An Intimate Ceremony at Somers Mansion: A Winter Wonderland Setting
Exactly 5 weeks before Valentine's Day, I had an initial consult call with Trina & Matthew about booking their elopement with me. They desired to elope in Glacier National Park, a winter wedding that was filled with romance. They were prepared for cold weather and potential snow storms, in February you never know what kind of weather you might get. Trina had one request: to find a location to have their ceremony indoors; she didn't want to be shivering cold during her vows with Matthew, a smart request if you ask me. I sent over a few recommendations to locations in the valley, and she was smitten with Somers Mansion, a historic venue in Somers, MT, with breathtaking views of Flathead Lake.
Trina was able to rent the venue for a few hours, they also offer packages for elopements if you plan to stay at the venue, or have guests present with you. I absolutely loved photographing at the venue, it was full of charm, unique furnishings, and gorgeous natural light. The Ballroom was a favorite of mine.
Three Reasons to book Somers Mansion for your elopement
- Historic Charm - The mansion was originally built in 1903, but was recently renovated in 2020. The owners made certain to keep historic features present in the home, despite a gorgeous remodel. The mansion is a beautiful summer daffodil (yellow) color, it shines, overlooking Flathead Lake.
- Breathtaking Views - As mentioned above, the views are noteworthy. Flathead Lake is the 79th largest freshwater lake in the world, and it is notably the cleanest as well. Popular among recreational enthusiasts, you'll find fishermen, boaters, sailors, and much more to do on the lake. If you're not into activities, simply enjoying the sunrise or sunset on the shoreline will keep you in awe. Somers Mansion provides a glorious view of the lake.
- Close to Town - For weddings large and small, sometimes guests enjoy being closer to town. It makes finding lodging easier and a short commute to the venue. Somers, MT, is a short 10-minute drive from Kalispell, MT. Lodging, Restaurants, and Activities for guests of the wedding and the couple are close distance. Be sure to check out the little town of Somers, Dels Bar, and Somers Beach State Park while in the area.
Trina and Matthew made an excellent choice to have their ceremony and some wedding portraits at the Somers Mansion. It was such an easy process to access and check out of the mansion. It was a super private and romantic setting for an elopement. I cannot recommend it enough!
Incorporating Glacier National Park into Your Elopement Day: Adventure Beyond the Ceremony
As part of Trina & Matthew's elopement day with me, we had plans to head to Glacier National Park after their ceremony to do some wedding portraits in the park and finish up their time with me. Oftentimes, couples might ask how we would spend an entire 6+ hours together, but the truth is, is that 6 hours goes by incredibly fast. If we start at their rental with getting-ready photos and a first look, then head off to the ceremony, then portraits... time goes by so quickly.
We got to the park with about 90 minutes of daylight left. We started taking photos at the famous Lake McDonald dock, however, mother nature had other plans in store for us. The wind was blowing so fiercely, with snow in the mix, we couldn't bear to spend more than 5-10 minutes in the wind without the risk of getting frostbite. Winters can be quite intense in Glacier National Park, so it's important to always check the forecast and radar to prepare for any weather ahead of time. After embracing the wind and frozen temps, we quickly found solace in a patch of trees on a back road. The trees helped block the wind, and we still had a gorgeous snowy backdrop with privacy for photos of the couple. We finished our time together at a historic bridge in West Glacier, it was actually the original entrance into Glacier National Park. The couple had their first dance in the falling snow, standing above the middle fork of the Flathead River. Could it get any more romantic than that? Keep scrolling to see some more photos below!
Cozy Winter Details: How This Elopement Felt Warm and Magical
On this particular day in February, it was practically a blizzard. The air temp was 15°, plus we had a 30mph+ sustained wind, making the real feel -16° that day. It was also snowing, dreamy and magical, however, it turned into sideways snow when the wind was blowing that fast. As mentioned above, always check weather reports ahead of time to be prepared for this type of situation. Human skin cannot be exposed to these temps for more than a few minutes, or frostbite will start to occur. Never put yourself or your couple in danger when photographing in severe weather.
When navigating a particularly bad weather day, I recommend taking lots of breaks in the vehicle to warm up between stops. Use hand/boot warmers to keep digits warm after being exposed to severe temperatures. A bride can opt to wear leggings under the dress to keep her legs warm, same as a person in a suit (wear a wool base layer in the suit has room for it). This bride wore a fur shawl to keep her upper body from being as exposed to the temperatures. I like to keep my couples in close proximity to each other; body warmth can help you stay warm and also shield wind from one another.
When couples choose to elope with me as their elopement photographer, they also get access to me as a major resource in planning. This isn't my first rodeo with bad weather. I've lived in NW Montana for 22 years and know the best ways to navigate these types of days, all while keeping the stress level low. I come prepared and filled with knowledge and will gladly share that with any of my booked couples. I also share recommendations on venues for ceremonies, lodging, and other activities to help fill your time while you're visiting the area. If this sounds like the type of elopement photographer you're wanting to book for your elopement day, don't hesitate to fill out the contact form and get in touch to start planning the perfect day.
Check out some other Winter Elopement Blogs to inspire your planning!
A Comprehensive Winter Elopement Guide to Glacier National Park
A Snowy Winter Elopement in Montana
Vendors that helped make this day happen:
Photography: Jennifer Vernarsky Photography
Officiant: Kate Berry
Elopement Venue: Somers Mansion
Hair & Make-up: Glacier Beauty Co.
Cake: Mountain Mama's Cupcakery
Florals: Rose Mountain Floral
Elopement Vendor Collective: Elope Montana
