Tips for Eloping in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park has become an extremely popular place to elope in the last few years, and rightfully so. Glacier provides breath taking views almost everywhere you look, and makes the perfect backdrop for an elopement of photo session. I wanted to share some tips if you are considering eloping there, as the process may seem a bit daunting!
Tip #1 — Pick a date ASAP! Have a specific date in mind, preferably a week day that you want to elope. When filing for a permit you will need to choose a specific date and will be give a set time slot of when your elopement ceremony can take place as well as where.
Tip #2 — Choose a location from the list of on the GNP website that speaks to you and your love. Reach out to your photographer and let them know the spot you are thinking about, some areas have better light in the afternoon and others are better lit in the morning. Your photographer will also know how busy or popular those spots tend to be at certain points of the day.
Tip #3 — Realize that most of GNP is only accessible in the summer and early fall so plan your elopement date accordingly. The Going-to-the-Sun-Road is only open for a few months and many locations to elope require traveling on that road.
Tip #4 — Be flexible and talk to your photographer about a back up location for your elopement. There reality is with so many elopement requests during the summer months and early fall, some people will be denied a permit. It is good to have an area picked out with your photographer that could work as a back up if your permit does not get approved. There are many areas outside of the park that equally compare in beauty, you just have to know where to look!
Tip #5 — Keep your guest list small! Some couples want guests at their elopements while others do not. Glacier has pretty strict rules about how many people can be in attendance at your elopement, some locations allow more guests than others, so read carefully through their website and your permit! Photographers and officiants are also considered guests, so that is something too also factor in.
I hope these tips will help you when planning your elopement! Feel free to reach out to me for help planning, I would love to create some magic in the mountains and capture the beauty of your love in GNP!
