The Proposal
An impulse decision with friends to download Bumble during Covid led Jacklyn to a happily ever after match with Caleb. After talking online for a few months, the two went on their first date in August of 2020 and started officially dating a week later. Never ones to take the traditional route, the couple bought a house together a year after dating. After dating a few more years, Caleb popped the question while on a trip together at St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands in July of 2024. Jacklyn said yes, and the two began planning for an intimate elopement amidst the stunning scenery of Glacier National Park.
An Elopement
A lot of thought went into Jacklyn and Caleb’s decision to elope rather than have a traditional wedding celebration. The unexpected passing of Jacklyn’s father in 2023 made it difficult for her to envision a wedding where he wouldn’t walk her down the aisle. “I’m a huge daddy’s girl,” she explains. “He raised me, and I couldn’t think about having a traditional wedding without him.” Another factor was the home construction project they were in the middle of. After planning and building most of the home themselves, the couple felt like taking on an intricate and complex event like a traditional wedding would be exhausting rather than exciting. So, the couple decided to keep their day simple, keep the focus on the marriage, and do their ceremony their own way.
The Location
Glacier National Park has some of the most breathtaking views in the United States, a perfect backdrop for an intimate elopement. Montana and its mountains have always been special to Jacklyn and Caleb. Three months into dating, they took their first big trip together and explored Bozeman into Yellowstone. “We fell in love with Montana,” Jacklyn describes. That trip put a summer visit to Glacier National Park on their bucket list which made an elopement there even more meaningful.
The Ceremony
The ceremony itself took place on Lake McDonald with mountain peaks surrounding the shoreline. While the guest list was small, the love felt by everyone there was no less. Jacklyn and Caleb exchanged personal vows during the ceremony, and there wasn’t a dry eye by the end. Jacklyn’s older brother, Jacky, officiated the wedding, and for their unity ceremony, the newlyweds took a whiskey shot together on a custom-carved shot board. As a way to keep her father close during the ceremony, Jacklyn had one of his button-up t-shirts cut into a heart and placed under her wedding dress. While simple, the wedding held many moments of great significance that kept the attention on the “why” behind the wedding day.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds went deeper into the park with their photographer, Kylie Farmer, to take stunning portrait photos in the rugged scenery of the highlands. “It was a true elopement other than family being there,” Jacklyn describes. “We kept it pretty simple. There weren't a ton of details which is perfectly us.” After spending a few days in Montana, the newly married couple traveled up to Canada, spending time in Banff for their honeymoon. Everything about their wedding was completely tailored to them and their love story. “Do what you want to do,” Jacklyn advises. “I feel like everyone tells you that, but so many people tried to talk me out of doing a non-traditional wedding… So do what you want to do. Don’t let anyone talk you out of it.”
Vendors
Floral: Two Kay’s Flower Farm @twokaysflowerfarm
Photos/Editing/Planning/Coordination: Kylie Farmer Photography @kyliefarmerphotography
Associate Photographer: Wild Summit Photo @wildsummitphoto
Hair: Covet Beauty @covetbeautybridal
Dress: Azazie @azaziebridal
Custom Wedding Sleeves: PT Bridal Handmade @ptbridalhandmade
