A Fairytale Montana Wedding at the Finlen Hotel & the Big Hole River

 

 

Butte, MT Wedding Photographer

 

Planning the wedding of your dreams deserves a photography experience that feels just as magical. As a Butte, Montana wedding photographer, I’m honored to document love stories across Southwest Montana — from elegant historic ballrooms to the breathtaking landscapes along the Big Hole River.

 

This unforgettable fall wedding blended heartfelt emotion, deeply personal details, and multiple iconic Montana locations, creating a wedding day that felt straight out of a fairytale.

 

Six Montana Locations, One Incredible Love Story

 

For this beautiful couple, my sister and I traveled to six stunning Montana locations throughout the day to bring their wedding vision to life. Each stop added a new chapter to their story and highlighted the diverse beauty of Butte, Divide, and the surrounding Montana landscapes.

 

A Joy-Filled Start at the Historic

Finlen Hotel Ballroom

 

The day began inside the iconic Finlen Hotel Ballroom in Butte, MT — one of Montana’s most beloved historic wedding venues. The ballroom glowed with soft white twinkle lights framing the couple’s last name, spelled out in rustic barbed wire and accented with lush greenery. It was a meaningful and personal detail that perfectly tied together their wedding theme.

 

Guest tables featured rich burgundy and burnt-orange florals, fresh greenery, and softly lit fall trees that brought the entire autumn aesthetic to life. The space felt romantic, warm, and completely magical — the perfect setting for a Montana fall wedding.

 

Meanwhile, my sister spent the afternoon with the groom and his crew in their suite, capturing high-energy, candid moments. From a burgundy vow book to a surprise custom newspaper designed specifically for the groom’s party, every detail reflected their personalities and love story.

 

Capturing Ceremony Details Along the

Big Hole River in Divide, MT

 

 

Before bridal portraits began, I traveled out to Divide, Montana to photograph the ceremony setup near the Big Hole River — one of the most peaceful and scenic locations for a Montana outdoor wedding.

 

A handcrafted arbor draped in burgundy and burnt-orange florals stood perfectly against the river backdrop. Hay bales lined the ceremony space for guest seating, adding a rustic charm that complemented the natural surroundings. The river flowed gently, the air was crisp, and soft light danced across the valley — a truly breathtaking place to say “I do.”

 

Bridal Suite Excitement, Laughter & Personalized Keepsakes

 

I returned to the bridal suite where music played, laughter echoed through the hallways, and excitement filled the room. To celebrate her wedding day, I surprised the bride with a custom tabloid-style wedding newspaper featuring fun facts about the couple, their love story, and even the exact coordinates of their proposal. She also received a personalized “Just Married” champagne bottle — a sentimental keepsake she’ll treasure long after the day.

 

Handwritten Notes & Heartfelt Moments

 

When my sister arrived, we stepped outside for bridal portraits. The bride’s closest friends gathered around her with a deeply meaningful gift — a keepsake box filled with handwritten letters of love, encouragement, and friendship.

 

Tears were shared, hugs were exchanged, and the emotional bond between the bride and her best friends filled the air. These are the moments we live to capture — genuine emotion, joyful tears, and the irreplaceable connections that make wedding days unforgettable.

 

Moments later, the bride slipped into her beautifully restored red Mustang — a cherished heirloom — and made her way toward the ceremony along the Big Hole River.

 

A Romantic Riverfront Ceremony in Divide, Montana

 

The ceremony near the Big Hole River looked like something straight out of a Montana wedding magazine. With hay bale seating and a floral-adorned arbor, the couple exchanged vows surrounded by nature’s beauty.

 

Clouds drifted slowly across the sky as soft sunlight peeked through, illuminating their heartfelt vows. The gentle breeze and the sound of flowing water created an intimate, emotional atmosphere — everything a Montana outdoor wedding should be.

 

Back to the Finlen Hotel for an Intimate Evening Celebration

 

Following the ceremony, we returned to the Finlen Hotel Ballroom for a warm and intimate reception with close family and friends. Throughout the evening, the bride and groom exchanged loving glances, laughter, and quiet moments that reflected the depth of their connection.

 

It was the kind of wedding celebration that reminds you why storytelling photography matters — capturing not just how it looked, but how it felt.

 

My sister and I were incredibly honored to document a day so full of meaning. Every emotion, every detail, and every location came together to create a wedding gallery that will be cherished for generations.

 

Planning a Wedding in Butte, Divide, or Southwest Montana?

 

If you’re dreaming of a wedding filled with heartfelt moments, stunning Montana landscapes, and timeless storytelling imagery, we would love to be part of your day.

 

We specialize in:

 

✨ Story-driven, emotion-filled wedding photography

✨ Natural, true-to-life editing

✨ Weddings across Butte, Divide, Helena, Bozeman, Missoula & all of Montana

✨ Custom keepsakes including wedding newspapers & personalized champagne bottles

✨ Engraved USB drives & wooden photo boxes with up to 50 metallic 4×6 prints

✨ Full-day wedding coverage with two photographers

 

📸 Now booking 2026 Montana weddings

 

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