Despite the smoky skies that Montana has been plagued with during this last part of the summer (quite a departure from all the rain we were avoiding in the spring during their engagement session!), Andrea and Mike’s small wedding on Flathead Lake in Polson Montana at her uncle’s family cabin was beautiful. We could barely see the mountains across the lake, but I don’t think anyone minded as we were all focused on how happy Andrea and Mike were.

Their day started off with getting ready at the cabin. There was a fun energy in the air as Andrea’s sister, mother and friends helped her with her hair, makeup and putting together all the final details for the moment when she’d get to see Mike for the first time, each all decked out in their wedding day finest.

Andrea made her way down to the shoreline (in her beautiful emerald-green shoes!) to see Mike for the first time, and as he turned to catch the first glimpse of his bride, grins immediately leapt to their faces. They shared a sweet moment, we gathered the wedding party to make some fun portraits of everyone together, and soon it was time to prepare for their ceremony to start.

Guests took it all in from the shoreline as the wedding party walked out to the end of the dock, highlighted by the sunshine we were treated to that day, and framed by the wedding arch Andrea’s father made. I just love how Andrea and Mike held their ceremony on the dock – Andrea has been coming to her uncle’s cabin nearly her whole life, so this location holds a special sentimental value for many of the folks who attended their wedding.

Andrea and Mike exchanged vows with one another, grinning, laughing, and getting a little choked up as they promised their love to one another. And before they knew it, they sealed it all with a kiss, which turned into smiles and laughter walking down the aisle (or should I say, dock) as newlyweds.

Festivities continued as guests were treated to tapas and a dinner of street-tacos (a nod to Andrea and Mike’s ties to Arizona). Everyone mingled, laughed, dined and had a good time just hanging out and enjoying the lake, and were treated to tasty huckleberry cake later in the evening.

Andrea and Mike shared their first dance together down on the dock, and soon the music carried out onto the water and beckoned a few more folks to kick off their shoes and come kick up their heels as well.

The jet ski also beckoned, so Andrea changed into her reception dress (and Mike changed into his reception shorts), and it wasn’t long before they hopped onto the watercraft and took it for a little newlywed spin on the lake – a perfect end to a happy day!

Andrea and Mike! Thank you again for having me document your wedding day! I loved how sweet your wedding was, how kind all of your family and friends are, and seeing just how happy you two make one another. I hope you have many more trips to the lake in the future, filled with wonderful memories galore (which I’m sure won’t be a tall order in the least)! Congratulations again!

Vendor Information for Andrea + Mike’s Wedding on Flathead Lake in Polson Montana:

Venue: the bride’s uncle’s cabin on Flathead Lake in Polson, Montana
Florist: Dawn’s Flower Designs, Polson, Montana
Cake Artist: Black Cat Bake Shop, Missoula, Montana
Caterer: A Moveable Feast, Missoula, Montana
Rentals: Celebrate Events and Rentals, Bigfork, Montana
Wedding Dress: Luv Bridal, Phoenix, Arizona
Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal
Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse

On the Docket:

Weddings and portraits! Don’t miss out!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Sarah and Matt truly had the definition of a perfect wedding at the Barn at Finley Point in Polson Montana. It wasn’t too hot, nor too cold; they got to visit some of their favorite places on earth whilst enjoying their wedding day (Sarah grew up visiting her grandparents’ place on Flathead Lake, which is just a hop and a skip away from the Barn at Finley Point); and they enjoyed it all with the people closest to them.

Their day started out with their first look in Ronan by a favorite barn of Sarah and Matt’s – and some “bushwhacking” through fields (we had permission, don’t worry!), which ended up being pretty memorable (I think most of us had wheat kernels in our shoes by the end of our trek!), and stunningly beautiful. (Can’t beat the gorgeous Mission Mountains set off perfectly by a beaming couple!)

Soon it was time for Sarah and Matt to walk down the aisle and say their “I Do’s.” Willow leaves and a pond framed their ceremony, and friends and family smiled and laughed along with Sarah and Matt as they spoke their vows to one another. They kissed to a chorus of cheers and walked down the aisle again, this time as beaming newlyweds.

Not long after they sealed it all with a kiss, we bopped on over to Sarah’s grandparents’ place on the lake to make some images at one of her favorite places – and they were both brave enough to jump into a canoe and paddle out onto the lake a bit. Worth it!

We rejoined everyone at the barn for a tasty dinner, some heartfelt toasts, an abundance of donuts and candy, some fantastic dancing, and fun photobooth shenanigans.

Soon, the sun slid behind the clouds, leaving the warm light of the dance floor and peals of laughter spilling out into the dark Montana night.

Sarah and Matt! What an amazing day for you two! I just loved every second of your wedding, and had such a wonderful time photographing such a special day for you both. Your friends and family are the sweetest, as are you two, and it’s a complete understatement to say that I wish you all the best this world has to offer! And here’s to being back in Montana again soon! :)

Vendor Information for Sarah and Matt’s Wedding at the Barn at Finley Point

Venue: The Barn at Finley Point, Polson, Montana
Videographer: Jon Gednalske, friend from college
Florist: Dawn’s Flower Designs, Polson, Montana
DJ: Big Mountain DJs, Whitefish, Montana
Makeup Artist: 406 Beauty, Bigfork, Montana
Hair Artist: Dylen Zetterberg McCrumb
Officiant: John Christopherson
Caterer: Bravo Catering, Missoula, Montana
Rentals: Celebrate Rentals, Bigfork, Montana
Bar and Spirits: Glacier Brewing Company, Polson, Montana
Wedding Dress: the bride’s grandmother and mother’s dress
Bridesmaid Dresses: the Lauren Conrad collection from Kohl’s
Menswear: Norman’s Menswear, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

On the docket: portraits and weddings in abundance! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

The sun winked through the fluffy white clouds, the waters of Flathead Lake shimmered, and a baby hummingbird watched from his nest of moss and twigs as Cassie and Cameron spoke their vows in the presence of their friends and family during their wedding ceremony on Flathead Lake’s Polson side.

It couldn’t have been more gorgeous – the grounds, the lake, the happiness of everyone present – all helped make this wedding incredibly beautiful and sweet, made even more so by Cassie and Cameron’s smiles as they walked down the aisle, husband and wife, laughing under a shower of fragrant lavender flowers tossed by their guests.

Thank you so much for letting me share your day with you! What a perfect evening for a wedding and a great way to start a long life of happiness together!

Vendors:

Ceremony Venue: Private residence, Polson, MT
Beauty: Amber Keziah, Missoula, MT
Apparel: Beautiful Weddings, Missoula, MT
Rentals: St-Char-Ro Floral and Event Rentals, Ronan, MT
Florist: Garden City Floral, Missoula, MT
Cake: The Groom’s Mother
Reception Venue: The East Shore Smokehouse, Polson, MT
DJ: Zootown DJ, Missoula, MT

On the docket: A website design announcement, more weddings, and a sweet newborn baby boy! Stay posted!

Cheers!

-Kristine