Montana Fishing Elopement on the Middle Fork of the Flathead
Montana Fishing Elopement on the Middle Fork of the Flathead
John + Bess: Fall Elopement at Ryan Meadows on Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park
VIDEOGRAPHY + PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONTANA DIARIES
John + Bess
John + Bess chose West Glacier National Park for their destination micro-wedding, and I couldn’t have been more honored to capture it for them — not least because John is one of my husband Brandon’s best friends! This is a special one; we were so happy to help J + B design a day that honored their personalities and hobbies as well as time with their loved ones. We built in private vows at Belton Bridge, fishing on the middle fork of the Flathead, and an intimate ceremony at Lake McDonald — andddd to top it all off, Glacier showed upppp for these two with the fall colors. Keep scrollin’ for some Montana fishing elopement inspiration.
Montana Fishing Elopement on the Middle Fork of the Flathead
Getting ready to go fishing
J + B rented a VRBO in Kalispell, MT to stay in for the week with their friends and families. They wanted to wait to see each other until their first look in Glacier National Park, so we split them up between two cars and made a plan to meet at Belton Bridge.
First look on Belton Bridge in West Glacier National Park
J + B’s first look on Belton Bridge in west Glacier National Park was one of the most special moments imaginable — there wasn’t a dry eye, and it was made even better by how spectacular the fall colors were surrounding the bridge and how extra blue the Flathead River was that day. It was important for J + B to have a first look because they wanted to have as much time together on their wedding day as possible. They opted to read love letters to one another down by the river before we spent the entire morning fishing — Bess even caught a tiny guy on her spin rod, ha!
Lake McDonald Ceremony at Ryan Meadows
Ryan Meadows is probably our favorite ceremony site at Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park because it’s the most private location to access, it is accessible and doesn’t require a hike, and the mountain lake views are stunning. Glacier National Park does require a permit to hold a ceremony at Ryan Meadows, and you can learn more by clicking here.
J + B had their ceremony at 5:00 in the evening with just a few members of their family and some friends in attendance. They chose to walk into the ceremony together — I always love when couples do this, because I love the symbolism of walking into marriage as equals. The ceremony was performed by Bess’s stepdad and it was lovely and personal — I’m pretty sure everybody cried.
Intimate “Reception” at Ryan Meadows
After the ceremony, we took some group photos by the lake before enjoying charcuterie, cake, and drinks — local huckleberry vodka, to be exact haha! After visiting for a bit until the permitted time was up, we said goodbye to their loved ones and went to go explore the park a bit more.
Fall Adventure Session in West Glacier National Park
We ended the day with some couples’ portraits at Apgar Village — J + B reflected on the day and the ceremony while walking along the shore of Lake McDonald as the sun set. It was truly the best fall elopement!
Planning J + B’s Elopement Timeline
When planning J + B’s elopement timeline, it was really important to them that they planned a fun day for themselves that reflected their relationship — it could NOT feel like one big photo-op! These two love the outdoors and John especially loves fishing, so I suggested we build in time to throw some lines out. They also knew they wanted to write their own vows, but they weren’t sure if they wanted to pour their hearts out in front of their friends and family. With all that in mind, it was just about finding a location for the first part of the day that was close enough to their permitted ceremony spot for convenience. Belton Bridge was perfect!
When planning an elopement or wedding, I always always always ask my couples to just brain dump what sounds fun without worrying about logistics — literally write down ANYTHING that sounds fun and I’ll be able to help structure the day around your priorities and let you know what we can make happen.
Eloping in Glacier National Park
Why they chose this location
J + B went to college in Montana and both have reverence for the outdoors and nature, so it was an easy decision to get hitched here. They’re also fairly reserved people with a tight-knit circle, so keeping it intimate in a destination location like Glacier National Park was the perfect choice for them.
How to get to Ryan Meadows on Lake McDonald:
CLOSEST MAJOR CITIES/TOWNS:
Driving time from Kalispell: 41 min (32.9 mi) via Montana Hwy 206 and U.S. Rte 2
Driving time from Whitefish: 32 min (25.7 mi) via MT-40 E and U.S. Rte 2 E
Driving time from Columbia Falls: 16 min (10.0 mi) via MT-40 E
Driving time from Bigfork: 32 min (26.2 mi) via Montana Hwy 35 W and Montana Hwy 206
CLOSEST MAJOR AIRPORT:
Glacier Park International Airport: 29 min (23.8 mi) via U.S. Rte 2 E
Do you need to download offline maps? Will there be cell service?
There is NO cell service in West Glacier, so pleaseeee download any maps you might need while you’re in range!
How to get to Ryan Meadows
Ryan Meadows is the most secluded permitted ceremony spot on Lake McDonald to the left of Apgar Village. There is very limited parking at Ryan Meadows and you’ll need to put the relevant vehicle info on your permit! Once you park, there is a short flat walk through the trees that opens up to the rocky beach overlooking Lake McDonald. It is fairly accessible, but wheelchair users may need a little help! Keep in mind that it’s right across from the hotel at Apgar, so if you have a day time ceremony permit, there might be noise from other visitors playing at the lake!
Weather info + best time of year to elope at Ryan Meadows Beach
J + B lucked out with the most perfect fall day imaginable in the park, and while Lake McDonald is accessible all year round, you should know that there is a possibility of snow at any time of the year! Late June-July are the “safest” if you’re hoping for sunny, warm weather. August is lovely but has a high chance of smoke pollution from wildfire season. Fall in Glacier is stunning, but it’s a roll of the dice of when it might snow, and October-May it’s almost a certainty.
With all of that said, there are NO bad days in Glacier and we’ll roll with the weather no matter what! Every day is stunning in its own unique way.
Permits, passes, & legalities for getting married at Lake McDonald
Glacier National Park Special Use/Activity Permits
How much does it cost?
It costs $125 to apply to get married at Ryan Meadows on Lake McDonald.
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!
Glacier National Park entrance passes/parking permits
How much does it cost?
There are multiple options for a park pass upon entry, but GNP has a vehicle reservation system during peak season that applies to four areas of the park and it costs $2. You can learn more at this link.
How do you get it?
The vehicle registration system is online at this link.
What are the options – day-use? Annual?
You can buy a day use pass OR an annual pass — pro tip: If you plan on visiting more than one National Park during the year, you can buy an annual “All Parks” pass for $80!
Do you need to print a copy, or can you have it on your phone?
While you can technically have your ceremony permit on your phone, I do suggest having a hard copy in your vehicle just in case! Your vehicle registration can be on your phone.
Do you buy it online or in-person?
Online.
Is it per vehicle? Per person?
Your ceremony permit should have vehicle information and detail how many people are permitted at your ceremony spot.
How can your guests obtain their own?
Your guests can obtain their own vehicle passes for the duration of your trip, but they’ll be permitted in the park on the day of your wedding with your ceremony permit.
Montana marriage license info
Please check out the Flathead Courthouse website for your marriage license info! Click here!
Lake McDonald Elopement Photographer + Videographer
I’m Shay, the owner of Montana Diaries — your NW Montana + Glacier National Park photographer and videographer for the adventurous and laid-back. I love capturing Lake McDonald elopements like this one and helping my couples design days that truly reflect them.
Belton Bridge and Lake McDonald are such classic Glacier National Park destinations because they are STUNNING, but also because they’re so conveniently located near the west entrance of the park! If you’re looking for a photographer and videographer that has a ton of experience with these locations in Glacier, then I’m your gal.
Click here to learn more about our wedding + elopement process and pricing!
Click here to view more of my GNP elopements!
Click here to contact me + tell me all about your vision for your elopement!
