From Bullshit to ‘I Do’: A Love Story That Stayed

Dan & Shae’s real, wild Montana wedding story

Let’s start with the love story. Because Dan & Shae don’t have the kind of romance that floats by untouched — they’ve got the kind that’s been through storms and still stands strong.

They’ve walked through the heavy stuff. They’ve faced the kind of moments that make people question everything… and still, they chose each other. Not once, not twice — but over and over again. Through growth, through silence, through the messiness of figuring life out — they stayed.

Their relationship is adventurous and soft. Rugged and rooted. The kind of love that looks like early morning truck rides, late-night deep talks, shared belly laughs, and slow dances in the kitchen. Cuddly, wild, and full of fight in all the best ways.

So when they decided to get married, it wasn’t going to be a show. It was going to be them. And what better place than a tucked-away meadow deep in the Rocky Mountains of western Montana?

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Getting Ready – The Calm Before the Vows

There’s something magical about getting ready in the woods. No mirrors with bad hotel lighting, no rush — just the rustle of wind in the trees and nervous laughter from people who love you.

Shae got ready in the trees with her closest girls, barefoot and glowing in the sunlight. Her dress was delicate but strong — lace like wildflowers, open back, soft but fierce — just like her. Dan was nearby, buttoning his shirt and cracking jokes with his guys, trying not to let his emotions show (spoiler alert: he absolutely cried later).

Everything about this part of the day felt grounded. Real. Like we all knew what was coming and were just soaking in the moment before it hit.

A First Look That’ll Wreck You (In the Best Way)

Before the ceremony, Shae shared a first look with her four kids — Dan’s stepkids. And y’all… this was the moment that stopped me in my tracks.

They turned around and saw her in her dress, and suddenly this wedding became about so much more than just two people. It became about the whole family. About love that shows up and sticks around — not just for a partner, but for their babies too.

There were hugs. There were happy tears. Her boys stood a little taller, and the look in Shae’s eyes said everything. This was a day they were all stepping into together. And Dan? He didn’t just marry her — he chose all of them. That kind of love? That’s the real deal.

The I Dos –

There’s something about a forest ceremony that already feels sacred — the stillness, the sunlight, the scent of pine in the air. But this one? It hit different.

Shae didn’t walk down the aisle alone — she had both of her dads by her side. One at a time, they each took her hand and walked her through the trees, through the tall grass, and toward forever. It was quiet, emotional, and full of love. No big production. Just two men, proud as hell, helping her take the most important steps of her life.

And waiting for her at the end of that aisle? Dan, already tearing up, standing in front of the woman he’d loved and fought for — and the woman who raised him. Because the officiant wasn’t just anyone. It was Dan’s mom.

Y’all… cue the waterworks.

There’s something extra powerful about having the person who raised you be the one who blesses your marriage. She spoke with so much heart — not just about them as a couple, but about the journey they’ve been on, the family they’ve built, and the way they’ve always chosen each other through every high and every low.

It was personal. Raw. Real. The kind of ceremony where you feel every word settle into your bones.

They laughed mid-vows. They cried when they promised forever. They held hands like lifelines — like they knew this wasn’t just a chapter, but the whole damn story.

And then came the kiss. Dan dipped Shae in true country boy fashion, and kissed her like it was the first and last time all at once. It was everything. Cheering, clapping, one of the flower girls losing her mind — all of it.

It wasn’t just a ceremony. It was a full-circle, all-heart, “we’re in this forever” kind of moment. And I’m still not over it.

A Quiet(ish) Escape – With Their Ride-or-Dies in Tow

After the vows, we snuck away from the main crowd — not just Dan and Shae, but their whole bridal party came along for the ride. And honestly? It was the perfect kind of chaos.

They hopped into trucks, boots dusty, dresses a little grass-stained, and grins stretched across every face. The energy was so them — relaxed, playful, and full of love. We found this dreamy little hill with views that stretched for miles, and the light started to hit just right. That warm, golden glow Montana is famous for? Yeah, she delivered.

We captured the wild moments — the groomsmen being absolute goofballs, the girls barefoot in the grass, Dan pulling Shae in close like he couldn’t believe she was his. There were piggyback rides, forehead kisses, and so much laughter it echoed across the valley.

Even though they weren’t technically alone, there was still this bubble around them. Like time slowed down, just enough for them to breathe it all in — the weight of the rings on their fingers, the mountain air in their lungs, the quiet knowing that this was the start of forever.

It wasn’t about getting “perfect” portraits. It was about capturing the feeling — of joy, of relief, of deep love surrounded by your closest people. And damn… it was magic.

Just the Two of Them – Soft Moments & Big Love

Once the crew headed back to the party, Dan and Shae took a little time for just the two of them. And it was everything.

The chaos faded, the laughter in the distance softened, and suddenly it was just them — newly married, hearts full, standing in the golden light with nothing to do but be together.

They didn’t say much. They didn’t have to. The way Dan held her, like he was still trying to process that this stunning woman was his wife, said more than words ever could. Shae leaned into him like she’d finally found peace — like everything in the world made sense when his arms were around her.

We wandered through the grass, capturing those in-between moments — fingers intertwined, quiet smiles, little forehead kisses that felt more like prayers than poses. At one point, they sat down in the field and just exhaled. You could feel the shift — from nerves to stillness, from planning to presence. It was like time gave them a break just for a few minutes.

It wasn’t flashy or posed. It was soft. Real. Honest. Just two people deeply in love, soaking in their brand new forever.

These are the moments I live for — the quiet ones, the raw ones. The ones that don’t need a script or a spotlight. Just love. And these two? They have it in spades.

Let’s Party – Boots, Beers, and Big Love

Now let’s talk about the party. Because yes, it was beautiful and emotional — but it was also a blast.

Their people showed up in boots and suspenders, ready to celebrate. Kids were running through the woods, guests danced barefoot, and someone may or may not have full-on sprinted through a field toward a beer can like it was the Olympic finals. It was chaos. It was joy. It was so them.

There were toasts that made everyone cry, and laughter that echoed through the trees. It didn’t feel like a wedding — it felt like home. A loud, love-soaked, memory-making kind of home.

Why This One Will Stay With Me

Dan and Shae’s wedding wasn’t just beautiful — it was real. It was full of heart, grit, and those little moments that hit you in the chest. The messy, emotional, hold-each-other-tight kind of love. The kind that lasts.

They didn’t just plan a wedding. They created an experience that reflected who they are — wild, loyal, soft in all the right places, and tough as hell when it counts. It was an honor to document it all, and honestly? I still get goosebumps thinking about it.

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Wanna Do It Your Way, Too?

If you’re planning a wedding or elopement that feels more like you and less like what the internet says you “should” do — I’m your girl. Let’s run through a field, cry during your vows, and capture the love that makes people stop and stare (or ugly cry behind a camera, like me).

📸 Come hang out on Instagram for more love stories like this.
💌 Ready to create something real together? Let’s make it happen.