A Wedding and the Wind; Cut Bank, Montana
Getting Married in Cut Bank, Montana: Unique and Beautiful
A little Closer to Home
When it comes to finding the perfect destination for your wedding, sometimes close to home is the best place. It isn’t the bustling city or the famous tourist hotspot but a small, quiet town with a lot of character and love.
Cut Bank, with a population of 3,000 people, is located in the heart of the Blackfeet Nation and is known as the “Gateway to the Canadian Rockies.” Our groom grew up here and with many family and friends close by it felt like the perfect place to kick off married life with his beautiful bride. Its proximity to Glacier National Park and the Marias River made it an ideal location for a close honeymoon and day after shoot.
The Beauty of Montana’s Great Outdoors
Cut Bank offers wide open views and rocky river backdrops. There is a beautiful train bridge in the distance on the west end of town that adds a bit of architecture to your background without much noise.
Best Outdoor elopement and photo spots near Cut Bank:
- The Marias River
For couples who love nature and tall cliffs, the Marias River provides a stunning backdrop. A quiet riverfront space, with the gentle flow of water in the background, promises to be both serene and beautiful. Hearing the wind across the rocks and the place to yourself gives peace within a busy day. - Glacier National Park (just a short drive away)
Though not technically in Cut Bank, Glacier National Park is just a short drive from the town. If you’re an adventurous couple and love the outdoors, this iconic national park is an ideal place for those breathtaking wedding photos surrounded by wildflowers, alpine lakes, and towering peaks.
Adventures in Wind and Weather
I had always been worried about the wind, shooting in more remote and outdoor locations for a while you learn that nature usually gives you what you need, but the strong winds always worried me. What if their photos aren’t perfect? What if her hair is messy? What if they prefer things just so? Well i learned my lesson, and now I welcome the wind.
There are certain things as a photographer you just can’t create; and the wind, though unpredictable, adds a dynamic and ethereal quality to wedding photos, transforming them into something truly magical.
It catches the bride’s veil, making it float gracefully in the air, or tousles her hair in a way that creates a sense of movement and freedom. The flutter of fabric, and the playful dance of grass in the breeze all contribute to a sense of natural beauty and spontaneity. The wind captures the essence of the moment, to give your photos life. Each shot with an organic energy that stillness could never replicate, the feeling of being alive and full of emotion. It’s a reminder that, sometimes, the unexpected elements of nature can create the most breathtaking and memorable images.
A Wedding Day Full of Memories
The day of the wedding dawned clear, the air was crisp, and the dried leaves rolled by creating the perfect fall music. It started at a quaint church in town, autumn orange dresses and ties were spotted throughout the guests, while the preacher shared a wonderful ceremony. Family photos took place on the front steps, with a tall church tower backdrop.
After the ceremony, guests moved to the nearby Elk’s Lodge; it was warm and inviting, offering a perfect contrast to the chilly air outside. Inside, the chatter of people enjoying themselves and twinkling lights created a cozy, intimate atmosphere. While the wedding party then headed for photos at a nearby river tucked in a deep cut of the hill. Despite the howling wind, no one wasn’t deterred. We had fun, laughed, and huddled together as we took wedding party photos.
The reception was full of laughter, heartfelt speeches, and dancing. The wind outside only added to the warmth of the evening, and I couldn’t have been more content with their choice of venue and that beautiful autumn day. As the sun set, I pulled the couple outside for a quick 20 minutes, and we drove over to a ditch on the side of the highway. Sometimes it doesn’t have to be the most sought after spot, it just has to be perfect in the moment. The sun was just above the horizen, the tall grasses seemed to dance with the wind, and making the day feel more alive than ever.
I have never truly yelled at a couple until this day, but the wind was a constant 45 mph with gusts up to 60. Even at full volume it was a lot of “what?” so a bridesmaid and turned to giving examples instead of trying to hear each other for instruction. In the sheer chaos and laughter i hoped i had a few shots, there was no turning back and only a couple minutes of light but after returning to my hotel that night i knew we had created magic.
The Windy Day That Couldn’t Spoil the Magic
Cut Bank is known for its vast open skies and rugged beauty, and I am so happy for these two, the lessons I learned, and the opportunity to capture these moments in Cutbank, Montana.
