October 8, 2021

Glacier National Park Wedding Photographer, Emily & Harrison at Apgar Amphitheatre

Emily and Harrison planned an intimate, laid-back wedding at Glacier National Park at the Apgar Amphiteatre. It's one of the locations inside the park that provides for a larger number of guests versus the vast majority of other permissible ceremony locations. Their photography requests were pretty simple. A few getting ready photos at their vacation rentals where they were staying with family and friends, some quick portraits in the "Big Bend" location along Going-to-the-Sun Rd, and of course the ceremony itself. Luck and fate shined upon us all that day, as previous days' wildfire smoke largely blew off providing for clear skies and the weather could not have been more perfect.

September 29, 2021

Whitefish Wedding Photographer, Brittany & Dillon at Whitefish Mountain Resort

Photographing Brittany and Dillon's wedding at Whitefish Mountain Resort here in Whitefish was like hanging out with a big group of my closest friends where a wedding happened to be taking place followed by a big dance party. From their '90s and early-00s, album-themed seating charts, to constant jokes and laughing. All on top of a mountain in one of the most beautiful places in the country. It doesn't get much better than that.

Venue: Whitefish Mountain Resort / Catering: Whitefish Mountain Resort / Bakery: The Spot / Rentals: Peak Audio Kalispell

September 24, 2021

Whitefish Wedding Photographer, Dani & Shawn at Star Meadows Ranch

Dani and Shawn's wedding was a perfect example of how you can prioritize your day to emphasize what is most important to you as a couple. They had a wonderfully intimate wedding with their family and fifty or so of their closest friends at Star Meadows Ranch outside Whitefish. As it was such an intimate affair, with lawn games and dinner following the ceremony versus a traditional, raucous dance party I worked with them to customize their photography package to focus on the getting ready photos and the ceremony followed by an adventure portrait session at Glacier National Park the following evening. It was a blast spending time with them and their families, followed by showing them around Glacier. Even if the weather didn't cooperate in any way, shape, or form. Though with the delivered photos, I think it was an important teachable moment for all couples. Weather in Montana can often be very unpredictable, but if you just roll with it you will not be disappointed. Whether it's wildfire smoke, a cold and rainy evening, or just cold weather in August, Glacier is and always will be a stunning backdrop.

Venue: Star Meadows Ranch / Planner: Big Day Celebrations / Hair & Makeup: Melanie Hobus, 406 Hair / Videography: Alyssa Jean Studios / Catering: Famous Dave's BBQ

September 2, 2021

Bigfork Wedding Photographer, Katie & Travis

One thing I really missed during my 2020 weddings—with COVID and what not—was large, raucous wedding receptions. I'd honestly forgotten how much fun I had photographing such things. Katie and Travis' wedding was a huge reminder of how much I enjoy that aspect of photographing weddings. The wedding took place on a gorgeous piece of family property in Bigfork and the ladies got ready at the nearby Nest on Swan River.

Lodging: The Nest on Swan River / Florals: Conrad Floral / Videography: On the Fly Films / Catering: Copacabana Grill / Jewelry: Brilliant Earth / Stationery: Amaze Paperie

August 19, 2021

Kalispell Wedding Photographer, Cristine & Josh at Diamond B Weddings

You may recognize Cristine and Josh from this post a while back featuring a styled wedding session at Star Meadows Ranch. At the time they were engaged, but a few months later I was contacted by Cristine to check my availability for their actual wedding at Diamond B Weddings in Kalispell and if I would be interested in being their photographer. "Of course!" I remember exclaiming and the rest they say is history. Cristine and Josh were so much fun, and so kind, it was great to work with them—and Katie from Big Day Celebrations—again as they shared their actual wedding vows instead of just pretending to.

Venue: Diamond B Weddings / Planning: Big Day Celebrations / Catering: Porteus BBQ / Bakery: Sugar Happy Cupcakes / Jewelry: Riddle's Jewelers / Rentals & Decor: Celebrate Event & Party Rentals

August 17, 2021

Kalispell Wedding Photographer, Katie & Beau at Diamond B Weddings

I am absolutely not trying to shame anyone, but did you know that grooms can do some of the heavy lifting of planning a wedding in addition to the bride? Beau and Katie's wedding was a great example of that. I dealt primarily with Beau throughout the booking process via email, phone, and text. He asked all kinds of great questions, and I couldn't wait to hang out with them on their wedding day. Even with all of those great conversations, I couldn't have possibly been prepared for how kind all of their friends and family were.

From helping wrangle a very large collection of family and extended family for formals to a delightful dance party to close out the night, we were made to feel like part of the family the whole evening. Also, check out one of my favorite "first look" reactions of all time. Ladies, find you a man who reacts like this when he sees you in your wedding dress.

Venue: Diamond B Weddings / Second Photographer: Kayla Jacobson / Catering: Mountain Berry Bowls

August 15, 2021

Glacier National Park Elopement, Brittany & Jon

Brittany and Jon's July 4th elopement was special for several reasons. One is that I consider any time I get to document such an intimate and important part of anyone's life that is a special thing. Secondly, they're close friends of Marina & David's who might sound familiar from the blog post immediately preceding this one! So it was great to see them again the day after their wedding and spend some more time with them and Sarah Harding who officiated both weddings. Finally, it was just great to get to know Brittany and Jon and spend some time with them in such a special place.

August 12, 2021

Whitefish Wedding Photographer, Marina & David at Grouse Mountain Lodge

When you're a wedding photographer who also really enjoys motorsport photography whenever the opportunity presents itself, you do a legit happy dance when a couple contacts you and the bride is a professional drag racer. Talk about manifesting your ideal clients!

It was so great getting to know Marina and David over the course of a year+ as we conversed regularly on logistics, as they were originally booked for Glacier Park Lodge over in East Glacier. But shortly after booking with me, the East side of the park was closed to anyone not a resident of the Blackfeet reservation due to COVID, and we had no indication of when that might change.

Fast forward about six months, and in the interest of ensuring they kept their original wedding date, they made the decision to move to Grouse Mountain Lodge here in Whitefish and it was just an absolutely gorgeous—if extremely hot—day on Fourth of July weekend.

Prior to the wedding, I stole them both—with help from Marina's dad driving her—for a private first look on the shores of Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park before heading back to Whitefish for the ceremony and reception.

Venue: Grouse Mountain Lodge / Officiant: Sarah Harding / DJ: Bradshaw Media / Bakery: Sugar Happy Cupcakes / Videography: JB Creative Co.

August 10, 2021

Glacier National Park Elopement, Paige & Victor

Working with Paige and Victor both leading up to their Glacier National Park elopement and the actual elopement itself couldn't have gone any more perfectly. We enjoyed absolutely perfect weather, they were both relaxed, and their immediate family was so sweet, and by the end of the evening, it was like hanging out with old friends.

August 1, 2021

Bigfork Wedding Photographer, Diane & Shawn at Clementine’s

Diane & Shawn's story was so special and amazing. Both grew up in Bigfork, both went to the same high school but were barely more than acquaintances. Fast forward past graduation and thirty-plus years and they reconnected and fell in love. They had the most special, intimate wedding at Clementine's in Bigfork that felt more like the sweetest family barbecue ever than some stodgy wedding. My favorite part of course was seeing Shawn begin crying happy tears as Diane walked down the aisle just before tying the knot.

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Matt Wetzler is an editorial, motorsport, portrait, and destination wedding photographer based in Whitefish, Montana.

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