Wyoming Winter Micro Wedding
Michaella + Toran
Manderson, Wyoming
It was March of 2020, and all the wedding preparations were complete. Michaella and Toran arrived at their wedding destination in Ireland, with many of their guests en route to join them for this happy occasion. Then, out of nowhere came the COVID pandemic. Sadly, Michaella and Toran had to cancel their wedding and immediately return to the U.S. before the borders closed. To say they were disappointed would be an understatement. They ended up having a micro-wedding at Michaella's family ranch in northern Wyoming. Though they had to scale back their original plans, their cozy micro-wedding was a success and proved that love always wins.
Review From the Heart“Where do I begin? Life has a funny way of bringing people into your life, and I am sure glad it does. After multiple rescheduled weddings due to covid my husband and I decided to just do the damn thing with our parents and siblings over Christmas of 2020. My parents had recently relocated to Cody, Wyoming and we thought “what a beautiful place to begin our lives together.” While searching for a photographer in the area I stumbled upon Kayleigh. Not only is she from our home state of Texas, she has the most amazing vision and skill when it comes to capturing love in a photo. I knew she was the only photographer for us, and I asked her what day she was available and booked her for a Tuesday. Best decision ever. Not only do we have the most amazing wedding photographs to remember the day, but we have made a life long friend who will actually be joining us in Ireland for our big wedding celebration. Kayleigh is one of a kind. A smart, talented, and genuine soul who you will be lucky to have capture your big day; whatever it may be.”
-via TheKnot.com
I'm going to be selfish and say I'm happy Michaella and Toran had a Wyoming wedding. Otherwise, I would not have met them and had the opportunity to be their wedding photographer. Michaella and Toran have loving souls, and Michaella's family ranch was a cozy and warm place to be on a chilly December day. Just days after Christmas, the temperature outside was below freezing.
Michaella wore a custom-made wedding dress with the perfect amount of be-dazzle and lace details. She looked beautiful dressed as a bride, but her radiant smile was the center of attention. Toran wore a classic, close-knit check suit, a refreshing change from the black tux most grooms wear. The Christmas tree was shining brightly, and the house was full of holiday ambiance. At around 3 PM, the wedding ceremony began.
Michaella's family home was stunning. It had all the bells and whistles inside and out with custom exteriors, oversized windows, and exposed rafters. A grand staircase connected the beautifully finished basement to the upstairs living area, where the wedding ceremony took place. The decor was tasteful and in line with what you'd expect in a Wyoming ranch house. Though it was not a springtime wedding in Ireland, Michaella and Toran's Wyoming ranch wedding was full of rustic warmth, family, and love.
With less than ten members of their family present, Michaella and Toran exchanged their wedding vows and rings. Their micro-wedding was intimate, and the small guest list made theirs an exclusive ceremony. Michaella and Toran adapted to their revised wedding plans with grace and open hearts. Perhaps they wondered afterward why a micro-wedding wasn't their original plan.
Micro-weddings allow more meaningful moments. Period. Though I love all types of weddings, micro-weddings are a nice change of pace from the obligations and etiquette of traditional weddings and large guest lists. Though the COVID pandemic was rough, it changed the wedding industry dramatically by forcing people to scale down. I think micro-weddings are here to stay. I also believe every cloud has a silver lining.
As luck would have it, magic hour was upon us just as I finished taking post-wedding photos indoors. I suggested we take advantage of the gorgeous natural lighting outside and brave the chilly weather for family formals. Everyone was a good sport and obliged my request. The late afternoon sun cast a golden hue upon the property, which made Michaella and Toran's family formals even more picturesque.
Some photographers call this time of day the golden hour, but I like to call it the magic hour. The magic hour usually occurs one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset. It's something to keep in mind when creating your wedding timeline. Factor it in for a gorgeous backdrop ideal for dreamy wedding portraits.
Michaella and Toran took full advantage of the sunset and remained outdoors for awhile. The other's took shelter in the warmth of the house while I captured these tender newlywed moments. Michaella and Toran's marriage was ten years in the making. You can really see the depth of their love in these pictures.
After the sun went down, Michaella and Toran joined their guests inside. The room buzzed with meaningful conversations as everyone enjoyed cocktail hour and appetizers. We continued to take group photos in front of the fireplace to commemorate this special occasion. After awhile, Michaella and Toran returned outside for a dance under the moonlight.
With the table set and ready, it was time for a family-style dinner. The long dinner table accommodated all the guests. This micro-wedding had a modern, relaxed vibe and focused on quality over quantity. It was a pleasure to be invited to the wedding of Michaella and Toran and be their wedding photographer.
Do you want to have a rustic ranch wedding? If your family does not have a ranch for you to use, don't worry. I've been to several ranch wedding venues and would be happy to tell you about my favorite places. I travel throughout the Mountain States and Pacific Northwest and would love to join you on your wedding day. As your wedding photographer, I'll capture the details and moments that make your wedding unique and special. Click the button below to contact me, and let's discuss your wedding dreams.
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