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

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

I truly, honestly feel like I am the luckiest person in the world getting to do the job that I do. And it’s because I get to meet people like Kate and Tommy. Their smoky summer Glacier National Park elopement was magical, romantic, and chock-full of love, emotion tenderness and true beauty. Their love, their happiness, their joy just filled my soul to the very brim and left my entire being grinning.

But let’s back up a bit. From the moment Kate contacted me about her elopement in Glacier, I knew we’d have a fantastic time. We had such a great conversation over the phone and she told me that she and Tommy first met playing a video game, specifically while in a dragon fight. At the time he was living in St. Louis, and she was in Chicago. They eventually Skyped and realized, oh hey, you’re attractive! When they finally met she told me it was love at first sight. He moved to Chicago and they’ve been together ever since (five years!).

Kate had been to Montana before – actually to Glacier, but it was when she was in 6th grade and she didn’t have clear memories of it. Tommy had never been before, but they both knew it was where they wanted to be married. (They’re avid hikers and love exploring and learning about new places.)

Fast forward to their wedding day. The smoke from Canadian wildfires hung over Glacier like a thin veil, but thankfully, their elopement was literally a week before the latest fires in Glacier started, so we really lucked out and still had access to the Going to the Sun Road.

Though there was some concern about the smoke obscuring the mountain views, Kate and Tommy just went with it and I’m so glad they did because, in my opinion, the smoke just added to the romance and the beauty of their day. And it gave us a bit of an early “sunset” (hey there bright orange sun!), which made for some particularly unique images!

They held their ceremony on the shores of Lake McDonald, and as Kate walked out from the tall stand of cedars, Tommy saw his bride for the first time and he broke out into a huge smile, as did Kate.

Their parents were in attendance, and as these two spoke their vows to one another, there were a few tears, but so much joy and love and laughter. We had a blast making images along the shoreline and even had a family of four Common Mergansers photobomb us by zipping around the lake like tiny, energetic motorboats. (Mergansers are are type of duck, for those of you who aren’t bird nerds like I am.)

From there we toured around the park a bit, encountered a black bear who Tommy spied on the next shoreline away from us, and had a great time finding some beautiful little nooks and crannies of the park in which to make photos. Kate especially loved the old cedar forest and all the mossy rocks and logs in its interior. As we walked around, she told me that she loves moss so much her friends have given her the nickname “Kate Moss” – haha!

I could seriously write pages here, so suffice it to say that it honestly couldn’t have been a more perfect day for these two, and I seriously loved every second I got to spend with them.

Kate and Tommy! It goes without saying, but congrats, congrats, congrats again to you from the bottom of my heart! To witness your love and be invited to capture it for you was such an honor. You two are incredible together and I’m so happy you got to make it all official in Montana! Come back to visit soon – drinks are on me! :)

Vendors for Kate + Tommy’s Smoky Summer Glacier National Park Elopement:

Venue: The amazing Glacier National Park
Officiant: Sally Hanger
Florist: Conrad Floral, Bigfork, Montana
Jeweler: Love & Promise Jewelers, Chicago, Illinois

On the Docket:

Weddings, elopements and portraits! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

I’m pretty sure I’ve got the best job in the world. When Ashley contacted me way back when about photographing her and Wayne’s elopement in Glacier National Park, I swear, we were just giddy and happy and giggling on the phone to one another the entire call. So I knew we’d have such a wonderful time making images together on their wedding day.

She and Wayne, their dog, Noose, and her sister and her sister’s husband all made the trek out to Montana together to check out Glacier for the first time, and to get hitched while they were out here. Not only did they get to say their “I Do’s” in Montana, they also got to celebrate Ashley’s pregnancy with baby Beau, too!

Their day couldn’t have been more gorgeous – blue skies, clear water, and oh-so-much laughter and fun and smiles! (And a few happy tears here and there, too.)

We had such a great time zipping around the Going-to-the-Sun Road and stopping off to make fun photos along the way. As we drove along, we had a great time chatting, and one of our conversations led us to determine that Brad Pitt has got *nothing* on Wayne, and that Wayne could start up a second career as an actor if he wanted to.

And I’ve got to say – Ashley certainly wins the award for most kick-butt, gung-ho, rockin’-mama-to-be. She was all about climbing around on rocks, and, as the sun started to dip below the mountaintops and the light was just about to disappear completely, she even flat out RAN to chase the light with me! Color me impressed!

As our evening wound down, we found ourselves laughing our heads off, grinning to beat the band, and doling out giant hugs and well-wishes after a day exceptionally well spent.

Ashely and Wayne! It completely goes without saying, but here I am going to say it again anyway ;) – what a truly fantastic day! I loved getting to meet you and make these images, and I’ll never forget running around the lake and creek with you both! You two are just fabulous, and baby Beau is lucky to have you both as parents! Congratulations again on your nuptials, and an early congratulations on little mister Beau! Come back and visit soon. :)

Vendors:

Venue: Glacier National Park, Montana
Officiant: Reid Copeland – 406-261-2220

On the Docket:

Portraits, weddings and elopements! Don’t miss ’em!

Cheers,

-Kristine

There were so many favorite moments from Christy, Scott, Ian and Keygan’s Glacier National Park family portraits, but I think my most favorite thing is that they chose to document their entire family together on their vacation to Glacier from Texas. When Christy initially contacted me about making these photos for them, she told me that she’d done this before on another trip of theirs together and loved the results, so decided it was worth doing again! And what a great idea!

Clearly I’m a little biased here, but I can’t say enough about how important it is to document your family together – and if you’re the one behind the camera most of the time (Moms typically are!), if you have someone else do it for you, you actually get to exist in your family photos too!

If that’s one thing I miss about my family’s summer trips together, it’s seeing ALL of us together in our subsequent prints. My mom was behind the camera most of the time. (Though, to her credit, she is a fantastic photographer in her own right and documented our trips beautifully!)

So, that’s a really long way of saying, I’m glad everyone in their family got to exist in their photos! And what an awesome, fun family they are!

We had such a blast checking out (what was open at the time) in Glacier, and, as per usual, I just adore getting to share one of my favorite places with folks who haven’t been here before. Lake McDonald was in spectacular form, and thankfully, Mother Nature decided to show us some mountains instead of socking everything in with clouds or rain.

I think my second most favorite thing about their session (ok, who am I kidding, this is definitely my most favorite thing – can I have multiple most favorite things?) was the fact that they all clearly have so much fun together. Getting to photograph a family who loves together and laughs together nearly made my sappy lil’ heart burst – and it’s absolutely why I love getting to do what I do.

As we tootled around the park, I got to learn more about their family. Ian’s on the way to turning 19 and is interested in pursuing schooling to become an epidemiologist (awesome!), and Keygan, 15, has a keen interest in anthropology and is an avid reader. Both Scott and Christy are accountants and really liked the idea of visiting more of a wild place, hence their jaunt up to Glacier.

And wouldn’t you have it, as we made our way around the lake, we spied a mama black bear and her two little (very damp-looking!) cubs making their way through the dense forest! Everyone was so excited to be able to see this and I was just tickled that their family was able to witness these bears in their natural habitat. Yet another reason I love Glacier so very much. As Roy Rogers once sang, “Don’t fence me in!”

Christy, Scott, Ian and Keygan! I can’t say enough just how MUCH I loved getting to meet you all and make these photos for you! You have such a beautiful, happy family, and I hope you continue to document your adventures as the years progress! Here’s to you guys!

On the Docket:

Weddings, portraits, elopements! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

You never know what kind of weather you’re going to get when you’re in Glacier National Park. And with all the rain (and snow!) we’ve been experiencing this spring I was certainly crossing my fingers that Deanna and Michael’s Glacier National Park elopement at Lake McDonald wouldn’t be totally rained out.

But wouldn’t you know it, after adjusting our shoot date a bit, we were treated to an absolutely beautiful (albeit chilly!) spring day! I was beyond happy, as were Deanna and Michael who had traveled to Glacier all the way from North Carolina to celebrate their elopement. They had never been to Glacier before, but they were both keen on the lake and its famed colored rocks.

Eloping in Glacier and making these special photos is more than a little meaningful for Deanna and Michael. They had actually attended high school together, but had never really spent any time with one another until Deanna was unfortunately diagnosed with cancer. As Deanna was going through her treatments, they began to talk, and the rest is history. (And, as an added bonus to their trip to Glacier, a week before eloping, Deanna was treated to the exceptional news that she is officially in remission! What a wedding gift!)

So it was certainly a time for celebration as Glacier treated us all to knockout views, beautiful light, and raging powerful waters. Because we were up there in the springtime, we also had the luxury of pretty much enjoying the park to ourselves (which is highly unusual!). So we traipsed about the open areas, marveled at the beauty around us, and I just adored seeing how much these two love one another.

Deanna is also a photographer so it was great to get to work with someone who knows what it’s like “behind the camera” too. Deanna picked out a blush-pink dress (just a subtle hint of pink) and had a bouquet of roses and peonies to match. We even had a happy little bumblebee (who also liked Deanna’s bouquet) hitch a ride with us for a while! Michael was ever-so-dapper in a smashing tux and wore a boutonnière to match Deanna’s bouquet. But all of their finery, while truly gorgeous, in my opinion was secondary to their complete and utter joy. We had such a great time laughing, I got all melty as I watched Michael tenderly hold and kiss his beautiful bride, and we all truly enjoyed and were wowed by our surroundings.

Deanna and Michael – I’ve already said this to you, but I’ll say it again. Thank you so much for inviting me to document such a happy, meaningful and love-filled time in your lives. I was so honored to get to do this for you, and even more grateful to have gotten to meet you both. Thank you so much for all your thoughtfulness, your joy, and for loving one another so freely! I loved every single second I got to spend with you both, and I’m so happy you have found one another. Thank you again (and thanks also for all the goodies for the drive home!). The next time you’re in Glacier, be sure to give me a shout! :)

On the docket:

Portraits and weddings! Stay tuned!

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

Ahhh, Glacier. I simply adore how this magical place holds such meaning for so many people, two of those people being Dora and Elliot who had their elopement in Montana at Glacier National Park. They held their short and wonderfully sweet ceremony on the shores of Lake McDonald, beamed at one another as they spoke their vows, exchanged rings and sealed it all with a kiss as gentle waves delicately lapped at the shoreline.

To celebrate their newly-married status, we had a great time touring a section of the park, all the while making photos in some of the jaw-dropping locations that make Glacier an absolute sight to behold.

Even more beautiful to witness, however, is just how much Dora and Elliot love one another. The way they smile at each other, the way they hold one another, the way they melt into each other’s arms – it really can’t get any better than that! It was so special to be able to photograph these little moments between the two of them on such a happy day in their lives – and I, of course, loved every second!

Dora and Elliot, thank you again for inviting me to capture your love for one another and your love of Glacier. It was such an honor to do this for you, and I so enjoyed getting to hang out with you, chit chat and laugh as we traipsed about the park. You two are wonderful! Here’s to many more Glacier visits for you in the future! :)

Details about Dora and Elliot’s Elopement in Montana at Glacier National Park:

Ceremony Location: on the shores of Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park
Officiant: Josie, Missoula, Montana

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

Cheers,

-Kristine

Glacier National Park is a truly magical place, so when Christy and Neil got in touch with me about photographing their intimate Glacier National Park Wedding, I was so excited to hear about what they had in mind.

And it. Was. Perfect.

They both have strong connections to Glacier, and prior to their ceremony, went in search of a spot within the park that just felt right to them. That spot? The Trail of the Cedars. And it truly was right.

Christy wowed Neil with their first look, and as guests began to arrive, they both hid away down the trail. Soon, their ceremony started and Christy and Neil made their way down the trail, tiny against the towering, giant cedars, and stood next to the creek, golden aspens winking in the background as they spoke their incredibly touching vows and promised their love to one another.

Their friends and family smiled and cheered as the two officially became husband and wife, and soon everyone toasted to their union with some good Wisconsin beer.

Christy, Neil and I took off on a little “photo tour” of the park, and I’ve got to give credit to Christy for navigating some pretty rocky terrain in her dress – she won the day, for sure! We had such a great time making these images, and we were even treated to some especially awesome golden light that peeked through the rapidly approaching storm clouds right as we were wrapping up our tour.

Christy and Neil – what a wonderful, beautiful day for you both. It was such an honor and such a pleasure to have the opportunity to document such a meaningful day in your lives together. Glacier is gorgeous, but you two together are even better. :) Here’s to a life full of happy days and Glacier adventures!

On the docket: portraits! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

When I hear the word “Glacier,” I have to admit – my heart goes pitter patter. And when I hear the words “Glacier National Park elopement” I darn near about have a heart attack. That’s how much I love it up there. So when Meagan and Brian contacted me about meeting up with them to photograph their wedding ceremony (with just them, their officiant and me), I was more than a little excited.

They had never been to Glacier, but had always wanted to visit, and figured this was a great place to be married. And oh, it was. It was, it was, it was, a million times over. Montana pulled out all the stops for them and the weather was perfect, complete with blue skies, brilliant sun, fluffy puffy clouds, and goldilocks temps – you know, not too hot, not too cold…juuuuust right.

They were married on the shore of Lake McDonald – a quiet spot, surrounded by trees, beautiful tall grass, that gorgeous lake, mountains and sky. Pure poetry. They spoke their vows into that wide open space, signed their marriage license on the side of a toppled tree, and in the skip of a stone across the lake, they were married!

After their ceremony, we ventured around Glacier a bit to take in what makes it completely awesome. We only got to see a fraction of it, but holy moly, did we have a great time. We scrambled boulders and rocks (kudos to Meagan on doing this in heels!), laughed as we chatted while driving the Going to the Sun Road, ogled at the views, and got seriously excited about the amazing light we were experiencing (ok, maybe I was the most excited, but that LIGHT! Again – heart attack!).

Meagan and Brian – what a truly special day for you two! I am so honored you invited me to document this moment in your lives. If I could photograph your elopement every day, I would. Here’s to years upon years of happiness, adventure, and exploring new and beautiful places this world has to offer! Congratulations again!

On the docket: weddings, portraits, and more weddings!

Cheers,

-Kristine