Scroll down for my list of Top Montana Wedding Venues… Oh, and I will travel to these venues for free!
I know what it’s like being a bride and just beginning to plan; the process is overwhelming. So I’m here to give you the first two steps in planning your wedding.
First and foremost, choose your wedding venue. Without this, you don’t even have a date to work within which you can book other vendors. Choosing and securing the venue gives you the entire feel/style of your day. Is the venue an intimate chateau with a Mediterranean flair? Is it a rustic western barn? Is it a classy indoor hotel with plenty of sparkle and a ballroom atmosphere? Settling on a venue helps determine SO many aspects of your wedding: the colors (bridesmaids dresses, groomsmen suits, flowers, etc.), what type of food will be served, the style of cake, what type of flowers, number of guests invited, and yes, the style of photographer you will choose.
Which brings me to the second most important step to planning your Montana wedding: choose your photographer.
It is ALWAYS the venues and the wedding photographers that book up first. Caterers, florists and bakers can often accommodate more than one wedding on any given day; venues and photographers are limited. They can only be one place at a time or accommodate one wedding at a time and therefore should be booked first.
If you have questions about choosing the right photographer for you, I wrote a blog post on the Top 5 REAL Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer. I recommend reading through before booking someone to capture your big day.
LIST OF MONTANA WEDDING VENUES
Below is my list of some of the top venues to get married in Montana. All of these venues are also on my ‘No Travel Fee’ list of places I love to shoot.
FLATHEAD VALLEY, WHITEFISH & GLACIER WEDDING VENUES
Glacier Park Wedding & Events– Views of Glacier, Montana’s stunning mountain peaks as your ceremony and portrait backdrop, charming chalets… this venue really has it all. It embodies what it means to have a ‘True Montana Wedding.’ (I wish I would have gotten married here:) Being located just outside Glacier National Park’s west entrance makes it SO easy to sneak away for those stunning sunset photos on the shores of Lake McDonald just inside the park.
Green Valley Ranch – You must check this one out if mountains and lakes are on your wish list. Seriously a stunning venue with an outdoorsy feel. Although this is on the higher end in terms of budget, it’s definitely worth it. The ceremony location is nestled in the mountains with beautiful aspen trees and meadows around you. Truly stunning.
Glacier Mountain Lodge – Located in Columbia Falls this beautiful lodge embodies everything a Glacier wedding should. Well manicured grounds and a grand lodge make this one of my top venues for sure!
Big Mountain Resort: If you are adventurous, love skiing, or simply just LOVE the mountains, look into getting married at the summit of Big Mountain. Stunning 360 degree views of mountains surround you while overlooking Flathead Lake, Whitefish, Glacier and the entire valley. Below is an image from a recent wedding I photographed at the summit. Guests rode the gondola to the top where the jaw-dropping ceremony took place. Guests (and wedding party) could then ride the Alpine Slide down to cocktail hour at the base lodge where the reception and evening festivities took place. It’s a great spot for adventurous, outdoor-loving couples!
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Glacier Raft Company: I have shot several weddings here and I must say that when I was compiling my list of Montana wedding venues, I had to include this one. If booking a venue where your guests can also stay is a priority to you, then definitely check out Glacier Raft Company. It is equipped with plenty of cabins for your guests and is located just minutes (maybe 2) from the entrance of Glacier Park. It boasts amazing views of Montana’s Mountainous landscape at the ceremony site and has an open pavilion for the reception. As I said, I’ve been lucky enough to shoot a few weddings here and each time we’ve been able to make a quick trip into the park for those jaw dropping bride and groom portraits at Lake McDonald. One of those weddings was featured on Montana Bride and you can see more of my favorite images of this Glacier, MT wedding here with wedding photos at Lake McDonald.
Lodge at Whitefish Lake: If you’ve been searching for wedding venues in the Whitefish or Glacier, Montana area, it’s probably not a surprise that this one made the list. There is room for your guests to stay and the lodge itself is stunning. There are plenty of reception options as well from the lawn to one of the indoor ballrooms. If getting married on the shore of one of Montana’s picturesque lakes is your dream, then definitely get in touch with the staff at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake.
Grouse Mountain Lodge: Not quite ON the water, Grouse Mountain Lodge is situated near Whitefish Lake making it fairly easy to grab pictures on the shore if that’s something you’re dreaming of. This wedding venue can truly be the best of all worlds when it comes to a Montana wedding. It really has a private, outdoor feel without being in a completely remote location. It really has the perfect balance of Montana’s outdoors with the convenience of the lodge and its facilities (including rooms to get ready and for guests to stay). This venue has a great patio for a tent set up and impeccable grounds for a ceremony as well.
Under Canvas – Glacier: Is glamping your thing? Are you looking for a completely unique “Montana” experience for you and your guests? Definitely look at Under Canvas. You can plan an entire weekend event that FEELS like you are really experiencing the outdoors of Montana but with all of the amenities of a resort. The tents fully furnished with beds, wardrobes, seating and some even have their own restrooms.
Glacier Mountain Lodge: This venue really has the feel of a private residence. I appears so intimate and quaint. The grounds of Glacier Mountain Lodge are perfect for a tented reception or even better, a cleartop tent with farm tables set to the nines underneath the trees. Cleartop tents can be SO amazing especially when the sun has gone down under Montana’s big sky. I’ve seen some amazing weddings photographed here.
Elope in Glacier: If you are the adventurous type and you’re wanting something simple but breathtaking, consider eloping in Glacier National Park. It really has become a desitination wedding location for mountain seeking couples over the last few years. Elopements really are some of my favorite to photograph as well. They have such an intimate, personal feel with just you and your fiance and maybe a handful of close family and friends. With Glacier as your backdrop, you really couldn’t ask for a more gorgeous wedding location. Want to see what an elopement in Glacier looks like? Check out a recent one I photographed here: Glacier, MT Wedding Elopements .
BIG SKY WEDDING VENUES
Rainbow Ranch – A Big Sky venue, so naturally it is hard to beat. Many amenities are included in their venue fee so that is one perk of having your wedding here! It is a rustic log building with beautiful mountain views. This venue has many similarities to the Lone Mountain Ranch described below.
Moonlight Basin: This venue encapsulates the ultimate Big Sky wedding experience. Really, if that is your goal or you are planning a destination wedding here, look no further. Moonlight Basin is known for its high-end amenities and sweeping mountain views. While on the higher end of the budget, it’s truly everything you could want for an epic Montana wedding. And being located just outside of Bozeman, it has very convenience travel for guests while being in an epic mountain location.
320 Guest Ranch – This venue has a little more of a “Ranch” feel than the Rainbow Ranch just described. I’d say many of the other venues may tend to have more of a high-end feel while this venue and the others below are more casual in nature. It has an absolutely incredible location next to the river with open meadows and mountains in almost every direction. This would be an amazing location for someone wanting to incorporate western elements throughout their wedding. You’ll see this venue on almost every list of venues in the Big Sky area because it encompasses so much.
Lone Mountain Ranch: A truly rustic Montana wedding venue. That is how I would describe Lone Mountain Ranch. Overlooking Big Sky’s landmark mountain peek, the ceremony location has stunning views while the log building offers a rustic, western vibe. With the right styling or event planner, this venue has so much potential to really be over-the-top in terms of table scape designs inside and epic views outside.
Gallatin Riverhouse: Their website says it boasts a “backyard wedding feel” and I couldn’t agree more with that statement. They can easily accommodate up to 600 guests so if you’ve had an issue with finding enough capacity in other venues, definitely check this one out. The views are expansive and the sound of the Gallatin River as the background to your ceremony is something you and your guests won’t forget.
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MISSOULA AREA WEDDING VENUES
Gibson Mansion: The Gibson Mansion is an absolutely classic venue on the south side of Missoula. As you can tell by the name, it is in fact a mansion. It is a gorgeous white structure with black trim accents giving it such a classic and timeless appeal. This is actually where my husband and I were married and I couldn’t be happier that we chose this venue. They have beautiful suites for the bridal parties to get ready that makes for amazing photos. The actual ceremony is held in their vibrant, lush garden in the back. They have a gazebo as the front of the alter and a well-manicured patio perfect for cocktail hour with passed hors d’evours. Although this venue is geared toward a smaller, intimate guest list, it is by far one of the top wedding venues in Missoula.
Heritage Hall: This is an ever-popular wedding venue. The hall itself can accommodate a larger guest list and while it can seem a bit dated in terms of décor, I’ve also seen it fit absolutely perfectly for a wedding a slightly vintage flair. The grounds are simple and basic but with the right event rentals and styling, this can be turned into a gorgeous space.
The Barn on Mullan: This venue books up quickly every year. It is located at the Ranch Club on the golf course off of Mullan. The building itself was built to look like an old rustic barn and it is just that but with great amenities! This venue is great because in many ways it’s a bit of an inclusive venue with catering and a bar provided on site. This eliminates booking multiple vendors and the chefs have a great reputation. The ceremony site is on the golf course. While the lawn is obviously well manicured, there are little to no trees that might provide shade to guests on a hot summer day.
The Keep: Much like the Barn on Mullan, The Keep is located on a golf course in the Pattee Canyon area. The building itself has a completely different vibe with its stone walls and cozy feel. I would recommend this venue for a smaller guest list if you want to have your reception inside the building. If you have a large number of guests, they will likely be split among the two separate rooms insides. This isn’t a huge drawback until it comes to the evenings festivities such as toasts, cake cutting and first dances. The location is set among the southeastern hills of Missoula with a great view from the golf course where most ceremonies are held. Wedding photographers tend to love unique venues such as this because of their different architecture and variety in shooting environments that it can bring.
White Raven: Although this is on the outskirts of Missoula (in Alberton, MT), it is a newer venue that you definitely must check out. It’s really the best of all worlds. It’s near enough Missoula that it’s easy to line up transportation for guests to and from a hotel but it’s also far enough that you don’t feel like you are “in-town.” The ceremony location is in a beautiful treed area that has a that Montana feel. And the new building has a small rustic flair but not enough that you feel like you’d need to have a rustic themed wedding there. As a wedding photographer, light in a venue is one of the top things I look for to make beautiful images. This venue has gorgeous windows available to bring in lots of natural light to the space not to mention great tables and wooden crossback chairs which elevate the style of a wedding in an instant. Definitely check this location out!
Tarkio River Lodge: This location is probably one of my top recommendations. I lean towards venues that have that true “Montana vibe” and this is one of them. The ceremony space is located near the river in an open meadow with mountains surrounding it. The quaint cabin on the property really makes it picturesque. While this spot really does require a tented reception, it’s really a top pick if you’re wanting a beautiful outdoor wedding with an evening dancing under Montana’s big sky. I should add that this is definitely not “in Missoula” but really more toward Superior (a little under an hour away). BUT, it is definitely worth looking into depending on the vibe you’d like for your day.
The Ranch at Rock Creek: While this is most definitely outside of Missoula, it is a MUST see if you are looking at wedding venues and have a larger budget for your wedding. I could not leave this off of my list of Top Wedding Venues in Montana. This is definitely a higher end venue with stunning western buildings ordained with rustic barnwood, cowhide upholstered furniture and grand lighting fixtures in some of their buildings. They have accommodations for guests as well as activities such as horseback riding for everyone to partake in. I would describe the venue as being everything that you would picture a classy Montana wedding to be.
Paws Up: This is another high-end venue with a true Montana/western feel. It too is outside of Missoula, but if you’re looking for a true destination vacation get-away for your guests, it’s worth seeing. It’s a top destination resort known for it’s amazing hospitality, western activities and amazing chefs. It’s quite similar to the Ranch at Rock Creek. I would say the difference between the two is 1. the proximity to Missoula; the Ranch at Rock Creek is definitely closer and 2. The Ranch at Rock Creek might lend itself to feeling a bit more private. While Paws Up is technically a resort, I wouldn’t say it has an overwhelming amount of guests that would interfere with your day. Both venues are top choices for Missoula, MT wedding photographers!!!
Holland Lake Lodge– located on beautiful Holland Lake near Condon, MT. This intimate venue is to die for with gorgeous mountain views, ceremony on the shores of one of Montana’s most pristine lakes and a true ‘Montana’ feel in the rustic lodging for the bride and groom and their guests.
Daly Mansion – Located in the stunning Bitterroot Valley this historic mansion gives a classy and sophisticated feel to a wedding. Beautiful grounds with a botanic garden make for a truly unique experience.
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BOZEMAN AREA WEDDING VENUES
Chateau Event Center – A totally unique Spanish/Tuscan inspired venue in Montana! The Chateau Event Center has some of the classiest grounds equipped with a gazebo and stone bridge in the side yard along with a fountain at the front to greet your guests. It has an absolutely breathtaking bridal suite and outdoor patio great for cocktail hour. Inside you’ll find wooden beams, massive front doors and an intimate dining space to hold your reception. Here is a recent Bozeman wedding that I photographed at the Chateau Event Center. Definitely a must see for the couple looking for something different than many of the rustic venues you’ll find throughout Montana.
Foster Creek Farm: Located in the Belgrade area is Foster Creek Farm and is a must see on this list of wedding venues in Montana. It is a newer venue with no detail overlooked. I would describe it as having a very chic Montana vibe. Starting with the getting ready portion of the day, they have a glamping tent available for the bride and her bridesmaids complete with a spa-like bathroom, canopy bed and front area for everyone to be together. The groom’s cabin is quaint but very well done and is located all in one central spot. The all- white remodeled barn adorned with chandeliers, a fireplace and wooden staircase and rafters is an absolute dream. There’s room to set up a huge tented reception if needed AND… mountain views. This spot has it all. If you are looking for something a little different than what everyone else has done and want your wedding to have an upscale but outdoor feel, look no further.
The Woodlands at Cottonwood Canyon: I have seen some STUNNING weddings photographed at this venue and all of them really have that true Montana feel. This venue has a more “tucked away” vibe among the trees which can be great for your pictures and guests because it offers plenty of shade to stay cool during mid-summer and avoid the harsh sun.
Headwaters Ranch: Outside of Bozeman about 30 miles in Three Forks is the Headwaters Ranch. It is a newer venue that truly did everything to perfection from their round barn to their glamping tents and vintage campers for you and your guests to stay in. This venue gives “barn wedding” a whole new meaning with the unique architecture and clean interior. Not to mention their in-house gourmet catering options. This venue is a MUST to check out. I love that it’s new and definitely up and coming and in great proximity to Bozeman.
Sacajawea Hotel – One of America’s Historic Hotels, the Sacajawea provides a ceremony site underneath the trees along with so many photo opportunities around it’s white exterior and dreamy front porch.
Firelight Farm: At the time of writing this (January 2019), Firelight Farm is the newest venue to the Bozeman, MT area. While I haven’t had the chance to photograph here yet, it made my list of best wedding venues in Montana because it is a venue that appears to have done everything well. While it is a rustic barn venue, it is done very tastefully and doesn’t appear “over the top” rustic. Not to mention the GORGEOUS backdrop of mountains behind the venue itself.
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PARADISE VALLEY/LIVINGSTON AREA WEDDING VENUES
O’Hair Ranch Lodge: Are you looking for a venue right in the middle of Paradise Valley with Yellowstone river frontage AND views of the Absaroka Range??? Look no further than the O’Hair Ranch Lodge. It is really the epitome of Paradise Valley. Situated on 15,000+ acres of property is a private home with plenty of space to create your own tented reception under the Big Sky. I actually have had the privilege of shooting at this location for an engagement session. You can see more of those photos here.While it is a private home, it is a guest ranch rented out to anyone wanting that Montana experience and is becoming very popular for weddings. The house itself has plenty of natural light which is great for photography and does have 4 bedrooms for a handful of guests to stay. The decor insight has a modest western vibe without being overbearing. All vendors (mainly caterers, bars, bands) need to be self contained with this venue.
**Rentals are likely needed for this venue. I highly recommend MT Party Rentals based in Bozeman.
Deep Creek Range : Deep Creek Range has probably appeared in your searches for venues in Livingston/Paradise Valley. Not only does it have outstanding mountain views, it also offers many amenities that the other venues do not such as a fully equipped kitchen for catering and indoor restrooms. The rustic building is a great space for gathering and the indoor/outdoor options with this venue are also a definite advantage. This venue can accommodate up to 250 guests and is located just 10 miles south of Livingston.
Sage Lodge: Opening in July of 2018, the Sage Loge has it ALL. Really, it is the ultimate Montana retreat. If I were getting married, I would probably choose this venue for my own wedding. It fully embodies Montana and has a “luxury ranch” vibe. If you’re planning a day-trip to scope out venues in Paradise Valley, be sure to put this one on your list. It too has jaw-dropping mountain views and the vibe of the lodge itself is truly spectacular.
Chico Hot Springs: If you’re from Montana, probably the first place to pop in your mind for wedding venues near Livingston is Chico Hot Springs. Chico holds so much Montana history and the charm of the old buildings is something guests will love. While researching, I was surprised to find how many options are available for wedding ceremony and reception locations! In other words, you’re not limited if you choose this venue, perfect for the bride who loves choices! Chico also offers on-site catering, event coordinator AND plenty of space for guests to stay.
Yellowstone Valley Lodge: Located quite literally on the Yellowstone River, the Yellowstone Valley Lodge is a GREAT wedding venue near Livingston, MT. Like many venues in the valley, it boasts sweeping views of the Absaroka range. It also has individual cabins to accommodate a large number of guests. In my opinion, this venue is a top choice for couples who truly embrace nature, adventure and Montana summers; a true outdoorsmen/angler’s dream venue.
StoneFlower Event Center: Another newer venue to the Paradise Valley area is The Stoneflower Event Center. It has a completely different vibe than most of the other venues mentioned here. While many other venues feel “lodge-like”, this venue has a charming cottage feel. Well manicured grounds with a secluded, treed setting (providing shade!) and an inviting home (with a B&B feeling) are this venue’s signature draw. As opposed most of the other venues with a wide-open feel, this venue is very private.
The Yellowstone House: The Yellowstone House is similar to the O’Hair Ranch Lodge (mentioned first) but with that “Montana Lodge” vibe. If you are someone who loves staying at Air BnB’s on your travels and prefer to “do your own thing” you’ll probably find this venue ideal for you. The home itself is show stopping and while it has a lot of amenities, you really can be on your own and create a private event. In addition, in 2017 they built an event barn to their property to accommodate more guests and have a permanent shelter from weather (and wind).
Mountain Sky Ranch: The Mountain Sky Ranch is a high-end (all-inclusive) experience located in Emigrant, MT. All-inclusive is definitely my words, not theirs… but compared to all of the other venues in Paradise Valley, I would really consider this one, above all others, to be all-inclusive due to the variety of excursions and events for you, your bridal party and guests to participate in. It sits on the Rising Sun Golf Course complete with 18 holes and gorgeous mountain views. From fly fishing, to wildlife viewing, to horseback riding, to golfing to relaxing with Yogo or a dip in the hot tub, there’s plenty to see and do.
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HELENA AREA WEDDING VENUES
Summer Star Ranch: If this venue wasn’t great before, it’s even better now! Summer Star Ranch just added a covered building to their grounds that can accommodate a large number of guests. The ranch is located just outside of Helena near York and is the perfect spot to say I do. Views of distant mountains, meadows and forest are found in every view from this location. AND this venue has it’s own farmhouse tables, benches and other charming rentals to help give all of their weddings a well put-together appearance.
Cabin Creek Ranch: This is a private backyard type of venue. While “ranch” is in the name, it’s definitely not what usually comes to mind when you think of a Montana’s ranches. A log cabin, pond and groomed grounds give this spot it’s charm. I believe it’s also on the lower end of the budget for all of the couples planning their dream wedding without breaking the bank.
Shades of Green: Shades of Green is a well known name around Helena; but not for being a wedding venue. While being one of Helena’s gorgeous nursery’s on the edge of town, it just recently began hosting weddings at their beautiful location. If you are looking for a venue with a convenient location that is in the city of Helena, something different than the typical ranch wedding or hotel reception, check out Shades of Green. It’s backyard, garden party feel can be seen in this featured editorial shoot for Rocky Mountain Bride. Being from Helena and having photographed weddings here, this is a new favorite venue of mine!
The Kleffner Ranch: One of the most popular and well known wedding venues in Helena is Kleffner Ranch. It can accommodate up to 300 guests and the seriously GORGEOUS historic red barn is Montana perfection. The rafters and wooden floors are all original and have been restored. It’s really such a beautiful spot for a wedding. In addition, there is a secondary reception location in their pavilion which means that they can host more than one wedding there in a given day. Depending on your preferences to keep your event private, this could be either good or bad. My choice would definitely be to book the barn over the pavilion in terms of the choices for photography and accommodating all of your guests.
Staubach Creek Ranch: Near Winston, MT, just outside of Helena about 15-20 miles is The Staubach Creek Ranch. It also has a rustic barn, beautiful grounds and creekside access. This spot makes it easy to get that “Montana Ranch” vibe without being far from town and lodging for your guests. There are some smaller mountains surrounding the ranch and a wide variety of foliage (think pine trees, aspen trees, meadows, etc) which makes this an ideal wedding spot.
Have you made it this far?
This concludes my list of best Montana wedding venues. I truly hand selected all venues mentioned because I really feel they are the BEST in terms of their offerings for my couples and what they can produce in terms of wedding photography!
And if you missed seeing it above, if you are a 2019/2020 bride looking for a wedding photographer and you found me through this post, you qualify to receive a FREE engagement session! Simply send me a note and mention this page (see details below)! I still have 2019 availability. CONTACT ME and I will let you know if I’m available for your date!
