Meet the Halls
STORMY & DALTON
Married July 24, 2021
Black Hills Bride is happy to introduce another one of our 2022 Real Weddings submitted by Elsie Fortune Photography This western meets boho wedding has our hearts! When the couple met in 2009, Stormy and Dalton became fast friends. It wasn’t until a couple years after they had graduated college and gone separate ways that their love really took off. Dalton called Stormy one day out of the blue and took her out for dinner, and it was the spark that started a romance.
The couple dated for 8 years before tying the knot, but Stormy says it was worth the wait. “I always thought we might be the couple that just dates forever and never makes it official, but then he proposed, and it was the most amazing, perfect moment,” she said.
HEAR FROM THE BRIDE
Q: Let's hear it! How'd you two meet?
A: We met in college in Sterling, Colorado, and we hit it off as good friends right away. A couple years after school he called me out of the blue to tell me he bought a Camaro. I made fun of him about it, saying he should have gotten a Challenger, but then he picked me up and we had dinner. A couple weeks later he called again, and when he pulled up he had traded it out for a Challenger. We dated for about 8 years before we got married so we spent our 20s moving around and doing a lot of things together. We were finally able to get married.
Q: How did you get engaged? Were you surprised?
A: It was a really cold day after the Red Dirt Festival in Deadwood. We were riding horses through the hills. I kept arguing with him because he wanted to go into deep snow and I didn’t. My friend who was with us was laughing because she knew he wanted to propose and she was thinking it wasn’t going to happen. When we were picking everything up he called out to me and said “your horse!” When I came over he had the ring balanced in her hoof. I was flustered because I thought something was wrong with my horse, and he was so nervous he tried to put my ring on the wrong hand!
Q: Why did you decide to get married in the Black Hills?
A: This is our home, and the most beautiful place to us. There was never a question that we wouldn't be married in the pasture where we would also start our lives together.
Q: Did you include your family members in your planning process? What were their roles?
A: I wouldn't say that any one person had an individual task, everyone just stepped in and helped in some way, and exceeded my expectations for the day.
Q: What was your favorite detail you included in your wedding day?
A: My favorite detail would have been the arch that my husband built for us. The arch was made from aspen trees from our land, and elk sheds from our family. It truly was the piece that captured so much more than just an accent for the day.
Q: What was your theme or style? How did you pick it?
A: We wanted to go with a woodsy theme, but it ended up being sort of woodsy/rustic/western. I had ideas for certain parts of the wedding, and then we kind of built off of that. We had a gentleman reach out to us about having carriages for the bride and bridal party to ride in, and it kind of enhanced the western theme. My favorite movie is the 1953 rendition of Calamity Jane with Doris Day, and once the carriages came into the picture, we really started to build off that.
Q: Did anything unexpected happen? How did you handle it?
A: Leading up to our wedding day was quite a road in itself. First, 2020 happened and we had to postpone, then I lost my grandmother to cancer, and my mother was diagnosed with cancer shortly after.
After that, the planning process looked very different, and ended up taking on a new meaning for me. If there is anything I could say to help future brides, focus on you and your fiancé, your family, and those who will be there to celebrate your love. Go with your first instinct; everyone will have their opinions, but only you know what you want. It is so easy to get wrapped up in details, and in the end, it isn't about the cake, the decorations, or the food. Enjoy the day, don't stress, and make time for those who show up to be with you.
Q: What is something unique or different you included that other brides might not think of?
A: In honor of all of our loved ones who passed, I wanted to do something that wasn't so much dedicated to them not being able to be a part of our day, but something where everyone could celebrate with them. We set up my father-in-law’s wall tent where people could go to reminisce about all the things that made us who we are as individuals, and as a couple. We also included a memory table. It truly was a great place where they were all remembered.
Q: What's one piece of advice you'd give to future brides?
A: Having a wedding planner was the most helpful thing; there were so many formalities and things we didn’t even think about. Having someone to coordinate all that for us was worth it.
When your big day arrives, take your time and enjoy the day! Give yourself some room to breathe because it goes really fast. When you’re in the moment and you forget to give yourself time, you’ll wish you had.
MEET THE VENDORS
Photographer: Elsie Fortune Photography | Reception venue: The Lodge at Deadwood | Wedding coordinator: Truly Yours Event Planning | DJ & videography: 605 media | Desserts: The Rustic Nook Bakery | Hair: Katie with Quintessence Salon | Bride’s attire: Allure Bridal | Bridesmaid attire: Southern Alternative | Engagement ring: Shankar Jewelry | Groom and groomsmen attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Looking for inspiration? Want to hear more love stories? Then check out our Real Weddings and don't forget to view our vendor profiles to help you find your perfect team for your big day.
