In the midst of an incredibly fiery and smoky Montana summer, somehow we lucked out and the smoke cleared giving way to blue skies for Aika + Rob’s St Ignatius Montana intimate garden wedding, for which we were all incredibly grateful! Aika and Rob are big time rock climbers, and Aika’s got a personal connection to St. Ignatius and its views, so it was even more amazing that we got to see the mountains and make photographs with them as our spectacular backdrop.

Aika, originally from Japan, came to Montana as an exchange student back in her high school days. While she was here she stayed and studied in St. Ignatius, and eventually continued her schooling at the University of Montana. (Her older sister also had also come to Montana as an exchange student and stayed with the same host parents as well!)

Fast forward to Aika and Rob’s wedding day, and it just made sense to get to share such a special day in an equally as special place – the back yard of Aika’s host parents!

Their day started out with a first look amidst the mountains – Rob had such a happy grin on his face as he saw Aika for the first time, and we all enjoyed getting to make beautiful images of these two with such a gorgeous, mostly-smoke-free backdrop, too!

Soon it became time to get ready for their ceremony. We zipped on back to Aika’s host parents’ home and Aika and Rob hid away in their gorgeous garden, from which they’d make their grand entrance into their ceremony.

Everyone smiled as Aika and Rob pledged their vows with one another, and both Aika and Rob’s mothers shared readings – in both Japanese and English – as a touching element to their wedding. It wasn’t long before Aika and Rob were pronounced husband and wife, got to seal it all with a kiss, and then literally tied the (climbing rope) knot! All their friends and family even got to get a tug in, too.

Afterwards, everyone mingled, laughed in the sun, and was treated to a delicious smorgasbord featuring Japansese and American food, tasty cake and touching toasts.

Aika and Rob! Thank you again for inviting me to document your beautiful wedding day! It was such a treat to get to meet you in person and make these images for you. I especially enjoyed meeting all your friends and family and was so touched by all the lovely personal and cultural elements in your wedding day! (And thank you again for the goodies and food, too – so kind of you!) Here’s to a lifetime of happiness together, filled with love, climbing and plenty of Montana visits! Congratulations again!

On the Docket:

Weddings and portraits! Don’t miss out!

Cheers,

-Kristine

I had the pleasure of meeting up with Brandon and Natalie the other evening for their St Ignatius Montana engagement photos. They had just gotten in to Montana the day before (they live in Florida), and I was so eager to meet them in person as we’d only spoken by phone prior to our session and while discussing their wedding plans.

As I knew we would, we all had a blast making images for them that evening. Brandon and Natalie are truly, madly in love, and it was so sweet to watch them together, full of deep affection and smiles and gentle touches and plenty of laughter too. We wandered amongst the trees, finding perfect pockets of evening light, and were treated to a great view of the mountains behind us shifting colors as the sun went down.

Brandon and Natalie even ventured into the water a bit, and though it was rocky and their feet were bare, I’d say it was totally worth it to catch that light upon the mountains and reflecting down onto the water’s surface, turning it a lovely orangey-pink.

We finished the evening off perfectly with beers and cheers to a fun shoot (and a head’s up from a passerby alerting us to bear activity in the woods down the hill). So we wrapped things up, shared a few more laughs and got even more excited about their upcoming wedding day, which is happening this coming Saturday!

Brandon and Natalie! Thanks again for such a delightful evening – it was so fun to finally get to hang out with you two in person (and your mom, too, Brandon!), and I am SO very much looking forward to your wedding this Saturday! Yay for you two! Yay for love!

On the docket:

Weddings, portraits, and more weddings! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Laura and Tyson’s wedding – I’m not sure they could have had a prettier day or evening in which to celebrate their love for one another. The day started out with a prediction for thunderstorms, but none came. The sky was blue, the sun was bright, and when it finally came time to call it a day, the sun sank behind the mountaintops in a glow so deliciously brilliant, I swear, I could have eaten it right up.

The theme for the day with Laura and Tyson seemed to be laughter – and LOTS of it – one of my favorite things at weddings. From their moments getting ready, to their sweet mountaintop ceremony, to dancing and karaoke in the barn…laughter and smiles abounded.

The bridal party made their way up the hillside and into a small meadow surrounded by trees. Laura walked past a field of daisies and down the aisle, and the two spoke their vows to one another against the backdrop of towering trees and a stunning mountain peak. Tyson’s sister sang and guests cheered as Laura and Tyson became Mr. and Mrs. for the first time.

After the ceremony, people mingled in the sunshine, sipping on local beers and partaking in a freshly roasted pig and other goodies for dinner.

Hilarious and touching toasts were again punctuated by lots of laughter, and soon it was time to cut the cake that Tyson’s cousin had baked for the couple.

Karaoke is a favorite pastime for Laura and Tyson, so it was natural for them to set it up in the ranch’s barn, which provided ample space for dancing. The kiddos attending the wedding took advantage of the space, and wowed everyone with some pretty epic breakdancing moves!

Dancing and singing continued into the evening as the sun set and turned the mountains shades of blue and purple…to match Laura and Tyson’s wedding colors, I’m sure. ;)

Laura and Tyson – what an absolutely wonderful wedding you two had! Thank you again for inviting me into such a special day. I can’t emphasize enough how much fun I had and how beautiful it was to watch you and your families’ happiness. Here’s to many, many years ahead of you, full of love and lots laughter of course! :)

Vendors:
Venue: Mandorla Ranch, St. Ignatius, Montana
Wedding Coordinator: Mara DelliPriscoli, St. Ignatius, Montana
Florist: Friend of the bride and groom
Cake Artist: Groom’s cousin, Kaycee Hogge
Hair and Makeup: Joel Valenzuela, Colorado
Wedding Dress: from Light in the Box
Bridesmaid Dresses: from Jen Jenn
Rentals: St. Char Ro, Ronan, Montana
Officiant: Groom’s cousin
Ceremony Music: Provided by groom’s sister and cousin

On the docket: portraits, weddings and more portraits!

Cheers!

-Kristine