This summer has been a warm one and the last few weeks the fires in the northwest have been raging. With several fires of our own here in Western Montana, especially in the Glacier National Park area, we also live in the mountain valleys where all of the smoke from the Washington and Idaho fires blow over and settles. At times visibility ends right in front of you. So far this summer my couples have been SO lucky. Some moving locations due to fire evacuation lines but not limited by the smoke itself. And every wedding day that came with the smoke we’d miraculously have someone looking down sprinkling rain or giving a little breeze moving it out the morning of. But that didn’t happen for Lindsey & Jason. In fact the highway was shut down about a ¼ mile from their venue and an evacuation order in place just beyond it on the day of their wedding. Lots of love to all our firefighters out there fighting these beasts!
Last month I photographed an amazing elopement where the couple hiked 5 miles to a lake with icebergs and Lindsey fell in love with it. We kept chatting about how she wants to get dressed up again and do that, or a hike somewhere. Or hike in Kauai. They go every year and now that one of my best friends lives there I seem to go often too. As I drove up to Glacier Thursday morning through all the smoke all I could think was maybe this is the universe’s way of telling us we should go shoot in Kauai. I wasn’t sure how the day would turn out shooting in the smoke, knowing Lindsey & Jason wanted simple photos with killer views. But honestly I’m obsessing over the results. There is this mystical beauty to the smoke. I think it’ll draw you in too.
I walked into the cabin and after some laughs and hugs asked Lindsey how she felt about the smoke. Pshhh she wasn’t even bothered in the slightest. Knowing there is nothing we can do about it. Jason fought fires for many years… so, it’s sort of part of their story 😉 I’m SO grateful for a year of amazing brides who have been thrown some big wrenches but never worry about what they can’t change.
I later asked her for her dress and veil to photograph and she asked if I was sure?!… cause she might have already ripped her veil and her dress might be dirty haha. Just when I thought I couldn’t love her more she already has this dress dirty and doesn’t care. And she was drop dead gorgeous in it.
They had the sweetest ceremony. Her dad was the last person on earth anyone expected would cry but he did and made everyone cry along with him. And there were plenty of smiles and laughter to go with the tears streaming down their faces. And afterwards we hopped in a red jammer and drove into the park for some photos. Jason was stoked for the jammer. Super stoked. He didn’t care if we just went for a ride and came back haha!
I’m honestly starting to ramble because I can’t put into words exactly how much I love these two. Jason & Lindsey you are magic together. Thank you, thank you, thank you for including me in your day. I’m so honored! Your dancing skills are ridiculous and we’re all jealous! TEACH US!!! Haha. And really…. Kauai?
XOXO
And a major shoutout to my amazing second shooter for the day, Jennifer Mooney!! Girl you crushed it and I couldn’t have asked for anyone better by my side!
Contact Jackie | Join the Facebook Fanpage | Follow My Life on Instagram | Check out the Website
