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Backpacks, beers, and bears – Ashlee + Tanner’s hiking engagement photos were so fun in Big Sky! Okay soooo there weren’t actually any bears, though we were actively on the lookout. Though there was absolutely a backpack of beer, a scenic hike in the mountains of Montana, kisses next to an alpine lake, and even a secret stash of snow at the top (the best surprise for these two east coast beach babes)! 

Ashlee + Tanner both went to college in Wilmington, NC, but didn’t officially meet until they both relocated to Charlotte. One Instagram message and a night out with mutual friends put them in each other’s lives forever. And a trip to Montana with their families brought them to me! They were already engaged when the trips were planned, so they felt they couldn’t miss a chance for some mountain engagement photos while out west. They found me on my good friend Google, inquired with me, and the rest is history! 

When we chatted about what they wanted, they knew they wanted to plan more of an experience than just a photoshoot. They were spending plenty of time with family, so this was a chance to go off and explore just the two of them. And when in Big Sky, why not get some hiking engagement photos? 

Before we headed off for their adventure couples shoot, we took a minute to take some photos with their family (because how often is your whole fam together??) and then up we went! The hike was steep, but manageable, and not steep enough to deter Tanner from pulling out some beers from his well-stocked backpack. We sipped (well, they sipped, my gluten and ethanol allergy unfortunately doesn’t allow me to partake) and we chatted about how we’re all obsessed with our Oura Rings (we deserved to be sponsored from how much we love them) and of course, we took photos as we moved along. 

We made it to the top for the best surprise for two people from the Southern east coast – SNOW! Tanner + Ashlee had enough cell service to FaceTime their family and make them extra jealous of the snow and alpine views. At this elevation it’s a bit difficult to breathe if you aren’t used to it, so they took a bit to run around the lake and through some fields before their sea-level lungs had enough and we headed back down. The beer made a reappearance as we were on high alert for bear activity, but our furry friends never popped out for a visit. It was a laid-back, fun-filled engagement photoshoot with no real planning, but my gosh the photos prove you just don’t need to overthink it! 

Before their shoot, they mentioned that they really wanted to look back on their time engaged and know they filled it with ease and spontaneity. Rather than be stressed or overwhelmed, they really wanted to relish in just how incredible it is to be in this phase of life. This day was a true reflection of that attitude. If you take anything away from Ashlee + Tanner’s hiking engagement shoot, let it be a reminder that your love for each other is serious, but the wedding planning phase doesn’t have to be! 

Looking for light-hearted adventure photos like theirs for your engagement, elopement, or wedding? Count me in, friend! You can learn more about my approach to photography & how I work right here.

The Sunrise Amphitheater wedding venue sits perched on top of a mountain outcrop with sprawling views of the valley below. When you’re planning an outdoor Colorado wedding, there might be plenty of places to choose from, but for an intimate wedding near Boulder – this is your spot! 

Erin + Adam wanted a first look with big views, but the town was buzzing and busy as it was a big espn football game day, leaving me searching for a place with a bit more privacy. I found a spot just outside of town and they were in! These two were cracking me up, as they were so laid-back and worry-free that they forgot the flowers and had to run back to get them. It’s easy for you to get excited on your wedding day and start to rush things, but when you go into it with a relaxed mindset (knowing that sometimes things don’t go as planned) and just wanting to enjoy your time together, it shows in your photos I promise. 

After their first look, we drove up the mountain to meet their family + friends for their Sunrise Amphitheater wedding ceremony! It was ready for us, set up with chairs and florals by Sleepy Bee Gardens that made the space their own. Their ceremony was so intentional and thoughtful. They included a ring warming ceremony, something I’ve been seeing more often, where they take a moment to set their intentions with the rings before exchanging vows and took the time to include her 7 year old daughter, Maple. We wrapped up their intimate wedding with plenty of family photos, having so much fun just hanging together that we lost track of time before heading back down the mountain. 

Waiting for us in the driveway of their aunt’s house was Dos Manos Food Truck, which was brilliant if you ask me! The kids were munching on churros and everyone was able to order their own food, grabbing drinks from coolers and celebrating away (myself included – can confirm the tacos were excellent!!) To wrap up the night, I was able to grab some photos of the details, the cake, and more goodies and them ordering tacos. 

Erin + Adam’s intimate wedding is proof that you can involve the people you love without committing to big, traditional wedding plans. You can get those big view, adventure wedding photos you want. You can book the outdoor wedding venue. You can use a food truck for your reception dinner. It’s about what YOU want. 

There’s a million ways to have a wedding. You can do it just the two of you at a tiny church in the middle of the mountains like this Montana elopement. You can get married in freezing temps and shots of whiskey like this winter elopement. You can do it summer camp style like this lakeside wedding. 

There’s no right way to have a wedding, only the right plans for you!

You’re here because you want to elope in Yellowstone National Park, yeah?? Don’t worry, I’m not the type of wedding photographer who will try to get you to switch locations because Yellowstone is “too busy”. 

Nope, if you have daydreams of geysers and bison and hot springs as the backdrop of your wedding photos, then GO GET ‘EM TIGER! I’m here for it. But I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t share some super important insight for planning your elopement in a place that gets 4 million visitors every year, especially if you’ve got the most iconic spots on your must-do list. 

It’s time for you to meet Jess + Matt, two lovebirds like yourselves who decided it was Yellowstone National Park or bust for their wedding day. And I won’t lie to you, these two had me nearly losing my sh*t when they first told me their plan. 

Old Faithful. Grand Prismatic. Artist Point. Gotta hit ‘em all. 

Hours-long traffic jams and swaths of bright baseball-capped tourists flooded my brain. As an elopement photographer for over a decade, who has photographed couples in the high seasons of Yellowstone and Glacier and Grand Tetons and Yosemite—this was about as *bonkers* of a plan as I could imagine.  

But they were GIDDY over it and really, really wanted to make it happen. So I told them I was down on one condition, which leads us to your first Yellowstone National Park elopement tip…

GO EARLY. You simply have to! Jess + Matt started in West Yellowstone at 7:45 am and I honestly think you could get started much earlier than we did if you’ve got multiple stops on your tour-de-Yellowstone. It is incredibly popular and quite literally thousands of people could be gathered at hot-spot attractions like Old Faithful, but mornings usually bring calmer conditions. 

Because Jess + Matt were staying near the west entrance and applied for their ceremony permit at Artist Point, it made sense to hit their other must-see spots and end their day with the ceremony. (Here’s the link for permitted ceremony spots in YNP!) 

By the time we got to Artist Point, it was insanity. It’s a super small area with nowhere to get off of the trails, leaving everyone packed together like sardines. When you take a look at their elopement photos (keep scrolling to see them!), it looks idyllic, intimate, and sweet under two little trees tucked into a nook. In reality, DOZENS of people were standing right behind me or walking by as they said their vows to each other. 

And with that, we’ve gotta talk about Yellowstone National Park elopement tip #2! 

Be realistic with what you’re walking into (and plan around it if needed). Because Jess + Matt are just a certain type of couple, they were unphased. But so many of my couples would have been extremely uncomfortable in that scenario. By having your ceremony first thing in the morning, you could find a more secluded, private spot to share vows. You could even do them at the Airbnb or accommodation! If you’re a couple who definitely doesn’t feel comfy with loads of strangers around during your wedding day, there are also more off-the-beaten-path areas to explore if you’re willing to skip the hotspots on your wedding day. It’s all up to your preference as a couple! 

If you’re okay with being early risers on your wedding day and don’t feel weird about having some family from Ohio applaud as you take your first just married kiss, then it looks like eloping in Yellowstone is still in the plan! 

Which means you’re ready for planning mode! And that brings you to the third and last tip of this blog. 

Plan your timeline with PLENTY of buffer space. Yes, you will encounter stopped traffic for wildlife and spend time searching for space away from crowds of tourists—and there’s really nothing you can do about it! So planning your elopement timeline with extra time built into it is a necessity to keep you from panicking the day of. If you don’t have the time for some reason, maybe you only booked your photographer for 4 hours or you have a post-elopement celebration planned back at the cabin, then my best piece of advice is to pick your top two spots and see what happens. You never know! The tourism gods might be with you and you breeze through the park no problem, leaving you time to make another stop along the way. But in the case you do get snagged by a timeline hiccup, you’ve checked off the most important boxes and still feel over-freakin-joyed about your day. 

So what do you say, my crazy-in-love new friends? Still up for an adventure?? 

If so, you should know I’ve helped plan dozens and dozens of elopements in highly trafficked, but oh-so-worth-it destinations. Ones that people will tell you are too busy or too popular. And maybe they are! But who cares, it’s your day, do what ya want! I’ll be there right there, scootching away tourists and finding the 2 feet of space we need to get the shot. What do you say? Wanna do this together? Fill out this form and let’s get to chatting! But first, make sure to take a look at Jess + Matt’s stunnin’ wedding photos from eloping in Yellowstone National Park! ↓

Finding a private elopement location in Yellowstone that isn’t packed with map-holding, bright-eyed visitors can feel like quite the feat. During peak season, our country’s first national park can see up to a whopping 30,000 visitors a day!!! So if you’re not a run-and-jump-into-the-chaos type of couple, you’re likely looking for somewhere tucked away, still beautiful, but infinitely calmer. If that’s the case, this is the Yellowstone elopement planning blog for you! 

The Most Underrated Private Elopement Location in Yellowstone

When everyone else was heading to elopement locations in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone or Old Faithful, Laurel + Marcello snuck off the path most traveled and headed to the far north. They wanted those wide-open meadow views, maybe a mountain peak, that iconic Wyoming type of scenery. 

Originally considering the Lamar Valley, known for being a wildlife hotspot along the Lamar River Basin, but ultimately decided it made the most sense to stay around Gardiner, which is sometimes called “nature’s favorite entrance” and actually located in Montana!  

That’s because Laurel + Marcello brought along some very special guests to this elopement getaway—their family! Actually, their original plan was to have their ceremony at the Airbnb, surrounded by everyone they loved, before heading off into the park for portraits and a little bit of exploring. But as plans do, they changed and they ended up getting legally married back home before their trip! 

But because Yellowstone was such a special vacation (their families were meeting for the very first time!!), they still wanted wedding photos in the park. So to maximize their time with family and still get their picturesque Yellowstone elopement vibes, we decided to get up before sunrise and head to some elopement locations we could hit with the most privacy and seclusion possible. 

Add Swan Lake Flats to Your Yellowstone Elopement Location List

And I’m very happy to report that, as we headed into the park to catch the sun coming up, the only other souls in sight were about 500 elk. We had our sights on Swan Lake Flats, a sage-brushy meadow with insane views of the Gallatin Range and Swan Lake. As the darkness lifted, the valley glowed and there were absolutely zero other people around to witness it but us—just how we like it. While all of the early risers headed to those iconic locations, we sat back to take it all in, the snow still resting on the mountain in the distance, the June sun glittering on the lake. EPIC if you ask me! And can you believe it only got better from there?

As you drive into the park in that area, there’s an “S” curve in the road with granite boulders littered around everything, actually giving more Yosemite National Park elopement vibes than Yellowstone! If you know anything about me, I’m always up for a little pitstop outside of the plan, so I asked Laurel + Marcello if they’d want to stop. To me, they seemed super up for it, but later I learned they thought I might be a serious level of insane. Laurel’s own words on that day…

“Her creative direction, chef’s kiss! We were basically bouldering at that point in dress shoes and at first, I said to myself, “This lady is crazy, making us climb up these rocks for a photo”, but when I saw us standing there in the early morning sun, I knew she had a vision, and it was beautiful!”

YES IT WAS!!! I might be crazy, but I’m a crazy lady with a vision and have a knack for turning the most unexpected spots into stunner elopement locations! 

The Best Part of Their Yellowstone Elopement 

It’s hard to choose from a lot of best parts—Marcello’s family visiting from India, Laurel’s family meeting them, L+M getting having long-awaited elopement location vision come to life, the unexpected wildlife sightings, the random bouldering excursions, the list goes on!)

For me it was reading their testimonial after getting their elopement photos back. When Laurel inquired, these were some of her words, “We are very awkward in photos, I’m not even going to lie to you.” And from their testimonial? Here’s what she said! “I felt like a princess in my dress- all possible because of her. We will be starting a tradition of getting professional photos taken wherever we go because of such a positive experience we had.” 

If anything is gonna make me cry in the club, IT’S THAT! 

So if you’re like Laurel + Marcello, two sweet lovers who want to choose an epic elopement location but still have enough seclusion and privacy to feel entirely comfortable and completely enjoy yourself, here’s your sign. DO IT! You don’t have to hit up the most photographed spot in a national park. There are tons of private elopement locations with amazing beauty of their own. Let’s get to planning and I’ll prove it to you! Inquire here when you’re ready.

And if you’re reading this thinking, “actually no, I want Old Faithful. I want the spots on every guide and postcard!” Okay, babes. You can have that, too!!!! But first, take a read about Jess + Matt’s Tour-de-Yellowstone Elopement Day. There’s some important advice for you over there! 

Julie + Matt’s Jackson Hole wedding at Turpin Meadow Ranch is an incredible example of weaving an adventurous spirit into more traditional wedding plans. A church ceremony with a trip into Grand Teton National park was the perfect pairing for this sentimental, sweet wedding day in Wyoming. 

This couple’s story started with a meet cute straight out of your favorite rom-com. Julie was a working television news reporter in Orlando, FL when she literally fell backwards out of a news truck and who was there to catch her?! A handsome fella (and fellow photographer) named Matt. As they say, the rest was history. 

Fast forward a few years and their movie script meeting escalated to planning a Jackson Hole wedding, just outside of the epic scenery of the Grand Tetons. Then they found little ol’ me. I’m always urging couples to find a wedding photographer they connect with on a personal level (100% the best way to get photos that really feel true to you). Julie reached out to me after reading my About page on my website, where I’ve shared my own experience with the meaning of photos after losing my dad. We were just two girls who lost their dads to heart attacks way too young and with far too few photos to remember them by. 

Because of this, I knew exactly how much these photos would mean to them. Oftentimes, we get caught up in feeling uncomfortable in photos or not taking the time to capture the moment or thinking, “oh we’ll take some later” and then never do. Our loved ones age and pass on. Life goes quickly and memories fade. Without the photos, our minds lose the details. But with the photos, you can almost hear the way they laugh, almost feel their hugs, taste the food you shared. That’s why I do what I do. And it’s what I wanted to give Julie + Matt on their wedding day. 

And what a wedding day it was! They stayed at the Turpin Meadow Ranch, a stunning resort outside of Jackson Hole. Julie + Matt had visited the area many times and intentionally chose it because they shared so many fun memories there. Now they can add to them – starting with their laid-back first look on the porch, where they just hung out and chatted for the most natural start to their day. Along with their close family and friends, they rode into town on buses they booked prior (a genius move, so easy + efficient!) and started with their ceremony at Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church.   

Julie’s uncle walked her down the aisle to Matt, who waited under wooden beams and stained glass windows while their closest friends + family watched. After the ceremony, their guests headed back to the resort for cocktail hour and snacks, while we headed into Grand Teton National Park. Accompanied by Julie’s aunt + uncle, we explored my personal favorite spots in the Tetons. I mean… the whole park is as epic and dreamy as you could imagine. Along the way, we made sure to snap photos of her aunt + uncle even when they played shy, because these are the moments that matter. 

The sun was setting over the meadow, with the big Teton views in the background, and we ran along forgotten timber and over bridges and down roads. The perfect adventure wedding feeling to mix in after their church ceremony – the best of both worlds. Julie + Matt ended their Jackson Hole wedding back at the ranch with an intimate dinner + quality time with the people they love most. Absolute perfection! 

Somewhere along the way, Julie shared with me that she doesn’t have many photos of her dad. In fact, really only one good one. It’s printed and kept in her home in Florida. And it’s the first thing she grabs when there’s a threat of a hurricane. That’s the power of a photo. It’s the reason I do what I do. 

Wedding photography is a big investment, especially when you start to add up everything it takes to put a wedding together. I get it. But when it comes to choosing a wedding or elopement photographer for your day – no matter your plans, no matter your budget, no matter your location – I really urge you to find one who values the same things you do. It makes all the difference. 

So if you read my about page and thought, “hmm this gal gets me!” then let’s chat, bb!!!! ‘Cause that probably means you’re my type of people and I want to meet you too. Just fill out this contact form and it’ll pop you right into my inbox! The rest might just be history!

Dare I say Airbnb wedding venues are one of my new favorite trends? Whether you’re getting married in a sweet little lakeside cabin retreat or a 139 year old mansion like Joelle + Devon, you can’t go wrong with getting your people into an intimate little spot and marrying your lover. 

This Airbnb wedding venue in Hamilton, MT is about to give you all of the inspo if you dig a classic, timeless, vogue-esque vibe. The Copper King Bitterroot Mansion is a 139 year old Marcus Daly build that has been newly renovated and let me tell you… it’s freakin’ gorgeous! The house is bright and full of light (a wedding photographer’s dream) with plenty of trees and green lawns surrounding the property. Not to mention plenty of activities for your guests. 10/10 would recommend this Airbnb wedding venue if you’re planning a micro-wedding in Montana! 

And while I adore this venue, I love this couple even more. I first photographed Joelle maybe 12 years ago for her senior portraits. So when I saw her name pop up in my inbox it was a full circle moment for sure! Then the universe did its thing and put us at the same wedding weeks later. (Lo + Coop’s wedding was a blast! Check out their Flathead Lake wedding here!) After hanging with them at Lo + Cooper’s wedding and seeing me do my work, Joelle + Devon knew we were a match! 

Their plan originally started with potential a destination elopement in the south of France (I photograph couples all around the world from Iceland to Belize), but after deciding they wanted more of their friends + fam to come, they opted for an intimate wedding in Montana! And mannn was it a dreamy spot! 

They decided they wanted to focus on being present rather than taking too many traditional or posed photos and I am all for that kind of wedding day coverage! They prioritized candids, couples photos with their friends, and few fun portraits around the mansion after their ceremony. The day started with details and getting ready photos, then a first look in the backyard. The ceremony was in front of a large tree, covered in the tiny white blooms of babys breathe. And as the sun slipped in and out between the branches, they read the most beautiful personal vows to each other. 

One long table filled the backyard. There was a makeshift bar on the back patio. The night ended with them dancing the night away under twinkling string lights, being goofy on the tree swing, and relishing in every second of how special the day truly was. 

I won’t lie, I am SAD this day is over. I loved everything about it – the airbnb wedding venue, the vogue vibe, the emphasis on candids, alllllll of it. Thank you, more please! If that’s your vision, let’s get to planning!

You can’t go wrong when you’re eloping in Glacier National Park, but choosing an exact elopement location can feel like throwing a dart at the map! Dakota + Zach had only been to Glacier National Park once, and knew it was their spot, so we chatted through their options and landed in the land of lakes with mountain views and look out points for days – East Glacier.

If you would have told Dakota + Zach that they’d be eloping in Montana in East Glacier last year, they would have laughed right in your face. Actually, someone *did* tell them they’d be getting married in the park this year and they did… well laugh in their face. Their families are long time pals back in Georgia and planning a group trip to Montana, which quickly turned into a let’s find love reality show. But guess what? IT WORKED. And these babes ended up right back where that first crush started less than a year later, with me photographing their vows and a pretty epic adventure for their Glacier National Park elopement. 

From their very first inquiry, I knew I was in for a treat. If you’ve read anything about me, you know I’m a sailor-mouthed elopement photographer who’s obsessed with my frenchie pup, and wants my couples to show their love in whatever way comes naturally to them! But the more ass grabs, the better in my opinion. Dakota + Zach immediately sent photos of their Boston Terriers and were quick to admit they’re handsy and lovey and all of the things, no matter where they are. (A match made in heaven?!?!) It took maybe two minutes for us to feel comfortable enough to be our true selves and the rest was history. They were making out, smacking booties, touching bodies, and loving on each other at their (very public) ceremony spot and every stop along the way. 

Armed and ready with my camera (and my dog, Bill), their elopement in East Glacier started at Sun Point, a designated ceremony site with crazy good views overlooking St. Mary Lake! After a quick ceremony with personal vows we scurried off from the crowds to find some more fun! Next stop was Wild Goose Island, with the sun dancing around fast-moving  clouds creating all kinds of lighting scenarios and variety (a wedding photographer’s dream tbh), we captured some sweet magic in their photos! 

Dakota pulled out a Pendleton blanket and shared a sentimental story about her family. Her grandfather was native and she always associated these wool tribal blankets with her grandparents’ house. Right before her grandmother died, she called up the family and said she was going to donate all of the blankets unless someone wanted them. Dakota and her brother snatched them up, of course! Flash forward to her wedding day and she’s wrapped up in a Pendleton blanket on native lands, a love-filled nod to her grandparents who were definitely there in spirit! *CRYING*

We ended their day with a wildly good view overlooking the Two Medicine Valley! For a summer elopement, the lake is full and this point gives the most picturesque views of the mountains against the water. It’s definitely up there in my favorite spots! As the air cooled and we prepped for our long car rides home, At Zach’s request swapped their wedding attire for some matching loungewear and AirForce 1’s, each pair inspired by their favorite rivaling college football teams back home in the south. A cute cap on a freakin’ gorgeous day in Glacier National Park! 

Looking to explore East Glacier for your own Montana elopement? This sunrise elopement might give you what you need or even check out this intimate wedding on the lakeshore!

Never has there ever been a more intentional national park microwedding than this! These photos are your typical shots but with true documentary style coverage of their personal twists on first looks, thoughtful ceremony traditions, and karaoke-filled reception. If you’re looking for inspiration for a personality-infused intimate wedding, you’ll wanna see this one! 

It’s no secret national park micro weddings are getting more popular each year. They account for around half of what I photograph, so it’s safe to say I’ve experienced so many different vibes, traditions, etc. You name it, I’ve seen it. So when I say Rachel + Will’s wedding was one of the most thoughtful days I’ve been a part of, you know it’s something special. 

These babes flirted with the line of a traditional wedding and a microwedding. Wanting a super intimate ceremony and a big ol’ party, they simply made it the best of both worlds ‘cause why not?? 

Rachel asked me when we were planning, “is it weird that we want to get dressed together?” I can’t even express how much I love when couples do this. While I am all for a classic first look, there’s something extra special about helping each other get ready, hyping each other up when you look good, and having an intimate experience rather than one big moment of excitement. 

So that’s exactly what they did. We picked a little trail on our way to the ceremony site, pulled off into the spot, and hung their clothes from the trees. Rachel put a blanket down and they set up a mirror, and together, they got dressed right there in the forest. Will sat down and immediately put his socks on, which quickly became the funniest inside joke when Rachel noted how freakin’ strange it was he went straight for the socks first HAHA! 

After that, we headed to the Fish Creek picnic area for family photos and then came my favorite part of the whole day. With microweddings, ceremonies tend to be short ‘n sweet, but not Rachel + Will’s. Their ceremony was packed with one personalized moment after another. Their aunt + uncle officiated the wedding. The did a ring warming, where they pass around the rings to let guests bless them with good energy and thoughts for the couple. Her uncle sang a song for them, them pulling out a flask for a funny moment. Their vows weren’t grand speeches, but flowing conversations, with impromptu banter back and forth. It was intentional and emotional. Absolutely perfec!. 

We ventured off for portraits before their Airbnb backyard reception with friends and family outside of the park. Rachel + Will had mentioned they had done shoots before that were absolutely beautiful, but didn’t feel like them with most of them posing + smiling at the camera. So for the rest of the day, I threw all of my direction skills out of the window and just let them be. And man was that freakin’ beautiful. They were skipping rocks and running around without shoes, making out in the lake. They aren’t your typical wedding portraits, but I’m all for the unconventional.

Even their rather traditional wedding reception was packed with bits of personality + customization that made it feel more like them. Custom koozies, super emotional toasts, a mobile bar to keep the drinks flowin’ as they sang karaoke all night. Yes, you read that right! Karaoke at a reception?? I was a little unsure of how that would be but turns out their friends + fam are karaoke pros and it was just the cherry on top of their love-filled day. 

Rachel + Will are the perfect example of how to have a sweet intimate ceremony for your microwedding in a national park with epic views, but still invite people you care about to celebrate. If that is your vibe, let’s talk babe! Where are we headed? Olympic National Park? Mount Rainier? Yosemite? SIGN ME UP!

Wanna know the great thing about Montana mountain engagement photos? You’ll come for the mountains, but you always get so much more. Hidden lakes, rocky shorelines, trails in lush forests – they’re all waiting for you when you go exploring in a mountain range. Madisen + David knew the magic of the mountains all too well, after taking one trip to visit Montana they fell in love with the wild beauty of it all. Flash forward a few years and they were planning a trip back, but this time scouting for a place they might call home! 

So while their trip wasn’t just to get some mountain engagement photos, the session made it all the more special as they explored these new areas. I’m a sucker for all things sentimental, so commemorating their search for a potential new place to call home puts me in my feelers. Madisen + David are from a small town in New York and were driving in and out of small towns all over Montana, checking the vibes and views. As a Montana local, I had to show them around some of my favorite spots for beautiful views away from the hustle and bustle of the summer time crowds. We talked about what they wanted and I sent them over some galleries of photoshoots I’d done in different spots with mountain views (including this stunner engagement shoot). We landed on a special little spot outside of Missoula. 

This location, of course, has everything you’d want to find when itching for a little adventure in the mountains. Though the lake is too full in the summer for much of a beach, the huge boulders jutting out of its water provide perfect perches to cuddle your lover + soak in the view. And they sure did! Then we skipped over to a trail in the trees before cruising around the shore for a different view. All the while we made hilarious inappropriate jokes and cracked up at Bill (my assistant aka my Frenchie) when he got a crazy case of the zoomies through nasty fishy mud. The coolest part? We didn’t have to hike hours into the backcountry to get pretty scenes + privacy! We were just a short walk from the car. 

I think Madisen + David are going to like their new home in Montana, wherever they choose. No doubt about it, most people do (*cough* Justin Timberlake + Jessica Biel *cough*) And now they have some mountain engagement photos to remember their find-a-new-home roadtrip. 

Eloping in Montana was an easy decision for Angie and Ryan to make. They pictured a mountain wedding ceremony and a getaway for just the two of them and we all know big sky country checks those boxes. Welcome all fans of the show Yellowstone loL!  But rather than head to the go-to elopement locations in the north like Glacier National Park, they chose a sweet little cabin in underrated Paradise Valley to the south. 

When you’re eloping in Montana, you never know what kind of weather you’ll get. Rain clouds rolled in and out of the valley all day, but as your friendly neighborhood elopement photographer, it’s my job to remind you that isn’t always a bad thing. The moody skies gave us different views all day, adding fun texture to every photo. 

I showed up to the cabin to have a laid-back morning in progress. Angie already had her hair and make-up done when I got there, with her details laid out ready to be documented. The videographers there doing their thing. We took some getting ready photos, sweet little moments as Angie pulled up her bridal cowboy boots and Ryan slipped on his tan suit jacket perfectly paired with blue jeans. Ryan waited just off the front steps of the cabin for a first look with Angie before heading off on their wedding ceremony adventure. 

There are first-looks in my wedding photography portfolio, all different and special in their own way. But Ryan moved right up to the top of my list of emotion-filled memories from grooms. From the moment Angie stepped out of the cabin, tears were flowwwwin! And they didn’t stop (all day really). There’s nothing I love more than when my couples are just over-the-moon happy, drunk in love all day long and these two were absolutely that. After a quick Facetime to their baby at home, we set off for their Montana elopement in the mountains. 

The first stop was a little white church. No, really. A teeny tiny white church off of the side of the highway. Angie + Ryan had never seen the church until that day, a ceremony location suggestion by their officiant. When we opened the doors, we were immediately transported to the 70s, complete with wood paneling and green shag carpet and the fakest flowers I’ve seen. It was truly eclectic, one-of-a-kind, and absolutely freakin’ perfect for their day. 

Chasing mountain views and epic lighting for some more portraits, we took off down the road with no real plan. We stopped in a field, they sipped some beers, and turned on some music for a bit of time to just take it alllll in. The video team had an idea to move the party to a saloon back closer to the cabins so we packed up and headed back to town. Not thinking that it was a Friday night, we showed up to a packed bar. And here’s where another important lesson from your neighborhood elopement photographer comes in.. 

As wedding vendors and creatives, sometimes we’ll have cool ideas or fun visions for what is possible for your day or how we capture it. But none of it matters more than doing what YOU want. Here’s why.. 

1. It’s your wedding day. It’s about so much more than the photos or video or decor. The last thing you should do is something that makes you uncomfortable or takes away joy from your day. 
2. If you’re uncomfortable, you’ll be able to tell in the photos and video. Just trust me on this one! No need to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do because it shows. 

After sneaking a peek at the packed saloon, Ryan shut down. And I don’t blame him! I could see Angie unsure herself. I pride myself as an observer. I immediately knew this wasn’t for him + it wouldn’t turn into the vision in our minds if they weren’t into it.

Hungry and fading from the action-packed day we already had (eloping in Montana and the mountains is fun, but tiring bb!!), Angie + Ryan decided to take out food and getting cozy back at the cabin was at the top of their priorities. So we snagged some BBQ from a food truck down the road and returned to their magical little cabin to wrap up their day in the same spot it started. 

We originally planned for a fire and some fun after-dark photos to end their mountain elopement, but after one last FaceTime with their baby, the wedding dress turned into pajamas, the lashes came off, and the feet were propped up – a sure sign that these lovers were ready to call it a day. 

So that’s what we did! But before I made my exit, I snapped one last photo of Angie in comfy mode. (Make sure to scroll to the end to see this shot!) A candid reminder that your day doesn’t have to end in fireworks and a dance floor for it to be absolutely freakin’ perfect. And that’s why planning an elopement is the best! 

Wanna see more photos of couples doing weddings their own way? Take a peek at this early morning, coffee sippin’ couple and their national park elopement! Or this Yellowstone National Park elopement that had some wildlife wedding crashers! 

There’s a million ways to have a wedding day. Let’s plan an elopement around you + your partner + this crazy stupid love you share! Head on over to my contact form and let’s dream up your day.