Despite the weather forecast warning of rain, Mother Nature must’ve known she needed to match Autumn’s and Kevin’s bright, happy personalities and decided to wow everyone with a beautiful, sunny day in an absolutely picturesque setting at Autumn’s grandparents’ house in Great Falls.

Everyone readied themselves amidst a chorus of laughter (and maybe a few happy tears too), and soon the two were ready to see each other for the first time. Kevin was filled with emotion – happy, happy tears! – as he saw his bride-to-be walking towards him.

Guests filtered in, hugging and greeting one another, and soon the ceremony started as the wedding party meandered down the hillside and petal-laden pathway, beneath the towering trees and up onto a green knoll, surrounded by tall, stately trees. The sun lit up Autumn’s beaded veil as she walked arm-in-arm with her father and brother, and Kevin had eyes only for his bride as she walked up the hill to join him as they would say their vows to one another.

Everyone enjoyed a good laugh as the best man surprised Kevin with the “ring” he was to give Autumn – a giant, blingy diamond. (Have no fear, he replaced it with the real one. :) ) Amidst cheers, and wide smiles, Autumn and Kevin sealed their vows with their first kiss as newlyweds and were showered with confetti as they made their way back down the aisle.

Guests were treated to fun wedding favors – jam and s’mores (“Spread the Love” & “S’more Love”), as well as a delicious dinner, and slices of the tasty, beautiful ombre cake. Folks soaked up the sun, played lawn games, enjoyed the photo booth, and really tore up the dance floor amidst the twinkle lights and fluttering pennant banners as the sun dipped below the horizon. Sparklers soon made an appearance and Autumn and Kevin kissed as sparks flew against the night sky.

Autumn and Kevin! Your wedding was such a beautiful day in every single sense of the word…I had a permagrin (and STILL have a permagrin) from having the opportunity to spend such a special, important day with you both, and with your amazing friends and family. Thank you for inviting me to document such a great moment in your lives – you two have such a bright future ahead of you and I wish you many, many more years of happiness, laughter and lots of fun. :)

Vendors:
Venue: Private residence, Great Falls, Montana
Florist: My Viola Floral Studio, Great Falls, Montana
Cake Artist: Crooked Tree Coffee and Cakes, Great Falls, Montana
DJ: Troy Gryga, Great Falls, Montana
Hair: by the bride’s cousin, Savana Pedersen
Dress: Margene’s Bridal, Boise, Idaho
Bridesmaid Dresses: Etsy Shop MF&J Designs, Los Angeles, California
Officiant: David Ginther from Libby Assembly of God, Libby, Montana
Rental Items: Strobel’s Rentals, Great Falls, Montana
Catering: Bar-S Supper Club, Great Falls, Montana

On the docket: more weddings! Don’t miss ’em!

Cheers,

-Kristine

A warm breeze blew and played with Megan’s veil as she saw her groom, Jason, for the first time. They kissed, there were a few teary eyes, and they smiled and hugged as they prepared to walk down the aisle and pledge their love to one another.

Friends and family packed the chairs, fanning themselves with programs, and smiled as the wedding party made their way to the altar, and as adorable flower girls and Megan and Jason’s dog, Emmi, soon joined them.

Megan and her father linked hands, and I’m not sure there was a dry eye there as he gave her away. Tears soon gave way to lots of laughter throughout Megan and Jason’s sweet ceremony. Friends and family erupted into applause as the two enjoyed their first kiss as husband and wife, and walked down the aisle again, smiles stretched from ear to ear.

Guests dined on a tasty steak and chicken dinner, and from-the-heart toasts soon followed, causing everyone to smile, laugh and tear up once again.

Kiddos ran through the open fields, laughing and playing, and one little guy even showed off some of his breakdancing moves for me. Megan, Jason and I took advantage of the gorgeous evening skies and made some lovely sunset portraits as the sun slid behind the hills and painted the sky pinks and oranges. Friends and family tore it up on the dance floor as the sunset gave way to stars.

Megan and Jason – it was such an honor to document your day, and finally meet you in person too! You two are absolutely fantastic people – and here’s to many, many years together, full of happiness and smiles, which you’ve already got a great start on. :)

Vendors:
Venue: Peak to Prairie, Great Falls, Montana
Florist for Corsages and Boutonnieres: Herman’s Flowers, Great Falls, Montana
Centerpieces and Bouquets: done by a family friend
DJ: Good Times Audio, Great Falls, Montana
Hair Artist: Nicole at The Palm Tree, Black Eagle, Montana
Wedding Dress: a Vera Wang design from David’s Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses: from Modcloth.com
Men’s Suits: from The Bride Shoppe, Great Falls, Montana
Tables, Tent and other Rentals: Strobel’s Rentals, Great Falls, Montana
Minister: Mark Pederson
Musicians: Eric Peterson, Ryan Davenport and Noel Rukstad

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

Cheers,

-Kristine

It was such a beautiful December day for Amanda and Neil’s wedding – it was so warm it almost felt like spring, and the sun was shining! Amanda and Neil were so excited and happy to see one another on their big day, and we all traipsed over to Giant Springs State Park to make some images, which was such a great idea. Despite it being a bit windy, it couldn’t have been a more perfect place to capture some great moments.

Amanda and Neil pledged their love to on another in front of a large group of family and friends in the beautiful, open setting of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Great Falls, emotion on their faces as they said their vows. Smiles were a staple of the evening as people laughed and chatted with one another at the reception, and guests enjoyed snacking on cupcakes and popcorn.

Dancing soon followed and there were plenty of people on the dance floor who could definitely cut a rug.

Amanda and Neil – what a lovely, fun day! It was such an honor to document such a special part of your lives – thank you again for inviting me to be a part of it! :)

Vendors:
Ceremony Venue: Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Great Falls, Montana
Reception Venue: Heritage Inn, Great Falls, Montana
Florist: Stephanie Davis with Electric City Conservatory, Great Falls, Montana
Cake Artist: Albertson’s Bakery, Great Falls, Montana
DJ: Skip Walters, Great Falls, Montana
Hair and Makeup Artist: Michelle Barrett
Wedding Dress: the Alfred Angelo Princess Bell dress from the Bride Shoppe, Great Falls, Montana
Men’s Suits: Kaufman’s Formal Wear, Great Falls, Montana
Minister: Father Poole
Musicians: Jeff Volf, Hiedi Linhart, and Karen Grove
Readers: Sarah Mauws and Michelle Barrett

On the docket: portraits and the last wedding of 2012!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Millie and JD’s wedding in Great Falls was full of personal touches that made their day extremely special and even more meaningful. Millie’s dress was made by her mother, using the skirt from Millie’s grandmother’s own wedding dress. (Millie’s mother used the skirt for her wedding, too!) The groomsmen added a bit of playfulness to what would have been traditional pocket squares, instead opting for fun “fair ribbons” saying: first place, second place, third place and participant. Hilarious! The amazing cupcake sculpture (it can only be called a sculpture because it was truly a work of art) was created by Millie’s father, and the cupcakes were made by Millie’s mother. Absolutely stunning!

Such a special day, full of so much love, put forth by wonderful friends, family and the couple themselves.

Thanks so much for having me photograph your day, Millie and JD!

Vendor Information:
Ceremony Venue: First United Methodist Church, Great Falls, MT
Dress: Made by the bride’s mother
Flowers: Arranged by Bryan Buckridge
Reception Venue: Great Falls Civic Center, Great Falls, MT
Catering: Baked potato bar by the Golden Corral, with salads made by family and friends
Cupcakes: Made by the bride’s mother
DJ: Steve Keller DJ Services, Great Falls, MT

On the docket: weddings, kiddo’s portraits, and a creative bridal session! Don’t miss ’em!

I’ve always got to hand it to a bride who doesn’t break down at the site of raindrops. I’ve got to credit her even more when she LAUGHS in the face of pouring rain as she goes after the photos she really, really wants. Yes – Elizabeth and Odin totally rock. Period.

The day at Boulder Ridge in Great Falls started off sunny, but as the ceremony drew nigh, vows were said, rings were exchanged and alas – the thunder boomed and lightning crackled! Elizabeth really wanted some photos up on a ledge by the waterfall, and I assured her that if she was game, I was too – since, as sweet as I may be ( ;) ), I don’t melt. We dashed up the hill as fast as we could dash, carrying pounds of wedding dress and pounds of camera gear. And just as they climbed the ladder to the ledge (yes, did I mention Elizabeth and Odin totally rock?), the sprinkles turned to a full out downpour! But she laughed, and they kissed, and that, my friends, is just beautiful. True, true beauty.

We all walked into the reception a bit soggy, but our spirits were not dampened. (Oh, excuse the bad pun.) The sun even came out a bit later, and we were able to make some photos with Elizabeth’s dear horse, Rio, who was a real pro with the camera shutter sounds. Elizabeth and Odin have wonderful friends and family and they know how to PARTY! Groomsmen high-kicked, little boys wore Elizabeth’s garter as a hippie headband, folks threw off their shoes to get down and boogie barefoot, and Odin’s grandmother even led a conga line!

I had a wonderful time, and I wish you the very best in your new lives together. You’re a fantastic couple with hearty, happy laughs and I know you’ll spend many a day together sharing your joy with one another. Thank you for allowing me to document these special, unforgettable moments! Onward to the photos!

(P.S. I challenge you to find the woman in blue who is signing “I love you” to the couple.)

Venue: Boulder Ridge, Great Falls, MT
Flowers: Electric City Conservatory, Great Falls, MT
Dress and Vests: The Bride’s Shoppe, Great Falls, MT
DJ: Steve Keller DJ Services, Great Falls, MT
Dinner and Cake: Courtesy of family friends

Cheers!

-Kristine