Makenzie Lee and Ryan’s windy Glacier National Park Elopement in Two Medicine

This Two Medicine elopement in Glacier National Park is one I’m so excited to share! When AW Bridal reached out about collaborating on a styled shoot, I immediately said yes! I had been wanting to explore the Two Medicine district for a while, and this was the perfect opportunity. As a Glacier National Park elopement photographer, knowing every area of the park is essential! Being familiar with the best spots allows me to confidently guide couples to breathtaking locations, ensuring their elopement day is truly unforgettable.

I put out a model call on Instagram and was thrilled when one of my past brides volunteered! Makenzie Lee and Ryan live all the way across the country in Charleston, South Carolina, but as a flight attendant, hopping on a plane is second nature to her. She and her husband, Ryan, are always up for an adventure—they even met me in Hawaii for their engagement session in 2019! Later that year, I photographed their wedding in Charleston. I’ve actually known Makenzie since I was about six years old through a mutual friend, so when she and Ryan agreed to fly across the country for this session, I was beyond honored!

We picked a date and I began the planning process! I brought in some incredible vendors to make this Two Medicine elopement truly special. Bison Floral created the most stunning, brightly colored bouquet, Sarah Benedict (my personal hairstylist!) worked her magic on hair, and Boundless Beauty handled makeup. I kept things simple, but I was so grateful for their talent and willingness to bring this styled elopement to life!

I planned this Two Medicine elopement shoot for October, right as my season was winding down and the fall colors were at their peak in Glacier National Park. If you haven’t visited Glacier in the fall, you absolutely should! Late September and early October are my favorite times of year; the crowds thin out, the air turns crisp, and the colors are breathtaking. Two Medicine is my personal favorite spot to experience the vibrant fall foliage. The trees in this area turn bright yellow, with golden hues covering the area. It’s truly unreal! By the time of our shoot, the fall colors were starting to fade for the season, but they still put on an incredible show for our photos. You can see a beautiful example of Glacier National Park in the Fall here!

When we arrived at Pray Lake, it was incredibly windy. So much so that we could barely hear each other talk! Makenzie Lee’s hair was whipping around like crazy, and it was freezing. Somehow, Sarah’s hairstyle held up through it all (seriously, she’s amazing). We only lasted about 10 minutes there before the wind became too much. After that, we wandered around the area, chasing the sunlight for more photos!

You really can’t go wrong with any location in Glacier National Park, but Two Medicine is one of my favorite hidden gems! It feels like its own little world, full of so much beauty. What I love most about it is that it’s less crowded, making it a peaceful and stunning place to elope. It’s easy to drive around the area and capture a variety of beautiful photos at different locations! If you’re considering a Two Medicine elopement, I highly recommend Pray Lake or the Two Medicine Shoreline—both offer incredible photo opportunities, and you can easily explore different spots in the area for a variety of photos!

Enjoy this Two Medicine elopement in Glacier National Park on a mix of film and digital! And if you’re thinking about eloping in Glacier and are looking for a photographer, I’d love to chat with you here!

Vendors:

Photography: Sarah Joy Photo

Hair: Sarah Benedict at SG bridal

Makeup: Boundless Beauty

Florals: Bison Floral

Wedding dress: AW Bridal