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

I was so excited to see Melisa and Zack again for their Dutton Montana farm wedding since we’d had such a great time making their engagement photos there just about a year prior. Melisa was beaming as she got ready for the day, and Zack was eager to see his bride for their first look. As they both caught a glimpse of each other for the first time, their happiness and grins were so sweet to witness. Not to be outdone, Gyspy (one of their dogs) decided to join in on the fun, too!

It wasn’t long before it was time for the ceremony to start. The sun was shining brightly in the sky, puffy clouds breaking up the uninterrupted blue, birds flitted here and there and everyone waited in anticipation to witness Melisa and Zack say their “I do’s.” Zack smiled as Melisa made her grand entrance on their horse, Song, who was also decked out in wedding regalia for such a special occasion.

After speaking their vows to one another and exchanging rings it was time to seal it all with a kiss! Friends and family tossed confetti into the air (which the wind sprinkled everywhere throughout the property), and Zack and Melisa smiled and laughed as they made their way down the aisle as official newlyweds.

They met up with Song at the end of the aisle, and walked with him to another part of the farm, though he was a little surprised by all the confetti floating around in the air! (What a sweet horse!)

Friends and family had a great time chatting, munching on BBQ and a huge variety of the most darling little cupcakes, kicked up their heels to some tunes, engaged in some rollicking good games of corn hole and volleyball, all of which was punctuated by the regular chatter of the resident geese, chickens, ducks, peacocks and turkeys.

Before the evening wound down, I also sneaked into the nearby wheat fields with Melisa and Zack to make some sweet images of the two of them as the sun began to drop towards the horizon. What a beautiful evening!

Melisa and Zack! What a truly wonderful day for you both! As I knew it would be, it was such a treat to get to spend the afternoon with you, your friends, and your family – and, of course, your critters, too. :) Here’s to you two, your fabulous farm, and to many years of joy ahead!

Vendor Information for Melisa and Zack’s Dutton Montana Farm Wedding:

Venue: Bride and groom’s family farm in Dutton, Montana
Coordinator: Kayla McAnally, Rustique Montana, Great Falls, Montana
Cake Artist: Lisa Michael
Hair Artist: Celeste with Studio Montage, Great Falls, Montana
Officiant: David Gutting
Caterer: Big Mouth BBQ, Great Falls, Montana
Wedding Dress: an Allure Bridal design from Rococo Bridal, Missoula, Montana
Menswear: from North 40 and Murdoch’s

On the Docket:

Weddings and portraits galore! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

It was certainly a rainy and wet day for Megan and Marty’s Six Mile Estate Wedding in Bigfork Montana, but these two aren’t ones to let a little bit of rain dampen their spirits one bit.

Megan was so happy as she got ready in one of the cabins on the property – rain pelted down outside, but she took it all in stride, eager and excited to walk down the aisle and see her groom.

Initially, because of how wet it was, the ceremony was going to be moved inside. But at the last second, the clouds broke a bit, the rain let up, and a group of folks helped move the benches out to the grass, wipe them off, and get people ready to witness Megan and Marty say their “I do’s” on the shore of Swan Lake.

Marty grinned as he made his way down the aisle, and smiled even more as he saw Megan walk down the slate pathway on her father’s arm, beaming just as much as Marty was.

Megan and Marty’s ceremony was full of emotion extending the whole gamut – from laughter to happy tears, their ceremony had it all. And, for a moment of comic relief, their dog decided to try to convince Marty to toss him a stick (which Marty did – so perfect!). As the two were pronounced husband and wife, their faces said it all as they joyfully kissed and embraced one another. Friends and family cheered for the new couple, and soon they were surrounded by folks eager to shower them with well-wishes.

Though the rain had started up again, luckily it was just a drizzle at this point, so Megan, Marty, their two dogs, and I dashed out to the lake to make some fun images of the newlyweds with those misty Montana mountains as a backdrop.

Soon we joined everyone inside to dry off, get the dancing started and enjoy some seriously awesome dinner featuring flavors from Megan’s Mississippi roots and Marty’s Wisconsin roots (a big Hey! to all you Chippewa Falls folks from a Ladysmith gal!). Megan and Marty were serenaded by friends of theirs as they kicked up their heels, and friends and family quickly joined them on the dance floor, too.

Megan and Marty! What an absolutely wonderful day for you two! I love you how both embraced the wacky weather, but more importantly, I just adored seeing how deeply you both love one another. It was such a treat to document this happy day in your lives, which I’m sure is just a start to many, many more. :) Congrats!

Vendors for Megan and Marty’s Six Mile Estate Wedding in Bigfork Montana:

Venue: Six Mile Estate, Bigfork, Montana
Band: The Levitators, Missoula, Montana
Caterer: The Kitchen, Missoula, Montana
Rentals: Celebrate Event Event and Party Rental, Bigfork, Montana
Transportation: Montana Trolley Company, Kalispell, Montana
Paper Goods: Noteworthy Paper and Press, Missoula, Montana
Wedding and Bridesmaid Dress: from BHLDN

On the docket: weddings and portraits – stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Julie and Dave, both big fans of fly fishing, chose the Stillwater River Outpost in Absarokee as their ideal place to tie the knot. Not only is it absolutely gorgeous, but it’s got personal significance to them as well since they have spent quite a bit of time there enjoying all the river and the location have to offer.

True to form, Montana decided to wow everyone with some pretty epic rainstorms, but then pulled out all the stops right as wedding day activities started getting underway, and showed off blue skies, fluffy clouds and brilliant sunlight to highlight Julie and Dave’s beautiful riverside wedding.

Their dog Quill walked down the aisle with their rings, and Julie and her father made their grand entrance down the pebble pathway, serenaded by violin music.

The two spoke their vows to one another and embraced in a happy kiss for the first time as husband and wife.

As the wedding ceremony came to a close, little sprinkles began to fall from the sky, and we all got another taste of a torrential downpour, which soon turned into a gorgeous, sunny evening, full of long shadows and golden clouds.

Guests snacked on mini grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup (perfect for that initial rainstorm!), samplings from an antipasto platter, and other delicious offerings, just to name a few. Dinner and some fun toasts soon followed, and not long after, folks were cutting a rug on the dance floor (along with the many dogs who joined in too!).

Julie and Dave – what an absolutely beautiful, heartfelt wedding you had! Thank you again for having me document such a special day in your lives – may you have many years of love, adventure, and fly fishing ahead of you! :)

Stillwater River Outpost Wedding Vendors:

Venue: Stillwater River Outpost, Absarokee, Montana
Hair and Makeup Artist: Shannon Christensen, bride’s sister-in-law
Caterer:
Band: The Nye Express
Cupcakes: Shelly’s Cakes, Billings, Montana
Dress: a Vera Wang design
Florist: Mac’s Floral, Billings, Montana
Rentals: Party Time Rentals, Billings, Montana

On the docket: portraits and more weddings! Don’t miss out!

Cheers,

-Kristine