Where are our early birds at? This post about Beth and David’s sunrise elopement at Apgar Picnic Area Shoreline has your name on it! We’re big believers in having your wedding day, your way, and if you’re naturally an early riser, a sunrise elopement could be for you!
Dawn is an incredibly serene time within Glacier National Park with very few, if any, hikers or tourists. It’s so quiet that it feels sacred with the mountains and forests surrounding you and the sounds of the waves lapping at the shoreline. Apgar Picnic Area Shoreline in particular is so special because it provides breathtaking scenery, privacy, and as its name implies, a picnic area where you can enjoy cake and champagne after tying the knot.
For their nuptials, Beth and David took full advantage of having a sunrise elopement by having their ceremony at daybreak followed by an adventure session. They didn’t have to worry about other Glacier visitors nearby to their ceremony nor crashing the backdrop of their photos. They simply got to revel in the beauty of Apgar Picnic Area Shoreline and each other!
Apgar Picnic Area Shoreline in Glacier National Park:
Before they said “I do” to one another, Beth and David first said “yes” to getting married at Apgar Picnic Area Shoreline! This is a conveniently located ceremony site within Glacier National Park that is only 5 minutes from the west entrance of the park. It overlooks Lake McDonald and majestic mountains surround the lake to help create a sweeping panoramic view for your wedding.
During peak season, this area can accommodate up to 15 guests and during off season, it can fit up to 20 guests. It allows for up to 4 vehicles and there are restrooms onsite as well. With your approved permit, you’ll have Apgar Picnic Area Shoreline reserved for your nuptials for a two hour time slot. This is the perfect amount of time to get married, take newlywed and/or family portraits, and enjoy your wedding cake. Afterwards, you can spend the rest of the day exploring the rest of Glacier!
For more information on Glacier National Park’s wedding locations, hit the button below:
Sunrise Elopement at Apgar Picnic Area Shoreline:
On the morning of Beth and David’s sunrise elopement, everyone met at the beautiful Apgar Picnic Area Shoreline. This included our lead planner, Katie, who also officiated the ceremony that day! When you work with Katie, she is not only able to design, plan, and coordinate your wedding day, but she is also a licensed officiant in Montana and can marry you to your best friend.
On that gorgeous day at Apgar Picnic Area Shoreline, she facilitated a sweet and romantic ceremony for Beth and David. Prior to the wedding day, she had the couple each tell her their top 5 favorite things about the other. Katie kept each partner’s answers a secret until the ceremony itself during which she read them aloud. This added a sentimental and personalized touch to the ceremony!
After exchanging vows and wedding rings, Katie pronounced Beth and David husband and wife! They shared their first married kiss as day officially broke and the sun came up. The light was so soft and ethereal, making their marriage proclamation that much more surreal.
Cake & Champagne Celebration:
Following the ceremony at Apgar Picnic Area Shoreline, the newlyweds took photos with their guests while Katie set up their cake and champagne celebration. The Apgar Picnic Area is tucked within the forest trees, adjacent to the shoreline. Katie decorated the rustic picnic table there with a burnt orange gauze table runner, the couple’s white wedding cake, and a specialty bottle of champagne. She set the cake on a wood slice stand and decorated it with fresh floral and greenery.
This floral corresponded well with the flowers in Beth’s bridal bouquet! With hues of rich red, coral, blush, and ivory, the bouquet was stunning and popped against Beth’s ivory lace wedding gown. These colors were reminiscent of sunrise itself, which made it the perfect choice for this sunrise elopement!
Beth, David, and their guests then enjoyed cake and a champagne toast for breakfast before the newlyweds set off on their first official adventure together!
Adventure Session in Glacier National Park:
One of the biggest advantages to having a sunrise elopement is that you practically get Glacier National Park all to yourself! Beth and David were able to traipse around the park, capturing photos in a variety of spectacular locations without dodging hikers or crowds. They got to take in all the sights and sounds of nature while enjoying unmarred views as far as the eye could see. From Apgar Picnic Area Shoreline to the banks of Lake McDonald to the nearby meadows, they spent their first couple of hours together as a married couple in the best way possible!
We always recommend going on an adventure session when you get married in Montana! Whether you do this before or after your ceremony or even the day after the wedding, this is always an amazing opportunity to maximize your time here and with each other. You’ll get unique and downright gorgeous photos to treasure forever, and you’ll get to see all the beauty that Glacier has to offer! Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to Glacier every year to take in these views, and from Beth and David’s adventure photos, you can see why!
Vendor Team:
Coordinator & Officiant: An Epic Elopement
Venue: Glacier National Park
Photography: Amber Lynn Photography
Cake: Montana Wildflour
Hair & Makeup: Melanie Hobus
Transportation: Wild Horse Limousine
Floral: Mum’s Floral
Let’s Plan Your Sunrise Elopement at Apgar Picnic Area!
Based in Kalispell, Montana, An Epic Elopement specializes in all-inclusive elopements, micro-weddings, and intimate weddings. Here, you get the full experience of having a traditional wedding, but with a little more adventure included!
Are you ready to start your elopement journey? Send me a note describing your vision and let’s make it happen!
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