Ryan Beach is one of my favorite “cheat code” ceremony spots because you get full hiking energy without actually hiking. You walk through the woods on a path that is as flat as humanly possible and it gives you that perfect lead-in for your photos and film. It feels like an adventure without making anyone suffer for it. Then the trees open up and you’re on the shoreline with Lake McDonald and the mountains right in front of you. It’s close to Apgar and the west entrance which keeps the day simple and easy to coordinate. As a story-driven photographer and videographer with a vlog meets indie film style, I love Ryan Beach because the walk in gives me great storytelling shots and the shoreline gives me the scenic stuff everyone wants. If you want something accessible that still feels like an experience, this is the spot.

Lake McDonald Lodge Beach is one of my guilty-pleasure ceremony spots because the symmetry here is unreal. There’s a very specific, perfectly centered mountain across the lake that I am an absolute ho for and it lines up like it was designed for wedding photos. The beach is steps from the lodge which keeps everything easy. You can grab a drink, reset, meet your people, then walk straight to the shoreline for the ceremony. It’s accessible, iconic, and you get that classic Lake McDonald look without needing to wander far. As a story-driven photographer and videographer with a vlog meets indie film style, this spot always gives me clean frames, easy variety, and the kind of scenery that doesn’t need any help. If you want something stunning and straightforward with zero extra effort, the lodge beach hits every time.

7 Mile Pullout, also called Sandy Point, sits along the west side of Going to the Sun Road about seven miles from the west entrance. It’s one of the easiest Lake McDonald ceremony spots to get to and the views hit immediately. You walk a few steps from the parking area and you’re standing on a wide stretch of shoreline with the full length of Lake McDonald in front of you and mountains stacking up behind it. It’s simple, clean, and classic Glacier. Lake McDonald always looks good. Calm water. Wild reflections. Colors that shift all day. As a story-driven photographer and videographer with a vlog meets indie film style, this spot gives me a ton to work with in a really small area which means we get variety without wasting time driving. If you want something beautiful and straightforward with no surprises, 7 Mile Pullout is one of the strongest Lake McDonald ceremony options.

Apgar Picnic Area Shoreline is one of my favorite ceremony spots on the west side of Glacier. You get the classic Lake McDonald foreground with mountain layers stacked behind it and you don’t have to drive far into the park to get it. It’s close to the west entrance, parking is easy, and the shoreline has plenty of room to spread out without feeling cramped. As a story-driven photographer and videographer with a vlog meets indie film style, I love this spot because the light hits the water in a way that makes both photo and video look clean and cinematic. It works for tiny ceremonies and slightly bigger ones, and it’s straightforward for guests who are coming in from out of town. If you want something simple, beautiful, and easy to access, this shoreline is one of the best choices on the west side.

Apgar Amphitheater is one of the most practical ceremony spots in Glacier, especially if you have a bigger group or guests who need easy seating and accessibility. The actual amphitheater isn’t the most beautiful backdrop in the park and most of my couples tell me that straight up, but the convenience is hard to beat. The best part is how close it is to the shoreline of Lake McDonald. You can hold the official ceremony in the amphitheater, keep everyone comfortable, then walk a few steps to the lake for portraits and bonus vows. Or you can reserve the amphitheater for the permit and just use the shoreline for the ceremony itself. As a story-driven photographer and videographer with a vlog-meets-indie-film style, this combo works well because you get structure and scenery without making your guests go too far into the park. Apgar is simple, accessible, and perfect for couples who want Glacier without the logistics headache.

Big Bend is the spot almost every couple sends me as their first piece of inspiration. It’s one of the most iconic views in Glacier and the fact that it’s an approved ceremony location makes planning ten times easier. You park, step out, and you’re instantly surrounded by huge mountain views in every direction. It’s fully accessible and every slight turn gives you a different backdrop, which makes photo and video coverage way more dynamic. As a story-driven photographer and videographer with a vlog meets indie film style, Big Bend gives me endless options without needing to go far. It is one of the busiest pullouts in the park, so if privacy is the top priority I usually steer couples somewhere quieter. But if you love the look of this spot, I can frame out other visitors without it feeling forced. Big Bend is classic Glacier and always delivers.

Glacier National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Montana making it an ideal location for couples looking for a unique and memorable wedding experience. With towering mountain views, lush forests, pristine lakes, crystal clear rivers, impressive waterfalls, and historic lodges- it can be intimidating to find the perfect location for your perfect wedding or elopement. If you have been searching for the perfect location for your best day, you are in the right place — keep reading for info on all of the permitted ceremony locations in Glacier National Park.

Jordan and Rjika had the most incredible destination wedding at Many Glacier in Glacier National Park — they held their ceremony on a boat on Swiftcurrent Lake in front of the iconic Many Glacier Hotel, saw a Grizzly bear during their adventure session, and held an incredible Geology themed reception at East Glacier Lodge. Keep reading for allll of the incredible destination wedding inspo!!

I was SO STOKED when Derek first reached out for me to film + photograph his proposal to his stunning girlfriend Moriah. After a few weeks of secret emails and phone calls, we came up with the perfect plan for him to propose at Sun Point overlooking St. Mary Lake in Glacier National Park — keep reading for their proposal film and photos, and allll of the tips + inspo for planning a proposal in Glacier.