TABLE OF CONTENTS
• 2025 & 2026 Glacier National Park Updates
• Locations & Permits for Elopements in the park
• Marriage License for a Glacier National Park Elopement
• Make your travel plans!!
• When is the best time to Elope in the park?
• Book your vendors!
• Activities & Things to do for Glacier National Park Elopements!
• Elizabeth Clairmont Photography, YOUR personal GNP Elopement Photographer!
You can find everything you need to know about the park and what's going on if you visit this website! https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
One of the best things that makes eloping in Glacier National Park so unique and perfect is the number of locations to choose from. My job is to help YOU pick the perfect location, depending on just how far you want to hike, and what views draw you the most.
Do you want to see waterfalls, wildlife, or a beautiful lake for your backdrop? Think no further and let me guide you to your perfect location.
Lake McDonald
Two Medicine Lake
Pray Lake
Swiftcurrent Lake
Many Glacier
Polebridge
Bowman Lake
Sun Point
Logan's Pass
Big Bend
Running Eagle Falls
- CEREMONIES ARE PERMITTED AT CERTAIN LOCATIONS IN THE PARK. ALONG WITH GUEST COUNT MAXIMUMS! THE MORE GUESTS YOU HAVE, THE MORE LIMITED YOU’LL BE WITH LOCATIONS.
- PERMITS CAN BE COMPETITIVE. IF YOU’RE APPLYING, FOR SUMMER OR FALL OF 2026, GET THEM IN NOW! ALWAYS HAVE A BACKUP LOCATION IN MIND.
- APPLICATIONS ARE APPROVED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
- THE GLACIER NATIONAL PARK ELOPEMENT FEE IS $125.00
SEE THE LINK BELOW TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WEBSITE & LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ELOPEMENT PERMIT AND ALL OF THE NECESSARY STEPS YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE.
https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/weddings.htm
When you have received your permit, don’t forget to bring it with you! It has not happened to me personally, but park rangers can & will stop you to check and see that you have the permit.
It’s super important to talk with your photographer about locations & times. You will need to put these onto the permit application as well as how many people you will have with you.
One of the easiest things you’ll ever do is obtain a marriage license for your elopement. Let me tell you, ITS SO EASY! There is absolutely no waiting period, it’ll be good for 180 days!
You will have to go pick up your marriage license at the Flathead County Courthouse, in Kalispell MT.
920 South Main, Suite 300
Kalispell, MT 59901
Hours are Monday- Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
To make things easier, you can apply here https://flatheadcounty.gov/department-directory/clerk_of_court for your marriage license. It will be a $53.00 fee, and you will need to make sure you bring your driver’s license OR passport. After you are married and sign your marriage license, you will need to drop it off or mail it in along with this form. https://flatheadcounty.gov/application/files/3817/4423/6324/Marriage_License_Request_form.pdf
The closest airport to fly is Glacier International Airport. Conveniently, it is in Kalispell, MT, which is just 45 minutes outside of the west entrance to the park.
To have the best stay, check into staying in Kalispell, Whitefish, or Columbia Falls. There, you will have access to the best breweries, restaurants, and tons of great local shops!
Personally, I’m an AIR BNB Gal & there are SO many beautiful Airbnb’s nestled in our valley!
If you’re looking to lodge, find a list below of all the wonderful spots to stay!
Glacier Raft Company
Grouse Mountain Lodge
Whitefish Lodge
Firebrand Hotel
Glacier Park Lodge
Many Glacier Lodge
Izaak Walton Inn
St. Mary Village
Mountain Lake Lodge
Tourist season is BUSY in the park. In my opinion, a weekday is great for an elopement! Weekends and during the day are typically packed with tourists and the park is the busiest from 8:00 a.m. to around 5:00 p.m. I recommend having a sunset or sunrise ceremony! Our summer nights in Montana are really long and especially in June & July, which the sun typically sets around 10:00 p.m. That gives you a lot of time to have your ceremony and take your photos in the park!
A sunrise elopement is not for everyone, but it is magical! If you are feeling adventurous and want to capture the stunning sunrises that happen in the park, then it might be a great option for you!
The best lighting is for sure in the early morning or during sunset. I would recommend that you have your ceremony 3-4 hours before sunset. This way you can beat out the traffic and enjoy the amazing lighting GNP offers during those times!
This IS one of the most important pieces to making your day perfect! Sometimes, the amazing vendors in our valley book up to a whole year in advance, so it's best to reach out as soon as you can! Here is a list of vendors in the Flathead Valley that I recommend!
Hair:
Bridal Bliss Hair & Makeup
Elegance by Joy Renee
Glacier Beauty Co.
Majestic Mountain Beauty Wedding Hair & Makeup
Montana Spa Bridal
Makeup:
Boundless Beauty Studio
Bridal Bliss Hair & Makeup
Elegance by Joy Renee
Glacier Beauty Co.
Majestic Mountain Beauty Wedding Hair & Makeup
Montana Spa Bridal
Florals:
Forage and Floral
Mum's Flowers
Conrad Floral
Glacier Floral Designs
The Bungalow
Rose Mountain Floral
Cake:
Fleur Bake Shop
Ceres Bakery
Bakes and Cakes by Brie
Bonjour Bakery
In the Flathead Valley, there are so many fun things to do outside of the park! Here are some of the must do's to add to your list while you are here.
Flathead Lake! One of my favorite places on earth!
Horseback Riding - https://www.swanmountainglacier.com/
Red Bus Tours - https://www.glaciernationalparklodges.com/red-bus-tours/
Ziplining - https://glacier-ziplines.com/
Boat Tours - https://glacierparkboats.com/
The best advice I can give when choosing the person to document your day is to LOVE their style & find the right one to connect with. You want to feel comfortable with your photographer, and it's so important to be picky when deciding. You want to look back at your photos and feel like you are reliving that moment! I love my clients, and I love gaining life long friends through this crazy, adventurous hobby of mine. So lets chat, and get to know each other!