I will never get over the beauty of a couple prioritizing their relationship on their wedding day. Whether that entails choosing thoughtful details, or deciding to elope, there’s nothing more authentic than a couple choosing to honor the sacrament of their marriage. When Alex and Shaun initially reached out about eloping during a trip to Glacier National Park, I was instantly smitten by what they envisioned. With a desire to share in their love of the outdoors and joyful personalities, their early Fall elopement at Lake Josephine quickly arrived.

Early Fall Elopement at Lake Josephine, Glacier National Park

Alex and Shaun journeyed from Florida to exchange vows amidst the serene beauty of mountains, towering pines, and glacial lakes. As a blended family, each bringing two daughters into their union, they chose the intimacy of a private elopement to celebrate their love. Incorporating Alex and Shaun’s individual interests was something they held near to their hearts. Alex, being a big reader, knew she wanted to bring along some vintage-style ‘classics’ to incorporate in their mountain elopement. She also expressed how much Shaun loves Game of Thrones, but you’ll have to keep reading to see how they honored his passion during their elopement!

When Alex and Shaun’s early Fall elopement day arrived, they took their time getting ready at their Kalispell Airbnb. Having a “dramatic” first look wasn’t a priority for the couple, but their reaction to seeing one another was just as sweet! Alex affixed Shaun’s boutonniere to his lapel; Shaun helped clasp Alex’s necklace…Those little, seemingly insignificant moments will no doubt be a core memory for the couple when looking back at their Montana elopement. After Alex finished lacing up her rad Betsy Johnson sneakers, we were ready to make our way to Glacier National Park. 

Eloping in Glacier National Park | Sydney Breann Photography

The first stop on our “tour” through the mountains was Big Bend. If you’ve been an avid reader of the blog, you’ll know that 2024 was the year of Big Bend for Sydney Breann Photography couples! The little purple blooms of fireweed that once blanketed the valley had finally made their transition for fall. While Alex is a big sunflower-lover, there was no denying the beauty o f the autumnal hues sprawling along the trail. In addition to the changing fireweed, we were spoiled with a brilliant blue sky, fluffy white clouds, and a soft breeze. Alex’s boho bridal bouquet looked like it belonged in the environment; the deep mustard hues paired with the hunter green eucalyptus was just perfect. 

We then made our way up to Sun Point for some windy bridal portraits. Sun Point never fails to be the best place for those classic “wind tossed” wedding dress photos (iykyk). But Shaun couldn’t let Alex be the only one frolicking in the breeze! Their vibrant, jubilant personalities kept me on my toes all day, I swear! Once we were properly chilled, we crawled back in our cars to continue our drive through Glacier. But no adventure with this couple would complete without a pit-stop for some epic bookish bridal portraits. These book lovers perched themselves beneath a crooked tree, with The Lord of the Rings and Pride & Prejudice in tow. As a book lover myself, I was obsessed with these photos. 

Planning an Intentional Elopement | Mountain Elopement Inspiration

Before we made our way down to Lake Josephine for Alex and Shaun’s elopement ceremony, we took some more bridal portraits throughout Many Glacier. The views were just as beautiful as always! Once we arrived at the trailhead to hike down to Lake Josephine, Alex and Shaun slipped on their backpacks—their “Adventure Awaits” signs swinging off the back. Along the rocky beach, with steady waves rushing to shore, Alex and Shaun exchanged their heartfelt vows. With big smiles, and little sniffles to boot, it was a moment of bliss. Witnessing such a wholesome couple experiencing their day, just as they first envisioned, is a feeling I will never get over. After exchanging rings and sealing the deal with a kiss, we took in the beauty of Lake Josephine. 

As if the day couldn’t get any better, dark clouds began to make their way around the mountain peaks. It’s almost like Mother Nature knew what Alex and Shaun had in store for their fun Game of Thrones moment! After Alex slipped into a stunning hunter green dress with a thigh high slit and threw her Frye boots back on, we broke out the lanterns for some moody newlywed portraits. The warm glow of the lanterns paired with the dark and ominous clouds overhead created such a moody atmosphere. It was the coolest way to end such a stunning day in Glacier National Park alongside Alex and Shaun. 

Northwest Montana Elopement Photographer

I adored every moment of Alex and Shaun’s early Fall elopement at Lake Josephine. Between Shaun’s goofy run alongside Alex and the tender moments of him helping slip her coat on, I knew I was witnessing a true, deep love. While I will forever be sappy over how much I love my couples, these sweet Floridians were just another reminder. 

If you’re on the hunt for some more Glacier National Park inspiration, check out the latest over on the blog. You can also find some of my top GNP elopement resources down below to help bring your elopement dreams to life. And as always, you can keep up with me over on the ‘Gram (@sydneybreannphoto) for BTS, cute photos of Hatcher, and my own adventures as a Montana elopement photographer! Until next time, are you ready to wander?

Glacier National Park Elopement Planning

The Ultimate Guide to Eloping in Glacier National Park
11 Activities for a Spring Elopement in Glacier National Park
How to Announce Your Elopement
Splurge vs. Save: Elopement Edition
10 Unique Northwest Montana Vacation Rentals
Debunking Common Myths About Eloping
9 Tips for Hiking on Your Wedding Day
What to Include in Your Elopement Details