Frankie and Matt’s intimate springtime Missoula Courthouse wedding was the epitome of beautiful simplicity, and chock-full of joy, happiness and love.

When Frankie first got in touch with me about photographing their wedding, she told me that she’s originally from Missoula and grew up on a 21-acre apple farm. The farm has since been developed, but apple trees and the Rattlesnake area of Missoula in particular, are still incredibly important to her. So it was absolutely fitting that she and Matt decided to have their first look beside a blossoming apple tree in the Rattlesnake.

And it really couldn’t have been more magical. They were both so excited to see one another, and the total elation on their faces had me grinning from ear to ear behind the camera. Even Frankie’s family dog, Jazzy (a 12-year-old black lab and collie mix), joined them for their first look!

As the thunder started rumbling and we could see wispy sheets of rain falling in the distance, we decided to zip down to the creek to make a few more images before heading our way to the courthouse. I’m so thankful to Frankie’s friend (who joined us as we made images) brought along an umbrella. Which, as it turns out, was very much needed as the storm moved in and absolutely downpoured on us! As we made our way back to our cars, Frankie got everyone giggling as she looked at Matt who was thoughtfully holding the umbrella for her, “You’re my umbrella-holder for life!”

After everyone dried off a bit it was time for Frankie and Matt to say their “I Do’s” in front of their friends and family who met up with them in the courthouse. The excitement in the air was tangible and before long everyone was ushered into one of the courtrooms to get Frankie and Matt officially married!

There was laughter, a few tears, and absolute happiness as Frankie and Matt were pronounced married, and their family cheered for them.

We finished the afternoon off by making some super fun family photos with everyone involved, as well as a few more images of the newly-minted married couple before they headed off to enjoy a lovely meal with their family and friends to celebrate their nuptials.

Frankie and Matt! My goodness, what an absolute pleasure it was to make these photos for you and document these memories! I loved every single second of the time I got to spend with you, and I’m just so darn happy for you both. Here’s to a many more magical springtimes for you, filled with apple blossoms along the way! Congrats, congrats, congrats again!

On the docket:

Weddings and portraits galore! Stay posted!

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 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

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

There is something decidedly romantic about an autumn wedding – especially when it takes place at a gorgeous mansion surrounded by colorful foliage, and really celebrates an intimate ceremony.

When I met up with Jennifer and Brian at the Roberts Mansion in Spokane, Washington, sun streamed in through the stained glass windows as Jennifer readied herself to see her groom. And as she stepped out of the mansion doors and he saw her for the first time, his eyes lit up and a big smile spread across his face.

Their ceremony was thoughtful, simple and beautiful. The two held each other’s hands and looked into one another’s eyes as they promised to love each other for the rest of their lives.

As everyone hugged each other, and laughed and cried, we all popped into the Secret Garden and made our own confetti with the fallen maple leaves scattered throughout the garden. As the sun dipped below the horizon, everyone stepped inside the mansion for some dancing, cake-cutting, and especially heartfelt toasts.

Jennifer and Brian – thank you again for inviting me into such a beautiful moment in your lives. It was an honor to document your wedding day for you, and I hope you have many years of happiness and laughter ahead of you!

Vendors:

Venue: Roberts Mansion, Spokane, Washington

On the docket: portraits! Don’t miss them!

Cheers,

-Kristine