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

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