I’ve been SO excited to photograph Breanna and Branden’s Corvallis Montana Bitterroot Barn wedding ever since we first started talking about their wedding day. Especially so, after having the pleasure of capturing their engagement photos for them. Breanna and Branden are the sweetest people, so I knew their wedding would be filled with joy, love and laughter, and lots of personal touches – and oh, was it ever!

It was a damp, October day, the trees had just begun to turn golden, and the deep blue backdrop of the Bitterroots contrasted perfectly with the brilliant yellows and oranges in the valley, all wrapped in low-hanging, misty clouds. Despite it being a little rainy, it didn’t bother Breanna and Branden one bit, and as a little bonus, they were able to have their wedding ceremony outside.

Branden had nothing but smiles for his bride as she walked down the aisle on her parents’ arms, beaming, beatific, and excited to see her love at the altar. Their ceremony was filled with heartfelt words, plenty of laughter and deep connection. As Breanna and Branden promised their forevers to one another, various flocks of geese flew by, migrating their way south for the winter.

The two literally tied the knot (which was made up of multiple strands of yarn that had been knotted by everyone in attendance), sealed it all with a kiss, and walked back down the aisle again as newlyweds, grinning to beat the band.

After their ceremony, we took a few moments to make photos together before the rain really started coming down, and had a great time traipsing about, finding fun little spots off the beaten path, and overall just being super excited about all things wedding day!

Breanna and Branden rejoined their family and friends in the barn, and were treated to some fantastic toasts and laughs that had everyone chuckling. They kicked off the rest of the evening by sharing a slice of wedding pie together, and it wasn’t long before everyone packed the dance floor and had that old barn shaking. Folks got their groove thang on, sang their hearts out, and had a great time spending time with family and friends as the rain poured down outside.

Breanna and Branden! It totally goes without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway – what an absolutely beautiful day! Thank you again for inviting me into such a special, joy-filled day in your lives. It truly has been an honor to get to capture such important moments for you, and I just adored every second of your wedding. You are a lucky couple to be surrounded by such caring family and friends, many of whom I had the pleasure of getting to talk with here and there throughout your wedding day. You two are already so great together, so here’s to an even more splendid future as husband and wife and partners in life! And last, but certainly not least, from the bottom of my heart, congrats, congrats, congrats again!

Vendor Information for Breanna + Branden’s Corvallis Montana Bitterroot Barn Wedding:

Venue: Bitterroot Barn at Teller Wildlife Refuge, Corvallis, Montana
Coordinator: Chelsea Maroney, 406 Events, Missoula, Montana
Videographer: Jared Iler, friend of the groom, Missoula, Montana
Photo Booth: Mark Cluney, Missoula, Montana
Florist: Habitat Floral, Missoula, Montana
Feathers & Bottle Centerpieces: The bride’s creation
Ceremony, Cocktail Hour & Dinner Musicians: Two Cats & A Fiddle, Missoula, Montana
Reception Band: Shodown, Missoula, Montana
Makeup Artist: Meraki Rose, Missoula, Montana
Hair Artist: Hilary Aller (cousin’s wife)
Officiant: Lawrence Moran (friend)
Caterer: Crave Catering & Cakes, Missoula, Montana
Table Rentals: Oh-So-Chic Boutique, Missoula, Montana
Paper Goods: Invites by Noteworthy, Missoula, Montana, and programs by the bride
Wedding Dress: a Maggie Sottero design
Maid of Honor Dress: from Miusol
Menswear: from The Western Company

On the Docket:

Weddings, portraits, and editorial work – 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

Christine and Alex’s summertime Gibson Mansion wedding was pretty much as close to a fairytale, storybook wedding as one can imagine. The day was beautiful, the happiness in the air was tangible, and even the little bit of rain that showed up in the evening just added to the overall romantic feeling of the day. It was perfect for these two, who actually met when Christine was cast as a princess in a Missoula Children’s Theater production, and Alex was cast as the prince. Talk about serendipitous!

We started the day off by documenting Christine and her ladies as they all readied themselves at the mansion. Everyone was laughing and giggling, and it was so fun to see Christine peek out the second-story window to check out the goings on below, about which she was just so excited!

As soon as she had her dress on, it was time for a first look with her father, which was so sweet, and so special (there may have been a few tears, but that’s what made this moment so touching!).

Before we knew it, it was time for the ceremony to begin. Christine’s uncle officiated and as Christine and her dad walked out from the garden, Alex’s response to seeing his bride for the first time nearly had me choking up too – emotions are truly beautiful!

Throughout the ceremony there were more happy tears, lots of laughter, and Christine and Alex poured sands together from New York and California coasts. Soon it was time to seal it all with a kiss! And these two were eager and delighted to do so – everyone clapped and cheered and Christine and Alex walked down the aisle as beaming, happy newlyweds.

After their ceremony we took a moment to take advantage of the breeze that was blowing that afternoon and zip off for a bit to make some photos of just the two of them. Christine’s cathedral veil caught the wind MAGNIFICENTLY – I may have been slightly beside myself it was so gosh darn gorgeous! And we all had a blast making those images together – these two are certainly made for one another.

We rejoined the party where everyone was treated to tasty appetizers, a scrumptious meal, an insanely beautiful cake, and oodles of fantastic toasts that had everyone cracking up. Oh, and lest we forget, folks were treated to a smorgasbord of cookies, all to pair with Big Dipper ice cream from the Big Dipper ice cream truck.

And then the party really started up! Christine is the founder of a dance studio in Missoula so epic dancing was definitely on the list for the evening. And dance they did! They defied gravity, they bent their backs in ways I didn’t think were possible, they worked it for the camera, they danced with ice cream cones, they created a conga line – they DANCED! And it was fantastic.

The evening wound down with a perfect bouquet and garter toss from the second floor balcony of the mansion, and I managed to steal Christine and Alex away for some quick romantic, rainy portraits. And I’m SO glad they braved the rain for those photos, because talk about an awesome mood for a prince and princess, right?

Christine and Alex! I could write so much more here, because you two are flipping amazing, but I’ll do my best to keep it short(ish). Thank you from the bottom of my heart for inviting me to capture such a memorable, amazing, joy-filled day for you both. I adored meeting your family and friends, and getting to work with you two again, was of course, my favorite. I hope you had a blast on your honeymoon, and I’m just SO excited that you two get to live together, happily ever after! Congratulations again!

Vendors for Christine and Alex’s Summertime Gibson Mansion Wedding:

Venue: The Gibson Mansion, Missoula, Montana
Officiant: the bride’s Uncle
Florist: Garden City Floral, Missoula, Montana
DJ: RMF Entertainment, Missoula, Montana
Haie & Makeup Artist: Kelly with Bella Sauvage, Missoula, Montana
Caterer: The Silk Road, Missoula, Montana
Cookies: Mary’s Mountain Cookies, Missoula, Montana
Ice Cream: Big Dipper Ice Cream, Missoula, Montana
Rentals: Eastgate Rentals and Oh So Chic, Missoula, Montana
Cake: made by a friend of the bride
Wedding Dress: Velvet Bride, Missoula, Montana
Menswear: Joseph A Banks

On the Docket:

Weddings, elopements, portraits and more! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

I’ve got to tell you, there’s nothing quite like witnessing true love between a couple. But equally as amazing is getting to see just how much love their friends and family have for them and vice versa. And this was absolutely paramount during Haley and Kevin’s Sacajawea Hotel wedding in Three Forks Montana.

Their day was a surprisingly cold one for mid-September. Driving to Three Forks from Missoula, I encountered quite a bit of snow on the pass, and it was raining when I arrived in Three Forks. But the early cold snap, wintry temperatures and raindrops didn’t dampen Haley and Kevin’s day in the least. Not one iota!

Haley was all smiles and laughter as she got ready for her big day in the hotel with some of her best friends and mom, but there may have been a few teary eyes, too, as she surprised her mom and dad with gifts. Not long after, it was time for Haley and Kevin’s first look. We stuck to the hotel’s porch so we could keep Haley’s dress dry, and Kevin’s happy grin as he saw Haley for the first time was perfection.

Friends and family streamed into the hotel lobby, and soon Haley and Kevin’s ceremony began. Initially they were going to be married in the grassy backyard of the hotel, but the rain pushed folks inside. However, I don’t think there was an ounce of consternation over the change in plans. First and foremost, everyone was just so beyond happy for Haley and Kevin, and secondly, after the terribly smoky summer Montana experienced, we were all beyond grateful for some moisture to finally head our direction!

Haley and Kevin’s ceremony was full of touching words, some teary eyes, lots of laughter, and so much love and happiness. It wasn’t long before the two got to seal it all with a kiss and head into a crowd of friends and family cheering for them and showering them with kisses and hugs.

Festivities continued into the evening with a tasty dinner, delicious cake and plenty of fantastic toasts that brought a few more tears to people’s eyes. But the party really kicked into high gear when the dancing started. Folks packed the dance floor, sang their lungs out, cheered on Haley and her wardrobe change (she had some sweet wedding pants to wear so she could REALLY dance!), and had themselves one heckuva good time. In the middle of all this, Haley and Kevin were sweet enough to indulge me in a quick, romantic photo amidst the raindrops, which I’m still so excited they were gung ho to do. (Thanks again, you two!)

As the lights twinkled outside of the hotel, Haley and Kevin’s party continued on into the evening – loud, and happy and full of love. Such a perfect day for these two.

Haley and Kevin! I know I’ve already said this approximately a bazillion times to you, but holy moly – you two are fantabulous. It was such, such, SUCH a pleasure to be witness to and get to document such a truly beautiful, amazing day in your lives. And your friends and family are second to none – what a great crew you’ve got! Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to capture all these amazing moments, and a huge congratulations again to you both! You two deserve all the happiness this world’s got to give you. :) Here’s to years and years full of continued joy, love, and laughter!

Vendor Information for Haley and Kevin’s Sacajawea Hotel Wedding in Three Forks Montana:

Venue, Catering and Bar: Sacajawea Hotel, Three Forks, Montana
Florist: Casey Konen
Cake and Desserts: Park Avenue Bakery, Helena, Montana
DJ: Matt Boyle, Butte, Montana
Makeup Artist: Alex Canavan, Butte, Montana
Hair Artist: Jessica Plum
Invitations: designed by Betty Lu Paperie and printed by Allegra Printing of Missoula, Montana
Wedding Dress: a Theia design from Velvet Bride, Missoula, Montana
Bridesmaid Dress: Nordstrom
Menswear: JC Penney

On the Docket:

Weddings and portraits! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

It was certainly a rainy and wet day for Megan and Marty’s Six Mile Estate Wedding in Bigfork Montana, but these two aren’t ones to let a little bit of rain dampen their spirits one bit.

Megan was so happy as she got ready in one of the cabins on the property – rain pelted down outside, but she took it all in stride, eager and excited to walk down the aisle and see her groom.

Initially, because of how wet it was, the ceremony was going to be moved inside. But at the last second, the clouds broke a bit, the rain let up, and a group of folks helped move the benches out to the grass, wipe them off, and get people ready to witness Megan and Marty say their “I do’s” on the shore of Swan Lake.

Marty grinned as he made his way down the aisle, and smiled even more as he saw Megan walk down the slate pathway on her father’s arm, beaming just as much as Marty was.

Megan and Marty’s ceremony was full of emotion extending the whole gamut – from laughter to happy tears, their ceremony had it all. And, for a moment of comic relief, their dog decided to try to convince Marty to toss him a stick (which Marty did – so perfect!). As the two were pronounced husband and wife, their faces said it all as they joyfully kissed and embraced one another. Friends and family cheered for the new couple, and soon they were surrounded by folks eager to shower them with well-wishes.

Though the rain had started up again, luckily it was just a drizzle at this point, so Megan, Marty, their two dogs, and I dashed out to the lake to make some fun images of the newlyweds with those misty Montana mountains as a backdrop.

Soon we joined everyone inside to dry off, get the dancing started and enjoy some seriously awesome dinner featuring flavors from Megan’s Mississippi roots and Marty’s Wisconsin roots (a big Hey! to all you Chippewa Falls folks from a Ladysmith gal!). Megan and Marty were serenaded by friends of theirs as they kicked up their heels, and friends and family quickly joined them on the dance floor, too.

Megan and Marty! What an absolutely wonderful day for you two! I love you how both embraced the wacky weather, but more importantly, I just adored seeing how deeply you both love one another. It was such a treat to document this happy day in your lives, which I’m sure is just a start to many, many more. :) Congrats!

Vendors for Megan and Marty’s Six Mile Estate Wedding in Bigfork Montana:

Venue: Six Mile Estate, Bigfork, Montana
Band: The Levitators, Missoula, Montana
Caterer: The Kitchen, Missoula, Montana
Rentals: Celebrate Event Event and Party Rental, Bigfork, Montana
Transportation: Montana Trolley Company, Kalispell, Montana
Paper Goods: Noteworthy Paper and Press, Missoula, Montana
Wedding and Bridesmaid Dress: from BHLDN

On the docket: weddings and portraits – stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine