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A spring day with the sweetest couple at maybe my favorite mountain wedding venue?? Hell yeah! Rachel + Remy promised forever together at White Raven in Alberton MT in front of their closest loved ones and Rocky of course, their black lab. 

These two babes are from Cali, so why White Raven mountain wedding venue in Montana? Rachel + Remy are from California, where they met over ten years ago. Life twisted and turned as it does and reconnected them completely organically some eight years later. Now taking on life together, they actually moved to MT! After being here and falling in love with how freaking beautiful this state really is, they wanted to bring their friends and family to experience a bit of their life here. 

Back in august of last year, I had the chance to photograph Rachel + Remy for their engagement photos. I was crushing on these two hard! It was easy to tell just how in love and in sync with each other they are, making their photos an absolute smoke show! Seriously, you’re going to want to check out their summer engagement photos too, if you haven’t already. Of course that session got me stoked for their spring wedding! 

These two  kept it all simple, classic, and timeless which I loved and looked stunning paired with the beautiful landscape of the venue. Rachel’s bouquet was solely garden roses, which matched the laid-back elegance of their whole day! Bridesmaids wore silky satin taupe dresses while the groomsmen were looking good in black tuxes. Their guest list hit just about 60 people, making it an intimate and relaxed gathering where everyone just had a good time. 

It’s always so fun to see different personalities shine through on wedding days. In true Remy fashion, he showed up last minute, slipped his tux on and was ready to go, like “what? I’m here and I’m ready”! Rachel laughed it off the whole time, saying Remy just lives on his own time. She was calm in a bit of chaos and that just reflects who they are as a couple. So chill, so kind, and so good to each other!! 

Their outdoor ceremony was beautiful in front of a rocky cliff face. The altar arch was draped in white fabric and stunning florals by the incredibly talented Habitat Floral Studio! Rocky boy, R+R’s pup, walked down the aisle with them and their friend officiated the ceremony. Those sweet little personal touches make your day that much more special and intimate, always!! 

Springtime in Montana can be unpredictable, the weather was cold and windy as the day started. But mother nature was good to us and the sun came out for their portraits. Then the ceremony was followed by dancing under the sky and a sparkly fun exit at the end of the night. 

I could go on and on about Rachel + Remy, their day, the venue, the florals, their pup, their guests – all of it! But the photos speak for themselves. Scroll through their wedding day and tell me it doesn’t want to make you pack up and head to a mountain wedding venue somewhere beautiful?!

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

Why not make your destination wedding in Montana last four days?! Create a full travel experience for all your friends and family. That’s the thought Leah + Aaron had when they decided to have an entire weekend celebration rather than just a few hours. These two lovers are from Cali, but fell in love with Montana, and wanted to share that with their family and friends all while celebrating their love for one another! Pretty freakin’ beautiful right?! Turns out it’s a hell of a lot of fun, too! 

Lone Mountain Ranch was the perfect place for Leah + Aaron’s four day destination wedding in Montana! Tucked in the Montana Rockies, the resort is in Big Sky, just outside of Yellowstone National Park! Leah fell in love with it minutes after arriving on a venue tour. The ranch is the perfect mix of adventure and luxury, with on-site activities like fly fishing and horseback riding in the summer, but also quaint cabins and yummy locally-sourced dining options. Four days at the ranch gave Leah + Aaron plenty of time to not only get married, but show their friends + fam the beauty this area of the country has to offer! Without skipping out on the more glamorous parts of the wedding day. 

From a wedding photographer’s perspective, their wedding weekend extravaganza was such an amazing experience. Normally, I barely even get to meet the couple before their big day because so many of my couples are from out of state. But adding a weekend of fun and relaxing allowed me to get to know not only Leah + Aaron, but pretty much every one of their guests too. By the actual wedding day, I felt like I was photographing my own friends. This let everyone get really comfortable with me and my camera, allowing me to offer a more personalized approach that ultimately created a different type of imagery altogether. It felt more customized, more intimate, and more candid!

It helped that everyday was so fun and chill for their guests as well. The first night, they had a private welcome dinner with their immediate family. The dinner was on a hilltop, in a little cabin without electricity, just oil lanterns lighting it up. They arrived at the cabin in carriages, as the rest of their wedding weekend guests had a happy hour at the bar as they arrived at the ranch. Every moment was so intentionally thought out, creating the most experienced-based wedding event I’ve been a part of. And it was absolutely one of my favorites!!! 

The next morning guests were invited to go fly fishing if they wanted to. Thanks to Lone Mountain, the day was seamless and so fun, while offering a quintessential Montana backcountry moment for the crew. Later that evening, they had a rehearsal dinner and started preparing for the wedding day! 

Ohmygoshhhhh the wedding day was so damn beautiful. I mean, SO dreamy. Leah looked like a freakin’ angel in her Sarah Seven dress. Remember how I said every part of their weekend felt intentional and thought out? They didn’t have a wedding party, but the couple wanted every guest to feel involved in their day. So Leah invited all of the women to gather for breakfast, while each one shared their thoughts and well-wishes for the couple. Meanwhile, Aaron invited all of the men to hang out while he got ready and they ate lunch as a group. Having a destination wedding in Montana at the ranch allowed for all of their guests to play a bigger part in their day than what traditionally happens at weddings. I LOVED it! 

They had their wedding out on the ridge with their guests looking out at Lone Mountain peak! Habitat Events absolutely crushed the wedding planning and brought the most incredible floral arrangements, two of which were used as altar pieces for the ceremony. The sun was lowering in the sky over the mountain range as they had their first kiss as partners for life and it was just as magical as the photos look!!! 

Of course the fun didn’t stop there! After the ceremony, the whole wedding was buzzing with energy going into the reception. There was a fantastic cocktail hour, a photo lounge, and horses running around out in the fields. The tent reception dinner was romantic and stunning, lit only with candlelight. After dinner, they moved to a canvas covered area and danced the night away. S’mores were made, drinks were sipped + chugged, the fire crackled, and the party was kept alive by an awesome DJ. 

In true Leah + Aaron fashion, they decided to end the wedding weekend with a brunch and BBQ, making sure their guests were having a good time until the very end. I had to hop to another wedding, but my team covered the farewell brunch and it was as sweet as you expected it to be. 

I can’t even express how OBSESSED I am with these two and the intentional wedding weekend they created. And an experience none of their guests will forget anytime soon! I know I won’t! Their gallery is filled with endless candids, intimate moments, pure freakin’ joy in photo form. 

So if you’re planning a destination wedding in Montana, take a tip for two from Leah + Aaron! Choose to create an experience out of it, whether it’s just you or a ranch full of guests! I’ve got endless Montana weddings on the blog to give you a bit of inspo! My couples are kinda the coolest, so you’ll want to take a look. Here are a few you can start with! Leigh + Zach had an incredible destination wedding in Montana in Glacier National Park! While Lindsay + Kevin opted for a backyard wedding and party at Big Mountain Ranch! The options are endless so keep browsing and when you’re ready to book vendors, I’d love love LOVE to photograph you day!

Xx, J

If you are a couple dreaming of an outdoor wedding, centered around lakes, mountains, rivers, and more, nothing makes more sense than a national park wedding! Imagine having wedding photos from some of the most incredible places in the world – places like El Captian in Yosemite National Park, countless waterfalls of Mountain Rainier National Park, or mountain views in Grand Teton National park. Leigh + Zach decided a national park wedding felt right for them and picked the tranquil waters of Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park.

Inspired by a previous wedding I photographed with a ceremony and picnic by a lake, Leigh and Zach were drawn to the countless lakes and panoramic views of Glacier National Park. But due to changes in the rules and regulations announced by the park, they decided to get married in the park and have dinner at Great Northern Resort outside of the park and then include an adventure day after the wedding! Even though this was plan B, you couldn’t tell! 

Officiated by their brother and with just their family, their ceremony was intimate and sweet. These babes hopped into a rowboat and headed to a boat dock where the rest of their family and friends waited on a chartered boat for a cruise + cocktails!! I absolutely recommend doing something just the two of you on your wedding day, especially if you have guests. This little rowboat ride gave Leigh + Zach a few moments to just be, to soak in the fresh mountain air and the fact that they just freaking married the love of their life. These private moments are extra special and you’ll be glad you took some time for yourself. Trust me. 

And after those private moments, just the two of them, they boarded a boat with everyone they love. They laughed, snacked, sipped on drinks, and took a magical tour of Lake MacDonald! A cocktail hour like this one also lets you have time to just chill. In contrast to a wedding reception with cake cuttings, toasts, and dances all at scheduled times, a cocktail hour gives you time to just hang. I am all for that! 

After the charter ended, the party definitely didn’t stop! We headed to Great Northern Resort in the town of West Glacier just a few minutes away. To top off an already incredible venue, the picnic reception was crafted by Soiree Ninety Nine. Brittany and her team are the real freaking deal! Every time I collaborate with them, I know the wedding is going to be flawless. If ya don’t believe me, check out Emily + Nathan’s outdoor mountain wedding! The same goes for Leigh + Zach’s reception dinner. It was stunning! 

It was a truly epic national park wedding, but the magic didn’t stop when the day ended! We headed back into the park the next day for a day after session. Did you notice that Leigh + Zach didn’t have any strict timelines or structure to their day? It’s because of this day after session. We didn’t have to stress about getting the banger images or sneaking them away from their guests the day of their wedding. Instead, they got to enjoy their day knowing that we have an entire session the next day dedicated to getting “the shots!” And DAMN, did we get “the shot”!!!!! Not just one, but a whole gallery. Obsessed is an understatement, low key freakin’ out. Leigh + Zach had a chemistry that a wedding photographer dreams about. The electricity between them and fluidity in their movements feels like they are melting together. Dynamite images of a dynamite couple. Scroll and have a look for yourself!!

An intimate mountain wedding in Glacier National Park made perfect sense for Kayla + Niko. It is a place they love and share many memories. They visit every year. It’s where Niko proposed. They live close by and knew it would be the perfect place for friends and family to enjoy while also celebrating their love. 

On a gorgeous summer day in late August, Kayla + Niko promised forever to each other in a lakeside intimate wedding ceremony. They decided that they didn’t want to see each other before heading into the park, so we planned a first look at Big Bend before the ceremony. This moment was probably my favorite moment of the day!

Kayla + Niko’s first look was SO freakin’ beautiful. It was an incredibly emotional moment for them both. First of all, she looked stunning. Carrying a dusty rose and white bouquet from Mum’s Flowers and wearing a beautiful lace-bodessed wedding gown, she was a vision. Niko rocked a maroon suit and black tie, a great example of groom’s style if you ask me. But the moment Niko burst out into tears at the sight of Kayla, the absolute love of his life, I was over here crying in the corner. It was extremely refreshing to watch a groom with emotion the way Niko did. They shared gifts and Kayla gave Niko a tie clip in remembrance of their puppy who passed and that brought more tears from everyone. The moment was so pure, so tender and a super sweet way to start their intimate mountain wedding. 

After their first look, we headed back to Wild Goose Island where their family was waiting for them. Right there, on the shores of the lake, they said yes to forever together with the mountains in view and their families by their sides. 

After their vows, I stole them away for a little adventure. We had so much fun running around, chasing the sunlight dancing in fields, by the lake, laughing at my new puppy we brought along lol. We literally shot until there was no light left. We ended the night on the shores of Lake McDonald, right where Niko had proposed to Kayla, bringing their wedding story full circle. I loved every second of their day. 

Make sure to scroll through their gallery and soak in the sweetness that was their first look! I’m still so in love with that moment. And if you’re looking for more intimate mountain wedding inspiration, I’ve got more where that came from! Check out Courtney + Christoph’s Colorado Intimate Wedding or Julia + Blake’s Intimate Wedding in the Beartooth Mountains! Let’s go get married in the mountains somewhere, yeah?!

The original plans weren’t a backyard wedding, but when an issue with their original venue came up, Lindsey + Kevin decided to just go for it! Originally from California, these two lovebirds just moved to Montana so why not throw a housewarming party – wedding style!? 

It won’t take you long to realize that these two are absolute babes. A smokin’ hot couple, but with the sweetest + most generous personalities around. You already know I’m a sucker for anyone who foregoes tradition and while at first glance their wedding appears to be a bit on the traditional side, they were actually making their own rules right and left! I was rolling every time Kevin would walk into the house where the bridal party was getting ready. Everyone would gasp and tell him to get out of town, but Lindsey just laughed. “He sees me every day, why wouldn’t he see me now?” And I agree. It’s your day, do whatever ya wanna do! 

They had a backyard wedding in a clearing just beyond their home. The trees were their backdrop and their guests sat in church pews in the grass. If you have any idea how to repurpose church pews for everyday use, maybe send a message Lindsey + Kevin’s way LOL! They actually bought the pews from an old church that was being sold to use for the wedding. Now they could hold a whole congregation in their backyard, so party at their house!!! 

After the sweet ceremony in the afternoon, we headed over to Big Mountain Ranch for cocktail hour. Goldfinch Events knocked this one clear out of the park with the decor. Dreamy lanterns and greenery draped everywhere in the gorgeous barn space, whew!! It was a beautiful night. 

The reception dinner went off without a hitch and we snuck out for some of those gorgeous golden hour photos on the ranch. Lindsey’s dress was flowing as she danced and we ran across the field chasing the evening light. 

Back at the barns, Lindsey changed into another little stunner outifit, but this one was a little slinky satin dress and tall cowgirl boots. Kevin also switched out his coat jacket. That could only mean one thing, the party had started! There were drinks, there was live music, there was dancing. It was a damn good time!!! 
For more backyard wedding inspiration in Montana, check out this blog at the Homestead on McVey! You don’t even need to use your own backyard to get all of those cozy, laid-back intimate wedding vibes.

A Rocky Mountain wedding just made sense for Hannah + Dow. They’d been traveling around the country, visiting every national park they could. National Park junkies in fact. When they first emailed me about a wedding in the mountains of Montana, they had just come from spending time in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. And, they even got engaged in Acadia National Park! They only had one vision in mind for their wedding day in the Rockies – they wanted an adventure. 

And an adventure is what they got! An incredible day was spent at the Great Northern Resort, surrounded by friends and family, the we spent the next day doing a day-after session in Glacier National Park, just the two of them. The day was perfectly planned by Katie at An Epic Elopement. Their ceremony was in a little clearing with mountainous views as the sun flickered through the trees. The reception tent was simple + natural, with tables decorated in wood + brass. So freakin’ gorgeous!!! 

The whole day was such a reflection of who Hannah + Dow are as a couple. Cool, easy, and laid back! Like any wedding day, there were plenty of hiccups. Heavy traffic caused the bride and groomsmen and many guests to all be over 30 minutes late. Not one person complained or seemed worried. Truly a go-with-the-flow wedding which I LOVE! 

Their day after-session in the park was just as relaxed. Hannah + Dow wanted a grizzly sighting and we stumbled right upon one! As if that wasn’t enough excitement, we pulled of the road for wedding portraits and the field was in full bloom so late in the year. Wildflowers everywhere, I honestly thought they might not come this summer lol! That’s the beauty of a Rocky Mountain wedding in the summertime. Long days of sun light up alpine meadows full of flowers with panoramic views of peaks and valleys.

Can’t wait for you to see these and choose your faves! Scroll down to see their Rocky Mountain wedding gallery! And if you are thinking, “holy crap, I want that!!” well… head over to the contact form and let’s get to planning!!

I absolutely love an intimate wedding! So many couples go searching for a way to have a chill, relaxed wedding day to match their laid-back personalities. They don’t want to fuss with guest lists + napkin colors + textures, they just want to be married! But they have close friends + family they want to be there for their day. An intimate wedding checks all of the boxes! You don’t have to sacrifice what you want in order to please other people. Do what you want first + we’ll figure out how to make it an adventure for everyone! 

Bailey + Mike felt exactly this way. They are big outdoorsy people who love to travel…. obvs that pretty much makes us besties right there. They told me it was basically, “love at first trip,” they went camping in Rocky Mountain National Park just two weeks after their first date! So an outdoor elopement with a little exploration + adventure felt most true to them. But they also had someone very important to their love story that needed to be included in this adventure – their little girl. Being a mama myself, I know exactly how important it would be to include her in their plans. They wanted a little hike, easy enough for close family to come along, and those stunning views that Glacier National Park has to offer. Of course I said, LET’S DO IT! 

We met outside of West Glacier + immediately I knew they were the most laid-back, chill folks. We headed into the park for our first stop of the day, their first look at the bottom of Mcdonald Falls. But first, getting dressed in the forest which was freaking magical!!!

Waterfalls were a theme of their elopement. Just a couple of days into their relationship, they went on a hike to a waterfall. So now every time they travel, no matter where they are, the go searching for waterfalls nearby. I’m a sucker for little sentimental details, so I made sure to stop at every waterfall I could find for these two!! 

Their ceremony was on the shoreline of St. Marys Lake with their close family members. Personally written vows + champagne cheers. No matter how many weddings I shoot, I never get tired of the little moments. 

After the ceremony, we went out into the fields + made our own adventure. Their little one with us, a little shy at first, but by the end I was her best friend. She was such a trooper, going everywhere with us in her poofy, tulle light purple dress. Even strapped her into a carrier as we hiked that had a “just married” sign on it. Seriously, it was the cutest freakin’ thing. We ended their session with one last waterfall + it was absolute magic. Everyone is drawn to Montana for its epic mountain views, but there are many more treasures hidden between those peaks. Check out these other options for an amazing elopement in Montana! Like this lakeside winter elopement or this intimate waterfall elopement!

Xx, J

Holy freakin’ moly this Steamboat Springs wedding was the sweetest. A significant location, so many personal story details + a day spent exactly how Megan + Tyler wanted to spend it. It was the celebration they deserved after multiple changes of plan + postponing due to the craziness of these past couple of years. 

I first met Megan + Tyler while photographing the wedding of her twin sister, Amanda. When Megan + Tyler got engaged, I got a message from them saying “if you can make Amanda + Josh’s awkwardness look that good, you are a perfect fit for us” HAHA!!  Funny thing is that none of these babes were awkward in the slightest, but I’m so honored they trusted me regardless! I’d hang out with this crew any day. 

They’re originally from Ohio, but live full-time in the Sunshine State these days. Colorado was the first choice on their list for a destination wedding because it’s where they first met. Once just two kids working through the winter in the mountains, they went on their first date on a hike underneath the gondola. Later snowboarding down the mountain under a full moon. It was only fitting to get married with those same slopes in view, so Steamboat Springs it was! 

Like so many of my couples, Megan + Tyler’s original plans were changed last minute due to c*vid, so they couldn’t make the trip out. They postponed the celebration in Colorado, but decided they didn’t want to wait. So they went out + she bought a different wedding dress, a satin silky dark green dress cause why not + got married in their living room. No fluff, no vendors, no big wedding plans. Just two lovers that couldn’t stand to not be married one more day. How freakin’ sweet is that?!

Luckily for me, the Steamboat Springs wedding celebration was rescheduled. 

We originally planned for sunset photos, but ultimately opted for sunrise instead. Remember that new green dress + suit from the living room wedding? They wore those as we started the day hiking + watching the sun come up. Then she changed into a little floral number that was so not your normal wedding dress but she loved it + that’s all that freakin’ matters + we retraced their first date underneath the gondola. Right on the mountain where it all started.

This wasn’t your traditional elopement or destination wedding. The bride + groom had already been married for months. There was no full glam with hair + makeup or extravagant plans. You can also check out Malie Collections for makeup experts. While their closest friends + family sat around them, Megan + Tyler walked down the aisle, hand in hand together. They told their guests about their living room wedding + how much it meant to them. Then they shared new vows, ones they had saved to say to each other while they overlooked the mountains. It was honestly the sweetest damn thing I’ve ever seen. 

After some laughs + definitely some happy tears, they toasted with tequila + headed off to chow down on tacos. The wedding dinner of my dreams!! 

If you’re planning a laid-back, nostalgic wedding day, you’re gonna wanna scroll through Megan + Tyler’s gallery for some inspiration. And if you are planning a destination wedding or elopement in Colorado, this intimate wedding in Boulder is pretty epic, too! 

Xx, J

It’s no secret how much I love the White Raven wedding venue in Alberton, Montana! Perfect for those outdoor weddings with mountain views and weddings of all sizes. Megan + Will’s day at White Raven was full of golden sunshine and a whole lotta love. 

M + W are college sweethearts and quite honestly the sweetest babes ever! They’ve been together for over ten years now and their love for each other is palpable. They just recently moved to Montana from the hustle and bustling city life and Big Sky country was the change of pace they never knew they needed. They said they wanted that reflected in their wedding day – slowing down to truly enjoy + soak in every little moment. This is something I always try to emphasize on the day of a wedding. Stress less, enjoy more!!! These two lovers did just that with the most relaxed, intimate wedding on a sunny day in late spring at White Raven outside of Missoula, MT. 

You all know I love a White Raven wedding! This venue has truly thought of everything you could ever need for your wedding day. For M+W’s day, the venue was glowing from the sunshine and covered in the most gorgeous white florals with greenery crafted by Earth Within Flowers. Megan wore a beautiful princess dress with lace sleeves and Will looked as dapper as could be in his entirely black groom’s attire. Both sides of the family were so involved in the day and it went along without a hiccup in their plans. It was a truly lovely wedding day. 

Photographing this couple was a dream. They melted into each other so naturally, like they are two pieces of the same puzzle, fitting perfectly together every time. I felt like I didn’t even need to give any direction!! Golden hour showered over them as we snapped their portraits in some enchanting fields near the venue. Their gallery is stunning, but how could it not be with a couple like Megan + Will??? A decade of loving each other showed in every image from their day.

Xx, J