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