An Early May Glacier National Park Elopement

*See full elopement video below*


On May 1st, Kayla and Dorian arrived in Coram, Montana at their Treetop AirBNB to elope the following day in Glacier National Park. They traveled all the way in from Iowa to explore the iconic mountain ranges, wildlife, and lakes that Northwest Montana has to offer. 

A person in a brown hat and white dress poses gracefully amid tall pine trees and sunlight in an outdoor photoshoot.
A series of minimalist wall sconces and light fixtures mounted on beige textured walls in a modern interior space.

After their first night’s stay at their treehouse destination, they woke the next morning and drove to the courthouse to pick up their marriage license. Once arriving back at the tree-engulfed Airbnb, eager to unravel the plans for the day, they got into some matching casual attire—blue jeans and a white T-shirt (Dorian in a black cowboy hat)—to take some fun engagement photos. We took photos and videos all around the Airbnb and in front of the blue Bronco they were renting, using props such as the hat and some Coors Banquet stubbies (of course). Once we all finished soaking up the last moments of their engagement, they began getting ready for their Glacier adventure.

A romantic moment shared between a couple embracing on a wooden deck with tall pine trees in the background.
A rustic A-frame treehouse with wooden deck and railings nestled among tall pine trees in a forest setting.

With vows to complete and copy down into the classic “his and her” vow books, Dorian took to the forest and the back deck of the treehouse to think in solitude. Kayla finished hers inside while her sister and a family friend helped her with hair and makeup.

The two exchanged gifts: a bracelet from Kayla, and a Glacier NP necklace with coordinates etched onto the front from Dorian. It was a sweet moment, caught genuinely on video.

Once their wedding attire was on, Dorian was escorted outside to the front walkway of the Airbnb, where he waited to see his bride for the first time! I clipped my inconspicuous lav mic onto the lapel of his jacket to ensure we collected the most crisp and accurate audio to use in their film. As the two of them caught first glance at each other and shared some sweet words and tears, we stayed to the side, capturing everything. Immediately approaching their blue Bronco, more ready than ever, it was time to get to the park—where they would declare their vows to one another and become HUSBAND and WIFE!!!


Compilation of five romantic wedding photos showing tender moments between a couple on their special day.
A tender embrace shared between two people on a wooden deck with tall pine trees in the background.

We entered the park from the west side and began heading north up the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, stopping at our first location—a beachside pull-off just a few miles up. Most of the park is closed during May and early June due to snow, but there are still some beautiful sights right near the entrance of the park.

With clear blue May skies, Lake McDonald sparkling in the background, and snow-capped mountain views above, they finally reached the moment they had been waiting for. Vows laced with past memories, words of gratitude, and proclamations of their shared love for their children were laid out before each other. They said their “I do’s” and sealed the deal!!!

We prompted the couple to frolic around the area together and joyfully soak in their new reality.

They signed their marriage license, with Kayla’s sister as the witness, and then we drove to our next destination—the Lake McDonald Lodge!

A couple walks hand in hand along a sandy lakeside beach with snow-capped mountains and turquoise waters in the background.
A romantic wedding couple shares a tender moment by a lake with snow-capped mountains in the background.

I absolutely love the Lake McDonald Lodge. It is effortlessly beautiful and very Montana. We took some photos in front of the main building and a creek nearby where a small herd of white-tailed deer stalked through the parking lots behind us…and yes we did get it on video! 

A series of wooden staircases and decks connecting multiple levels of residential homes on a hillside.
A couple walks through a snowy forest trail holding hands on a winter afternoon in nature.

After exploring the Lake McDonald Lodge, we decided to journey back toward the entrance of the park, just past the Apgar Visitor Center. This area is another one of my favorites, being that you don’t have to travel extensively to get there. It offers another stunning view of Lake McDonald that you can soak in from a wooden dock. There’s also a cute restaurant, a gift shop, and a campground there as well! We took the final videos and photos on the dock, where the couple popped some champagne and then prepared for their departure back to the treehouse.


It was altogether a beautiful day with stunning weather for an early May elopement in Glacier National Park. I will forever appreciate couples like Dorian and Kayla who let me be a part of their Montana elopement experience and trust me to capture their day in a way that truly feels like them.

Interested in elopement video or photo services? Click the button below!