This adventurous elopement in Glacier National Park started at sunrise for a private ceremony at Lake Josephine before the trail fills up, followed by a hike past three alpine lakes to reach Grinnell Glacier itself. Paige and Collin did the whole thing in their wedding clothes. And in the middle of August, their day included wildflowers and ice at the same time.
The Day at a Glance:
- Sunrise start for a private ceremony at Lake Josephine
- Full Grinnell Glacier Trail hike in wedding attire
- Three alpine lakes, ending with the one still holding ice in August
- Wildflowers lining the trail the entire way up
- A first dance between the wildflowers and the ice
- Cutting cake as a post-hike treat
Why Sunrise Got Them a Private Ceremony
Lake Josephine is a popular spot in the park, which means by mid-morning it is not private anymore. Since Paige and Collin started at sunrise, they got Lake Josephine completely to themselves without any other hikers on the shoreline. Just the two of them and the mountains reflecting on the water.
This is my suggestion to every couple who wants an adventurous location to themselves: the alarm is early, but what you get back is a ceremony with just you and the wildlife.
To make the day even more intimate, I doubled as their photographer and officiant. Instead of asking another vendor to be present, they wanted to keep it as small as possible. (This is a service I am happy to offer to any eloping couples looking for an intimate day! Reach out if you want to know more of the complete details about my services).
The Trail: Three Lakes and a Glacier
Grinnell Glacier Trail runs a little over 11 miles round trip, climbing past Swiftcurrent Lake, then Lake Josephine, then up toward the glacier itself. Paige and Collin saw all three lakes in one hike. Each one sits at a different elevation, and looks different depending on the hour and the light hitting the water.
They knew they wanted a location that had wildflowers for their elopement going into it, so that detail shaped how they chose the hike. Grinnell had blooms running along lots of the trail, and we built their location around being able to experience it all, not just checking a box that said “flowers were there.”
The Wedding Clothes Question
Before their day, Paige and Collin told me they were really debating doing the hike in their wedding clothes (they almost didn’t and brought them to change into when they got to the top). But they decided to go all in, and by the second lake they stopped thinking about their clothes entirely.
A lot of couples hesitate about wearing formal clothes for a hiking elopement, which is normal. It sounds unnatural. But usually a mile in, you’re forgetting about the clothes entirely (except when fellow hikers congratulate you or stop to tell you how cool it is). They told me later they were so grateful that I encouraged them and made them feel confident in wearing their wedding attire all day!
The Moment Between the Wildflowers and the Ice
At the top of the trail, they stopped to enjoy the views. Glacial ice was floating in the gatorade-blue lake, and just 20 feet away there were patches of colorful wildflowers. It was the perfect balance of every jaw-dropping view they wanted in their day, so Paige and Collin had their first dance right there, wildflowers on one side, that ice-cold water on the other.
This is the kind of moment I can’t plan for (and wouldn’t want to). Nobody scripts a first dance next to floating ice in August. They played their favorite song and swayed with the music in their own little world (this is how you fall in love, by Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler, one of my personal favorites, too). That only happened because they were already out there, living in the moment and immersed in an experience so much better than any shot list. Those are the kind of wedding moments I love documenting.
Wrapping Up The Adventure/What This Kind of Day Actually Gives You
After a couple hours of enjoying the peak, we had to head back for the trek down. They were rewarded with a new perspective of amazing views on the way back, as well as wild mountain goats and rams.
When we got back to their Airbnb, they popped champagne, and wrapped up the day toasting their marriage and cutting a well-deserved slice of wedding cake!
Years from now, they won’t have a memory of standing still for a camera or being pulled in 100 different directions on their wedding day. They’ll have the memory of a 11-mile hike in a wedding dress and suit, three turquoise lakes and delicate wildflowers, saying emotional vows into the silent mountains, and tons of tiny moments along the trail. This is what you get when the day is built around you two and an adventure instead of a traditional wedding template.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eloping on the Grinnell Glacier Trail
How long is the Grinnell Glacier Trail hike for an elopement?
The trail runs a little over 11 miles round trip with significant elevation gain. Plan for a full day, not a quick stop, and build in time to actually enjoy the views rather than just pass them.
Do you need a permit to get married at Lake Josephine in Glacier National Park?
Yes. Glacier National Park requires a Special Use Permit for wedding ceremonies inside the park, including Lake Josephine. I make sure to get you all of the information you need to apply for your permit when we work together.
Is Lake Josephine private for a ceremony?
It can be, depending on timing. Starting at sunrise is what got Paige and Collin the lake to themselves, but later in the day, this lake sees a lot of foot traffic.
Can you actually hike a national park trail in wedding clothes?
Absolutely yes! Paige and Collin hiked the full trail in their wedding attire, and so did Katie and Tyler a year earlier (check out their wedding story here). Both couples had no regrets! I always encourage you to have the right footwear underneath and a slower pace planned for hiking in wedding clothes.
When is the best time to see wildflowers in Glacier National Park?
Mid to late summer, with August offering a strong bloom in Glacier National Park. Timing your location and specific hike for good light during that window is part of what I help you plan for.
How early do you need to start for a sunrise elopement here?
Early enough to get ready and travel into the park before the first light reaches the lake. For this wedding day, that meant I met them at their Airbnb at 5am. I will help you plan exact timing based on your date and location.
Ready for a Day Like This?
You probably want a wedding day built around what the two of you actually want, not around a version of “wedding” that was never yours to begin with. So years from now, you will open your gallery and be right back in an amazing location, excited about the views and all of the unexpected experiences your day has to offer from start to finish. If that is the kind of day you are picturing, inquire through the link and let’s start planning yours.
