After the first phone call with these two I was really excited to photograph their wedding in Big Sky, Montana. The amount of unique personality they integrated into their wedding is best shown in the pictures. I had so much creative fun with these two I forgot I was working all day.
When I first saw the bride and groom while they were getting ready I thought I had met the cast to Vikings. Their hairstyles were right on point to match and set the mood for the celebration. When we all met for their couple’s pictures I knew right away I was in for a treat. The comfort level of these two was every photographer’s hope. Their mannerisms and respect to one another makes anyone question how many lifetimes they have already been with each other.
Durnam Meadow offered the perfect setting for a small, humble ceremony. Although the guests were limited in numbers, the emotion was anything but restrained. With floral by Katalin Green and an alter made by Matt, the decorations were fit for a couple of this caliber. One thing I will not forget from this wedding is the mead unity ceremony coupled with the Nordic vows. Matt’s uncle, who also was the officiant, brewed the mead for the couple and this special moment. The mead unity ceremony is believed to originate from the vikings (although it was most likely stolen since that is what vikings are infamous for) and an example of a modern mead ceremony can be viewed here.
After the ceremony, everyone had a chance to talk while we took on the couple’s pictures. During this time they were able to get a drink and snack from the concession camper by Montana Photo Lounge. Durnam Meadow, in the fall, is filled with tall brown grass and is surrounded by steep hillsides with the Gallatin River running alongside. However, it was hard to focus on the beauty around us while these two kept stealing the show. After showing off their slick dance moves and feeding off of each other’s killer poses, the scenery quickly became secondary to the couple.
After this, we made our way to the reception at Bucks T-4 Lodge, a beautiful wedding venue in Big Sky, Montana. Here we prepared ourselves for quite the entrance from the bride and groom. The doors were swung open and in came the bride and groom on a custom made tricycle by BigFoot Bikes in Havre, Montana. Matt came pedaling across the floor with the confidence of a Hell’s Angels biker and Adri couldn’t have been prouder as she stood on the tricycle mount enjoying the ride. This was definitely one of the more unique entrances I have seen.
The rest of the reception carried on in the same adventurous manner. During the first dance there was an attempt to steal the bride from the groom. After everyone saw the trike during the grand entrance they all had to get a ride on it. Whether a toddler or a grandma, I think everyone had a ride. Perhaps the most exciting part of the night for me though was capturing the bride and groom on their trike. We may or may not have violated a few traffic laws. We ran on and off the highway repeatedly capturing these two cruising in the middle of the road while avoiding traffic.
There was a beautiful simplicity to every decision that was made for this wedding. From the humble, beautiful wedding venue in Big Sky, Montana to the uniquely personal tricycle, there’s no doubt they knew exactly what they wanted. It may have been a smaller wedding, but it had all the style from any big production. Knowing what you want and what is important to you allows you to go all out with everything that makes you happy. Adri & Matt are the perfect example of how to make a wedding your own.
Vendors: Floral, Planner, & Design Katalin Green / Bride & Groom Hair India Richey / Nails Chelsea Lynn / Eyelashes Taylor Bummer / Concession Camper Montana Photo Lounge / Ceremony Venue Durnam Meadow / Reception Venue & Caterer Bucks T-4 Lodge / Alcohol Western Cider / Custom made tables and benches Montana Harvest Tables / Cake Sweet Pea Bakery / Dress Adelia Lune – Rue de Seine / Shoes BOND – Freebird / Boots Ariat / Earrings OC Tanners / Bride’s Wedding Ring Greenleaf Jewelers / Groom’s Wedding Ring Hells Canyon Bolo Co. / Suit Desmonds Store for Men
To view more galleries by Matt Ehnes Photography click here