Brace yourselves. I have so much to share from this epic Glacier National Park/Polebridge, MT intimate wedding.

I want to start by saying how incredibly grateful I am to Shannon and Ben for flying me out to Montana and allowing me to capture their big day in September. It’s an opportunity and experience Drew and I never dreamed would be a reality one year ago, and hopefully one that I’ll get to experience again pretty soon.

To start, we had a pretty wild arrival to Montana on early Sunday morning (3am) and were told our luggage had not arrived with us. Thankfully, I carry my camera bag on, so if we had nothing else, at least I’d be able to take pictures! Mid-day Sunday we ended up making a target run and sending Alaska Airlines the bill because we didn’t think two day old yoga pants and sweatshirts would be the best attire for the wedding. We actually didn’t even receive our luggage until Monday night (just 12 hours before we left to come home, hahah!) It was such a fun adventure that we didn’t really care too much about the luggage, we were just fortunate to be there and have a place to stay and a wedding to shoot!

Another fun fact about this trip and elopement is that I got to do it while being 27 weeks pregnant! Baby boy took his second big trip of the year (the first being to Ireland! - blog post on this trip coming soon)

Montana was truly stunning and it was so easy for me to see why Ben and Shannon had picked it for their intimate wedding. Despite being from the east coast (we actually all went to high school together!), Shannon has an aunt and uncle who live very close to Glacier and the two of them have loved visiting along with the rest of Shannon’s family. Shannon commented that the choice to get married in Montana was easy.

Our first stop on wedding day was to the Polebridge Mercantile to meet up with the couple. Afterward, we all packed into Shannon’s dad’s sedan that very fortunately had four wheel drive. To say we off-roaded to get to the location would be an understatement!

The rain you’re seeing was the “first rain in months” according to all the locals, and we couldn’t help but laugh. Rain on your wedding day is 100% good luck! It rained on my wedding day and to be completely honest, I’d take a little bit of overcast and drizzly skies than blinding afternoon light anyday! Besides, would it really be the (almost) Pacific Northwest if there wasn’t rain and tons of pine trees?

Shannon and Ben’s officiant was a family friend who I couldn’t stop saying looked like Ray LaMontagne in 30 years.

Now you’re googling Ray LaMontagne.

Now you’re agreeing with me!

The two were surrounded by closest family and friends on this stunning and crisp September day.

…and we couldn’t go all the way to Glacier without one picture of us! Ben’s dad is also a photographer, which meant I got some really awesome behind the scenes pictures as well!

PS - thanks Alaska Airlines for the new rain jackets, sweaters, and maternity jeans for me!

After the ceremony and family portraits, we all drove back to the Polebridge Mercantile and Northern Lights saloon for some more pictures and then the reception!

Shooting Ben and Shannon’s intimate wedding in Glacier was truly the highlight of my year. I am so grateful to them and all of my couples who have trusted me in documenting their big day!

Vendors:

Florals: Mums Flowers

Cake: Fleur Bake Shop

Dress: ASOS

Alterations: Emma Collins Alterations

Hair/Makeup: SarahHairCo (Sarah Crump)

Venue: The Northern Lights Saloon

Suit: Mimi’s Bridal