The Wedding of Stephanie Charnes and Toby Sanovia

August 28, 2021

South Dakota Black Hills Wedding Photographer: Brittany Schnell

Toby and Stephanie are high school sweethearts who married on the last weekend of August at K Bar S Lodge just outside of Keystone, SD.

Bride in a white wedding dress with orange and blue bouquet of flowers — Bride - Stephanie

Bride & Groom portrait- couple holding each other and gazing into each other's eyes — Bride & Groom

K Bar S Lodge

K Bar S Lodge is an all in one wedding venue in the Black Hills of South Dakota. There’s a huge gazebo and a sprawling, well manicured lawn and a fire pit located just outside the reception hall. There’s a bridal suite for getting ready and the bar becomes a coffee shop in the morning. K Bar S lodge offers many rooms and suites for wedding guests to stay in at a discounted, wedding block rate which is an amazing experience for the Custer State Park Area.

Wedding Party waves ‘hello’ from the balcony

K Bar S Lodge - Custer State Park Wedding Venue

K Bar S Lodge - Black Hills Wedding Venue

The Details

Wedding details are some of my favorite photos to take. Stephanie had this fun pair of converse shoes that made the detail photos extra fun!

First Look

Toby and Stephanie’s first look happened in the rain. Following their first look, we circled the venue, stopping for photographs and video clips periodically. Next the wedding party joined us for formal photos. Taking formal photos before the ceremony is a great way to maximize time with guests after the ceremony.

The Wedding Ceremony

Their wedding ceremony lasted about thirty minutes and was officiated by Josh Williams of Dudeist Ministries. During the ceremony, the Deadwood trolly passed by. He didn’t skip a beat- he cracked a joke and smoothly continued with the ceremony.

bride & bridesmaids at the alter — Wedding Ceremony

Dog at the wedding alter — Dog at wedding ceremony

Bride & Groom as they walk down the aisle together

Bride & Groom kisses at the end of the aisle

We took family photos right after the receiving line following the ceremony. While we were still waiting for Stephanie and Toby, I took photos of couples and families within the family. These types of photos are never at the very top of my shot list, but if I can grab them, I will!

Bride hugging bridesmaid at the receiving line

The reception was lively with DJ Howe Entertainment kicking off the party with the wedding party grand entrance. Dinner was served by the Powder House and the Cake was by Star Spangled Batter.