Fittingly, as I write this post, it’s pouring rain and storming in Missoula. Montana has had a very wet summer, which Kelly, Dustin and I also experienced firsthand during their East Glacier elopement at Lake Josephine. (Though I can’t say I’m complaining – this means we’ve also had little-to-no wildfires and their subsequent smoke to deal with, so I’m all for some soggy weather that’s devoid of lightning strikes.)

As soon as we met up at the trailhead the rain began, but they weren’t going to let a few (or many) raindrops deter them. So we started out on our hike armed with rain jackets, umbrellas, bear spray and lots of smiles.

Soon we came to the shoreline of Lake Josephine and, as the rain began to get stronger, we wasted no time in getting their ceremony started. A family friend of Kelly’s officiated, Kelly and Dustin shared their vows, exchanged rings and became husband and wife with a celebratory kiss as the waves lapped the shore and the wind whipped.

We all cheered, made some fun portraits and then hightailed it out again to gain some tree cover and find a dry place where Kelly and Dustin could sign their marriage license and really make it official.

We didn’t let the weather dampen our spirits, though, (no pun intended), and, as is wont to happen in Glacier, I knew we weren’t far from some sunshine, so off we chased it through the entire park, dodging raindrops, braving large gusts of wind (and some cold temps!), and when we found the sun, BOY did we ever find it!

Despite being soaked (and despite one of my cameras biting the dust due to being waterlogged – this is why you always hire a professional, folks – we’ve got loads of backup gear), Kelly and Dustin were so gung ho for their images and we had such a great time meandering through the park, finding little patches of wildflowers here and there, and that glorious sunshine we were chasing, not to mention a beautiful, ethereal pastel sunset over Glacier’s rugged mountaintops, swirls of low-hanging clouds and mist included.

Kelly and Dustin! What a beautiful, special day for you two! Thank you again for inviting me to document this gorgeous, unforgettable day for you! Here’s to years of happiness for you, in rain or shine, and hopefully some more Montana visits in the future, too! Congratulations! Have fun at your party! :)

On the Docket:

Weddings, elopements, and portraits! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Ah, Glacier weddings. How I adore thee so. And Katie and Lee’s Lake Josephine Glacier wedding in Glacier National Park this autumn was no exception. The day started out a bit on the wet side (that’s an understatement) since we’ve been having a very rainy fall this year, so we were all glancing at the sky, hoping the rain would hold off for Katie and Lee’s ceremony.

And, much to our delight, hold off it did! We all gathered at the trailhead, and hiked to Lake Josephine in groups. On our way up, we happened to run into a moose, which is always cool, especially when he’s chill about it (which he was, and for which I was glad, as I was wearing a walking boot for my sprained ankle and couldn’t really off-road it very well! That could’ve been a sight!).

Soon everyone had made their way to the shores of the lake and gathered together, waiting for Katie’s grand entrance. She emerged from the forest wearing her mother’s wedding dress and coordinated hiking boots, laughing and smiling. And so began their ceremony – full of love, grins and laughter, and all against an absolutely stunning backdrop, the clouds and mist rolling over the mountaintops as if they were in slow motion.

Friends and family hugged the newlyweds after they were officially pronounced husband and wife (by Katie’s brother, newly-anointed officiant extraordinaire), and then it was photo time! While Katie and Lee’s guests headed back to the Izaak Walton Inn in Essex, we traipsed across the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and managed to make images amidst the raindrops that had decided to show up. Seeing how the clouds rolled through the park’s valleys was just so spectacular, and I can’t say enough about how much I love that Glacier is a little different each and every time I visit.

By the time we found ourselves on the west side of the park, the sun was just beginning to break through the clouds, and we were treated to some seriously delicious lovely light hitting Lake McDonald and glistening upon its colorful rocky beaches – a perfect gift for Katie and Lee! (They actually got engaged at Lake McDonald.)

Katie and Lee! What an absolutely wonderfully perfect day for you two! I was so happy to get to document your wedding day for you and had such a blast making these images with you. I love how you love each other, and I know you two will have a long, happy life together, hopefully with many a Glacier visit. :) Cheers to you two!

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

Cheers,

-Kristine

Oh Glacier. Glacier Glacier Glacier. There’s just something so magical about this place. It twinkles. It sparkles. It intrigues. It awes. And it inspires.

Heather and Matt know this firsthand. They’ve both had a love for Glacier for a while, and Matt even proposed to Heather while visiting the park, so it was only fitting that they join their lives together in such a magical, meaningful place.

The morning started out with some fly fishing for the guys in the park, and lots of small brook trout were caught (and released) as we all waded up the creek to Trick Falls. Not a shabby way to start their wedding day!

The ladies readied themselves in the Glacier Park Lodge, sharing laughs and a few happy tears before boarding one of the bright red Glacier Park jammer buses, driven by Jammer Joe, to take them to the Two Medicine Amphitheater in the park to start their ceremony.

Jack Gladstone sang and played the guitar as the bridal party, and Heather and Matt made their way to the Chupah, the sun shining down between the tall trees surrounding the amphitheater.

Heather and Matt were blessed with a traditional smudge ceremony, the sage smoke lightly brushed over them with feathers. The two spoke their vows to one another, smiles sneaking in amongst their words, and soon their friends and family were cheering for them as they kissed.

Guests joined them in a processional down to Pray Lake, where both the Ketubah and marriage license were signed, sun glinting off the gentle waves.

As guests made their way back to the lodge, Heather, Matt and I sneaked away to make some lovely Glacier portraits before they made their grand entrance back at the lodge. Guests cheered and high-fived them as they danced their way into the tent to the song, “Celebration,” which immediately lead into a lively Horah dance.

Family and friends dined on a delicious meal and soon began to laugh and shed a few tears as toasts punctuated the evening. Shoes didn’t stay on long as folks took to the dance floor and showed off some sweet dance moves.

As the evening wound down, Heather and Matt were sent off through a tunnel of sparklers and danced off into the evening together as husband and wife.

Heather and Matt – what a gorgeous day for you two! It was such a pleasure to be able to document such personal touches in your wedding day, and I wish you many more magical trips to Glacier, with even more bear sightings. ;) Congrats again!

East Glacier Wedding Vendors:

Getting Ready and Reception Venue: Glacier Park Lodge, East Glacier, Montana
Lodge Event Planner: Rachel Schmidt, East Glacier, Montana
Ceremony site: Two Medicine Amphitheater, Two Medicine Campground, Glacier National Park
Transportation: Glacier National Park Jammer Buses
Ceremony Musician: Jack Gladstone, Kalispell, Montana
Wedding Planner: Teresa Kennedy, assisted by Kerry, with Perfect Montana Wedding, Bigfork, Montana
Videographer: Paul Neff with White Cliff Productions, Kalispell, Montana
Florist: Conrad Floral, Joyce Billmayer, Bigfork, Montana
Cake: Cakes by Debi, Kalispell, Montana
DJ: DJ Heart, Missoula, Montana
Hair Artist: Kelly Kasey, Boom Swagger Salon, Missoula, Montana

On the docket: lots more weddings and lots more portraits – don’t miss them!

Cheers,

-Kristine