East to West on Logan Pass: Glacier National Park Sunrise Elopement - Megan & Pat
- Grace Cady
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
If you're dreaming of a Glacier National Park elopement that starts with golden light and ends with champagne before lunch, Megan and Pat’s sunrise celebration is all the inspiration you need. Their day was the perfect blend of ease, awe, and joy—proof that an early alarm is totally worth it.
And when I say worth it, I mean really worth it.
We kicked off the morning at Sun Point, one of my absolute favorite east-side locations in the park. Late August gave us a crisp start, but the calmness of the lake and the soft, golden light made it downright dreamy. Mornings here are seriously magical—no wind, hardly any people, and light that flatters everything it touches. Megan and Pat shared quiet moments overlooking the water as the sun rose behind them, and it felt like we had the whole park to ourselves.
This truly is some of my favorite light to capture. It feels so soft and dreamy and requires so little from my editing hand that it truly gives my couples true-to-color edits.
Plus, you really can't complain about the morning alpenglow it gives on you on the eastern facing mountains either.
Next up: Big Bend. If you’ve ever seen this stretch of Going-to-the-Sun road, you know exactly why we made the stop. It is an iconic MUST SEE in Glacier National Park and these two weren't going home without photos in front of it (Its a clause I put into my elopement contracts that all my couples sign).
The way the early light spills into the valley is wild—golden beams bouncing off the cliffs and lighting up the mountains in ways that feel almost unreal.
Also! A quick note for my fellow photographers: Big Bend in the early morning is stunning, but it’s a tricky lighting spot to work with. You’ve got to dance with the shadows and highlights a bit in post, but trust me—the payoff is huge.
Obviously, it helps that the Fireweed was in bloom and giving us that perfect wild mountain meadow feeling that people come to Glacier National Park from all over just to see.
Once we finished sun bathing at Big Bed, we made our way to Ryan Meadows, where Megan and Pat did some final touch ups and got some last few photos together as fiancés.
We met up with their incredible officiant, Raul Rodriguez of Best Day Officiants and got the ceremony started. At the point where Lake McDonald flows into McDonald cree—with the trees with the sounds of the park all around, they shared vows, laughs, and happy tears in one of the most peaceful corners of Glacier. It was simple and perfect.
One of the best parts of a sunrise elopement? You beat the crowds, have space to breathe, and by the time you’ve said your "I dos," you’re already celebrating with mimosas and pastries. Megan and Pat were clinking glasses before 10am—and honestly, what better way to start your marriage?
There’s something incredibly special about waking up with the sun to celebrate love in a place as beautiful as Glacier National Park. Megan and Pat’s elopement was a reminder that the most meaningful days don’t have to be the most complicated ones.
If you're looking for a Glacier National Park adventure elopement photographer who knows the ins and outs of lighting, timing, and all the hidden gems—I'm here to help you make it unforgettable.
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