Glacier is one of the most stunning national parks we have. Eloping in Glacier is easy, thanks to the NPS permitting department, the easy location choices, and a little help from me. It's no secret that this is one of my favorite national parks. Here’s what’s needed to elope in Glacier National Park…
Bring $53 with you, or a credit card (although in most places a transaction fee will be added on). No waiting periods or blood tests are required. They’re good for 180 days and witnesses aren’t required. Neither are licensed officiants – you can pull off a random Joe off the street to marry you! If that doesn’t sound like your idea of fun, I can refer several officiants who can conduct a ceremony. If you’re just wanting to read love letters, but have a licensed officiant sign it anyway, I’m a licensed officiant and can do that for you!
The great thing about GNP is the great locations you have to choose from. I’m here to help you choose the best location for you, depending on how long you want to hike, what views you want, and how close you want to be to lodging, dining options for after your ceremony, etc. Firstly, Glacier National Park permits department does a great job at expediting permits. They strive to have your permit approved and back to you within a couple of weeks (if not less). That isn’t the case with all national parks. From West Glacier to Two Medicine to Many Glacier, there are tons of backdrop options. Do you like large lakes? Great big horns and glacial aretes in the background? Maybe you want a waterfall or someplace where seeing a moose is likely. You’ve got me for a variety of locations and I can help you choose something that fits your personality and desires.
Inside Info: I know everyone loves Logan Pass, but permits are not issued for Hidden Lake Trail due to popularity and foot traffic.
West Glacier: West Glacier has more options when it comes to lodging outside the park. Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls have tons of options. This side of the park is more spendy, and if you’re wanting to elope on the east side of the park (Two Medicine and Many Glacier), it’s at least a 2 hour drive via Going to The Sun Road, or Highway 2. Here are some awesome AirBnbs in the Whitefish and Kalispell area!
East Glacier: While the east side of the park has limited lodging options, it’s easier access to a lot of the more “epic” views (not that West Glacier isn’t badass!). Many Glacier has a few in-park options, and Babb is just outside of the Many Glacier entrance – it has a few more rustic selections (think tiny homes and basic amenities cabins). The nearest town is Browning, about a 30 minute car ride away on the Blackfeet reservation. Here is the link to the Many Glacier Lodge as well as the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, which are both in-park and in high demand, but probably your best bet on the east side when it comes to bang for your buck.
Inside Info: There is nearly no cell reception anywhere inside the park. This is particularly true on the east side, where cell service only begins once you are fully out of the park. West Glacier has spotty cell service in Apgar, and that’s about as good as it gets.
I might as well start off with a photographer: me. On top of being your photographer, I’ll be there to help you select a location, refer you to amazing vendors, and be there to cheer you on during every step of your elopement (see more photo inspiration here and here). It’s SO important to have a relationship with your photographer. They’ll be there on your wedding day to not only capture your day, but lend support, laugh and cry with you, be a Sherpa, and so much more. We’ll figure out and unpack what your ideal day would be together, so we can ensure that it’s uniquely you and what you want.
Hair & Makeup: Ty Nikole has been the one I refer any bride to for makeup. She’s flexible and all my couples have enjoyed her. For hair, Christina Stevens is great!
Florals: I’ve had brides use Farmgirl Flowers, but I’ve only heard good things about Rose Mountain Floral.
As soon as I spoke to Sam on the phone we connected and I knew there was no one else I would rather have in my corner to pull off the magical adventurous wedding I had in mind! Sam was super communicative, crazy knowledgeable, and just so much fun to work with!
Do yourself a solid and cancel your wedding, hire Sam, and run away and marry your sweetie like you really want to!
Sam did more than I ever imagined a photographer would. She removed any piece that could have seemed overwhelming.
On top of all of that, she’s a fantastic photographer and a phenomenal person. Our wedding day was a group of friends, trudging through the woods (hot tea in hand, thanks to her and her husband), laughing, talking, and getting pictures along the way.
Have to give it up for Sam! We had a blast, and the pictures turned out better than we could have hoped. She put us at ease and by the end of the day we were all laughing and just having fun!!
She picked a perfect location and had a timeline sent to me in no time! I seriously just had to show up. There was not one single thing I had to worry about that day. She truly made it intimate and about us two. I would not pick any other person to capture that day.
Sam helped us really figure out what we were wanting and how to achieve that feeling...and gave us the confidence to stick to our wishes, even if they were non-traditional! She honestly felt like working with a goofy friend. The pictures were more than we could have imagined...and for my husband who really is shy in front of the camera? You never would have known! Sam made it SO easy.
We were just overwhelmed with Sam's help in finding essentially our wedding location.
She’s everything rolled into ONE.
I can’t thank her enough for capturing what we were picturing in our heads, so well. Not only did Sam capture our wedding day but she became a friend, who I will refer just about any and everyone to now.
Sound like a Glacier National Park elopement might be your kind of deal? Get in touch below!
Interested in something that involves an overnight trip to Sperry or Granite Park Chalet? Babe, you’ve come to the right place.
Spend your wedding day in complete connection with your spouse.
Heyooo! I'm Sam.
And I regret my wedding day.
I cried when I got home after our reception. And they weren't happy tears. I didn't get to spend more than 10 minutes with my new husband. We weren't connected on the day. Our wedding became about everyone else, and wasn't who we were at all. It wasn't anything like what we were really about.
Let me tell you my story...
