Glacier National Park, Montana

Glacier Elopement

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I've written before about how I don't choose favorite weddings, but look you guys....some are just really special. Here's the kicker about this one: the bride, Brenna, and I were in college at Berry at the same time, but didn't know each other. We had mutual friends, but somehow our paths never crossed directly. By the end of the day, I really wished that they had. She is COOL.

Brenna and Daniel got engaged in Glacier National Park a few years ago. After trying to decide on the best way to have their wedding, they said "screw it" and chose to elope. They already had this trip to Montana planned, and decided to turn it into their wedding AND honeymoon. You know, super casual. Just turn your vacation into the most important, intimate, beautiful day of your life with no pressure or hassle. Definitely NOT the most genius idea I've ever heard. No biggie. (read: deeply sarcastic. These two should win an award.)

I drove up to Glacier to meet Brenna + Daniel on a perfect Monday at the beginning of July. They nailed the timing: it was warm but not scalding, there were just traces of snow over Logan Pass, and the usual late-summer wildfire smoke hadn't yet crept into the park. Their day was bright, sunny, colorful and comfortable. They had a private first look by the river, were married by the cutest fishing guide/officiant at Rising Sun, and we spent the better part of the afternoon cruising around the park. We stopped for photos whenever we saw a spot we liked, shared a bottle of wine, and wrapped our day just as a storm rolled in over St. Mary. When it started to rain, we stopped at a local cafe to share a slice of huckleberry pie.

I can only hope that these photos do justice to this day. When couple's choose to get married privately, it's a deep honor to be included. I don't take it lightly. And when you've made two new friends at the end of the day, it's the icing on the cake. Or in this case, the giant scoop of Wilcoxson's vanilla ice cream on the huckleberry pie. Whatever.