If you are planning a wedding one of the first things you probably thought about was the location and season. winter wedding in Montana!
First off, if you’re either thinking about or are already certain about traveling to the Big Sky state to get hitched, you need to know two things about our seasons:
One, there truly isn’t a bad season to get married.
Two, if you’re willing to get married in the winter, your wedding is a near guarantee to be magical, gloriously beautiful, and be soooo cozy.
As a photojournalist, I've had the opportunity to shoot weddings all over the world. But, there's something truly special about winter weddings in Montana.
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of winter weddings in Montana is the snow. It's hard not to be in awe of the way snow transforms the landscape, and the dozens of tiny towns are transformed into Hallmark movie backdrops. The snow-covered mountains, frozen lakes, and frosted trees all make for a magical-feeling wedding ceremony.
Another thing to consider is that winter weddings have a tendency to host smaller, more intimate groups of guests, this makes the atmosphere perfect for moments most important to the couple.
The lighting conditions during the winter, can be challenging with the shorter days, but it also presents an opportunity to produce beautiful, moody and dreamy images. When you encounter photographers who are accustomed to photographing in environments that are gusty, cloudy, snowy, and change rapidly, you can rest assured that they know how to take that weather and actually use it to enhance the images. Emotions are harder to show in photos that suddenly spring out, not in spite of the weather, but because of it.
Personally, I find that although the conditions can be tricky, it has become a favorite scenario to photograph in. Christmas lights are often still strung, and at night when the moon is out, the snow reflects light almost as bright as day.
As a photojournalist, one of my favorite moments of the day is when the newlyweds step outside to take portraits in the snow. Not only do I get creative freedom, but I get to personalize my couples’ photos by using the landscape to emphasize their unique love. There's just something truly amazing about getting to see this “mountain” of love emanating from a couple and then having an actual mountain in the background to help me show the world their unique love for each other.
All in all, winter weddings in Montana are truly something special. With the natural beauty and intimate atmosphere combined it makes for a wedding that's unforgettable and truly magical.
I hope this gives you an idea of why I am such an advocate for winter weddings. Feel free to scroll through one of my all-time favorite winter weddings that turned out sooo beautifully.
Hope you loved what you have seen so far and that you learned a few things along the way. If you’re still curious about having a winter wedding here, please feel free to reach out and ask me directly.
Talk to you soon!
Zak J.
