Summertime weddings in Paradise Valley are almost always spectacular! The wedding of Kristen and Patrick was true to form and most stunning! The day was warm, the light was delicious and seemed to embrace every moment, changing with the mood with a sense of artistry.
See for yourself!
Where to start this story? Let’s see, it was almost 39 years ago that I married the love of my life Heather Van Wessem in southern California. Life was exploding with excitement and the months passed quickly as we prepared to follow our dreams and move to Montana. Heather was nearly 9 months pregnant with our first child when I put her on a plane to Bozeman. I stayed over a few weeks to fulfill business obligations and pack the rest of our earthly possessions for my exodus. Push came to shove when I got a call late in the evening with news that Heather was showing early signs of labor. I scrambled to book an early morning flight and just before I left for LAX I got news that my first sweet daughter had been born. So I was in rare form on the flight, barely able to contain myself when people would say hello and notice that I was beaming!
So that was the beginning. The story continues… When we had married we received the wedding certificate signed by the Pastor and safely put it away. What we didn’t realize was that we should have gotten it certified or notarized in Las Virgenes before we left. Years went by quickly and the need to have a certified wedding license was forgotten. We had the paper and it was signed by the Pastor so we just thought we were all good.
Recently Heather was getting our paperwork together and when she pulled out the certificate as a form of ID, it was noted that it was not complete, and legally we were not married all these years.? yikes…
So, I came up with the idea to propose again and take all the steps to make this beautiful and solid. Heather was awash in joy and accepted. I suggested a simple little wedding with our adult daughters and their families and my dear sweet sister in law Marla.
We chose a place near our home where we have always played, ran & swam for all of these years.
So, why is this on my wedding blog? Simply because this is ‘our’ story. I have captured and shared so many other’s joyous stories and images for over 20 years of weddings that I have photographed. So now, I thought it time to share a bit of our story!
Thanks to my fine friend Carlie Breen for being our photographer and to my friend and officiant extraordinaire, Reverend Bradford Lartigue.
Enjoy the view!
We have always been married, just missed an important detail! Now once we get this piece of paper stamped we’ll be able to prove it!
In every walk of life, may your path be fruitful and solid! And… if you need photography, give me a call.
Photographs by the amazing Carlie Breen! Thank you Carlie, we love you.
October 16th can be an ‘iffy’ date to plan an outdoor wedding here in the Paradise Valley, but that’s exactly what Keith and Samantha did! And indeed, they chose well! The sun was deliciously warm in the mountain fresh air and thank God the wind was held in abeyance. It was a picture perfect day here at the Copper Rose Ranch in southwestern Montana.
Here’s a quick look at a wedding that was brimming with love, emotion and a genuine appreciation for the days we are granted on this big orb that spins around our sun! Cheers to Keith and Samantha! It was such a delight to photograph for you, your family and your friends!
Many thanks to Rachel Mascari for her fine assistance and excellent photography work!
On Sunday I photographed the beautiful wedding of Samantha and Keith at the Copper Rose Ranch. So many gorgeous images to share soon! However… we didn’t have enough time to visit a very magical place on the banks of the Yellowstone River. So… I contacted the bride and groom and we regrouped yesterday afternoon for a delicious walk through the golden leaves and warmth of the late fall, full of light and color! Oh my… see for yourself. Enjoy the view!
Many thanks to my friends who allowed me access to this piece of heaven on earth!
The beauty of the our home in Montana has to be experienced to fathom. The wedding of Audrey and Micah in Paradise valley was SUBLIME! The sun at 5000 feet above sea level was strong and relentless. Families converged from near and far, but most notably was the 97 year old Grandmother of the Groom, mother to one of my best friends of over 30 years. What evolved was moving and wonderfully authentic to all present. My images can say more than I can speak tonight, so here is a brief look at a few highlights of this grand day. More soon…
Laura and Jake drove in from Minnesota yesterday and met me at 6 pm for a few pictures before their Saturday wedding at Chico Hot Springs in the gorgeous Paradise Valley. I’m not quite sure how you can drive for 14 hours, clean up a bit and run out the door for pictures… but that’s the way they roll. This is one great couple and I’m tickled to get to photograph for them. Thanks to the Yellowstone Valley Lodge for letting us on their piece of heaven along the banks of the Yellowstone River.
