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