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A fall mountain wedding was all these two outdoorsy lovers truly wanted. Somewhere close to home where they could bring along the people they love most, no venue or elaborate decor, just a cool spot off the beaten path that could be their special place. So that’s what they did! 

Sam + Tim met through mutual friends while living in Seattle and fell in love on a ski trip in Japan. After plenty of adventures and time spent traveling the globe, they knew that they wanted to get married in the mountains, a place that had so much significance, memories, and a whole lotta love. When they reached out to me, they were quick to say they weren’t into those “normal wedding photos” and instead just wanted their goofy, fun, quirky personalities captured in a beautiful place. Luckily that is what I do best so sign me up, where are we headed?!?!

They do a lot of hiking in the area and one day they stumbled upon a little hill and said, “yep this is it!!” A quiet retreat from other busy areas of western Montana, they booked themselves a cabin from the forest service and a couple of camping spots in this calm corner of Hyalite Canyon, just outside of Bozeman MT. 

It was mid-September, the temperature was freakin’ frigid with cold rain drizzling on them already when I got there. A classic fall mountain wedding vibe! Tim headed out to the field for the first look, but neither Tim or Sam seemed fazed by the moody Montana weather. In fact, they were just so damn happy to be getting married that they both were beaming despite it. (They said they loved moody wedding photos anyway, so it was meant to be!) 

Their family came out to meet them as they did their ceremony on that little hill they found months before and as they shared their vows, the clouds started to lift. And like something out of an elopement storybook, by the time they shared their first kiss, the sun glowed on their skin and gave us the most insane light as we did their wedding portraits in the field, on the lakeshore, and along the trails, just exploring the land they love so much. Their family went back to the campsites for food and chill time with plans to do s’mores and hang with the newlyweds, but the light was so good we couldn’t stop! We added in their adorable pup LaRue (named after festivals they stumbled upon in their travels in France, how cute?!?) and had the BEST time capturing that just married bliss. 

They didn’t leave their family hanging though as they had some celebrating to do! We made it back in time for some toasts and off they went to dinner reservations to wrap up their intimate wedding day. 

Love the moody feel of Sam + Tim’s fall mountain wedding?? Here’s some more fall in MT inspiration for you! Take a look at these outdoor wedding ideas – Leoni + Jacob’s October elopement or Leah + Aarron’s destination wedding weekend retreat! 

But if you’re sweet on another season, I thought I’d make sure you have some Montana intimate wedding ideas that feel more like what you’re envisioning. Check out this winter mountain elopement in Glacier National Park, a sun-filled summertime elopement in the mountains of Grand Teton National Park, or this moody spring East glacier elopement! 

No matter the season, no matter the view, there’s the perfect spot for your intimate wedding or elopement ceremony!

Nothing says laid-back summer lovin’ like a summer camp wedding! If you’re looking for a Montana wedding venue to gather all of your favorite people and spend a weekend playing like kids, soaking in epic views, and getting hitched without a care in the world, Mary + Rob’s wedding retreat is the inspo you’ve been looking for! 

Mary and Rob dreamed up a wedding celebration that was about more than place settings and perfectly crafted bouquets. They wanted days spent in the sun with the people they loved most, time spent admiring nature’s beauty, a retreat spent away from the hustle of everyday life. Their summer camp inspired wedding weekend was exactly that. 

The Flathead Lake United Methodist Camp sits nestled on the shores of Flathead Lake, a tranquil spot in Montana’s wild landscape, with views of the Mission Mountains and just an hour drive to the infamous Glacier National Park. Its boat house is filled to the brim with kayaks and paddle boards, its basketball court beckons for a game or two, and its cabins offer a quiet place to reset after a day spent splashing in the lake. Mary and Rob invited friends and family to come celebrate the weekend their way and turned a rustic little summer camp into their dream wedding venue. 

Sweet simplicity was the vibe of their weekend. Mary ordered and arranged, with the help of her soon to be mother-in-law,  her own floral bouquets of orange hued pastel wildflowers from Two Kays Flower Farm, a local gem. Rob and the groomsmen got ready in an old schoolhouse while Mary and her girls got ready in a cabin across the camp. A first look on the dock gave them a moment to soak each other in as the sun shimmered on the lake and their guests filled the wooden benches for their ceremony with mountain views on the shoreline. 

Post-ceremony photos of the wedding party were taken in the schoolhouse, framed by exposed wooden beams and flooded with late afternoon light, while guests sipped huckleberry mules and Flathead old fashions during cocktail hour on the lawn. At the reception, in an outdoor tent lit by string light, guests found their tables labeled with places the bride and groom had traveled together, complete with photos from each trip. Their wedding night ended in the Chapel, where they practically floated around the dance floor as they danced, filled with so much happiness from a weekend celebrating just the way they always imagined they would. 

The next morning a Coffee, Bagels, and Berry Bowls brunch sent off their guests as the wedding weekend came to a close. A bunch of happy campers indeed.

If a summer camp wedding seems like the something you + your partner are looking for, I’m IN! I can’t wait to capture all of the memories you’ll make splashing in the lake and toasting to forever. When it comes time to book a Montana wedding photographer, I’m your girl! Tell me all about your vision over on my contact form and let’s get to planning the best day EVER!

There are many magical spots for a hiking elopement in the US and abroad, but as a Montana elopement photographer, it’s easy to say Glacier National Park is a local favorite. Every year millions of tourists flock to bask in the beauty of the park, spot native wildlife, and explore the many valley meadows, peaks, and lakeshores that call Glacier home. And every year, adventure lovin’ couples come from far and wide to say I Do in the middle of it all.

Haley + Maverick met at the gym in Alabama, a little river city in the south, where they’re both from. They quickly became best friends before dating for three years. Finally an engagement sealed the deal, but they knew they wanted to steer clear of tradition and plan a day that was laid-back and full of adventure – just like them and their relationship. 

That idea brought them to planning a destination elopement in the mountains. Far from the flat fields of Alabama, they ventured to Glacier National Park to get married with views of snow-dusted peaks and soak in the stunning scenery with their closest loved ones in an intimate hiking elopement. 

Mav hiked in before meeting Hale for their first look in front of some falls. Rather than getting ready back at their accommodation, she brought along her dress, a lacey and textured long-sleeved beauty, and hung it from a tree, then dressed right there on the trail before walking down to meet Mav.

It was a stunning ceremony at Sun Point, where the Glacier winds blew in some extra magic for them and their guests. Afterwards, they chased the sunset through the park, exploring trails through the pines, and taking in the views as the smoke turned the skies hazy in the best way. 

It was the day they dreamed of – stress-free, scenic, stunning, and full of so much love. Take a scroll through their photos that tell the story of their day. From dressing in the trees to a first look as flowing water set a magical scene to hair blowing in the wind as they kissed for the first time as a married couple! A hiking elopement day for the books for sure!

What’s better than splashing around in the creek for some outdoor family photos with your bff’s family? As a Missoula photographer, I get to spend my days hanging with my crazy-in-love couples, honeys saying ‘I Do’ and nature lovers visiting for their annual dose of the mountain magic, but some of my favorite shoots are when I get to hang right around the corner from my house and capture some of the people I love most in this world.  

Truth be told, I take family photos of my best friend, Amanda, her partner Ryan all of the time. Add their twin girls (who are somehow now TEENAGERS?) to the mix and it’s bound to be the best day ever. So when Amanda + I were throwing around some family photo ideas for summer, we were like why not full send our fun day and go play in the river??? 

Oftentimes my clients, especially when I am shooting a destination wedding or adventure elopement, want those big beautiful mountain views that Montana has to offer. I loveeee the mountains and they definitely make for some awe-worthy photos, but sometimes it’s so nice to ditch the tourists, hang out in a quiet spot you love, and soak in the fact that we live in a freakin’ stunning place! No big views or wild adventure needed. So if you’re looking for some secret spots and hidden gems for a photoshoot in Missoula, I’ve got you! 

Now that I’ve convinced you there is beauty to be found everywhere, let’s get back to my bestie’s outdoor family photos. She brought along her husband, Ryan, and her twin daughters for our biannual photo sesh. It was boiling hot that day and we had already planned a little dip into the river to cool off, but the heat made us dive immediately into a water fight. 

As the afternoon went by and sun dipped lower into the sky, rays scattered through the trees and into the shaded river below, lighting up the clearing with glowy rays of magic you couldn’t plan if you tried!!! Don’t believe me? Take a peek at some behind the scenes video snippets in this Instagram reel from their shoot! Dreaaaaamy stuff, am I right?!? 

So don’t sleep on Missoula my local babes! Who wants to plan outdoor family photos in a field somewhere or maybe even take a dip for a couples photoshoot this summer? Hit me up cause I am SO ready!

When you go searching for the best engagement photo ideas, you’ll likely find endless big views and epic scenery and curated spaces. But what if I told you that it can be more simple than that? This session with Marissa + John was at a quiet spot alongside a river behind their property and it was just as dreamy as any engagement photo inspiration I’ve seen out there. 

It’s true that I shoot a lot of adventure sessions. And typically, I don’t even get to take engagement photos for my wedding photography clients because most of them are from out of town! They come to Montana for the landscapes of Glacier National Park or stunning resort towns like Big Sky. And as a destination lover myself, I am all about it! 

But when I get to take engagement photos for a local couple in Missoula, I geek out over the possibilities of quiet locations, sentimental spots, and laid-back shoots that showcase their love just the way it is. And when it was time to think up some engagement photo ideas, that’s exactly what Marissa + John wanted! 

While the spot was definitely pretty, there wasn’t anything famous or epic about it. But it was woven into their everyday life, a little oasis to walk their pup, spend some time by the river soaking in the sun, to retreat to and unwind after all life throws your way. It was a view they knew all too well, every twig we passed and twist in the trail was so familiar to them. 

This is your permission slip to throw away all of the engagement photo ideas on Pinterest of places that mean nothing to you and replace them with sentimental places you spend time with the one you love most. The pub where you play trivia every Thursday. The couch where you snuggle while watching your favorite show. The river where you walk your dog. 

When Marissa + John look back on these photos, they’ll always remember the moments spent together in this spot. Their home by the river in Missoula. The way the leaves turn quickly in the fall and bloom slowly in the spring. All of the good, real life moments that fill their relationship. What a freakin’ sweet tribute to their love!

So where are my Missoula babes? Let’s comb through your favorite engagement photo ideas and capture your love just the way it is. I’m ready when you are! In the meantime, here is another piece of inspo for you + your partner! Check out this in-home engagement session!

There’s a reason White Raven is a favorite Montana wedding venue and Olivia + Josh’s summer wedding was absolute proof of why. Their dreamy destination wedding weekend just outside of Missoula, MT started with exploring the area with some outdoor fun like whitewater rafting, celebrated the couple in a stunning ceremony, and ended with a late night dip in the river. 

Based on their plans for a wedding weekend extravaganza, I knew Olivia + Josh’s entire guest list was going to be a good time. Not a single person was local to the area, so everyone treated it like their own little getaway, which is such a fun idea for your wedding. 

Leah + Aaron did something similar at another top-tier Montana wedding venue, Lone Mountain Ranch! Get more destination wedding inspo from their blog, too! 

Olivia + Josh’s day started off with Olivia getting ready with her mom, hair + makeup by Micha V Beauty  and doing a first look with her bridesmaids! Rather than doing a first look with Josh, they opted to do a “first touch” – this is a great option if you want the emotion of seeing each other while you walk down the aisle, but still want a moment together alone before the chaos of the wedding day ensues. 

This first touch was incredibly sweet. They spent time talking about everything that got them here and that’s when Josh told the best story. They went on a trip together a few years earlier and when they got home, he immediately started writing his vows because he knew he’d want to marry her one day. It was always gonna be her for him. COME ON, how amazing is that? Olivia couldn’t help but turn around and give him a little squeeze. I won’t lie, I’m not a huuuuuuuge first look fan personally, but this one easily goes down as one of my favorites. 

When it came to their ceremony, they centered it entirely around them. Even the wedding party was seated, so just Olivia + Josh were up under the altar. The entire weekend was planned by Emily Summer Studios and was perfect.  They chose a ceremony site with a sweeping mountain valley in view – one of the multiple incredible spots to exchange vows at this particular Montana wedding venue. The altar was covered in greenery and stunning wildflower flower arrangements by Earth Within Flowers were laced through the bouquet + decor. I’m a sucker for wedding florals and Melissa killed it with these drool-worthy blooms! 

When it came to the reception, I knew it was a small group, but wasn’t sure what to expect. Would they party hard? Just chill + hang together? (Both equally fun, by the way!) They did all of the traditional wedding reception things: family photos, cake cutting, cute toasts, sunset wedding photos, and a sparkler exit. They partied hard lol.

But all night long, there was talk of going to the river. Of getting crazy and jumping in, something I wouldn’t dare miss! And eventually they did! The wedding party piled into golf carts and off they went, down to the river nearby! One by one, they jumped in, Olivia still in her dress + Josh in his suit pants, wedding party losing their clothes along the way lol. I was right there with them, camera flashing to capture some seriously epic after-dark photos! 

Straight from the river they headed back to warm up in the hot tub, leaving more water on the ground than in the tub itself. It was spontaneous, fun, and an absolutely fitting end to an incredible wedding day at White Raven. 

Take a look at these photos! Make sure to scroll until the end so you don’t miss those river photos. They’re too good! 

And if you’re thinking about getting married at White Raven (or any Montana wedding venue), I’d love to be right there capturing it all. You can tell me about all of your plans right here!

Xx, J

Whether you’re vacationing in the mountains or you call Montana home, a couples engagement adventure session in the park is such a treat for you and your partner! Plan a day full of fun and invite a Montana photographer (me, obviously) along to capture it all! 

That’s what Leah + Colin did. 

These babes live the nomad life, traveling the US with their pup, hanging out at different Airbnbs, house sitting, or camping in scenic areas. When they decided to set up their lives in Montana for a bit, they knew a visit to Glacier National Park was a must. Inspired by all my Glacier shoots on my blog, they reached out for a session of their own! 

Luckily they were already in the area, so they were able to go into the park themselves and explore the views + choose what they like. Many shoots I do in the park its most often the couples first time during their shoot so this was a bonus! They fell in love with the Two Medicine Valley, which is not hard to do, with its glistening lake and picture-perfect peaks. So that’s where we went for their couples photoshoot! 

We decided on sunset in the park and as I arrived, the smoke was rolling in. It’s not unusual in late summers for forest fires to send a lil haze into the valley. And while it can blow out the mountains in the background and alter natural colors in photos a little, it also creates an otherworldly glow if it isn’t too thick. 

Leah + Colin started their adventure on the shores of Two Medicine Lake. If you love beach couples photos, but are also mountain lovers, this is the perfect spot. Nearby there is a lesser known waterfall, and while they didn’t quite care about having waterfall photos for their shoot, the adventurers in them said, “let’s wander for a bit!” And I freakin love them for it!!! 

Afterall, my whole approach to couples photoshoots is to create an experience and not to worry about the photos. That’s my job! Just go out and enjoy your time together, if you do, the images will always turn out amazing. 

Finally, they headed up to an overlook for sunset. This was Leah’s “must see” and one of my favorite spots! This location is technically outside of the Glacier National Park, so their pup could join them for the last photos of the night. And as the sun set over Two Medicine Valley, it threw the most amazing hazy glowy dreaaaaamy orange smoke show for us to end a day of fun. 

The truth is – you can’t go wrong with couples photos in Glacier National Park. If you’re looking for a little inspo, check out Stephanie + Kyle’s Glacier National Park couples photoshoot or explore more of the blog!

Throw on your cowboy hat and grab your cowgirl boots, that’s the only way to view Haley + Aaron’s western wedding in the Rocky Mountains! Originally inspired by dude ranches, horseback trail riding, mountain passes, and unconventional laid-back wedding ceremonies, they decided on an elopement in Glacier National Park in Montana. 

But their western wedding wasn’t only about the flowers, the attire, the photos – it was an entire experience for them. They didn’t care about having the perfect day, only a day true to them. Real, spontaneous, a little spontaneous, natural, wild, carefree. And boy did they get just that! 

They showed up in a more western casual attire, Haley in a cute denim jacket with fringe and Aaron sporting the best cowboy hat around. We drove across the park with no true plans, just stopping for anything and everything they wanted along the way. A stop here to gawk at a grizzly bear, a few moments there to appreciate the roaming mountain goats, all the while having an absolute blast just soaking in the incredible landscape they flew across the country for! 

Just before their ceremony on the shoreline at St. Mary Lake, we stopped so Haley could change into her dress in a campground bathroom. Aaron and I walked out to the lake first, so Haley could have her grand entrance and a first look at her soon-to-be husband. 

The vows were so sweet, so simple, so loving, just like these two. Their ceremony only lasted a few minutes, as it wasn’t really what the day was centered around for them. It was important, of course, but their day was more about the experience than anything else and these two had more exploring to do! 

We went right back to it, meandering along Logan’s Pass, the two east coast babes just taking in all that a Glacier National Park wedding has to offer. The sweeping mountain views, stunning valley fields, the random wildlife surely to cross your path. 

Our adventures landed us in front of Lake Mcdonald, Aaron telling me Haley is a true water lover. The surface of the lake was so calm and the reflection of the mountains glistened like it was on glass. Before I knew it, Haley + Aaron slid right into the lake, wedding attire and all. 

After a make out session and some picture-perfect photos of that reflection on the water, they went off for dinner in their wet clothes, without a care in the world. It was truly such a fun day and their photos will prove it to you. 

Don’t worry, Aaron + Haley’s western wedding adventure didn’t end there. The following day they lived out their wild west dreams on a dude ranch, riding horses, and celebrating the fact that they just got freakin’ married!!!! 

If you love their Glacier national park elopement photos, don’t miss more inspiration over on the blog. I’ve got plenty of Montana elopement photos for you here!

Want your Glacier National Park micro wedding to feel like more like an elopement? Let’s make it happen! That was Devin + Blake’s request for their intimate national park wedding. Family and friends were in attendance for the ceremony, but we set off on our own adventure in the park afterwards for some elopement-inspired fun! 

Back during D+B’s fall engagement session in Glacier, we had soooo much fun together! So I knew I was in for a treat on their wedding day. They had visited different parts of the park during their visit and knew they wanted a wedding ceremony in Two Medicine Valley! The area is stunning and has a ceremony location that permits the amount of guests they have, so it was the perfect choice! 

They chose to keep it small and make it all about them, but felt that there were a few very important people that should be there on their day. It’s not uncommon for couples to feel this way! An intimate wedding in the park is the best of both worlds. 

D+B had their ceremony at Pray Lake, with gorgeous mountain views and the sunlight sparkling off of the water. Toasts were made, champagne was sipped, and her father gave such a sweet speech. They had first dance by the creek as the sun filtered through the trees all dreamy. The wedding portion of their day was wrapped up with some sentimental dances and a few family photos. 

Then we were off for their portrait photos! Two Medicine and Pray Lake are connected, so we ventured off for a little walk to Paradise Point for some different scenery. This is always my favorite part of the day, where the couple gets the chance to bask in the excitement of being married and just be together. The skies turned a little hazy from forest fires that started in the park that night. As awful as it is, it created a hazy glowy filter for the evening, and the photos luckily did not suffer one bit. In fact, that golden hour glow was just amplified! 

Based on their adventurous engagement photos where they were literally hanging over a cliffside at one point, I knew these two were up for anything! We headed for Running Eagle Falls as the newlyweds snaked through forests down trails, scampering out onto rocks, until we landed at an epic overlook for their final photos at sunset. 

To end their wedding day, Devin gave Blake one of the most heartfelt gifts I’ve ever seen (and that is saying something, my couples are freaking cuuuuute!) She had written him a letter every day for the past year in a journal, talking about different ways she loved him – including an entry from earlier in the day – their wedding day. It was the perfect ending to an absolutely magical Glacier National Park wedding day. 

So if you are dreaming of an elopement, but know you want to bring some of your closest loved ones along, let D+B be proof that you can definitely have it all. 

Xx, J

When you’re searching for the perfect spot for your Montana engagement photos, you’ll likely find plenty on Glacier National Park or the surrounding area. Or now Yellowstone with the popularity of the tv show. But the truth is that Montana is full of magical little spots for an engagement photoshoot. Like thousands of spots lol. Kennedy + Christian’s photos prove that to you! 

K+C are planning a mountain elopement next year in Glacier (stay tuned for their elopement photos, coming summer 2023!!!) But they are obsessed with Montana and planned a visit early just for fun. So that meant that I had the very rare opportunity to photograph them before their elopement day! 

Most of my couples come from all over the country to elope in Glacier National Park. Oftentimes, I’m meeting them for the very first time on their wedding day! Which is all fine + great, but I truly think my couples are the coolest humans to walk the earth. So when I get the chance to meet them before their elopement day – I am STOKED! 

Kennedy + Christian’s engagement session was a blast. They opted for a little nature preserve near where I live in Missoula. It’s filled with dreamy fields and the glowiest golden light in the evenings. They had seen it in photos shared over on my Instagram and said, “we want THAT! Take us there!” I was giddy that they appreciated this underrated photoshoot location just as much as I do. 

They brought along their outfit options and we hung them in the trees, natures closet. They ran through the fields, chasing the sun, energy buzzing through the air as their chemistry is un-freaking-real. It didn’t even matter that there was a mosquito swarm from actual hell buzzing along with them. They acted like they weren’t bothered at all, just playing in the sunlight, soaking it all in. 

They scurried off for a quick adult beverage break and an outfit change in the woods and then they were right back at it. Soaked in the golden hour light, and riding the high from knowing soon they’ll marry their person. It was beautiful. 

Scroll through their photos and tell me that you aren’t inspired by these Montana engagement photos. Their gallery makes me want to scoop up every couple I can and show them the beauty in every corner of this stunning state. Missoula, Big Sky, Livingston, Kalispell, Bozeman, a field out in the middle of nowhere, a secret waterfall tucked into the woods, a meadow wedged between mountains – the options are endless. So where do you wanna go??? Send me an inquiry and share all of your big ideas. And if you’ve go no idea where to go??? No worries, I’ve gotcha covered! 

Xx, J