One of the things I love most about this job is the ability to get to see really amazing places. I’ve been wanting to shoot more adventure style elopements FOREVER, and these sunrise vows at Glacier National Park were such a dream! Grace and Ethan were getting married with all their friends and family the following day at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake, but decided they wanted to have their own private elopement style vow ceremony up in Glacier National Park at sunrise.
Doing your wedding vows at sunrise in Glacier National Park is something that requires an early wake-up call, and while I will never really be a morning person, the option to shoot is sunrise is one I will always take, no matter how early. And for the record, to get all the way up to Logan Pass for sunrise means you have to get up EARLY. However, getting to see the stars before the sunrise in one of the darkest sky spaces in the country? Seriously magical.
Grace and I went back and forth over where they wanted to do their vows and take photos in Glacier. Glacier National Park is a very special place for her and Ethan and they had been there many times before. However, after much thought, we settled on Logan Pass. It’s at the top of the going to the sun road, and has amazing views! It also is accessible via car, so if you don’t want to hike a ton to get in, it’s a great option. During the summer this parking lot is full by like 8am, but in the fall, things were much more relaxed which was a bonus.
We arrive at the Logan Pass lot well before sunrise and they got ready outside their truck while we waiting for the light to break over the mountain. I love a good car side reflection for getting ready!
Just before sunrise, I brought Ethan up over the ridge and then Grace followed to have their first look. Ethan was bringing some excellent western Marlboro Man vibes and it was perfect for the Montana mountain scape. We were the only ones there and it was so peaceful. This path gets so busy later in the day, early risers are always rewarded in places like Glacier National Park.
After a first look we ran around this trail a bit for portraits. That morning light filled me with so much joy! It was SO cold this particular morning, especially before the sun came up, but Grace handled it like a champ.
That alpen glow on the mountain behind them was incredible! (BTS note, these images were taken with Leave No Trace in mind. Photoshop was utilized to remove the wooden planks, and/or insert a grassy floor where they otherwise were on a trail/rocks.)
And then the sun came up over Logan pass and it was glorious! Seriously, we could not have asked for a better morning! It was freezing before the sun came up, but just wonderful as soon as the light hit.
After the sunrise, Grace and Ethan opted to drive a bit down the pass to a little overlook they had scouted earlier to do their vows. Having this private space to themselves was really important for them and I made sure to give them plenty of space to enjoy the moment.
Once vows were exchanged, we made our way down the Going to the Sun Road pulling off every so often for photos. Glacier National Park has such EPIC views and it was amazing to have such a fun couple to photograph throughout the park.
I love how much fun these two have together!
We were there in early October which meant we lucked out with some beautiful fall colors! I loved finding this bright yellow tree for photos!
At the bottom of the mountain was this gorgeous creek, and it made for the perfect finishing spot for photos with the trees and mountain in the background. We couldn’t have asked for a nicer morning in Glacier! If you’re thinking of a place to renew your vows or elope, Glacier National Park is incredible!
