I knew that my friends Jennie and Mike had been thinking about a winter Missoula Courthouse wedding, but hadn’t yet determined when they were going to say their “I do’s.” Suffice it to say, I was so tickled when Jennie asked if I’d consider accompanying them and taking a few photos of their nuptials. Count me IN!

We all headed down to the courthouse together, which happened to be a gorgeous, bluebird winter day, and had a good time hanging out, cracking jokes, sharing a few courthouse candy machine M&Ms (which we had thought were going to be Skittles), talking about dogs, skiing, and the massive amount of snow Missoula had just gotten. (We all kind of love the snow – I originally met Jennie when we were in the same For Women Only class at Snowbowl.)

Soon, it was time for Jennie and Mike to get hitched. They stood together and held hands in the rotunda of the courthouse, laughed, grinned and made their promises of forever to one another, signed their license, and tah dah! They were married – just like that!

We had fun making some images inside the courthouse, and because it was too pretty outside, we zipped on out to capture some shots out there as well. The snow beckoned, and, to celebrate their newly-married status, Jennie and Mike leapt into the snow backwards to make some newlywed snow angels. Perfection!

But we couldn’t just end things there – Jennie and Mike’s dog, Sophie, had been patiently waiting in their truck for us, so we went to say hi to her, let her smell Jennie’s bouquet, and get some good nose-time in with my camera.

Jennie and Mike! Thanks so much for asking me to make these images for you – it was so fun to be able to capture these moments and memories for you, and I can’t wait for your big celebration this summer! Cheers to you two! :)

On the Docket:

Portraits, and editorial work – stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

I wasn’t quite sure we were going to get much snow this winter since things felt a little dry at the end of January. But then February rolled around and we were finally treated to a downright winter wonderland. Even better was that just days before Joanna and Taylor’s winter wedding at the Jack Saloon in Lolo Montana we had some storms pass through and leave us with even more snow and loads of natural, beautiful backdrops for Joanna and Taylor’s special day.

Energy and excitement permeated the air as Joanna and Taylor and their family and friends got ready at the Lolo Hot Springs Lodge. Right before seeing Taylor for the first time during their first look, Taylor’s mother helped adorn Joanna’s bouquet with Taylor’s Granny Dot’s favorite hanky, to be used as Joanna’s “something blue.”

Soon, it was time for the two to see each other. Joanna surprised Taylor in the main lodge and he just grinned upon seeing his bride for the first time.

Before long it was time to zip on over to the Jack Saloon to get the wedding ceremony started. Everyone was all and smiles as things got underway. Joanna and Taylor shared little grins with each other throughout their ceremony, exchanged vows and rings, and sealed it all with a kiss, all to the cheers of family and friends (and a few other folks who happened to be visiting the saloon that evening, too).

Before it got too dark, we definitely had to make the most of the beautiful snow fields and pine trees nearby, so Joanna and Taylor braved the chilly weather for some fun pictures in their own personal wedding winter wonderland.

We rejoined everyone for some dinner, and soon after were treated to some nice toasts, a great cake cutting, and lots of live music that had everyone dancing, laughing and kicking up their heels.

Throughout the evening, I had kept my fingers crossed that we’d be treated to some freshly falling snow, and whaddya know! We got it! So Joanna and Taylor were gung ho and brave enough to venture outside with me into the cold once more, and we had so much fun making images that, as Joanna put it, ended up looking like they were a part of their very own snow globe.

Joanna and Taylor! Thank you again for inviting me to document such a happy, beautiful day in your lives! I loved meeting you both as well as your family and friends, and I wish you two many years of happiness, laughter, and magical snowflakes every February. :) Congratulations!

Vendors for Joanna and Taylor’s winter wedding at the Jack Saloon in Lolo Montana:

Getting ready venue: The Lodge at Lolo Hot Springs, Lolo, Montana
Wedding Venue: The Jack Saloon, Lolo, Montana
Florist: Flower Happy Floral, Hamilton, Montana
Cake Artist: Black Cat Bake Shop, Missoula, Montana
Band: Top House, Missoula, Montana
Hair Artist: Adore Hair & Design, Hamilton, Montana
Officiant: George Cuff
Bar and Spirits: The Jack Saloon, Lolo, Montana
Wedding Dress: Lilian West by Justin Alexander from Last Best Bridal Shop, Missoula, Montana
Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse

On the Docket:

More weddings, editorial work, and portrait sessions! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Winter weddings definitely make my heart skip a beat. They’re just filled with romance, beauty, the twinkling lights and glamor of the season, as well as its warmth, coziness and overall joy. And Anna and Jeff’s Missoula Florence Hotel winter wedding certainly embodied all of these things and then some!

Their day started out with Anna finalizing her finishing touches in the Wilma condo she had rented. Her mother helped lace her into her beautiful tea-length dress as her family watched with anticipation. Soon it was time to walk over to the Florence Hotel where their ceremony space awaited them, adorned with greenery, white roses, and softly glowing candles.

Jeff was all smiles as he watched Anna walk down the aisle on the arms of her parents. They smiled and grinned at each other as they made their vows to one another and exchanged rings. Before long, it was time for Anna and Jeff to seal it all with a kiss as their friends and family erupted with joyful exclamation for the newlyweds.

Afterwards, we took a few moments to make some fun images inside and outside of the hotel. With a place as beautiful as the Florence Hotel, we definitely had to take advantage of all the seasonal sparkling lights, and that lovely old clock out front, too. But the most beautiful thing was getting to witness just how much love is in Anna and Jeff’s eyes as they look at one another and exchange smiles. It easily outshined any of the twinkle lights in the background.

We zipped back inside for a tasty dinner, moving toasts, and some scrumptious desserts. Not long after, Anna and Jeff kicked off the dancing with a lovely first dance featuring some of their ballroom dance moves they’d been practicing. At that point forward, everyone joined in, got their own dance moves on, and had a great time partying it up on the dance floor. The joy in the room was palpable, and I’m pretty certain I didn’t stop smiling the entire rest of the night – such a fun, happy evening!

Anna and Jeff! Thank you again for inviting me to document such a completely fabulous, beautiful day in your lives! I just loved seeing how much you two love one another, and absolutely adored all your family and friends. I am just so thrilled for you both, and wish you a future filled with even more joy and smiles and happiness! Cheers to you two!

Vendors for Anna and Jeff’s Missoula Florence Hotel Winter Wedding:

Venue: Governor’s Room, Florence Hotel, Missoula, Montana

Officiant: John Nugent, the bride’s uncle

Florist: Bitterroot Flower Shop, Missoula, Montana

Bar/Spirit: Paradise Falls, Missoula, Montana

Catering: Catalyst Catering, Missoula, Montana

Wedding Dress: a Leanne Marshall design from Velvet Bride, Missoula, Montana

Groom’s Attire: from Wein’s Men’s Store, Butte, Montana

On the docket:

More intimate weddings and portraits! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

It’s a huge understatement to say just how excited I was to hear that Becka and Stephan had gotten engaged, and even happier (and super flattered!) when they asked me to photograph their snowy wedding at the Barn on Mullan. Earlier this spring I had the pleasure of getting to make family photos for them and we just had an absolute blast, so I knew getting to photograph their wedding would be a total delight. And, no surprise, it was!

We were treated to a fresh dusting of snow, and had a few snowflakes softly floating down throughout their entire wedding day – talk about dreamy! Becka and Stephan both began their day getting ready with friends and family nearby. They were both all smiles, but I could tell they were eager to see each other for the first time in all their wedding finery.

Becka walked out to see Stephan for their first look, snowflakes dotting the air like party confetti, and Stephan broke into a huge grin as he saw his beautiful bride for the first time. The two hugged, kissed and laughed together before we all zipped on inside again to warm up. (It was super chilly!)

Soon it was time for their ceremony to begin. Friends and family were troopers and bundled up in the cold so Becka and Stephan could be married outside (with a small bonfire burning behind them – how cool!). As Becka walked down the aisle with her parents, both she and Stephan had smiles a mile wide as they saw each other again (and I think everyone else did too – the happiness these two enjoy is quite contagious, in the best way possible!).

They spoke their vows to one another, laughed as they exchanged rings and sealed it all with a kiss (actually a couple!) before walking down the aisle again, amidst cheers and high-fives all around, this time together as newlyweds.

Folks enjoyed mingling, munching on tasty appetizers, and were treated to a delicious meal, cake and cupcakes, and touching toasts that got everyone laughing, smiling, and maybe wiping away a tear or two as well.

It wasn’t long before everyone was out on the dance floor cutting a rug, laughing their heads off and just having a great old time. Kiddos dashed in and out of the barn as they filled themselves to the brim with s’mores over the bonfire, the moon behind them glowing in the clouds.

As the evening wound down, it became time to send off Becka and Stephan in style – and everyone did so with sparklers, cheers and plenty of love for the newly married couple.

Becka and Stephan! I don’t even know where to begin! I’m just so beyond happy for you both, and was so honored to be able to capture such a wonderful, wonderful day in your lives for you! You are so much fun to work with and to photograph, and I’m so excited to see you start this new chapter in your lives together. Here’s to smiles, laughter, and lots of love for years and years to come – congratulations again!

Vendors for Becka and Stephan’s Snowy Wedding at the Barn on Mullan:

Venue and Catering: The Barn on Mullan, Missoula, Montana
Florist: Habitat Floral Studio, Missoula, Montana
Cake: Black Cat Bake Shop, Missoula, Montana
DJ: RMF Entertainment, Missoula, Montana
Makeup: Meraki Rose Makeup, The Bitterroot Valley, Montana
Hair: Burton’s Classic Hair Co., Missoula, Montana
Officiant: Joan E. Cook, Missoula, Montana
Paper Goods: Etsy and Minted
Bar and Spirits: The Ranch Club in partnership with The Barn on Mullan, Missoula, Montana
Dress: A Galina design from David’s Bridal, Charleston, S.C.
Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse, Missoula, Montana

On the Docket:

Portraits and editorial work!

Cheers,

-Kristine

What is it about softly falling snowflakes that just immediately creates magic? I’m not quite sure, but whatever it is, Alyssa and Adam certainly experienced that magic for their Missoula Montana winter wedding. We weren’t even certain we’d see snow for their wedding day what with the way Missoula’s winter has been behaving. But I think everyone’s snow-filled thoughts must’ve influenced Mother Nature a bit, because we woke up to a dusting on the morning of their wedding day, and then experienced a whirl of flurries later in the afternoon – the perfect wedding day gift to these two who truly love the snow! (Even Alyssa’s wedding dress was adorned with sparkly snowflakes!)

Their day couldn’t have been more happy or more fun – their ceremony was gorgeous, the aisle punctuated by candles and flowers, and smiles were abundant as Alyssa and Adam said their vows and laughed as they exchanged rings.

We dashed outside to take advantage of some snowflakes (which really started coming down) and make some snowy portraits – we were all super excited, but also very, very cold! Kudos to everyone for braving that wind!

Family and friends reconvened in the ballroom of the old Florence Hotel building in downtown Missoula, where we were treated to some tasty food, great toasts, excellent cake and exceptionally lively dancing.

Alyssa and Adam – thank you again for inviting me to photograph your truly beautiful and happy day! It was such a treat to be able to do this for you, and so special to meet so many wonderful people in your lives. I hope you had a fantastic honeymoon, and I am so happy that you get to spend your lives together. Here’s to a lifetime of epic powder and fantastic winter adventures! Congratulations again!

Wedding Vendors:

Ceremony Venue: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Missoula, Montana
Reception Venue: The Governor’s Room of the Florence Building, Missoula, Montana
Florist: Habitat Floral, Missoula, Montana
Cake Artist: Margaret Ambrose-Barton, Missoula, Montana
DJ: DJ Coma, Missoula, Montana
Makeup Artist: Skin Chic, Missoula, Montana
Hair: The Do Crew, Missoula, Montana
Wedding Dress: from Celestial Selections, Spokane, Washington
Menswear: Tuxedo Gallery, Missoula, Montana
Catering: Two Sisters Catering + the Red Bird Wine Bar, Missoula, Montana

Cheers!

-Kristine

Winter in Glacier is….simply breathtakingly, jaw-droppingly, make-you-weak-in-the-knees GORGEOUS. Beth and Andy’s Christmas-time winter wedding in Glacier at the Belton Chalet was no exception. From the fresh snowfall that morning to the rustic charm of the chalet, to the mountains enveloped in fog…..their day. was. INCREDIBLE. In every way.

We all had such a blast visiting Lake McDonald, and even though it was pretty dang chilly, that didn’t hinder Beth and Andy and their wedding party from being troopers and making some really fun photos. Beth’s reaction to the scenery at the lake when we initially arrived was pretty priceless – I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a bride so excited to do her photos! Love it! :)

We all returned to the warmth of the chalet, and soon Beth was walking down the aisle on her father’s arm. The fire crackled as friends and family smiled listening to Beth and Andy vow their love to one another. Everyone gave their blessings to the couple and the ceremony was closed with Beth and Andy and their guests all singing along to Be Thou My Vision, played by an instrumental trio made up of Beth’s friends.

As the snow fell outside guests mingled, laughed and snacked on hors d’oeuvres before sitting down to dinner, and later everyone sipped on champagne (kiddos had fun with their cider), and enjoyed a rousing game of pub trivia with the questions being written with Beth and Andy’s backgrounds in mind.

Beth and Andy – where do I begin? It is a complete understatement to say just how beautiful and touching your wedding was, and how honored I am to have documented it for you. Thank you so much for inviting me into such a special day in you and your family’s lives – here’s to many more adventures in Glacier for you both!

Winter Wedding in Glacier Vendors:

Venue: The Belton Chalet, West Glacier, Montana
Hair and Makeup Artist: Mirabelle Salon, Kalispell, Montana
Wedding Dress: Beautiful Weddings, Missoula, Montana
Officiant: Pastor Reiner

On the docket: engagement sessions and portraits! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine