As a Montana Wedding Photographer since arriving in Missoula in 2010, it has been a lifelong dream to photograph this stunning and magical state. Montana is a special state in my heart for so many reasons. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most beautiful states in the entire country and unfathomably beatuiful. And, depending on who you ask, it is one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Glacier National Park and Yellowstone are two of the most magical corners of the world in my professional and expert opinion. Yellowstone remains iconic in US History as the very first National Park established in 1872 and attracts nearly 5 million tourists annually. Montana is famous for its exceptional outdoor recreation and beauty. There are over 97 mountain ranges in the state of Montana. If lakes are your thing, there are over 9,000 magical lakes in Montana. I doubt you need convincing, but Montana surely promises an unbelievable experience for your guests if you plan a Montana wedding.
Most Popular Regions in Montana to Get Married
Whitefish + Kalispell:
- Located in the North-West corner of Montana of the Flathead Valley, Whitefish and Kalispell are both extremely popular mountain towns for tourism. With a population of about 40,000 in the valley, it remains one of the most populated regions of Montana. Known as the gateway to Glacier National Park, Whitefish and Kalispell offer endless recreation and activities to do. The historic downtown city centers of Whitefish and Kalispell are filled with old saloons, Western museums, Native American art galleries, small boutiques, ski shops, cafes, and amazing food. In the winter, Whitefish Ski Resort is a can’t miss spot for amazing skiing and views of the entire valley.
- As a Montana Wedding Photographer, I love the variety of wedding vendors and venues in the Flathead Valley. Whether you’re looking for a Montana barn wedding venue, a ranch, all inclusive cabin, a historic lodge, upscale modern art museum- there are plenty of options.
Missoula Montana
- Home to the liberal arts college University of Montana, Missoula is a hub for the arts, local community, and of course- mountains and rivers. The local art and music scene in Montana feels vibrant and alive. The Clark Fork River runs through the center of downtown Missoula and the downtown is situated right along the river. It’s a stunning town and the summers are a dream come true. Although I am not a great swimmer, my best memories of Montana summers were spent by the alpine lakes and river. Missoula’s population falls just under 80,000 and has one of the ‘bigger’ airports in the state. There are 14 non-stop direct flights to many west-coast cities from Missoula Airport.
Bozeman + Big Sky:
- With the popularity of the Yellowstone TV Series and world class ski resorts like Big Sky Resort, most people who don’t know much about Montana have at least heard of Big Sky and Bozeman. Bozeman’s Montana State University is a top agricultural and engineering state school. Therefore, the rural farming communities around Bozeman are vast. There are dozens of ranches and barns in the rural region of Bozeman. No matter where you are in Bozeman, you have 360 degree panoramic views of more than eight mountain ranges! Lots of celebrities call Bozeman home including John Mayer, Justin Timberlake, Kelly Clarkson, Michael Keaton, and more. There are many luxury lodging options and all-inclusive wedding venues near Bozeman if you’re looking for ease, luxury, and full service wedding planning. Lastly, Bozeman the largest airport in Montana!
Glacier National Park:
- Many a Montana Wedding Photographer will tell you that Glacier National Park is simply the most insane location to get married in Montana. If you are looking to get married within the National Park, there are several options available to couples. No matter what, permits are required to get married within Glacier National Park to conduct any ceremony with vows or papers. Taking professional photos also requires a photography permit. This guide is incredibly helpful for learning about your location options. And if you dream of getting married at one of the gorgeous Glacier National Park Lodges, they host epic weddings on site. Many Glacier Hotel, Prince of Wales ,Hotel, Lake MacDonald Lodge are three of the best lodges for weddings.
Red Lodge Montana:
- As a Montana Wedding Photographer, it pains me to include Red Lodge on this list. I believe Red Lodge is one of the hidden gems of the entire state and one of the most magical spots to visit. Without a doubt, Red Lodge is the most remote town on this list, but it is a popular destination for weddings. Particularly for locals, Red Lodge has more budget friendly wedding venues. Located near the East End of the Yellowstone National Park entrance, Red Lodge is nestled in a valley between several major mountain ranges only accessible via mountain passes.
Billings:
- It might make you laugh when you find out that the most populated city in Montana only has 120,000 people. Yet, Billings is the largest populated city in Montana. Although Billings may not be the most popular Montana destination for weddings, many wedding vendors operate out of Billings. Located within a 2 hour drive of Bozeman, its close proximity to the mountains make it a easy hub for tourists traveling from far away to fly in and rent a car to reach other destinations.
The Best Montana Wedding Venues
Northwest Montana- Whitefish & Kalispell
Glacier National Park Wedding Venues
Missoula Montana Wedding Venues
Northern Rockies Heritage Center
Bozeman Montana Wedding Venues
Red Lodge Montana Wedding Venues
Montana Wildflower Weddings & Events
Montana Wedding Venues
The Best Wedding Planners in Montana
The Best Montana Wedding Photographers
The Best Montana Wedding Florists
How to Plan Your Montana Wedding
If you’re lost and don’t know where to start planning your Montana wedding planning, I first recommend deciding what kind of weather you want. Are you a winter person? Are you a summer couple? Which season do you feel most comfortable in? Some couples have no problem bundling up in lots of layers for a wintery wedding. However, there are people who thrive in the summer heat. Montana experiences extreme weather in all four seasons of the year and it can be brutal.
- Pick a season. Once you’ve decided what season you’re most comfortable in, start your research!
- Pick a date. My personal recommendation as a Montana Wedding Photographer is to start with a date before anything else. Right away, you will eliminate so much chaos if you can narrow down which vendors are or aren’t available.
- Book a wedding planner or a wedding venue! And some couples do this in a different order. However, there is no right or wrong. If a full service wedding planner is within your budget, they will help you narrow down venues and do wedding venue research for you. However, some couples choose to be more involved in the process and may do their own wedding venue research first! Neither is right or wrong, but I would recommend hiring these two key wedding vendors around the same time before diving into anything else.
- Hire your wedding photographer. Aside from wedding venues and planners, photographers book up fast. Like 12-18 months in advance fast. Certainly, reach out as soon as you have secured a wedding venue and planner.
- Reach out to caterers and bartending services. Because food is going to be 30-40% of your total budget, I recommend starting early and plan ahead. Catering pricing can vary, but you will be surprised how fast they book as well.
- Hire your wedding florist & beauty team. Florists and hair and makeup are also one of the most challenging vendors to secure. Especially in Montana, there are a limited selection of wedding florists and glam teams.
All You Need to Know About Planning a Destination Wedding in Montana
- The biggest airports in Montana include the Missoula airport (MSO) , Bozeman airport (BZN) , and Billings (BIL). For guests traveling out of town, it might be helpful to plan your wedding around proximity to the closest major airport.
- The weather is known for being extremely unpredictable in Montana! Although there are 4 seasons, they overlap constantly. After all, snow in June is not impossible!
- Be mindful about fire season. August tends to be the worst month for wildfire season in Montana and extreme heat. And if you have older guests, I recommend avoiding August or choosing a wedding venue with air conditioning.
- Several Montana Wedding Venues include all-inclusive lodging! And if you want to truly have a destination wedding experience, hosting your guests all in one location ensures a smooth wedding weekend!
- Book early. And if it sounds crazy, I agree. Planning a destination wedding in Montana may require 12-24 months of planning. Your timeline may be more flexible. if you are hosting an intimate wedding, but for a large wedding with more than 100 guests, I recommend planning more than a year out. Because Montana’s peak wedding season is only 3 months long, Saturdays book years ahead.
- Although I just told you to plan your wedding with lots of advance time, you may want to consider a weekday or non-Saturday wedding! You may save thousands of dollars by choosing a day other than Saturday. And it might confuse people when you tell them you’re getting married on a Friday, but it can be worth it.
- I might be from Idaho, but the high elevation of the Rocky Mountains definitely impacts me. Although the mountain towns might not be noticeable, once you hike or drive up into the mountains, you may easily reach above 7,000 feet elevation. If you weren’t aware, above 7,000 feet is considered high elevation and can make some people sick. Because of the high elevation, I recommend flying in a day or two early to let your body adjust.
- You will absolutely need a 4-WD vehicle if you decide to rent a car and drive in Montana. And if you don’t believe me, spend 5 minutes on Tik Tok or Youtube looking at Montana driving videos. The roads are no joke!
