When this amazing queer couple reached out to me about their Glacier National Park Elopement, I said when and where. SIGN ME UP. As you know, Montana is one of my favorite states and it’s the only other state in the United States I’ve called home. I lived in Missoula for 5 years. It felt special calling Montana home and escaping to Glacier National Park on weekends to camp. It hardly seems real now that I actually spent 5 years in my twenties living in this magnificent, majestic state. Knowing Montana intimately, I feel ecstatic when couples ask if I am willing to help them plan their weddings and elopements in Montana.
Erin and Olivia told me early on that roadtripping is a shared passion of theirs. Right away, they told me they did things a little backwards in their relationship. They were friends first. Then, they said I love you before they were official. After visiting Bozeman, Montana for their summer roadtrip, they decided to buy their engagement rings before even officially getting engaged. I received an email from them after they got back from their roadtrip deciding that they wanted to elope the following summer in Montana!
Planning a Montana Elopement
My best advice for planning your Montana elopement is to reach out to your dream destination elopement photographer first. Locals have the best insight about where to stay, where to elope, and insider connections to vendors. Erin and Olivia read my blog post from another LGBTQ Montana Elopement and told me they wanted a similar magical experience. When I help couples plan elopements, I like to make sure couples have a unique experience to them. No two elopements have to be the same, including their ceremony location, lodging, or timeline!
After picking a photographer, I recommend deciding what time of year you want to elope. The most popular months to visit Glacier National Park are July and August. Typically, Going to the Sun Road doesn’t open until early July. Most people visiting aren’t aware of this before they make reservations, but the most famous parts of the park aren’t even accessible until July.
However, July and August are extremely busy and you’re likely to encounter tourists. As a Glacier National Park Elopement photographer, I recommend the best months to elope are late June, late August, and early September. Weekdays will have the fewest tourists as well. Once you pick a date, then I recommend locking down your lodging right away. A lot of lodging in Glacier National Park gets booked 9-12 months out!
Best Lodging for your Glacier National Park Elopement
Under Canvas Glacier National Park
Getting Ready Together
One of my favorite 2024 wedding trends has been watching couples ditch tradition and decide to get ready together. Erin and Olivia helped one another get dressed in the middle of the forest. It was so sweet watching them help one another into their clothes. Olivia helped Erin tie their tie while Erin helped Olivia zip up her dress. They giggled the entire time and soaked in the moment as the sunlight filtered between the trees down on them.
Intimate Vows on the Lake
With no one else around for miles, Erin and Olivia shared personal vows alone along the lake shores. We hiked into this private beach I had scouted the night before. No one else could be seen or heard as Erin and Olivia cried and laughed their way through their vows. I kept my distance as they shared personal vows, allowing them to feel fully present without any distractions. I wanted to make sure that they were the only people who could hear one another, myself excluded. A lot of times as an elopement photographer, I will do my best to give my couples full privacy. I want couples to feel completely safe sharing their hearts with their person. Thanks to my trusty zoom lens, I can stay far back and still get great photos.
Sunset Portraits in Glacier National Park
The thing I look forward to most when photographing a Glacier National Park Elopement are sunset photos. There is nothing like watching the alpen glow on the mountains or watching the reflection on the lake. After sharing vows, Erin and Olivia basked in the sunset. Olivia’s favorite flowers are lupines, and we found the perfect lupine meadow near the edge of the lake. Taking golden hour portraits felt like a dream come true in this magical place.
LGBTQ Photographer in Montana
It can be difficult finding LGBTQ and queer friendly vendors in a conservative state like Montana. I am a queer photographer in Idaho, but I travel to all the Rocky Mountain States to give queer couples the experience they deserve. If you’re looking for LGBTQ wedding vendors, here are a few I recommend:
Destini with Cultured Roots MT
Gallatin River Hideaway Wedding Venue
