Destination Weddings

Back country wedding in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park has some of the most powerful scenic views on earth. What better place to exchange vows and promise a life time commitment to your soul mate. I’m surprised more couples don’t choose this place to marry. Shar and Jessica did just that last weekend and it was spectacular! Jessica’s father presided and I was photographer and witness. Our small group was guided by two very competent back country horsemen, Tim Bowers and his grandson Issac of Bear Paw Outfitters. They coached us in climbing rocky hills, crossing streams and descend down narrow trails on horseback. At one point, we came upon a fallen tree across the trail and we dismounted and climbed over the tree while Tim and Issac navigated the steep hill side with all of the horses and mules. It was a tricky situation getting the team up and down through the obstacles. These guys were solid!

After riding for a couple of hours we came to an overlook above the second mountain meadow in Slough Creek. In a word… breathtaking!. Then preparations were made, a location was chosen and the couple dresses by a nearby tree. Quietly, thoughtfully and with reverence these two were married by Vernon in a very holy place. The moments arose, one by one with the powerful forces of nature impacting thought and feeling. BREATHTAKING

If other couples are interested in a wedding like this, just me know. I would love to be involved!

enjoy the view!

Big Sky winter elopement

Big Sky winter wedding… and they eloped! Yep, Shelley and Brian flew in from North Carolina and headed toward their mountain top destination wedding with two dear friends. Big Sky greeted them in style with sunshine, lot’s snow and it’s amazing winter scenery! I love the bright sun on snow, it does something really good for my brain! It was a heart felt ceremony with time for laughs, tears and pause to look to our maker with reverence! Afterward they enjoyed a delicious meal and headed to Yellowstone National Park for snowmobiling and the scenic wonder of Yellowstone in winter!

It was a great way to begin another year of Big Sky and Montana weddings. After all, I incorporated Montana Wedding Photographer 15 years ago! My how time flies.

Live with an open heart, an inquisitive mind and … enjoy the view!

Chico Winter Wedding

Peter and Ashley came all the way from Scotland last Christmas for this Chico Winter Wedding… and splendid it was! From the warmth of the ceremony, to the receiving line in the Saloon, to the sub freezing temperatures in the mountains above, this wedding was SPLENDID indeed.

If you are planning a winter wedding in Montana, think of Chico Hot Springs and contact me about your photography!

A personal note to Peter and Ashley. It was such a pleasure to be a part of your wonderful wedding day and welcomed so graciously by all of your family. Cheers and Merry Christmas! Larry Stanley

Montana destination wedding

Montana Destination Wedding

Just in from England, Stephanie and Michael were greeted by beautiful springlike weather with a gentle rain shower in the hills above Livingston. Stephanie vacationed in the area with her family when she was very young. She and Michael chose to return here for their Montana destination wedding. Chico Hot Springs is hosting this grand occasion and I am very much looking forward to it!

For the last year, we have only skyped and planned via email. So, last night we had a little ‘meet and shoot’ at a private place near Livingston. Such a happy and authentic couple, we hit it right off.

Love this place!!!

Authentic home wedding

Last week I traveled to my childhood home in Kansas City, Missouri for the wedding of my nephew Lucas Stanley to the love of his life Missy Johnson. The days were filled with spending time with two of my brothers and their families and a long stay at my Grandfather’s farm in Amsterdam Missouri.

The spring air that greeted my waking mind after sleep smelled just as sweet as it did 50 years ago. Memories emerged of happiness and many sublime years of a loving family.

Watching though my lens on the day of the wedding I found something of myself in the faces of those that gathered at this wonderfully authentic and simply beautiful ‘home wedding’ celebration.

Prior to my return flight, my youngest brother Jerry and his wife Karen brought out boxes of images from my Mother’s belongings. It was a treasure that I did not know existed. Century old photos of family, nearly a complete photo history of my family. Among them I found a beautiful wedding portrait of my Grandmother on my father’s side and one of my earliest photos taken with my simple camera and printed in my own little darkroom in the basement. I would have been 7 then. It is a photo of the farm that I stayed at during my visit!
Enjoy…

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

LS1_8478_blog — Grandmother Bertha Stanley the youngest of 5 children (front row center)

[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

LS1_8484_blog — Bertha Stanley’s wedding day portrait

LS1_8516 LS EARLY IMAGE_blg — One of my earliest photos I was able to find. Image of the farm of my beloved Grandpa Earl Locke

[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Holland Lake Lodge wedding

On August 11th of 2007 I photographed Evan and Kristin’s Holland Lake Lodge wedding. Last weekend, 8 years later and on the same kind of ‘smokey’ weekend in August they returned to Holland Lake Lodge for a week of fun. This time they were joined by their sweet daughter Helen. At first she was a bit camera shy, but then a new and unexpected side of Helen appeared. Helen is a STAR! She danced and ran and giggled and played while taking full advantage of 3 or 4 of her favorite dresses. And when I asked if she would spin… wow!

What a treat to photograph with this couple and their lovely, inspiring daughter!