An Intimate Wedding in Glacier National Park, Montana

When Lydia first reached out to me about photographing her wedding in Glacier National Park, I was over the moon with excitement for a few reasons. Lydia and I go way back to childhood, growing up together in West Virginia. We’ve known each other from birth, so it truly meant the world to me when Lydia reached out about having me as her and Ryan’s photographer. I just knew that Lydia’s adventure spirit would take the lead on their special day, and it wasn't long after meeting Ryan that I knew his spirit matched Lydia’s.

Lydia and Ryan knew that Glacier National Park would be the most perfect backdrop for their day, and they knew without a doubt that they wanted their families and close friends to stand by their side. So, their crew packed up and headed out to the Crown of the Continent to spend the week celebrating the happy couple in their favorite place.

We started the day at sunrise as Lydia did a first look with her dad and brother along the shore of Lake McDonald. We then ventured over to the Apgar Amphitheater where the couple had rented the space to say their vows. As Lydia’s father walked her down the aisle, soft music played, Ryan waited for his bride up front, and tears streamed down their guests’ faces. Seeing the emotion that swept over Lydia’s dad was one of the sweetest moments I have ever had the privilege of capturing.

After their sunrise ceremony, Lydia and Ryan hosted their friends and family at their campsite for breakfast where they cut their “cake” (aka the couple’s favorite type of bread) and asked me to photograph a Bible that all of the women in Lydia’s family had signed on their wedding day. The area instantly filled with laughter and fun as guests enjoyed each other’s company in the woods of Glacier National Park.

During breakfast, I noticed an empty campsite with the most amazing golden light coming through the trees. I snuck Lydia and Ryan away for just a few minutes in order to take advantage of that early morning light peeking through.

Immediately following the ceremony, we took photos along the shore of Lake McDonald. The sun rising over the mountains was absolutely incredible to see. The light started out soft and became hazier as it struggled to shine through the wildfire smoke. It ended up providing us with the most amazing light as it rose higher and higher into the sky.

Lydia and Ryan opted to split their coverage in order to make the most out of the beautiful golden light. We started the day at sunrise, broke for a few hours in the middle of the day, and met back up a few hours before sunset to finish exploring the park. We drove along the Going-to-the-Sun-Road, over Logan Pass, and eventually wound up in Lydia’s favorite spot, Many Glacier. We stopped along the way to take photos in several spots, all of which presented unique views.

After encountering a grizzly mama and her cubs, several hours of adventuring, and a longer than usual construction zone wait, we finally made it to Many Glacier. The views were absolutely incredible and the lighting was enough to make any photographer swoon. This place was magical and after a long day, we finally made it.

Photographing Lydia and Ryan in Glacier National Park was such an honor for me in so many ways. I cannot thank Lydia enough for valuing my work and trusting me to capture these moments for her and Ryan. I am a firm believer in taking the time to slow down and enjoy the seasons of life, and I feel like Lydia and Ryan’s intimate wedding in Glacier National Park allowed them to do all of that and more.

Sweet words from the couple:

“My husband and I were so fortunate to have Kylie photograph our elopement at Glacier National Park in July 2021. We are Tennessee natives, so planning a wedding 2,000 miles away is no small feat. Kylie gave us so many wonderful recommendations for local vendors. Hair, makeup, flowers, you name it. This girl knows it all! You can see how passionate she is behind the camera with her incredible galleries, but her passion truly shines behind the scenes. She is not just a photographer that shows up for the wedding day. She is a friend who is there for you every day, even after the wedding. My husband and I could not be more pleased with our photos from Kylie! I would absolutely recommend her to any and everyone, not just for the beautiful photos but also for the beautiful person she is.”

Vendor Credits:

Dress: Brides by Glitz Nashville

Venue: Glacier National Park

Wedding Bread: Outrageous Baking

HMUA: Ashpaintshair Color Studio

Interested in eloping but don’t know where to start? Let me help you! I make it my job to provide you with everything you need to know to make your elopement an experience that you’ll remember for all the years to come. Get in touch with me here, and let’s get started with planning your dream experience.