
Planning your Glacier National Park elopement? Learn the best time to elope with this complete seasonal guide, including pros, cons, and expert insight for each time of year.
Deciding when to elope in Glacier National Park is one of the most important choices you’ll make in your planning journey. Each season offers a completely different experience—from alpine wildflowers in the summer to snow-covered peaks in winter.
In this guide, I break down the pros and cons of each season for eloping in Glacier National Park, along with my personal take on why I love every option.
Not sure how to dress for the weather? I break down what to wear for your Glacier National Park elopement in my styling guide.

Spring in Glacier National Park is full of renewal and serenity. I love how the park feels fresh and wild—waterfalls are rushing, wildlife is waking up, and you often get popular spots all to yourself.


Michelle & John eloped to Glacier at the end of May, and Michelle’s daughter officiated. Ryan Beach was gorgeous bathed in periwinkle and indigo tones, but it was raining. Just a slight drizzle, enough to make her curly hair come alive. We waited a little while for a break in the clouds before the ceremony, and shortly after the clouds completely opened up to a beautiful mirror image across Lake McDonald.

If you’re dreaming of those iconic glacier-carved peaks and clear turquoise lakes, this is it. I love summer because the entire park opens up—you can go from sunrise mountain views to sunset by the lake, all in one day.

Not to throw more fun at you, but early summer and late summer look very different in Glacier. Once Going-to-the-Sun Road opens (usually early/mid July), there are dozens of waterfalls to see. By the end of July, depending on the snowfall from the preceding winter, they may all be dry. But late summer brings different wildflowers, and more access to backcountry hiking trails. So ask yourself, do you like waterfalls and snow more than wildflowers and deep woods hiking?
The next pictures were taken at elopements just FOUR DAYS APART in the heart of summer. There’s truly no way to predict exactly what YOUR elopement in Glacier National Park will look like until the sun comes up that morning.





Two words: Larches & Aspens. Larches are deciduous conifers, meaning “pine trees” that drop their needles annually, and literally make the mountains GLOW. Aspens turn bright yellow and some are red, the sight of which truly takes my breath away.
There’s also just something truly peaceful about Glacier in the fall. The air gets crisp, the trees glow gold, and the park starts to quiet down. It’s perfect for couples wanting intimacy and those rich, earthy colors.




Shout-out to Ephemera Confection for this absolutely delightful mini-wedding cake, and Two-Kays Flower Farm for the delicate florals.


Winter in Glacier feels like your own private Narnia. I love how quiet and dramatic everything is—snow-covered pines, frozen lakes, and total stillness. It’s for the brave and the bold, and it’s worth it.

Sophia and Carson married during the COVID-19 pandemic and never got the wedding they had hoped for. Four years later, they decided to renew their vows in Glacier. The alpenglow was stunning and afterwards we played in blue hour with lanterns and hot coca.



So—what’s the best time to elope in Glacier National Park?
It comes down to your vision, comfort level, and priorities:
No matter when you elope in Glacier National Park, it’s essential to come prepared. From cozy winter layers to summer bug spray, having the right gear makes all the difference.
👉 Check out my complete Glacier Elopement Packing List here — organized by season, weather, and activity level!
July 15, 2025
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Based in Missoula, mt | travel worldwide
bykathrynsimecek@gmail.com
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