Logan Pass Hiking Elopement | Jason + Yvonne’s Destination Wedding Video & Photos
Logan Pass Hiking Elopement | Jason + Yvonne’s Destination Wedding Video & Photos
If you love adventurous mountain elopements, but you can’t imagine leaving behind your closest loved ones…
If you love the idea of hiking on your wedding day, but you’re still a sucker for a curated tablescape and dinner cooked by a private chef…
If you’re super chill + laid back, but you still appreciate stunning landscapes and beautiful details…
THIS IS THE DREAM. This one, right here — Jason and Yvonne did it haha! Jason and Yvonne traveled from California for their destination Glacier National Park wedding, and it was one of my favorite days ever. Keep scrolling for some incredible Logan’s Pass hiking elopement inspo.
The groom’s response to his Glacier National Park wedding film:
Shayna,
Thank you so much! I loved the video. You did an amazing job. Thank you so much for making everything perfect on our wedding day. It was fun to get to know you and to connect while on our drives to the locations and to have you eat with us for our dinner. You are the best!
The bride’s response to her Glacier National Park wedding film:
Shay! Are you kidding me? That highlight video melted my heart. It was like Jason and I were journeying to start our journey of the rest of our lives together. Thank you for putting so much thought into editing, capturing footage of how the day looked, and making the video a wonderful tangible memory! Did I thank you for sticking to our plan despite your very pregnant belly? My favorite footage is the first look, hidden lake, the dancing, and everyone at dinner! Okay so basically everything.
Thanks again!
Jason + Yvonne’s Glacier National Park Wedding Day
First look at Big Bend on Going to the Sun Road
The original plan was to do the first look right before the ceremony at Sun Point, but when I saw Big Bend on their wish list I asked them to switch it up and do the first look there! I’m soooo glad I did — it’s about a two hour drive from the West entrance to Sun Point, with Big Bend being close to a midpoint. I wanted them to be able to enjoy the drive together, chat a bit, and prepare for the ceremony without being nervous wrecks!
I adore Jason and Yvonne, truly — the first thing Yvonne said to me before her first look was “I did my makeup myself” and then when I listened to Jason’s audio while editing their video I found out he was sure to compliment her makeup hahaha! They’re super private people but they were such good sports about their friends and family watching the first look from above, and then they indulged me when I was freaking out over the awesome lighting and made them take a billion photos before we got back on the road. The best start to the morning!!!
Side note — Jason and his best friend rode with me in my old Honda and they were roasting me the entire time so I knew it was going to be a fun day from the get go haha!
Ceremony at Sun Point overlooking St. Mary Lake
Jason + Yvonne’s ceremony permit was for 9AM-11AM at Sun Point. Yvonne told me she specifically chose Sun Point because we were entering from the west entrance and Sun Point is way over by the east entrance — she wanted their loved ones to get to drive Going to the Sun Road at least once during their trip — SOOOO smart; the ceremony permit acts as a vehicle pass for GTTSR.
Sun Point is one of my fave spots in the entire park, and it’s super accessible via a short nature walk from the parking lot. The lighting on the trail was straight out of a dream — I had so much fun documenting their journey to the ceremony.
Jason’s best friend Mike officiated the ceremony and he did an amazing job — the perfect combo of sweet and sentimental and freaking hilarious! I am alllll about choosing a loved one to officiate rather than a stranger.
After the ceremony, we took group photos with Jason and Yvonne’s loved ones before we left for our hike + picnic!
Hike from Logan Pass to Hidden Lake
Jason and Yvonne knew they wanted to carve out time for a hike, so that’s exactly what they did! They chose Hidden Lake Hike because it was on the bucket list for their trip, and it’s a lovely hike! They brought a picnic of sandwiches + chips to enjoy and it was a beautiful afternoon — aandddd I was only about 5-10 minutes behind them, even 8 months pregnant hahaha!
Intimate dinner at a cabin VRBO in Coram
Jason + Yvonne booked a huge rental cabin in Coram, Montana and it was PERFECT — it had a huge deck, large sitting area and dining room, tons of windows — it was so nice. Before dinner, everyone enjoyed a charcuterie board while chatting and listening to music.
Natasha from 540 Weddings and Events went above and beyond with the tablescape — she curated the most beautiful place settings, florals, and menu cards.
The Chef Guys catered the intimate dinner and it was absolutely delicious. We enjoyed dinner while Jason and Yvonne’s loved ones took turns giving speeches dedicated to the happy couple.
After dinner, Jason and Yvonne cut their cake and did their first dance in the living room of the cabin — it was the sweetest night.
Permits, passes, & legalities for getting married at Sun Point in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park Special Use/Activity Permits
How much does it cost?
It costs $125 to apply to get married at Sun Point in Glacier National Park.
How do you apply?
You can download the application for the special use permit by clicking here!
How long is it valid for?
Your permit allows your use for 2 hours!
What locations is it valid for?
You can review the ceremony permit locations in Glacier National Park at this link and request your specific spot on your application.
How long in advance do you need to apply for it?
I would apply literally as soon as you know where you want to get hitched!! Some years, my couples don’t even hear back until a few weeks before their big day so we’ll need to come up with back up plans just in case.
Do you & your guests still have to pay a separate entry/parking fee?
Your ceremony permit will allow you entry for the park’s reservation ticket system, but you will still need to pay for the general park pass fee.
Click here for more information about getting married in Glacier!
All about hiking at Logan Pass
Jason + Yvonne knew they wanted to hike in Glacier National Park on their wedding day. They did research about the different hikes in GNP, and chose Hidden Lake based on its location on Going to the Sun Road on the way back from their ceremony — I knew it would be crazyyyy busy at that time, so I made sure to make a backup plan, but it worked out great! It was a busy day on the trail, but every other hiker was SO stoked to see a couple that had just gotten hitched — they were celebrities haha!
How to get to Logan Pass Visitor’s Center
Logan Pass Visitor Center is located at the highest point along Going to the Sun Road. It is in the middle of the park, about 32 miles from the West Entrance and 18 miles from the St. Mary Entrance.
Hidden Lake Hike/route info
We stopped at Hidden Lake Overlook to take in the views, and it was such a lovely day for a hike! If you’re thinking about hiking the Hidden Lake Trail, here’s what you should know:
Hike distance/mileage: 5.4 Miles
Elevation gain: 1325 Feet
Terrain type: Mostly boardwalk to the Overlook, and then gravel!
Average completion time: 3 hours
Accessibility level: Moderate — the initial parts of the trail are paved and then boardwalk, so fairly wheelchair accessible, but there are some stairs later on!
Are there restrooms nearby? What’s parking like? There are restrooms at the visitor center and parking is crazyyyyy busy — often, the parking lot closes because there are too many people circling the lot looking for parking!
Weather info + best time of year to elope at Logan Pass
Going to the Sun Road is typically open in early July through mid-October. Montana weather is crazy unpredictable, though, so if you’re planning to spend time at Logan’s pass then just have a good attitude about whatever weather may come your way — there are NO bad days in Glacier!
Potential roadblocks that you should make backup plans for!
Parking lot at Logan’s Pass Visitor Center: Parking is insaneeeee, especially in the afternoon! We circled the parking lot for like 45 minutes before Jason + Yvonne’s hike haha!
Smoke from wildfires: there’s always a risk of the mountains being socked in by smoke during wildfire season, which is typically in late July through August. The smoke makes photos soooo moody and beautiful, but I get why it would be a bummer if you’re visiting to see the incredible mountains!
If there are bears on the trail, the rangers may temporarily close it!
Logan Pass elopement photographer and videographer
I’m Shay, your NW Montana + Glacier National Park photographer and videographer for the adventurous and laid-back — Jason + Yvonne were truly the perfect example of what it means to curate a wedding that feels COMPLETELY true to the couple getting married. We combined the absolute best parts of micro-weddings and elopements. If you’re wanting to plan your own elopement experience w/ a story-driven photographer and videographer, then click here to learn all about our process and pricing.
Glacier National Park Elopement Vendors
Photography and Videography: Montana Diaries
Planning + Decorating: 540 Weddings and Events
Catering: The Chef Guys
