Romantic Montana Wedding with Boat Ride & Intimate Dinner

“There isn't anything we would change. Every single part of our day was perfect and even better than we ever anticipated.”

What couple wouldn’t want to say these words after their wedding day?! This quote came from our beautiful bride, Lauren, when we asked her to reflect on her Montana wedding day. From a planner’s perspective, we felt the exact same way! Lauren and Pruitt’s wedding was an adventure from start to finish, complete with every element a Montana wedding should have: A Glacier National Park ceremony, boat ride with friends and family, gorgeous intimate dinner, and photo adventure session! 

In planning their wedding weekend, we were intentional about maximizing every moment so Lauren and Pruitt could spend as much time as possible with their loved ones. We sought to create unique memories for them by curating a variety of experiences, including sharing a meal, boating, hiking, and simply laughing and chatting along the way. The end result was a relaxed day together full of celebration, exploration, and fun! 

Come along with us as we relive Lauren and Pruitt’s perfect Montana wedding day! It was as romantic as it was adventurous and we’re excited to share all the details! 

Part 1: Montana Wedding in Glacier National Park 

First Look

Lauren and Pruitt’s dream Montana wedding day began with their ceremony in Glacier National Park. For this, they chose the Fish Creek Picnic area within the park for its beautiful lakeside site and adjacent wooded seating area. It provides a great flow to have an intimate ceremony followed by a mini celebration! We’ve had couples enjoy cake and champagne in the picnic area post-ceremony, or even a full setup of hors d'oeuvres or picnic boxes. 

Before walking down the aisle here, Lauren did a first look with her dad at the cabin where they were all getting ready. A common misconception about elopements and micro weddings is that a smaller guest count means sacrificing meaningful wedding traditions. We’re here to remind you that is not the case and Lauren’s first look with her dad is a wonderful example. Their Montana wedding day may have been unconventional, but it left plenty of room for the traditions that mattered most to them.

Glacier National Park Ceremony

Another tradition Lauren and Pruitt chose included seeing each other for the first time that day down the aisle! Lauren’s dad escorted her down to the lake’s edge at Fish Creek, where Pruitt stood, tears in his eyes. 

Their Montana wedding ceremony was set against a backdrop of towering mountains and the lake, creating an unbelievable panorama. Lauren and Pruitt’s friends and family gathered around them on either side, enveloping the couple in love as they tied the knot. The ceremony was both emotional and romantic, as they each exchanged personal vows and then shared a passionate first married kiss! 

Post-Ceremony Celebration

After they were officially married, Lauren and Pruitt made their way over to the neighboring picnic area, where An Epic Elopement’s owner and lead planner, Katie, set up a champagne celebration for them. With ribbed coupe glasses, customized bride and groom flutes, Veuve Clicquot, this was no ordinary picnic!

Here, everyone toasted to Lauren and Pruitt’s brand new marriage, getting a chance to mix and mingle and savor in the joy of the moment.  

Part 2: Glacier Boat Ride on Lake McDonald 

Next, the group hopped aboard the Glacier Lily boat for an adventure on Lake McDonald! They hiked down from the Fish Creek area to the dockside, where a two-story cruise awaited them. The sun glimmered off the waves and the water created a perfect reflection of the blue sky, clouds, and surrounding mountain peaks. As the group sailed down the lake, they enjoyed drinks and music, dancing on the roof together under the open sky. 

This was a unique and unforgettable way to celebrate Lauren and Pruitt’s marriage… and the fun didn’t stop there! The boat carried the newlyweds and their best people to the intimate wedding dinner of their dreams.

Part 3: Intimate Montana Wedding Dinner 

The aesthetics for Lauren and Pruitt’s Montana wedding day started with Lauren’s wedding dress. It featured intricate lace details from top to bottom, including custom lace, elbow-length gloves and a flowing white veil with a lace hem. Lauren told us she initially loved it because it “radiated romance and vintage nostalgia,” which soon became the guidepost for all the wedding design choices, from colors to overall vibe. We often draw inspiration for wedding design from elements like nature and art, so we immediately connected with Lauren over a mutual infatuation of her gown and were thrilled to build their Montana wedding around its style.

Design Details

Therefore, when planning Lauren and Pruitt’s intimate wedding dinner, we utilized a multitude of layered details to evoke a sense of elegance and romance. Starting with the tablescape base, we set a walnut farmhouse table with an ivory gauze runner down the center. On top of that, the florist placed a variety of whimsical floral arrangements as the centerpiece. Each vase held a different combination of white and pale yellow flowers and natural greenery, giving the aesthetic an organic quality while the colors maintained cohesiveness throughout the design. Lauren even provided vintage china bowls that she thrifted for the flower frog arrangements, which paired perfectly with the vintage plates and glassware at each place setting. Lastly, we interspersed the floral with white and gold taper candles and gold mercury votives that gave the entire space a dreamy, golden hue after the sun went down. 

As if it couldn’t get any better, Lauren and Pruitt’s Montana wedding dinner was al fresco set on the stone patio of their AirBnB in Whitefish, surrounded by deep green trees and the scent of fresh mountain air. It was the perfect setting for them that blended romance, vintage, and elegance. We were so proud of it and Lauren was too! 

When she first saw the reception space that evening, she literally jumped for joy with Katie!

Intimate Wedding Celebration

That evening, the newlyweds and their loved ones shared dinner, laughter, and memories together. There were toasts in Lauren and Pruitt’s honor, a blessing by Lauren’s father, and of course, cake! Leaning into the nostalgic theme, Miss Patti Cakes created a heart-shaped, vintage-inspired wedding cake with piping on the outside that reminded us of the lace on Lauren’s dress. Stemmed cherries topped this citrus poppyseed cake and the matching cupcakes. 

With about 20 people gathered, everyone got to revel in each other’s company, partaking in jovial conversations while indulging in amazing food and drink. It was the epitome of quality time together, the perfect conclusion to the perfect Montana wedding!

Part 4: Glacier National Park Adventure Session

It’s no secret that we love a good Montana wedding adventure session! We always recommend it to our couples and help them plan their wedding weekend timeline to fit one in, whether it’s before the wedding day, the day-of, or the day after. 

Lauren and Pruitt chose to embark on their adventure session in Glacier National Park the day after their Montana wedding. By doing so, they got to wear their wedding attire a second time and prolong the celebration. It was also a pretty great way to spend their first day of marriage together! 

With their photographer, Elsa Eileen, they explored the park’s meadows, mountains, and open fields dotted with springtime wildflowers. They ventured down by the lakeside and hiked through the rolling hills and trees. The views they saw and the remote parts of the park they got to experience were worth it alone, but the photos they captured along the way turned out absolutely breathtaking. The emotions on their faces and the love in their eyes made these shots look like a spread in a magazine and we love that their memories are forever immortalized!

A Word from Katie:

"Lauren and Pruitt, it's official: I will never be over your Montana wedding! It was absolutely perfect in every way, from the Glacier ceremony to the boat ride to the wedding dinner. It was incredible working with you two to dream up this romantic, vintage nostalgic day and I loved seeing the happiness on your faces all day. Thanks for entrusting me with such a epic celebration and I wish you both all the best!"

-Katie

Montana Wedding Vendors: 

Wedding Planner: An Epic Elopement  

Venue: Glacier National Park 

Photography: Elsa Eileen Photography

Content Creation: Keep Candid

Floral: Flathead Farmworks

Catering: The Kopper Kitchen

Cake & Desserts: Miss Patti Cakes

Rentals: Empress Tents & Events

Hair & Makeup: Melanie Hobus

Officiant: Best Day Officiants

Transportation: Wild Horse Limousine

Let’s Plan Your Montana Wedding!

Based in Kalispell, Montana, An Epic Elopement specializes in all-inclusive elopements, micro-weddings, and intimate weddings. Here, you get the full experience of having a traditional wedding, but with a little more adventure included!

Are you ready to start your elopement journey? Send me a note describing your vision and let’s make it happen!

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