Meet us in Montana!

Summer Star Ranch

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Our Wedding

We met during our first semester at Montana State University in 2018 and had our first date at a local pizza place. As we got to know each other, we started exploring Montana together with weekend camping trips and drives through Yellowstone, quickly realizing we shared a love for the outdoors and a good spontaneous plan. In 2020, we went on our first hunting trip together, and somewhere along the way, it turned into our favorite hobby and a lifelong passion together. Our little crew grew in June 2022 when we adopted our favorite sidekick, Lucy, who now joins us on almost all of our adventures. She's always down to explore! We are so blessed to live a life full of adventure together and count our blessings every day. Life for our little family means living by the seasons—ice fishing season, backpacking season, huckleberry and foraging season (Lucy's favorite season), hunting season, and fly fishing season. Now our biggest and most exciting adventure yet is just beginning, and we’re so excited to celebrate the start of it with all of you!

Our Story

The Adventure is just beginning...

Photos

Lucy

Ryan Pierce

Allen Durnford

Tika

Wedding Party

Q + A

The closest airport to our venue is the Helena Regional Airport (HLN) — a small, friendly airport that makes traveling here super easy and stress-free. Because it’s on the smaller side, flights can fill up quickly, so we recommend booking your travel early. Rental cars are available right at the airport, and Uber and Lyft operate in the area (though wait times can be a little longer than in big cities). If you’d like more flight options, you can also look into flying into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) or Missoula Montana Airport (MSO). Both are about 1.5 to 2 hours away by car and make for a scenic drive through Montana. We’re so excited to welcome you to beautiful Big Sky Country and can’t wait to celebrate together!

Helena Regional Airport

There are a number of excellent hotels, AirBnBs, and campsites in Helena and the surrounding area. Feel free to give us a call with any questions about where to stay. Here are a few hotels in the area.

Located in Helena, Residence Inn by Marriott Helena provides air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. The property is around 2.9 miles from Helena College, 3.5 miles from Carroll College and 3.6 miles from City - County Building. The hotel features family rooms. Some rooms are equipped with a kitchen with a fridge, a dishwasher and a microwave. Helena Regional Airport is 0.6 miles away.

Residence Inn by Marriott Helena

Located in Helena, 1.9 miles from Helena College, Holiday Inn Express and Suites Helena by IHG has accommodations with a fitness center, free private parking and a shared lounge. This 2-star hotel offers a business center and free WiFi. The hotel provides an indoor pool, hot tub and a 24-hour front desk. All rooms come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a fridge, a coffee machine, a shower, free toiletries and a desk. Rooms are complete with a private bathroom equipped with a hairdryer, while some accommodations at the hotel also feature a seating area. The rooms have a closet. Carroll College is 2.5 miles from Holiday Inn Express and Suites Helena by IHG, while City - County Building is 2.6 miles from the property. Helena Regional Airport is 0.6 miles away.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Helena by IHG

Delta Hotels by Marriott Helena Colonial has free bikes, terrace, a restaurant and bar in Helena. With free WiFi, this 3-star hotel offers room service and a 24-hour front desk. The hotel features an indoor pool, fitness center, evening entertainment and free shuttle service. The breakfast offers buffet, à la carte or American options. The hotel offers a hot tub. A variety of activities can be enjoyed on site or nearby, including skiing and casino. A business center and vending machines with snacks and drinks are available on site at Delta Hotels by Marriott Helena Colonial. Helena College is 1.2 miles from the accommodation, while City - County Building is 2.4 miles away. Helena Regional Airport is 2.5 miles from the property.

Delta Hotels by Marriott Helena Colonial

Located in Helena, a 5-minute walk from City - County Building, Doubletree By Hilton Helena Downtown provides accommodations with a fitness center, free private parking and a restaurant. This 4-star hotel offers free shuttle service and a 24-hour front desk. Guests can have a drink at the snack bar. At the hotel all rooms are equipped with air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. Doubletree By Hilton Helena Downtown also provides a business center and guests can use the on-site ATM machine at the accommodation. Carroll College is 1.1 miles from Doubletree By Hilton Helena Downtown, while Helena College is 1.6 miles away. Helena Regional Airport is 2.5 miles from the property.

DoubleTree by Hilton Helena Downtown

Travel

Dress Code

Step aboard the Gates of the Mountains boat tour for a scenic cruise through towering limestone cliffs along the Missouri River. Follow in the wake of Lewis and Clark as you learn about the area’s rich history, unique geology, and abundant wildlife — all while taking in some of Montana’s most breathtaking views.

Gates of the Mountain Boat Tours

The Trout Creek Trail is a 6.0-mile out-and-back trail near Helena, Montana. It is moderately challenging and takes an average of 2 hours and 27 minutes to complete. The trail runs along a deep limestone canyon and includes singletrack and some wider gravel path. There are spectacular viewing opportunities of magnificent limestone formations.&nbsp;This is one of Carissa and Kellan's favorite trails in the area.

Trout Creek Canyon Hiking Trail

The Broadwater Hot Springs is nestled in the mountains a mere 10-minute drive from downtown Helena, where you'll find Helena's picturesque geothermal mineral hot springs.

Broadwater Hot Springs

Helena is a jewel when it comes to fishing. The Missouri River and its lakes (Canyon Ferry, Hauser, and Holter), the Blackfoot River (think&nbsp;A River Runs Through It), Seeley Lake and the Clearwater, the Clark Fork, Jefferson, and Madison Rivers, and numerous mountain lakes and streams are all close to Helena. You can catch anything from small brookies to large rainbows and browns, cutthroat and grayling, and even pike and walleye in some of the larger lakes. Reach out to Kellan for fishing insights.

Fishing

Visitors find sapphires in many colors at the Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine.&nbsp;The natural Sapphire crystal structure is hexagon with triangle terminations which are often flat.&nbsp;The most commonly found color is green-blue.&nbsp;Blue sapphire is the best known color.&nbsp;Ruby is a red sapphire which is one of the most prized.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sapphires from 1/2 carat up to 10 carats are fairly common.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine

The Walking Mall is located between 6th Avenue and Wong Street in the heart of Downtown Helena. The Walking Mall is home to a large variety of shopping and dining establishments.

Downtown Helena

For other suggestions, please visit the Visit Helena website. <a href="https://helenamt.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Visit Helena - Explore Helena attractions and plan your next trip.</a>

Things to Do

Here are some of our favorite places to eat in Helena. There are lots more fantastic places. These are just some of our favorites to share with you.

Carissa & Kellan

Carissa & Kellan

Places to Eat

The Union

Old Salt Outpost

The Hardware Cafe

The Hopper Kitchen & Market

Bella Roma

Lakeside on Hauser