Custer State Park Wedding

Thomas and Avalon's Joyful Custer State Park Wedding

As a South Dakota wedding photographer, Custer State Park weddings always feel like the perfect blend of simplicity and wonder. Thomas and Avalon’s day was no exception. Their Custer State Park wedding was warm, sunny, and filled with little pockets of adventure woven into an otherwise peaceful celebration.

After a windy night leading up to the wedding, the morning arrived clear and calm. Sunshine settled over the park and the temperature hovered at a perfect 65 to 70 degrees — the kind of weather every couple hopes for. Their ceremony and reception took place at the State Game Lodge Event Barn, tucked right into the quiet beauty of the Black Hills, creating an intimate setting.

Thomas was especially excited for golden hour photos, and the evening did not disappoint. As the sun dropped behind the hills, the light turned soft and ethereal — the kind of glow that feels made for romance. Those portraits became some of the sweetest moments of their day, giving them a quiet chance to breathe, connect, and simply be together before rejoining their celebration.