Horseback Destination Wedding in Superior MT for Heather & Jon

As Montana elopement photographers, we were thrilled when Heather & Jon chose a horseback destination wedding in Superior, MT at Alpine Falls Ranch.  Choosing a horseback destination wedding was not a decision they arrived at lightly as choosing your wedding experience is a decision that deserves a lot of consideration, so here’s the story of the day to help you determine if a horseback destination wedding is perfect for you too!

How did they get here?

Heather & Jon are from Boston, Massachusetts & knew they wanted their love of horses, travel, & their loved ones to be on display during their wedding.  Ya see, weddings aren’t just for following traditions, getting beautiful photos, & pleasing others.  Weddings are for showcasing who you are as a couple.  For them that meant taking their loved ones on an all-inclusive adventure to Montana.

When Heather & Jon chose Alpine Falls Ranch to exchange their vows at, they also chose to bring guests along on a 4 day excursion on the 850 acre private ranch.  Heather, Jon, & their loved ones spent the days before the wedding horseback riding, whitewater rafting, hiking, skeet shooting, riding UTV’s, & hanging out until midnight every night when the last glow of daylight finally drifted away.  This was the perfect way to prepare for their wedding!

Related: See an indepth review of an Alpine Falls Ranch wedding coming soon where we share all the ins, outs, & considerations of choosing this stunning venue!

Getting ready at the ranch

Heather & Jon chose to get ready separately at the different locations the ranch offers.  Heather was in the Mountain View Villa while Jon was in the Blackbear Lodge, each with their own parties.  When we arrived that morning, the morning was slow & crisp.  The mountains were bouncing between blue & gray skies while the day flirted with the idea of raining.

Heather got ready with her mom & a few other close friends by her side while Jon got ready with his brother & much of his friends in tow!

Both Heather & Jon finished writing their vows with looming rain clouds in the distance–a very typical June day in Montana.  However, everyone was definitely hoping for the rain to stop.  About the time Heather & Jon were making their way to the ceremony the rain had stopped & blue skies were in every direction.

Related: Glacier National Park Wedding Ceremony Locations

“We absolutely loved working with Destinie and Dan! Everything about our experience was great. From day one she did a great job at being our personal guide on everything we needed to know and do for our elopement. Whether it was finding good vendors, picking our location or even helping us decide on an evening hike after our ceremony!”

-K & R

A horsedrawn carriage ceremony entry

We took the 10 minute drive over to their ceremony site–a gorgeous private mountain meadow abundant with wildflowers & their 40 guests laughter!  Jon walked in Heather’s mom, and Jon’s brother walked in their officiant who was a close friend to both of them.  This is a great perk of marrying in Montana.  Almost anyone can serve as your officiant.

Heather took a lengthier commute to the ceremony site as her & her father rode in a horsedrawn carriage from the stables all the way over to the ceremony meadow.  As everyone waited on her arrival we all noticed the skies begin to gray again.  Sure enough as soon as her carriage got to the end of the aisle for her to be escorted out by her father the rain began to pour!

Heather walked down the flower lined aisle to her soon to be groom whilst being showered in Montana’s monsoon season!  Guests laughed and covered themselves with whatever they could muster up.  The two exchanged vows as small showers moved in & out of their own private mountain meadow while winds blew from seemingly every direction.  

Once they were finished with their ceremony, Heather & Jon wanted a group photo with everyone before inviting guests to enjoy a cocktail hour while they got some quality time experiencing Montana on horseback.

“We love how you captured the day and told our story. When people saw our sneaks they were like “that could be in a magazine”, and they’re right. Des and Dan got some amazing shots of the people we love that I know we will cherish for years. Des & Dan were so supportive throughout the whole planning process.”

-K & R

Quality time on horseback

Heather & Jon wanted some quality time with each other & some gorgeous photos!  So we knew the ticket was getting them on horseback.

Planning a horseback riding wedding is no easy feat.  So we were careful to put adequate time in the timeline for Heather & Jon to really enjoy the horses & their private meadow.  The two lead their horses with the horses’ wrangler close by to the edge of the field to get acquainted before saddling up.

Once Heather & Jon were ready to actually ride the horses, we had Heather hop on a bench from their ceremony to make getting on the horse easier.  We asked if she wanted to remove her heels, but she actually felt more comfortable saddling the horse in heels–a true testament to her own horsemanship.

See, Heather & Jon chose a horseback riding wedding due to their own backgrounds with horses.  They live in a small community outside of Boston with hundreds of acres dedicated to farming & equestrian efforts.  They feel most at home on horseback, so they needed a horseback destination wedding!

Heather & Jon took out the horses on their own for a while ensuring the horses were comfortable amidst the winds & storms.  We did not want the horses to spook so everyone was incredibly intentional with movements & directions.

While we were all incredibly careful with the horses, we were able to get some amazing photos of Heather & Jon getting that quality time during their horseback destination wedding!  Once they were ready to see their guests, they were escorted back to the horsedrawn carriage to be driven back to the saloon where their guests were finishing up cocktail hour & appetizers.

Related: Montana Destination Wedding Guide with help finding locations, venues, and things to do

Sunset portraits & party time

Heather & Jon brought along 40 guests to experience Montana with them during their horseback riding wedding!  So they were excited to get back to the reception & party with their people!  They had a father/daughter dance, a mother/son-in-law dance, & speeches from the best man & the bride’s mother.

Each moment of their reception was so incredibly moving & simultaneously fun.  This group knew how to party & how to love each other with their words.

After the dances & speeches were over, Heather & Jon wanted a few more photos now that the light was much softer.  Jon, with his cowboy hat, cigar, & whiskey in tow lead Heather to a nearby field at the ranch.

They soaked in the last bit of light before the Montana sky darkened over.  Then they headed back to the saloon to make great on their promises to beat everyone else with their dance moves.

Who made this Horseback Wedding possible?

Photography | Destinie Fouche Photography

Venue | Alpine Falls Ranch

Videographer | Livemore Weddings

Yo.  You need a hiking wedding guide and photographer.

Imma be so honest.  We love hiking weddings, and we love helping couples plan their elopement days to be full of meaning and intention.  Kick that tradition crap outta here, and let’s plan something magical together!

You deserve for your wedding day to bring you peace in the great outdoors, and this is only a taste of how we help our couples.

All of our elopement packages come with professional elopement photography, two photographers, and unlimited planning assistance.  We think this is the best way to serve eloping couples, and we can’t wait to chat!

Contact us about photographing your elopement!