YOUR GUIDE TO AN INCREDIBLE GLACIER NATIONAL PARK ELOPEMENT
- Jessica
- 4 days ago
- 24 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
So you're dreaming of eloping in Glacier National Park? Let's do it! You've found your dream Glacier National Park Elopement Photographer Team & we're here to help bring your Glacier National Park wedding to life!
IMAGINE IT - AN EPIC GLACIER NATIONAL PARK WEDDING!
Imagine making forever promises to your favorite human under a host of snow capped mountains, sharing private vows along the rainbow stone shores of a sparkly glacial lake while feeling the mountain winds in your veil and the earth under your feet at your first married kiss. What a way to start a marriage!
A VERITABLE DREAM! Let the wild, rugged mountains be your cathedral and the swaying pines be your church at your stunning Glacier National Park wedding!
Eloping in Glacier National Park is always a wild, whimsical and breathtaking experience! A day spent making outrageously beautiful, joyful, adventurous wedding day memories that will last a lifetime. Glacier Park weddings are genuinely incredible, and we’re here to help you make your Montana elopement
dreams come true!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jessica is the owner and lead photographer at Lovelight Photography, where she has been a professional portrait, wedding & elopement photographer in Montana near Glacier National Park for nearly 14 years! Learn more about Jessica and her team, here.
To bypass this read and get straight to our Glacier National Park Elopement packages, go here!
To learn more about our general elopement services, see our Love Stories Overview!
Want to see some REAL Glacier elopement day galleries? Go here!
To read more about the author & about Lovelight Photography, pop over here and see if Lovelight is right for your own glorious Montana elopement!
SHOULD YOU ELOPE IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK?
Let's see if you should consider eloping in Glacier National Park!
News flash: we think you should! ; )
Firstly, what is a Glacier National Park Elopement?
Glacier Park elopements are tiny micro wedding events of typically 15 people or less (although some Glacier National Park wedding locations allow more participants and there are options for alternative ceremony spots, too!). Adventure seeking couples can get married at approved ceremony locations in some of the most beautiful parts of Glacier National Park and then head off into the mountains for amazing wedding portraits and lots of memory making! Sometimes these sweet ceremonies are just the couple alone or with their Glacier elopement officiant, and sometimes they bring family and friends to share in their grand Montana marrying adventure! See some Glacier Park elopements here!
Is Eloping In Glacier National Park right for you?
Hmmmmm, let's see! ;)
Are you seeking an effortless and deeply intimate marrying experience free from the fanfare that is the modern wedding day?
Do you find yourself dreaming of a wedding day that's just about you and your beloved? (What a wild thought!)
Does the idea of spending your wedding day in the breathtaking wilds of nature make your hearts happy?
Do you imagine timeless, once in a lifetime wedding portraits that take your breath away?
Are you excited to really live, be present and remember every aspect of your beautiful wedding day?
Are you two maybe just a little bit wonderfully, refreshingly rogue?
Are you okay with adventure? Do you mind a bit of wind in your veil or traipsing through fields of summer wildflowers?
Are you a little hardy and up for a true adventure!?
If any of these questions resonated with you then YES, this is your sign -
YOU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY GET MARRIED IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK!
Eloping Is A Refreshing & Effortless Way to Get Married!
If you're seeking a truly remarkable, tiny wedding day and want a experience that is truly focused on your love story and making incredible memories, then a Glacier elopement is perfect for you! Eloping in Glacier National Park is always SPECTACULAR!
Tiny Glacier Park Weddings Are Wild, Intimate & Fun!
Glacier Park weddings are so wild and intimate ... and focused entirely on you two, your love for one another, and making incredible once-in-a-lifetime memories with each other & the people that you love the most in this world.
An Effortless Day Focused on the Good Stuff
A tiny wedding day of ease, joy, true connection and real moments unfettered by the nuisance of napkin color debates or honoring traditions that don’t make your hearts sing. And the images are absurdly stunning, too! See some epic mini Glacier Park elopement galleries, here!
All Inclusive Packages Make Eloping in Glacier EASY
Choosing to work with a professional photographer that offers all inclusive Glacier Park elopement packages means you're in for an easy marrying experience overall. Learn more about Lovelight's packages here.
WHY CHOOSE TO ELOPE IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK AND HAVE A GLACIER NATIONAL PARK WEDDING?
There's a lot of beautiful places in the world, but none quite as breathtaking as Glacier. Call us crazy, but big promises just seem to fit better in places big enough to hold them and Glacier Park fits the bill!
Glacier Park Is Nature's Cathedral For Weddings!
You guys, Glacier Park is pretty, like really really pretty. She's BREATHTAKING, okay?! Nature's cathedral for whimsical, breathtaking weddings and elopements! It is unparalleled in natural beauty, boasting a wide expanse of beautiful sweeping landscapes perfect for making beautiful, sweeping promises and creating incredible memories. The park’s pristine beauty ensures your Glacier National Park elopement day will be stunning and unique, and your Glacier Park wedding photos will be nothing short of spectacular!
Peek at some of our favorite featured Glacier National Park Elopements and Glacier Park weddings here and get excited bout your own day spent eloping in Glacier National Park!
Glacier Park Just So Happens To Be In MONTANA!
And we're not sure if you've heard, but uhhh, Montana is one of the most ruggedly beautiful and breathtaking places in the country! We might be a bit biased as true Montanans and a local Glacier National Park Photographer Team, but Montana is stunning. She’s a mix of wild west rugged glory and charming brick clad hallmark towns. And she's filled with the kind of folks that still wave on the backroads. Montana is truly is the Last Best Place and we love to call her HOME!
Flathead Valley, Montana Is An Incredible Base for Your Glacier Elopement & Montana Honeymoon
We have incredible places to stay in the Flathead Valley as a home base for your Glacier National Park Elopement and tons of incredibly fun outdoorsy things to do here from hiking to biking our rugged mountains, water sports and fishing on our pristine lakes & rivers, strolling our cute towns like Whitefish and Kalispell. We highly recommend a honeymoon in Montana after your big day!
Whitefish, Montana
A true hallmark town designed to be enjoyed and walked, with charming shoppes, rooftop bars, delightful restaurants, incredible lodging options and fun excursions on Whitefish Mountain Resort and Whitefish Lake. Depending on where you elope in Glacier National Park, Whitefish might be the perfect base of operations for your Glacier Park wedding. We have lots of recommendations for activities, lodging and dining in Whitefish!
Kalispell, Montana
Areas Around Flathead Lake
WHAT DOES A GLACIER NATIONAL PARK ELOPEMENT LOOK LIKE?
It's as easy as 1, 2, 3 - if you have a local Glacier National Park Elopement photographer that is!
FIRST!
We get you married at one of our gorgeous Glacier National Park Wedding locations! There's so many epic places to get married in Glacier National Park! Our Park is giant and gorgeous. A beautiful foundation for your marriage! Don't worry, we'll help you make the right choices on the best places to get married in Glacier National Park based on season, vision and group size.
THEN!
We go capture your newlywed love in our rugged, amazing mountains. We laugh so much and really do have quite the adventure racing around mountain bends, enjoying gorgeous (& wildly unpredictable) Glacier all dressed up in the most beautiful light and colors of the day, all while celebrating your love. It's easy and amazing!
WHAT ARE THE FIRST FEW STEPS IN PLANNING YOUR GLACIER NATIONAL PARK ELOPEMENT?
It's as easy as 1, 2, 3 - if you have a local Glacier National Park Elopement photographer that is!
STEP ONE:
Hire a LOCAL Glacier National Park Elopement Photographer, like us!
There are about a hundred reasons why you should hire a local photographer when starting your Glacier National Park Wedding journey and BEFORE you start looking into acquiring your Glacier National Park wedding permit . We go more in depth below but in short, Glacier National Park is enormous & unpredictable, with wild weather and squirrelly lighting. Plus, a local will walk you through how to get married in Glacier National Park - there's no need to take this journey alone!
HIRING LOCAL MEANS A MUCH BETTER CHANCE AT HAVING A SUCCESSFUL WEDDING DAY!
By hiring a REAL, local Glacier National Park wedding photographer and planner like us, you're in truly capable hands when it comes to both the planning and organization of your Glacier elopement and giving yourself the best chance of having a truly wonderful, incredible and successful wedding Glacier National Park elopement with amazing wedding imagery!
READ MORE ABOUT WHY YOU SHOULD HIRE A REAL GLACIER NATIONAL PARK WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
Glacier Park Is Really Really Enormous and Varied
At 1,000,000 acres with 5 main entrances, Glacier Park is enormous and elopements here require varying types of logistics, planning and strategy. Everything is far apart in Montana, especially in Glacier Park. Your local Glacier National Park wedding photographer will be able to help plan a day with you that makes the most use of your coverage & daylight while accounting for distances and balancing your dreams.
Glacier Park Weather is Notoriously Fickle
Glacier Park is notorious for it’s finicky, quickly changing weather, even in the summertime! We have had snow in August! The mountains create their own micro climates from one bend to the next. Not only will a real, local Glacier National Park Elopement photographer be better prepared to handle the weather, but because they also know the Park so well, they can anticipate what the weather will do from vista to vista, and where to go for incredible imagery in the event of wild weather, obscured mountains (from smoke or cloud inversions) and general unexpected Park shenanigans!
The Lighting in the Mountains of Glacier is Really Tricky
Glacier Park is Generally Unpredictable
Montana Photographers Have Strong Vendor Relationships
Local Photographers Know the Rules, Respect the Park & Support Conservation!
STEP TWO:
Understanding Your Glacier National Park Wedding Permit
A Special Use Permit is required for all wedding ceremonies in Glacier National Park to ensure minimal impact to our beautiful natural spaces and to less impede the overall visitor experience
PLEASE NOTE: Other Glacier National Park Elopement blogs will urge you to get a Glacier National Park Wedding Permit Immediately, and while these are a hot commodity and working on acquiring your permit shouldn't be delayed, we cannot caution you enough about waiting to start that process until you start working with an amazing Glacier National Park elopement photographer so that you have a great elopement day plan in place!
Glacier National Park Wedding Permit General Details
Info: Glacier National Park Wedding Permits require special details like site location and ceremony time window (and alternatives), party size and other information about your Glacier Park elopement.
Cost: In 2025, the permit fee is typically $125 for standard elopements without on-site monitors, but it’s best to check the park’s official website for the most up-to-date information.
Application Process: You must submit your application at least 20 days in advance of your elopement date but we recommend getting it in as soon as possible, as Glacier National Park elopements are very popular and permits are limited. Plus, we think it's always good to take some stress off of the permit office - they work very hard! HOWEVER, we recommend that you consult your local photographer first before committing to the details of the permit.
Restrictions: The park limits group sizes for ceremonies (these are different throughout the Park but it's generally limited to groups of 15 participants, including your vendors) and vehicle numbers, and also prohibits certain activities at ceremony locations. Your ceremony special use permit will NOT guarantee entry at all gates and you may still be queried.
Why Should You Wait to Get your Glacier National Park Wedding Permit Until You Hire Your Local Montana Photographer (like Us!)?
You cannot change your permit once it's approved! If you make the wrong call on choosing your Glacier National Park wedding location and time, it could really effect the success of your day! Unless you've done this before, you don't really know what's best for your day.
Local photographers are experts when it comes to Glacier and A LOT of strategy and planning goes into Glacier National Park elopements (at least, with ours). As photographers, we consider lighting and vistas, delays and weather - consult your Glacier Park Elopement photographer before moving forward! Just to let you know, at Lovelight Photography, we help our clients make all of these decisions! We know the best places to get married in Glacier National Park!
STEP THREE:
Get Inspired by Some Glacier National Park Wedding Locations
Glacier National Park offers a variety of incredible spots to get married. Below is our general overview of the most popular Glacier National Park elopement locations. We help all of our clients choose the best ceremony location based on a variety of factors to ensure a successful day! There are so many amazing places to get married in Glacier National Park!
PLEASE NOTE: Not all of these ceremony locations in Glacier Park are available year round. It’s vital to consider seasonal access and weather, general accessibility for guests and yourselves, and group size when choosing your location. Some locations are generally better than others in the shoulder seasons when it comes to wild weather! We'll discuss the best places to get married in Glacier National park for each season!
Click the arrow to read more and see photos!
Glacier Park Elopement Ceremony Locations Along Lake McDonald
Known for its crystal-clear waters and colorful pebbles, Lake McDonald is easily accessible to the Flathead Valley and offers stunning reflections of the surrounding mountains. It can be a busy area in the summer with visitors recreating. While there are many Glacier elopement ceremony locations available on Lake McDonald, some definitely outshine others for lighting, busyness and accessibility to the rest of the Park. We help direct our clients in choosing the best ceremony beaches on Lake McDonald!
Glacier Park Elopement Ceremony Locations Around Many Glacier
Glacier Park Elopement Ceremony Locations Throughout St Mary
Glacier Park Elopement Ceremony Locations at Logan Pass
Want to see more real life elopements in these places? Click here!
STEP FOUR:
Reach Out to Us & Start Planning For Your Own Big Day!
There's no need to worry about how to get married in Glacier National Park when you're working with experts who will walk you through it all! We are so excited to hear from you and learn all about your Glacier Park Wedding day dreams!! We can't wait to make those dreams a BEAUTIFUL reality.
Read about our Lovestory Philosophy on Montana elopements, here!
WHY HIRE LOVELIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY FOR YOUR GLACIER NATIONAL PARK WEDDING!?
We are Glacier National Park Elopement Experts and Glacier National Park Wedding Experts! Couples elope in Montana BECAUSE they want an easy, carefree marrying experience and that’s where we come in!
You've found your dream Montana Elopement Photographer and Planning Team! And your dream Glacier National Park wedding photographer! Want help eloping in Glacier National Park!? Many of our potential clients aren’t sure how to get married in Glacier National Park, but we’ve got you covered! Not only will we help create an incredible day for you, we have the most incredible Glacier National Park Wedding packages to help make your day perfect! We’ll take care of it all!
We're Montana's Leaders In Effortless, Stress Free Glacier National Park Weddings and Offer Incredible Glacier National Park Elopement Packages
We want your Glacier elopement day to be WILDLY successful, stress free and effortless! That way, you can just focus on getting married in a really beautiful way and in a really beautiful place! The way it was meant to be! We provide the following for ALL of our Glacier National Park weddings.
LEARN MORE BELOW!
We're Experienced Glacier National Park Elopement Elopement Photographers & Glacier Park Experts!
We are true Montana locals and have been Glacier National Park Elopement Photographers for 14 years and are experts at Glacier Park weddings - nothing surprises us anymore and we are ready to pivot and make beautiful magic for your Glacier elopement! We know how to handle our naughty, beloved, unruly Park and bring Glacier Park wedding days together beautifully, regardless of what the Park has in store for your Glacier Park wedding day!
CLICK TO READ MORE ABOUT US!
Spectacular Glacier Park Elopement Photography & Unparalleled Lighting Artistry
After all of these years as a Glacier National Park Elopement Photographer Team, we are true lighting experts in Glacier! We love making art and know what to anticipate in Glacier from season to season, and even day to day! Your Glacier Park wedding photos will be EXCEPTIONAL with true vibrant colors and magical, whimsical light. See our Portfolio here!
Mindful Strategy When Planning Your Glacier National Park Elopement
Exceptional Client Care For Our Glacier National Park Wedding Couples
Unparalleled All Inclusive Glacier National Park Elopement Packages
Glacier Park Elopement packages for Glacier Park weddings are extraordinary and truly tailored to Glacier National Park weddings! After many years as a Glacier National Park Elopement Photographer Team, we have filled the need we saw arising again and again, and have truly created the most comprehensive all-inclusive elopement packages Glacier National Park. Read More Below!
Glacier Park National Park Wedding Locations, Areas & Lodging Assistance
Wondering When to Married in Glacier Park! We're Here to Help!
Crazy Weather? We're Known For Our Naughty Weather Readiness in Naughty Glacier
We're the Original Glacier Park Girl Scouts
We're Really, Really Fun Humans, Dammit
MORE ON OUR SPECTACULAR GLACIER NATIONAL PARK ELOPEMENT PACKAGES
We offer the best most comprehensive all inclusive packages Glacier National Park in the country! We have the Best Glacier National Park Wedding Packages that are truly tailre for Glacier National Park Weddings!
Our Glacier Park Elopement packages for Glacier Park weddings are extraordinary and truly tailored to Glacier National Park weddings! After many years as a Glacier National Park Elopement Photographer Team, we have filled the need we saw arising again and again, and have truly created the most comprehensive all-inclusive elopement packages Glacier National Park.
We'll Take Care of it All!
We love making eloping in Glacier National Park truly easy, effortless and GORGEOUS for our clients! We love our couples! From simple Glacier Park weddings to fully planned, all inclusive events, our Glacier National Park Elopement Packages are unparalleled in ease and care & are truly tailored to your vision & dreams!
HIRE US And Just Like That, Your Elopement In Glacier National Park is Planned!
Just get a spectacular dress and book those flights & rooms!
We have built incredible local vendor relationships over the years and are able to pull your Glacier National Park wedding together very quickly after booking! And then voila, your Glacier Park Elopement is on the docket and you’re well on your way to being able to say you got married in Glacier National Park! Soon, you’ll be saying your vows to your beloved amidst the rugged mountains and turquoise rivers!
Take A Closer Look At Our Incredible Glacier National Park Wedding Packages and Overall Offerings
Are you curious what kind of amazing elopement services and offerings are included in our Glacier National Park wedding packages and all inclusive elopement packages Glacier National Park?
Click the arrow to read more and see gorgeous images.
Breathtaking Glacier National Park Wedding Day Photography Coverage
We're the most light crafting Glacier National Park elopement photographer team in the state! Your Glacier National Park wedding photos will be STUNNING and unparalleled in real, natural color, deep emotion and dreamy light! We have partial and full day package options - all of our packages are fully customizable! You’ve found your dream Glacier National Park elopement photographer! Read more about our elopement photography here.
The Best Glacier National Park Elopement Officiants & Custom Ceremonies
We work with the best Glacier National Park wedding officiants and pair your officiant to your personalties to ensure a wonderful day in warm, comforting company who someone who is excited to share in your day. When having a tiny micro wedding, who you surround yourself with matters! Our officiants will design a custom ceremony just for you and lead you through the perfect Glacier National Park wedding ceremony!
Stunning Glacier National Park Wedding Day Florals
Gorgeous Professional Hair & Makeup for your Glacier Park Wedding
Unmatched Stylized Mini Mountainside Glacier Park Elopement Picnics
The Cutest Cakes for Glacier Park Weddings!
Celebration Options For Your Glacier Park Elopement Day Guests!
Guides and Guidance
What is our Epic All Day All Inclusive Glacier National Park Wedding Package?
Our most popular and most booked Glacier National Park wedding package! A comprehensive and compelling full day photography and full planning package for a truly easy, effortless, unforgettable wedding in Glacier National Park! A little wedding hybrid: We're there for your amazing details imagery, getting ready portraits, first look, ceremony and all of the adventuring until sunset. A remarkable experience and we'll take excellent care of you!
You can see real life examples of this incredible package here!
And you can read more about it on our Montana Elopement Guide
PLANNING TO HAVE A CLASSIC WEDDING AT ONE OF OUR AMAZING GLACIER NATIONAL PARK WEDDING VENUES?
We love elopements but we also photograph classic sized weddings and have for 14 years! If you're looking for the best Glacier National Park wedding venues to host Glacier National Park weddings, please reach out! We will be putting a new blog out soon, too! Review our wedding philosophy and overall offerings for weddings here and review our actual photography packages for Montana weddings, here!
IN CONCLUSION
Eloping in Glacier National Park is extraordinary! We are so excited for you! We hope this guide has helped you! And we hope to hear from you about your own big day!
Come learn more about us, our style and experience, as well our Montana elopement packages and Glacier National park offerings here!
WANT TO SEE OUR GLACER PARK ELOPEMENTS IN REAL LIFE?
WANT TO READ MORE ABOUT OUR GLACIER NATIONAL PARK ELOPEMENT PACKAGES & PRICING?
COME GET TO KNOW US, YOUR FAVE NEW GLACIER NATIONAL PARK ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHERS!
LET'S CONNECT REACH OUT TO US!
FAQs Recap About Getting Married in Glacier National Park
1. Do I need a permit to get married in Glacier National Park?
Yes, all weddings in Glacier National Park require a Special Use Permit. This ensures your event adheres to park regulations and minimizes environmental impact.
2. How much does the wedding permit cost?
The permit fee is typically $125. Be sure to check the official park website for the most current pricing.
3. What are the best locations for a wedding in Glacier National Park?
Popular locations include Lake McDonald, Many Glacier, and St Mary but there are many locations to consider. Each offers unique scenery and charm.
4. When is the best time of year to get married in the park?
The most favorable months are late June through early September, offering mild weather and access to most locations but this should not have you discount other seasons like spring, fall and winter - these are also beautiful options for getting married in Glacier National Park but just require additional planning.
5. Can I bring decorations and amplified music?
No, the park prohibits amplified music and large decorations to preserve its natural beauty. Consider minimalist and conservation minded decor options.
6. How many guests can I invite?
Group sizes are typically limited to ensure minimal impact on the environment. Check your permit for specific restrictions.
7. Should I hire local vendors for my Glacier Park wedding?
Yes, local photographers, florists, and officiants are familiar with the park’s rules and can provide invaluable assistance.
Your Glacier National Park Wedding Checklist
Apply for Your Permit: Submit your application and fee early after getting professional assistance from a local photographer
Scout Locations: If not using a local photographer for their expertise, try to choose a site that suits your style and guest list.
Hire Local Vendors: Book Glacier National Park photographers, florists, and officiants that are truly familiar with the park.
Plan Guest Accommodations: Recommend nearby lodging and transportation as these areas can book up.
Prepare for the Outdoors: Remind guests to wear appropriate shoes and pack layers.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jessica is the owner and lead photographer at Lovelight Photography, where she has been a professional portrait, wedding & elopement photographer in Montana near Glacier National Park for nearly 14 years! Learn more about Jessica, here.
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