The Westbrooks: Refined Wedding in Billings, MT! • Cheers MT

A classy wedding at the Billings Depot Photographed by Cheers MT Premier Vendor, Taylor Barrett Photography.

“Haley and Luke contacted me directly through my website to discuss the potential of capturing their wedding at the Billings Depot. My wife and I work as a duo, and we knew immediately after chatting with Haley and Luke that we were a great fit! Not only were we excited to capture their wedding because they were a unique and friendly couple, but it was our first time at the venue and we absolutely loved it!” – Taylor Barrett, Cheers MT Premier Vendor

Taylor Barrett Photography, a Cheers MT Premier Vendor, is without a doubt one of our favorite Montana-based wedding photographers. Operating out of Kalispell, MT, Taylor is effortlessly able to showcase subtle interactions between couples. His wife, Tarra, also joins as photographer’s assistant and second shooter for all packages. Having grown up in Montana, owner and lead photographer Taylor Barrett enjoys photographing weddings in the state’s many beautiful venues and landscapes. Studying Sociology and Photography at Montana State University, he enjoys highlighting the relationship between people, institutions, and the natural environment, and how these interactions shape our lives. With a love of adventure, he is willing to travel in order to capture the important moments of your life, whether your venue is near or far!

The Wedding Day

Haley and Luke’s big day was nothing short of a fairytale. Every detail from their wedding day was thoroughly thought out, allowing their personality to truly shine through. While the entire wedding could have been taken from a storybook, there were some moments that stood out. Haley and Luke’s first look was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the event, staged in front of the depot’s grandiose arched window with natural filtered light seeping through. When Haley tapped on Luke’s shoulder, Luke turned around to see her smiling back at him, and his face lit up and he could not help but grin from ear to ear. Swoon!

One of our favorite parts about weddings is the fact that friends, family, and loved ones are all able to celebrate the love between two individuals in an all-inclusive space. The overall experience of the Westbrook wedding was amazing from start to finish! Their friends and family had traveled from near and far to celebrate their marriage, many of them visiting Montana for the very first time. The bridal party enjoyed reminiscing about stories from college during speeches, and always kept the dance floor moving. There is truly never a dull moment when you are surrounded by the people you love most!

When it comes to weddings, its truly the details that matter the most. As John Wooden once said, “It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen”. When it came to the Westbrook wedding, every last detail was utterly perfect, from Haley’s beautiful dress to Luke’s stately red tie, and even their glasses that accented both of their individual wedding day attire. Both Haley and Luke radiated great energy, allowing Taylor Barrett to capture truly authentic moments of their first day as the Westbrooks.

The Venue + Decor

The Billings Depot, a beautiful venue in Billings, MT, is undeniably one of our favorites here at Cheers MT. Its beautiful facility located in the heart of Downtown Billings was built over a century ago and proudly served as a luxury venue for many important visitors in Billings’ history including presidents, governors, Hollywood celebrities, and royalty! This historic building has since been restored and is known as a go-to place to host a variety of meaningful events – weddings being our favorite, obviously!

The Billings Depot is well known for its two main event spaces, which give it a classy and dramatic feel. First is the passenger station featuring towering vaulted ceilings, roman columns, a terrazzo floor, and a stunning high-arched window. Second is the baggage room most well known for its notably high ceilings, original brick walls, and beautiful wood flooring.

For the Westbrooks big day, the Billings Depot is an absolutely incredible venue in every way. The ceremony location had the feeling of a cathedral/chapel wedding, but with the grand and historic feeling of the old train station. The decorations were representative of both Haley & Luke, including old books, library cards, and beakers, displaying their passion as a library technician and research engineer. All of the decorations were handcrafted, including books that were turned into flowers.