Merging histories, cultures, and their love story, Leah and K brought their friends and family from across the US and the world to their their Billings Historic Depot wedding in Billings, Montana. It was a beautiful October day (and unexpectedly warm for October, too!). The trees outside the depot were just starting to sport the changing colors of the season, and it truly couldn’t have been a more perfect day for Leah and K to vow their love to one another.

Their journey began in college at Yale, where they shared an internship at the Yale Art Gallery. Fast forward a few years to their wedding, and they had the most amazing blend of Armenian and Native American traditions. They pulled from Leah’s Armenian and Arab heritage, and K’s Native American Little Shell and Crow roots to easily and joyfully merge the two cultures, creating a space where love and happiness were center stage.

Leah’s uncle in his judge robes, adorned with a stole beaded by K’s mother, officiated their ceremony. And what a ceremony it was! There were happy tears, raw emotions, and so much laughter — especially when Leah tried to steal an early kiss, which K ducked! Everyone in attendance absolutely howled with laughter, as did Leah and K! Soon it was time to officially, OFFICIALLY seal it all with a kiss, and everyone cheered as the newly married couple walked down the aisle together, hand-in-hand and beaming.

Their grand entrance into the dining and dance hall was nothing short of spectacular. Leah, K, and their entire wedding party danced and wound their way through the tables to the dance floor as they performed a line dance to a traditional Armenian wedding song. Soon everyone joined in, held hands, and the dance floor was rocking! Boots stomped, people laughed, and it wasn’t long before K led everyone in a traditional Native dance, too. As someone who loves all sorts of music and dance, I was absolutely blown away by how incredibly beautiful this was to witness.

Continuing the blending of cultures, beaded bolo ties and earrings (crafted by K’s mother), adorned each member of the wedding party, including Leah’s father. The rugs, a gift from Leah’s parents and a family heirloom from Leah’s great-grandmother Leila, added layers of personal history to the celebration. Incorporating Native American traditions, a prayer was offered for Leah and K, followed by a giveaway where the couple bestowed blankets, fabric, tobacco, and money to their loved ones. The favor bags for guests were adorned with a flower designed by K’s mom and the words “thank you” in Ojibwe, Armenian, and Arabic.

Leah and K’s family shared so many beautiful, emotional toasts that had everyone laughing, and perhaps with a tear or two in their eye. The shoe game, masterfully orchestrated by Leah’s aunt Susan, added a healthy dose of extra fun to the evening, and everyone continued to kick up their heels on the dance floor as the tunes spilled out from the open doors into the indigo evening.

Leah and K! Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for inviting me to document your wedding. What a truly incredible day it was for two incredible people! Your friends and family are *chef’s kiss* stellar, and I loved every second of your day. Here’s to you and what I know will be a fabulous future together!

Vendors for Leah + K’s Billings Historic Depot Wedding:

Photographer :: Kristine Paulsen Photography, Missoula, Montana
Venue :: Billings Depot, Billings, Montana
Catering :: Mas Taco, Red Lodge, Montana
Florals :: Mac’s Floral, Billings, Montana
Coordinator :: Planning Everyday Events, Billings, Montana
Videographer :: Elevate Media, Belgrade, Montana
Cake :: Sweets by Sam, Billings, Montana
Spirits :: Magic City Casino Catering, Billings, Montana
Decorator :: Better to Gather, Billings, Montana
Hair :: Samantha Law, Billings, Montana
Makeup :: Makeup by Alexa Elise, Billings, Montana
DJ :: Magic City Productions, Billings, Montana
Officiant :: Thomas Barbar (Leah’s uncle)
Leah’s dress :: a Mikaella by Paloma Blanca design from Vows Bridal, Watertown, Massachusetts
Wedding party dresses :: from Azazie Bridal
K’s attire :: from Bindle & Keep, Brooklyn, New York
Wedding party suits :: from Suitshop

On the docket:

Portraits! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

After a couple years of planning and several delays (you know, because pandemic times), I was beyond delighted to document Matthew and Andrew’s Woodson Ranch Wedding in Sheridan Montana.

Not only is the ranch absolutely gorgeous, it’s also incredibly special to Matthew and his family. His grandfather purchased the ranch when he was born and his family has been running it ever since as part of the Ruby Habitat Foundation (which is super cool — check it out!). Matthew spent three summers working on the ranch, as well as many summers visiting it.

After having met Andrew, they would visit the ranch often. And, in fact, they even got engaged there, too! (They gave each other watches.)

So, it made perfect sense for Matthew and Andrew to say their “I Do’s” at a place so very special to them both. It was such a gorgeous day for their wedding. The Ruby mountains made for a majestic backdrop and the Ruby River ran in front of the house, keeping all the local birds happy and well-watered.

We started out the day by making portraits of the wedding party and Matthew and Andrew’s families, having a blast laughing together, and getting excited about their upcoming ceremony. Soon it was time to get started, and both Matthew and Andrew walked down the aisle on their mothers’ arms.

Each shared their emotion-filled and humorous vows with one another, exchanged rings, and sealed it all with a kiss. They walked down the aisle as husband and husband as friends and family tossed petals into the air and cheered for the newly married grooms.

Guests were treated to a delicious multi-course meal, scrumptious pie and ice cream, and were entertained by numerous toasts.

As the sun meandered its way behind the mountains, everyone kicked up their heels on the dance floor, had fun donning colorful wigs, and sang their hearts out as the music soared into the starry, starry night.

Matthew and Andrew! What a wonderful day and evening it was for you! Thank you again for inviting me to document such joy and happiness in your lives. I’m so excited for you two and wish you a life filled to the brim with love, which you’ve clearly already got a great start on. :) Congratulations again!

Vendors for Matthew and Andrew’s Woodson Ranch wedding in Sheridan Montana:

Venue: Woodson Ranch, Sheridan, Montana
DJ: Bozeman DJ, Bozeman, Montana
Caterer and Serving Staff: The Shovel & Spoon, Sheridan, Montana
Groomsmaid dresses: from Azazie
Menswear: from Articles of Style and The Black Tux

On the docket:

Portraits, weddings, brand shoots and editorial work! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

I was so excited to photograph Jackson and Logan’s engagement pictures in Missoula Montana because I knew we’d have such a great time making images together. I actually initially “virtually met” Jackson through Instagram where we connected via my little bird, Flash, who has a tendency to be featured in some of my posts on the platform. (At one time Jackson had a bird as well.) So when Jackson asked me if I’d be interested in talking more with him and Logan about photographing their wedding, I was so excited to get to meet them in person! (Turns out they’d been guests at Christine and Pete’s wedding that I photographed in 2014.) As I suspected, Jackson and Logan are just so sweet and so in love, and it’s no surprise that it was such a blast to photograph their engagement session. (There was lots and lots of laughter involved!) I also adored that they brought their dog, Dexter, with them to their session, too. (He’s a total sweetheart!)

We had such a nice time wandering through the grassy fields, chatting, and watching Dexter have a blast (and I loved seeing Jackson and Logan crack up at his antics, too).

If this fun session was a precursor to their wedding day (which I’m sure it was), then I am just beyond excited to photograph their nuptials in 2017.

Jackson and Logan! What an awesome session with you two (and Dexter!) – it’s such a treat to see how much you two love one another and I cannot wait for June to roll around! Your wedding day is going to be fantastic and I can’t wait to document such a special day in your lives for you! Here’s to you two!

On the docket: weddings and portraits and even more weddings and portraits galore! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Autumn weddings are my absolute favorite, and Hannah and Laura’s Missoula Montana Ranch Club Wedding was no exception to this. The sun was shining, the blue sky was filled with beautiful, textural clouds, and these ladies were bursting with happiness and beyond excited to get married (their megawatt smiles *might* have given them away a little). That’s pure perfection in my book.

Before their ceremony they had a super sweet first look – (see above comment about megawatt smiles). We had a great time making some portraits, and then it was time to hide them both away for their big reveal.

Family and friends smiled and teared up as Hannah and Laura walked down the aisle. Their ceremony was framed by a gorgeous mountain backdrop, punctuated with lots of laughter, and topped off with exceptionally heartfelt vows. Everyone cheered as Hannah and Laura sealed their vows with a kiss for the first time as wife and wife.

This happy energy continued throughout their reception as friends and family mingled, laughed and kicked up their heels as the dance music started. Soon the bright sun of the day tapered off into a stunning sunset, and Hannah, Laura and I went running pel-mel to catch the last rays of the day, and oh what beautiful light it was!

We rejoined everyone so Hannah and Laura could toss their bouquets simultaneously (both caught by their sisters!), and the dancing and fun continued inside as the sky turned a deep blue, a little half moon glinting in the night.

Hannah and Laura – what an absolutely beautiful, beyond happy, wonderful day for you two! It was such an honor to document your wedding and your love for one another, and I swear, I’m STILL smiling my face off just thinking about it. I am so happy for you both, and I wish you a lifetime of happiness, which I know you’ll accomplish easily. Cheers to you two!

Vendors:

Venue: The Ranch Club, Missoula, Montana
Brides’ Bouquets: Habitat Floral, Missoula, Montana
Cake and Cookies: Rosauers, Missoula, Montana
Makeup: Skin Chic, Missoula, Montana
Hair: The Total Look Salon, Missoula, Montana
Wedding Dresses: David’s Bridal
Tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse, Missoula, Montana

On the docket: one more 2015 wedding and portraits, portraits, portraits!

Cheers,

-Kristine