Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to get married in the most beautiful National Park America has to offer. But now comes the next big question: “Where do I start when planning a destination wedding?” I’m here to help. I am a local Montana Wedding and Elopement Photographer and Planner specializing in Glacier National Park Elopements. I have planned and photographed hundreds of Glacier National Park Elopements and Wedding Ceremonies and would love to help you navigate the details with a quick guide to getting married in Glacier National Park.

1. Choose Your Photographer

I recommend beginning the process of planning your Glacier National Park Elopement, by selecting a local Photographer who offer All-Inclusive Wedding and Elopement Packages. No one is more informed on locations, vendors, regulations, and backup plans than a seasoned Montanan who works regularly in Glacier National Park. If you haven’t already chosen your date (blog about when to get married Best Time To Elope in Glacier National Park – Jill Jones Photography), a local photographer will be able to help guide you to the right season, month, and day for your vision. And your photographer will be your best source of information for activities outside the park as well. Take advantage of their local expertise.

2. Book Accommodations and Vendors ASAP:

Montana and Glacier National Park are both extremely popular for Destination Weddings and Elopements, so it’s important to book your lodging, rentals, and vendors as soon as you have selected a date. Lodging, car rentals, and activities book up pretty far in advance. Check with your local photographer for their recommendations on lodging and ask for their “preferred vendor list”. After years of working in the Wedding industry most of us have refined a top tier list of vendors who we know do an amazing job and are great to work with! But the best, book up quickly! So as soon as you have your date picked out, it’s time to start booking!

3. Secure a Glacier National Park Ceremony Permit… ASAP:

Glacier National Park has a permit cap on how many wedding ceremony permits they will issue per year. This is limited to 2 permits, per day, per location. Each Ceremony permit is restricted to a 2 hour time block and does not guarantee parking or exclusivity. Keep in mind, if you get married in a public space…the public will also be there. But don’t worry, there are locations that are more private than others and your photographer will be able to help you select your GNP ceremony location. Check out my post on ceremony locations

4. File for Your Montana Marriage License:

The application process for a marriage license in the state of Montana, is actually a very simple process. Everything can be filled out online and you just pick it up from the county clerk in Kalispell, MT when you get here. After your wedding, either ask if your officiant will drop it off, return in person, or mail it back. Easy peasy!

5. Do We Need Officiant? Maybe?

My all-inclusive Glacier National Park Elopement packages come with a custom officiated ceremony. My officiant has been performing weddings and elopement for over 15 years and does a beautiful job personalizing each ceremony to be special and unique to the couple.

However, Montana is a self-solemnizing state and does not require an ordained officiant. Anyone can perform your ceremony, or for couples who want an even more intimate ceremony, you can exchange vows without an officiant at all. (I am ordained, so often my self-solemnizing couples will still have me sign their paperwork. Completely up to you.)

Happy wedding planning and I hope you have a beautiful Glacier National Park Elopement!

Check out this page for more information on All Inclusive Glacier National Park Elopements”pricing – Jill Jones Photography