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

So, you know how you talk with someone and you just click? I totally felt that way when chatting with Melisa initially about her wedding day. We both love words. We both love birds. (Words and birds! See what I did there?!) And her goal was to get married on her wheat farm to the love of her life, surrounded by her family and all of their farm critters (horses and dogs and chickens and turkey included!). Hooo boy, yes please! Therefore it was no surprise at all that when I zipped up north for Melisa and Zack’s Dutton Montana farm engagement, that it was just such a wonderful time.

Dutton treated us to a beautiful sunny, windy day just outside of Great Falls, and we had such a nice time poking around Melisa and Zack’s farm, and getting to meet all of the above-mentioned critters. I can’t tell you how excited I was that they got to be featured in Melisa and Zack’s engagement photos too! As Melisa had told me prior to our session, one of their horses, Song, is a big time photo bomber, and she wasn’t kidding! That horse knows how to work it for the camera!

We also had a few moments to talk more about Melisa’s family’s farm, which has been in operation for five, yes FIVE, generations! How cool is that?! Zack also grew up farming in Minnesota, and eventually made his way out west. And the two met while attending a rodeo where they just happened to be sitting next to one another – kismet, I say!

As we strolled through the pastures that evening, Gypsy and Junebug (Zack and Melisa’s dogs) stuck around close by as well, and we all giggled and laughed as Song stopped to chew his lead rope every now and again, and dole out some big ol’ horsey licks here and there from his soft, velvety nose.

Because several of Melisa and Zack’s chickens had had a chance to star in some images earlier in our session, Carol, the turkey, not to be outdone, made a cameo as well. I’ve got to say, this is the closest I’ve ever been to a turkey, and she was a sweetie! (As were all of Melisa and Zack’s animals.)

But I think the best part of their entire session was watching these two interact with one another. Seeing them look at each other and smile at one another just warmed the cockles of my heart – and getting to capture this in a place that’s so important to them – well, that’s just icing on the proverbial cake.

Melisa and Zack! Thank you so much for such a delightful photo shoot – and it was so good to finally get to meet you, Zack! Additionally, though I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again – I cannot thank you ENOUGH for helping me with that crack in the oil pan of my car.

(Context for those not-in-the-know: as I was driving in to their farm, a big ol’ rock kicked up and left a nice gash in my oil pan, effectively releasing ALL of it right as I pulled into their driveway. Egads!) You and your family didn’t need to take the time to help me out, especially as late as it was in the evening, but you did, and I’m just so incredibly grateful. You are good, good folks!

But most importantly, it was a blast to get to work with you two, and I’m just so excited for your wedding day! Please give all your critters big hugs for me in the meantime. :)

On the Docket:

Portraits and weddings! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine