Karson & Wes

While most of my weddings take place in the Texas Hill Country, Karson & Wes’s cozy and ICONIC Jackson Hole wedding was my first-ever destination wedding! For this reason and so many others, it will forever hold a special place in my heart. The epic scenery, Karson & Wes being absolute angels, and getting to make friends with their people was everything I love about what I do. I’m very excited to officially share their true love story on the blog.

Wes initially contacted me to photograph their surprise proposal at a local Fredericksburg winery. After I took their photos, they asked me to be their wedding photographer! I was immediately on board and excited to be part of their day. So in September, my partner Jess and I packed our bags to capture a wedding week that filled our hearts, our souls and our camera SD cards (we got so, SO many photos).

The Rehearsal Dinner at Gather Restaurant & Bar

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

One of my favorite things about their Jackson Hole wedding was that it was a week-long celebration of love. Jess and I arrived the Wednesday before their wedding day, which meant we got to have plenty of time to hang out and get to know their crew. Once the wedding day rolled around, we all just felt like family. ♡ I truly think it makes all the difference when you build a genuine relationship with your photographer. Jess and I didn’t photograph their wedding as “clients” but as real friends. 

There were fun nights at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, meeting guests at the airport, enjoying group dinners and evenings filled with conversation and stories. And, of course, plenty of quality one-on-one time for just the two of them. 

Karson & Wes loved the idea of a destination mountain wedding because they knew it would be an unforgettable experience and maximize their time with loved ones. They wanted to be fully present and soak up every moment. As their closest family and friends flew into Jackson Hole, WY, they had Jess and me there to document the rehearsal dinner downtown at Gather. Capturing rehearsal dinner photos is a new wedding trend I love, and these photos are the perfect prologue to show how present everyone was, filled with joy and love.

The Venue

Spring Creek Ranch Wedding in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Located on a wildlife sanctuary almost 1,000 feet above Jackson Hole, Spring Creek Ranch has spectacular views of the Teton Mountain Range. As a luxury resort, this location was perfect for Karson and Wes’s weekend wedding adventure. From flower meadows, horse stables, endless blue skies, and all the rustic flair Wyoming is known for, it fit everything Karson imagined for her dream mountain wedding.

Getting Ready

Townhomes at Spring Creek Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Karson got ready with her bridesmaids in one of the townhouse rooms at Spring Creek Ranch. The iconic rustic decor was perfect for all the mountain wedding vibes and provided a super cozy space for them to relax and gather with their loved ones before the ceremony.

I will never forget how happy Karson’s parents were the entire day, especially her dad. His reaction to seeing her getting ready was so sweet. These are the beautiful in-between moments I feel so honored to capture…

The First Look

Since soaking in every moment was super important to Karson & Wes, they opted for a first look together under those wide-open Wyoming skies. They intentionally created their wedding timeline with me, and we gave them 45 minutes to savor their first look together. This was more than enough time, but since they wanted to avoid any stress of rushing, it was just right. 

And because they weren’t in a hurry, you can feel the love in every frame.

The Family & Wedding Portraits

Spring Creek Ranch Wedding Venue

Every couple and every wedding is unique, but I genuinely believe the best wedding days are the ones where we curate the timeline to leave plenty of room to breathe – and Karson & Wes had one of those days that was simple, beautiful, and allowed so much space to enjoy every moment. They did opt to have a 10-hour coverage wedding day, so we had plenty of time to take family and wedding portraits before the ceremony started. 

There was so much love and tenderness radiating from everyone. Karson couldn’t stand up for very long, so when she needed to sit down, her brother carried a chair all the way up the hill for her. You can tell their family loves each other so much, and Karson has said these photos, in particular, are so special to her.

The Intimate Ceremony

Panoramic Teton Mountain Views at Sagebrush Vista

It wouldn’t have been a dream Jackson Hole wedding without epic mountainside views. Karson & Wes decided to tie the knot under a rustic wedding arch from SB Rustic Creations that beautifully framed the Teton Mountains in the background.

Something I love about my couples is that it’s really important to them that their guests are as much a part of the photos as themselves. They want to look back and see the day unfold through perspectives they might have missed. Karson & Wes were no exception. 

There was so much joy radiating throughout their ceremony and vows – and the funniest part was how close to the horse stables the ceremony was. The horses kept farting so loud during the ceremony, and it was HILARIOUS. Even silly moments like these made the day feel so laid back and joyful.

The Cozy & Rustic Cocktail Hour

One of my favorite things after the ceremony is to mingle among all the guests to capture everyone celebrating the newlyweds. Karson & Wes intentionally chose to have family and wedding portraits before the ceremony so they could bask in their just married bliss with all their favorite people. And we all had THE BEST time!

Jackson Hole Wedding Sunset Portraits

After mingling with their guests for a full hour with cocktails, the couple snuck away to enjoy their first Wyoming sunset as husband and wife. I truly don’t have words for this moment, this couple or this place. It is so hard to pick a favorite from these photos; they all exude every little feeling of their wedding day.

The Intimate Wedding Reception

Under the Tents at Sagebrush Vista

From the toasts and cake cutting to dancing and cozying up around the campfire, their wedding reception was a joyful continuation of everyone celebrating their sweet and overflowing love.

From Karson & Wes

“I cannot express enough how perfectly you guys captured our wedding weekend in WY! Wes & I laughed, cried and held hands throughout the entire gallery, and we are so overwhelmed with joy reminiscing in the most special moment of our lives ♡ 

THANK YOU for being part of our lives & for capturing our love in its purest form. Can’t wait to hug you both in a few weeks when we reunite!”

This intimate and ICONIC Jackson Hole wedding is one Jess and I will never ever forget.

I am so grateful they trusted us to document their dream mountain wedding in Wyoming, and I am forever in love with their love.

♡ With joy, Kari

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This destination wedding in Wyoming was truly a pinch-me moment, and I cannot wait to shoot more in the future. If you’re a Texas couple looking for a destination wedding photographer, I’d love to chat with you! As a Fredericksburg wedding photographer, I will always be here to make space for moments and not just stunning photos. Reach out to me anytime here!

The Wedding Vendors

• Wedding Venue: Spring Creek Ranch | A Jackson Hole, Wyoming wedding venue
• Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Gather | Jackson Hole, Wyoming Restaurant & Bar
• Photographer: Kari Creative Photography | Fredericksburg, Dripping Springs & Austin Wedding Photographer
• Wedding Planner: Samantha Bauch at SB Rustic Creations |Jackson Hole, Wyoming
• Catering & Bar: Spring Creek Ranch | A Jackson Hole, Wyoming wedding venue
• Florist: SB Rustic Creations | Jackson Hole, Wyoming florist
• DJ: Liam at Beats By Capella | Jackson, Wyoming DJ
• Cake: Windy Woman Cakes | Jackson Wyoming Wedding Cakes
• Wedding Dress Salon + Alteration : Melange Bridal | Austin, TX Bridal Salon
• Hair & Makeup: Hair & Makeup by Tanya Crocker | Jackson, Wyoming Hair & Makeup
• Tux Designer + Alterations : Sean Marshall at Style Thuggery