I’ve been SO excited to photograph Breanna and Branden’s Corvallis Montana Bitterroot Barn wedding ever since we first started talking about their wedding day. Especially so, after having the pleasure of capturing their engagement photos for them. Breanna and Branden are the sweetest people, so I knew their wedding would be filled with joy, love and laughter, and lots of personal touches – and oh, was it ever!

It was a damp, October day, the trees had just begun to turn golden, and the deep blue backdrop of the Bitterroots contrasted perfectly with the brilliant yellows and oranges in the valley, all wrapped in low-hanging, misty clouds. Despite it being a little rainy, it didn’t bother Breanna and Branden one bit, and as a little bonus, they were able to have their wedding ceremony outside.

Branden had nothing but smiles for his bride as she walked down the aisle on her parents’ arms, beaming, beatific, and excited to see her love at the altar. Their ceremony was filled with heartfelt words, plenty of laughter and deep connection. As Breanna and Branden promised their forevers to one another, various flocks of geese flew by, migrating their way south for the winter.

The two literally tied the knot (which was made up of multiple strands of yarn that had been knotted by everyone in attendance), sealed it all with a kiss, and walked back down the aisle again as newlyweds, grinning to beat the band.

After their ceremony, we took a few moments to make photos together before the rain really started coming down, and had a great time traipsing about, finding fun little spots off the beaten path, and overall just being super excited about all things wedding day!

Breanna and Branden rejoined their family and friends in the barn, and were treated to some fantastic toasts and laughs that had everyone chuckling. They kicked off the rest of the evening by sharing a slice of wedding pie together, and it wasn’t long before everyone packed the dance floor and had that old barn shaking. Folks got their groove thang on, sang their hearts out, and had a great time spending time with family and friends as the rain poured down outside.

Breanna and Branden! It totally goes without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway – what an absolutely beautiful day! Thank you again for inviting me into such a special, joy-filled day in your lives. It truly has been an honor to get to capture such important moments for you, and I just adored every second of your wedding. You are a lucky couple to be surrounded by such caring family and friends, many of whom I had the pleasure of getting to talk with here and there throughout your wedding day. You two are already so great together, so here’s to an even more splendid future as husband and wife and partners in life! And last, but certainly not least, from the bottom of my heart, congrats, congrats, congrats again!

Vendor Information for Breanna + Branden’s Corvallis Montana Bitterroot Barn Wedding:

Venue: Bitterroot Barn at Teller Wildlife Refuge, Corvallis, Montana
Coordinator: Chelsea Maroney, 406 Events, Missoula, Montana
Videographer: Jared Iler, friend of the groom, Missoula, Montana
Photo Booth: Mark Cluney, Missoula, Montana
Florist: Habitat Floral, Missoula, Montana
Feathers & Bottle Centerpieces: The bride’s creation
Ceremony, Cocktail Hour & Dinner Musicians: Two Cats & A Fiddle, Missoula, Montana
Reception Band: Shodown, Missoula, Montana
Makeup Artist: Meraki Rose, Missoula, Montana
Hair Artist: Hilary Aller (cousin’s wife)
Officiant: Lawrence Moran (friend)
Caterer: Crave Catering & Cakes, Missoula, Montana
Table Rentals: Oh-So-Chic Boutique, Missoula, Montana
Paper Goods: Invites by Noteworthy, Missoula, Montana, and programs by the bride
Wedding Dress: a Maggie Sottero design
Maid of Honor Dress: from Miusol
Menswear: from The Western Company

On the Docket:

Weddings, portraits, and editorial work – stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

You know when the stars align, the weather is perfection, springtime in Montana is just exploding, and you get to work with the sweetest of people? Yeah, that’s what Breanna and Branden’s Corvallis Montana engagement photos in the Bitterroot Valley were like. We lucked into a day that showed off the Bitterroots to their fullest potential, and had an absolute blast together making their images.

When we were talking about their session, Breanna and Branden told me that they really would love to be able to make their images down in the Bitterroot, since when they were first dating, they’d spend many days driving and exploring around the area – so it’s got a super special significance to them, which I loved hearing!

They also told me they wanted to recreate a vintage tintype look for one of their images (which you’ll see below), and hoped to incorporate photos of their parents, grandparents and pups. I always love fun, unique ideas like this, so I was super tickled to help make this happen. We found ourselves an old homestead house, hung their photos on the clapboard behind them, they provided a vintage chair and clothing, and bam! We went to town making these photos – so fun! And what an awesome idea! (Our non-serious outtakes were pretty funny because when we’re having as much fun as we were, being serious is never an easy thing!)

The lilacs were also in bloom during their session, so of course we had to take advantage of that bit of lovely serendipity, too.

After our vintage shots were done, Breanna and Branden had a quick wardrobe change and we headed out to visit another beautiful spot in the Bitteroots – this time with their chiweenie pups along – Bonney and Wally! These two were such adorable little troopers, ready for a hike, eager to explore, and ridiculously photogenic. (Wally’s sweet little face just *kills* me – in the best way possible – in the last shot.)

To top off our absolutely delightful afternoon, Breanna and Branden treated me to a beer and some apps at Lolo Peak Brewery on the way back into Missoula, and it’s an understatement to say just how nice it was to get to hang out, sip on some beers, talk drones, and swap stories. (Thank you again, you two!)

It certainly goes without saying, but I’ll say it again – Breanna and Branden! I just adored your session, and thank you again for such a fantastic afternoon with you and your pups. I am beyond excited to get to photograph your upcoming nuptials and I’m so glad that we all get to work with and get to know one another. Here’s to you two, the beauty of the Bitteroots, and more brews in the near future! :)

On the Docket:

More engagement photos and wedding photos coming your way – stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

When people ask me to photograph them with their pets, I admittedly always get a little excited (ok, a LOT excited), because pets and their people are seriously the Best. Thing. Ever. And when I’m told that the session will include a puppy and an older dog too…well then. It’s no surprise that my heart completely melted during Kristy’s Victor Montana pet and family pictures.

I met up with Kristy, Dug, her 10-year-old golden retriever, and Sven, her 12-week-old golden retriever puppy at Kristy’s friend’s ranch in Victor. It seriously couldn’t have been a more idyllic setting – the ranch land is rugged and beautiful, and full of areas perfect for two curious dogs. Plus, that little dusting of snow on the mountaintops is always a nice bonus. We had a great time wandering the land and chatting, and as it turns out, Kristy also has Wisconsin connections, which is always fun to discover. (woot woot!)

A small creek runs through the ranch, and Dug took the initiative to jump in and go snorkeling for a variety of rocks that passed his strict rockhound test. Kristy and I couldn’t help but laugh ourselves silly at Sven’s antics, doing his best to imitate his big brother, Dug. As only a puppy can do, he barked and jumped alongside the creek, waggly puppy tail waving in the air, wanting to jump in, but being a little cautious as it was pretty deep for his currently short stature (which he had discovered earlier).

Kristy – what a pleasure it was to be able to make these images of you and your happy furry family! It was so fun to document this time in your life, and so cool to see how much your pups love you and how much you love them too. They’re lucky lads for sure!

On the docket: portraits and more portraits! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Sometimes Montana weather in June can make us all look up at the sky in bewilderment – it was supposed to be a rainy day for Stephanie and Danny’s wedding, but lo and behold, it was drop-dead gorgeous and Mother Nature even decided to go all out and match their wedding colors with bright blue skies and lush green grass.

As the girls and guys readied themselves for the ceremony, there was a lot of laughter and giggling, which is always a great way to start the day in my book. The ladies laughed as Stephanie steadied herself as her maids laced up her dress, and the guys guffawed at their slick-soled shoes, and may have attempted some Michael Jackson-esque moonwalking.

Stephanie and Danny kept themselves hidden away from each other until the big moment when Stephanie’s parents parted a white curtain to reveal to Danny his beautiful, blushing bride. Danny was overcome with emotion, which touched everyone to their very core. (A quick note to all men out there: embrace your emotions! It’s just so perfectly wonderful in every possible way!) Tears of happiness flowed during the ceremony, laughter punctuated their words and soon everyone was cheering as Stephanie and Danny kissed for the first time as newlyweds.

Dinner and dancing soon followed, and boy could these folks, young and old alike, kick up their heels! Everyone enjoyed cake and cupcakes (especially the little ones) and to top off the evening, we were all treated to a most spectacular sunset to ride off into.

Stephanie and Danny – thank you again for inviting me into such a special, beautiful day in your lives. You truly are wonderfully in love, and I wish you many, many more stunning sunsets to punctuate the rest of your lives together. :)

 Vendors:

Venue: Flying Horse Ranch, Corvallis, Montana
Florist: Blooming Blessings, Harrison, Montana
Cake Artist: Bernice’s Bakery, Missoula, Montana
DJ: Jake McMillan with RMF Entertainment, Missoula, Montana
Makeup Artist: Skin Chic, Missoula, Montana
Hair Artist: The Total Look Salon, Missoula, Montana
Dress: “Giovanna” style by Maggie Sottero from After 5 & Weddings, Bozeman, Montana
Bridesmaid Dresses and Men’s Suits: Beautiful Weddings, Missoula, Montana
Officiant: Pastor Dan Nagel of Missoula Alliance Church, Missoula, Montana

On the docket: lots more weddings and portraits! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine