A Favorite Montana Elopement Location: Bozeman
Intimate Bozeman Elopement with Meshayla + Alex
Meshayla and Alex are showing exactly how to have the most kickass city elopement in Bozeman. Everything about this Bozeman, Montana elopement stole my heart! From their playful and loving relationship to the whole vibe of this elopement day! They wanted to elope but they wanted to do it THEIR WAY and it was perfect!
Bozeman, Montana is a beautiful city with a lot to offer from killer city vibes to idyllic nature views in every direction. If you’ve been searching for the perfect Montana elopement location then it’s time to consider Bozeman. And in this guide, I share everything you need to know to plan your dreamy Bozeman elopement day!
Table of Contents
Why Elope in Bozeman, Montana?
Bozeman is such a special city in Montana that has so much to offer for an elopement. Unlike other super popular elopement locations, you won’t have to worry as much about big crowds and permits. You can choose to have a trendy and fun elopement in downtown or opt for an adventurous hiking elopement in the mountains. This charming city will help you make your elopement day unforgettable!
Where is Bozeman, Montana?
Bozeman, Montana is a beautiful city located in Southern Montana in the Rocky Mountains. Montana’s bordering states include Wyoming, Idaho, North Dakota, and South Dakota so a drive from any of those states wouldn’t be too bad. And if you were to drive you could visit several of the national parks in the surrounding states including Yellowstone and Glacier National Park.
How to get to Bozeman, Montana
When it comes to traveling to Montana, it is pretty easy since there are 5 international airports in Montana. But the best airport to fly into to get to Bozeman is Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN). Other airports that you can fly into in Montana include:
Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) - 5 hour drive
Missoula International Airport (MSO) - 3 hour drive
Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) - 2 hour drive
Great Falls International Airport (GTF) - 2 hours 45 minute drive
Once you get to Montana, I highly recommend renting a car. This is by far the easiest way to get around and have tons of freedom on your trip. It can be tough to rely solely on public transportation especially if you are wanting to venture from the city and explore different locations and hikes.
Best Time of the Year to Elope in Bozeman
Winter
Bozeman is absolutely beautiful in the winter months! The mountains are abundant with snow and perfect for snowboarding, skiing, and snowmobiling. So if you’re okay with the cold and want some cozy vibes with a bit of snow-filled adventure, then the winter months could be a fun time for your Elopement!
Spring
Spring is definitely one of the most stunning times of the year because the wildflowers are in full bloom and the grass in the valley is as green as it gets! But, the mountains are still snow-capped in the distance which makes for a breathtaking backdrop.
Summer
Summers in Bozeman are amazing because it really doesn’t get too hot. At its highest, it will reach 85 degrees which is great weather in my opinion. Yes it’s warm, but the weather isn't too hot that it would stop you from being able to hike or enjoy the outdoors. And Bozeman has so many great options for outdoor activities like fishing, camping, or even rock climbing.
Fall
Fall is probably when you get the best weather in Bozeman. The trees are turning yellow and it's not too hot or too cold. You can enjoy plenty of activities from a drink in the city to an adventurous hike in the mountains.
Overall, Bozeman is a pretty great place year-round. And when you want to elope truly just depends on what activities you enjoy and if you prefer warmer or colder weather. There’s tons of activities from bar-hopping to hiking that can be tons of fun in Bozeman!
Best Bozeman, Montana Elopement Locations
Bozeman, Montana is a unique elopement location because not only does it have beautiful scenery, but it also offers kickass city vibes. So whether you and your partner are nature enthusiasts or city-people at heart, Bozeman has it all.
Where to elope in the city?
When it comes to eloping in downtown Bozeman, Meshayla and Alex truly did it the right way. They incorporated several of the things that they love to do together and turned it into the most kickass elopement day ever. Here are all of the spots/everything Meshayle and Alex did for their elopement in downtown Bozeman:
RSVP Hotel
They started their day off at RSVP Hotel to get ready. And let me just say, the vibes of this hotel were immaculate and perfect for this elopement. It had a vintage-inspired vibe with a record player that perfectly set the mood for the day. Meshayle and Alex both started off getting ready separately and then came together to help finish off each other's looks!
Devil’s Toboggan
What’s better for celebrating your elopement then enjoying some spectacular cocktails? Our next stop on this city elopement day in Bozeman was Devil’s Toboggan. This speakeasy style bar was the perfect romantic and relaxed environment for these two to enjoy some drinks and for me to sit back and capture some intimate moments.
The Devil’s Toboggan has a super historic feel that takes you back in time to the era of speakeasies and golden age cocktails. The moody atmosphere, welcoming staff, and unique food and drinks was the perfect spot in Bozeman for these two lovers to take in the day and enjoy each other’s company.
Walk and Explore the Historic Downtown Area
Downtown Bozeman is a beautiful city with tons of rich history, great restaurants, and even better bars! In my opinion, you could make a whole evening/night out exploring the city enjoying appetizers, drinks and maybe even some pizza and beer like Meshayle and Alex. With all of the beautiful red brick buildings, we took some of the most stunning elopement photos. The red brick was the perfect backdrop to fit the moody and romantic vibe of this elopement.
The great part about eloping is that it’s YOUR DAY and you can do WHATEVER you want. Meshayle and Alex’s elopement in the city shows you that no hiking is necessary to have a kickass elopement in Bozeman, Montana!
Where to elope in Nature?
Don’t worry, I didn’t forget about you nature loving enthusiasts (myself included). All around Bozeman, Montana is an amazing place and just like they have any amazing downtown area, they also have some breathtaking locations for a more adventurous elopement.
Located up Hyalite Canyon is a breathtakingly beautiful mountain valley with the Hyalite Canyon Reservoir. This is an amazing elopement location with picturesque backdrops and plenty of great hiking. There are even two waterfalls in the area - Grotto Falls and Palisades Falls. This location can get a little busy so it's best to aim for early mornings or plan to go during the week to avoid the crowds.
Big Sky
Big Sky is a beautiful community about 45 minutes outside of Bozeman that offers great skiing in the winter months and downhill mountain-bike trails that are perfect for the spring, summer, and winter. The Big Sky resort is amazing and the perfect place to stay if you’re planning a weekend visit. With a plethora of options for different fun activities in both the warmer and colder months, this is a great elopement location for the couples looking for some adventure.
Custer Gallatin National Forest
Custer Gallatin National Forest is a vastly diverse and stunning landscape that stretches over 3 million acres. With gorgeous views of active glaciers, deep canyons, sparkling streams and hundreds of alpine lakes, you won’t be disappointed if you choose to elope here. But, bring your hiking boots as there’s SOO many different areas to explore.
Fairy Lake
Located at the base of Sacagawea Peak is one of the most beautiful lakes near Bozeman - Fair Lake. This gorgeous lake is surrounded by thousands of alpine trees on all sides. For your elopement at Fairy Lake, you can enjoy a 1.2 mile hike around the lake and then celebrate with a romantic picnic or take a dip and go swimming.
Where to Stay in Bozeman, Montana
Airbnbs/VRBOs
Hotels, Lodges, & Resorts
Campgrounds
What to do in Bozeman: Fun Activity Ideas
Explore Downtown Bozeman
Enjoy some hand-crafted cocktails at Devil’s Toboggan
Kayaking and Paddle Boarding
Fishing
Meet your Montana Elopement Photographer
Hi, I’m Shayna Lloyd
THE CREATIVE BEHIND MONTANA DIARIES.
I’m a videographer and photographer based in NW Montana and Glacier National Park, but you better believe
I’m stoked to pack up my gear, and often my cute little fam, to travel all over the world telling love stories and of course that include Arizona!
I curate the most badass video & photo teams, and that often includes my husband, Brandon. We seek to live what we offer, meaning we prioritize traveling, hiking, time in the outdoors, and creating memorable experiences for each other and our daughter, Lucy.
Bozeman Elopement Packages
INTIMATE, ADVENTUROUS, TRUE-TO-YOU
Whether it’s just the two of you, or you have 20ish stragglers tagging along to kick off your marriage with an incredible Arizona expedition, my hope is to craft an *experience* that feels like YOU GUYS. Think about your greatest adventure, your perfect date, the things you two do together that make you feel the most alive and authentic.
THE DETAILS:
Deliverables: Videography — the highlight film, the full ceremony/vow reading, anything else important that needs a separate video; Photography — the full edited gallery hosted online with free downloads for you, your friends, and family!
You can find information on my pricing HERE!
