Dimitri and Jenn, along with their immediate family, traveled up to Montana from California for their September Triple Creek Ranch elopement. And boy, was it ever a perfect day for these two to promise their love to each other!

We started the day out by zipping around to some pretty sweet vistas overlooking the Bitterroot mountains, and were treated to a blue sky day — a bit of a rarity during a fairly smoky summer! Autumn colors had even started to pop in amongst the greenery, which made the most stunning backdrop for some fun portraits of the soon-to-be-married couple.

After making our images (and kudos to Dimitri and Jenn for navigating some seriously steep rocks in slippery dress shoes!), we all headed back to the ranch where Dimitri and Jenn got ready to say their “I do’s.”

Against a backdrop of evergreens, a pond, and a lush floral arch, and in front of their beloved family, Dimitri and Jenn shared their vows, some laughs, and some tears with each other. As Jenn’s father officiated, and while Dimitri’s mother and grandmother shared readings and words of wisdom with the couple, dragonflies flitted about, adding even more magic to a very special day. Dimitri and Jenn sealed it all with a joyous kiss, and celebrated with champagne toasts that had everyone laughing, smiling, and hugging one another.

Dimitri and Jenn! It was so nice to meet you both, and I wish you a lifetime of happiness together — and many more Montana visits! Here’s to you two and your bright and brilliant future! Congratulations!

On the docket:

Portraits and brand sessions! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Kelly and Harmen’s intimate wedding in Ronan Montana was an absolutely splendid day for these two to celebrate their nuptials with family and friends. The blue sky framed the Mission Mountains perfectly, fluffy white clouds dotted the horizon, and everyone was ready to celebrate Kelly and Harmen vowing their love to one another.

To get things started, folks meandered down the pathway behind the Air BnB Kelly and Harmen had rented for the weekend, and stood together as the two smiled at one another while their creekside ceremony began.

As Kelly and Harmen spoke their vows to one another, there were definitely a few tears, lots of laughter, and pure joy as they sealed it all with a kiss – with Harmen’s son grinning between them.

Afterwards, the kiddos in attendance surprised everyone with a variety of paper boats and hats they had made – both to wear and to float on the creek – so everyone donned a hat, had a great time laughing with one another, grabbed a boat, and created a spontaneous flotilla that meandered down the creek.

After the flotilla excitement, soon it was time to head up to the house again and greet the guests who were arriving to join the party and potluck.

Everyone was all smiles as they munched on all the tasty dishes folks had brought, people had a great time playing the various lawn games provided, and soaked in the view straight out the back door of the house.

Before long it was time for some sincere, hilarious and heartfelt toasts that had everyone feeling all the feels, while simultaneously laughing to beat the band. And they topped it all off with a great group cake-cutting that got everyone smiling.

Kelly and Harmen! What a joyful, beautiful day for you two! I loved everything about you both and how you made this day exactly what you wanted it to be – thank you so much for inviting me to document your love and happiness, and leaving me with such a gigantic smile for the drive home (and while editing your images!). Cheers to you two and finding that purple unicorn! :)

On the Docket:

More intimate weddings, portraits and elopements! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

I’m a total believer in serendipity. And the fact that I got to work with Abby and Austin at their McDonald Lake Elopement in St Ignatius Montana is a testament to the fact that serendipity is a real, true, AWESOME thing! When Abby first contacted me about being their photographer, her message to me was amazing, full of warmth and excitement, and had the greatest story to tell me.

When she and Austin were visiting their friend Tyler in Missoula in the fall of 2016, on their very last day, they zipped up to Glacier. As they were making their way through the park, they saw a couple who had just gotten married, and leaned out their car window to hoot and holler and wish them a happy wedding day.

Fast forward in time bit. Abby was researching photographers for her own Montana wedding and came across my work. As she was perusing my images, she happened upon photos of that very same couple she had shouted a congratulations to in Glacier, who she then found out were Katie and Lee. Isn’t that just the most fabulous story? As she put it, “My fiancé thought that was a one and a million chance and I do believe it is as well!”

Fast forward a little more, and Abby and Austin were ready to celebrate their very own wedding day in Montana. They zipped on up to McDonald Lake and hiked a bit to a spot their friend (and officiant), Tyler, had found for them. It was a hot, beautiful, bluebird day – the lake was crystal clear, little puffs of clouds dotted the sky, and everyone was giddy and excited for Abby and Austin to get hitched.

Not only did their best friend, Tyler, officiate for them, two more of their best friends stood up with them as well – Nick and Tori. Everyone walked out onto the rocky outcrop, and soon it was time to get started.

I’ve got to say – this was one absolutely joyful, heartfelt, emotion-filled, beautiful ceremony. They took turns reading notes of friendship and love to one another, and as Abby and Austin spoke their personal, from-the-depths-of-their-hearts vows, I’m not sure there was a dry eye there (photographer included!).

As Abby and Austin sealed their newlywed status with a kiss, their friends cheered, the sun glinted off the lake, and everyone’s smiles were about a mile wide. At that point, it was time to cheers with some beers and really, really have some fun.

I’ve got to tell you – this group of friends…they’re so tight, have so much fun together, and love a good laugh. My kind of people! They had a blast goofing around with some portraits, and soon, the horse head masks came out. Yep, you read that right. The guys all donned them (mind you, it was EXTREMELY difficult for them to see out of them which just made everything even funnier), and their antics had me in stitches. I was laughing so hard making their photos that I had tears rolling down my cheeks. What a hoot!

But that was just the start. Soon, they whipped out a pair of coke-bottle glasses from a buddy of theirs and decided to make portraits of everyone wearing them. (Nothing against glasses-wearing folks, but those are some GLASSES!) We all doubled over laughing again as everyone took their turn in front of the camera making their best faces.

After a bit we decided to pack out and hike back to the car, but it was just too beautiful of a day to call it quits. So Abby, Austin and I zipped around to make a few more portraits in the surrounding area before they and their friends headed back into town to celebrate their nuptials.

Abby and Austin! Ohmygoodness! What a truly memorable, fantastic, beautiful day! I’m so glad our paths crossed and that you invited me to document your wedding day. It was so much fun hanging out with you the evening before and on your wedding day – you all are such great folks, and I swear, my heart grew two sizes just for having met you all. Here’s to you two and a lifetime filled with happiness (and happy tears!), joy and oodles of fun! Congrats congrats congrats!

On the Docket:

Weddings, elopements and portraits – stay tuned!

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

Susan was so much fun to talk to over the phone when she contacted me about photographing her intimate Triple Creek Ranch Wedding in Darby Montana to her fiancé, Randy. She was bubbly, excited, and eager to get married in Montana! (She and Randy are from Tennessee and live at the base of the Smoky Mountains there.) So it didn’t surprise me one bit when, upon meeting the two of them, we hit it off immediately and had such a great time photographing their nuptials.

Prior to their ceremony I photographed both Susan and Randy separately around the ranch to take in the vistas, the gorgeous forested areas around the property, and of course, the horses!

Before we knew it, it was time for their ceremony. Susan walked up to the observation deck at the ranch, beaming, and as Randy turned to see his bride for the first time, a giant smile spread across his face.

The two spoke their vows to one another high above the valley, beneath the towering canopy of trees, sealed it all with a kiss, and celebrated their newlywed moment with a dance. These two are so truly in love, and getting to witness such sweet moments between them just had me grinning from ear to ear – love is so beautiful!

After they officially signed their marriage license, it was time to zip around the ranch and make some more images of Susan and Randy together. We had a great time exploring some of the gorgeous locations around the property, and had a blast visiting the horses. Susan has always loved and had horses, so she was particularly excited to meet the ranch’s herd, and they turned out to be just as eager to meet her! She’s definitely a horse whisperer!

They topped off their celebration with a visit to the chef’s table for dinner where they were treated to champagne and a meal, all in view of the kitchen.

Susan and Randy! What an absolute pleasure it was to meet you both and get to document this wonderful day in your lives! Thank you again, and I hope you have a fabulous party to celebrate back in Tennessee! Cheers to you two!

Vendor Information:

Venue: Triple Creek Ranch, Darby, Montana
Flowers: Flower Happy, Hamilton, Montana

On the Docket:

Portraits, weddings and more! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

I’ve got to admit, I wish more people got married in the wintertime. I’ve got a huge soft spot for winter weddings – especially when everything is snowy and beautiful and all the lights are warm and glowing and everything is beyond magical. Suffice it to say, Mariah and Caleb were definitely treated to a winter wedding, and their snowy Victor Montana wedding was so Montana, and so wonderful, and left me with the biggest, fullest heart and the hugest of smiles.

I’m not entirely sure how many inches of snow we were treated to that evening, but I swear, it was dumping and dumping and dumping! When I drove down the Bitterroot that evening it was near whiteout conditions, and it didn’t let up one bit until late that night. Mariah and Caleb got married a few days after Christmas on their brand new deck (built by Caleb), and I bet they shoveled it at least 5 times before their actual ceremony got underway.

Their wedding was a surprise to everyone but their parents, so it was small, intimate, and infinitely perfect in my opinion. Caleb’s best friend officiated, Louis and Colton (Mariah and Caleb’s boys) participated as well, and even their golden retriever sat down to watch these two say their “I do’s.”

Mariah was radiant in a red velvet dress she made (yes, folks, she made her dress – so impressive!!!), and all the guys were dapper in their suits. They were such sports to have their ceremony outside as the snow piled up, and despite being literally covered in snow, everyone was so happy, so excited and just entirely full of joy. Colton, at one point, took it upon himself to shovel a new pathway for us through all the fluffy snowflakes, which had us all grinning.

We moved things inside where we all dried off a bit, shared in an exuberant toast, and Colton reminded us about “CAKE!” (after *maybe* doing a little taste-testing of the frosting first). To top off their happy evening, and despite all the snow, a local restaurant stayed open just so everyone could swing by and enjoy their wedding dinner – talk about perfect!

Mariah and Caleb – thank you so much for inviting me to document such a truly wonderful day in your lives! I just adored meeting your family and am so very happy for the two of you. Here’s to you two and your wonderful, wintry wedding! Congratulations again!

On the Docket:

Portraits! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine