It was a bit of a chilly and wet day for Rosie and Zach’s Missoula private residence wedding, but that certainly didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits in the least bit. Anticipation was high, smiles were frequent and everyone was excited for the moment that Rosie and Zach got to see each other as she walked down the aisle.

That moment came quickly, and Zach, completely moved by seeing his bride, had to blink back a few tears. But the tears soon gave way to laughter as the two spoke their vows to one another and exchanged rings. They were blessed by a Native American smudge ceremony as a nod to Rosie’s heritage, and sealed it all with a kiss.

As friends and family made their way to the Buck Snort restaurant for the reception, Zach, Rosie, a friend of theirs, and I zipped on up the mountainside to make some portraits of the newlyweds in the forest. We came across an opening in the trees and even stumbled across some early autumn colors as well, and Rosie and Zach took a moment to soak in their new status as husband and wife.

We rejoined everyone at the reception, and folks were treated to dinner among a few raindrops, some good jams by the live band, tasty cake, toasts, a warm bonfire, and dancing under the inky black sky.

Rosie and Zach! A huge congratulations again to you, and thank you so much for inviting me to document your wedding day! You two are so sweet, so special and so wonderfully in love with one another, and it was an absolute pleasure to document the start of your marriage. Here’s to years full of laughter and love, happy tears and sweet smiles!

Vendors:

Venue: Private residence, Evaro, Montana
Reception Venue and Catering: The Buck Snort Restaurant, Evaro, Montana
Wedding and Reception Coordinator: Hiedi Bulkley
Reception Coordinator: Molly Casey
Cake Artist: Clancy Casey, the bride’s cousin
Band: Under the Bleachers, Helena, Montana
Makeup: Mary Foust
Hair Artist: Kelly Casey, sister of the bride
Dress: a Rue De Seine design from The Dress Theory, Seattle, Washington
Officiant: Eldena Bear Don’t Walk

On the docket: weddings and portraits – stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Oh Glacier. Glacier Glacier Glacier. There’s just something so magical about this place. It twinkles. It sparkles. It intrigues. It awes. And it inspires.

Heather and Matt know this firsthand. They’ve both had a love for Glacier for a while, and Matt even proposed to Heather while visiting the park, so it was only fitting that they join their lives together in such a magical, meaningful place.

The morning started out with some fly fishing for the guys in the park, and lots of small brook trout were caught (and released) as we all waded up the creek to Trick Falls. Not a shabby way to start their wedding day!

The ladies readied themselves in the Glacier Park Lodge, sharing laughs and a few happy tears before boarding one of the bright red Glacier Park jammer buses, driven by Jammer Joe, to take them to the Two Medicine Amphitheater in the park to start their ceremony.

Jack Gladstone sang and played the guitar as the bridal party, and Heather and Matt made their way to the Chupah, the sun shining down between the tall trees surrounding the amphitheater.

Heather and Matt were blessed with a traditional smudge ceremony, the sage smoke lightly brushed over them with feathers. The two spoke their vows to one another, smiles sneaking in amongst their words, and soon their friends and family were cheering for them as they kissed.

Guests joined them in a processional down to Pray Lake, where both the Ketubah and marriage license were signed, sun glinting off the gentle waves.

As guests made their way back to the lodge, Heather, Matt and I sneaked away to make some lovely Glacier portraits before they made their grand entrance back at the lodge. Guests cheered and high-fived them as they danced their way into the tent to the song, “Celebration,” which immediately lead into a lively Horah dance.

Family and friends dined on a delicious meal and soon began to laugh and shed a few tears as toasts punctuated the evening. Shoes didn’t stay on long as folks took to the dance floor and showed off some sweet dance moves.

As the evening wound down, Heather and Matt were sent off through a tunnel of sparklers and danced off into the evening together as husband and wife.

Heather and Matt – what a gorgeous day for you two! It was such a pleasure to be able to document such personal touches in your wedding day, and I wish you many more magical trips to Glacier, with even more bear sightings. ;) Congrats again!

East Glacier Wedding Vendors:

Getting Ready and Reception Venue: Glacier Park Lodge, East Glacier, Montana
Lodge Event Planner: Rachel Schmidt, East Glacier, Montana
Ceremony site: Two Medicine Amphitheater, Two Medicine Campground, Glacier National Park
Transportation: Glacier National Park Jammer Buses
Ceremony Musician: Jack Gladstone, Kalispell, Montana
Wedding Planner: Teresa Kennedy, assisted by Kerry, with Perfect Montana Wedding, Bigfork, Montana
Videographer: Paul Neff with White Cliff Productions, Kalispell, Montana
Florist: Conrad Floral, Joyce Billmayer, Bigfork, Montana
Cake: Cakes by Debi, Kalispell, Montana
DJ: DJ Heart, Missoula, Montana
Hair Artist: Kelly Kasey, Boom Swagger Salon, Missoula, Montana

On the docket: lots more weddings and lots more portraits – don’t miss them!

Cheers,

-Kristine