I was so fortunate to team up with An Epic Elopement for this sweet little elopement at Avalanche Creek in Glacier National Park. Just Michelle and Tyler, Tyler's parents, Michelle's best friends, myself, and Katie officiating. Michelle made her own bouqet with blooms from Two Kays Flower Farm, we took some lovely photos in a few different spots in the park, and they had dinner at the Belton Chalet just outside the West entrance.
A few weeks ago I got a text from my friend Katie with An Epic Elopement to see if I was available on a Tuesday for a quick elopement in West Glacier. As it turned out I was available and was happy to jump at the chance to once again work with her to document a lovely couple's nuptials.
Why only two weeks in advance? Well, Carly and Steve just happened to be in the area helping some friends move to the Flathead Valley, and decided they'd go ahead and get married while they were here. They've been together for years and engaged for several of those years. After getting engaged people would ask Steve when the wedding was and he would respond "Tuesday." Turns out, he's been telling the truth all this time.
We met up at the old Belton Bridge outside Glacier National Park for a sweet ceremony, celebrated with tequila shots afterward, and then headed into Apgar Village just inside the park for some portraits on the shores of Lake McDonald.
Planner: An Epic Elopement / Officiant: Raul with Best Day Officiants
When you get a call from your friend Sarah Harding to see if you're available on a weekday for an hour for a sweet elopement in the park, you don't say no. Bonus points for the couple wanting to include the Jeep they've been driving across the country.
Susan and Steve were visiting from Lousianna and while they were still going to have a big party for friends and family back home, they thought "why not do something intimate with just the two of us?" And I couldn't agree more. It was super low-stress, we chatted about life and Jeeps, and Sarah and I got to be part of something extremely special.
I met Dee and Steve through wedding planner extraordinaire Kate Jimenez with An Epic Elopement. They'd initially contacted her for her all-inclusive elopement package but after consultation—and because she's such a sweetheart—she realized they didn't really need that much for what they were looking to do. After contacting me to see if I was available, she basically handed them off to me and suggested they order a bouquet from Mum's Flowers in Whitefish, and it would be super simple. They weren't needing an officiant, they were simply going to exchange vows between themselves, which for now does not require a special permit to be obtained from Glacier National Park ahead of time.
Initially, our plans were for a part of the park that sometimes opens by early June but with the unpredictability of weather, and a very late winter storm we experienced in Northwest Montana that was unfortunately not possible, but I think we found a suitable alternate location, and it was such an honor to play my small role in documenting their exchange of vows.
Teaming up with officiant extraordinaire Sarah Harding is always such a pleasure, and doing so with Jennifer and Vincent on the North Fork was no exception. Though I suppose it didn't start out that way for the couple. What with getting married at the forefront of their mind, the marriage license was left at home and they had to turn around to go get it and Jennifer forgot Vincent's ring.
Now normally, this could really sour the mood of a couple on such a special occasion, but love and positivity won out, as everyone involved simply laughed it off, a 'ring' was fashioned out of some grass, and the ceremony went off without a hitch. Well, I suppose it went off with one hitch, that of Jennifer and Vincent 'getting hitched.' but that is all semantics.
A week or so before they were to elope I received a message from Lianne to see if I were available to photograph their simple elopement ceremony with just the two of them and their officiant. I happened to be free that afternoon and was more than happy to do so. They were both so sweet, and you've got to love the expression on Ron's face as they said their vows to each other. It's such an honor to be a part of these intimate moments in people's lives.
Venue: Whitefish City Beach / Officiant: Lichen & Pines / Flowers: Mum's Flowers
Brittany and Jon's July 4th elopement was special for several reasons. One is that I consider any time I get to document such an intimate and important part of anyone's life that is a special thing. Secondly, they're close friends of Marina & David's who might sound familiar from the blog post immediately preceding this one! So it was great to see them again the day after their wedding and spend some more time with them and Sarah Harding who officiated both weddings. Finally, it was just great to get to know Brittany and Jon and spend some time with them in such a special place.
Working with Paige and Victor both leading up to their Glacier National Park elopement and the actual elopement itself couldn't have gone any more perfectly. We enjoyed absolutely perfect weather, they were both relaxed, and their immediate family was so sweet, and by the end of the evening, it was like hanging out with old friends.
One thing I love about our wedding and event community here in the Flathead Valley of Northwest Montana is you often get to work with the same vendors on repeat occasions. One such occasion was getting a text from officiant Kate Berry just a couple of weeks after working with her on Ashley & Scott's perfect intimate wedding. Ana and Steve were on their way to Whitefish—with their two pups in tow!—to officially elope after a weeks-long, cross-country road trip complete with staged elopements with their respective families. Upon arrival in Montana, they encountered a freak blizzard which wasn't the most fun thing to drive through, but they made it safe and sound to the Hidden Moose Lodge, which is where I got to meet up with them for some getting ready shots and a first look. It was then off to West Glacier for the big event, some shots, and then portraits!
Lodging: Hidden Moose Lodge / Officiant: Kate Berry / Florals: Mum's Flowers
