Josh and Taylor traveled from Pennsylvania to elope in the dramatic mountains of Montana, where snow-packed peaks, glassy lake reflections, and early summer wildflowers set the stage for an unforgettable day. This Montana elopement perfectly captures the wild, unpredictable beauty of the high country and a love rooted in faith and adventure.

When Kade and Addie reached out about their 4-wheeler-only access to a secluded lake tucked deep in Montana’s untouched mountains, I didn’t hesitate for a second. Having a place like that entirely to ourselves sounded like an adventure photographer’s dream.

We loaded up our vehicles and made our way up what was technically called a road—but felt far more like a rugged trail—before hiking higher into the mountains. The path wound upward to a lake hidden in a bowl of shale, quiet and untouched.

As evening settled in, Kade and Addie exchanged vows with their two sweet dogs as witnesses. We watched the sun slip behind the mountains as the stars slowly revealed themselves overhead. We talked about the stories these mountains hold and the origins of their ominous name, wrapped in the stillness that only places like this offer.

Before dawn, Kade and Addie were up again to catch the sunrise spilling over the grand, jagged peaks. We wandered to a waterfall cascading from the lake and explored a rocky valley that felt entirely otherworldly. To top off the morning, they capped it all with a Notebook-style swim in the icy lake.

Backpacking elopements are relaxed, intimate, and deeply meaningful—an experience I can’t recommend enough.

Daniel and Laiken chose to step away from the expectations of a big wedding and travel from Kentucky to a state they’d never seen—Montana—to elope. They arrived in October, a month known for beauty in every direction and weather that can’t make up its mind.

Their day swung from blasting snow to warm autumn sun, and they embraced every shift with ease. For Laiken, eloping in Montana wasn’t a whim; it was a long-held dream. Watching them move through this landscape as that dream became real was an honor I’m grateful to have witnessed.

Dan and Hannah chose the iconic Lake Mcdonald for their intimate wedding ceremony. The incredible summer day did not end there and we drove up the hill to the top of Going to the Sun road and caught the best sunset rays. I can’t think of a better place for your wedding day or a better way to celebrate.

Hair and Makeup: The Edge

Dress: Azazie

Invites: The Knot

Jewelry: Niche of Time

Gorgeous Many Glacier adventurous hiking elopement. Nestled in the Montana wilderness, Swiftcurrent Lake and falls is the ultimate place to make your dream of an intimate wedding or elopement come true.

Mike and Nicole chose the amazing Silver Knot to get married at and the day before their wedding, they decided on an adventurous hike in their wedding attire to watch the sun set on their last day before becoming man and wife. Watching the sun kiss the mountains as it slipped away on a perfect summer evening on a night like this - it doesn’t get much better.

Dress: Kenzo by All Who Wander

Jewelry: Rogers and Co.

He’s a guitar teacher. She’s an art teacher. The perfect match. They connected during the pandemic and despite not being able to see each in person for a while, they developed a strong connection. Chris and Deniz said that while scrolling Instagram, they saw Glacier and they just knew, this was the place. The two of them chose an adventure session before their intimate ceremony at Paddle Ridge the next day.

Jessica and I started talking forever ago and we exchanged so a plethora of ideas. Of course, October in the park can be unpredictable. I’m glad they took this chance. The entire day felt like a mix between a painting and a dream and we had the entire park to ourselves!

Matthew and Kristy decided to celebrate their union at the beginning hours of a summer day watching the sun burst over the mountains with their two little ones. If you can’t choose between a wedding an elopement, an option is to get married and then adventure in the mountains afterwards.

If you can’t decide between epic mountain photos and a party with those you love, you can actually have both. It’s called a day-after-session and it doesn’t have to be the day after, it could be a week after, a month after, heck, even a year after. Put back on your gorgeous wedding garb and capture your love in these mountains to remember forever. This was a sunrise session in the impeccable Two Medicine area. Also can we talk about Nancy’s dress from Galia Lahav.

Jack and Shelby got married two weeks prior to this honeymoon photo session. They were a part of the train derailment in Montana that killed 3 people. Their train flipped halfway and they said if they had been just a few cars up it would have been a total flip. They shared how some kind family from Chester, MT took them in giving them a place to stay and a ride back to Kalispell. They said “everyone in Montana is so nice.” Because of the derailment, Shelby did not have the wedding dress she planned for but was able to get one from Mimis Bridal in Kalispell. Their attitude in all of this was incredible and I know if they can whether these storms, they can whether anything that comes their way. In case you are wondering, this session was in late September in Glacier National Park, Montana.

Celebrating 20 years together is a monumental milestone. Is there a better way to celebrate than on a stormy Montana evening with your horses, kids, dogs, and other animals that you have accumulated through the years watching the promise of a rainbow fill the sky and while reminiscing the past knowing the future will be even better.

Rainy foggy days bring with them their own mystical vibes. My first tip to those coming to Glacier is that with all of your packing, the most important thing you can bring is your sense of adventure. Hiking through this trail in the early dawn hours felt like a movie and gazing on the sun peaking over the mountains without the crowds was proof that our efforts paid off.

If a 2 am meet up time seems like a fantastic adventure, we are a good fit. Nothing makes me happier than ascending a mountain at dark and watching the sun peak it’s way over the ridge as we create magic and selfishly have the peak of the mountain all to ourselves simply because no one else was this dedicated. Paul and Moriah were the perfect candidates for this trek in Glacier National Park with their fantastic attitudes and spunky love for each other.

Dress: Essence of Australia from Something Blue Bridal and Boutique

Drew and Kelsi were road tripping through the country, living out of their camper van, and visiting National Parks. How fitting to get married on your road trip at this stop - the Crown of the Continent? We watched the forecast for the beginning of June and thankfully this amazing spot overlooking St Mary’s Lake was reachable. A laid back couple and gorgeous sunset made the day perfect. I hope you two have many stunning adventures together.

Love Life Media is responsible for a stellar video of this day. Check it out here: https://vimeo.com/568706264

When Brandon and Melissa first reached out to me, they mentioned that they were both from Alabama and coming to Montana to elope and excited to find snow! I assured them, that this would not be too difficult in March in Montana. We hashed out locations and road conditions that time of year, and found this ethereal, frozen wonderland. I had done an ice skating session here before and thought it would make for an amazing spot to promise each other the rest of your life! I will confess the road was a little muddy, but we made it and it was so worth it. Afterward, we wandered into Glacier to explore and had the whole place to ourselves. I loved exchanging stories with Brandon and Melissa throughout the day. I wish you two all of the happiness! Big shout out to Polebridge Mercantile for letting us in for these woodsy photos!

P.S. if you are looking for Spring elopement inspiration, check these out!

When Sarah contacted me for photos on the Oregon Coast, it was a dream come true. The forecast called for a 100 percent chance of rain, but Sarah has a great adventure threshold and said, rain or shine, they would be there!

Even though it was a December day, it was warm…hearing the powerful waves roll in, the sand in our toes, watching my kids experience the ocean for the first time, and experiencing the sun dipping below the horizon was out of this world.

Joel and Sarah share such a love for adventure and wild things. Here’s to the rest of your lives wandering together!

I have to tell you, heading to a slightly different part of the state and exploring this new area was a blast! Devin and Tatum came from the city to get married in the mountains. I will say they made a wonderful decision. It’s hard to believe this day was in November! Still gorgeous weather and that perfect little touch of fall. I had so much fun getting to know Devin and Tatum, learning about their love story, and grabbing some magical moments.

Devin and Tatum described each other as a couple that loves the outdoors and being immersed in nature. Tatum says she is “a free and easy, glass half full, kind of wandering spirit who loves to go shopping; but also loves life’s simple pleasures, adventure, exploring and pushing the boundaries.” She describes Devin as “the most kind-hearted, hard-working, compassionate person she knows. One who appreciates the little things and loves to have a good time with the ones he cares about most. He loves to be out in the country doing country things like fishing, playing with his dog, driving his truck, shooting clays, bonfires, and anything else outdoors. My sweet country boy!”

I love surprise proposals. Driving through the Glacier National Park before the sun rises as the mountains take on silhouettes never gets old. When I arrived, there were probably about 4 other people on the rock. I knew when Jacob and Bailey showed up. He handed me his phone to take a picture of him and his girlfriend and the rest is history. Afterward they shared some morning champagne to celebrate. Is there a better place for it? Congratulations to Jacob and Bailey!

Kara contacted me a few days before her wedding. The photographer she had booked cooked make her flight because of COVID cancellations. When she started telling me about her intimate wedding in Polebridge Montana at SUNRISE, I knew I was going to do anything to clear my schedule and be there! I left my house long before dawn, turned on a good podcast for the partly dirt road travel to this gorgeous meadow nestled beneath jaw-dropping mountains. As I got to know Ken and Kara, I could tell we were going to have a lot of fun exploring. After catching the sun at just the right time for the ceremony, we stuck around for some family photos and amazing pastries from The Northern Lights Saloon You have to check out this bouquet Kara put together herself and this amazing veil and handmade dress!