Derek & May - Glacier National Park, Montana Elopement

Derek and May met at a friend’s birthday party. They said they didn’t talk to each other much then, but 6 months later they ended up running into each other at the grocery store and then they happened to move into the same apartment complex. Derek asked May out and the rest is history.

I met Derek and May in West Glacier. I definitely was bringing my umbrellas on this trip, but as I tell people about Montana, “If you don’t like the weather wait 15 minutes and it will change.” We ended up with a beautiful dramatic sky for Derek and May’s vow exchange and a great view of the mountains. We ventured down the park exploring the forests and Lake McDonald.

I loved getting to know Derek and May a little more and wish you guys the best times together!

~Joanna

Matt & Emily - Glacier National Park, Montana

When Emily reached out to me, I was super sad because as she was telling me about her intimate wedding and it sounded incredible; but I was already booked. Thankfully, she was able to work around her date and I’m so glad she did because this was such an adventurous, nature-filled wedding.

We started out the day in Whitefish actually where Matt and Emily had their first look. From there we all caravaned to Many Glacier. It is hard to choose one spot in Glacier where I can pinpoint it down and say, “this is my favorite.” But, if I had to, Many Glacier would be at the top of the list. I had so much fun exchanging hiking stories gone wrong on the drive up. And…we saw a black bear on the drive up.

When we got to Many Glacier, we all boarded a boat across Swiftcurrent Lake. From there, we were dropped off on the shores of Lake Josephine. Emily had done a lot of research and found a place on google maps where she knew the view would be perfect and it was the perfect ceremony site. You will have to scroll down to find it.

Matt is a skilled woodworker and made his own vow box and wedding ring! Also, all of the guests had matching Glacier National Park cups (they even thought to give me one, still one of my favorite cups) and shared a toast of champagne after the wedding. And then the matching backpacks, these were fitting for the hike we embarked on afterward.

After their intimate ceremony, we wandered to our next destination - Grinnell Lake. The trail meanders through the woods and over a bridge that really does sway a lot! When we got to the lake, everyone was quite hot from the August day and a lot of people took a dip. It felt really refreshing!

Matt & Emily, I thoroughly enjoyed my day with you and hope you have a radically fun life together!