Majestic Glacier National Park Elopement

I was planning a backpacking trip in Montana and Wyoming right around the same time James and I started dating. When I returned from my trip out West I knew that I was going to live in Montana someday, and even though our relationship was new, I made sure James was on board with that idea too! Five short months later we decided to get engaged. Like many couples with wedding dates in the spring of 2020 we watched early Covid 19 news with our breath held. However, as an elementary school teacher and Registered Nurse we quickly had more than enough to think about, and when the time came to postpone our day, we did so with gratitude that everyone we loved was healthy. We postponed for late August and decided to legally marry on our original date with an officiant.

We knew immediately there was only one place in the States that would give us the mountain views we dreamed of for a perfect vow ceremony… Montana.

Our photographer, Tana Photography, came recommended by our photographer in Canada and after seeing her work on Instagram the choice was easy. To my extreme luck Tana‘s good friend Jamie, who is a professional makeup artist was eager for a mountain adventure so they came as a team!

For our vow exchange, James and I decided on an elopement and kept the details simple. We wanted epic photographs with breathtaking views, the wedding attire we had yet to wear, and the personalized vows we had yet to promise each other.

Our day started at 4 am as Tana was determined to get the best early morning light. The four of us piled into the car (with masks of course!) and we headed into Glacier National Park. We spent the next 8 hours chatting, laughing and stopping at every opportunity for a view. Jamie made me feel like a movie star all day, providing hair and makeup touch-ups whenever needed, and Tana kept the shot ideas coming, checking off every item on the inspo list; James and I were able to let go of control and leave it to the professionals so we could enjoy the majesty of our surroundings. We ended the day in the late afternoon on a quiet Lake McDonald beach and exchanged our vows. While nothing about our wedding turned out as planned, it ended up being more beautiful than we had imagined. We drove Tana and Jamie to the airport, transitioned to honeymoon vibes and began planning our hiking adventures for our remaining days in GNP.

– Bride, Kylee 

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