This Glacier National Park Elopement Started with a Boat Adventure

Think you know what an elopement is? Get ready to think twice because here at An Epic Elopement, we work to shatter the stereotype of an elopement. If our company name is any indication, we don’t do ‘boring’ or ‘average’ elopements. We specialize in truly EPIC elopements, adventure weddings, and Montana micro and intimate weddings. We encourage you to dream big, so whether you envision a Glacier National Park elopement, a grand boating adventure, or an intimate picnic with just your closest loved ones, we’ll bring it to life! 

Sabre and Justin chose to do all of the above for their big day. Together with four of their family members, they sailed on St. Mary Lake into their Glacier National Park elopement at the Rising Sun Picnic area. After they tied the knot, they traipsed through Glacier’s mountains and meadows to capture breathtaking newlywed adventure portraits. 

Their day blended the intimacy of an elopement with the unique, out-of-the-box weddings we’re known for while still including their most VIP family. If you didn’t know a wedding like this is a possibility for your nuptials, come with us as we break down the details of this adventurous Glacier National Park elopement! 

Sailing on St. Mary Lake: 

Glacier National Park is a treasure trove for adventurers! You can bike the many winding trails, sail across the sparkling lakes, or hike through the mountains. The options are endless to enjoy the gorgeous scenery and fresh Glacier air. Since there’s so much to do here, many of our couples host a 3-day wedding weekend, complete with a welcome gathering, the wedding day, and a farewell brunch event. In between, they may host a group hike or boat ride to help their guests take advantage of all that the national park offers. 

For Sabre and Justin’s Glacier National Park elopement, they opted to go on a boating adventure on the wedding day itself! They started the day with a first look at the Rising Sun Boat Launch, where the sun glittered off the turquoise lake and the verdant mountains towered majestically around the water. Sabre looked like a real-life princess with a blush-tinged wedding dress that featured floral embroidery on the bodice and a tulle skirt and train. She also wore a tiara that sparkled in the sunlight. 

She and Justin shared this private moment together on the dock before boarding the boat for an hour and a half ride around St. Mary Lake. Not only was this a great opportunity to make unforgettable memories with their family, but it also allowed them to savor the day before their Glacier National Park elopement ceremony. 

Too often, wedding days go by in a blur because of the flurry of activity and people. When you have a more intimate elopement though, there’s time and space to take in the day and spend quality time with your family, friends, and each other. That’s exactly what Sabre and Justin got to do on their boat ride on St. Mary Lake! 

Glacier National Park Elopement at Rising Sun Picnic Area:

Plus, can you imagine a cooler way to enter your Glacier National Park elopement than on a boat?! Talk about a grand entrance! 

When Sabre, Justin, and their family arrived at the Rising Sun Picnic area, they were greeted by spectacular views all around. The sky was as blue as could be, the trees and greenery that surrounded the picnic area were lush, and the ceremony spot couldn’t have been more striking. Picture a private beach with a gorgeous treeline on one side and awe-inspiring mountains on the other. Gentle waves lapped at the shore, where a gigantic driftwood log completed the scene. 

Before walking down to the water for the ceremony, Sabre gifted her parents with special thank you presents: A heartfelt letter for her dad and an embroidered handkerchief with a sentimental  message for her mom. Happy tears were definitely shed, perfectly leading into the emotion and beauty of the ceremony. 

Sabre’s dad escorted her down to the banks of St. Mary Lake to the tune of “What a Wonderful World,” where soft golden sunlight washed over the space. Sabre and Justin exchanged custom vows and rings, and their family participated in a prayer over them. Everyone clapped and smiled as the officiant pronounced them husband and wife for the first time. They did it! 

Glacier National Park Adventure Session: 

Following their Glacier National Park elopement ceremony, everyone made their way to the picnic area, where Katie set up a cake celebration! The newlyweds did the traditional cake cutting before their parents delivered sweet, authentic toasts. Katie then served everyone some delicious wedding cake and they got to enjoy the rest of the evening together! 

It’s not a Glacier National Park elopement without an adventure session! Following their family time, they embarked on a photo shoot through the park, taking incredible portraits along the way. Their photographer took them to the Sun Point and Big Bend areas, where the views are simply unmatched. Mountains, rolling hills, lakes, meadows, and waterfalls made up the backdrop for their photos, giving them both surreal pictures and memories. 

It was the perfect way to celebrate their new marriage and the first of many married adventures together!  

A Word from Katie: 

Sabre and Justin, your Glacier National Park elopement was a complete dream! Thank you for trusting me to pull off this special day for you. The joy and love on your faces on the day of were priceless! I’ll never forget this adventure we all went on together, from the planning to the wedding day itself. I wish you both the happiest of forevers! 

-Katie

Vendor Team: 

Wedding Planner: An Epic Elopement  

Photography: Christine Nicole Photography

Floral: Mum’s Floral 

Cake: Miss Patti Cakes

Let’s Plan Your Glacier National Park Elopement!

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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