Summer Weddings
A week ago, I photographed The Woodlands rainy wedding day of Shannon and Liam outside Bozeman, Montana.
It has been lovely getting to know this couple and their five-year-old husky/shepherd, Iroh, over the past year.
Shannon and Liam met in Monterey Bay, California in the Fall of 2014. What started off as a friendship, quickly blossomed into a strong relationship. Together, they have been exploring the world together ever since. As an introvert, Liam loves Shannon’s extrovert energy. She cares so much about her relationships with others. She is loving and fits perfectly into his family dynamics. He admires her moral compass and how it constantly helps him navigate toward the right decisions.
Shannon loves how Liam truly understands her. He has helped her grow as a person and gives endless support to her. He keeps her accountable and showers her with love and patience.
Last summer I photographed their Mount Ellis trailhead engagement portraits in Bozeman. If one thing was clear, this couple was head over heels for one another and they were so excited for their approaching wedding day.
With friends and family traveling in from California and New Jersey, this engaged couple wanted a venue that could accommodate all of the fun.
They choose to celebrate their wedding day at The Woodlands at Cottonwood Canyon under the guidance of their wedding planner, Events by Killian.
The Woodlands at Cottonwood Canyon offered plenty of space for the wedding party to get ready – girls upstairs, gentlemen downstairs. The venue also offered plenty of space for the wedding guests to take shelter in a pinch.
Right before the wedding ceremony was to begin, a rainstorm came through that forced everyone to leave their ceremony seats.
As it turned out no amount of water could dampen the spirits of this group. Forward-thinking from the talented wedding vendors provided guests with clear umbrellas before the ceremony, just in case. The Woodlands Rainy Wedding didn’t phase anyone in attendance. After a brief delay, everyone returned to the outdoor lawn ceremony site for a heartfelt exchange of Shannon and Liam’s wedding vows under sunny skies.
Smiling ear to ear, Shannon and Liam welcomed their guests for a reception evening filled with great BBQ from Just a Taste Catering and the good tunes from Catered Rhythms DJ coaxed the wedding guests into dancing all night long. It was a really fun evening with everyone. Here are some of my favorite moments from Shannon and Liam’s wedding day.
I’m excited for these two and wish them a lifetime of happiness! -M
Wedding Vendors for Liam and Shannon’s Wedding Day
Venue: The Woodlands at Cottonwood Canyon
Wedding Planner: Events by Killian
Photography: Greener Visuals Photography
Catering: Just A Taste Catering
Rentals: Montana Party Rentals
Bartender: Jade Pierce Bartending Services
Dessert: Sweet Pea Bakery
Entertainment: Catered Rhythms
Florals: Bouquets and More
Videography: Cosmic Cine
V
A few weeks back, I photographed the intimate Gallatin River Hideaway Wedding of Muriel and Aaron in Bozeman, Montana.
This bride and groom each has strong Montana roots from growing up here but over the last seven years of dating, they have supported and followed each other across the country to foster each other’s goals. Aaron got his PhD in engineering and Muriel just finished up her MFA in printmaking in Tennesseee. Last year they decided to move back to Montana and now make their home in Helena, Montana.
Over all this time, their relationship together has been a beautiful balance. Aaron loves how Muriel brings him out of his shell. His life has always been ruled by routine. For him, doing things alone can sometimes be intimating. But together Muriel has supported and helped him do activities that he normally wouldn’t. Her empathy and kindness she gives to the people around her have inspired and helped him realize his full self. Muriel loves Aaron’s mind. He’s the perfect balance of thoughtfulness and silliness without ego. His sense of humor and talents as a musician have brought a smile to her face for years.
This wedding couple chose The Gallatin River Hideaway for their wedding celebration with guests and loved ones coming from as far as Ireland to make the event.
Muriel and Aaron wanted a laid-back, social event filled with color documented in my photojournalistic approach.
During their wedding, they had a handfasting ceremony officiated by the bride’s sister. Handfasting is an ancient Celtic ritual in which the hands are tied together to symbolize the binding of two lives. Tears flowed as Muriel’s grandfather sang a lovely Irish tune. After their enthusiastic vows, Muriel and Aaron sealed their commitment to each other with a kiss and walked down the aisle under a cascade of bubbles.
At the reception, the newlyweds and their guests were treated to their favorite iced coffee drinks from The Red Coffee Trailer. Excited and properly caffeinated, people mingled, played yard games then everyone got in line for a delicious BBQ dinner. After speeches and heartfelt toasts, the celebration energy cranked up. In between dancing and a conga line, the guests explored the costume possibilities in the Greener Visuals Photo booth. Laughter and giggles ensued. Photo booths are the perfect invitation for the young and old to play together.
I really enjoyed my time photographing the wedding celebration of Muriel and Aaron and I wish them a lifetime of happiness. -M
Vendors:
Caterer – Ghost Boy Catering (Alex Hester and Brad O’Neil)
Coffee – The Red Coffee Trailer
Coordinator – Mary C. Baumstark
Dessert – Wild Crumb and Wilcoxson’s Ice Cream
DJ – Glacier DJ Jesse Frohriech
A week ago, I had the absolute pleasure of photographing the Countryside Bozeman Montana Wedding of Courtney and Josh.
On a cool August sunny day, their small intimate Countryside Bozeman Montana Wedding was held at her father’s property here in the Gallatin Valley.
I met Courtney and her family a few years back when I photographed her sister Jenny’s wedding celebration here in Bozeman.
While Courtney and Josh have only been dating for the last two years, they have known each other since they were twelve years old. Josh admitted that he had a life-long crush on her when they were growing up together in Bozeman.
As they were coming of age, he was her first kiss. They stayed friends.
Years later, they reconnected and began cultivating a stronger bond with one another. For her, it was his unconditional support and selflessness. For him, he loves her confidence, intelligence, and nurturing presence.
Over the last six months, it’s been great getting to know these two even more and discovering what they love most about each other and their relationship.
After getting to know these two this past year and photographing their portrait photographic experience, it was wonderful to see these two lovebirds say their vows and celebrate at their countryside Bozeman Montana wedding.
Surrounded by family and friends, they spent the evening eating great food and dancing the night away.
Here are some favorite wedding photos from their wedding day. I could not be more happy for these two. Congrats to the newlyweds! -M
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of photographing the Bozeman, Montana wedding day celebration of Cassie and Justin at Holy Rosary Church and Bridger Bowl Ski Resort.
After dating for the past eight years, these two wanted to say their vows surrounded by the most important people in their lives among the mountainous landscape of Southwest Montana they love so much.
Their wedding would be a chance for many of their family members (coming from Florida, Maine, New Jersey. Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Washington) to see the place they have called home over the last few years. Many of their wedding guests were traveling to Montana for the first time. The day was filled with Big Sky excitement and surprisingly for July, lots of precipitation.
It has been an unusually soggy Spring and Summer in Southwest Montana this year. The rain found us.
Luckily, it just so happened that their ceremony and reception were preemptively planned for a rainy day – indoor Catholic mass ceremony at the church and then lovely intimate reception at the Bridger Bowl mid-mountain lodge. The rain couldn’t keep us down. We celebrated without a hitch indoors at both locations dancing, eating crusted trout and elk tenderloin and playing in the Greener Visuals Photobooth.
I’m working hard to go through all the fun photos I made during their special day. For now, I wanted to share a preview of their wedding photographs. Here are a few favorites so far. So many more photos to share.
I could not be more excited for these two. Congrats to the newlyweds and stay tuned for more! -M
Destination weddings in Montana offer couples an opportunity to celebrate their union at a beautiful location of their choosing away from home. With Blue Ribbon fly-fishing waters, majestic mountains, breath-taking late summer sunsets, and an endless view of its famous big skies, Montana has a plethora of exciting activities and gorgeous views. Having a destination wedding in Montana is an exceptional way to say “I do” while surrounded by your closest family and friends in a relaxing setting that will create memories for years to come.
Happy New Year everyone! I’m proud to present my Best of 2018 Montana Wedding Photographs from Greener Visuals Photography!
I always find this time of year to be thrilling.
It’s a moment we collectively engage in looking ahead and backward from where we came.
The last week of the year always holds a lot of important annual events in my life. It’s time spent with family around the holidays, the celebration of my birthday (I turned 36 years old a few days ago, yikes!), and the ringing in of the new year.
I always take this time to self-reflect on the great experiences with my wedding photography clients from the past year. It’s a time to begin throttling forward toward my new creative goals on the near horizon. I’m forever striving to be the best version of myself (mind, body, and spirit) and finding ways to better serve my clients and community.
2018 was a positive year for me. I had lots of growth, explored new places, overcame new challenges, met fascinating people, and made many good memories. I feel blessed for all the new relationships I made throughout the year and for being able to tell candid, creative stories through my photographs!
I’m excited about my upcoming adventures and the fun clients I’ll get to document in 2019.
In the spirit of reflection, I’ve gathered up some of my favorite wedding photographs from the past 2018 wedding season.
It’s such a joy for me to relive some of my favorite moments all gathered in one place. I feel honored to have been a part of all the wonderful celebrations this year with my wedding clients.
With pride, here are my Best of 2018 Montana Wedding Photographs by Greener Visuals Photography.
If you or a loved one you know is in need of an epic Bozeman wedding photographer, engagement photographs, a new family portrait, or updated business headshots in 2019, Greener Visuals Photography is now booking for all your professional photographic needs!
Grateful for all of your continued support and I look forward to hearing from you! -M
I’m still buzzing with excitement after photographing the Springhill Pavilion Wedding of Allison and Matt outside Bozeman, Montana.
I’ve gotten to know these two Montana transplants over the past year. I have been looking forward to documenting their wedding day for some time now.
And it’s all because they happened to meet by chance.
At the time, Allison and Matt were studying Ecology in their graduate programs at UC Davis in Davis, California. They didn’t know each other but fate would soon change that.
One night after class, Allison was planning to catch up with a friend, but there was a location mix up. She ended up in the wrong bar. As fate would have it, it was in that wrong bar where she met Matt. They instantly hit it off.
Davis, California was a place where I used to call home back when I was a newspaper photojournalist. It’s a place that is close to my heart. When Allison and Matt came into my studio to discuss their wedding day plans, we bonded immediately over Davis stories and the realization that we knew many of the same people.
Sometimes you encounter certain people in your life that you know will instantly become friends. These two are wonderful, hilarious goofballs.
Their Springhill Pavilion wedding day was everything you would hope one could be. We had lovely Spring-like weather, the perfect rustic setting, and a gathering of friends and family that were ready to get down on the dance floor. Their wedding day was an absolute blast to photograph. Here are some of my favorite photographs I made on their wedding day. Congrats to the newlyweds! -Mike
Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of photographing and celebrating the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Wedding of Teresa and Bob.
I met this engaged couple at last year’s A Montana Wedding Bridal Event at The Commons in Bozeman, Montana. We hit it off after a friendly ten-minute conversation. It was clear my candid, documentary photographic style resonated with their wedding day vision. They booked me on the spot. For these two, their love for each other, their family, and their devotion to their Catholic faith would the focal point of their wedding day celebration.
Teresa and Bob’s wedding ceremony was held in the grand space of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. As devoted Catholics, their ceremony was complete with an hour of Mass service.
From there we made our way up Orea Creek Road to their Livingston, Montana home. On our approach, the beauty of the surrounding green mountainsides was too enticing. We couldn’t help ourselves and happily stopped numerous times to photograph portraits with the epic Montana scenery surrounding us. Upon our arrival, the sound of cheers from their awaiting guests greeted the newlyweds at their outdoor reception on their Livingston property.
It was a wedding reception celebration in the pure local Montana cowboy style.
The newlyweds hired a live country band who beckoned guests to the dance floor. There, formal country two-step dance lessons were being given to the out-of-town guests. Everyone really got into it and had a great time. The yard games and a photo booth entertained the wedding guests in between songs. When the food was ready, the bride, groom, and their guests dined on good Montana BBQ and libations. It was a perfect Livingston, Montana evening to celebrate the union of these two amazing people. I could not be more excited for these two.
Congrats to the newlyweds Teresa and Bob! -M
I recently photographed the Kelly Canyon Wedding Day celebration of Lisa and Noah in Bozeman, Montana.
When planning their wedding day, was important for Lisa and Noah to return to their cultural roots.
These two currently live in Kirkland, Washington where Lisa works as a computer scientist and Noah has started his graduate school program with a developing interest in Chinese medicine. This couple met two years ago through online dating here in Bozeman. As their relationship flourished over the next two years, Noah would eventually propose to Lisa on his family farm Kelly Canyon outside of Bozeman, Montana.
When it came time to plan their wedding day, there was no better wedding venue to host it than on his family’s farm back where it all began.
Their wedding would be a wonderful hodgepodge of tradition and a unique blend of the couple’s own interests.
Their shared love of medieval fantasy book genres influenced their wedding decorations, outfits, and even an honorary object for the day. The wedding party all took turns wielding the wedding couple’s authentic battle hammer named “Schmerglehermer”. With a sense of humor throughout, the wedding couple and party included the hammer in the festivities. It was walked down the aisle during the ceremony, guests posed throughout the day with it in photos, and it even found its way onto the dance floor. I love a couple and community that geeks out together. Their wedding was nothing short of epic.
Tucked back against a large stand of pine trees, the bride and groom’s friends and family gathered together on their family farm to witness a traditional Quaker wedding ceremony to honor Noah’s family roots.
The bride and groom were married “under the care of a Quaker meeting”. It’s a ceremony before God and gathered family, friends, and meeting members. The Quakers’ beliefs are unique in that their ceremonies are for all purposes, officiant free. The idea is based on the tenet that only God can join a couple in marriage. Quakers believe that no church official is essential for a marriage to take place. Instead, family and friends during hour-long ceremony, would occasionally break the silence by stepping up to the microphone to give words of advice, tell stories, or give well wishes.
I found their Kelly Canyon Wedding ceremony to be a really relaxing and thought-reflective. It was special for the bride and groom to hear the words of loved ones spoken in front of all. It was a special way to honor their guests just as much as they were honoring them.
Like all good weddings, they sealed theirs with a kiss surrounded by a roar of cheers. The wedding celebration moved on to their evening wedding reception at the Lindley Center in downtown Bozeman. The newlyweds and their guests danced, played outdoor games, and dined on a good steak BBQ throughout the evening. They also played in my Greener Visuals Photo Booth.
The fun was in full force.
It was an awesome time and a wonderful reflection of all the things that are important in these newlyweds’ lives. I could not be more excited for these two. I wish them all the best! -M
I’m still buzzing with excitement after photographing the Springhill Pavilion Wedding Day of Allison and Matt this past weekend.
I spent the day photographing and celebrating the Livingston Montana Wedding Day of Teresa and Bob at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and up Orea Creek in Livingston, Montana
Montana native newlyweds Lisa and Noah got married on his family’s property in Kelly Canyon just outside of Bozeman Montana last weekend. The perfect sunny weather blessed the day where these two celebrated their Quaker wedding with their close friends and family.
A few weeks back, I had the absolute pleasure of photographing the Livingston KOA Montana Wedding of Erika and Josh.
For this engaged couple, their wedding day was all about returning to the source of where they met.
Little did they know after a chance encounter over a foosball game table, two years later they would be celebrating their wedding at the Livingston KOA in the beautiful Paradise Valley where it all started.
Both Erika and Josh are well-versed in the art of hospitality. Josh is a chef at Feast Raw Bar & Bistro and Erika is a former wedding planner and now operations manager for the Shane Center for the Arts.
Erika and Josh wanted to have their wedding day focus “be about letting their friends and family know how much they’ve impacted us in our lives.” They intended to create a personal wedding experience for their guests. They wanted their wedding photography that honored their guests in the same way.
In a wonderfully intimate setting along the Yellowstone River, guests were met with great food, meticulous decorations of 1,000 paper cranes and rock cairns, homemade booze-infused cupcakes, and the right tunes to keep the dance floor busy.
Their attention to the little details made their wedding day a true delight.
Not even the constant rainfall throughout the afternoon could dampen the spirits of those in attendance.
The sounds of the consistent rain and the high waters of the nearby Yellowstone River serenaded the evening. The big pavilion worked as a perfect, versatile space. It began as the ceremony site and transformed smoothly into the catered dinner area. Soon after, it transitioned into an energetic, all-night dance party at their Livingston KOA Montana Wedding.
Happiness smiles, and good times abound. What a fun day!
Here are some of my favorite highlights from my day photographing their wedding celebration. Congrats again to the bride and groom Erika and Josh! Wish you guys a lifetime of happiness! -M
This past Monday I had the absolute pleasure of photographing the Livingston Montana Wedding Day Photography of Erika and Josh on the banks of the Yellowstone River at the Livingston KOA.
For newlyweds Erika and Josh, it was all about returning to the source.
I’ve gathered up my Best of 2017 Wedding Photography by Greener Visuals that made during this recent trip around the sun.
As the last days of the year tick away, I find myself reflecting back on my Best of 2017 Wedding photos and all of the fun I had with my wedding couples over the course of this past year.
2017 was a lot of fun!
It was a year with lots of growth, new places explored, new challenges overcome, and many good times were had. I feel blessed for all the new relationships I made throughout the year. It was so much fun being able to tell candid, creative stories through photographs of my incredible clients!
I look forward to what “adventures in documenting the love” await me in 2018.
If you or a loved one you know is in need of new family portraits, business portraits, headshots, engagement photos, boudoir, or an epic Bozeman wedding photographer, Greener Visuals Photography is available for all your professional photographic experiences in 2018! I look forward to hearing from you!
Happy New Year everyone! -M
A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of photographing the beautiful Paradise Valley Montana Wedding day of Brita and John along the banks of the Yellowstone River.
Unlike most of the weddings I photograph, these two opted for my two-hour elopement collection where I focused on documenting their wedding ceremony and making portraits of their friends and family.
While perhaps one of the shortest wedding days I’ve ever photographed, Brita and John’s wedding celebration was still just as fun.
These two had all of their wedding guests meet at this really cool VRBO rental south of Livingston, Montana in Paradise Valley right on the river. The long grassy property had room for their hundred guests and had great access to interesting geography the wedding couple and I could explore during their portrait.
As the sunset over the mountains, their family and friends circled around them for their intimate ceremony then the celebration evolved into a riverside pig roast. For a DIY small wedding, this VRBO worked really well.
In my brief time with them, I had so much fun getting to know them and their tribe. Here are a few of my favorite images from their wedding. It was a true pleasure to be able to document their union. Congrats to the newlyweds! -M
As part of their historic Virginia City, Montana wedding day reception, Marissa, and Tyler added my Greener Visuals photo booth into the mix for entertaining their guests.
It was a huge hit.
A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of photographing the Virginia City Montana Wedding Day of Marissa and Tyler.
It’s not every day that I get to go photograph a wedding in the historic small town of Virginia City, Montana. This place is special and one of the most authentic, historical sites in Montana.
The old west city and its neighbor Nevada City, lie along Alder Gulch about one mile apart. It is a true piece of history. In fact, it is considered a National Historic Landmark. Of the nearly three hundred structures in town (standing in their original condition), almost half were built prior to 1900.
When Marissa and Tyler told me they wanted to have their wedding celebration at the Virginia City Depot standing in the old territorial Capitol of Montana, I could not have been more thrilled.
It was like stepping back in time to the Old West.
Between Nevada City and Virginia City, we took advantage of the fantastic Old West architecture and explored the area making fun photos of the bride, groom, and their bridal party along the way.
To reach the ceremony, we all took a ride on the Virginia City Shortline Railroad. From Nevada City, we traveled one mile over to the wedding ceremony site at the Virginia City Depot. It was a huge hit with all in attendance.
Marissa and Tyler are Helena residents and work in state government. They are also huge history buffs. The couple styled their wedding day with their own nod to history. A combination of their love of politics, and love for each other. Their boss just happens to be State of Montana Gov. Steve Bullock who with humor and charm, officiated the ceremony.
It was a rare cool August day and the perfect venue to celebrate the start of their new journey together.
After these newlyweds tied the knot, we walked the streets of historic downtown Virginia City making couples portraits along the way. Eventually, we steered our procession over to the Virginia City Community Center where we spent the night dancing, playing in a photo booth, and celebrating these two amazing people. It was such a fun day and I felt so grateful to be a part of it. Here are my favorite images from the day. I wish these two all the best! -M
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