Megan & Doug’s Yellowstone Wedding at Union Pacific Dining Lodge in September truly showcased how a couple can design a wedding day that is unique to them! Their cultures and quirky personalities shined through in their colorful fusion of Mexican and Asian inspired decor. Friends and family were top of mind for this duo, and I can confidently say that all their guests had a blast at this wedding (you’ll see in the photos!)! Scroll on to see why it’s so worth it to dare to be different when planning your wedding day! 

Yellowstone Wedding at Union Pacific Dining Lodge

West Yellowstone is a special place to Megan because her grandfather was a founder of the town! Throughout the venue were touches that honored her family’s legacy and love of the West Yellowstone area- like photos of Megan fishing when she was a kid. Megan and Doug really prioritized celebrating and enjoying time with their family and friends. By the end of the night I felt like I was part of their family because the love and joy in the room was so infectious!

Wedding in Yellowstone

Megan and Doug incorporated so many UNIQUE things into their wedding that I have to share! My favorite thing was Megan chose her and her husband’s grandmothers to be her BRIDESMAIDS! YOU GUYS. MY HEART. These beautiful, sweet ladies were SO EXCITED to be a part of their granddaughter’s wedding in such a special way. I cannot get over how gorgeous and cute they looked with their bouquets, walking down the aisle and standing with their grandkids on their wedding day. I’m getting emotional even just thinking about it, SOS?!? Your wedding party should comprise of the people who love you most, always. Whether it’s your grandparents, your dogs (you KNOW I’m the biggest fan of dog wedding parties/flower girls!) or dozens of your closest friends- either way, have the people standing up front with you be your ride or dies. 

For the reception, Megan & Doug had a their own twist for the dress code: HAWAIIAN OR COLORFUL SHIRTS. I loved seeing the various Hawaiian shirts guests wore and the bright, vibrant colors of other outfits. It added a lighthearted and casual vibe to the reception, brought everyone together, and everyone knew the reception was a time to let loose!

I know couples are always curious how they can customize their day. Megan and Doug did so many small things differently, so I’m sharing a few examples: 

• In honor of their fly-fishing passions, they did a fish throw instead of a bouquet/garter toss. It was a stuffed animal fish, not a real one. 😉 
• Their invitation suite, beer coozies, and stickers were made by a super talented friend! It was so fun seeing their relationship portrayed in art that all their guests got to enjoy.
• They both danced down the aisle with their parents and had the best dance moves! It was so cute to watch!
• They had a bubble entertainer during the reception. Enough said. Bubbles at receptions for life, please. 
• During dancing they had glowsticks and blow-up instruments that their guests went CRAZY over. Everyone loves a fun prop on the dance floor!
• There was a harvest moon on the night of their wedding, so they ended their night dancing to “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young under our real-life night sky. So fitting!

Megan and Doug had so MUCH FUN on their wedding day from dancing down the aisle with their parents to jamming out with blow-up guitars at the end of the night. Their day was entirely about them and their relationship beginning to end, and it was a quirky difference that was felt by all. It was an honor to spend the wedding weekend in Yellowstone with these two! I hope all of my couples make their wedding feel like them and really get to be present and ENJOY their wedding day! 

Yellowstone Wedding Venue in Montana

The Union Pacific Dining Lodge is a wedding venue in West Yellowstone which is in the southwest corner of Montana. West Yellowstone is one of the gateways to entering Yellowstone National Park and leads you right into “geyser country”. Megan and Doug’s ceremony was in the Mammoth Room with cocktail hour hosted in the Firehole Room. The natural light from all of the windows made my photographer heart very happy! This gorgeous wedding venue in West Yellowstone is easy to access and convenient because your entire wedding day can happen in one place!  I highly recommend this venue if you’re getting married in Yellowstone!  

Yellowstone Wedding Photographer 

Looking for a wedding photographer for your wedding in Yellowstone?! I would love to chat with you more about your wedding and vision for your day. Get in touch with me here!

Parent first looks get me every time. Both Meg’s mother and father were in tears seeing her ready for her wedding day.

Wedding Photos in West Yellowstone

Getting to explore the streets of the town Megan’s family has such deep personal history too was such a cool experience to share on their wedding day. Below, you’ll see Megan standing by the brick honoring her grandfather for his contributions to West Yellowstone.

Wedding Ceremony at Union Pacific Dining Lodge

Reception Dress Code: Hawaiian or Colorful Shirts