Elopements and small, intimate weddings have really been on my heart lately. Probably because of Chris + Kelsey’s ceremony + picnic near Keystone this summer. They met at the Sturgis motorcycle rally over seven years ago, and they came back every year as an anniversary getaway. One of their favorite stops on their drive through the Hills is along Iron Mountain Road, so when they decided it was time for them get married they knew it would be around Rally Week at their favorite stop.

I was lucky enough that their favorite stop was *so* beautiful, and that the rocks formed a natural ‘aisle’ for Kelsey to walk up!

As Kelsey was getting into her dress, Chris was standing on this rock, looking very calm and statuesque. I shouted up to him to remember exactly where he was standing so that I could get this image of him with his bride. I LOOOOVE photos of people surrounded by big trees!! 

Kelsey’s dad met her at the end of the aisle (since it was so narrow, only one person at a time could walk comfortably) to give her hand in marriage. Their families and close friends soaked up the ceremony (and morning sun) on the surrounding rocks.

After they were pronounced husband and wife, Chris + Kelsey walked down the path towards their picnic reception, and as I watched them walk away, I could almost see the bubble they were in. You know, that ‘I’m so in love with you, can you believe we just got married’ bubble. :-)

And so I coaxed them back up to the overlook for a few ‘just married’ portraits as their guests set up the picnic.

Chris + Kelsey – Thanks again for making my dreams come true by getting married here. ;-) And thanks for making a ‘rally wedding’ so beautiful. The love and excitement in all of your family and friends’ faces as they cheered for and congratulated you was so heartwarming! What a perfect day, to have had the people closest to your heart surrounding you as you promised the rest of your lives to each other.

Jean-Guy and Sylvie drove their motorcycles here all the way from CANADA! They made their way here in time for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and had a few other stops in the US before heading back home. Their wedding day forecasted rain, but the clouds parted just in time for them to get married alongside Sylvan Lake as originally planned. We started the ceremony as the last raindrops fell and I *love* how the rings in the water will remind these two of just how lucky we were that Mother Nature cooperated with us! :-)

Mary from Your Joyful Wedding proved once again that hiring a professional officiant makes a wedding ceremony the most unique and memorable part of the day.

Second to the raindrops trailing off at the beginning of their ceremony was their vows – READ IN FRENCH. Why is everything more beautiful in French?

This first kiss makes my knees weak – the tightest hug, the biggest kiss, they are so excited to officially be married!!

I wasn’t aware that a group of bikers had stopped to witness the ceremony, so when I heard cheering during Jean-Guy and Sylvie’s first kiss as husband and wife, I turned around to see this sweet group of guys!

Evan + Megan’s fall state park wedding had me feeling more like spring! Showers in the morning, sunshine in the afternoon, and lovely pink details. Just ignore all the leaves on the trees being yellow/orange/red. ;-)

I loved the details Megan had picked for her wedding day – especially the pin from her great-grandmother that she wore in her hair!

First look (in the rain)!!!

‘Merica. ;-)

Mr. and Mrs.!!! Woop woop!!

We took engagement pictures at this lake, so I just *had* to take a couple more on their wedding day. 

So… I might have been a *little* excited that the sun decided to come out for the evening… I can’t resist sun flare!!

If you’re around Custer State Park ever, you know the buffalo like to hang out in the meadow next to the State Game Lodge. This guy and a few of his friends were the official ‘welcoming party’ for Evan + Megan’s guests. :-)

Evan + Megan hired DubBus for transporting their wedding party, plus Koda for their photo booth, and both were a huge hit! For those planning their Black Hills wedding, Kevin and Melina are super kind people who know how to treat a wedding party right!

Evan + Megan – Thanks for having me photograph your wedding! I still can’t believe we lucked out with the leaves still on the trees *and* the sun coming out after your ceremony!! What a beautiful, perfect day for you to look back on. I hope you enjoy this sneak peek – I can’t wait to show you the rest of your images!

When Tarrise + Amy’s scheduled engagement session time called for rain (which ended up including a bit of snow), we agreed a sunrise session would be better weather-wise. We had no idea the lake we picked for photos would be steaming when we got there! I think it’s safe to say, the early wake-up was TOTALLY worth it!!!

Tarrise + Amy – Thanks again for getting up so early! I hope you enjoyed your weekend in the Black Hills, and I can’t wait to see you again in August!!!

Joe + Victoria live in New York City, so for their engagement photos, they wanted to be surrounded by nature and animals, two things that are hard to come by in their daily lives. We had so much fun feeding a kind, gentle burro and trying to decipher the prairie dogs calls. What a beautiful, beautiful evening in Custer State Park!

Joe + Victoria – I absolutely can not wait for your wedding this winter! I’ve already ordered a lovely snowfall with reasonable temperatures for your day. ;-)