Summer Wedding Ceremony at Many Glacier Hotel

Montana Wedding

Our love began in the mountains of Montana, so it was only right that our marriage begin there as well. Dave and I dreamt of a wedding atop the gorgeous crown of the continent, Glacier National Park. With the goal of an intimate ceremony and a celebration with all of our friends and family, we opted for a small ceremony followed by a large reception a few days later.

We were wed on a Tuesday at Many Glacier Lodge, witnessed only by immediate family and shot by adventure wedding photographer Karissa Frye. Even in July, the weather day proved a reminder for the uncertainty of the elements in northwest Montana. The rain ceased just in time for the ceremony, and the sun came out as we boarded a small chartered boat atop Swiftcurrent Lake following the ceremony. We toasted to happy beginnings and enjoyed a simple picnic meal and the breathtaking scenery of the park.

The following day we returned to our home in Missoula to begin the rest of the festivities with friends and family. On Thursday we rafted down the Clark Fork River; Friday we hosted a 100-person rehearsal dinner in our very own yard. On Saturday we celebrated with a 200-guest reception at Montana Snowbowl, the local ski hill in Missoula. The reception was a blast! The DIY decor was minimal with white table cloths and local flowers. The grounds are covered in wildflowers in July, providing nature’s sweetest floral arrangement. We held an informal processional with a wedding party, had our first dance, cut the cake, and enjoyed the many special wedding traditions we did not want to skip.

There is a certain romance about Montana. Be it the expansive landscape or the traditional community values, as the modern world changes the feeling of Montana remains. The ability to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and venture into the mountains for an intimate wedding was incredibly special. The vows exchanged are generations old, the mountains even older. We carry those traditions forward in our marriage as we create a new life as husband and wife.

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