Matthew + Amanda’s wedding at the Nest on Swan River in Bigfork Montana was truly the perfect day. Amidst a very wet spring season, the raindrops only came out here and there, but otherwise left us alone, and Mother Nature treated the couple to a stunning wedding day.

We started off with some getting ready images. Everyone was so relaxed and chill (I’m always a big fan of that!), and people just truly seemed to be embracing the day and enjoying themselves. Laughter flowed freely, and I had such a blast getting to photograph Matthew, Amanda, their family, and friends.

Flowering trees and lilacs were just at the tail end of their blooms, but it made for a magical feeling around the Nest, with petals lazily floating on the breeze. And it made for a gorgeous photo backdrop, too! Matthew and Amanda’s first look was absolute perfection, and Matthew’s expression as he saw his bride for the first time was priceless.

Before long, it was time for the ceremony to start. Everyone was in good spirits, and the laughter trend continued. Matthew dipped Amanda for their first kiss, and everyone cheered for the newlyweds as they walked back down the aisle, beaming together as husband and wife.

Guests were treated to delicious food and drink, a rollicking good photo booth, and lawn games. Matthew and Amanda shared their mother-son and father-daughter dances with Matthew’s sister and father, since she and her husband had to cancel their wedding in 2020 and elope instead. There were more than a few tears that sprang up with this kind gesture, and the emotion was beautiful, sweet, and tangible.

Folks shared in more good natured laughter and fun during the toasts, and then it was time to cut the cake, distribute the desserts, and kick off some fantastic dancing as daylight shifted to night.

Matthew and Amanda! What an absolute pleasure it was to be invited to document your day and make these images for you! I just loved every second of getting to work with you, your friends, and family (you seriously have the sweetest people in your lives!), and I’m just so very happy for you both. Here’s to a joyful married life ahead! Big hugs and congrats to you again!

Vendors for Matthew + Amanda’s Wedding at The Nest on Swan River in Bigfork Montana

Photographer: Kristine Paulsen Photography, Missoula, Montana
Venue: The Nest on Swan River, Bigfork, Montana
Planner: Kayla Conners with Epic Events, Missoula, Montana
Florist: Blume Hill Studios, Flathead Valley, Montana
DJ: Collin, with Ryan Bradshaw Media, Missoula, Montana
Makeup and hair artist: Glow Salon, Kalispell, Montana
Officiant: Don Strine
Caterer: Oso’s Catering, Columbia Falls, Montana
Rentals: Celebrate Rentals, Kalispell, Montana
Wedding dress: an Essence of Australia design from Plume Bridal, Bozeman, Montana
Bridesmaid dresses: from Birdy Grey
Men’s suits: from Friar Tux, San Diego

On the docket:

Oodles of portraits and weddings — 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

If I were given only two words to describe Karen and Robb’s wedding at Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork, Montana….I’d say: carefree and fun. And happy. And beautiful. And full of love and true emotion. And….well, you get my drift. I can’t say enough about how amazing Karen and Robb’s wedding was!

Karen made her grand entrance in a vintage convertible, and the sun sparkled on the water as the wedding started off with the famous lines from The Princess Bride: “Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday. Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam…” which got everyone giggling.

The laughter and smiles continued throughout their ceremony as Karen and Robb looked deeply into each other’s eyes and promised to love one another forever.

Family and friends cheered and showered rice on the newlyweds as they made their way down the aisle, ducking and dodging the incoming grains.

Guests helped themselves to a taco bar, toasts got everyone giggling again, and soon, folks were kicking up their heels on the dance floor to the tunes of Sho-Down. The bride and groom cut their pie (and got a good pie smash in as well), kids dipped their feet in the lake, and soaked up the evening light as the sun set on a perfect day for these two.

Karen and Robb – I can’t even begin to express how absolutely delightful your wedding was, and how honored I am to have been a part in documenting such a special day in your lives! Here’s to many happy years together surrounded by family and friends and lots of love!

Vendors:
Venue: Flathead Lake Lodge, Bigfork, Montana
Florist: Bev’s Bloomers, Ronan, Montana
Cake Artist: the bride’s stepmom, Andrea
Band: Sho-Down, Missoula, Montana
Hair and Makeup Artist: the bride’s friend, Jennie
Wedding Dress: from Venus in Portland, Oregon
Rentals: St. Char-Ro, Ronan, Montana

On the docket: weddings, portraits, and more weddings! Stay tuned, folks!

Cheers,

-Kristine