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

Getting to meet Courtney and Daniel for their autumn Triple Creek Ranch wedding in Darby Montana was such a treat, and despite it being a fairly rainy day, these two didn’t let it faze them one bit. They just smiled and laughed and said it added to the charm of their day, and I couldn’t agree more!

Because it was raining, they chose to get married on a balcony overlooking the valley – and it was such a perfect ceremony. Courtney and Daniel had so much love in their eyes for one another, and were happier than happy after they got to seal it all with a kiss.

Courtney and Daniel both grew up on opposite coasts, but met online about four and a half years ago, and now both live in South Carolina. When I asked them what had drawn them to get married in Montana, Courtney told me that she really wanted an autumn wedding, and after seeing my fall images from the ranch online, it sealed the deal for them.

We all had such a great time going on a tour of the ranch, finding fantastic little pockets of that autumn color Courtney and Daniel love so much, and dodging a few raindrops here and there. (Courtney joked that her dress was getting heavier and heavier as we got rained on more and more throughout our shoot! To her credit, though, you’d never know it – she didn’t let the rain bother her at all!)

I think one of my most favorite things about documenting their day was just how lovingly Daniel looked at Courtney – even when she didn’t notice. That always says so much to me, and to see these two so in love was the icing on the proverbial cake!

At one point we decided to stop over by a horse pasture and say hi to all the horses and foals who were hanging out watching our antics. A mama and a baby became pretty curious about what we were up to, so they began to meander our direction. One little foal had us all cracking up as he refused to eat the treat he’d been given, and instead decided to play with it, and give us a great show, with his teeth and treat as the main attraction. What a hoot!

Courtney and Daniel! Thank you again for such a lovely afternoon with you both! I absolutely adored getting to meet you and had a blast with you as we got to make these images for you! Here’s to you two, an incredibly happy lifetime ahead, and perhaps more Montana visits in the future! :) Congratulations again to you both!

Vendor Information for Courtney and Daniel’s Autumn Triple Creek Ranch Wedding:

Venue: Triple Creek Ranch, Darby, Montana
Florist: Flower Happy Floral, Hamilton, Montana

On the Docket:

Weddings and portraits! Stay posted!

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 have a soft spot in my heart for intimate weddings and elopements, and Leah and Rob’s elopement in Glacier National Park was no exception. Rob has been visiting Montana for years, but last year he took Leah out to Glacier for the first time (they live in Massachusetts), and she absolutely fell in love with it – hence their (excellent) decision to get married in Montana!

We were treated to a spectacular, sunny day in the park, which was particularly nice for Leah. When she had originally visited Glacier it was pretty socked in with cloud cover and mist, so Leah was literally seeing a lot of the park again for the first time! The two held their ceremony on a rocky shoreline of Lake McDonald as the sun glinted off the water and waves lapped at the pebbles. Leah and Rob shared their vows with one another, smiling and laughing all the while, and then finally got to make it official with a kiss and signing of their Montana marriage license.

We took advantage of the gorgeous day and tootled around, finding pretty places (not at all a challenge in Glacier, of course!), and making images as we went. One of our pit stops had us poking around into the recesses of a beautiful cedar forest. Beams of light filtered through the tall trees, landing in perfect patches against the craggy rocks and brilliant moss. And we just happened to find ourselves a little “mini” weeping wall within the forest with perfect light, and I may have gotten a little excited (ok, overly excited – who are we kidding here…sweet light makes me gaga!), and Leah and Rob fit into the scene just like a dream!

We popped out of the forest and moved along from creek to spectacular vista after vista, and were even graced by fields of wildflowers still in bloom! Leah and Rob were so much fun to work with (I’m not sure we ever stopped cracking up!), and it was so fun to capture images of the two of them in a place they adore so much.

We topped off our little “photo tour” by catching the last light on the lake, watching the sun go golden and then pink and then hide from us completely – the perfect end to a perfect day!

Leah and Rob! Thank you again for such a wonderful day spent with the two of you! I’m so glad serendipity brought us together and that I got to make these images for you on such a special day in your lives in such a meaningful place to the two of you. You are such a blast and were so much fun to hang out with as we made your photos – and my offer still stands for beers the next time you come through Montana! Congrats, and thank you, thank you, thank you again! Yay for being married in Montana!

Vendor Information for Leah and Rob’s Elopement in Glacier National Park:

Officiant: Rev. Chrysta L. Bourne, Kalispell, Montana

On the docket:

Weddings and portraits! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I ADORE. AdoreAdoreAdore elopements. And I absolutely loved everything about Katherine Ann and David’s elopement at Triple Creek Ranch in Darby Montana. They came to the ranch by way of Colorado, and were treated to some of Montana’s finest fall colors for their special day.

We started out the day by photographing Katherine Ann as she was getting ready, and once all the buttons were buttoned and the shoes were fastened, we headed down the road to surprise David, who was ever-so-patiently waiting to see his beautiful bride for the first time. There was laughter, there were tears, there were hugs. And it was perfect.

Upon seeing one another, Katherine Ann and David were eager to go and get married! So we headed down the mountain a bit and the two walked hand in hand down to the pond to say their vows to one another with the mountains as their backdrop. As is fitting for these two, there was more laughter and a few more sneaky little tears, and soon they were pronounced husband and wife, each sporting smiles a mile wide.

To celebrate, we all partook in some champagne toasts beneath the golden aspen trees as Katherine Ann and David signed their license to make it all truly official.

We continued on our photo adventures around the ranch, came across some friendly horses (who were particularly interested in dining on Katherine Ann’s bouquet), and even made time for a first dance looking out over the valley and treetops. To top off a perfect day, Katherine Ann and David enjoyed celebratory cocktails at the ranch’s bar.

Katherine Ann and David! My goodness! What a truly wonderful, wonderful day it was for you both. I absolutely loved getting to document such a wonderful moment in your lives, and had such a great time hanging out with you while making these images. Y’all make me smile! :) Here’s to many fond Montana memories, with return visits in the future! Cheers to you two!

On the docket: weddings and portraits! Stay tuned!

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

Upon first chatting with Kristina and Ben about their upcoming Darby Montana elopement at the Triple Creek Ranch, I knew that we’d have such a fabulous time making images for the two of them. They love the outdoors, are beyond sweet, and were really excited about visiting Montana for the first time. It also didn’t hurt that Kristina’s a fellow redhead, and we even share the same initials! I tell you, Meant. To. Be! (And as Kristina would say, “Kismet!”)

The day of their elopement arrived, and I think we were all a little nervous about how the weather would behave (or misbehave). It had been raining for days and days (which, in Montana, you must be grateful for, even if it might hamper photos), but mother nature decided to give us all a break, and let us off with a few sprinkles here and there, and some super lush landscapes.

And truly – it couldn’t have been a more beautiful, perfect day for Kristina and Ben. Partly because of our location, but really because of how happy and joyful and in love these two are. The scenery was just the icing on the cake. Kristina and Ben beamed at each other as they spoke their vows amidst a few softly falling raindrops (and the splash of a fish in the pond behind them!). Kristina became a little choked up, but her tears were happy ones, and soon she and Ben were pronounced husband and wife, and we (officiant, ranch hand, photographer and Kristina and Ben) all cheered together for the two happy newlyweds.

One of my favorite things about elopements is how much freedom we have to just play, explore and have an absolute blast making images. And we did all of that and then some. Dodging the raindrops, we dashed around the ranch, laughing all the way, zipped on down to the water, waved at some elk, went in search of some cool rocks, said hello to some bighorn sheep, and got ourselves up close and personal to the rapidly running river once again. Words don’t do it justice to say that this was a completely wonderful day!

Kristina and Ben – I know I’ve said it before, probably about a bazillion times – but thank you so much for inviting me to document this truly special, beautiful day in your lives. It was such a pleasure to get to meet you both, and I loved every single second of the time we got to run around making images for you two. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness and many, many more Montana visits in the future! :)

On the docket: portraits and weddings galore! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine