Welcome to Montana! If you’re looking for an adventurous elopement, in one of the most breath-taking states in the U.S., then you’re in the right place. Can you elope in Montana? Absolutely. We did it and now we help couples do it all the time! This guide is coming at you from Montana natives who eloped in Montana and have designed over 100 elopements! We know alllll the tips & secret spots to bring your dream Montana elopement to life.
With 2 national parks & 9 national forests, Montana is home to a vast variety of landscapes including over a hundred mountain ranges, lush green forests, waterfalls, glaciers, lakes & rivers. With trails accessible to every level & flourishing wildlife- Montana is THE place for the adventurous lovers to say, “I Do”. In this Montana Elopement Guide, we will go over everything you need to plan your big day in the Rocky Mountains.
How to Make Your Montana Elopement Legal
How to get married legally in Montana? If you are ready to GET MARRIED, let’s do it right!
- First you need to stop by a Montana county clerk’s office and complete a Montana Marriage Application. You do not have to go to the same county you will be married in, BUT you do need to return that application where you got it from. This is not a library book.
- Once you’ve completed the application, you and your plus one for life will need to both go in person to get your marriage license. A marriage license is valid for 180 days so make sure your ceremony is within that timeline!
- There will be a cost associated with getting your marriage license. You can look these up by county in advance but they typically range from $50-$70. This will be line item one on your list of how much does it cost to get married in Montana.
- After your wedding, make sure your officiant signs it! The officiant is then responsible for getting those documents back to county and you’re legally wed!
Where to Go on Your Montana Elopement
Where NOT to elope in Montana?! We love everything about the state and whether you are born & raised Montana folks or a couple ready for a hell of an adventure elopement, we have you covered.
Whitefish
Our baby city Whitefish who was a speck of dust thirty years ago is now one hell of a booming ski resort. I mean, really. You get GORGEOUS views, top notch food, and a goddam gondola?? Okay, maybe it’s a chairlift, tomato tomato. Point is, in Whitefish there will be hands in the air, champagne popping, and serious mountain magic.
While Summer is typically the most expensive wedding season, in Whitefish it is actually more affordable to get married as it is their “off” season for the ski resort. Petitioning now to make ski destinations into summer elopement spots. You’ll find a field of yellow flowers leading to your ceremony site with a gorgeous hiking trail in the background. From the ski lift to the field of wildflowers to the mountain views, it is remarkable. If you haven’t considered a Whitefish Mountain Resort elopement, let me tell you… it’s time to flip the table and do something out of the box! Avoid the crowds, embrace the charm.
Of course, all of our ski bunnies should definitely consider a winter elopement! You’ll spend the day doing what you love, with the one you love. After a morning out on the slopes, we will get you ready for an epic adventure ceremony! We’ll find the best ceremony spots for your commitment to one another. After, we will adventure all around and then you will end the day with a romantic wedding meal by a crackling fire.
Where to Stay & What to Do on Your Montana Elopement
Located in northwest Montana, Whitefish is only a 35 minute drive to Glacier National Park & home to Whitefish Mountain Resort. Enjoy your stay at The Firebrand Hotel and take in the view on the cozy rooftop spa & lounge. Grab some food on the way out at The Farmhouse Inn and Kitchen for the best breakfast in town (you have to try the avocado toast- so yum!). Pick up your gorgeous florals from Mum’s Flowers.
Whitefish offers so many fun activities for you to enjoy for the remainder of your stay including; a romantic helicopter ride, white water rafting, four-wheeling, skiing & ax throwing for the truly adventurous.
Whitefish Mountain Resort Wedding – Best Views in Montana!
Bozeman
Ahhh beautiful Bozeman Montana. You get the adventure but also some city life! Perfect for couples who want to do it all on their Montana elopement! Located in southern Montana, and a short drive to Yellowstone National Park- Bozeman is the perfect place for an intimate elopement. I mean, what’s there not to love?! The gorgeous Bridger Mountains, Madison River, and Spanish Peaks in the distance!
Where to Stay & What to Do on Your Montana Elopement
Stay at the Lark Hotel– one of the coolest accommodations in Bozeman where you’ll enjoy a modern twist on the traditional Montana aesthetic. Located right on Main Street, you’ll have easy access to everything you might need. Pro tip: Bozeman has weekly open air concerts right on Main Street every Thursday evening in the summer.
Get pampered by the talented professionals at Ethereal Hair & Makeup & pick up your beautiful, custom bridal bouquet from The Wild Blume. After you say “I Do,” grab some grub at Rockin’ R Bar & try one of their delicious cocktails (huckleberry liquor is a must)!
Enjoy the rest of your stay in Bozeman by skiing, horseback riding, fly fishing, dog sledding (Yellowstone Dog Sled Adventures) or go on a scenic hot air balloon ride (Endeavor Ballooning)!
Ousel Falls (Bozeman)– A 1.6 mile hike, great for all levels, featuring a stunning waterfall at the top. And let’s just say, it’s a stunning option for winter lovers too!
Missoula
There’s something about photographing in the mountains in Missoula that makes you come alive. You’ll step out of the car and be hit with the smell of fresh pine trees, you’ll witness the golden hour light, and you’ll be soooo excited that it’s your wedding day!
Located in western Montana, and just east of Lolo National Forest- Missoula is rich in history, gorgeous scenery and would make the perfect backdrop for your Montana elopement. Some great ceremony locations in Missoula include a Blue Montana hike and McClay Flatts
Where to Stay & What to Do on your Montana Elopement
Stay at the rustic Hip Strip Condo in the heart of Missoula. Within walking distance of shops & restaurants, you simply can’t beat the location. Top Hat is the place to go in Missoula to grab a bite to eat, listen to live music & have an all around good time.
Some of our favorite vendors in Missoula for all your bridal needs are; Agile Goat Flower Farm & Design, Burton’s Hair Co. & Skin Chic for makeup. Finish off your Missoula elopement by going on a Brewery Hop (Draught Works, Kettlehouse Brewing Co, Tamarack Brewing Co., Conflux Brewing Company), a rafting tour, hiking in Lolo forest or mountain biking at Blue Mountain.
Blodgett Canyon Overlook (Lolo National Forest)– A 2.8 mile hike- perfect for couples of every fitness level with a spectacular view at the end. And to our people out there who love wildflowers – do yourself a favor and hit up this trail in June!
Big Sky
After the Yellowstone show blew up, Big Sky’s popularity skyrocketed. And for good reason. Big Sky is one of the most beautiful parts of Montana, perfect your Montana elopement!
Where to Stay & What to Do on Your Montana Elopement
Stay at 320 Guest Ranch! It was built with the pioneering spirit, which meant providing updated log cabin accommodations, made-from-scratch, innovative food at McGill’s Restaurant and Saloon, and activities such as horseback riding, fly fishing, workshops, kids’ activities and more.
For luxury accommodation, stay at Montage Big Sky. For our snowbirds, you’ll love their ski-in / ski-out access. They have an on site spa where you can enjoy pre wedding bliss with their wellness treatments, an indoor pool and refined amenities. On your wedding day, check out Darcee the Flower Lady For all your floral dreams. Our hair rec is Antoinette’s Studio.
Check Big Sky Big Love Elopement Package at Lone Mountain Ranch!
Beehive Basin Trail No. 40 (Big Sky) – A 7.1 mile hike- best suited towards experienced hikers and features views, wildlife, and a gorgeous lake.
320 Guest Ranch Big Sky Micro Wedding
Glacier National Park
Glacier is one of the largest national parks IN AMERICA, so obviously there is a lot to talk about. For us, it’s home. It’s in our backyard. For our couples, Glacier is the type of gorgeous where you can step out of the car and it literally takes your breath away. We get asked if we have elopements in the same spots and the answer is a resounding NO. Glacier Park is its own beast. You’ll never elope in the same spot twice and it’ll never be the same experience twice! It’s massive, the weather is constantly bringing something beautifully different, and YOU! You are the secret sauce that is going to make your adventure elopement so fun!!
Where to Stay & What to Do on your Montana Elopement
We can meet our wedding day couples in the morning when they stay at the St. Mary Village and capture getting ready photos! What is the downside of elopement? What we love most about elopements is that our couples make their day whatever they want. This can include wedding traditions in their elopement day, there are NO rules on what makes a Montana elopement and we fucking love that.
We can get up in the morning, when it’s still dark and drive up the winding canyon road to the Rising Sun Picnic area. It’s one of the most secluded Glacier National Park ceremony locations. When the sun rises above the mountains, the skies turn pink. BAM! Magical sunrise for your ceremony. We time it perfectly!
In Glacier you can hike, bike, or even take a romantic boat ride! It’s also an epic time to take a drive down the legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road (you can even download the audio guide for this!) River rafting is also HUGE here.
Avalanche Lake (Glacier National Park) – A 6.7 mile hike- fairly easy for most hikers. Featuring a crystal clear lake views & abundant wildlife. Take the hike, exchange vows at the clear lake, hell jump on if it’s warm enough!!
How to Elope in Glacier National Park – Ultimate Guide
Yellowstone National Park
A Yellowstone National Park elopement, in Gardiner, Montana is absolutely epic. It’s the place where elk walk the street like they live there and the locals are the NICEST! We’ve also never EVER seen sunsets like those golden hour times near Yellowstone National Park. The sky absolutely lit up with pinks, yellows, and oranges. Get ready for insane wildlife and romantic skies.
Where to Stay & What to Do
Located in southern Montana, Red Lodge is a small town known for its hospitality & country charm. Stay at Blue Sky Cabins where you can soak in a giant 2-person tub, while enjoying the breath-taking Montana landscape. Grab a bite to eat at the local Cafe Regis– with garden views & fresh ingredients.
Despite being a small town- Red Lodge has amazing vendors to help you get ready for your elopement. Appearance Plus Salon-Day Spa and Flower Garage will take care of all your beauty & floral needs.
Yellowstone National Park Adventure Session
While you’re there, make sure to drive the Beartooth Scenic Highway– a 68-mile road linked to Yellowstone with unbeatable scenery of mountain peaks, glaciers, lakes & wildlife. Horseback riding, skiing & golfing are other popular activities in Red Lodge. All of our couples LOVE Hebgen Lake so we’ll make sure to check that out for you too!
Check out our complete list of Montana elopement locations
When to Have a Montana Elopement
Montana is one of the lucky states that gets to experience all four seasons, which makes for beautiful elopements all year round! Whatever your vision is, Montana can make it happen.
Summer
Summer in Montana usually lasts from July-September with mid-day temperatures ranging between the mid-70’s to low 90’s. Green grass & colorful wildflowers cover the landscape creating stunning views from the higher elevation trails, accessible only during these summer months. Because of the pleasant weather, summer in Montana is a popular tourist destination. Planning an early morning or mid-week elopement is recommended. Pro tip: for the love of Hermoine, bring bug spray!
Fall
A Montana fall is nothing short of amazing, with its painted landscape of orange, yellow and vivid red. Beginning at the end of September- November, nature makes its preparation for winter. The weather can be variable during this season, but the beauty is unmatched.
Winter
Winter in Montana is a snow-bunnies paradise. If you’re a lover of winter sports, then you might want to consider a winter elopement! Montana features 17 ski resorts including Big Sky, Whitefish Mountain & Bridger Bowl- all within an hour drive of the airport. Coated in a blanket of white, you can’t go wrong with a winter elopement here in Montana. Be sure to wear warm winter boots and nude leggings under that dress!
Spring
There is nothing like a gorgeous spring day in Montana when nature begins to wake up after her long winter’s nap. With less crowds & lively wildlife, spring is one of our favorite months to capture. Similar to fall, however- the weather can be a bit unpredictable, so flexibility is key when planning a spring elopement. Don’t let that deter you though, we have some tricks up our sleeves!
Montana is the outdoorsy couples paradise. With endless hiking trails, snow-capped mountains, and crisp air, a Montana elopement is nothing short of amazing. Whether you choose a secluded mountain top, or icy waterfall- the beautiful Montana landscape will have you shouting, “I Do.” If you’re ready to make your own dream Montana adventure elopement,
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