Elope Along The Going To The Sun Road in Glacier

Logan Pass is for Lovers

From the moment I met Haley & Luke over our first consultation call, their energy together had me feeling butterflies. These two are some of the sweetest people I've met, so grateful to have been chosen to be their elopement photographer.

We started their day at their Airbnb in Kalispell, they got ready separately and talked through bedroom doors until they were finished dressing. I assisted Haley in getting her gown zipped up (this is of course my job when you have no family or guests at your elopement, I don't mind one bit), shoes on, and any finishing before seeing her fiance for their first look. I chose a spot right outside their Airbnb next to an old wooden fence with overgrown shrubs and the sun filtering in. I set up a cell phone recording on the tailgate of their rental truck to capture the moment on video and let these two have an emotional moment together. It was pretty sweet if you ask me.

We packed up the daily essentials (peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and other necessities) and made our way to Glacier National Park where we would meet up with the officiant, Erin. Haley and Luke were granted a ceremony permit for the Sprague Creek Day Use area along Lake McDonald. This location is one of my favorites along the Going-to-the-Sun road in Glacier. They got married in mid-September so the crowds were relatively minimal compared to the rush of Summer. We had a mix of peek-a-boo sun rays and moody dark clouds looming to the north. They said their vows with tears in their eyes, hands held for support, and a Glacier Park Boat Company tour passing on the lake in the far distance.

The plan for elopement portraits was to travel up the Going-to-the-Sun road and stop at several locations for photos. We left Lake McDonald and found ourselves driving through a full-blown rainstorm. I reassured them that we would be fine, I had umbrellas and sometimes the rain stops after a few minutes. We sat in the car and visited, used the restroom at Big Bend, and watched as the clouds let up just enough and the rain stopped, like magic. Quickly we ran down to our location for photos, watching the clouds beyond us make all sorts of shapes and movements, it's times like these that nature never ceases to amaze me. The sun even made an appearance a handful of times, giving a variety of lighting scenarios.

As we crested over Logan Pass, we stopped at the eastern tunnel and did some road photos with the epic background, again clouds made for some stunning photos. We made two more stops during our time together, Sun Point and Wild Goose Island. When couples choose to elope in Glacier National Park without family, they end up getting a bit more time for portraits in the park. We don't have to spend time on family portraits, or cutting cake with family, etc so it allows for more time as just a couple.

Their night ended with lanterns along Saint Mary Lake, a slow loss of daylight as the moody clouds covered the western horizon. With a trek back over Marias Pass (the alternate way around Glacier National Park to get back to West Glacier), we got them home safely to enjoy their evening as husband and wife, it was simply the perfect day!

Fun Facts about the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park

• It used to be called the "Transmountain Highway" back in the 1920s when it was being built.
• The 51 miles of pass took over two decades to complete, being fully completed on July 15th, 1933.
• There is a 6% grade in the road from Logan Pass to The Loop, in part because vehicles in the 1920s would have to shift down if the grade at 7% or more.
• Bridges, guardrails, and retaining walls were specified to be made of native materials.
• The road was renamed in 1933 during the dedication, to a borrowed name of "Going-to-the-sun road" from a nearby mountain.

Facts sourced from the Federal Highway Administration and the National Park Service.

The Best Ceremony Locations Along the Going-to-the-Sun Road

The Going-to-the-sun Road is comprised of 51 miles of road, bringing you up and over the mountain pass, Logan Pass. This stretch of highway has many pull-outs along the way, with that, a handful of these pull-outs are designated ceremony locations according to the National Park Service. Of the 32 approved official ceremony sites in the park, 8-10 of these locations are mere steps off the Going-to-the-sun road or a very short distance of a walk (less than 0.2 miles). Having the privilege to get married in so many locations in a National Park really is the most amazing thing. Considering you can bring guests, it's one of the cheapest wedding venues, coming in at just $125 for a ceremony permit.

I could go on and on about the perks of getting married here (heck I'm a little biased since my job is photographing these beautiful love stories), but instead, I'd love to share just a few of my favorite ceremony sites and the reasons why you should choose them when filling out your ceremony permit.

Sprague Creek Picnic Area Shoreline

This sweet location is a small turnout along Lake McDonald, there's a campground here and a picnic area. While this location is only available from mid-May through mid-September, it's a stunning location. I would say it's a lesser-visited spot along the lake, has bathroom access and provides some privacy as you can walk along the shoreline to escape other visitors in the area. The fall colors are great here along the lake. There are picnic tables close by for cake and celebratory drinks after your ceremony and a decent amount of parking spots in the day-use area.

Avalanche Amphitheater

Tucked away in the trees of the Trail of the Cedars, Avalanche Amphitheater is a hidden gem. Some might disagree with me, but if you're looking to get married in a place where people aren't hanging around (AKA more privacy), choosing an amphitheater is a smart move. Tourists visiting the park don't just hang out at amphitheaters, they are looking for views like mountains, rivers, and lakes to check out... not the wooded pathways. While not the most scenic spot for a ceremony, it's beautiful on a Fall afternoon with the sun filtering in through the trees, quiet, and has nice seating for your guests.

Rising Sun Picnic Area Shoreline

Another hidden gem I keep in my back pocket, this location is gorgeous in the later evening hours. Standing on the shoreline of Saint Mary Lake, with vast jagged mountains surrounding you, and the most amazing view, what more could you want!? While this location can be closed due to wildlife occasionally (causing a plan B to unfold), it's such a gorgeous location, with easy parking, bathrooms, and picnic space for your guests if you choose to bring some.

Research these spots, or if you're a booked client of mine, feel free to contact me about these three spots to see more photos and get more details! While many locations like 7-Mile Pullout, Big Bend, or Sun Point might be at the top of your list because of what you've seen on the internet, the views are pretty but you'll be waiting out many other couples and a ton of tourists for portraits and it's not the most glamorous thing if you ask me. Also, important to note, that a ceremony permit location is where you legally need to have your ceremony, but it doesn't limit you to where you can take portraits in the park. You are welcome where the general public is allowed to go, so you can stop at other locations for portraits. My recommendations for ceremony locations above are simply my opinion on having a more private experience during your ceremony, which is typically what most couples want during their elopement day.

Start Planning your Going-to-the-sun Elopement Today

As you're looking for vendors to complete your special elopement day, consider hiring an experienced and knowledgeable photographer. It helps your day go so much smoother, knowing you'll be in the right hands especially if you have to make any last-minute decisions about incremental weather, unplanned road closures, or other unexpected events you need to navigate. I bring to my couples, years of experience working in Glacier National Park, being a local and knowing other trip suggestions I can recommend for the rest of their stay, and a well-rounded personality you'll enjoy hanging out with for hours on your elopement day.

If you're not convinced yet, take it from one of my past couples, mentioned in this blog above, Haley and Luke left a raving 5-star review on Google;

"Our Elopement experience with Jenn was an experience we will never forget. Jenn made our special day super smooth and stress-free, especially when we weren’t familiar with Montana at all, being from Wisconsin. We first reached out to Jenn back at the end of January 2024, and from then on, the planning process was seamless. We had several video calls and filled out multiple questionnaires so Jenn could get to know us better. She provided us with so much helpful information and recommendations for our elopement, from suggesting the perfect ceremony site to offering activity and meal ideas for the rest of our time spent in Montana.

On our elopement day, Jenn arrived at our Airbnb, and I was amazed at how prepared she was. If you forgot something or didn’t think of a tiny detail, chances are Jenn had it covered. She offered to drive my husband and me around on our elopement day, which made everything feel even more relaxed and personal. It was a wonderful opportunity to get to know her on a deeper level. She is the most kind, thoughtful, and compassionate person, and she truly made us feel like we were in the best hands.

Jenn went above and beyond to ensure our special day was documented beautifully, and we will forever treasure the memories she captured. We couldn't be happier with our decision to work with Jenn, and I will wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone who is thinking about eloping." -Haley Mueller on Google

Look no further if you need a Glacier National Park Elopement photographer. Simply fill out the contact form on my website and you'll hear back from me via email to start discussing details of working with me and we can schedule a free consultation call to get to know each other a bit better before booking. I can't wait to hear more about your elopement day plans and potentially be a part of making it the best day ever!

Keep scrolling to see highlights from Haley & Luke's elopement day in Glacier National Park!

Other Glacier National Park blogs to check out during your planning;

Glacier National Park Wedding at Many Glacier Hotel

The Top Glacier National Park Wedding Locations and Venues

How Much Does An Elopement Really Cost? A Breakdown of Expenses