Start Planning Your Elopement
Your day doesn't have to look like anyone else's.
Glacier National Park is hard to beat for dramatic mountain scenery, turquoise lakes, and incredible views around every corner. You can exchange vows at a designated ceremony location in Many Glacier or along Lake McDonald, then spend the rest of your day exploring Going-to-the-Sun Road, hiking, and finding quieter corners of the park.
Big Sky and Bozeman give you plenty of ways to turn your elopement into a full-day adventure. Think mountain trails, alpine lakes, horseback riding, or time spent exploring the Gallatin River. With national forest land nearby and plenty of lodging, restaurants, and local vendors, it's also an easy area to build your day around.
Paradise Valley is all about wide-open spaces, big mountain views, and a little room to roam. With the Yellowstone River winding through the valley and the Absaroka Mountains towering above, you could spend your elopement day horseback riding, exploring backroads, or soaking in hot springs before heading somewhere beautiful to exchange your vows.
If you're dreaming of rugged mountains and wide-open alpine scenery, Beartooth Pass is pretty hard to beat. Just outside Red Lodge, you'll find dramatic peaks, high-elevation lakes, and incredible views without hiking miles into the backcountry. It's an amazing place to explore, exchange vows, and make a full adventure out of your elopement day.
The Flathead Lake and Whitefish area gives you a little bit of everything: beautiful lakes, mountain views, and plenty of places to explore. You could spend your elopement day out on the water, find a quiet spot for your ceremony, or head into the mountains for an adventure with incredible views along the way.
Some of our favorite places to take couples in Montana aren't inside national parks at all. National Forest and BLM land can offer incredible scenery, fewer crowds, and more freedom to make the day your own. Whether that's exploring backroads, hiking to a secluded spot, or finding a quiet place to exchange vows, these areas are where the secret spots are!
Glacier National Park is one of Montana's most incredible places to elope, but there are a few things worth knowing. Ceremonies are limited to designated locations, summer crowds can be intense, and exploring the park often means driving between scenic stops. That's why we love combining Glacier with adventures outside the park. Spend part of your day horseback riding, hiking, or exploring around Columbia Falls and Hungry Horse, then head into Glacier for your ceremony and a sunset adventure to seal the day.
The west side of Glacier is home to Lake McDonald, Avalanche Lake, and the western entrance to Going-to-the-Sun Road. You can exchange vows along the shores of Lake McDonald, explore the park's trails, or stop at overlooks along the road for photos. We also love to combine time in the park with time for activities around Columbia Falls and Hungry Horse, such a great combo for your elopement experience.
The east side of Glacier is our favorite part of the park, and for good reason. It feels wilder, has more opportunities for wildlife sightings, and, in our opinion, some of Glacier's best mountain scenery. Lake Josephine, Many Glacier, and Two Medicine are all perfect for exploring, whether you're planning a lakeside ceremony or heading out for a horseback ride. Take a look at Many Glacier Elopement to see why we love this area.
All weddings and elopements in Glacier National Park require a Special Use Permit, even if it's just the two of you. The application fee is $125, and the park recommends applying at least four weeks in advance, although processing can take several months. You'll also need a park entrance pass and should plan around seasonal road closures, crowds, and summer access restrictions.
For more details on ceremony locations, permits, and planning your day, check out our guide to Eloping in Glacier National Park.
"Scenic Vows made our elopement day feel effortless and unforgettable.
They knew exactly where to take us, and every new spot felt like its own little adventure. Each place they brought us to somehow topped the last, and it genuinely felt like they understood what we wanted even better than we did.
From start to finish, they handled everything with so much experience and care. The way they scouted locations, directed us, and kept the whole day flowing made it easy for us to just be present and enjoy it.
Scenic Vows is the reason our elopement became one of the best days of our lives."
Delaina & Ben | Glacier NP, MT
Most couples come to us knowing they want Montana, but not exactly what they want their day to look like. Sometimes that's horseback rides through mountain valleys, a quiet cabin by a lake, a ceremony with family followed by an adventure for just the two of you, or maybe something completely different.
That's where we come in. We've spent years exploring Montana and helping couples create wedding days that feel personal instead of pulled from a template.
Our role goes beyond photography. We help with locations, timelines, permits, activity ideas, backup plans, and all the details that turn a rough idea into a day you'll actually be excited about.
There isn't one right way to elope in Montana.
Our job is to help you create the version that feels right for you.
Meet Becky & Brian
"They took the little details we wanted very seriously and made our elopement unique to just us."
Morgan & dylan | Glacier NP, MT
When your photographers know the places, help with the details, and genuinely care about your experience, everything changes. You spend less time worrying and more time being present. The best photos happen when you're actually enjoying yourselves. Here's what that looks like:
Before cameras ever come out, we spend time learning what you actually enjoy so your day doesn't feel like a photoshoot built for strangers.
The right location changes everything. We'll help you narrow down Montana's endless possibilities based on what matters most to you.
You don't need modeling experience. We'll guide you when needed, step back when we should, and help you stay present instead of worrying about the camera.
Weather changes. Plans shift. We've learned how to adapt without letting stress take over the experience.
The best photos happen when you're actually enjoying yourselves. That's why we focus on creating a great day first and capturing it honestly second.
Photography, planning, and local expertise for couples who want a Montana wedding day that feels personal, adventurous, and completely their own.
‣ Two photographers for your entire elopement
‣ Full planning support from the moment you book
‣ A personalized planning process built around what matters most to you
‣ Montana location recommendations, permits, and logistical guidance
‣ Activity ideas, local recommendations, and practical resources
‣ A timeline built around light, weather, guests, and the experience you want
Most couples invest $7,000-$12,000, depending on coverage and activities
You get to focus on the experience. We'll handle the logistics that make it possible.
Start Your Montana Elopement
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Whether you're imagining horseback rides, mountain lakes, or something else, start by sharing your ideas.
We'll narrow down locations, activities, timelines, and logistics to build a day that feels like you.
Once the pieces are in place, you can focus on enjoying the experience while we help bring it all together.
Let's start planning your elopement
"Taking snowmobiles to what felt like the top of the world in a wedding dress is a memory we'll never forget.
Becky and Brian made the entire experience so easy, and we got to live in the moment instead of worrying about the planning."
Hollie & Roger | Big Sky, MT
The cost of eloping in Montana depends on your location, activities, and how much of the day is photographed. From photography and planning to all-inclusive adventures in Big Sky and Glacier National Park, here's a breakdown of what you can expect to spend.
Our Montana elopement photography and planning packages start at $6,000. Most couples invest $7,000 to $12,000, although all-inclusive experiences with additional activities and vendors can cost more.
Our Big Sky all-inclusive elopement package is $13,000 and includes photography, planning, vendors, and a side-by-side adventure. We handle all the booking and coordination so you can focus on enjoying your day.
Our Glacier National Park all-inclusive package is $13,700 and includes photography, planning, two nights in a cabin, Scenic Motion video coverage, and a private horseback ride through Many Glacier.
A Montana marriage license costs $53 and is valid for 180 days. You can apply through any county Clerk of District Court in Montana before your elopement.
We'll help you find the places, build the plan, and photograph the experience along the way.
Start Your Elopement
These are some of the most common questions couples ask when planning a Montana elopement, from choosing locations and activities to permits, weather, and guest logistics.
Montana is a great place to elope year-round, but summer and early fall are the most popular seasons thanks to warm weather, accessible mountain locations, and long daylight hours. Montana offers something beautiful in every season. Fall brings changing colors and fewer crowds, while winter offers snowy landscapes and cozy cabin experiences. The best time to elope in Montana ultimately depends on the scenery, activities, and overall experience you're hoping to create.
Yes, all weddings and elopements in Glacier National Park require a Special Use Permit, even if it's just the two of you. The application fee is $125, and ceremonies must take place at approved locations within the park. We recommend applying well in advance, as processing can take several months.
Outside the park, permit requirements vary depending on the location and type of activity. We'll help you navigate all that is necessary, so you don't have to worry about a thing!
No. You don't need a date or location chosen before reaching out.
Many couples contact us before they know whether they want mountains, alpine lakes, open valleys, horseback trails, rivers, cabins, or somewhere completely off the beaten path.
We'll help narrow down the best region, season, and location based on the experience you're looking for. From Glacier National Park and the Flathead Valley to the Bitterroot, Paradise Valley, and beyond, Montana offers far more possibilities than most people realize.
Weather changes are common in Montana, which is why we build flexibility into every elopement day. We create timelines with room to adapt, recommend locations with backup options, and always have a Plan B ready. The goal is a day that feels enjoyable and photographs beautifully, no matter what the forecast decides to do.
No hiking is required for a Montana elopement unless you want it.
Montana offers everything from drive-up ceremony locations to scenic hiking trails, horseback-accessible meadows, and remote backcountry landscapes. We help couples choose the right Montana elopement location based on accessibility, scenery, guest considerations, and the experience they want to create. The options are really unlimited here.
Yes, guests can attend a Montana elopement. We typically work with intimate groups of up to 15 people total, including the couple. Smaller guest counts provide access to more Montana elopement locations, create a more relaxed experience, and make it easier to focus on meaningful time with the people you care about most.
You can include almost any activity that fits your vision for the day.
Montana elopements can include horseback riding, side-by-sides, kayaking, packrafting, fly fishing, mountain biking, snowshoeing, dogsledding, stargazing, or simply spending time together beside a lake or campfire. We help couples choose activities that feel natural, fit their comfort level, and create meaningful experiences throughout the day.
A Montana elopement with professional photography and planning with us at Scenic Vows typically costs between $7,000 and $12,000.
Our packages include two photographers, location guidance, planning support, and officiant services; total cost depends on your location, photography coverage, activities, and vendors.
We know eloping is a big decision. That’s why we’re here to guide you, answer questions, and help you feel confident every step of the way.