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!

Jason + Gena escaped to the Black Hills to get married with their closest relatives in attendance, and it was the most perfectly imperfect day. Their flowers got left behind, but someone fashioned a bouquet from Safeway flowers at the last minute. It rained on and off, but we all managed to stay dry. Deer and turkeys tried to photobomb, and you were more than happy to share your spotlight!

Jason + Gena – what a pleasure to work with you on your wedding day! I loved your small, intimate, laid-back wedding. I could have kept you all evening until the sun set! I hope you had a wonderful dinner with your family, and a fun reception back home! :-)

Every single small wedding I’m invited to photograph, I fall more and more in love with them! Dale + Shelley had an intimate wedding ceremony with just their parents and children at the Vertex on top of the Hotel Alex Johnson, followed by dinner and drinks. How special to have that time together to dine and celebrate with your closest loved ones!

Dale + Shelley welcomed everyone as the arrived at the Vertex, and helped put corsages + boutonnieres on. I love this moment between Shelley and her dad – everyone else was waiting outside, and they took the time to soak up this moment with each other before walking out to her groom! :-)

Dale + Shelley – thanks for inviting me to witness the beginning of your marriage! It was such a beautiful afternoon, and I loved watching your family catch up and enjoy the time spent together. I hope you will treasure these photos! :-)