ryan + claire | montana wedding photographer

Ryan and Claire were married a few weeks ago at a park across the street from her parent's house. It was so simple and so sweet and included just their families as they became one. We've known Ryan since high school and were so honored that he asked us to take their pictures. Evan and Ryan were roommates and the three of us were very close during the college years. It's so fun to watch our friends meet the loves of their lives and get married and have kids & we're so blessed by the people who ask us to do life with them and capture these Big Moments. One of my very favorite parts of the entire day was the first look. It's always my favorite to watch the couple see each other for the first time and cry and be emotional and kiss and love love love, but I really loved this first look because of Ryan's gift. He gave Claire a piece of pottery and a story about how in our culture, broken things are discarded and thrown away. We only find value in things that are whole and unblemished. However, in Japanese culture, when something is broken, they melt gold and repair the broken item with gold. So Ryan broke a beautiful vase and glued it back together and painted the broken lines gold to symbolize the brokenness in their lives. Because he is choosing their brokenness and allowing this marriage to be a redeeming love. I loved this story so much and tried to hold back tears as I watched Ryan tell Claire just how much he loved her.

Thanks for letting us be a part of your day, Ryan and Claire! We're so happy for you!