Montana is absolute magic. As someone who grew up in Colorado, I’m used to seeing mountains, but the first time I visited Montana, I was totally enamored by this state. The nature here is so breathtaking- the valleys carved from glaciers, the blue water, the lush green mountains and wildflowers- it’s unlike anywhere else in the country. An elopement in Montana means waking up to cool mornings, exploring the most beautiful mountains in the country, and spending the long summer days soaking in the warm sun, snacking on huckleberries, and exploring one of the most beautiful National Parks in the world. There’s tons to see in the state and a lot of important information you need to know in order to elope in Montana, so I made this guide to help couples figure out where they want to elope in Montana, when to elope in Montana, where to stay, and all the rules for how to keep things legal.

Table of Contents

Why Elope In Montana?

Less Crowds

Many locals might not agree with this, but compared to most states with national parks and natural areas with this level of beauty, Montana is very quiet, secluded, and sparse with people. Glacier is the most popular area, of course, but even compared to other popular parks like Yosemite or Rocky Mountain, Glacier is still very quiet and it isn’t difficult to find a moment alone somewhere in the vast park. It helps that the sun doesn’t set until 10:00pm in the summer, so you can enter the park in the evening and still have hours of sunlight to yourself with little to not other people around.

Beautiful views

Montana is truly one of, if not the most beautiful state in the US. There’s no where that compares to Montana in terms of accessible views that you can have all to your self. It really is a mountain paradise with the lush biodiversity of the area- if you’re lucky (or really unlucky) you might even catch a glimpse of a grizzly or wolves- be sure to bring bear spray wherever you go! The wildflowers, the sunsets, the long summer days, the staggering cliffs, and blue glacial water- Montana is just so dreamy, it’s hard to overstate the amount of natural beauty there is in this state.

Cute Little Mountain Getaways

There’s a bunch of quaint small towns to explore in Montana as well as cabins, lodges, and resorts that are all such great places to retreat to after a long day of adventuring. Even if you’re not in a popular area, like Glacier or Yellowstone or a ski area, there’s little hidden gems where you can escape to a secluded place in the woods to relax, spend time with guests, and have a camp-like getaway.

Epic Adventures

Whatever you want to do in terms of outdoor activities, you can find in Montana. The most beautiful hikes in the country are here in Montana, as well as some breathtaking backpacking opportunities. You can rock climb, white water raft, canoe or ride boats in Glacier, go on scenic drives with breathtaking mountain views

How to elope in Montana

Step 1: Choose your location

This step can be switched with Step 2, because your photographer can help you figure out where to elope if you have no idea, but your first step is to decide where you want to say your vows. Figure out what town or region you want to elope in Colorado, and then figure out the specific spots you’d like to say your vows a take photos within that area.

Step 2: Choose your photographer

Again, this can be switched with Step 1, but you need to choose your photographer (me!), first. A reputable elopement photographer will help you with finding a location, putting together a timeline, can recommend other vendors, and are often the first ones to get booked up for prime dates early, so be sure to reach out as soon as you decide you’re ready to elope.

Step 3: Figure out the details

Do you want a florist? Hair or makeup artist? A little cake to cut? Do you want recommendations on where to stay or what to do? Figure out the details and book the rest of your vendors after figuring out a location and a photographer. Your photographer should also be able to help you with putting together a timeline for the day and recommend the best times for photos as well as info on any permits you might need.

Step 4: Elope

Make an appointment at a county clerk office, pick up your license, and say your vows! Enjoy the day, relax, and just have fun! The hard part has already been taken care of, so just take in every moment of your day.

Montana Elopement Laws and Permits

Montana Marriage Laws

Montana is not a terribly difficult state to marry in. There’s no waiting period, there’s quite a long time to fill out and return the paperwork, and you can schedule an appointment with most county clerks online. You will need 2 witnesses and an officiant, but that isn’t terribly difficult to come by- anyone who’s around for your ceremony can sign as witness- your photographer, friends, family, even random hikers and tourists. You will either have to hire an officiant, or have an ordained friend or family member officiate your wedding- I’m ordained as a photographer, so I can just pronounce you married and that counts!

What you need to do:

Make an appointment with the county clerks office of the locations you’re eloping at
Apply in person (both parties present)
Pick up your license and sign and return it within 180 days
Female applicants will need a blood test for rubella

What you’ll need to bring:

A valid ID
Your SSN
$53 for the license fee
2 witnesses for the ceremony
1 certified officiant for the ceremony

What you’ll need to know:

The date you’re getting married
Where you’re marrying (city, county, etc.)
The exact location and date of your previous divorce or spouse’s death (if applicable)
City and state where the parents of both parties were born

Montana Marriage Permits

What permit you need will depend on where you’re eloping, since every public space has different rules. National Parks will always require a permit, and places like Glacier National Park will have specific designated areas you will have to elope. You need to apply for your permit well in advance if you want to make sure you can elope where you want. Permits can cost anywhere from $125-$250 and any other rules associated with marrying on the land will depend heavily on the park. Ask your photographer for information on permits in specific areas or look up the information yourself by looking up the park’s “special use permit”.

Glacier National Park: Special use permit

Cost: $125

Apllications process:

Download the permit application
Choose a designated location to say vows
Review permit info and rules
Email glac_sup@nps.gov to send your application
Sign and return a copy once you receive the final permit
Submit your application no more than 1 year and no less than 1 month in advance

Yellowstone National Park: Special use permit

Cost: $250

Apllications process:

Download the permit application
Choose a designated location to say vows
Review permit info and rules
Email yell_sup@nps.gov to send your application and fill out this form
Sign and return a copy once you receive the final permit
Submit your application at least 2-4 weeks in advance

Best Time Of Year To Elope In Montana

Summer: July-August

Summer is the most popular time to elope in Montana and for good reason! Montana absolutely heavenly in the summer. The wildflowers are popping, the waterfalls are flowing, and every outdoor activity is open. If you’re staying at lower elevations, late June is a good time to visit, but if you’re looking for high alpine roads like Going to the Sun Road to be open and high alpine lakes to be thawed, you’ll need to wait at least for the beginning of July, sometimes even later in the summer if there was a lot of snow that winter.

Fall: September-early October

Fall is a great time for a Montana elopement if you want to avoid crowds. The summer high season is over, so the parks are more empty, but everything hasn’t closed down yet, so you can still access many trails and roads until October. If you want to catch fall colors and larches turning, late September to early October is the best time to plan for. The weather can always change with an early cold front, so be sure to be prepared for a surprise snow and cold temps if you want to plan a fall elopement.

Winter: November-March

Winter in Montana is beautiful, but it is COLD. This is a great time of year for skiing or snowboarding as well as any other outdoor activities meant for the snow- and Montana has tons of it. Many hikes and roads are closed this time of year, so accessibility is more limited, but if you’re willing to put on some snowshoes or ride a snowmobile, your options become a lot less restricted. Be sure to bundle up as much as you can, accept that it will be freezing, and embrace the winter wonderland.

Spring: April-June

Honestly, I can’t recommend getting eloping in Spring in Montana. Skiing is closed at this time, access to many roads and hiking trails are closed, many businesses close for the season, everything is muddy and brown, and the weather is extremely unpredictable. There aren’t many people around during this time of year, but it’s because it’s just not a great time visit. If you’d like to avoid crowds, try for fall time.

Montana Elopement Activity Ideas

Hike to a scenic elopement location
Ski/Snowboard down a mountain
Ride horses to a remote location where you say your vows
Try out a new outdoor activity like rafting
Stargaze in a remote area with no light pollution around
Attend a festival like Under the Big Sky Music Festival
Have a picnic where you munch on a charcuterie, cut a cake, or pop some champagne
Build a campfire and cook s’mores
Kayaking or boating on one of the many lakes in and around Glacier
Hire a private chef for a fancy dinner for just the two of you

Where To Elope In Montana

I feel like anywhere you look in Montana is drop dead gorgeous, there’s no shortage of amazing views, scenic drives, and secret spots to explore. The vast majority of beautiful nature is going to be in Western Montana. That’s where all the national parks are located as well as all the ski areas. Western Montana is where all the snow falls in the state, so the mountains here are lush and green all summer and where you’re going to find all the swimming holes, waterfalls, and lakes to boat around in.

Montana Elopement Locations

Glacier National Park

The most popular place to elope (and for good reason) is Glacier National Park. The park is massive, so there’s tons to explore: gorgeous pristine lakes, expansive mountain views, blue glacial water, waterfalls dotting the landscape, wildflower meadows, old lodges, tons of wildlife, and just the most amazing landscapes the US has to offer. West Glacier is the most popular area, but East Glacier/Two Medicine, St. Mary, Many Glacier, and Polebridge are all less busy and drop dead gorgeous.

Cons: Glacier is one of the more busy areas in the state, and the park requires a permit along with an entrance fee. You can avoid any crowds by having a sunrise ceremony, or avoiding certain popular photo spots for sunset. There’s usually not too many people on trails in the early evening hours.

Bozeman Area

Bozeman itself doesn’t have great spots for an elopement, but the surrounding areas like Paradise Valley and Big Sky are gorgeous and there’s plenty of resources closely for your elopement, like vendors, food, and lodging. This area is also less popular than the national Parks, so tourists and onlookers during your ceremony are less of an issue.

Cons:

There’s definitely less epic hiking and drives with stunning views in comparison to a place like Glacier that’s chock full of them, so you’re a little more limited with locations.

Flathead Valley

Flathead valley is near Glacier and is home to Whitefish, Flathead lake, and isn’t too far from Missoula and various national forests you can explore on your day. Because of its close proximity to Missoula, it isn’t hard to find vendors for you day, and because of it’s proximity to Whitefish resort and Glacier, you have a wide range of different places to stay on your day, but without the crowds of Glacier.

Cons:

Similar to the Bozeman area, this is a less popular area than Glacier or Yellowstone, because there’s less options for really epic views and fewer hiking trails and drives to choose from.

Yellowstone

Yellowstone was the first national park in the country and has so much history in the land. It’s a massive park, so staying somewhere within the park boundaries is ideal. There’s amazing waterfalls, hot springs, and geysers all over the park with various cowboy adventures you can incorprate into your day. You can ride horses, look at the roaming buffalo, check out the funky steam all over thermal areas, and stay in old historic buildings.

Cons: The park is a little less scenic from ground level since it’s hard to incorporate the thermal activity into photos without a drone or higher ground, which is a bummer, but there’s still plenty of photo ops as well as activities outside of exploring hot springs. Yellowstone can also be super crowded in certain areas and at certain times of year. Definitely plan your day around when it will be the least busy.

My favorite small Montana wedding venues

If you’re having a wedding of more than 15 people, you need to reserve a wedding venue in the San Juan Mountains. If you’d like to see a full list of various venues for elopements and micro weddings all over Colorado, check out my 100+ Small Wedding Venues in Colorado blog.

The best elopement accommodations in Montana

Montana Elopement Vendors

Your elopement can be as simple or complex as you want it- You can just hire a photographer and call it good, DIY your day, or you can go all out and really make it a day to remember and curate an exceptional experience. However you decide to celebrate your day, it will be all the more memorable being enjoyed by just your and your partner and whatever close friends or family you decide to bring along. Here’s my list of elopement vendors in Montana who I really think are worth investing in for your day.

Photography

My opinion is obviously biased, but I think your photographer is the most important part of your elopement day, and you should always prioritize quality over price. Hiring someone who’s extremely familiar with Montana, and capable of guiding you through the day is so important. You don’t know how many horror stories I’ve heard about bad photographers who don’t know what they’re doing from couples who’ve skimped on this aspect of their day. The amount of added stress in planning or the disappointment of not getting the photos you were wanting just isn’t worth whatever your might save by hiring someone who’d cheaper. I really think you should spare no expense when it comes to hiring someone who you feel comfortable with and who you’re confident can capture your day effectively. If you need help putting together your day and want someone you can trust with your memories, you can always reach out here.

Florists

I love florals. A big, beautiful bouquet, an archway to sand under, a little pocket square of flowers, I love it all. Florals are just a cute little touch to the day that help to make everything feel more official and special.

Hair and Makeup

Hair and makeup is one of the few things most of my couples will still splurge on for their elopement. HMUAs can usually accommodate crazy early morning schedules if you’re waking up for a sunrise ceremony or an early morning hike, and they can do a much better job than most people can DIY (definitely better than what I could do on myself!).

Bakers

A lot of my couples will still bring a little cake to cut for their little picnic elopements or at a small dinner with family afterwards, and these businesses can make a tasty little treat perfect for a small get together.

Planners

I help my couples quite a bit with the planning aspect of an elopement, but I’m not nearly as knowledgable on many aspects of planning as an actual planner and I don’t book vendors for you. Some elopements or small weddings require a bit more planning as well, depending on what all is involved in the day. If you want someone who you can hand the reigns over to for planning, set up, or design, these are the people you should call.

How much does a Montana elopement cost?

The cost of eloping in Colorado varies widely depending on how much you want to invest in the day. If you just want to go to the courthouse and pay the $35 fee, then that’s all you have to do, but most people want to do more than that to really commemorate the day and make it more meaningful. Take the time to consider what you value most and prioritize your budget around that. This is a typical range of what my couples will spend on their day from simple to more luxury.

Montana Elopement Cost Breakdown