Hi! Here are some quick tips for eloping in Montana!









- Bring Bear Spray: This is not something many people think about beforehand, and you can’t take it on a plane anyway. Luckily, you can get this almost anywhere once you arrive. And please, please just get some. It’s not worth not having it.
- Pack Warm Layers: I’ll get into it a little more below, but Montana weather is constantly changing. It’s much easier to take layers off than it is to put them on. Just wear layers!
- Wear Comfortable Hiking Shoes/Boots: Most places on the list above require some hiking time. Bring something comfortable to hike in; you can always change into dressy shoes. Oh, and please break them in BEFORE I meet you.
- Choose the Right Clothes: By “right” I mean clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Keeping clothes clean in any elopement environment will be almost impossible, so please don’t choose a dress you want to keep in pristine condition. And don’t bring an heirloom dress you’d like to pass down.
- Go with the Flow: If you’re still reading at this point, it means you’re up for an adventure. So act like it! There will be times when things don’t go as planned. Just go with it! Sometimes, it turns out even better than you imagined!
- Be Ready for an Adventure: Just to expound on number five a bit, you picked a fantastic place in Montana to elope. Even if things don’t go exactly as you had imagined, that’s okay. I can promise you that the adventure and the pictures from that adventure will be something you will never forget!
- Plan for the Weather: All of it! We talked about the warm layers in number two. The crazy thing about Montana is that you can never plan for the weather. I’ve seen snow on the Fourth of July, and SUNNY AND HOT turn into RAINY AND COLD very quickly. Don’t even try to predict it or follow what the weatherperson says. Just bring it all!
- Bring Snacks: If you’re anything like me, you’ll want snacks. Even if you aren’t like me, you’ll still want snacks. Some places and hikes on the list can be long and tiresome. Snacks go a long way to helping with the tummy and partner grumbles. I promise not to be a hangry elopement photographer if you promise not to be a hungry bride or groom.
- Have Plenty to Drink: Plenty of water is a must-have on the trails, especially on those HOT days I mentioned. It can be heavy and add a lot of weight to your pack, but I promise it’s worth it. If you’re up for even a bit more weight, bring a bottle of wine or champagne to celebrate your fantastic day!
- Have Somewhere to Stay: This is an important one! I tried to highlight the places on the list that might be a long drive from the ceremony to where there are places to stay. Montana is a BIG state, and it can sometimes take a while to get from A to B. Do your research or ask me where to stay!



















