A Cozy Big Sky Hiking Engagement by Honeybee Weddings
Kathryn (she/her) and Shane (she/her) met because Hinge changed Shane’s location while she was visiting New York City. Kathryn had just widened her search radius in Philadelphia, and the timing brought them onto each other’s screens. Not long after, Shane flew to Philadelphia to see if the connection felt just as strong in person. Then Kathryn travelled to Montana, where Berkie, Shane’s dog, gave her the all-important sniff of approval.
Later, Shane proposed during a camping trip in the Montana mountains, after a day of hiking, wild berries and toasted marshmallows. They’ve since eloped in Vermont and are planning a bigger celebration in Montana with the people they love most.
How did your love story begin?
Shane: I was visiting NYC when Hinge automatically changed my location. Kathryn was living in Philadelphia and had just expanded her search radius enough that I showed up. She liked my profile, and I had no idea where Rittenhouse Square was. I just assumed it was somewhere in New York!
We quickly realized I actually lived in Montana, so this was going to be a long-distance relationship. Not long after, I flew to Philadelphia to see if the vibes were right, and after just one week together, we knew we were in trouble.
Soon after that, Kathryn came to Montana to get the sniff of approval from my dog, Berkie. They bonded immediately, and the rest is history.
How did you choose the proposal location?
Shane: I knew I wanted to propose somewhere beautiful in the Montana mountains, but Kathryn had given me one very specific instruction. It could not happen during a hike because of “sausage fingers.”
Luckily, we already had a camping trip planned, and it felt like the perfect place and time to ask.
What happened on the day of the proposal?
We started the day with a hike to an alpine lake in the Crazy Mountains, enjoying the scenery and eating wild berries along the way as free trail snacks.
Back at camp, we spent the afternoon reading, relaxing, and enjoying each other’s company. After dinner, we built a small campfire and roasted marshmallows. It was one of those perfect summer days where everything just felt easy.
Later that evening, Kathryn mentioned that the ring she knew I had would look perfect with her dress for an upcoming family wedding. At that point, I knew it was absolutely happening that evening.
Once we were cozy inside the camper and chatting before bed, I pulled out the ring and asked the question. Kathryn said yes.
Of course, we showed Berkie the ring afterwards, but he was much more interested in going back to sleep.
Did you know the proposal was coming?
Kathryn: We had already agreed that Shane would propose first and I would propose later, but I had no idea when it would actually happen.
That night I was incredibly tired after camping and honestly a little delirious from lack of sleep. I didn’t see it coming until Shane grabbed the ring box.
It was cozy, exciting, and completely perfect for us. Then, a week later, I proposed to Shane at home with a homemade scavenger hunt. It was the icing on the cake.
How did you choose your engagement rings?
We worked with an incredible inclusive jeweler in Philadelphia called Emily Chelsea. Shopping together meant we could each choose something the other would genuinely love and wear every day.
What has your engagement taught you about your relationship?
Our engagement has only reinforced what we felt when we first met. Trusting our instincts turned out to be the right decision.
We’re a great team. We balance each other out while still maintaining our own individual hobbies and interests.
Why did you decide to have engagement photos taken?
Our proposal was private, but we still wanted photographs to celebrate such an important milestone.
We found Honeybee Weddings through Instagram because Kelsey was so open about being an ally and regularly featured queer couples. As an adventure photographer, she was also the right fit for our Big Sky hiking engagement session at Beehive Basin.
Working with Kelsey from Honeybee Weddings felt less like a photo shoot and more like spending the day hiking with a friend, which made the whole experience relaxed and fun.
What has wedding planning looked like so far?
We actually decided to elope this past January in Burlington, Vermont with our immediate families and Berkie.
Now we’re planning a larger celebration in Montana for next year with all of our relatives and friends. Planning has been fairly smooth so far, although we’ve spent quite a bit of time vetting vendors to make sure they’re allies.
Instagram has been a fantastic resource, and Kelsey from Honeybee Weddings has been invaluable in recommending vendors and sharing advice throughout the process.
What has been most important when choosing your wedding vendors?
Most of our vendor recommendations have come through Instagram, Honeybee Weddings, preferred vendor lists, and referrals from businesses we’ve already connected with.
Our biggest priority has been making sure every vendor is an ally. We also wanted a caterer who could provide a fully vegan and gluten-free, celiac-safe menu, and we’re thrilled with the team we’ve found.
At the end of the day, we just want to create an incredible celebration surrounded by the people we love most.
Captured by Honeybee Weddings
Engagement rings Emily Chelsea Jewelry
