Weddings are like snowflakes in that no two are exactly alike. But you can expect them to be amazing in their own way. Julia & Javi's wedding at Abbott Valley Homestead in Martin City was in fact incredible, but not in any of the ways anyone expected it to be.

Sustained heavy rain storms seem to be a rarity here in Northwest Montana, especially towards the end of August. When thick dark clouds loomed nearby I assured Julia that while yes the storm looks bad, it's unlikely that it'll last very long. Boy was I wrong. Once it began raining that Saturday, it kept raining. It would stop for a few minutes, and then rain hard again. It really seemed like we'd get a nice break in the weather, just long enough to get the ceremony in which was to take place in a beautiful open field.

Alas, as soon as everyone got into place to begin the ceremony, the skies opened up, and it began just absolutely pouring rain. Everyone involved made the difficult call to move the ceremony under the covered barn back to the reception site. Was it what anyone had initially planned? Absolutely not, but there was something truly special about everyone crowded under the old barn, sitting around the couple as they exchanged their vows.

After the ceremony, we got a wonderful reprieve when the clouds parted, the sun came out and we had a beautiful evening for the formal portraits and dinner. But once dinner ended the skies once again opened up to another downpour. Everyone huddled under the barn again and it turned into a Brooklyn basement party as the couple's musically inclined guests performed songs written for the occasion and covers of songs important to their relationship. And despite the hundred-plus people in attendance, it felt so intimate and special, it was such a humbling moment to be a part of.

Venue: Abbott Valley Homestead / Planner: Weddings by Sara / Catering: The Salty Calf / Rentals & Decor: Empress Tents & Events / Hair & Makeup: Kyndee Masters / Second Photographer: Kayla Jacobson