Elegant Ranch Wedding in the Rockies

I'm a country girl at heart...as in, give me the countryside anytime, anywhere. Pastoral English villages, vast Canadian prairies, quaint Italian hill towns, and rugged American ranches--they all have the power to sweep me off my feet and make my heart soar. Jenny + Daniel's Big Sky Montana wedding by Orange Photographie evokes those same sensations and I'm thrilled to share this piece of Rocky Mountain magic here on Vale + Vine. One of the best aspects of life lived outdoors in the countryside is the undeniable presence of the weather. This may deter some couples from opting for an outdoor affair, but for Jenny + Daniel, the unpredictability of the elements made the occasion all the more special. Here are a few words from the bride on that subject:

"My favorite moment was setting off for the carriage ride to the ceremony. We had completed our first look, which was amazing, so the entire wedding party, including my parents, was together. It had been threatening to rain all day, and the coordinators were watching the weather radar for a clear moment. When they thought we had a window they quickly loaded us into the carriage. The carriage driver warned us, “We need to go, so hold on”, and the horses lurched into a canter. They were running down the road, the wind was catching my veil and all of us were laughing. Once at the location, we were tucked under the eave of a cabin to wait out the rain. The men gave their coats to the bridesmaids and my niece, and we stood together, laughing, anticipating, and enjoying this turn of events. The blustery weather continued throughout the ceremony, but I believed it suited our relationship and ceremony perfectly. As the officiant spoke of wind and rain serving as medicine for our marriage, the wind blew and raindrops fell. It was perfect."

If you love outdoor weddings, here are two very different, but equally beautiful examples: an unconventional prairie wedding by Adrian Michael and this sophisticated Ontario celebration by Brumley & Wells.