Springtime weddings in Montana mean you never know what you’re going to get weather-wise. You might find yourself experiencing rain, snow, sleet, hail, chilly temperatures, or warm sunlight. And wouldn’t you know it, Jessica and Ryan’s Alta Ranch wedding in Darby Montana gave us a little bit of all of those things!

As both Jessica and Ryan got ready for their ceremony, folks kept checking the sky to see what it was up to. Sun gave way to clouds, but despite that, we hoped that the rain would hold off. Soon ceremony time was just around the corner, and everyone began to make their way down the hill and towards the creek – all with umbrellas in tow. But the rain changed from drizzle to an all out downpour (sleeting and hailing at moments), and the radar wasn’t showing any break in the near future.

So, Jessica and Ryan went with it and quickly made a change in plans to hold their ceremony under an old airplane hangar on the ranch. The wedding party walked through the raindrops, but even though the wind whipped and the rain continued to fall, it didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits in the least.

Ryan smiled at his bride as Jessica made her way up the aisle beaming with happiness, while her father held an umbrella for her. Jessica and Ryan’s mothers officiated their ceremony, and the couple’s dog of honor, Tsuga, even had a speaking role in their wedding, too. (He barked on command!)

The two spoke their touching and oftentimes hilarious vows to one another, and soon it was time to seal it all with a kiss. Friends and family cheered for the new couple as they made their way down the aisle and out of the hangar, and not long after everyone began to hug and a few tears flowed too as friends and family congratulated the newlyweds.

Thankfully Montana got the rain out of its system and we were treated to a blue sky, fluffy clouds and even some warm sunlight. (A welcome change from the 40-ish degrees it had been earlier!) Jessica, Ryan, Tsuga and I had a great time wandering the ranch and making fun portraits along a creek, a pond and an old bridge. We were even treated to sightings of multiple Western Tanagers and a pair of nesting bald eagles!

The festivities continued as people enjoyed dinner from the BBQ and eventually cakes and pie a bit later. Lively toasts to Jessica and Ryan elicited some big laughs, and afterwards people began to meander outside and into the sun again for a fantastic bouquet toss.

Jessica and Ryan! Thank you again for inviting me to document your wedding day! It was such a pleasure to get to make these images for you, and I had such a wonderful time meeting your family and friends, too. (You’ve got a truly kind crew in your lives!) Here’s to the happiest of years ahead of you, filled with laughter, successful fishing trips, and lots of time in the mountains together! Congratulations again!

Vendor for Jessica and Ryan’s Alta Ranch Wedding in Darby Montana:

Venue: Alta Ranch, Darby, Montana

On the docket: weddings, weddings and more weddings!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Upon first chatting with Kristina and Ben about their upcoming Darby Montana elopement at the Triple Creek Ranch, I knew that we’d have such a fabulous time making images for the two of them. They love the outdoors, are beyond sweet, and were really excited about visiting Montana for the first time. It also didn’t hurt that Kristina’s a fellow redhead, and we even share the same initials! I tell you, Meant. To. Be! (And as Kristina would say, “Kismet!”)

The day of their elopement arrived, and I think we were all a little nervous about how the weather would behave (or misbehave). It had been raining for days and days (which, in Montana, you must be grateful for, even if it might hamper photos), but mother nature decided to give us all a break, and let us off with a few sprinkles here and there, and some super lush landscapes.

And truly – it couldn’t have been a more beautiful, perfect day for Kristina and Ben. Partly because of our location, but really because of how happy and joyful and in love these two are. The scenery was just the icing on the cake. Kristina and Ben beamed at each other as they spoke their vows amidst a few softly falling raindrops (and the splash of a fish in the pond behind them!). Kristina became a little choked up, but her tears were happy ones, and soon she and Ben were pronounced husband and wife, and we (officiant, ranch hand, photographer and Kristina and Ben) all cheered together for the two happy newlyweds.

One of my favorite things about elopements is how much freedom we have to just play, explore and have an absolute blast making images. And we did all of that and then some. Dodging the raindrops, we dashed around the ranch, laughing all the way, zipped on down to the water, waved at some elk, went in search of some cool rocks, said hello to some bighorn sheep, and got ourselves up close and personal to the rapidly running river once again. Words don’t do it justice to say that this was a completely wonderful day!

Kristina and Ben – I know I’ve said it before, probably about a bazillion times – but thank you so much for inviting me to document this truly special, beautiful day in your lives. It was such a pleasure to get to meet you both, and I loved every single second of the time we got to run around making images for you two. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness and many, many more Montana visits in the future! :)

On the docket: portraits and weddings galore! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine