Montana Elopement – Kelly & Vahaken

A Bozeman Vow Renewal That Reminded Me Why I Love Montana Elopements

As a wedding photographer based in Washington, I’ve captured all kinds of celebrations—from big mountain weddings to quiet two-person elopements. But recently, I photographed a vow renewal just outside Bozeman that stuck with me. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t elaborate. But it was the perfect reminder of why I love documenting Montana elopement stories.

Kelly and Vahaken originally got married five years ago. Bozeman is a really special place to them, so having their vow renewal here just made sense. I had the pleasure of attending Marcella Laine’s workshop, Home in the Mountains, where Kelly and Vahaken so graciously allowed us to capture their vow renewal. It was real, raw, and so entirely authentic to the two of them.

The Setting: Simple, Scenic, and Personal

The location was a horse ranch in Bridger Canyon, about 30 minutes outside of Bozeman. If you’ve ever considered a Montana elopement or vow renewal, this is such an epic place to do so.

We spent most of the day together, starting with vow writing in the morning before meeting again in the afternoon before the Montana elopement itself. There was no setup crew, no chairs, no timeline spreadsheet.

Capturing Real Connection

As a photographer, the best part of any Montana elopement is how real it feels. There’s no pressure to perform. The moments are honest. With Kelly and Vahaken, their connection was obvious. No first-look drama, no rehearsed poses—just them laughing, tearing up, and reliving that moment from five years ago. We started the day with a cup of coffee while Kelly finished her vows and Vahaken kept her company with his presence while he read, something that is very on brand with who they are. They helped each other get dressed before we headed out to the ranch in Bridger Canyon.

What made it even better was how they embraced the landscape. When we arrived, an early summer storm was on it’s way in so we hid out with the horses and waited for it to pass. When the rain began to subside, there was an air of excitement that was palpable. The ranch owner, Lowell, let the horses run free around Kelly and Vahaken and thus began the Montana elopement and vow renewal of my dreams. We played in the wildflowers, loved on the equine beauties, and enjoyed the quiet exchange of vows before our day ended with Lowell singing acoustic in the epic valley of the Bridger Mountains. Moments like these are what I always aim to document. Not stiff portraits, but movement, emotion, and the feeling of being in Montana.

Why Vow Renewals Matter

A lot of couples think about elopements as something you only do once, at the beginning of your marriage. But what I saw with Kelly and Vahaken reminded me that a Montana elopement can happen at any point in your story. Whether it’s a vow renewal after five years, a recommitment during a tough season, or even a quiet celebration after the kids are grown—it’s all valid.

More and more, I’m working with couples who want to return to a ceremonial vow exchange for this reason. They’ve been married and want to reconnect with that experience. Or they didn’t elope the first time and now want to create that memory. A Montana elopement isn’t about escaping responsibility or skipping tradition—it’s about intentionally choosing what matters most to you.

Tips for Planning a Vow Renewal or Montana Elopement

If you’re considering your own Montana elopement or vow renewal, here are a few quick tips from the photographer’s side:

• Scout the location beforehand or work with a photographer who either knows the area or is confident in their ability to research and familiarize themselves with it (aka me!!).
• Pack layers. Weather in the mountains changes fast.
• Keep it simple. You don’t need a ton of gear or props—Montana’s landscape does the work for you.
• Get the right permits. Some public lands require them even for small ceremonies.
• Prioritize time over structure. Give yourself space to relax and just enjoy the moment.

Final Thoughts on Montana Elopements

This Bozeman vow renewal wasn’t about big production—it was about connection, memory, and the quiet beauty of Montana. As a photographer, these are the sessions that fill me up. And if you’re planning a Montana elopement, whether for the first time or the fifth, I’d be honored to help tell your story.

Want to learn more about how to plan your own Montana elopement or vow renewal? I’m always happy to chat and share what I’ve learned from all my experiences working in wild landscapes. Let’s connect!

Vendors:

Host: Marcella Laine / Home in the Mountains

Invitation Suite: Birdsong Design House

Florals: The Wilde Blume