mixed with raindrops as Rilee and Nick shared their sweet, emotion-filled vows with one another, and their friends and family erupted in cheers as they kissed for the first time as husband and wife!

The plan had been to make some portraits of everyone in attendance after the ceremony had taken place, but it was downright pouring on us, so folks booked it through the field again and we laughed and decided that could wait until 2021, too.

Rilee and Nick! I’m so glad you got to get hitched in 2020, and I cannot wait for 2021 where we can fully celebrate this wonderful occasion! Here’s to you two, your fantastic outlook on life, and to a grand party in 2021!

On the Docket:

More intimate weddings and portraits! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

It was one heckuva gorgeous Montana day for Alexis and Joe’s Bowman Lake elopement in Glacier National Park. We had a bluebird sky above, pristine reflections on the lake in front of us, and oh so much sun! Suffice it to say, Montana really pulled out all the stops for Alexis and Joe’s special day!

These two originally met in Denver at a bluegrass show and moved to Missoula a little over two years ago. Because they love their time in the outdoors (camping and hiking especially), Joe proposed to Alexis in Glacier. So it was particularly fitting that they tied the knot there, too!

We started out the day by meeting up at their Air BnB just outside of the park, and then hopped in the car to make the trek to Bowman Lake. Along the way we made a quick pitstop in Polebridge so Alexis could change into her dress, and so we could make some fun images. (Because one must always stop in Polebridge if passing through, amiright?)

Eventually, after driving the winding, bumpy roads, we arrived at the lake and, honestly, couldn’t have had a more spectacular view. We immediately began making portraits to take advantage of our light (and also dry eyes, just in case tears started up during their ceremony!). And I swear, our faces hurt from sharing so much laughter and giggles together.

Soon it was time for Alexis and Joe to say their “I do’s.” Their dogs, Bodhi and Copper (who are great pyrenees mixes) were their “best people,” Alexis’s sister, Izzie, officiated, and their friends Hannah and TJ stood up with them as well. As Izzie got the ceremony started, there was plenty of laughter, a few tears, and so much excitement as Alexis and Joe made it all official with kiss!

Even the nearby bystanders cheered for the newly married couple, and Bodhi and Copper danced about, too, excited for their humans. Everyone signed the marriage license to officially make it official, and then we all meandered back to the vehicles where the last, and essential thing to do, was to toast and share a few shots together (and of course, more laughter).

On our way back to the AirBnB, we passed through Polebridge again, and this time, everyone picked up a few of the Merc’s legendary huckleberry bear claws as a celebratory sweet. (Who needs cake when you’ve got huckleberry bear claws?!)

Alexis and Joe! Thank you so much for inviting me to capture these moments for you! I wasn’t kidding when I said I was about to smile my face off, and I truly appreciate our time together and fun conversation on those gravel roads. Here’s to you both! I hope you have a lifetime of Glacier adventures ahead of you, and I cannot wait to document your reception in June, too! Woot woot!

On the Docket:

Portraits and editorial work! Don’t miss ’em!

Cheers,

-Kristine

When Michele and I talked on the phone about her Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort wedding to her love, Philip, I knew we’d have a wonderful time working together and capturing all the excitement and happiness of their wedding day. (Fun fact: they actually met five years ago to the day they decided to get married!)

Michele and Philip currently live in Nevada, but chose Montana as their place to tie the know because Philip’s family is from Superior. And it couldn’t have been a a more gorgeous Montana day for them!

After some final last touches during the getting ready process, it was time for their ceremony to start!

Michele walked down the aisle with their 4-year-old son, while her daughters (who were their bridesmaids) and Philip smiled in the sunshine.

Michele and Philip shared smiles and laughter, as well as vows, and before long it was time to make it official with a kiss in front of the nearby mountains and river.

Everyone cheered for the two newlyweds, doled out hugs, and then it was time to make some portraits of everyone involved. We had a great time meandering by the river, finding a fun porch swing for them to relax on, and even discovered an apple tree, too!

After portraits we rejoined everyone for a scrumptious dinner, some really moving first dances, and a memorable and hilarious strawberry shortcake cutting, too!

To top off the evening, folks mingled and laughed with one another, enjoyed their strawberry shortcake and got some good games of corn hole going!

Michele and Philip! Thank you again for inviting me to document this day in your lives – I just loved getting to meet you both (as well as your friends and family), and am so excited that Montana gave you such a beautiful evening to say your “I do’s.” Here’s to many joyful years ahead, filled with many a Montana visit as well! Congratulations again!

On the Docket:

Weddings, elopements, portraits and more! Don’t miss out!

Cheers,

-Kristine

I knew the moment that Danielle and I first started chatting on the phone that we’d have such a wonderful time working together at her intimate Gibson Mansion wedding in Missoula. And that really is such a huge understatement because she and Clay are the sweetest of people with such big hearts.

They both grew up and live in Casper, Wyoming, but knew they wanted more of a destination wedding and the Gibson Mansion fit the bill perfectly for them. They love food so they celebrated their day with both a tasty brunch as well as a scrumptious dinner.

Their wedding ceremony was early that morning, and, as weather this year would have it, it was pouring! But that didn’t thwart Danielle or Clay from thoroughly enjoying their day and they just went with it, getting married beneath the tent outside as the rain came down all around us.

To listen to Danielle and Clay share their vows with one another was so special – I don’t think a single person had a dry eye after we were privy to such true love and heartfelt emotion. But smiles broke out once again as soon as it was time to exchange rings and seal it all with a kiss!

Brunch was on the docket soon after, and, as the day moved along, the weather cleared up and treated everyone to some sun, just in time for dinner and dancing!

Kiddos played in the dappled, golden light, everyone cheered as Danielle and Clay cut their cake, ladies eagerly leaped for the bouquet Danielle tossed off the balcony, and soon everyone was laughing and kicking up their heels on the dance floor.

Danielle and Clay! Thank you again for inviting me to document such a truly beautiful, happy day for you and your families! It was so nice to finally get to meet you both, and I’m just so happy for the two of you and your future together! Getting to document your kind of love is why I love doing what I do. Cheers to you both!

Vendors for Danielle and Clay’s Intimate Gibson Mansion Wedding:

Venue and Brunch: Gibson Mansion Bed & Breakfast, Missoula, Montana
Cake: Cakes in the Zoo, Missoula, Montana
Catered Dinner: Notorious P.I.G. Catering, Missoula, Montana
Florals: Habitat Floral Studio, Missoula, Montana

On the Docket:

Weddings, portraits and elopements galore! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Every time I go to Glacier it’s always a little bit different, which is something that I just adore about zipping on up there. Kelsey and John live in Pennsylvania but worked in Glacier for 6 months in 2017 and had many fond memories of their time in the area. So they knew the perfect way to start their married life together would be to have a summertime Glacier National Park elopement.

And perfection it was! John’s sister, Mary, joined them as well as Kyle, John’s longtime best friend, who was also their officiant. We had such a wonderful time checking out the park together, all of us piled into their rented Subaru, and started out at Lake McDonald where they had their official ceremony and exchanging of vows and rings.

After they tied the knot (quite literally – they used some climbing rope!), Kelsey and John exchanged high-fives and everyone shared in celebratory champagne too. The cork ended up shooting off into a nearby stand of trees, but, not wanting to be litter bugs, and because we all subscribe to the “leave no trace” way of existing, we all scoured the ground for the cork, eventually found it (which also was cause for much celebration!), picked up some additional litter that we found (PSA moment…people – don’t litter!!!), and went on our merry way, winding through the park.

Words can’t really do justice to just how much fun it was to make images with these two (and with Kyle and Mary as well!). Kelsey and John were up for anything and easily scrambled over rocks (Kelsey was rocking a pair of Chacos with her dress) to make some beautiful images. We all had a blast laughing together, and in general, just had a grand old time hanging out.

Along the way, because we were all feeling a bit peckish, we stopped to indulge in some seriously giant burritos and sodas together (to which Kelsey and John had treated all of us) with probably the best views one could hope to get to get while scarfing down aforementioned grub.

After filling our bellies, we all continued on, and to our delight, and especially Kelsey’s, we discovered that the beargrass was in full bloom! Kelsey absolutely loves beargrass, and even though the wind had picked up by that point and we were all getting a little chilly, Kelsey and John were game to brave the gusts, and hoooooo boy. Was it ever worth it! The beargrass delicately danced and swayed in the wind, Kelsey’s dress flowed (I’m pretty sure her dress was made to work with the wind), and I nearly lost my mind it was so unbelievably gorgeous.

We continued up higher, gaining elevation and definitely losing warmth, but onward we went, despite the wind (which I think we had determined had things feeling like 40-some degrees). Again, Kelsey and John (and Kyle and Mary) were absolute troopers, and we all made the most of the gorgeous evening, even though I think we may have been on the verge of totally freezing Kelsey. Again, I (and I think everyone else) would wager that it was totally worth it because the clouds parted briefly, we were treated to the most beautiful slivers of sunlight peeking through the clouds to highlight Kelsey and John, and got to check out a bunch of gorgeous Indian Paintbrush, too.

To top off the evening we swung by to a “secret spot” Kelsey and John liked to frequent with their dog when they had lived in Glacier. Not only was the light absolutely stunning, we were even treated to a bumper crop of deliciously perfect huckleberries, which, you know, is always a win.

Kelsey and John! Oh my goodness – how do I even express how wonderful it was to document your day for you, but also get to spend time getting to know you both, as well as Mary and Kyle! I loved every single second of our time together, and I’m so glad that our paths got to cross as you celebrated such a happy day in your lives. Here’s to the two of you, to oodles of adventures in the future, and a steadfast love for each other and for Montana. :) Thank you again for inviting me to document your day!

On the Docket:

Weddings and portraits galore! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Fittingly, as I write this post, it’s pouring rain and storming in Missoula. Montana has had a very wet summer, which Kelly, Dustin and I also experienced firsthand during their East Glacier elopement at Lake Josephine. (Though I can’t say I’m complaining – this means we’ve also had little-to-no wildfires and their subsequent smoke to deal with, so I’m all for some soggy weather that’s devoid of lightning strikes.)

As soon as we met up at the trailhead the rain began, but they weren’t going to let a few (or many) raindrops deter them. So we started out on our hike armed with rain jackets, umbrellas, bear spray and lots of smiles.

Soon we came to the shoreline of Lake Josephine and, as the rain began to get stronger, we wasted no time in getting their ceremony started. A family friend of Kelly’s officiated, Kelly and Dustin shared their vows, exchanged rings and became husband and wife with a celebratory kiss as the waves lapped the shore and the wind whipped.

We all cheered, made some fun portraits and then hightailed it out again to gain some tree cover and find a dry place where Kelly and Dustin could sign their marriage license and really make it official.

We didn’t let the weather dampen our spirits, though, (no pun intended), and, as is wont to happen in Glacier, I knew we weren’t far from some sunshine, so off we chased it through the entire park, dodging raindrops, braving large gusts of wind (and some cold temps!), and when we found the sun, BOY did we ever find it!

Despite being soaked (and despite one of my cameras biting the dust due to being waterlogged – this is why you always hire a professional, folks – we’ve got loads of backup gear), Kelly and Dustin were so gung ho for their images and we had such a great time meandering through the park, finding little patches of wildflowers here and there, and that glorious sunshine we were chasing, not to mention a beautiful, ethereal pastel sunset over Glacier’s rugged mountaintops, swirls of low-hanging clouds and mist included.

Kelly and Dustin! What a beautiful, special day for you two! Thank you again for inviting me to document this gorgeous, unforgettable day for you! Here’s to years of happiness for you, in rain or shine, and hopefully some more Montana visits in the future, too! Congratulations! Have fun at your party! :)

On the Docket:

Weddings, elopements, and portraits! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Frankie and Matt’s intimate springtime Missoula Courthouse wedding was the epitome of beautiful simplicity, and chock-full of joy, happiness and love.

When Frankie first got in touch with me about photographing their wedding, she told me that she’s originally from Missoula and grew up on a 21-acre apple farm. The farm has since been developed, but apple trees and the Rattlesnake area of Missoula in particular, are still incredibly important to her. So it was absolutely fitting that she and Matt decided to have their first look beside a blossoming apple tree in the Rattlesnake.

And it really couldn’t have been more magical. They were both so excited to see one another, and the total elation on their faces had me grinning from ear to ear behind the camera. Even Frankie’s family dog, Jazzy (a 12-year-old black lab and collie mix), joined them for their first look!

As the thunder started rumbling and we could see wispy sheets of rain falling in the distance, we decided to zip down to the creek to make a few more images before heading our way to the courthouse. I’m so thankful to Frankie’s friend (who joined us as we made images) brought along an umbrella. Which, as it turns out, was very much needed as the storm moved in and absolutely downpoured on us! As we made our way back to our cars, Frankie got everyone giggling as she looked at Matt who was thoughtfully holding the umbrella for her, “You’re my umbrella-holder for life!”

After everyone dried off a bit it was time for Frankie and Matt to say their “I Do’s” in front of their friends and family who met up with them in the courthouse. The excitement in the air was tangible and before long everyone was ushered into one of the courtrooms to get Frankie and Matt officially married!

There was laughter, a few tears, and absolute happiness as Frankie and Matt were pronounced married, and their family cheered for them.

We finished the afternoon off by making some super fun family photos with everyone involved, as well as a few more images of the newly-minted married couple before they headed off to enjoy a lovely meal with their family and friends to celebrate their nuptials.

Frankie and Matt! My goodness, what an absolute pleasure it was to make these photos for you and document these memories! I loved every single second of the time I got to spend with you, and I’m just so darn happy for you both. Here’s to a many more magical springtimes for you, filled with apple blossoms along the way! Congrats, congrats, congrats again!

On the docket:

Weddings and portraits galore! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Kelly and Harmen’s intimate wedding in Ronan Montana was an absolutely splendid day for these two to celebrate their nuptials with family and friends. The blue sky framed the Mission Mountains perfectly, fluffy white clouds dotted the horizon, and everyone was ready to celebrate Kelly and Harmen vowing their love to one another.

To get things started, folks meandered down the pathway behind the Air BnB Kelly and Harmen had rented for the weekend, and stood together as the two smiled at one another while their creekside ceremony began.

As Kelly and Harmen spoke their vows to one another, there were definitely a few tears, lots of laughter, and pure joy as they sealed it all with a kiss – with Harmen’s son grinning between them.

Afterwards, the kiddos in attendance surprised everyone with a variety of paper boats and hats they had made – both to wear and to float on the creek – so everyone donned a hat, had a great time laughing with one another, grabbed a boat, and created a spontaneous flotilla that meandered down the creek.

After the flotilla excitement, soon it was time to head up to the house again and greet the guests who were arriving to join the party and potluck.

Everyone was all smiles as they munched on all the tasty dishes folks had brought, people had a great time playing the various lawn games provided, and soaked in the view straight out the back door of the house.

Before long it was time for some sincere, hilarious and heartfelt toasts that had everyone feeling all the feels, while simultaneously laughing to beat the band. And they topped it all off with a great group cake-cutting that got everyone smiling.

Kelly and Harmen! What a joyful, beautiful day for you two! I loved everything about you both and how you made this day exactly what you wanted it to be – thank you so much for inviting me to document your love and happiness, and leaving me with such a gigantic smile for the drive home (and while editing your images!). Cheers to you two and finding that purple unicorn! :)

On the Docket:

More intimate weddings, portraits and elopements! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine