The Best Wedding Venues Near Glacier National Park For Micro-Weddings and Elopements
Micro-Wedding & Elopement Wedding Venues Near Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is one of the most beautiful areas in Montana making it an ideal location for micro-weddings and elopements. With endless mountain views, idyllic lakes, lush forests, waterfalls, and endless opportunities for hiking and adventure, it’s a dream wedding location. Many of the couples I work with do an adventure session inside the park before their ceremony for some stunning portraits and then head to their venue later in the day or vice versa! I love when my clients do this because they get the best of both worlds! They get to start off their day as if it is an elopement exploring and taking some stunning photos and then head to their venue for the rest of their wedding day!
If this sounds like the ideal wedding day for you, then definitely keep reading as I share some of the best wedding venues near Glacier National Park for micro-weddings and elopements!
What Can a Wedding or Elopement Day Look Like When Getting Married Near Glacier National Park?
If you want to get married near Glacier National Park, then you know just how beautiful and amazing it is! It would truly be a shame to get married so close to the park and not head into it to capture some wedding photos. Many of my clients love the idea of an adventurous elopement in Glacier National Park but can’t imagine their day without their loved ones. So I am here to tell you that you can have both!
There are a few different ways that you can plan your adventure session and micro-wedding together! One option is to go with your photographer on the day of your wedding to Glacier National Park before your ceremony for a few hours. This is a great option for couples who want some intimate and private moments before joining together with their family to celebrate! You could even opt to read your vows to each other while at your adventure session. The second option is to have your ceremony earlier in the day and then head to the park for a few hours for some photos and your first private moments as a married couple. And then the last option is to have your adventure session the day after your wedding!
When you are doing a micro-wedding or elopement, especially if you are doing it at an Airbnb, you have plenty of options for how you can plan your day! You can 1000% have the best of both worlds!!
West Glacier Micro-Wedding & Elopement Venues
West Glacier is what I consider to be the main entrance of the park as it is closest to the towns where almost everyone stays — Kalispell, Whitefish, Bigfork, and Columbia Falls. At West Glacier, you will find tons of tourist shops, the Apgar Visitor Center, and it’s the most popular entrance that connects to Going to the Sun Road.
West Glacier Airbnb Venues
While there are tons of great options for wedding venues near West Glacier that offer packages for micro-weddings and elopements, many of my clients want something even more intimate and private. Renting an Airbnb or VRBO is a great option as the properties are more unique and more secluded, and you have much more freedom with the timing of your day!
Imagine starting your day off by getting ready in the Airbnb and then stepping outside to have your beautiful ceremony on the wooden deck overlooking the lush trees and distant mountain views. After the ceremony, you and your partner head into Glacier National Park for an hour or two for some intimate moments and photos. Then you head back to the Airbnb where you can celebrate and enjoy a nice dinner with your closest friends and family!
If this sounds like the ideal day for you and your partner, below I share some cool Airbnbs & VRBOs that could be the perfect setting for your micro-wedding or elopement in West Glacier!
Going to the Sun Chalets
Going to the Sun Chalets is a beautiful ranch in West Glacier that offers several vacation rentals and is also a wedding venue. They are situated on 20 acres of land with 360-degree views of Glacier National Park. This is a great option for a micro-wedding as they have tons of variety for different locations for your ceremony and reception and you and your guests can stay right on the property!
West Glacier Adobe House
This private adobe home is located just minutes from the West Glacier entrance and has the most gorgeous outdoor area with epic views and a firepit. It even has a claw-foot bathtub which is the perfect place to unwind on your wedding day with your partner and enjoy a glass of wine. Nestled in the trees, you have plenty of privacy to have your ceremony out on the lawn or on the deck and enjoy a nice dinner party with your loved ones to celebrate!
Under Canvas
Under Canvas is one of the coolest lodging options near the West Glacier entrance that I think would be an epic spot to host your micro-wedding or elopement. Surrounded by nothing but wilderness, Under Canvas is an upscale glamping experience that offers a safari-inspired tent with a king-size bed, plush linens, an ensuite bathroom, a wood-burning stove, and more. You and your loved ones can celebrate your new marriage camping under the stars, enjoying smores by the campfire, and tons of opportunities for adventure.
Montana Treehouse Retreat
Montana Treehouse Retreat is a super unique property located just 10 miles from the West Glacier entrance. The two houses are literally treehouses designed to be the perfect place for a romantic stay or special occasion I think that this is the perfect option for the couple wanting to do an intimate elopement. You can enjoy your adventure session in the park during the day and then head back to your treehouse for a romantic catered dinner.
The Nooq is a more modern and luxurious Airbnb option that is located in Whitefish, MT. Surrounded by nothing but trees, the privacy this home offers is perfect for an elopement or micro-wedding. The home was designed with massive windows to really bring the outside in and it is absolutely STUNNING in the winter months when it is snowing! It’s the perfect space to bring together your closest friends and family for your ceremony and dinner celebration!
Whitefish A-Frame
This sleek and modern A-frame cabin in Whitefish offers the most cozy and intimate indoor space and an outdoor space that is perfect for hosting your ceremony! Tucked away on private property overlooking Whitefish Lake through the trees, there are tons of areas perfect for some photos. In the evening you can enjoy the outdoor firepit area which is beautifully lit up by the string lights.
West Glacier Lodges/Hotel Wedding Venues
If renting an Airbnb for your micro-wedding or elopement isn’t what you want, don’t worry, there are plenty of wedding venues that offer packages for micro-weddings and elopements. Here are some great options in West Glacier:
Paddle Ridge Weddings & Events
Paddle Ridge Weddings & Events is located in West Glacier, about 45 minutes from Kalispell. The real selling point for this venue is the gorgeous ceremony site. The property has the perfect pavilion situated in the middle of the wilderness offering extensive views of the areas surrounding. This is a great venue option if you are having a micro-wedding with 35 guests or under.
Grouse Mountain Lodge is a beautiful rustic hotel and wedding venue located in Whitefish. They offer several different spaces for you to have your ceremony depending on the size of your wedding and the time of year. For a large summer wedding, their outdoor pavilion is stunning surrounded by lots of wilderness and greenery. For an intimate winter wedding, they have indoor options as well that provide you with a blank canvas to make the space everything you imagined!
The Lodge at Whitefish Lake
The Lodge at Whitefish Lake is a stunning all-inclusive hotel and wedding venue situated right on Whitefish Lake that offers both micro-wedding and elopement packages. This is the perfect blend of a classic-style lodge that also has some modern and luxurious finishes. Located in the heart of the mountains, you will be surrounded by some of the best views. This venue offers several different event spaces for your ceremony and reception. For the ceremony, my favorite option is their lakeside lawn as the views are unmatched.
Whitefish Mountain Resort is a super unique wedding venue because the ceremony site is located at a 6,817 ft. summit that is accessible via chairlift or enclosed gondola. I love this venue for an elopement as it is in a very intimate setting! At the summit, you get to exchange your vows with the peaks of Glacier National Park as your backdrop. Due to the location of the ceremony site, this venue is only available in the summer months from mid-June to mid-September.
Ashley Lake Estates
Ashley Lake Estates is one of the more private and serene wedding venues you will find near the West Glacier entrance. Located in Kalispell, MT about an hour from Glacier National Park, this wedding venue is nestled along the shoreline of Ashley Lake and sits on 50 acres of land. The ceremony and reception sites are all in the same area making the transition super easy during your big day. The location is STUNNING with massive trees, the crystal-clear lake, and mountain views as your backdrop! The property also has accommodations for up to 26 people, so perfect for the bridal party and some family members can stay on the property. I love this venue so much for a micro-wedding as many of your guests can stay on the property.
The Nest on Swan River
The Nest on Swan River is the dreamiest riverfront wedding venue nestled near the Swan Mountains that offers elopements and micro-weddings in their off-season (October 15th - May 15th). The ceremony site is located right on the river and is the most serene and tranquil setting perfect for a romantic and intimate wedding. This property also provides lodging for the bridal party, family, and friends.
East Glacier Micro-Wedding & Elopement Venues
East Glacier is on the other side of the park. It is the entrance you should use if you go to Two Medicine Lake, Pray Lake, and Running Eagle Falls.
East Glacier Airbnb Venues
Peaceful Cabin w/ Waterfall near Glacier National Park
Located only 10 minutes from the Two Medicine entrance of Glacier National Park, this is a super close and accessible Airbnb to relax at after your adventure session. You can unwind with a romantic dinner on the deck and enjoy your first evening as newlyweds. The property also has a 40 ft waterfall on it which you can walk down to!
Triple G's Resort - Geodome 10
This Eco Luxury Geodesic dome is located about 40 minutes away from the East Glacier entrance. Besides the super cool lodging they offer in the domes, they also have an onsite wedding venue in which you can rent out part of the campsite for up to 75 guests.
Cozy Essex Log Cabin
This cozy log cabin is small and simple with the cutest outdoor space perfect to sit back and relax by the firepit. Ideally, I would recommend this place for couples doing an elopement with just the two of them as the space is best for 2 people. You can head into the East Glacier entrance for an adventure session and then head back to this tranquil cabin to enjoy some alone time and take in the whole day!
East Glacier Lodges/Hotel Wedding Venues
Glacier Park Lodge
Glacier Park Lodge is a beautiful hotel and wedding oasis where you can celebrate your love surrounded by the idyllic country setting. They offer several different indoor and outdoor sites for you to choose from for your ceremony. The architecture of the venue features towering Douglas Fir timbers creating a more rustic feel to the indoor spaces. One of the best parts of this venue is that is located very close to Two Medicine Valley which is a stunning location for an early morning adventure session for some photos!
Summit Mountain Lodge
Summit Mountain Lodge is one of the newer wedding venues near Glacier National Park. It is located on the top of the continental divide between the two main entrances of Going to the Sun Road. The ceremony site is a timber frame, outdoor, open-air wedding pavilion overlooking the majestic peaks of Glacier National Park. With wilderness in every direction, the views here are breathtaking!
Many Glacier/Saint Mary Micro-Wedding & Elopement Venues
Many Glacier is home to tons of amazing hiking, alpine lakes, wildlife, and the iconic Many Glacier Hotel. Many Glacier is definitely a less busy area of Glacier National Park making the area feel much more remote and private!
The Saint Mary Entrance is the entrance that connects to the opposite end of Going to the Sun Road. It’s home to Saint Mary Lake and Saint Mary Visitor Center.
Many Glacier/Saint Mary Airbnb Venues
Charming Cabin on Duck Lake
This cozy cabin in Baab on Duck Lake is perfect for the couple wanting to rent an Airbnb for their intimate elopement. Located right on Duck Lake, it has beautiful views and is the perfect place to unwind and relax after your adventure session in Glacier National Park with your elopement photographer!
This adorable cabin in Baab is only minutes from the East Glacier entrance of the park. With back porch river-view access and breathtaking views of the nearby mountain peaks, it offers the perfect spot for a serene and tranquil ceremony.
Duck Lake Chalet, near Many Glacier
This beautiful home sits right on Duck Lake only minutes away from the Many Glacier Entrance. The property has lake and mountain views that would be the perfect backdrop for a private ceremony with your closest friends and family.
Many Glacier/Saint Mary Lodges/Hotel Wedding Venues
Many Glacier Hotel
Many Glacier Hotel is a beautiful Swiss-style lodge located in the heart of the Many Glacier area. They offer tons of different areas for your ceremony all with amazing views of the surrounding mountains and lake.
Best Places to Take Photos in Glacier National Park
If you are getting married near Glacier National Park, I think that it is a MUST to head into the park at some point on your wedding day or the day after to take some photos. It’s the perfect opportunity to capture some stunning photos while also taking some alone time for just the two of you. I even recommend saying your vows to each other during this as it is much more private and personal! You can either choose to to an early morning session before the ceremony if you are okay seeing each other before then or opt to go at sunset after your ceremony! Or you could even do an adventure session the day after the wedding! Here are some locations I LOVE for some portraits:
West Glacier
Lake McDonald
Belton Bridge
Trail of Cedars
East Glacier
Two Medicine Lake
Pray Lake
Running Eagles Falls
Saint Mary
Saint Mary Lake
Sun Point
Many Glacier
Lake Josephine
Montana Wedding/Elopement Photographer & Videographer
Hi, I’m Shayna Lloyd, the lead creative and owner of Montana Diaries. We are your Montana elopement photography and videography team — we serve adventurous, laid-back couples who want story-driven and experience-based photos and videos from their elopements + destination weddings. I can’t wait to talk to you about your Montana elopement! Click here to learn more about our experience + pricing.
