Nataliia + Richard
August 28 | Big Sky, Montana
As we sipped cocktails to celebrate their successful engagement shoot, Nataliia and Richard told me their story, a story about how a girl from Ukraine met and fell in love with a boy from West Virginia. It began in Shanghai.
While studying in China during the summer of 2012, they happened to bump into each other following classes. When he first walked by her, Richard recalled seeing her smile and doing a doubletake when he realized this beautiful woman was speaking English and smiling at him.
Their random encounter quickly led to an international romance. From Shanghai, Richard flew to Kiev to visit Nataliia. Though thousands of miles and borders kept them apart, they continued their relationship while he studied law in Montana, and she pursued her Masters in Linguistics at the University of Western Ontario.
After completing their education and dating long-distance for almost three years, Richard proposed at Mammoth Hot Springs in March of 2015. They held their Big Sky wedding on August 28, 2015, at Latigo Lodge, a private home nestled underneath Lone Peak. Friends and family of various cultures and languages gathered from around the globe in honor of the elegant affair.
Keeping with Ukrainian tradition, Nataliia and Richard designed an intimate and sophisticated day. Guests socialized in the living room as the bride and groom fluttered about their areas of the home, taking care not to see each other before they walked the aisle.
When the time arrived for the ceremony, everyone gathered outside and enjoyed a spectacular view of the Spanish Peaks as Nataliia and Richard said I do.
After a few formals, the remainder of the evening resembled a dinner party with an abundance of love, laughter, gourmet food, wine, and of course, microbrews. As the sun slipped below the horizon, they snuck outside for a slow dance, and Nataliia graced us with one final spin of her endlessly flowy dress.
After years apart, I'm so happy you're finally together. Congratulations, Nataliia and Richard!
Montana Wedding Photography: Becky Brockie Photography
Gown: Svitlana Lytvyn, Etsy Style Wedding Design
Ceremony & Reception: Latigo Lodge, Big Sky, MT
Florist: Country Flower
Cakes & Desserts: Elle's Belles
Catering: Sadie's Catering