SL

Black Hills Wedding

Winter weddings are definitely a favorite of mine. The snow is dreamy, the lighting is amazing, and then throw in a couple in wedding attire.. GORGEOUS. The Black Hills in South Dakota are absolutely stunning during the winter. The pine trees are breath taking with the snow on and under them. Plus, the weather is typically very mild during the winter. That is exactly how this Black Hills Wedding was. Perfect, breath taking, stunning, and with amazing weather. Let me tell you about Matt + Denae’s Black Hills Wedding.

The Day Before the Wedding

On Friday, the couple, family, friends, and vendors all checked in to the K Bar S Lodge in Keystone, SD. Next to the lodge is the reception hall where the couple was able to set up and decorate the day before their wedding. During the winter, the lodge is closed. You can rent out the lodge and rooms for your wedding. So, it is so fun. Everyone staying at the lodge is a part of your wedding. How cool! On Friday evening, the couple had their rehearsal at the church and rehearsal dinner at the Homestead at Prairie Berry Winery. It was a perfect location for a rehearsal dinner, just a short 15-20 minute drive from the lodge to the winery. Everything was planned so perfectly for the day before the wedding.

The Morning Of

The morning of the wedding, the couple had breakfast ready to go in the lobby of the lodge. The groom and his guys got ready in the main lodge and the bride and her girls got ready in the gazebo of the reception hall. Both were perfect spaces for everyone to get ready, relax, and enjoy the morning. It was so great to have everything right on site and close to everything and everyone. Once the couple was ready, the bride shared a first look with her dad and her hubby to be. Both were precious with a few tears and a lot of compliments. After the first look we drove over to the church in Custer, SD for the ceremony.

The Ceremony

Before the ceremony, it started to snow just a tiny bit. Denae said, “Snow is the only thing I wished for on my wedding day.” The ceremony started and the snow kept getting heavier and heavier. It was such a beautiful, slow snowfall. Like the movies. During the ceremony, the family and friends of the couple led a few worship songs. The couple faced the crowd of guests and they all worshiped together while the snow fell outside the large church windows in the middle of the Black Hills. It was truly a sight to see and such a powerful feeling. God’s love surrounded this couple and everyone in the sanctuary that day. Denae got her wish during the most important part of the day. The part that matters the most, the ceremony. Matt and Denae both wrote and shared their own vows, which were so perfect, genuine, and them. It was such a beautiful ceremony.

Picture Time

After the ceremony is when most of the photos of the wedding party, family, and couple happened. We drove to a lake three minutes from the church called Stockade Lake. We cranked the music, took some photos, but mainly had a great time being together. Photos started on the road, and then went down on to the frozen lake for some amazing wintery photos.

The Reception

After photos, we all drove back to the lodge for the reception. The couple had a pasta bar for supper and a cupcake and cookie table for dessert. It was amazing. The night continued with speeches, dances, and games. The Dj played the shoe game with the couple and a scavenger hunt game with the wedding party and guests. The couple did a choreographed slow dance together for their first dance. Denae shared a father daughter dance with her dad. and Matt shared a mother son dance with his mom. It was such a fun night for all. It was a perfect way to end the day. Celebrating with family and friends.

Black Hills Wedding

Overall, this wedding day was perfect. From the morning to the evening, everything went so smoothly. Matt and Denae were blessed with an amazing day with amazing family and friends. If you are wanting to have your wedding in the Black Hills, I would 10/10 recommend doing it. Let’s make your Black Hills Wedding happen!

XOXO

Sydney

VENDORS:

Photographer: Sydney Leigh

Florist: Olive&Grace

Decor: Timeless Wedding Events

Hair: Willow Salon & Spa

Makeup: Willow Salon & Spa

Venue: K bar S Lodge

Bride’s Dress: Reflections Bridal Salon

Bridesmaid Dresses: Chrysalis Bridal Salon

Caterer: K bar S Lodge