hey hey

Mountains and whiskey and bears – OH FREAKIN’ MY! These mountain engagement photos were a lot of fun with Sarah + Preston as we ran around the Many Glacier region in Glacier National Park. And it was anything but boring! From a late start because of a navigation mishap to ending the day taking shots straight from the bottle on a little overlook, you’ll want to see these inspo-worthy images. 

Preston is from Montana, so mountain engagement photos just made sense for these two. Even though they currently live in Cali, they love coming back and spending time with family, exploring everything epic and beautiful in Glacier! That didn’t stop Preston from taking the wrong way into the park and having to circle back around though HAHA! I drive in circles all the time. 

I can’t say much though because after they arrived, I hopped into their car, and off we went to shoot. Only to realize that I forgot my camera back in my own car after we drove all the way to the location. I was excited to hang out lol. But that’s okayyyyy because I always build in extra time for mishaps into the shoot. When you’re out in nature, no cell service, climbing rocks, and running through fields – mishaps are bound to happen. The only way to make it work? Roll with it! 

So that’s what we did! We headed back out to that sweet little spot in the field, with a crazy scenic backdrop for some mountain engagement photos. We were the only ones there when we pulled up, but after a bit, another car came, and then another. Before I really noticed what was going on Preston noticed more and more people eventually saying, “uh I think we have an audience?!” That prompted me to look at all the cars and I knew in an instant. 

BEAR! There’s a bear here. 

When you’re strolling through Glacier, soaking in all of the sights, and suddenly there is a traffic jam – you know there is a bear around. We call it a bear jam. Everyone wants a look! 

And sure enough, there was a huge black bear not too far away behind us. Sarah had never seen a bear and was ready to high tail it out of there! But Preston and I convinced her we needed to stay. The bear sauntered around a bit, but had no interest in us, the cars, or the road. So instead of packing up, we did what any one taking mountain engagement photos would do. 

We put the bear in the shot! And now Mr. Black Bear is forever documented in their story. 

After the excitement from the bear, I wasn’t sure we’d be able to top that, but the fun continued! We headed to the lake, chased a hidden waterfall, and got so much variety in their photos. They brought plenty of outfits, all chosen based on a guide I sent over, and it was just too freakin’ good!!! 
They finished off an epic day with some shots of Wyoming Whiskey, a fan favorite with my clients! Sarah + Preston saw it in Aly + Erik’s Teton elopement and had to bring their own. They can’t get enough of it! Rumor has it, they might even skip the champagne toast at their wedding and go straight to the shots of whiskey! I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a wedding I want to be a part of! Luckily I am. Stay tuned.

You probably don’t need much explanation for why this elopement in Iceland was so magical, yeah? I mean… It’s ICELAND! But it would be a shame not to share more about this day and how it came to be, so I’m going to do that for ya right now! 

“Wanna photograph our elopement in Iceland?” It was always a HELL YES from me, but the more I chatted with Ria + Jordan, the more I was excited about this destination wedding in the Land of Fire and Ice! Ria had actually followed one of my past brides who got married in Banff, found me, and as soon as Jordan popped the question, she messaged me! I love a long time Instagram follower turned client!! 

Their wedding was planned for 2021, but of course the big C had other plans for international travel, so they pushed it to 2022. But wow was it worth the wait!! 

And while Iceland is always an epic time, the weather is something else and totally unpredictable, so if you’re looking for warm and sunny days for your vows, it might not be the place for you. Those are never guaranteed in Iceland. Warm is a good like 66 degrees lol. Ria + Jordan are adventure people though – self-proclaimed national park gurus and real outdoorsy people – so they were up for anything! And that mentality is really want you need for an elopement in Iceland. 

We had planned some portraits the night before the wedding, maybe a dip in some hot springs and exploring a bit, but the weather was bitterly cold and absolutely pouring rain. So we decided to wait out the storm and try the next morning! 

So it was the morning of the ceremony and off we went to explore some nearby waterfalls! It wasn’t raining at all, thank goodness, but it wasn’t super warm either. Or warm at all even lol. So I photographed them as we wandered around, and into a cave with a waterfall inside. The water was icy, but I had a plane to catch the next morning, so I refused to soak my shoes. I’m more of a barefoot kinda gal anyway, so in I went, shoeless, and freezing my ass off. I know I know, crazy, but DUDE IT WAS WORTH IT! Some of my favorite photos of the trip! I want to frame them in my own house.  

We took a break and let the lovebirds get ready for the afternoon festivities – their wedding ceremony! They got ready in the coolest little set up, doing hair + makeup, and getting dressed all in a camper van. You would have never guessed they were actually supposed to get ready on some cliffs instead, but we had to shift as the area was closed for nesting birds (just another very Icelandic hiccup!) So the camper van by a little multilayered waterfall was Plan B and we went with it! Getting ready at a waterfall is Plan B… I mean c’mon. 

It had been sunny that afternoon but once again, in true Iceland elopement fashion, just as they started to get ready weather rolled in! Ria was a trooper in her backless dress as the temperature chilled. And while they set up the ceremony, the videographers and I hid in the van to warm up with heat on full blast! 

Then some seriously magical moments followed. In the opening of a secret cave, surrounded by twinkling lights and their favorite people on earth, Ria + Jordan said yes to forever in a beautiful ceremony by a local Icelandic woman. Followed by Icelandic pancakes, traditional Icelandic cake, and plenty of champagne! 

To end an epic elopement in Iceland, we pulled ourselves together best we could as walking icicles and did some portraits on a black sand beach outside the cave followed by a field full of lupines! From flowers to waterfalls to camper vans and caves — what a freakin’ treat it was to photograph these two! 

But you want to know the coolest part about eloping in Iceland? The opportunities for scenic views and big adventures are quite literally endless. We didn’t even cover a small fraction of what is out there to explore. So who wants to go?? 

I’ve got so many ideas and plenty of frequent flyer miles. Wanna plan your elopement in Iceland? Or heck while we’re at it Ireland? Norway??? Let’s doooo it! Share your ideas with me on this contact form and we’ll plan the best day (or trip!!) EVER!

These awesome photos have all been featured over on one of my fave blogs – Wandering Weddings!

Obviously you’re playing around with the idea of having a Glacier National Park elopement. Snow-kissed mountain tops, juniper green valleys, + crystal clear waters are sure to make any adventure-loving couple want to say their I Dos here! If you’re ready to finally say “HECK YES, we’re doing it!!!” but you + your partner have been thinking about where to even get started on planning your Montana elopement – I’ve gotchu friend! 

There’s so much to love about the idea of getting married in Glacier National Park + I’m here to answer any questions you might have before finally tying the knot in one of the most vivacious parks that this state, or hell… country, has to offer! Let’s dive in on how to elope in this insanely one-of-a-kind location!!

 

Planning your Glacier National Park Elopement – and all the deets!

First things first: choosing a location. One thing to keep in mind is that Glacier National Park is HUGE. I’m talking 1 million acres huge. So, choosing a location that’s right for you and your partner is the first step in planning your big day. Do you want cascading waterfalls, sexy mountainous backdrops, or infinite wildflower meadows? This place has it all. 

You can find a full list of ceremony spots on the GNP wedding website, but for portraits we have more freedom to explore the park! From the epic mountainscapes of Big Bend to the infamous Many Glacier views, make sure to explore the region around you before you go!

For my couples, I have a complete Glacier location guide. I’m happy to share all of my favorite spots! After 10 years of photographing in the park, I know a secret view or two. 😉

 

Time is of the Essence – Choosing a date! 

Circling back to the fact that Glacier is freaking humongous, keep in mind that that means it’ll take some time to get places. In my experience, sunrise and sunset tend to have the best lighting, but this also depends on what season we’re in. 

Bringing us to the next matter of business, it’s time to pick a date for when you want all of this to go down. Planning your Glacier National Park elopement is all fun and games until you realize that nature is a force to be reckoned with, especially in the park! 

From the many times I’ve found myself happily capturing all of these crazy, stupid love stories, I found that July and August are usually the best times for getting married in Glacier National Park. Personal opinion 😉 The weather is the best and it feels like the sun never sets! Not to mention that the chances of rain during this time are lower – but if it happens, we’ll roll with it! No seriously, some of my favorite photos are of unexpectedly moody days, so we don’t worry about the weather around here. 

May is a great option if you’re looking for a ‘quieter’ time in the park. But locations in the park are limited as the downside to this time is that the infamous Going to the Sun Road, which is the main road that leads to all the good spots in the park, often doesn’t open until late June and sometimes July.

If you’re looking to have a ceremony in the fall, September and October are good options too, but be prepared for some rain and snow the closer to October we get. Don’t be discouraged, though! The sky hues that the fall gets are so damn gorgeous + for those of you who want a winter wonderland kind of ceremony, that’s definitely doable for your dream Glacier National Park elopement, but you’ll just have to bring an extra jacket or two. Or three. Maybe more, seriously. Winters can be pretty damn cold! And after the first big snowfall, they’ll close the Going to the Sun Road once again, limiting access to many places in the park. The Going to the Sun Road usually closes on the 3rd Monday of October if the weather hasn’t shut it down prior. 

Keeping all of this in mind, summer will be the busiest season. So, if you’ve got your sights set on having your dream elopement in GNP and want to take the path of least resistance, a summer sunrise (or sunset) ceremony might just be the one for you!

 

Sunrise or sunset – Creating a timeline (kinda)! 

If no one has told you this yet, lighting is everything in photography. So we’ve got a friend in the sun and we need to chase that damn goooood light! Generally you have two options for best light  – sunrise or sunset. 

Depending on the season + location with how the mountains wind, the sun rises and sets at different times. But don‘t worry, I’ve got an app for that! For a fast and easy rule: summer days are LONG in the park, with the sun not setting until late at night, while winters have much less time to work with. 

My advice? Choose whether you’re a morning person (like 4am wake up time people, think hard!!!) or would rather wait until the late afternoon. Then create a loose timeline of your day, depending on your photography coverage, around that! 

If you have your heart set on a specific location in the park, make sure to clear it with your photographer for that time of day! Light leaks into or is blocked by the mountains, so every location isn’t created equal depending on the time of day.

 

How to Elope in Glacier National Park – All of the legal shit! 

Now that I got you oozing with excitement for your big Montana elopement, time to talk about permits and legalities – so fun! I mean it. First things first, make sure you check out all the necessary info to make your big day possible. 

Having a Special Use Permit is required for any and all ceremonies in the park, regardless of how many people are present. Already legally married and just exchanging vows? Ya, you need a permit for that. Since this park is usually a hot spot for dreamy ceremonies, the sooner you start on the application process, the better! Typically can submit a year before!

Another point to note is that a vehicle reservation + entry ticket is required to access the Going to the Sun Road. If you applied for a wedding permit with a ceremony along the required road, then no worries!! It’s included. So far these haven’t been needed in the Two Medicine Valley or Many Glacier. Have been required from late May to mid September from 9a-4p. Just for reference on your visit outside your ceremony.

Additionally, all visitor vehicles are required to have a park pass in order to enter GNP. Also keep in mind that these two are separate reservations. 

Just like Disneyland ya???

 

The peeps you need for a GNP elopement – Choosing your vendors! 

Now that we covered all the necessary basics of planning your Glacier National Park elopement, time to start talking about vendors! Wooooo!!!! 

Since we’ve already covered how absolutely massive this park is, the best thing you can do to make sure your day goes off without a hitch is to work with vendors who know this park like the back of their hand. Not to toot my own horn (jk, I totally am), I have 10+ years of experience with elopements in the park. What can I say?? I LOVE it here, seriously. So, I can say with 100% confidence that I’ll be here to capture all your wonderfully candid moments with ease! 

But enough about me (for now lol). Working with an experienced GNP vendor is a must. Not only do experienced af local vendors act as great resources for you, but there’s no better feeling than working with someone who knows their stuff so that you have way less to worry about once your big day finally comes around. 

For my GNP wedding couples, I’ve got a vendor guide waiting for you! All of my favorite peeps wrapped up into one document – from florals to bakers to planners to spas. I’ve got ya babe!

 

Lots to do, Sites to See – Plan an experience for your day. 

I know you didn’t just come here to say your vows on a mountain top and call it a day. With so much ground to cover, there’s literally a boatload of activities that you and your loved one(s) can do to really seal the deal on your epic love story!! 

Whether it’s hiking, camping, or riding your boat off into the sunset, there’s definitely something for everyone. Maybe even a charming little picnic with a hint of some breathtaking views?? The GNP is your oyster and I am freaking obsessed with her!!!!!!!

 

We’ve covered a lot of ground, but I hope you found this super helpful in finally making your decision to elope in the mountains! Glacier National Park weddings are dreamy dreamy and I would love nothing more but to capture your big day – adventures, a make out sesh or two, ass grabs and all. 

As a seasoned Glacier National Park elopement photographer, nothing makes me more freakin’ stoked to have the opportunity to take you through one of the most beautiful parks in Montana! So, if you have any more burning questions about how to plan an elopement in the great GNP, I’m here for you boo. And if you’re just ready to dive on in + say HECK YES to getting hitched in some of the most stunning sites that a Montana elopement has to offer, then definitely send me a love note and let’s make it happen!

Now I’m not sure you’re ready for all of the epicness of this Yellowstone National Park elopement! I shoot elopements quite frequently, often out in some of the most beautiful places you can find. But when two true outdoor enthusiasts decide they want to elope somewhere cool? You know it’s going to be a damn good time. And nothing says adventure like saying I Do in front a boiling hot column of water and steam shooting up from mother earth. 

Holly and Danny reached out about their Yellowstone National Park elopement with some ideas in their brain, but no solid plan. Their dear friend just happened to be a guide in the park, and on this day he doubled as their officiant, so they had the insider scoop on some dreamy locations. When they asked me if I was up for a hike to a geyser, I couldn’t scream “hell yaaa” fast enough! 

This elopement was extra sweet because it truly fit them as a couple. Holly wore a simple, classic rose colored dress with both a crown and bouquet of dried flowers and Danny looked dapper in his jacket. There was no big production or an abundance of details, just a picnic packed in a backpack and hiking boots slipped on. We met at the trailhead and headed out to see if we could catch a peek at the geyser in action! 

Round trip the hike was about 5 miles, but along the way were rivers and meadows and you know those dreamy landscapes our national parks have to offer. We knew that the geyser only erupts once every 3-4 hours…. Ish, usually a small eruption and then a larger to follow. At least that’s what we’ve read. We tried to time it as best as we could, but you just never know with mother nature and the only record of timing is at the geyser itself if people write it in the notebook. As we reached the view point, sure enough, the geyser shot into the sky! Like helllllllo and welcome to the show! 

We asked some others nearby if it was the first or second eruption. They told us the first, so we thought hey we just might make this work for the big one! We meandered down to the river for some photos, hoping the next eruption would start for the ceremony, but as time passed we realized it wasn’t gonna happen haha! 

So we continued as planned and they got married as the geyser just gurgled low in the background. After their ceremony, they took a minute just to soak it all in. This is something I will go to the ends of the freakin’ earth to advocate for – a little bit of time just to slow down and be with your partner. Elopements can sometimes feel rushed, as the coverage is only 4-8 hours for a lot of moving around and adventuring. It’s easy to always focus on the next move or getting those killer photos. But I always encourage my couples to slowwwww down. Whether it’s a first dance or a picnic or a snuggle session. In their case, they packed a picnic with some snacks and some kombucha + whiskey and just chilled. 

Before we knew it so much time had passed and sure enough the geyser started realllllly gurgling. It felt like a warning. Was she gonna make our Yellowstone National Park elopement dreams come true?!?! 

The first smaller eruption went off. And in the words of Danny himself, it was a tease. I knew at that moment that we were going to wait around for the larger eruption, I mean how could we not?! We took some more photos and before we knew it, this geyser gave us its best show. And we took some freakin’ epic photos. A perfect ending to the best day! 

As the sun set, we walked back to the trailhead and joked that the only thing missing from their Yellowstone National Park elopement photos was bison. And then right there in the field, we stopped to catch some bison before leaving.  The actual perfect ending to the best day! 
I love Yellowstone! But I also love Glacier and the Tetons and Olympic and Yosemite. You truly can’t go wrong with a national park wedding. If you’re looking for more adventure elopement inspo, check out this Grand Teton National Park elopement, it’s one of my absolute favs.

After their engagement session in Montana, these two babes asked me if I would fly to NYC to photograph their Batello wedding! They really wanted vendors who felt more like friends, and after we hung out for their engagement photos in GNP, it was clear we could have a dang good time together! Plus if you know me, you know I’m always always always down to travel, so of course I said heck ya let’s do it! 

Just across the water from the Big Apple sits Jersey City. And right there on the Hudson River is Batello, a high-end Italian restaurant and event venue, with the most breathtaking views of the Manhattan Skyline. I’m telling you, it’s a freakin’ magical place. And it also happened to be Dan + Paula’s wedding venue. 

If you’ve been following along with my work for long, you know that city skylines aren’t the backdrop for most of my weddings. I work mostly out in wild nature, most often in the mountains. So I won’t lie to you, I was nervous. I mean, I always get a little flutter of nerves before photographing a wedding, ya know, because it’s a mega important moment in your lives. But this wedding was different. I traded mountains for buildings. And in the mountains, I know how to work the light. I know how to control the surroundings and manipulate them to work in our favor. But in Jersey City there were people everywhere, streets instead of fields, and shiny buildings reflecting light like no mountain ever would. But Dan + Paula are absolute angels and knew I could provide them with the imagery they imagined for their day (even if I wasn’t so sure). 

And holy crap, let me tell you! I am obsessed with their day and the gallery of images + memories we created + preserved. 

Dan + Paula were totally nontraditional when it came to their wedding day. Dan even went wedding dress shopping with Paula, so he had already seen his soon-to-be bride. So on the day of, Dan was right there as Paula got ready as well, making the most of every moment they could spend together on their wedding day. 

Dan + Paula mentioned an abandoned pier with epic views for photos, so I stole away their wedding party and them and we went to see what it was all about. We walked right out, snapping photos as we went. But quickly a construction team came over to end our fun. And then in the spirit of true friendship, their wedding party kept the workers occupied as Paula, Dan + I snuck a few more photos before they kicked us out completely. It’s not a wedding day without some shenanigans right?!! So we danced in the sunlight of the street then haha.

One quick Google search of the Batello wedding venue and you’ll see why this ceremony location was simply so stunning. Or ya know swipe down, you’ll see! With the entire city as our backdrop, these two lovers said “I Do” with their loved ones watching and cheering them on. The sky hinted at a chance of rain, with storm clouds hanging above, but not a drop ever fell. And after the ceremony, man did the party start. 

The cocktail party set the tone for the rest of the night. The wedding party slipped into a private room to decompress and chill before dinner, have some appetizers and a few drinks. An idea I would recommend to anyone!! And then everyone ate a delicious dinner by candlelight while the Manhattan skyline twinkled in the background. It was so gorgeous!! 

To end the night, Dan + Paula wanted a real freakin’ party. With a live band with a drummer and saxophone player who absolutely rocked it, every single person was having the time of their lives. As my time came to an end, I stole away the newlyweds for a little moment outside with the skyline in view. The perfect little cap to their documentation of a wildly beautiful Batello wedding. I love them forever and ever amen.

Xx, J

Okay who wants a Grand Teton National Park elopement? Because I know I spend alot of time in Glacier but the truth is…. Tetons are my favorite park! There is something about those mountain peaks, the town of Jackson Hole, the color of, what seems like billions, of wildflowers in the summer and the crisp,warm colors in the fall. Man, this place is just unreal. Add in a couple so wildly in love with each other and it’s an absolute freaking dream. Which brings us to Ally + Erik and their day eloping in the Tetons. 

A+E laugh when they look back on the way they met. Their paths had been connected even before ever meeting in person. Erik was best friends with Jared, who was dating Becca, whose sister is Ally. Did you follow me with that one?! They had heard countless stories about the other. There were many instances where they could have been in the same place at the same time, but it never happened. That was until a winter day in January of 2018. Their paths finally crossed and they knew it was it. They said there was never any question of whether this was forever. Gives me freakin’ goosebumps. The magic they felt between each other radiated in every part of their Grand Teton National Park elopement. 

I’ve photographed in Jackson Hole a few times, from weddings to engagements. Like I said, I am obsessed with the place. So I was so stoked to be back in Wyoming for their elopement! The drive to the mountainside townhouse was incredible. As I pulled in, I noticed something in the middle of the driveway. I had to chuckle a little when I realized it was a pair of underwear. Yes, underwear!!! Hahaha! The funniest part is that it didn’t belong to anyone and they had no clue where it came from. BUT ANYWAY! I walked into the house (which was renovated by the guys from https://www.myhousepainter.com/painters/georgia/ site) and there wasn’t a soul in sight. Finally, after a brief scavenger hunt, I found Ally + the girls getting ready upstairs. 

A+E invited their siblings + their siblings partners, one friend who officiated the ceremony and his partner. There might have been a couple friends who crashed from the parking lot that weren’t supposed to be there. But it was all a good laugh and we joked about the elopement crashers all day. 

Ally brought along her grandma’s wedding dress from 1934, but opted to not to wear it for the elopement. It was so delicate + fragile that we were worried about how it’d hold up as we roamed around the park. So instead she wore a gown from Lulu’s, which was stunning. During the ceremony, Ally’s sister performed a celtic handfasting ceremony by reciting a poem + wrapping their hands in cloth. It was SO beautiful. If you’ve never heard of this, you can read more about it here! Becca, Ally’s sister, read from a poem and I had to share it with you! 

“These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever….And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.”

Make sure to find + read the whole poem in the images below!! 

The elopement ceremony along a river was short + sweet. So we spent the rest of the evening roaming through the park, running through fields and down roads, soaking in the beauty of the Tetons. At sunset, we stopped in a golden field with panoramic mountain views where they had their first dance. Remember what I said about radiating magic throughout the whole day??? This moment…the purest, most breathtaking moment of magic!!! They ended their day with shots of Wyoming whiskey, toasting to the beginning of a beautiful forever. So you ready to start planning your Grand Teton National Park elopement? Let’s start planning, babe! 

I’m obsessed with Jackson Hole, the state of Wyoming, the Tetons – all of it!!

I am OBSESSED with these summer engagement photos! The coolest part? They were all taken at Lauren + Cooper’s family home in Kalispell, Montana. Can you imagine having all of this goodness right in your backyard?! The blooming Canola fields, mountain views, the sweetest little pond with a rowboat. Nicholas Sparks needs to ditch the Carolina beach setting and head to this homestead in Kalispell. Am I right?!!?

Lauren + Cooper make the perfect pair. Loud, outgoing and so goofy. They are so SO much fun and quite literally always giggling about something. Lauren said Cooper is the funniest person she’s ever met and I have to agree. And their chemistry! Their chemistry could make an onlooker melt, the way that they unfold into each other. 

We started the shoot in Cooper’s mom’s house. They had a vision for an all black and white photoshoot and considering I love a good black and white photo, I was all for it! They sipped some drinks and put on their favorite music. It was like we were old friends, hanging out and catching up. Only I had never met them before and I had my camera ready.  You can check out this important source if you need the best music lessons.

After that we headed out to the fields. We had hoped for fields full of yellow canola flowers, but this unusually warm summer weather threw a kink in our plans. Early blooming this year meant that most of the golden yellow flowers had died by the time we got to them. So we found a little patch with what was left and went for it! Lauren + Cooper galavanting around while farmers worked on their fields nearby, creating the most magical dusty air for a sunset photoshoot. 

Remember when I said they just unfold into each other??? We created the most electric, sweet photos in those fields. They were as carefree as they could have been. Cuddling up in what was left of the flowers, stealing kisses from each other as they weaved through the grasses, hopping in a rowboat and popping open some champagne kind of carefree. 

And these were just their engagement photos?! Imagine the fun we’re going to have at their wedding. They’re planning a multiple-day event to celebrate and party with the ones they love most next summer. Soiree 99 is planning the bash so you know it’s going to be EPIC! If you love their summer engagement photos, stay tuned for their summer wedding photos this coming July!!

Looking for more summer engagement photos for inspiration? Are you dreaming of chasing waterfalls, basking in some golden hour light or exploring sweet little downtowns? Take a look and let’s get to planning!

One of the coolest things is having publications editors reach out to you about including your work in a feature. The fact that they found it somehow. Google. Pinterest. Instagram. Wherever. They found it. And in the sea of millions of wedding images each year they connected to your work. And connected enough to reach out to you and ask to use it. It feels so damn good!

One of the editors at Destination Weddings & Honemoon’s reached out to me a few months ago about the upcoming May/June issue that just went on stands this week. The whole magazine dedicated to epic settings. And then a few weeks later she came back and asked for more images she’d seen for another article! So 3 of my 2015 weddings have some appearances in the brand new issue!!!!

So amazing! Becky & Chris’ epic Iceberg Lake elopement and Michelle & Nathan’s beautiful dinner table (designed by Habitat Events with some help from The Party Store) are on the front page of Destination Weddings & Honeymoon’s guide to getting married in the national parks! Then Carolina & Abe’s sweet boat ride on Swiftcurrent lake in Many Glacier is featured in another article on getaway vehicles!!

Destination Weddings & Honeymoons thank you so much for believing in me and my work to feature it. And thank you to my couples entrusting me with that amazing opportunity! Congratulations you guys! You rocked it!

XOXO

 

 

 

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OH. MY. GOD. What the what!?!?!

Lindsey & Jason are a dream couple to have had. Honestly sometimes I think every time I’ve photographed them was a dream. It’s too good to be true. But somehow it’s clearly true. From their cozy winter engagement in Whitefish, Montana. To their too-much-fun wedding outside Glacier National Park with dense wildfire smoke that actually looked cool. And then their daring day after 8 mile hike on the beautiful island of Kauai, Hawaii. A real dream. These two are quite special.

Then the Montana Bride Magazine crew asked about featuring their wedding on the cover of the mag. This is the perfect Montana couple to grace the cover. And the magazine is in, it’s here!! And I have no words.

So grateful for Lindsey & Jason and dream crew of vendors to work along side. I’m sooooo happy and excited to see it being featured on a well known Montana wedding & planning magazine. Such an honor. A new highlight and one hell of a way to continue starting 2016 as the best year ever!!!

If you’re interested you can find them on stands across Montana or online HERE!!!

CHEERS to the best year EVER!

XOXO

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Jackie | Join the Facebook Fanpage | Follow My Life on Instagram | Check out the Website

Fuck yes. Fuck yes.

When you say something twice it just feels like you should say it again. Third times the charm or something. So…

Fuck yessssssssssssssss!

When I first started photographing weddings I thought ‘Man, if I could just be good enough to get one published!’  Then once I had one featured I just wanted more. Then I started making goals to have weddings published by specific publications. And Junebug Weddings was the first to make the list. Right at the top.

I’m obsessed with Junebug. The photographers & images they feature make my creative soul sing. They’re inspiring beyond belief. Then when you actually go to their site the design draws me in. So clean, simple, yet impactful and covered in incredible imagery. And every time I’d look at their site I’d tell myself one day I’m gonna have photos I’ve taken grace these pages.

It isn’t about the details of the wedding or needing to feel validated that my photos are good enough. It’s about the reach to the brides I can identify with across the world and inspire them with beautiful images of love.

In mid-June I showed up at Marlena & Ryan’s wedding. The tables had been put out but that was it. She sat on the porch getting her makeup done, while the boys fished, her dress just hanging in the wine cellar. Even though nothing was really set up and it was just starting to get into motion it already took my breath away. There was something about it. The aura. The vibes. Whatever you want to call it. I knew this was going to be one for the books. And it sure was!!!

At the end of the night I sat in my car. Just sat there. For another 10 minutes. Just watching them so happy, so deeply in love, so drawn to each other and still dancing under the lights strung up in the front yard and I felt like this was the one. This was the one for Junebug Weddings.

I submitted it and just a couple days later they emailed a response. And right there in the subject line….

‘Your wedding has been selected for publication!’

Cue the dancing and jumping and giddy laughing and screaming! For a solid 30 minutes before I even opened the email. Even now I’m still that excited.

On Sunday Marlena & Ryan’s incredible wedding was featured!!! I can’t thank Junebug enough for accepting this wedding and spreading it across the internet, Facebook & Pinterest. *hugs*

Marlena & Ryan congrats you two. You had one of the best and most memorable weddings of all time. And I mean that!!! Thank you for giving me the honor of photographing it!

XOXO

 

 

 

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