Last year Ethan and Emily, both from Iowa, decided to take a vacation with Yellowstone being one of their stops. They loved their time in Montana so much that, fast forward to their wedding day, lo and behold they decided to have their Flying Horse Ranch wedding in Corvallis, Montana. And I’m so glad they did because what a wonderful day it was.

Their day started off with a super sweet first look between the two. Ethan was so excited to see Emily and the look on his face as he first turned around to behold his beautiful bride was so special. We continued having fun making photos of just the two of them before moving on to more of the family formals.

And we had such a blast. Ethan and Emily’s wedding was small, with only close friends and family partaking, but what a group they had there with them! We laughed so much and so often and just had such a great time making their more formal photos before it was time to get everyone ready to start their ceremony.

Emily was full of emotion as she walked down the aisle towards Ethan, but soon she burst into a huge smile and the two stood together at the altar with the blue of the mountains as their backdrop. There were tears and laughter, and everyone clapped as Ethan and Emily kissed for the first time as husband and wife.

The festivities continued into the evening with hilarious and touching toasts that had folks doubling over in laughter while simultaneously dabbing at tears in the corners of their eyes. And Ethan and Emily probably had one of the most epic cake-cuttings I’ve seen. It started out innocent, but…well, suffice it to say, it got a little messy. Emily was such a good sport, however, and the two easily laughed about their “cake smash” moment afterwards.

The music kicked on and soon everyone was out on the dance floor kicking up their heels and jumping around to the beats. The party moved outside a bit too as people mingled with one another, played some lawn games, and had a great time giggling and chatting as the evening wound down.

That evening we were treated to all sorts of wonderful light, and I’m so thankful Ethan and Emily were willing to “run for the light!” to get the best of the best of the sun as it quickly dipped behind the silhouettes of the mountains.

Ethan and Emily! I’m so glad you found me and invited me into such a wonderful day in your lives. I loved getting to meet you in person and had such a fantastic time getting to hang out with you, your family and friends, and make these images for you. Everyone was so sweet and had so many kind things to say (including you two, of course!) and that meant the world to me. Your love is so real and so beautiful, and the love you have for your friends and family (and they for you) was just such a treat to witness and document. I’m so glad Montana treated you so well! Here’s to a life together filled with joy and happiness, and many more Montana trips, too! :)

Vendor Information for Ethan and Emily’s Flying Horse Ranch Wedding:

Venue: Flying Horse Ranch, Corvallis, Montana
Cake: Black Cat Bake Shop, Missoula, Montana
Catering: Famous Dave’s, Missoula, Montana
Officiant: Mark Christians
Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses: Charlotte Russe

On the Docket:

Weddings and portraits! Don’t miss ’em!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Though the forecast predicted rain, Jena and Dan’s wedding at the Flying Horse Ranch was picture perfect – blue skies, fluffy white clouds, a golden eagle overhead, brilliant sunshine here and there – Montana certainly pulled out all the stops for them.

And the beauty didn’t stop there. Jena walked down the aisle, beaming, as she looked at Dan. And the two laughed and smiled as they spoke their vows to one another. In an incredibly touching moment, Jena and Dan invited close friends and family to join them at the altar to bless their rings before exchanging them with one another. Soon they enjoyed their first kiss as newlyweds to a chorus of cheers from their smiling friends and family.

Festivities continued into the evening as folks danced, laughed, and chatted with one another while they celebrated Jena and Dan’s day.

Jena and Dan – I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful it was to be invited to document such a truly special, beautiful day in your lives. Here’s to many long years of happiness and laughter for you both! And congratulations again!

Vendors:

Venue: Flying Horse Ranch, Corvallis, Montana
Florist: Flower Happy, Hamilton, Montana
Cake: by Black Cat Bake Shop, Missoula, Montana
Gluten-Free Cakes: by Let Them Eat Cake, Bozeman, Montana
DJ: The couple’s friend, Chad, Salt Lake City, Utah
Hair and Makeup: Brittany Roscoe, Salt Lake City, Utah
Wedding and Bridesmaid Dresses: from David’s Bridal
Menswear: Serendipity Boutique, Hamilton, Montana
Catering: Caffe Firenze, Florence, Montana
Rentals: Hamilton Party Rentals, Hamilton, Montana
Officiant: Joanna Trainor

On the docket: weddings and portraits! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Happy couples are my favorite, and Jordan and Sarah were no exception. It was a perfectly beautiful day for their wedding and part of what made it so beautiful was their visible happiness and easygoing nature throughout their wedding day.

And even though there were tears too, they were happy tears. Tears of a father proud of and happy for his daughter. Tears of a bride moved by her husband’s vows to her and her vows to him. Tears while listening to the most moving of toasts from siblings and friends. And, of course, lots and lots of laughter to accompany the events of the day as well.

As their wedding day progressed, the brilliant blue sky inevitably gave way to a glow over the mountaintops, and friends and family walked out into the cool grass to watch the sun set, play with their children, and reflect on the events of the day.

The newlyweds ventured into the tall grass as well, Jordan swept Sarah off her bare feet, and the two kissed as the sun sank behind the mountains – a perfect end to a beautiful, happy day.

Jordan and Sarah – congratulations again on such a wonderful start to your lives together! It was such an honor to document such a special day in your lives, and I wish you a long, happy life together!

Vendors:
Venue: Flying Horse Ranch, Corvallis, Montana
Cake Artist: Jenna Haven
DJ: Will Deschamps
Men’s Suits: Rococo Bridal, Missoula, Montana

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

Cheers,

-Kristine

Sometimes Montana weather in June can make us all look up at the sky in bewilderment – it was supposed to be a rainy day for Stephanie and Danny’s wedding, but lo and behold, it was drop-dead gorgeous and Mother Nature even decided to go all out and match their wedding colors with bright blue skies and lush green grass.

As the girls and guys readied themselves for the ceremony, there was a lot of laughter and giggling, which is always a great way to start the day in my book. The ladies laughed as Stephanie steadied herself as her maids laced up her dress, and the guys guffawed at their slick-soled shoes, and may have attempted some Michael Jackson-esque moonwalking.

Stephanie and Danny kept themselves hidden away from each other until the big moment when Stephanie’s parents parted a white curtain to reveal to Danny his beautiful, blushing bride. Danny was overcome with emotion, which touched everyone to their very core. (A quick note to all men out there: embrace your emotions! It’s just so perfectly wonderful in every possible way!) Tears of happiness flowed during the ceremony, laughter punctuated their words and soon everyone was cheering as Stephanie and Danny kissed for the first time as newlyweds.

Dinner and dancing soon followed, and boy could these folks, young and old alike, kick up their heels! Everyone enjoyed cake and cupcakes (especially the little ones) and to top off the evening, we were all treated to a most spectacular sunset to ride off into.

Stephanie and Danny – thank you again for inviting me into such a special, beautiful day in your lives. You truly are wonderfully in love, and I wish you many, many more stunning sunsets to punctuate the rest of your lives together. :)

 Vendors:

Venue: Flying Horse Ranch, Corvallis, Montana
Florist: Blooming Blessings, Harrison, Montana
Cake Artist: Bernice’s Bakery, Missoula, Montana
DJ: Jake McMillan with RMF Entertainment, Missoula, Montana
Makeup Artist: Skin Chic, Missoula, Montana
Hair Artist: The Total Look Salon, Missoula, Montana
Dress: “Giovanna” style by Maggie Sottero from After 5 & Weddings, Bozeman, Montana
Bridesmaid Dresses and Men’s Suits: Beautiful Weddings, Missoula, Montana
Officiant: Pastor Dan Nagel of Missoula Alliance Church, Missoula, Montana

On the docket: lots more weddings and portraits! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine