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Lake McDonald Dock Glacier National Park
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Glacier National Park Elopement | Katie & Lukas

destination wedding, weddings 

 

Glacier National Park elopement, couple at Lake McDonald lodgeMy plane touched down in the mountain time zone, and I knew I was home.  Montana is always somewhere that when I am there looking at the great big sky and the mountain peaks that I know I belong. I’ve felt that way for over a decade now.  So when Katie and Lukas sent me a note this past winter about their wedding – I knew it was going to be amazing for their Glacier National Park elopement.

See, when Katie first sent me a note she and Lukas were planning on eloping in Montana. They knew the logistics of it could be tricky because they knew there were so many people they wanted to enjoy that moment with them.  In the end, they actually ended up changing their plans to get married in Eau Claire, but a few short months later after Katie & Lukas got home from a trip to Yosemite I got a call from Katie.  She said, “we’ve changed our mind again, I know you’re going to think we’re crazy but we want to get married in Glacier National Park in October, can you go?”  The answer was YES, it was always yes.

So, they began planning to elope in the park with just their parents & siblings.  Five years ago they first hiked together in Glacier National Park, only two months after meeting. Katie joined Lukas for a Campbell family trip to hike & camp within the mountains.  So it was there that they knew was the right place to speak their vows over the rippling waters of Lake McDonald with the mountains in the background.

Katie & Lukas spoke their handwritten vows on Ryan Beach Meadow on Lake McDonald on a Thursday afternoon in October.  The water was calm, there was a little breeze and the sun was shining in the park.  It was the most perfect day that these two could have asked for.  Shortly after their vows (and cheering from their 10 guests on the lakeshore) they popped bottles of champagne and toasted to a long and joyous life and shared bites of lemon & huckleberry cake.  After toasting & hugging their family – we drove off to explore the park together until the last light of the day – because to Katie & Lukas it was so important to them to document them in the place where they feel so connected to.

I feel so lucky to have had the chance to document this destination wedding in Glacier National Park for Katie & Lukas and I’m so thrilled to share these with you today.

Special Thanks to These Vendors

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Ceremony Location: Ryan Beach Meadow on Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park| Officiant: Sally Hanger of Marry Me in Montana|  Floral Design: Mum’s Flowers in Whitefish | Dinner Location:  Whitefish Lake Restaurant in Whitefish |  Cake :  Fleur Bakery in Whitefish |   Makeup & Hair:  Sarah Lenz, Sister of the Bride |   Gown: The Wedding Shoppe, Inc. | Bridesmaid Gowns: David’s Bridal  | Menswear:  Men’s Wearhouse

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brides dress hanging at The Glacier Raft Company cabinmontana tourist book and hiking bootsthe family at the Glacier Raft Company cabin before the weddingwedding program for Glacier National Park elopementbride and grooms rings on map of Glacier National Parkbrides shoes and boutonniere brides earrings and bouquetbride getting her makeup done

Star Wars socks the groom wore and his wedding band

I love that Lukas incorporated his love of Star Wars by wearing these socks!

grooms watch and Cole Haan shoescowboy hat on a railing and grooms hiking boots

groom with wedding band and best man

Lukas telling his brother Cooper what needs to be done for the rings for the ceremony.

groom and best man talking in the kitchengroom getting ready photos at the Glacier Raft Company cabingroom getting readygroom getting readygroom getting readygroom getting his boutonniere pinned onrings on a map of Lake McDonaldbride with her bride tshirtmom helping her daughter into her wedding gown overlooking Glacier National Parkbride getting readymom buttoning the back of a lace gownbride getting readyView of Glacier National Park from the Glacier Raft Company Cabins

bride and groom first look Glacier National Park elopement

Lukas set to see Katie at their First Look.

groom seeing bride for first time and surprised

Katie & Lukas had the sweetest First Look!

bride and groom first look at Glacier National Park elopementbride and groom first look at Glacier National Park elopementfirst look at Glacier National Park elopementfirst look with bride and groom in Glacier National Parkbride and grooms hands with bouquetfirst look pictures fall wedding in Montanabride and groom portrait in the fall in Montana

Bride and Groom portrait in Glacier National Park near Trail of the Cedars

This was the area where Lukas & Katie took one of their very first hikes, and their first hike as husband and wife after the wedding so we knew we had to stop near Trail of the Cedars.

Trail of the Cedars with a bride and groom at Glacier National Park elopementGlacier National Park elopement bride and groom with mountainsbride and groom Glacier National Park elopementGlacier National Park elopement bride and groom near water

mums floral bouquet and road

The road to the ceremony spot was so serene, walking back to their spot on Lake McDonald was tucked into the forest

view of Apgar from Lake McDonaldLake McDonald in Glacier National Parkguests arriving for wedding at Glacier National Park elopementtaking photos of people taking photos

bride and father before walking down the aisle

Katie & her dad joking around just before walking down the aisle.

groom waiting for his bride at the ceremony at Glacier National Park elopementRyan Beach Meadow guests weddingbride coming through the woods for Glacier National Park elopementbride and father walking down the path at Glacier National Park elopement

groom seeing bride for the first time

I loved that the first time Lukas saw Katie coming out of the woods it was like it was the first time he was seeing her for the day – even though they had shared a First Look.

bride and father ceremony Glacier National Park elopementfather giving bride away at Glacier National Park elopementRyan Beach Meadow ceremony Glacier National Park elopementRyan Beach Meadow ceremony Glacier National Park elopementgroom looking at bride Glacier National Park elopementGlacier National Park elopementbride looking at groom Glacier National Park elopementGlacier National Park elopementGlacier National Park elopementGlacier National Park elopementGlacier National Park elopementthe first kiss at Glacier National Park elopementRyan Beach Meadow Ceremony Glacier National Park elopementGlacier National Park elopementGlacier National Park elopementsigning a montana marriage license in glacier national parkGlacier National Park elopementGlacier National Park elopementGlacier National Park elopementGlacier National Park elopementGlacier National Park elopementGlacier National Park elopementFall bouquet from Mums Flowers in Whitefish, MTGlacier National Park elopementGlacier National Park elopementchampagne and bouquet from mums floral in Whitefish

cake and plates from Fleur Bakery in Whitefish, MT.

Katie’s mom drove to Montana for the ceremony and with her she brought some heirloom plates to serve the beautiful cake on.

wedding details at Glacier National Park elopementengraved champagne glasses at Glacier National Park elopementrings in Mums Flowers of WhitefishGlacier National Park elopementGlacier National Park elopement

Glacier National Park elopement

If you look closely in their champagne you can see a reflection of the mountains!

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I’m on a mission to craft personalized sessions for small businesses and high school seniors looking to tell their story.

The best decision I ever made was packing up my car and heading west to finally pursue photography! That decision allowed me to spend the next 15 years capturing life’s fleeting moments.

But the journey is bigger than that. My work isn’t just about capturing a beautiful photo, it’s about changing the perspective, helping others see what true beauty is.

It would be an honor to have you along for the ride!

Eau Claire Brand, Senior and Family Photographer

HI THERE, I’M CHRISTY!

Currently: lacing up the old hiking boots and preparing for my next adventure.

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