HOW TO ELOPE IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK *2023 UPDATE

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 Glacier National Park is one of those special places that take your breath away. You do not need to go to the Arctic to be surrounded by breathtaking views of glaciers. If an enchanting mountain elopement is your dream, you simply must consider Glacier National Park for stunning pictures with your love among snow-capped mountains, alpine meadows, and spectacular lakes. We created this Guide on How to Elope in Glacier to help couples who live far away with planning their dream elopement.

As adventurous elopement photography and videography team, native to Montana we enjoy accompanying couples as they have a blast committing to each other for life. Love is one heck of an adventure; why not show it off by creating visual poetry together in the mountains of Montana? Keep reading this guide to how to elope in Glacier to learn more.

 

Why Elope in Glacier National Park?

Before we delve into the hows of a Glacier National Park elopement, let’s quickly cover the basics as to why people elope. Traditionally, people used to run away to get married due to a lack of support from family members. Sometimes that’s still the case, but the top reasons we hear as to why people choose to tie the knot far from friends and family are:

• Authenticity: a wedding is about two people coming together and making a vast, exciting commitment. That can get lost in planning a big wedding.

 

• Intimacy: just the two of you plus elopement photographers who will have a blast with you and blend into the background when they need to.

 

• Finances: many couples would prefer to love life adventurously and splurge on photo & video and fun activities  for their once in a lifetime elopement, rather than an open bar and dinner for 200 guests.

 

Psst, friends and family, don’t feel left out because you’re not invited to the intimate, remote ceremony. It does not mean you’re not important to the couple.

We promise, they still love you!

 

Trying to decide if Glacier National Park is the elopement location of your dreams?

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION CALL

 

 

 

Wedding Permit Needed for you to Elope in Glacier National Park

Let’s be honest; you probably landed on our blog because you want your elopement to be a legendary adventure, far from phones, responsibilities, and the dreaded paperwork.

Elopement or not, some of this process takes some preparation… and, of course, paperwork. We promise, we promise it’ll be worth it for your dreamy glacier elopement.

If you want to get married at Glacier National Park, you first must apply for a special use permit. Get this started as soon as you know that mission glacier elopement is a go, go, go! The application pack can be downloaded and filled in here.

If you’re the type of person, who’s now thinking, “I can do an elopement without signing any paperwork, and that way I won’t need a permit,” you may be disappointed. Glacier National Park considers all exchanging of vows to need a special use permit.

The cost of the special use permit comes with a $125 fee, which includes your ticket entry for your wedding day. However, this does not include your entry fee into the park, which runs another $35.

 

 

Locations to visit when you choose to Elope in Glacier National Park

 

This How To Guide to Help you Elope in Glacier has many different locations it covers, but they each come with their own regulations to protect their majestic beauty. Check out this list for the available dates, permit time limits, and other specific restrictions.

 

Logan Pass

Logan Pass is probably one of the most popular locations in the park and the hardest to find a parking spot. Even if you try to get here early you will need to be patient and wait for a parking spot, but it will be worth it for the view you will have on the hike to Hidden Lake.

*Please stay on the trail. Glacier Park is trying to re-vegetate the area which is ultra-sensitive to traffic since there is such a short growing season in this area of Montana. Also, note that we followed the rules in the photo below I Photoshopped out the ropes that they use to help keep visitors on the trail.

This a great place to see mountain goats! You might even get lucky and have mountain goats do some photo bombing while your photographer & videographer are documenting your Epic Glacier Adventure!!

 

The Going to the Sun Road

Once the Going to the Sun Road opens towards the end of June. (Depends on how fast they get snow removal done.) There are an untold number of beautiful locations to stop at on your drive to take gorgeous images of you and your love!

Trail of Cedars

This is a really pretty area where you can take short hike amongst the ferns and old growth cedars.

 

From here you can take a longer hike to Avalanche Lake which is spectacular. On this hike we always get a chance to see lots of wildlife!

 

Lake McDonald

This is one of the locations in that Park that people have access to all year long. So if you wanted a winter elopement this would be the best location for your elopement.

Want to adventure around the lake, but don’t want to get sweaty? You can rent motorized bikes and tour around the lake and ride up the Going to the Sun road which is a lot of fun before the road opens up for motorists toward the end of June or beginning of July depending on snow removal.

• Please check out the Glacier Park website for updates on the road construction that is being done on the road that runs by the lake. Some locals may not open until May of 2023.

 

 

Saint Mary’s Lake

An epically beautiful location and one of our favorite stops. Just beware it is pretty much always windy which is wonderful for photography, adding to the mood, but if you don’t like the wind this is not the stop for you.

This has to be one of the most beautiful spots in the park. You can even see a video from this location in the intro for the Big Sky TV Show that is supposed to take place in Montana but is actually filmed in New Mexico. This location is so stunning that they wanted to include it in the intro!! Enough said.

 

Many Glacier

Our absolute FAVORITE place in Glacier! Be prepared for any weather….it can change at a moment’s notice making for GORGEOUS imagery! The mountains around the lake are absolutely stunning.

The Many Glacier Hotel has all the OLD EUROPEAN VIBES OF SWITZERLAND and is a fun place for photos!

A great adventure that you can have at Many Glacier is to take a boat tour around Swift Current lake and Lake Josephine with a short hike in between. Also, if you book a boat tour it will include a vehicle permit!! A great way to get in to see Many Glacier if you missed your chance to pick a permit up online.

If you brought your hiking boots one of the best hikes in the park can be accessed here. The Hike to Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint. The views are so epic you’ll forget you are even hiking!

 

CONTACT US TODAY so that we can start planning your Wildly Adventurous Glacier Park Elopement!

 

 

What is the Best Time of Year for Your Elopement in Glacier National Park

The weather here in Montana is pretty unpredictable. Can you think of any other places that will get above 90 degrees and snow on the same day? You need to pack and prepared for all types of weather even in July and August. Those mountains get cold. There are after all… glaciers.  See what we did there.

Oh, and don’t worry about changing lighting conditions from the dynamic cloud cover. as your Montana elopement storytellers, that’s for us to worry about (we’re kind of pros at this).

July/August: Neverending Delights

July and August tend to experience the best weather in Glacier National Park, with minimal chances of rain and snow often unending daylight. But be prepared for crazy long days with sunrise at 5:30 and sunset at 9:30. Additionally, almost all of the park’s natural venues are open for weddings during this time. Depending on weather fluctuations and crowds of tourists, your dream location may become difficult or impossible to access.

May/June: Floral Escape

Another great option is a May or June elopement. You get a slightly more temperate climate and have the mountain come alive with flowers and greenery. It feels like something out of the Sound of Music. Singing and dancing are optional! But definitely bring some warmer clothes as it can be very chilly. We’ll bring some cocoa to warm those shivers away.

September/October: Golden Autumn Glow

Love the golden glow of the autumnal season? Then consider September or October for saying, “I do.” Again bear in mind this is when it is most likely to rain, snow, or sleet. Pack accordingly. But facing down the weather, In my humble opinion, is worth it. That Fall lighting is like nothing else, and I’d gladly freeze my tootsies off in exchange for making magical stories about snow on the mountain tops.

 

Trying to decide on the best time of year to elope in Glacier National Park? SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION CALL and we are happy to help. Any other burning questions about planning your Glacier Elopement?

 

 

Seven Tips for Planning Your Elopement in Glacier National Park:

1. Time of Day Tip: We recommend planning your elopement around sunrise or sunset. Don’t forget how early and late this is during peak season.  The big bonus is that this allows for greater privacy and that special golden hour lighting. With that fairy tail lighting your experience, your pictures, and your video will knock you straight out of your bridal hiking boots – even before hitting the champagne bottle!

2. 2023 UPDATE: If you are having your ceremony in Glacier National Park and have a permit that will be your pass to enter the park. Glacier Park Has A Ticket Entry System: You will need a ticket to enter the Glacier National Park for four areas of the park: Going to the Sun Road, the North Fork, Two Medicine and Many Glacier. between the hours of 6 am-3 pm starting sometime in late May 26nd and running until September 10th. The great news is that this is included in your wedding special use permit for all the participants, but ONLY for your wedding day. If you want to have adventures on other days around your wedding, you will need a ticket to enter the park during these times.

Other Good News is that the sun sets late in Montana and you can get sunset photos without a permit!! For more information check out the Glacier National Park website.

3. Shoes: remember the terrain may be a bit rougher than a few cobblestones. We recommend hiking boots to get to your location, and then you can change into those elegant heels.

4. Layer Up: Seriously, this is the 3rd time we’ve warned you. This is important with the weather changing in an instant, you will want to make sure you have a backup wrap, cardigan or pretty coat/jacket as part of your wedding ensemble. You may possibly need to find a way to add an additional layer. A big bonus tip, if it’s cold, wearing nude leggings under your dress will be a shiver saver.

5. Marriage License: you will need a Montana marriage license which is $53 + a small fee to pay with a credit card in addition to the permit to elope at Glacier National Park. Do you need an officiant? Matthew can do that for you!

6. Book Your Vendors: Glacier has become a very popular place to get married and elope. So once you have made the decision to elope and you have booked your photographer and videographer then you need to make sure you get all of your other vendors booked as well, because everyone books up fast! If you work with Tami Renae Photo and Film you will get help with booking your vendors and have access to their preferred vendor list.

7. Follow the Rules: respect the park and leave no trace to keep the park and its wildlife safe and accessible for generations to come. Here is Glacier National Park’s website on proper park conduct. New to the great outdoors? Check out the “leave no trace” and “recreate responsibly” campaigns for more information on how to preserve our irreplaceable natural places.

Happy eloping, love birds! I hope you found this Guide How to Elope in Glacier helpful. If you are interested in learning more check out our other blog posts here.

 

About: Tami Renae Photo & Films

We are Tami and Matt, two adventurous souls who have found their calling as Montana elopement photographer and videographer team. We love being there for one of the most significant moments in people’s lives – tears, laughter, and tears of laughter included!

Glacier National Park is one of our favorite places to join eloping couples when they tie the knot. The park is enormous, so feel free to ask us for advice on the very best spots to get hitched! We know that it can be stressful to think about planning an elopement long distance. We pride ourselves in not only being there to document your day, but also doing most of the heavy lifting of planning your elopement so that you don’t have to stress.

Give us a call or shoot us an email so we can get to know you a little better. We want to know your favorite ice cream flavor, the weirdest thing you’ve done, and what you want to see in your elopement photos. Are you ready to have your love story captured in its most beautiful forms? We sure are!

 

CONTACT US TODAY so that we can start planning your Wildly Adventurous Glacier Park Elopement!

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