Tag Archive for: destination wedding photographer


I had the pleasure of traveling to Snohomish, Washington, to make Jardin del Sol Garden Wedding Day Photos of Allison & Wade.

Allison and Wade’s paths merged at Western Washington University. In between classes, they started to know each other over walks around campus or in exploring the nearby forests together. Their social groups overlapped around the campus Christian community house and their shared faith. Soon after they began dating, Allison and Wade knew they had found their person.

Wade loves how Allison is such a caring person who makes him and others feel loved and heard. She is authentically genuine and a full-energy type of listener. Allison has always had a love of the outdoors, and was excited to get into backpacking with Wade. She admires how Wade is so considerate of others’ feelings. It’s the little actions that mean so much. On one long backpack, Wade went back on the trail to walk with her when the trail became long, helped her through, and carried her pack.

When you find your person, every challenge is lighter, together.

As a couple, they build their community around gatherings. Wade and Allison balance each other and show deep support. With much of their family scattered throughout the country, these newlyweds looked forward to creating a moment where their favorite friends and family came together.

Wade and Allison’s community was woven into their celebration. (The theme of close community was already apparent when friends helped Wade get Allison’s custom engagement ring across the border in time for him to propose at Hug Point State Recreation Site in northern Oregon.) Allison’s aunt performed the ceremony and I was honored to be able to photograph my cousin, Allison’s, wedding day.

Allison and Wade are not the type to seek the shine of the spotlight. After the ceremony, we stepped away from the crowd to offer them a chance to focus on themselves, and savor the moment that marks the official start of their lives together. The opportunity yielded us some beautiful photographs created around the lush Jardin del Sol Garden wedding venue. From there, the party was in full force as Wade’s best man emceed and kept the energy high and lighthearted. Heartfelt speeches were shared, and then the dance floor came alive.

Allison and Wade, I wish you a lifetime of happiness! It was an honor to be a part of your wedding celebration! -M

FEATURING

Venue: Jardin del Sol

Photographer: Greener Visuals Photography

Florist: Save the Day Floral

Cake: The Cakewalk Shop

Caterer: Alexa’s Catering

DJ: PJ Parsons Presents

The-Nest-on-Swan-River-Wedding-Day-ceremony

Back In late August, I traveled up to the Flathead Valley in northwest Montana to photograph The Nest on Swan River Wedding Day of Lisa and Thomas.

While Lisa is originally from Montana, this couple resides in Hawaii with their children. They wanted to have their wedding celebration in the culture of her home state.

For these two newlyweds, their shared love of country music quickly fostered a strong bond between them when they met in January of 2019. They’ve been singing and dancing together ever since.

During the build up to their wedding day, I got to know these two and what they cherished about their relationship. Both commented on how perfect they felt for one another and their mutual down to earth approach to life. As Thomas puts it, “God put her in my life for the better.”

Thomas loves how her sparklely personality and great sense of humor is enhanced by her thoughtfulness towards others. Lisa has a charming humility that teases out the best in the people around her. He loves seeing her engage and love his three children from a previous relationship as her own. Lisa smiled as she told me about Thomas’s big, marshmallow heart. “He’s so intelligent and spiritual. I love how we can both express our values and ideals to eachother,” she recounted, “He cares so much about my feelings and is so loyal to me and the kids.”

While the surfable waves of Hawaii were absent, The Nest on Swan River Wedding was the perfect setting for their waterside wedding day.

When it came to their wedding plans, Lisa and Thomas wanted to have a relaxing, peaceful time with their friends and family along the water. The versatility of their The Nest at Swan River provided the perfect backdrop. As the bridal parties got ready, their guests enjoyed walking the lush riverside property. Everyone was enjoying the lovely late summer Montana weather. Some guests even assisted the curious local whitetail deer to forage apples on the property. Their lovely, intimate wedding ceremony was held under the tree canopy shade surrounded by their loved ones.

As the sun set over the Swan River, their focus transitioned into a classic Montana celebration. Wild game appetizers paired with great local microbrew beer enticed their wedding guests. The conversation and laughter flowed. Despite a leg injury that limited the groom’s mobility, he traded his usual dance moves for singing on stage. Backed up great live music tunes from the Band of Drifters, Thomas performed a variety of his songs for his new bride. Soon after dinner the band got people twirling back out on the dance floor.

It was a lovely Montana evening enjoyed by all.

Here are some favorite photographs I made through out Lisa and Thomas’ wedding day. It was such a fun event and I was so excited to be apart of their wedding celebration. -M

To view all of the photos from Lisa and Thomas’ wedding day, click here.

Last weekend I had the privilege of traveling to Salem, Connecticut to photograph the wedding day 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 for the Bozeman Daily Chronicle. As a young parent raising a child and about to have another, I followed 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.

So when I heard the news of her engagement to Greg and they reached out to ask me to be their wedding photographer, I 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 a workshop upstate, I have never been to New England.

It was time to remedy that.

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

Their wedding day took place on Knikka’s family property settled amongst the peak Fall colors of the historic Connecticut countryside. 

Their DIY wedding had all the custom touches of a tasteful rustic wedding shaped into their own personal styles. Their friends and community all contributed making everything from cakes and bread pudding to the homemade smoked BBQ, antique table settings and the elaborate outdoor scene.

It was a hoot.

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

To view all of the photographs from their wedding day, click below.

A few weeks back I had the absolute pleasure of photographing the Green Oaks Creek California Wedding Day of Marit and Samir outside Santa Cruz, California.

These two are dear friends of mine who asked me to document their hybrid Jain and Jewish multicultural wedding weekend celebration. It was an honor and a complete blast to be a part of.

For them, they wanted a wedding highlighting all the important aspects in their lives – honoring their numerous religious traditions, a celebration of their family and friends and a dedication to ethical green practices.

I think the best weddings are the ones where the couple creates an experience that uniquely reflects their shared interests and values. 

Like their Sangeet Celebration the day before, it was a splendid event organized under the careful guidance and care of wedding planner Aimee Newlander, of Weddings by Aimee

When it came to the wedding day reception, the bride and groom insisted I set my cameras down so I could completely lose myself to dance. We had a wonderful time!

The warmest congratulations to the bride and groom Marit and Samir!

Here are a few of my favorites from their wedding day celebration.

To see all of their fun photos from their Green Oaks Creek Farm Wedding Day, click below.

Fellow Vendors:

Venue: Green Oaks Creek Farm

Wedding Coordinator: Weddings by Aimee

Wedding Photographer: Greener Visuals Photography

Food: Gerard’s PaellaWah Jee Wah Street Food, & Wood Fire Woodie pizza.

Live Music: Pallavi Mehta & accompaniment, from Soor Academy

Drinks: Bernie’s Mixology Mobile Bartender

A week or so back I had the absolute pleasure of photographing the Green Oaks Creek California Wedding Sangeet of Marit and Samir outside Santa Cruz, California.

These two are dear friends of mine who asked me to document their hybrid Jain and Jewish multicultural wedding weekend celebration. It was an honor and a complete blast to be a part of.

For them, they wanted a wedding highlighting all the important aspects in their lives – honoring their numerous religious traditions, a celebration of their family and friends and a dedication to ethical green practices.

I think the best weddings are the ones where the couple creates a experience that uniquely reflects their shared interests and values. 

Being surrounding by so many of my favoirite people, it was bound to be a incredibly fun weekend event.

We started the celebration on Thursday with Marit and her female family members getting their traditional bridal mehndi artwork by the talented Modern Mehndi. 

Saturday marked the welcome wedding Sangeet celebration before the actual wedding on Sunday. Marit and Samir hosted theirs at the peaceful Green Oaks Creek Farm, a beautiful organic farm north of Santa Cruz, California. 

The premise of the Sangeet is not only to kick off the wedding festivities, but more importantly, to join their two families from Texas and Chicago so that they could familiarize themselves with one another prior to the big wedding day.

What better way to do so than through laughter, song, food trucks and dancing.

Everything went off without a hitch due to the careful guidance and care of wedding planner Aimee Newlander, of Weddings by Aimee

Relatives and friends of the bride and groom performed music, taught line dancing, ate delicious food on compostable dishware, and gave toasts of well wishes.  Then we danced and danced some more.

The warmest congratulations to the bride and groom Marit and Samir!

Here are few of my favorites from the evening but here are so many more awesome photos to see. 

To see all of their fun photos from their wedding Sangeet at Green Oaks Creek Farm, click below.

I’m working hard on finishing up their wedding day photos. Stay tuned for more…-M

Fellow Vendors:

Venue: Green Oaks Creek Farm

Wedding Coordinator: Weddings by Aimee

Wedding Photographer: Greener Visuals Photography

Food: Gerard’s Paella, Wah Jee Wah Street Food, & Wood Fire Woodie pizza.

Live Music: Pallavi Mehta & accompaniment, from Soor Academy

Drinks: Bernie’s Mixology Mobile Bartender

This past year I’ve had the pleasure of traveling to make portraits of my photography clients. As a destination wedding and portrait photographer, it’s always such a joy to make photos of my clients in the places that matter most to them.

Back in August, I took a flight to one of my favorite cities, Seattle, Washington for the portrait photographic experience of my wedding clients Allie and Chris.

These two love their city life.

Allie is coming down the final stretch of obtaining her law degree from Seattle University and Chris works as an engineer. These two are passionate and driven in what they do. Above all else, they really value the time they have with one another in their relationship.

For their portrait experience, they wanted to explore some of their favorite places in Seattle where they love to spend their free time with one another.

We walked through some of their favorite neighborhoods, explored parks near their home and checked out some of their favorite places for a good drink.

I can not wait to photograph their wedding day celebration in 2020. Congrats on your engagement Allie and Chris!

A few weeks back, Diane and William celebrated their Lone Mountain Ranch wedding day in Big Sky, Montana. When they contacted me about their wedding photography needs, these two Florida residents informed me of their grand plans to head north for a snowy, horse-drawn sleigh inspired outdoor wedding celebration. The February winter weather in Montana did not disappoint. Their wedding day had over two feet of fresh snow to decorate the mountain landscape. I love a couple that goes against the grain and does an exciting destination wedding change up from their usual warmer climate. These two medical professionals invited about forty of their closest friends and loved ones out to Lone Mountain Ranch for an intimate wedding tucked away in the mountains in Big Sky, Montana.

Embracing their self-description of being, “numerically up there, been married before, yet still young at heart!” they opted to get adventurous with their wedding plans. They both have cherished their time spent vacationing in Montana and couldn’t think of a better place to celebrate their union.

With excited smiles on their faces, their guests got all bundled up for a unique Montana experience. They loaded into horse-drawn sleighs that would bring them to a large opening on the mountainside where Diane and William’s small, intimate outdoor Montana wedding overlooking Lone Peak would take place. Everyone loved the unique experience that the horse-drawn sleighs provided. With relatives who had troubles being mobile, the sleighs allowed access to the beautiful outdoors while also offering wool blankets and a high seat vantage point for the guests to watch the ceremony. It all worked out really well. After a lovely snowy ceremony complete with communion, the entire wedding rode by sleigh to the nearby B-K cabin at Lone Mountain Ranch for the dinner reception. The crew at LMR created a lovely atmosphere combined with flower arrangements from Karen’s Floral Artistry that made the room feel really homey. The sweet bluegrass tunes from The Bridger Creek Boys serenaded the crowd throughout the evening. The fireplace and libations kept everyone cozy while the funny stories and laughter warmed their hearts. We had a fantastic time and capped off the evening with a sparkler exit for the newlyweds. I could not be more excited for these two. I was so grateful to be a part of their wedding celebration and I wish them all the best! -M

To view their entire wedding, click here.

bride-groom-springhill-pavilion-bozeman-wedding-photographer

Happy New Year everyone!

I always find this time of year to be thrilling.

It’s a moment we collectively engage in looking ahead and backward from where we came.

The last week of the year always holds a lot of important annual events in my life – Time spent with family around the holidays, the celebration of my birthday (I turned 36-years-old a few days ago, yikes!) and the ringing in of the new year.

I always take this time to self reflect on the great experiences with my wedding photography clients from the past year and to begin throttling forward towards my new creative goals on the near horizon. I’m ever striving to be the best version of myself (mind, body, and spirit) and finding ways to better serve my clients and community. 2018 was a positive year for me with lots of growth, new places explored, new challenges overcome, new faces met and many good times were had. I feel blessed for all the new relationships I made throughout the year and for being able to tell candid, creative stories through photographs!

I’m excited about my upcoming adventures and the fun clients I’ll get to document in 2019.

In the spirit of reflection during this time of year, I’ve gathered up some of my favorite wedding photographs from the past 2018 wedding season.

It’s such a joy for me to relive some of my favorite moments all gathered in one place. I feel honored to have been a part of all the wonderful celebrations this year with my wedding clients.

With pride, here are my Best of 2018 Montana Wedding Photographs by Greener Visuals Photography.

If you or a loved one you know is in need of an epic wedding photographer, engagement photos, new family portraits, or updated business portraits in 2019, Greener Visuals Photography is now booking for all your professional photographic needs!

Grateful for all of your continued support and I look forward to hearing from you! -M

Destination_Wedding_Photographer_California_wedding_portrait

About a month ago, this Montana destination wedding photographer ventured out to Murrieta, California to photograph the wedding day of 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, would go on to foster countless visual creative collaborations in our formal years growing up.

It was with Rex at my side where I first discovered the possibilities of what could be created with a camera. Together we explored our surroundings and even going as far 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 went on to graduate from art school and now makes his living in the Vancouver, Washington area working as a video game designer. A few years back when I heard he had found himself an equally talented creative partner in Tandy, a successful illustrator, I knew he had found his person.

I could not have been more honored when they asked me to photograph their wedding celebration on Tandy’s family property in Murrieta, California a few weeks back.

Their California wedding day was a lovely, intimate DIY wedding staged at Tandy’s mother’s home where 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 the green surrounding landscape.

As the sun set over the valley, they said their vows witnessed by their close loved ones and their cheers as they 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.

To view all of their wedding photos, you can view them here.

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

 

A few weeks back I had the pleasure of photographing the destination wedding of Zachary and Elizabeth in Yellowstone National Park. These two lovebirds traveled to Montana from Kansas City with their relatives in tow to celebrate their wedding day celebration in America’s largest national park. It was a classic DIY wedding complete with 1,000 paper cranes, paper flower bouquets and a small festive reception at their parent’s place in West Yellowstone. Their small collection of family and friends came together to make their wedding day special. After driving around YNP, we arrived at Artist Point to have their wedding ceremony overlooking the Yellowstone Lower Falls in Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone National Park. What a special day it turned out to be. It’s always so inspiring to be around a couple so completely in love with each other. I was so glad I could be apart of it. Here are some of my favorite photographs from the day. Wishing the newlyweds all the best. -M

When Heather and Andrew booked me to photograph their 2016 Montana destination Chico Hot Springs wedding day last September, I was half expecting to photograph their early Spring wedding in the snow or rain. After living in Montana for some combined twelve years now, some assumptions regarding annual Montana weather patterns tend to hold true and planning wedding in April can at times be a bit of a gamble. When the big day came, we were blessed with the first sunny 70-degree day of the year in Montana. A perfect stage to welcome all of their out of town guests into the Montana experience. Photographing their wedding day was an absolute pleasure. Having already spent some time with the newlyweds during our winter engagement photo session, I knew their wedding day would be a wonderful joyful celebration. Despite a little wind, the warm weather added to the already lifted spirits of the wedding attendants. Laughter, smiles, and stories were present everywhere you looked. It made for a really fun time making photographs. Heather and Andrew are an amazing couple and their family and friends welcomed me with open arms. It was such a fun day. Wishing these newlyweds all the best! -M

To see all of the photos from their wedding day, click here.

Whew! What a weekend! I just flew back from photographing Matt and Liz’ Wedding Day in downtown Chicago a few days ago. Despite a little midwest precipitation, the day was a fantastic celebration, a wonderful reunion with old friends and spirits were high. I had a lot of fun with these two exploring “The Windy City” with their crew of close friends. I’m hard at work getting all the awesomeness edited and toned but I wanted to share a quick preview of some images that have stood out to me thus far. I’m excited to show you all the rest. Stay tuned. Congrats to the newlyweds! -M

 

I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding weekend of Jenny and Ethan at the Rockin TJ Ranch on the outskirts of Bozeman, Montana a few weeks back.

September in southwest Montana might just be my favorite time of year to be outside. The weather on their big outdoor wedding day was perfect. The full spectrum of Fall colors in the local flora accentuated the wedding party’s red color theme.

I had a lot of fun throughout the day celebrating with these two newlyweds and their out of town wedding guests. I was so thankful to be a part of it. A great day. Congrats again to Jenny and Ethan! -M

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

A few weeks back I returned to Chico Hot Springs in Pray, Montana to photograph the wedding day of Elizabeth & Ryan. When it came to these two New Mexican residents planning their wedding day, they opted to return to their old stomping grounds of southwest Montana. Their destination wedding brought 150 of their close family and friends to the historical hot spring wedding venue in Paradise Valley. It was a fantastic day-long celebration with warm weather mixed with the occasional feisty wind gusts. Just the right amount to kick up a wedding dress in dramatic fashion. Soon into the reception, the wedding guests took to the dance floor in droves and celebrated with the newlyweds late into the evening. Good times with great people. I had a fun time meeting everyone, hearing the stories and photographing the festivities. Congrats again to the newlyweds! Wish you guys a lifetime of happiness. -M

To view all of the photos from Elizabeth and Ryan’s wedding day, click here.

A few weeks back I had the opportunity to photograph the wedding of Bobbijean and Chris at the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park. The two met while working at the park a few summers back and decided to tie-the-knot in a place that was so special to their hearts. While Chris has moved on to work in the logging industry, Bobbijean still is a proud park employee and with her position, was able to gain some perks for her special day – like a visit up to the historic Crow’s Nest high up in the historic log and limb lobby for some portraits and having their first look atop the Inn roof overlooking the erupting Old Faithful geyser. It was pretty special and a great view to say the least. After an emotional ceremony filled with tears of joy and laughter, the wedding celebration transitioned outside the park boundaries to the town of West Yellowstone where the reception festivities filled the historic Union Pacific Dining Lodge. A fun day throughout. I was so glad to be a part of it. Congrats again to the newlyweds and I wish them all the best. -M

I had the pleasure of documenting the wedding day of Julia & Peter out at Chico Hot Springs outside of Pray, Montana a few weeks back. These two were so much fun. The historic venue is located in the heart of Paradise Valley in a beautiful setting backed up towards Emigrant Peak. It’s a perfect place to tie-the-knot in Montana. These two lovebirds along with their friends and family took over the historic venue for a night of celebration, laughter and get down dancing. It was a wedding of mixed cultures and influences. I like how the bride and groom melded her family’s Jewish traditions together with their own style to make a wedding celebration all their own. After the walk down the aisle and the family toasts to the newlyweds, the whole wedding party took to the dance floor in force. Such great energy from the lot. I had a great time documenting their special day. My congrats to the newlyweds! -M

To see more photos and purchase prints from their wedding day, click here.

Last week had the opportunity to venture out into the surprisingly mild Montana winter weather with my wedding clients Julia and Peter for a fun afternoon engagement photo session around Bozeman. These two have had this great park near their home in Bozeman where they often walk their dogs and we started our photo outing there. I loved the winter color palette of blues, greys and oranges standing out from the white snow blanketing the ground. I was really pleased with the results. These two are great. A fun day outside in the Big Sky. Looking forward to photographing their 2015 wedding day at Chico Hot Springs in June. Stay tuned. -M

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 RanchIt 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.

 

Just got back to Bozeman, Montana after spending the last four days traveling to Chico, California to photograph the destination wedding day of Sara and Jason on their family farm. Such a fun weekend with great people! This was a fantastic DIY (Do it yourself!) wedding. I’m excited to show you more of the fun. Here is a quick preview of their wedding celebration photographs. Many more to come! Congrats to Sara and Jason! -Mike Greener