After such an amazing/fun/unique engagement session with Shannon and Jud this past autumn, I knew their Stone Tower Estate wedding in Stevensville Montana would be equally as wonderful. And, no surprise, they didn’t disappoint in the least.

Shannon and Jud started off their day with a really fun first look (Jud’s expression is just SO great!), and then we had fun making portraits with the two of them and their bridal party. And by fun, I mean LOTS of fun. Shannon, Jud and their friends and family are a great group and they definitely had themselves a good time as we made images together. (I’d also like to “shout out” the old chairs from the Wilma theater that Shannon and Jud brought along – such a cool, essentially-Missoula idea!)

As Shannon and Jud hid away for a bit before their wedding ceremony start, friends and family had a great time catching up and enjoying appetizers and drinks in the garden area of the estate. Kids ran and played (and munched on tasty garden treats they came across), bluebirds flitted, and everyone was full of smiles as they waited eagerly for the ceremony to start.

Soon it was time to go, and the wedding party made their way down a lushly green aisle with misty mountains as a backdrop. Shannon and Jud grinned at each other throughout their ceremony, and when it came time to seal it all with a kiss, they high-fived first, much to the enjoyment of everyone gathered to witness their nuptials.

Guests were soon treated to a tasty dinner, scrumptious desserts and some truly fantastic toasts. Before long, it was time to make some room in the barn to dance and folks began to cut a rug and groove to the music while a beautiful sunset made way for a (nearly) strawberry moon.

Shannon and Jud – oh my. It is an understatement to say just how much of a pleasure it’s been getting to photograph such happy and exciting milestones in your lives. I am so thrilled for you two, and I know that you’re going to have a life full of adventure and laughter together. Congrats, congrats, congrats again to you both!

Vendors for Shannon and Jud’s Stone Tower Estate wedding in Stevensville Montana:

Venue: Stone Tower Estate, Stevensville, Montana
Florist: Bitterroot Flower Shop, Missoula, Montana
Cake: Crave Catering and Cakes, Missoula, Montana
DJ: Zootown DJ, Missoula, Montana
Hair and Makeup: Boom Swagger Salon, Missoula, Montana
Officiant: Robert Stubblefield, Missoula, Montana
Catering: Caffe Firenze, Florence, Montana
Transportation: Tucker Transportation, Lolo, Montana
Bar and Spirits: The Rhino, Missoula, Montana
Wedding Dress: An Eddky K design from Raffine Bridal
Bridesmaid Attire: from Raffine Bridal
Menswear: from Dillards

On the docket: weddings and portraits galore! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

There’s nothing quite as perfect as a sunny Montana evening hanging out with two fantastic people, and Hannah and Laura’s Stevensville Montana engagement session certainly lived up to that description! Technically, Hannah and Laura were married this past September, so this was more of a “belated” engagement session, but still, absolutely just as fun.

We started out by photographing them with their dog, Dorothy, and their cat, Sherman – who are both just a cute as bugs in a rug, and clearly in adoration of their parents. Dorothy was one happy lady, and was pretty excited about the whole session and Sherman acted like he’d been born for his closeup as he slayed the camera with his mesmerizing eyes.

Sherman and Dorothy held the fort down as Hannah, Laura and I dashed off in search of mountains and sunshine (which, in these parts, is not at all difficult to find). Soon we were walking through the woods, bathed in that luscious evening light, and literally laughing ourselves silly. We cracked up as we momentarily got “lost” in the woods (some of us are somewhat directionally-challenged – haha!), giggled upon surprise discoveries in fallen logs, and generally just had a great time chatting as we wandered from spot to spot. It’s a complete understatement to say that Hannah and Laura are such a blast and so much fun. And I swear, my cheeks hurt from smiling after we had finished our session. (Always a good sign!)

Hannah and Laura (and Dorothy and Sherman, too!) – thank you again for such a wonderful session! It’s always a treat to get to hang out with you, and I loved getting to make images of the two of you again! Yay for fantastic, funny, sunny evenings! :)

On the docket: elopements, weddings and more portraits!

Cheers!

-Kristine

We all had our eyes on the sky as Michelle and Dave’s Stevensville, Montana wedding at the Stone Tower Estates got underway. Rain clouds zipped through, but then skirted around us as clouds gave way to brilliant sunshine highlighting the beauty of the Bitteroot Mountains, and the loveliness of Michelle and Dave’s day.

Everyone was in high spirits as they readied themselves to walk down the aisle, and smiles were abundant as the wedding party made their way down the aisle strewn with rose petals. Michelle was radiant in her dress as well as her mother’s veil, causing Dave to wipe away a tear or two as he looked at his beautiful bride.

Their friends and family cheered as they kissed for the first time as husband and wife, and as Michelle and Dave walked down the aisle again together, they beamed and continued out into a field beyond the ceremony site to read personal, private vows to one another.

Soon they rejoined their friends and family, and had a great time mingling, munching on a tasty dinner, enjoying their cake, and kicking up their heels as the sun sank behind the mountaintops.

Michelle and Dave – thank you again for inviting me to capture such a special time in your lives! It was such a delight to work with you and all your family and friends, and even more fun to see just how much you two are in love with one another. Here’s to a long, happy life together, filled with joy and laughter!

Vendors:

Venue: Stone Tower Estates, Stevensville, Montana
Florist: Bitterroot Floral, Missoula, Montana
Cake: Black Cat Bake Shop, Missoula, Montana
DJ: RMF Entertainment, Missoula, Montana
Makeup: Candace Weeks with Skin Chic, Missoula, Montana
Hair: Mario with Boom Swagger Salon, Missoula, Montana
Dress: A Mori lee design from Bridal Traditions, Omaha, Nebraska
Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse
Rentals: Eastgate Rental, Missoula, Montana

On the docket: weddings and portraits! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

I simply adore being able to meet the newest additions to my couples’ families. To have the opportunity to photograph their new family together is such a treat and such an honor, and I got to do just that with Kim, Randy and their 9-month-old daughter Reata. It’s hard to believe that not too long ago we were making engagement photos and wedding photos. Crazy how time flies!

It was a bit of a chilly afternoon for our shoot, but the sun was on our side and kept us warm as we ventured from spot to spot. And Reata – what a little cutie pie! She was great, and had a blast “driving” Randy’s truck from location to location as well.

There is so much love in this family, and I can’t say enough how touching it is to see couples turn into great parents. You three were so much fun to document – and congrats again on your “little buckaroo!” Can’t wait to meet him too! :)

On the docket: portraits!

Cheers, and Happy early Thanksgiving!

-Kristine

The other day, I had the pleasure of meeting up with Kim and Randy in Stevensville, Montana, to trek around Randy’s family’s ranch and make some engagement photos of Kim, Randy and their horses, P, Q and Dinero.

We had so much fun despite the deceptively chilly weather (yet no snow!). And I swear, these two are so perfect for one another – they goofed around with each other, showed off some sweet dance moves, made me (and themselves) laugh a lot!, and just plain had a good time.

Not only were they radiant in their photos just on their own, but holy moly – our backdrop for the day wasn’t too shabby either (oh Bitterroot valley, you make me swoon). Thank you SO much, Kim and Randy, for inviting me out to your place to make these images. I seriously cannot WAIT for your wedding – we’re going to have a blast!

On the docket: engagement sessions!

Cheers!

-Kristine