The Lake McDonald Lodge is an excellent location for Montana weddings.

Lake McDonald Lodge is a three story structure built on the eastern shore of the pristine, blue Lake McDonald, and surrounded by the dramatic peaks of Glacier National Park. This is an excellent location in Glacier, with many of the park’s best hikes close by, and a short drive from Logan Pass, one of the most popular and picturesque areas of the park, suitable for anyone to enjoy.

Wedding receptions at Lake McDonald Lodge are permitted in June and September. Depending on the date, functions in the auditorium must conclude by 5 p.m. Wedding ceremonies are allowed on the beaches of Lake McDonald all season.

The Lake McDonald Lodge lobby is a wide open space with balconies lining the upper portions of the lobby. The lobby floors are inscribed with messages in the language of the Kootenai tribe, welcoming visitors.

The Lake McDonald Lodge has 100 guest rooms split between a main lodge, a row of duplex-style cabins, and a two-story 1950s era motor inn. All guestrooms at Lake McDonald are rustic, yet comfortable, offering guests modest amenities in old-world style accommodations that will give you and your wedding party a unique experience.

You’ll find a gift shop, campstore, several restaurants, guide and tour services, and other amenities located on the lodge grounds. A limited number of ADA- accessible rooms are available and are booked based on space available. Only designated guide, service, and/or hearing companion animals are allowed in the hotel.

Glacier National Park Wedding FAQ

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The Glacier Park Lodge, a great Montana weddings site.

The lodge is located in East Glacier Park, Montana. This is one of the quieter parts of the park, not seeing the same volume of tourism as the Many Glacier region, or Logan Pass. But it doesn’t lack for beauty. This is where the dramatic peaks of Glacier National Park meet the wide prairie, creating a an amazing juxtaposition of landscapes. This area of the park has many beautiful lakes, including Two Medicine, waterfalls and spectacular peaks.

The Glacier Park Lodge was built using 60 enormous Douglas firs and cedars as supports for the majestic building.  The Lodge has three banquet rooms, which are ideal for weddings.  The lodge offers complete catering services, and can arrange a Red Bus tour to travel the Going-to-the-Sun Road or to Two Medicine Lake for private boat cruises. You’ll find lots of great Glacier National Park activities such as swimming, horseback riding, golf available on the property, along with with 735 miles of hiking trails a short drive away.

To learn more about weddings at Glacier Park Lodge, call (406) 892-2525 or (403) 236-3400 from Canada.

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Weddings are permitted in Yellowstone National Park in a number of locations. Some of the more popular sites are the Old Faithful area, Lake Butte Overlook and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. A special park use permit is required and entrance fee policies apply.

Permits

A permit is required to hold a wedding in the park unless it is at the Mammoth Chapel. Complete the required permit application and send it with the non-refundable $50 application fee to:

Visitor Services Office:

• P.O. Box 168
• Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

The permit application must be received in the park no fewer than two weeks prior to your wedding. Once the permit has been approved and issued, it will be sent to you by mail.

Application Fee: Return the application form along with a check or money order for $50 (non-refundable), payable to the National Park Service.

Entrance Fees

Entrance fees are charged for all wedding participants and guests as they pass through a park entrance station. Lump sum or advance payments are not accepted. The entrance fee is $25 per vehicle and is valid for seven days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

Mammoth Chapel

There is a non-denominational chapel at Mammoth Hot Springs available for wedding ceremonies. A $100 fee is required to reserve the chapel, and reservations must be made through the Superintendent’s Office at (307) 344-2003.

Marriage License Requirements:

Either a Wyoming or a Montana marriage license is applicable for a wedding in Yellowstone National Park. A Montana license is more practical if you are planning be married in the north part of the park near Mammoth Hot Springs and a Wyoming license is preferable if you are being married in the interior of the park near Old Faithful, Canyon, Lake or Grant Villages. If the couple has a Montana license, it will be necessary to sign the papers and perform the State requirements at or north of the 45th parallel (the state line near Mammoth Hot Springs) before or immediately following the ceremony in the park.

Montana:

A license must be obtained from the clerk of the district court in the county courthouse (Livingston or Bozeman being the closest to Yellowstone.) Minimum age is 18 years for both parties and both parties must be present to obtain the license. A drivers license or photo ID is required for proof of age. Blood tests are required with the signature of an M.D. There is no waiting period once the license is obtained. If either of the parties is divorced, a certified copy of the divorce decree is necessary. The cost of the license in Park County is $53.00. For further information, call Livingston at (406) 222-4125.

Wyoming:

A license maybe obtained from the county clerk’s office in any courthouse, with Cody and Jackson Hole being the nearest to Yellowstone National Park. Minimum age is 18 years for both parties. A drivers license or photo ID and parent’s names and places of birth are required. If either of the parties has divorced, date and place of the final decree must be noted. There is no waiting period once the license is obtained. No blood tests are required. The cost of the license is $25.00. For further information, call Cody at (307) 527-8600 or Jackson Hole at (307) 733-7733.

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To be married within Glacier National Park a Special Use Permit is required. The Application for Special Use Permit form is to be completed in full and returned, along with a non-refundable fee in the amount of $50; payment may be made by check or money order (made out to National Park Service) or by credit card.

The information on the Application for Special Use Permit will assist Glacier National Park workers in accommodating your request, and the Special Use Permit will provide an avenue for communicating any special concerns or conditions regarding your use of the area that you have requested. The permit also serves as documentation of our agreement regarding the terms and conditions under which the special use of Glacier National Park will be approved. Upon receipt of your application and authorization a Special Use Permit will be sent to you for your review and signature.

There are several locations where wedding ceremonies are held in Glacier National Park. The more popular locations are the Apgar and Fish Creek Amphitheaters, and the Fish Creek picnic area during weekdays. Additional factors you must consider for the ceremony are:

1. Park personnel will not be available to offer special assistance for traffic, parking, or other logistical needs associated with your wedding.

2. Please limit the number of vehicles in your party to 10 as parking space is limited. For large gatherings you should consider car pooling or buses to transport your guests. Special Use Permits issued for most facilities and areas will be limited to four hours. Activities may not interfere with normal visitor use of the Park; therefore, areas will not be closed to public access during the event.

3. There is always the possibility that due to unforeseen circumstances, such as rain, a snowstorm, or other emergency, that the ceremony would have to be canceled or moved to another location. Historically weather is most favorable during July and August.

4. Amplification of sound before, during, or after the ceremony and connection to park utilities is not permitted.

5.  All participants associated with a Special Park Use event such as a wedding must observe and comply with all Park regulations, including those regarding the storage, handling of food and disposal of trash and garbage. As you probably know, there are grizzly bears and other wild animals in Glacier National Park. Exposure to human food put both animals and humans at risk. Therefore use of rice or birdseed is not permitted. The area used for your ceremony is to be policed and left in the same condition as it was prior to your event.

6. Animals are to be kept on a leash at all times and under physical control and pets, other than service animals are prohibited in the backcountry, along lakeshores and waterways.

7. All guests will be required to purchase an entrance pass to enter the park (including periods when the entrance is not staffed) unless they are: 15 years of age or younger; are 62 years of age or older with a valid Interagency Senior Pass (formerly Golden Age Passport): an Interagency Access (Golden Access); or Interagency or Glacier National Park Annual Pass.

8. The following people have in the past been willing to perform ceremonies in Glacier National Park and if available would be able to assist in marriage requirements in State of Montana:

• Dr. David Kauffman, P.O. Box 1837, Whitefish, Montana 59937, telephone (406) 862-396
• Rev. Lois Lyford, 126 West Nicklaus Drive, Kalispell, Montana 59901, telephone (406) 752-4298, (winter number 619-312-2921)
• Rev. Christa Bourne, 475 8th Avenue E.N., Kalispell, Montana 59901, telephone (406) 257-6539

If you have additional questions regarding your wedding activities in Glacier National Park contact the Special Use Permits Office at 406-888-7825, or 406-888-7832.

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Ok, so this isn’t the most romantic thing you can read before getting married in Montana, but it’s necessary information, and it could help you avoid stressful, even more unromantic situations for your Montana wedding. Below is a easy guide to Montana’s marriage laws.

ID Requirement: Certified copy of birth certificates.

Residency Requirement: Do not have to be a resident of Montana.

Application Requirement: License applications can be obtained from the Clerk of the District Court in any Montana county. Complete applications cannot be filed by mail; both parties must be present in front of the Clerk. If both parties are non-residents of Montana, obtain the license application from the Clerk in the county in which the ceremony will be performed. If one party is a non-resident, his/her part can be sworn to or affirmed in the county and state in which he/she resides.

Waiting Period: Montana law allows you to get married immediately after officially receiving your marriage license. No waiting period is necessary unless under the age of 18.

If Divorced: A certified copy of the divorce decree is required.

Fees: $53 – cash only.

Other Tests: The bride is required to take a blood test for rubella.

Under 18: If you are 16 or 17 years old, you must have the consent of both parents unless only one parent has legal custody of you. Proof of age must be in the form of a certified copy of your birth certificate. Both of you, as a couple, will also have to attend at least two counseling sessions that are at least 10 days apart. This has to be done with a designated counselor who will then have to provide a letter that states the names of the couple, their ages, the dates of the counseling sessions, and what the counselor thinks about their possible marriage. Then judicial consent signed by a district court judge must be given for the Clerk of court’s office to issue a marriage license. No one 15 years of age or younger may marry in Montana.

Proxy Marriages: Yes.

Copy of Certificate of Marriage:

• Department of Health and Human Services
• Vital Statistics Bureau
• 111 N. Sanders, Room 205
• Helena, MT 59620
• (406) 444-4228

Miscellaneous: License is valid for 180 days. Montana marriage licenses expire after 6 Months. If your license expires before you wed, you can reapply for another license.

While the record that a marriage occurred is public in Montana, the personal information about the bride and groom contained in the marriage license application is confidential and generally available only to immediate family members.

Ministers of the gospel of any denomination may perform marriages. Ministers must complete and return a marriage certificate to the clerk of the district court within 30 days after the marriage. Also the minister must provide marriage certificates to the bride and groom upon request.

Things change. Please verify all information for accuracy with the appropriate State department.

For questions contact the Clerk of the District Court with jurisdiction in the county where you plan to marry.

Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice.

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Perhaps the hardest thing about getting married in Montana is deciding where to go among all the amazing places here. From Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park, Missoula to Billings, Montana offers a huge number of beautiful choices for your wedding.

So where to base your Montana wedding? Below you’ll find a list of some Montana cities, with some of the beautiful places you can find to hold your wedding.

Bigfork, Montana

Bigfork, Montana offers great wedding opportunities along Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the western U.S. that offers great vistas of the wide open blue water with the Swan mountain range as your backdrop.

Big Sky, Montana

Big Sky gives you access to a lot of Montana’s big wedding destinations. From here it’s just a short drive to the West Yellowstone entrance to Yellowstone National Park, one of the most beautiful places in the U.S. and a great place to get married, or spend some quality time with your wedding party. Big Sky ski resort also offers an amazing place for weddings, as do the miles of pristine mountains in the surrounding Gallatin National Forest.

Billings, Montana

Billings is Montana’s largest city, and therefore has some of the state’s best airport service, making a convenient place to bring a wedding party. The beautiful Yellowstone River runs right along the city, and an enormous rock wall, known as “the rims,” provide a picturesque backdrop. You’ll also find Red Lodge ski resort just an hour away, and Yellowstone National Park about 2.5 hours away.

Bozeman, Montana

Bozeman offers great access to Yellowstone National Park, the Gallatin National Forest and Bridger Bowl Ski Resort, all great Montana wedding spots. Bozeman also offers plenty of great lodges and place to eat to provide everything you and your wedding party needs to have a great time.

Gardiner, Montana

Gardiner sits right on the northern border of Yellowstone National Park, offering easy access to this area for weddings and recreation, as well as a beautiful natural setting for weddings.

Missoula, Montana

Missoula is Montana’s second-largest city, and therefore offers plenty of services you may want on your wedding day. Missoula also is surrounded by great natural beauty in the Lolo National Forest and the Rattlesnake Wilderness, which offer great places in the outdoors for your wedding. You’ll also find plenty of activities here for groups, such as rafting and skiing.

Red Lodge, Montana

Red Lodge sits just about an hour from the Cooke City entrance to Yellowstone National Park, and on the edge of the Absaroka-Beartooth wilderness. It’s a beautiful place to plan a wedding, especially if you love the outdoors. You’ll also find that Red Lodge ski resort offers great spots to have your wedding.

Whitefish, Montana

About 40 minutes from Glacier National Park, a 10 minute drive to the top of Whitefish Mountain Resort, and with Whitefish Lake right there, Whitefish is an excellent place for a Montana wedding. You’ll also find plenty of lodging, dining and shopping that will compliment any great wedding.

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Bitterroot River

Montana's rivers offer great fly fishing.

Flowing north from the Hamilton area, the Bitterroot River runs 84 miles, then joins into the Clark Fork River just west of Missoula. This river can be ridden starting at the confluence of its east and west forks up to the Clark Fork. This road offers great access along Hwy. 93 for fly fishers and rafters.

Blackfoot River

This pristine river starts off in Lewis and Clark County at the Continental Divide, about 10 miles northeast of Lincoln, Montana. This river offers excellent rafting, canoeing and inner-tubing, and is a local favorite. It is a fast-moving river that runs cold and can be quite deep. Access this river along Highway 200 east out of Bonner/Milltown area east of Missoula.

Clark Fork River

This river is well-known for the Alberton Gorge just west of Missoula, a favorite among serious rafters. The Clark Fork river runs west all the way to Lake Pend O’reille in Idaho. The river travels about 360 miles. Access this river along I-90 traveling east or west.

Clearwater River

This mellow 46 mile stretch of river near along Highway 83 is great for easier, relaxing runs. It starts off at Salmon Lake and ends near Harpers Lake.

Rock Creek

You’ll find Rock Creek is in the Lolo National Forest near Clinton, Montana. The river runs through a narrow canyon with many obstacles, including logs and huge boulders.. It is best known for great fly-fishing, and there are several access points along the 30 mile dirt road that runs along the creek.

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Visit Montana's amazing pristine rivers in Glacier Country.

Flathead River

The Flathead River is a pristine glacial river with three different branches: the North, South, and Middle Forks. These rivers combine to form the Flathead River. Originating from glacial run-off, the rivers run extremely cold, especially the South and Middle Forks.

North Fork of the Flathead River

The North Fork gets its start just north of Glacier National Park, in Canada, then flows southward along the western border of the park, right past the town of Polebridge. This medium size river is clear and cold, great for floating and fly fishing. There are special regulations that apply to this river, so check in with local authorities.

South Fork of Flathead River

Originating from deep in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Glacier National Park’s twin to the south, the South Fork of the Flathead River is one of the most pristine rivers in Montana. Because it starts so deep in the wilderness, 40 miles to be exact, you’ll need to backpack, fly or ride in by horseback. Guides for fishing or rafting this river are recommended.

Middle Fork of Flathead River

This river also originates in the Bob Marshall (Great Bear section) Wilderness flowing approximately 60 miles northwest. When it exits the wilderness it forms the southwest boundary of Glacier National Park. What better place for a river to be?

Rafting here can be very exciting. The Middle Fork is one of the most challenging, and sometimes dangerous of the Flathead’s three forks with rapids classified from 3 to 5. Guides are highly recommenced here due to tight turns, crashing and tumbling white water, and several dangerous chutes. Although it may seem too much to bother with, it is one of the most popular of the three forks for both fisherman and adventure seekers. The Middle Fork like the North Fork — is very beautiful and runs clear with outstanding scenery. Special Regulations and Wilderness Regulations apply to this river.

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At the end of a day of exploring here, you’ll need some good Montana hotels and lodging to rest your bones. Here’s a couple suggestions we have for Great Falls.

The Collins Mansion in Great Falls, Montana.

The Collins Mansion: Just one mile from the Missouri River and two miles from The Meadow Lark Country Club, and five miles from The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. Complimentary breakfast, and airport shuttle. Air conditioned, complimentary WiFi. Visit The Collins Mansion to book or for more info.

The Staybridge Suites Great Falls Hotel: Downtown Great Falls. Includes complimentary buffet breakfast, laundry and fitness room. Also has an indoor pool complimentary WiFi. Full kitchens, cable, DVD. Visit Staybridge Suites Great Falls more info and reservations.

The Holiday Inn Great Falls: Two miles from  the University of Great Falls, and just four miles from Great Falls International Airport. Five miles from the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. Complimentary airport shuttle services. Lounge and Casino, featuring Montana-style gaming, indoor pool and spa. For more info or reservations visit The Holiday Inn Great Falls.

Hilton Garden Inn Great Falls: Located in downtown Great Falls, with pool, hot tub, free parking, business center and room service. Close to the airport, University and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. For more information, or to book a room, visit the Hilton Garden Inn Great Falls.

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One of the best times of year to see Glacier National Park is in the winter. The park is very quiet this time of year, and affords chances to see some wildlife that are otherwise fairly reclusive. Nearby, you’ll find plenty of great Glacier National Park hotels to get cozy after a day in the park.

The Glacier Outdoor center offers winter trips into Glacier National Park.

You’ll find the landscape of Glacier to be magical this time of year, with frozen waterfalls, majestic white peaks, and excellent snow. Some of the most popular winter activities here are cross-country skiing, backcountry down hill skiing and snowboarding and snowshoeing.

Weather in Glacier National Park is always a little unpredictable, and especially so in the winter. For this reason, and because the park is just so big, we highly advise starting your winter visit to Glacier National Park with a guided tour. Below are a few companies that can help you out.

Glacier Park Ski Tours: From late November through May 1st, Glacier Park Ski Tours open to putting together ski or snowshoe tours customized for the interests and skill level of your group. Day trips and multi-day trips (sleeping igloos or snowcaves!) are available. All guides are certified members of the professional ski instructors association, Nordic ski patrol or both, and are skilled in winter mountaineering, avalanche safety and fist aid. Call 877-735-9514.

Glacier Outdoor Center: Check out interpretive half day or full day tour of Glacier National Park. Their guides will take you to best of the mountains and vistas of Glacier Park’s peaks and share their accumulated knowledge about the region. Glacier Outdoor Center’s Guides are highly trained, and are active patrolers with the Flathead Nordic Ski Patrol and Professional Ski Instructors Association. Call 800-235-6781.

Winter Signs Snowshoe Program: The popular “Winter Signs” snowshoe program is offered twice daily on Saturdays and Sundays in Glacier National Park. These tours are free to the public. They are two-hour, ranger-led snowshoe excursions into Glacier National Park that show how the park’s wildlife survive the cold and harsh months of winter. Excursions begin at 10:30 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. each weekend day. Call 406-888-7939 for more info.

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