Backyard Weddings Archives | Greener Visuals Photography

Bridger Foothills Fire Wedding of Raven and Jordan

A few weeks back I had the pleasure of photographing the Bridger Foothills Fire Wedding weekend of Raven and Jordan outside Bozeman, Montana.

In all of my years of photographing events, there was nothing quite like documenting the Bridger Foothills Fire wedding of Raven and Jordan. It was an experience I was proud to be a part of.

For so many recent brides and grooms, 2020 has been a year of pivoting with the continuation of the Covid-19 virus. This past year its has been a source of disruption for countless wedding day plans.

Raven and Jordan’s wedding day was originally planned for an earlier Spring date. Unfortunately, the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic changed everything for them. They decided to delay their wedding celebration to a time when their loved ones could safely be in attendance.

Undeterred, this Arizona couple decided to postpone their destination wedding plans to a later summer date and a familiar venue, her parents Bozeman, Montana home. Their extended families arrived for a three-day event at her family’s 140-acre property set against the beautiful Bridger Mountains backdrop.

It was a magical setting orchestrated by the fabulous team from Imoni Events. The rustic setting was complete with huge Under Canvas teepee tents and a wall tent city for their guest to comfortably “glamp” in during their Montana stay. The first two evenings were causal and laid back. Raven and Jordan spent the time reconnecting and celebrating with their family and guests. I was happy to document their Welcome Party and a Nike/Harry Potter themed Groom’s Party photographs.

It’s not every day that wedding couples have all the most important people in their world surrounding and celebrating them. It was a gift this family took full advantage of throughout the weekend.

After social distancing this past year, you could feel the high energy from everyone in attendance. Everyone was thrilled to be amongst friendly, loving faces again.

My role was to document and photograph all of the candid fun while creating special memories of the weekend celebration. It was all leading up to the main event, their outdoor wedding day celebration.

Fire on Wedding Mountain

Staying true to the theme of uncertainty in 2020, Raven and Jordan’s wedding day turned out to be quite a surprise adventure.

On the evening of the Groom’s Party, a lightning strike created a small, wildland fire began near a hiking trail ten miles south of the wedding site. Small at first, by midafternoon on their wedding day, strong winds and very dry conditions made things worse. The dry winds fueled the blaze into an 8,000-acre raging fire and was heading in the immediate direction of the Raven and Jordan’s wedding celebration.

About an hour prior to the start to their wedding day ceremony, a call came in from the local fire marshall. The news traveled fast. We were ordered to emergency evacuate the area due to the fast encroaching Bridger Foothills Fire in Bridger Canyon.

In a state of emergency, where does a couple uproot and move their entire wedding?

Without warning, Raven and Jordan’s meticulously planned wedding, constructed over the past two months, suddenly needed to be torn down, relocated 100 miles, and put back together in under three hours.

Thankfully, their wedding caterer Ashley Gutmann, of Cinnamon and Sage Catering came to the rescue. She offered her ace-in-the-hole (last-minute) venue alternative at Headwaters Ranch in Logan, Montana.

First, it was the pandemic that delayed their wedding. Now, it was a fast approaching wildland fire messing up their plans. Once again, Raven and Jordan were forced to alter their wedding plans, yet again, and move their entire operation away from danger. Thankfully, this was a resourceful group. Through creative, emergency carpooling, the guests were able to make their way around roadblocks and away from thick smoke to the new wedding venue an hour and a half away. The lovely Headwaters Ranch outside of Logan, Montana was our new safe haven.

Sometimes in life, there are forces we can’t control. With focus and the summoning of positive attitudes, wedding vendors and guests alike, snapped into action.

Under the professional orchestration of Raven and Jordan’s wedding planner Jenni, of Imoni Events, we were able to pivot as a working group of professionals and pull off a wedding feat for the books.

Raven and Jordan’s Bridger Foothills Fire wedding wasn’t the event originally envisioned. But considering the circumstances, things worked out rather well.

It was a remarkable effort by every single guest and wedding vendor. Everyone rallied together to make Raven and Jordan’s wedding day a success.

In the end, it was completely worth it to witness the moment when these newlyweds kissed and walked hand in hand back down the aisle. Confetti rained from the sky. The enthusiastice cheers of their loved ones congratulated them just as the sun setting below the horizon.

There was a sense of victory and tears of joy in all of us. Raven and Jordan, along with their friends and family, danced the night away.

I could not be happier for Raven and Jordan. It was an honor to be apart of their wedding celebration. What a wild day! I wish them both a lifetime of happiness. -M

To view all of their fun wedding weekend photos, click here.

FEATURING:
Event Planning and Design: Imoni Events
Floral Designer: Carte Blanche Design
Photography: Greener Visuals Photography
Videography: Moshunal Videography
Entertainment: Joe’s DJ Service
Desert and Cake: Elle’s Belles Bakery

Paper Stuff: Freed Hands
Hair & Makeup: Indulgence
Rentals: Montana Party Rentals
Draping and Lighting: The Party Store MT
Linens: La Tavola Linen & BBJ Linen Rental
Glamping: Under Canvas
Host Hotel: Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman

September 26, 2020/by GreenerVisuals

Bridger Mountains Wedding Welcome Party and Groom’s Party Photos

Backyard Weddings, Barn Weddings, Big Sky Weddings, Blog, Bozeman Weddings, Country Weddings, Featured, Low-light Weddings, Montana, Montana Weddings, Mountain Weddings, Outdoor Portraits, Outdoor Weddings, Outdoor Weddings, Photo Booth, Photobooths, Rehearsal Dinner

A few weeks back I had the pleasure of photographing Bridger Mountains Wedding Welcome Party and Groom’s Party of Raven and Jordan outside Bozeman, Montana.

For so many recent brides and grooms, 2020 pandemic has been a year of pivoting and a reliable source of disruption for countless wedding plans.

Raven and Jordan’s originally planned their wedding for an earlier Spring date. Unfortunately, the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic changed everything for them. They decided to delay their wedding celebration to a time when their loved ones could safely be in attendance.

Undeterred, this Arizona couple decided to postpone their destination wedding to a later summer date and to a familiar venue, her parents Bozeman, Montana home. Their extended families arrived for a three-day event at her family’s 140-acre property set against the backdrop of the beautiful Bridger Mountains.

It was a magical setting orchestrated by the fabulous team from Imoni Events. Huge Under Canvas teepee-styled tents decorated the wedding property. For their wedding guests’ accomidations, an additional wall tent city was erected so they could comfortably “glamp” in during their Montana stay. The first two evening parties were causal and laid back. Raven and Jordan spent the time reconnecting and celebrating with their family and guests. It was all in anticipation of their upcoming wedding day!

The first two evenings were causal and spent reconnecting and celebrating with their guests during their Welcome Party and a Nike/Harry Potter themed Groom’s Party.

My role was to document and photograph all of the candid fun while creating special family memories of the weekend celebration.

It’s not every day that wedding couples have all the most important people in their world surrounding and celebrating them. It was a gift this family took full advantage of. This family celebrated their relationships in style. Laughter, great food, libations, fun in the Greener Visuals photo booth, and some serious games of cornhole entertained during the two evening events.

All in attendance at their Bridger Mountains Wedding Welcome Party and Groom’s Party were in high spirits. Even my labrador, Tippet. During the party, she happily entertained, nuzzled, and retrieved objects thrown by occasional wedding guests. Invited to the Groom’s Party (by the bride’s family), my dog promptly managed to cut a good size gash in her leg. Though it wasn’t serious injury, the wound was later mended during a midnight visit to the emergency vet.

During the party, she happily entertained, nuzzled, and retrieved objects thrown by occasional wedding guests.

After social distancing this past year, you could feel the high energy from everyone in attendance. Everyone was thrilled to be amongst friendly, loving faces again. I think it made this event even more special. There is a lot of love and support for this couple.

Here are some favorites photographs from their wedding welcome party and Groom’s Party festivities. It was all leading up to the main event, Raven and Jordan’s outdoor wedding celebration the next day.

A wedding day that I or any other person in attendance will soon forget. -M

To view all of Raven and Jordan’s Wedding day photos, click here.

To view all of the Photo Booth photos from the weekend, click here and click here.

FEATURED VENDORS:
Event Planning and Design: Imoni Events
Floral Designer: Carte Blanche Design
Photography: Greener Visuals Photography
Videography: Moshunal Videography
Entertainment: Joe’s DJ Service
Desert and Cake: Elle’s Belles Bakery

Paper Stuff: Freed Hands
Hair & Makeup: Indulgence
Rentals: Montana Party Rentals
Draping and Lighting: The Party Store MT
Linens: La Tavola Linen & BBJ Linen Rental
Glamping: Under Canvas
Host Hotel: Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman

September 26, 2020/by GreenerVisuals

Salem Connecticut Destination Wedding Day Photography of Knikka & Greg

Backyard Weddings, Blog, Connecticut Weddings, Country Weddings, Fall Weddings, Outdoor Weddings, Theme Weddings

Last weekend I photographed the Salem Connecticut Destination Wedding celebration of Knikka and Greg on her family’s property.

This was a special wedding for me.

I came to know Knikka years ago while working as a photojournalist for the Bozeman Daily Chronicle. At the time, she was a young parent raising a child and about to have another, I followed her and her family as part of a documentary story for the newspaper.

What started out as an assignment, turned into a friendship.

As the years have gone by, I’ve remained in touch with Knikka. I’ve even gotten to know her family members during their frequent visits to Montana over the years. They are wonderful people.

Through her family grapevine, I heard the news of her engagement to Greg. I was thrilled when they reached out to ask me to be their wedding photographer and was over the moon with excitement.

It’s always such a joy for me to document the wedding celebrations of friends.

While I’ve visited NYC and had a life-changing experience at the Eddie Adams workshop upstate, I have never visited New England.

It was time to remedy that.

This destination wedding would serve as a chance to photograph and celebrate two amazing individuals in a place I’ve always wanted to visit.

The wedding day took place on Knikka’s large family property. It’s an old farm homestead that’s settled amongst the historic Connecticut countryside outside of Salem. Their fall wedding was timed perfectly with the peak Fall colors of the trees.

Greg and Knikka’s DIY wedding had all the custom touches of a tasteful, rustic wedding shaped by their own personal styles.

The newlywed’s friends and community all contributed making everything special for the bride and groom. Everything from cakes and bread pudding to the homemade smoked BBQ, antique table settings, and the elaborate outdoor scene.

It was a hoot. For their Salem Connecticut Destination Wedding, the newlyweds even hired a minstrel band in costume to entertain the festivities at their themed wedding.

Here are some favorite photographs from their wedding day festivities.

I could not be more excited for these two. Congrats my friends! Cheers to a lifetime of happiness! -M

October 28, 2019/by GreenerVisuals

Countryside Bozeman Montana Wedding of Courtney & Josh

Backyard Weddings, Blog, Bozeman Weddings, Featured, Montana, Mountain Weddings, Outdoor Weddings, Summer Weddings

A week ago, I had the absolute pleasure of photographing the Countryside Bozeman Montana Wedding of Courtney and Josh.

On a cool August sunny day, their small intimate Countryside Bozeman Montana Wedding was held at her father’s property here in the Gallatin Valley.

I met Courtney and her family a few years back when I photographed her sister Jenny’s wedding celebration here in Bozeman.

While Courtney and Josh have only been dating for the last two years, they have known each other since they were twelve years old. Josh admitted that he had a life-long crush on her when they were growing up together in Bozeman.

As they were coming of age, he was her first kiss. They stayed friends.

Years later, they reconnected and began cultivating a stronger bond with one another. For her, it was his unconditional support and selflessness. For him, he loves her confidence, intelligence, and nurturing presence.

Over the last six months, it’s been great getting to know these two even more and discovering what they love most about each other and their relationship.

After getting to know these two this past year and photographing their portrait photographic experience, it was wonderful to see these two lovebirds say their vows and celebrate at their countryside Bozeman Montana wedding.

Surrounded by family and friends, they spent the evening eating great food and dancing the night away.

Here are some favorite wedding photos from their wedding day. I could not be more happy for these two. Congrats to the newlyweds! -M

August 20, 2019/by GreenerVisuals

Murrieta California Destination Wedding of Tandy and Rex

Backyard Weddings, Blog, California Weddings, Destination Weddings, Fall Weddings, Featured, Low-light Weddings, Outdoor Weddings, Outdoor Weddings, Portraits, Small Weddings, Weddings

Destination_Wedding_Photographer_California_wedding_portrait

About a month ago, this Montana destination wedding photographer photographed the Murrieta California Destination Wedding day of my two artistic friends Rex and Tandy.

There are few things in life that bring me more joy than being able to photograph the wedding celebrations of dear friends.

This wedding was particularly special for me to document.

Rex and I have been close childhood friends since elementary school. What started as a shared love of artistic endeavors growing up, went on to foster countless visual creative collaborations in our formal middle school and high school years.

It was with Rex at my side that I first discovered the possibilities of what a camera could create. Together we explored our surroundings and even went as far as to build a darkroom in my mom’s spare closet. Soon we were off to the races chasing this new creative rabbit hole. Little did I know then that those times with him would be the beginning of my life-long pursuit of exploring the photographic medium. I wouldn’t be the same person without knowing him in my life.

Rex also followed his creative muses through life. He graduated from art school and now makes his living in Missoula, Montana working as a remote video game designer. I heard he had found himself an equally talented creative partner in Tandy, a successful illustrator, I knew he had found his person.

When Rex and Tandy asked me to photograph their wedding celebration on her family’s property in Murrieta, California, I could not have been more honored.

Their Murrieta California Destination Wedding day was a lovely, intimate DIY wedding staged at Tandy’s mother’s large home. Their friends and family worked together to transform the newly renovated yard into a special and memorable wedding atmosphere. Cute, homemade gray and yellow decorations added a lovely pop of color to the green surrounding landscape.

As the sun set over the valley, the wedding couple said their vows witnessed by their close loved ones. They cheered as the newlyweds kissed to seal the deal. The rest of the night we laughed, told stories, ate homemade pies, and danced the night away.

Here is a selection of favorite photographs I made throughout their day.

I could not be more excited for these two. I wish them a lifetime of happiness! -M

October 14, 2018/by GreenerVisuals

St. Mary’s Catholic Church Wedding of Teresa and Bob

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Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of photographing and celebrating the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Wedding of Teresa and Bob.

I met this engaged couple at last year’s A Montana Wedding Bridal Event at The Commons in Bozeman, Montana. We hit it off after a friendly ten-minute conversation. It was clear my candid, documentary photographic style resonated with their wedding day vision. They booked me on the spot. For these two, their love for each other, their family, and their devotion to their Catholic faith would the focal point of their wedding day celebration.

Teresa and Bob’s wedding ceremony was held in the grand space of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. As devoted Catholics, their ceremony was complete with an hour of Mass service.

From there we made our way up Orea Creek Road to their Livingston, Montana home. On our approach, the beauty of the surrounding green mountainsides was too enticing. We couldn’t help ourselves and happily stopped numerous times to photograph portraits with the epic Montana scenery surrounding us. Upon our arrival, the sound of cheers from their awaiting guests greeted the newlyweds at their outdoor reception on their Livingston property.

It was a wedding reception celebration in the pure local Montana cowboy style.

The newlyweds hired a live country band who beckoned guests to the dance floor. There, formal country two-step dance lessons were being given to the out-of-town guests. Everyone really got into it and had a great time. The yard games and a photo booth entertained the wedding guests in between songs. When the food was ready, the bride, groom, and their guests dined on good Montana BBQ and libations. It was a perfect Livingston, Montana evening to celebrate the union of these two amazing people. I could not be more excited for these two.

Congrats to the newlyweds Teresa and Bob! -M

August 1, 2018/by GreenerVisuals

Kelly Canyon Wedding Day of Lisa and Noah

Backyard Weddings, Blog, Bozeman Weddings, Country Weddings, Featured, Montana, Montana Weddings, Mountain Weddings, Outdoor Weddings, Outdoor Weddings, Small Weddings, Summer Weddings, Theme Weddings

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I recently photographed the Kelly Canyon Wedding Day celebration of Lisa and Noah in Bozeman, Montana.

When planning their wedding day, was important for Lisa and Noah to return to their cultural roots.

These two currently live in Kirkland, Washington where Lisa works as a computer scientist and Noah has started his graduate school program with a developing interest in Chinese medicine. This couple met two years ago through online dating here in Bozeman. As their relationship flourished over the next two years, Noah would eventually propose to Lisa on his family farm Kelly Canyon outside of Bozeman, Montana.

When it came time to plan their wedding day, there was no better wedding venue to host it than on his family’s farm back where it all began.

Their wedding would be a wonderful hodgepodge of tradition and a unique blend of the couple’s own interests.

Their shared love of medieval fantasy book genres influenced their wedding decorations, outfits, and even an honorary object for the day. The wedding party all took turns wielding the wedding couple’s authentic battle hammer named “Schmerglehermer”. With a sense of humor throughout, the wedding couple and party included the hammer in the festivities. It was walked down the aisle during the ceremony, guests posed throughout the day with it in photos, and it even found its way onto the dance floor. I love a couple and community that geeks out together. Their wedding was nothing short of epic.

Tucked back against a large stand of pine trees, the bride and groom’s friends and family gathered together on their family farm to witness a traditional Quaker wedding ceremony to honor Noah’s family roots.

The bride and groom were married “under the care of a Quaker meeting”. It’s a ceremony before God and gathered family, friends, and meeting members. The Quakers’ beliefs are unique in that their ceremonies are for all purposes, officiant free. The idea is based on the tenet that only God can join a couple in marriage. Quakers believe that no church official is essential for a marriage to take place. Instead, family and friends during hour-long ceremony, would occasionally break the silence by stepping up to the microphone to give words of advice, tell stories, or give well wishes.

I found their Kelly Canyon Wedding ceremony to be a really relaxing and thought-reflective. It was special for the bride and groom to hear the words of loved ones spoken in front of all. It was a special way to honor their guests just as much as they were honoring them.

Like all good weddings, they sealed theirs with a kiss surrounded by a roar of cheers. The wedding celebration moved on to their evening wedding reception at the Lindley Center in downtown Bozeman. The newlyweds and their guests danced, played outdoor games, and dined on a good steak BBQ throughout the evening. They also played in my Greener Visuals Photo Booth.

The fun was in full force.

It was an awesome time and a wonderful reflection of all the things that are important in these newlyweds’ lives. I could not be more excited for these two. I wish them all the best! -M

July 31, 2018/by GreenerVisuals

Livingston Montana Wedding Day Photography Preview of Teresa and Bob

Backyard Weddings, Blog, Featured, Forest Weddings, Indoor Weddings, Livingston Montana Wedding, Montana, Mountain Weddings, Outdoor Weddings, Small Weddings, St. Mary's Catholic Church, Summer Weddings

Last Friday I spent the day photographing and celebrating the Livingston Montana Wedding Day of Teresa and Bob.

I met these two lovebirds at last year’s A Montana Wedding Bridal Event at The Commons. After a friendly ten-minute conversation, it was clear my candid, documentary style resonated with their wedding day vision. They booked me on the spot. For these two, their love for each other, their family and devotion to their Catholic faith would the focal point of their wedding day celebration. The day could not have been better. Here is a sneak peek of their wedding photos made at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and up Orea Creek near their home where they had their reception. So many more fun photos to share with you all! Stay tuned! -M

July 11, 2018/by GreenerVisuals

Kelly Canyon Bozeman Montana Wedding Day Photo Preview of Lisa and Noah

Backyard Weddings, Blog, Bozeman Weddings, Country Weddings, Featured, Montana, Montana Weddings, Mountain Weddings, Outdoor Weddings, Outdoor Weddings, Small Weddings, Summer Weddings, Theme Weddings

Montana native newlyweds Lisa and Noah got married on his family’s property in Kelly Canyon just outside of Bozeman Montana last weekend. Perfect sunny weather blessed the day where these two celebrated their Quaker wedding with their close friends and family. I’m working hard to edit through all of the fun photos I made throughout their wedding day.

For now, check out a preview of some favorite photos I made for them. Stay tuned for more… -M

July 3, 2018/by GreenerVisuals

I’ve gathered up my Best of 2017 Wedding Photography by Greener Visuals that made during this recent trip around the sun.

As the last days of the year tick away, I find myself reflecting back on my Best of 2017 Wedding photos and all of the fun I had with my wedding couples over the course of this past year.

2017 was a lot of fun!

It was a year with lots of growth, new places explored, new challenges overcome, and many good times were had. I feel blessed for all the new relationships I made throughout the year. It was so much fun being able to tell candid, creative stories through photographs of my incredible clients!

I look forward to what “adventures in documenting the love” await me in 2018.

If you or a loved one you know is in need of new family portraits, business portraits, headshots, engagement photos, boudoir, or an epic Bozeman wedding photographer, Greener Visuals Photography is available for all your professional photographic experiences in 2018! I look forward to hearing from you!

Happy New Year everyone! -M

December 31, 2017/by GreenerVisuals

Paradise Valley Montana Wedding Day Photography of Brita and John

Backyard Weddings, Blog, Country Weddings, Featured, Montana, Montana Weddings, Mountain Weddings, Outdoor Weddings, Portraits, Small Weddings, Summer Weddings, Weddings, Yellowstone Country Weddings

Paradise Valley Montana Wedding bride groom hug

A few weeks back I had the pleasure of photographing the beautiful Paradise Valley Montana Wedding Day of Brita and John along the banks of the Yellowstone River.

Unlike most of my wedding I photograph, these two opted for my two-hour elopement collection where I focused on documenting their wedding ceremony and making portraits of their friends and family.

While perhaps one of the shortest wedding days I’ve ever photographed, it was still just as fun.

These two had all of their wedding guests meet at this really cool VRBO rental south of Livingston, Montana in Paradise Valley right on the river. As the sunset over the mountains their family and friends circled around them for their intimate ceremony then the celebration evolved into one heck of a pig roast.

In my brief time with them, I had so much fun getting to know them and their tribe. Here are a few of my favorite images from their wedding. It was a true pleasure to be able to document their union. Congrats to the newlyweds! -M

To view all of their wedding images, click here.

October 6, 2017/by GreenerVisuals

Whitefish Mountain Resort Wedding Day of Tim and Jill Preview

Backyard Weddings, Barn Weddings, Blog, Country Weddings, Featured, Forest Weddings, Montana, Montana, Montana Weddings, Mountain Weddings, Outdoor Weddings, Outdoor Weddings, Summer Weddings, Whitefish Mountain Resort - Whitefish, Whitefish Wedding

Over the 4th of July weekend, I was up at the Whitefish Mountain Resort in Whitefish, Montana photographing the summer wedding day of Tim and Jill. These two Bozeman locals wanted a destination feeling for their wedding celebration without leaving the Big Sky state. Northwest Montana was the perfect answer. There are so many more great photos to show you all. For now, here is a preview of a few favorites so far from the wedding day. I’m hard at work editing the rest. My congrats to the newlyweds! Stay tuned for more awesome. -Mike

July 8, 2016/by GreenerVisuals

Photo Booth at Eric & Brandys Alaskan Wedding Day Reception in Hope Alaska

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When my brother informed the family that he had proposed to his long-time girlfriend Brandy, we were just thrilled. Group effort wedding planning soon commenced. In celebration of the Greener/Hollenbeck wedding day in Hope, Alaska this past summer, I brought along my Greener Visuals Photo Booth for the reception. The reception site was held two hours south of Anchorage, Alaska at the Discovery Cafe in Hope, Alaska. I’m going to say it…photo booths just make weddings receptions better. They are interactive, creative and often hilarious. Bringing your own props allows you to shape the photo booth interaction for the reception guests and invites them to play. Having one at this Greener wedding reception was a no-brainer. Like I mentioned in their wedding day photos blog post, this “do-it-yourself” wedding required frugal creativity on everyone’s part. Everyone aided in making for a really special weekend. Tasked with final prep for the reception photo booth, my sister Katie and I decided to go drive around and visit numerous thrift stores scattered around Anchorage, Alaska for last-minute affordable photo booth props. Our efforts didn’t disappoint. At Eric and Brandy’s wedding day reception, we set up the booth against a rustic, weathered looking cabin wall as the backdrop. The photo booth was a complete hit. Via remote control, their wedding guests could fire the camera and strobe to make epic, wonderfully weird self-portraits on their own. Without fail every time, those who enter it let loose in their creativity and leave with a grin on their face. The best part is you never know what you are going to get.

Here are some of my favorites from their wedding day photo booth but you can view all of the awesome photo booth pictures, by going here. PW: greener

What a fantastic day! I could not be more excited for Eric and Brandy! I love you guys! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness! – Your brother Mike

December 22, 2015/by GreenerVisuals

Eric & Brandy Wedding Day Photos in Hope, Alaska

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It is with much love and pride that I present the wedding photos of my brother Eric & his awesome lady Brandy’s wedding day celebration in Hope, Alaska.

Earlier this summer, my younger pilot brother Eric tied-the-knot with his long time flight attendant girlfriend Brandy in a lush, mountainous wild Alaskan setting in the small town of Hope, Alaska. She is an incredible lady and I’m so grateful to now call her sister. After a very public Alaskan Airlines in flight wedding proposal that went viral on YouTube, the excitement of the first sibling to be married in the Greener clan was felt by all and plans soon sprang into action to create their special day. This was going to be one hell of a wedding celebration. I would be the best man and wedding photographer which proved to be a tricky, fun challenge. After purchasing their first home together earlier this year, Eric and Brandy were looking to be as frugal as possible when planning their wedding day. Without being over the top, they wanted a place to gather the two clans, have some good food, dance to a live band without breaking the bank. Not a problem. The families and friends all came together to create a DIY rustic themed Alaskan wedding day. I think some of the best wedding successes are when wedding couples think outside the box while staying within a budget.

We got creative.

We took reclaimed weathered barn wood to make their wedding arbor and decorated it with mason jars filled with flowers the grocery stores had that morning. Rather than make the bridesmaids and groomsman buy matching outfits, they instead told them a color palette, in this case navy which also would work with whatever color flowers were available the day of. It worked out well. Scrap pieces of corrugated steel siding with the application of white paint became cool signs and decorations for the reception. The elder Greener gentlemen roasted a pig, guests brought a dish to pass, local friends helped with location needs and their unfinished new house as a staging ground for the bride and her ladies. Everyone in attendance contributed to making their wedding day special. Paying for the live funk band was worth every cent.

There were of course some logistical hurdles to cover, the first being that Hope, Alaska was a dinky little town a two hour drive around the Turnagain Arm on Highway 1 out of Anchorage, Alaska. This meant that everything (guests, tents, tables, chairs, decorations, camping accommodations, food, etc..) would need to be driven out by the family and wedding guests. The venue provided the site alone. In the end, it took a village, generous friends, a fleet of trucks and a used short school bus to make it all happen.

It was a day meant to be. Even the rain held out. What a wonderful love to honor and celebrate. I’m so happy for them. In between dancing, chatting and my best man duties, I managed to make a couple photos through out the day. Here are some of my favorites.

To see all of the wedding photos from the day click here. Password: greener

Love you guys so much! Wishing you two a lifetime of happiness. -your brother Mike

December 17, 2015/by GreenerVisuals

Bozeman Montana Wedding rehearsal dinner of Jenny & Ethan

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The evening before Jenny & Ethan’s wedding day, their close friends and family gathered at the bride’s parent’s house in Bozeman for their rehearsal dinner. The calm Montana evening in early Fall did not disappoint. The sun settled into a fantastic sunset over the Bridger Mountains where their out of town guest snapped photos and soaked up the Montana lifestyle. Rehearsal dinners are great to photograph. Often it’s the first time many of the guests get to see the wedding couple and the atmosphere tends to be more laid back prior to the main event. These two had me come out and document it all. Here are some of my favorite images from their rehearsal dinner. Also, be sure to check out their wedding photos here. I had a great time. Congrats to the newlyweds! -Mike

October 20, 2015/by GreenerVisuals

Alaska Wedding Day Photography Preview of Eric & Brandy

Alaska Weddings, Backyard Weddings, Blog, Destinations, Forest Weddings, Outdoor Weddings, Rainy Weddings

A few weeks back my pilot brother Eric married an awesome woman named Brandy, the love of his life in Hope, Alaska. The first of the siblings to get hitched. It was also the first time I’d been assigned the roles as both a best man and a wedding photographer. It was a fun challenge. I’m editing through the mountain of photos and will post their full wedding soon. I’m so excited for you brother! Stay tuned… -M

August 14, 2015/by GreenerVisuals

Chico California Wedding Day Photos of Sara & Jason

Backyard Weddings, Barn Weddings, Bidwell Park, Chico, CA, Blog, California Weddings, Chico, California Weddings, Country Weddings, Fall Weddings, Featured, Outdoor Weddings, Outdoor Weddings, Sunset Weddings

grand-entrance-of-bride-and-groom-Best-of-2014-Wedding

I’m excited to post these wedding photos. About a month ago, I traveled to Chico, California from Bozeman, Montana to photograph the destination wedding day of Sara and Jason. These two lovebirds booked me well over a year out after her work friend found me and showed my photography to Sara during a internet search for Northern California wedding photographers during a long overnight emergency work shift (Sara is a veterinarian). Talking with with Jason and Sara on the phone we quickly bonded over discovering a mutual love of the outdoors, fly fishing and the occasional craft beer. These were my kind of people. I had been looking forward to their wedding day for a while. Our first time meeting was in the morning of their wedding day but it was like being reacquainted with old friends. I met up with them as they were getting ready at the Hotel Diamond in downtown Chico and photographed them as the day unfolded.

Their wedding was a fantastic DIY (Do it yourself!) event hosted at his mother’s farm property outside of town called the Double R Ranch. It was put together with the help of friends and family who were successful in creating a charming garden farm themed wedding celebration. Dinner was served in the garden amongst the sunflowers and squash on wood tables made by the groomsmen. The barn itself had been just finished by the wedding party in time for the event. Everywhere you looked there was a personal touch. It was a beautiful day filled with warm weather and smiles. A fun weekend with great people! I am just thrilled for these two! Congrats to Sara and Jason and many years of continued happiness! -Mike Greener

To see all of their wedding celebration photos, click here.

November 13, 2014/by GreenerVisuals