hey hey

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!

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!

It’d be a lie if I told you that I wasn’t crushing hard on this national park elopement. Emme + Colton’s day was everything I love about elopements – carefree, simple, unique. It’s always so refreshing to walk into a wedding day without an ounce of stress in the air. Their energy was so calm, yet so excited for the adventure.

Obsessing over the mountains and the wildlife within them, Colton always dreamed of backpacking through Glacier National Park. So it’s no surprise that when it came time to marry the love of his life and fellow nature lover, Emme, they ditched a traditional wedding ceremony and planned an intimate elopement in Glacier instead. 

When Colton’s twin sister introduced him to her friend Emme, and to snatch her up while she was still single lol, no one could have predicted the life of love and adventure that would unfold. It took just weeks of dating each other for them to start planning a month-long road trip through the western US. Their admiration for each other grew as they explored the mountains of Montana and watched the bison of Yellowstone in awe. 

On the morning of their wedding day, there were no frills or set plans. No make-up artists or tables filled with the names of wedding guests. They arranged her own dried flowers in a bouquet and boutonniere in the cabin they booked 2 days before their ceremony. Emme didn’t even know which of the wedding dresses she’d wear, she had several, all purchased at the last minute. 

But there was morning coffee, sipped slowly by the creek. And there were hand-written vows spoken with incredible mountain views. They followed each other down trails to waterfalls and soaked in the beauty of the day. No set plan or places to hit + see just whatever felt right in the moment. Soaking up every minute together and Colten’s twin sister + her boyfriend along to celebrate them + officiate their ceremony. It was perfect.

It was so simple, so free-flowing, and stunningly true to them. 

Make sure to scroll through their national park elopement photo gallery below! It’s full of inspiration for Glacier elopement. And if you love E+C’s day, here’s a blog on exactly how to elope in Glacier National Park! There’s plenty of helpful tips and tricks to get your planning started! 

Xx, J

Have you decided to ditch the idea of a traditional wedding and hunt for intimate wedding ideas instead? Kaitlyn + Garret’s Glacier National Park elopement might be the perfect inspo to add to your planning! As a Montana elopement photographer, there’s nothing I recommend more for mountain lovers than a day in the park! 

Kaitlyn + Garret started looking for intimate wedding ideas because they were sure of two things: they wanted a day centered around their relationship, full of time together doing things they love, but also that their family would really want to be present for their wedding day. 

It’s so common for my couples to come to me concerned about involving their families, but still choosing something a little more intimate to their relationship, and BOTH are possible! When it comes to getting married in Glacier National Park, bringing guests along can add a bit more to the logistics of planning your day, but it certainly isn’t impossible. 

You’ll need a permit for any ceremony in the park (even if it is just the two of you) so want to read up on ceremony locations and which ones offer space for guests. Though as you’ll see from Kaitlyn + Garret’s day, we aren’t limited to that spot for all of your photos, just the actual I Do’s, so there is plenty of opportunity to explore + portrait opportunities! 

Kaitlyn + Garret’s day started with probably the freakin’ sweetest first look I’ve ever photographed, with Garret actually running to his soon-to-be partner for life when he saw her. Ohmgosh, it was the cutest! From there we went on an adventure in the park, just the two of them, exploring the views, chatting about life, and even said hi to a moose that wandered by. 

We stopped to do personal vows before meeting their family back at the ceremony site because they wanted that intimate, romantic time to themselves rather than in front of all of their guests. (Something to add to your list of intimate wedding ideas!)  

They had their emotional time together at Sun Point, a lookout spot with stunning views. That day it was HOT, so as they spoke we were also all drenched in sweat. Beautiful, meaningful, and hilarious all at once – just like them.

They exchanged vows at the ceremony too, so everyone won! We headed to Many Glacier for their intimate wedding ceremony on the lawn with family and friends. Then the whole crew (including myself, I LOVE when couples include me in dinner plans haha) headed out for a steak dinner and celebration altogether. 

I can’t express enough how great of a blend this day was. Of more traditional wedding things like the ceremony and dinner together, but also of an elopement-style wedding with time spent enjoying the day exploring just the two of them. You can absolutely have your cake and eat it too 😉

Take a look at their Glacier National Park elopement gallery for more intimate wedding ideas!!!

Xx, J

Who needs an actual lakeside wedding venue when you can just run around the Many Glacier Valley in Glacier National Park?! Haley + Jake’s elopement was a true outdoor adventure spent driving through the park, picnicking with views, splashing around in the shallows, and walking through the trees. 

Rather than a traditional wedding with all of the bells and whistles as people say, these two babes opted for something that felt more true to who they are. It started at a little Airbnb in the forest just a bit outside of West Glacier (you can check out all of the specifics or book it yourself right here). They had a first look while hanging out at the cabin, Haley looking stunning in her simple white gown + veil, Jake added a nice touch with his monogrammed tie with a topographic map the location of their ceremony design. These two were so laid-back and down to explore in whatever direction they day brought – the absolute correct attitude for an elopement day in the park! 

We started their adventure by driving through Glacier together, them taking in the sights and stopping for any view that caught their eye. Eventually we landed in Many Glacier, where they said their vows on a little hill by the lake with the classic Many Glacier landscape in view. Everywhere was so green and the sun was shining bright and it was such a pretty spot for a special lakeside wedding ceremony. 

In the spirit of having a slow day, just spent loving each other, they planned a picnic for themselves and brought it along for some post-wedding snacking! They sat right down by the lake with their cheeses and Triscuits and bubbly looking out on one of the most epic landscapes in the park. Then they danced on a rocky hillside. It was simple and stunning. A moment of pure freakin’ joy as they both beamed with happiness. 

The adrenaline of the day running fresh through her veins, Haley said she had to get in + dipped her feet into the cold waters of the lake. She yelled, in a joking tone, “what if I kept going?!” and then she did! Jake kicked off of his shoes and followed her in. They held each other as the sun set and it was just cherry on top for their perfectly chill lakeside wedding day in the park! 

It’s always an honor when my couples allow me to just hang out with them. When they aren’t focused on the photos or the fact that a stranger they have never met in person before is witnessing their incredibly intimate moments. That’s when the wedding photography magic really happens! Haley + Jake, you both were an absolutely precious couple to hang with! I can’t get over how much fun you all had that day in the park! Xx

You probably don’t need much explanation for why this elopement in Iceland was so magical, yeah? I mean… It’s ICELAND! But it would be a shame not to share more about this day and how it came to be, so I’m going to do that for ya right now! 

“Wanna photograph our elopement in Iceland?” It was always a HELL YES from me, but the more I chatted with Ria + Jordan, the more I was excited about this destination wedding in the Land of Fire and Ice! Ria had actually followed one of my past brides who got married in Banff, found me, and as soon as Jordan popped the question, she messaged me! I love a long time Instagram follower turned client!! 

Their wedding was planned for 2021, but of course the big C had other plans for international travel, so they pushed it to 2022. But wow was it worth the wait!! 

And while Iceland is always an epic time, the weather is something else and totally unpredictable, so if you’re looking for warm and sunny days for your vows, it might not be the place for you. Those are never guaranteed in Iceland. Warm is a good like 66 degrees lol. Ria + Jordan are adventure people though – self-proclaimed national park gurus and real outdoorsy people – so they were up for anything! And that mentality is really want you need for an elopement in Iceland. 

We had planned some portraits the night before the wedding, maybe a dip in some hot springs and exploring a bit, but the weather was bitterly cold and absolutely pouring rain. So we decided to wait out the storm and try the next morning! 

So it was the morning of the ceremony and off we went to explore some nearby waterfalls! It wasn’t raining at all, thank goodness, but it wasn’t super warm either. Or warm at all even lol. So I photographed them as we wandered around, and into a cave with a waterfall inside. The water was icy, but I had a plane to catch the next morning, so I refused to soak my shoes. I’m more of a barefoot kinda gal anyway, so in I went, shoeless, and freezing my ass off. I know I know, crazy, but DUDE IT WAS WORTH IT! Some of my favorite photos of the trip! I want to frame them in my own house.  

We took a break and let the lovebirds get ready for the afternoon festivities – their wedding ceremony! They got ready in the coolest little set up, doing hair + makeup, and getting dressed all in a camper van. You would have never guessed they were actually supposed to get ready on some cliffs instead, but we had to shift as the area was closed for nesting birds (just another very Icelandic hiccup!) So the camper van by a little multilayered waterfall was Plan B and we went with it! Getting ready at a waterfall is Plan B… I mean c’mon. 

It had been sunny that afternoon but once again, in true Iceland elopement fashion, just as they started to get ready weather rolled in! Ria was a trooper in her backless dress as the temperature chilled. And while they set up the ceremony, the videographers and I hid in the van to warm up with heat on full blast! 

Then some seriously magical moments followed. In the opening of a secret cave, surrounded by twinkling lights and their favorite people on earth, Ria + Jordan said yes to forever in a beautiful ceremony by a local Icelandic woman. Followed by Icelandic pancakes, traditional Icelandic cake, and plenty of champagne! 

To end an epic elopement in Iceland, we pulled ourselves together best we could as walking icicles and did some portraits on a black sand beach outside the cave followed by a field full of lupines! From flowers to waterfalls to camper vans and caves — what a freakin’ treat it was to photograph these two! 

But you want to know the coolest part about eloping in Iceland? The opportunities for scenic views and big adventures are quite literally endless. We didn’t even cover a small fraction of what is out there to explore. So who wants to go?? 

I’ve got so many ideas and plenty of frequent flyer miles. Wanna plan your elopement in Iceland? Or heck while we’re at it Ireland? Norway??? Let’s doooo it! Share your ideas with me on this contact form and we’ll plan the best day (or trip!!) EVER!

These awesome photos have all been featured over on one of my fave blogs – Wandering Weddings!

Have ya ever thought to yourself, “hey should we have our wedding in Yellowstone?” ‘Cause Krista + Greg did! They are actually huge fans of the show Yellowstone which inspired them to get out and explore the famous landscape for their big day! Fun fact: Did you know a fair amount of Yellowstone is actually filmed in the Missoula area? The more ya know! 

And thank goodness Krista + Greg planned their wedding in Yellowstone National Park when they did. It was a freakin’ beautiful day spent running around the north of the park, scoping out SO much wildlife, and hangin’ near some hot springs. But in that exact region, just days later, massive flooding occurred making that entire area inaccessible. Yellowstone closed all entrances to the park during this historical flooding, as roadways collapsed, houses washed away, and an insane amount of damage ensued. We were super lucky on timing, so we have to be thankful for that! 

The festivities for their wedding in Yellowstone started as I met them at their glamping site! They were getting ready there before heading into the park together. Then off we went to Lamar Valley for their intimate ceremony followed by an adventure roaming about in the area, taking photos as we went! 

Krista wore a white wedding dress for her ceremony, but there was a bit of a story behind it. Her original dress actually didn’t arrive on time and wasn’t delivered until they were already in Montana. Luckily Krista is a smart cookie and prepared for the alternate plans, ordering a second dress for her day! But after a mishap with the alterations, she didn’t feel 100% comfortable in that dress. (And what do I preach??? Comfort people, always comfort!) 

So while out shopping around town, she stumbled upon a blue floral dress and decided why not wear it for the rest of the photos?? As it turns out, the blue dress looked planned all along. Greg wore navy blue attire with a cowboy hat (so Yellowstone like!) and Krista’s new blue post-wedding ceremony dress complimented it perfectly. Ya know what they say about things working out!  

Their ceremony in the Valley was simple, short, and sweet, but packed with so much love as they exchanged thoughtful personal vows. They said they wanted to see plenty of wildlife, so instead of a fancy reception, we went on an adventure! No critter was missed as we spotted bears, tons of bison, a wolf, and a few moose! 

Their wedding in Yellowstone ended at Mammoth Hot Springs as these two lovers ran around like they belonged, Krista in her bare feet and Greg in his cowboy hat! Truly an epic day in a beautiful place. 

While I’m down for any national park wedding, here are some more of my favs! Check out yet another wedding in Yellowstone hanging out at a geyser or this sentimental elopement in the mountains of Glacier National Park! 

And if you’ve got somewhere special in mind and want me to tag along, you can always tell me all about it here! 

Obviously you’re playing around with the idea of having a Glacier National Park elopement. Snow-kissed mountain tops, juniper green valleys, + crystal clear waters are sure to make any adventure-loving couple want to say their I Dos here! If you’re ready to finally say “HECK YES, we’re doing it!!!” but you + your partner have been thinking about where to even get started on planning your Montana elopement – I’ve gotchu friend! 

There’s so much to love about the idea of getting married in Glacier National Park + I’m here to answer any questions you might have before finally tying the knot in one of the most vivacious parks that this state, or hell… country, has to offer! Let’s dive in on how to elope in this insanely one-of-a-kind location!!

 

Planning your Glacier National Park Elopement – and all the deets!

First things first: choosing a location. One thing to keep in mind is that Glacier National Park is HUGE. I’m talking 1 million acres huge. So, choosing a location that’s right for you and your partner is the first step in planning your big day. Do you want cascading waterfalls, sexy mountainous backdrops, or infinite wildflower meadows? This place has it all. 

You can find a full list of ceremony spots on the GNP wedding website, but for portraits we have more freedom to explore the park! From the epic mountainscapes of Big Bend to the infamous Many Glacier views, make sure to explore the region around you before you go!

For my couples, I have a complete Glacier location guide. I’m happy to share all of my favorite spots! After 10 years of photographing in the park, I know a secret view or two. 😉

 

Time is of the Essence – Choosing a date! 

Circling back to the fact that Glacier is freaking humongous, keep in mind that that means it’ll take some time to get places. In my experience, sunrise and sunset tend to have the best lighting, but this also depends on what season we’re in. 

Bringing us to the next matter of business, it’s time to pick a date for when you want all of this to go down. Planning your Glacier National Park elopement is all fun and games until you realize that nature is a force to be reckoned with, especially in the park! 

From the many times I’ve found myself happily capturing all of these crazy, stupid love stories, I found that July and August are usually the best times for getting married in Glacier National Park. Personal opinion 😉 The weather is the best and it feels like the sun never sets! Not to mention that the chances of rain during this time are lower – but if it happens, we’ll roll with it! No seriously, some of my favorite photos are of unexpectedly moody days, so we don’t worry about the weather around here. 

May is a great option if you’re looking for a ‘quieter’ time in the park. But locations in the park are limited as the downside to this time is that the infamous Going to the Sun Road, which is the main road that leads to all the good spots in the park, often doesn’t open until late June and sometimes July.

If you’re looking to have a ceremony in the fall, September and October are good options too, but be prepared for some rain and snow the closer to October we get. Don’t be discouraged, though! The sky hues that the fall gets are so damn gorgeous + for those of you who want a winter wonderland kind of ceremony, that’s definitely doable for your dream Glacier National Park elopement, but you’ll just have to bring an extra jacket or two. Or three. Maybe more, seriously. Winters can be pretty damn cold! And after the first big snowfall, they’ll close the Going to the Sun Road once again, limiting access to many places in the park. The Going to the Sun Road usually closes on the 3rd Monday of October if the weather hasn’t shut it down prior. 

Keeping all of this in mind, summer will be the busiest season. So, if you’ve got your sights set on having your dream elopement in GNP and want to take the path of least resistance, a summer sunrise (or sunset) ceremony might just be the one for you!

 

Sunrise or sunset – Creating a timeline (kinda)! 

If no one has told you this yet, lighting is everything in photography. So we’ve got a friend in the sun and we need to chase that damn goooood light! Generally you have two options for best light  – sunrise or sunset. 

Depending on the season + location with how the mountains wind, the sun rises and sets at different times. But don‘t worry, I’ve got an app for that! For a fast and easy rule: summer days are LONG in the park, with the sun not setting until late at night, while winters have much less time to work with. 

My advice? Choose whether you’re a morning person (like 4am wake up time people, think hard!!!) or would rather wait until the late afternoon. Then create a loose timeline of your day, depending on your photography coverage, around that! 

If you have your heart set on a specific location in the park, make sure to clear it with your photographer for that time of day! Light leaks into or is blocked by the mountains, so every location isn’t created equal depending on the time of day.

 

How to Elope in Glacier National Park – All of the legal shit! 

Now that I got you oozing with excitement for your big Montana elopement, time to talk about permits and legalities – so fun! I mean it. First things first, make sure you check out all the necessary info to make your big day possible. 

Having a Special Use Permit is required for any and all ceremonies in the park, regardless of how many people are present. Already legally married and just exchanging vows? Ya, you need a permit for that. Since this park is usually a hot spot for dreamy ceremonies, the sooner you start on the application process, the better! Typically can submit a year before!

Another point to note is that a vehicle reservation + entry ticket is required to access the Going to the Sun Road. If you applied for a wedding permit with a ceremony along the required road, then no worries!! It’s included. So far these haven’t been needed in the Two Medicine Valley or Many Glacier. Have been required from late May to mid September from 9a-4p. Just for reference on your visit outside your ceremony.

Additionally, all visitor vehicles are required to have a park pass in order to enter GNP. Also keep in mind that these two are separate reservations. 

Just like Disneyland ya???

 

The peeps you need for a GNP elopement – Choosing your vendors! 

Now that we covered all the necessary basics of planning your Glacier National Park elopement, time to start talking about vendors! Wooooo!!!! 

Since we’ve already covered how absolutely massive this park is, the best thing you can do to make sure your day goes off without a hitch is to work with vendors who know this park like the back of their hand. Not to toot my own horn (jk, I totally am), I have 10+ years of experience with elopements in the park. What can I say?? I LOVE it here, seriously. So, I can say with 100% confidence that I’ll be here to capture all your wonderfully candid moments with ease! 

But enough about me (for now lol). Working with an experienced GNP vendor is a must. Not only do experienced af local vendors act as great resources for you, but there’s no better feeling than working with someone who knows their stuff so that you have way less to worry about once your big day finally comes around. 

For my GNP wedding couples, I’ve got a vendor guide waiting for you! All of my favorite peeps wrapped up into one document – from florals to bakers to planners to spas. I’ve got ya babe!

 

Lots to do, Sites to See – Plan an experience for your day. 

I know you didn’t just come here to say your vows on a mountain top and call it a day. With so much ground to cover, there’s literally a boatload of activities that you and your loved one(s) can do to really seal the deal on your epic love story!! 

Whether it’s hiking, camping, or riding your boat off into the sunset, there’s definitely something for everyone. Maybe even a charming little picnic with a hint of some breathtaking views?? The GNP is your oyster and I am freaking obsessed with her!!!!!!!

 

We’ve covered a lot of ground, but I hope you found this super helpful in finally making your decision to elope in the mountains! Glacier National Park weddings are dreamy dreamy and I would love nothing more but to capture your big day – adventures, a make out sesh or two, ass grabs and all. 

As a seasoned Glacier National Park elopement photographer, nothing makes me more freakin’ stoked to have the opportunity to take you through one of the most beautiful parks in Montana! So, if you have any more burning questions about how to plan an elopement in the great GNP, I’m here for you boo. And if you’re just ready to dive on in + say HECK YES to getting hitched in some of the most stunning sites that a Montana elopement has to offer, then definitely send me a love note and let’s make it happen!

Now I’m not sure you’re ready for all of the epicness of this Yellowstone National Park elopement! I shoot elopements quite frequently, often out in some of the most beautiful places you can find. But when two true outdoor enthusiasts decide they want to elope somewhere cool? You know it’s going to be a damn good time. And nothing says adventure like saying I Do in front a boiling hot column of water and steam shooting up from mother earth. 

Holly and Danny reached out about their Yellowstone National Park elopement with some ideas in their brain, but no solid plan. Their dear friend just happened to be a guide in the park, and on this day he doubled as their officiant, so they had the insider scoop on some dreamy locations. When they asked me if I was up for a hike to a geyser, I couldn’t scream “hell yaaa” fast enough! 

This elopement was extra sweet because it truly fit them as a couple. Holly wore a simple, classic rose colored dress with both a crown and bouquet of dried flowers and Danny looked dapper in his jacket. There was no big production or an abundance of details, just a picnic packed in a backpack and hiking boots slipped on. We met at the trailhead and headed out to see if we could catch a peek at the geyser in action! 

Round trip the hike was about 5 miles, but along the way were rivers and meadows and you know those dreamy landscapes our national parks have to offer. We knew that the geyser only erupts once every 3-4 hours…. Ish, usually a small eruption and then a larger to follow. At least that’s what we’ve read. We tried to time it as best as we could, but you just never know with mother nature and the only record of timing is at the geyser itself if people write it in the notebook. As we reached the view point, sure enough, the geyser shot into the sky! Like helllllllo and welcome to the show! 

We asked some others nearby if it was the first or second eruption. They told us the first, so we thought hey we just might make this work for the big one! We meandered down to the river for some photos, hoping the next eruption would start for the ceremony, but as time passed we realized it wasn’t gonna happen haha! 

So we continued as planned and they got married as the geyser just gurgled low in the background. After their ceremony, they took a minute just to soak it all in. This is something I will go to the ends of the freakin’ earth to advocate for – a little bit of time just to slow down and be with your partner. Elopements can sometimes feel rushed, as the coverage is only 4-8 hours for a lot of moving around and adventuring. It’s easy to always focus on the next move or getting those killer photos. But I always encourage my couples to slowwwww down. Whether it’s a first dance or a picnic or a snuggle session. In their case, they packed a picnic with some snacks and some kombucha + whiskey and just chilled. 

Before we knew it so much time had passed and sure enough the geyser started realllllly gurgling. It felt like a warning. Was she gonna make our Yellowstone National Park elopement dreams come true?!?! 

The first smaller eruption went off. And in the words of Danny himself, it was a tease. I knew at that moment that we were going to wait around for the larger eruption, I mean how could we not?! We took some more photos and before we knew it, this geyser gave us its best show. And we took some freakin’ epic photos. A perfect ending to the best day! 

As the sun set, we walked back to the trailhead and joked that the only thing missing from their Yellowstone National Park elopement photos was bison. And then right there in the field, we stopped to catch some bison before leaving.  The actual perfect ending to the best day! 
I love Yellowstone! But I also love Glacier and the Tetons and Olympic and Yosemite. You truly can’t go wrong with a national park wedding. If you’re looking for more adventure elopement inspo, check out this Grand Teton National Park elopement, it’s one of my absolute favs.

Have a look at this winter elopement and tell me if you can tell how cold it was?!?

I bet you can’t! That’s because Kara + Chris are freakin’ CHAMPS! They had a private ceremony outside of Glacier National Park, but wanted to go find some mountain views for their portraits. While most of the park is closed in the wintertime, you can still access the road along Lake Mcdonald, so that’s where we went! 

Not only was their date 2/2/2022, but it was a high of -22 degrees fahrenheit! 

Yes, you read that correctly. NEGATIVE TWENTY-TWO!!! Damn, it was freakin’ cold. 

But you know I’m not scared of a little winter weather in Montana!!! So we started with their winter elopement photos at the head of the lake where we could get some killer shots of the mountains up closer and the lake in all of its snowy glory, but the wind was insane! We were moving around and actually concerned about frostbite ahhhh, so we moved on after about five minutes! 

Searching for some trees to hide in, we made our way around the lake and found some spots where the wind wasn’t whipping quite as badly. Determined to get those sweeping mountain views, we rotated between shooting and warming up in the car. We ended up with some really stunning photos on the shoreline with those classic Glacier National Park views, some sunsoaked images on a path near the forest, and whimsical snow covered pines by the end of their session! Success! 

Isn’t it crazy how natural these babes look in their images??? You never would have guessed that we were battling those harsh conditions. All you see is some sweet love and sunshine on the snow from a stunning winter elopement in Montana. I guess those snow pants and moon boots that Kara wore under her wedding dress did the trick! 

Please tell me you as obsessed as I am?! Well then you’d probably like some more winter elopement and wedding inspiration!!! Have a look at Trina + Shane’s dreamy winter wedding and tell me that winter in Montana isn’t the freakin’ prettiest thing you’ve seen!!!  

Xx, J