Elopements In Montana
Photo: Zak Jokela Photography
The nitty gritty things you need to know, questions you may want answered, & possibilities to consider when planning elopements in Montana!
RATES
Ceremonies
Customized Ceremony
personalized for each couple
$780
Classic ceremony
$580
a Sidewalk Signing
Private, Papers & Pronouncement
$220
Rehearsal add on $280
A travel rate of $1/mile will be added for car travel beyond fifty miles from downtown Kalispell.
Meals, lodging, and flights are additional travel fees added when relevant. Hiking in excess of two miles will incur a day rate of $50/hour.
Feel free to just reach out through the contact form and we can find a time to talk together (this is a free consult) about your vision and how I can support it!
REGION
Bespoke Ceremonies Montana is based in Kalispell, MT. My primary area of service is Northwest Montana including points around Flathead Lake, Bigfork, Whitefish, and Glacier National Park.
I am excited to meet you anywhere in Montana and am willing to travel for destination ceremonies. My ordination legally permits solemnization of marriages throughout the United States.
Nearby destinations: Kootenai Swinging Bridge, Hot Springs in Paradise, Eureka, Libby, Troy, Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge, National Bison Range, Flathead Indian Reservation, Seeley-Swan Valley, Ferndale, Blackfeet Indian Reservation and the Yaak Valley.
How about Missoula, Charlo, Arlee, Plains, St. Ignatius, Helena, Billings, Red Lodge, Cut Bank, Browning, Bozeman? I go there too!
REALITY
When making plans for your ceremony, please consider options that might be your acceptable alternatives if your original plans need to change in order to best serve your community and selves.
The weather in Montana is predictably unpredictable. Have a plan B in case of smoke, lightening storms or strong winds.
All local laws and venue restrictions will be honored.
We are living in a time of increased uncertainty, in which the presentation of mild symptoms can be quickly discovered as a serious threat to our collective health and wellness.
“A true wedding professional.
I'm a wedding photographer and had the pleasure of working along side Audrey this season for the first time. When we first met she asked me two questions. I knew immediately she was the real deal and that her effort and expertise would help ensure the wedding day went smoothly. At least that was my expectation, in reality, she helped lift this wedding to an entirely new level!
Do yourself a favor by allowing Audrey to help make your wedding as memorable as possible! (& then bring me along too!!).”
— Zak Jokela
Photo: Zak Jokela Photography
FAQ
frequently asked questions
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No. For a ceremony being solemnized by a minister in MT you do not need additional witnesses. I serve legally as your minister and witness. If you were to go to the County Clerk of Court in MT to do a Declaration of Marriage without a ceremony, two witnesses would be required.
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Absolutely- with delight!
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I love that you’re asking this! I can refer you to a local pre-marital counselor and highly recommend this investment in your relationship and communication. I do not require it.
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As soon as you know the date and time of your wedding, you should secure your wedding officiant. Couples guarantee services with a deposit months in advance, especially for the peak wedding season (in MT that is July and August). While sooner is better, I'm often available on short notice, especially if the date and time of your ceremony is flexible.
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By video! First step is to fill out the inquiry form on the contact page and after review, if we seem like a great fit-I’ll reach out to you with a link to launch our first chat by video. (Zoom or FaceTime is most common.)
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I have a list of local ASL interpreters that I can reach out to for services.
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I try to be upfront in asking what a couple or their guests might need as support during a ceremony. Examples include prioritized seating for guests with limited vision or hearing, clear and navigable pathways for anyone with a mobility challenge, awareness and support for loud noise or high action sensitivity (clapping or cheering may be startling or overwhelming to some). I won’t think of everything and hope you’ll be thoughtful in considering your needs and those of your guests and will be in conversation with me about how to best approach creating your best atmosphere for your unique ceremony.
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Yes! And I’m happy to craft a ceremony that reflects whatever your priorities are in relation to your faith, marital history or otherwise.
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The ceremony we create together can steer clear of religious focus or tone. “Civil ceremony” is a legal term used in Montana to indicate a court or clerk proceeding, so I do not offer that, but I think I know what you mean.
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Yes- I prefer it actually.
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Yes! A rehearsal can be added to any ceremony package for an additional fee. Please let me know if you want to discuss that option and I can help you decide if it's recommended or unnecessary.
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Absolutely! In fact, I prefer it, and am more than happy to support and guide the process.
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No - the world is your oyster! Anything is fair game - as long as it’s respectful of consensual equity in relationships. My aim would be to meet you and make a couple of suggestions so as to not overwhelm, but if you have something in mind, bring it to the table!
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Yes- In a custom ceremony, the goal is to make the ceremony most meaningful to you. All language is fair game as long as it’s respecting consensual connection. If opting for a simple stock ceremony, the flexibility is more limited.
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Usually the next business day. By law, Montana allows 30 days. Learn all about the marriage license here: 5 things to know about your MT marriage license
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Yes!
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The deposit is non-refundable.
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No. The 2019 Legislature removed the antiquated and inequitable blood test requirement in Montana. (See 2019 HB0136).
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Sure! Click here for some favorites. MORE PHOTOS
Photo: Three Fawns Photography
A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure services for your wedding date and time for all options. The remaining balance will be due one month before your ceremony as relevant. A travel rate of $1/mile will be added for car travel beyond fifty miles from downtown Kalispell. Hiking in excess of two miles will incur a day rate of $50/hour.
All wedding options include Papers & Pronouncement: witness of your declaration of desire & intent to marry, signing your marriage license, delivery of your signed marriage license for filing at the relevant county courthouse and, follow-up contact.
If you’re choosing a Sweet & Simple ceremony package, it also includes: performance of a sweet and simple standard wedding ceremony deemed relevant to you as a couple, your influence on officiant attire, coordination with your wedding planner or other wedding professionals as needed, arrival at your wedding venue 30-45 minutes prior to your ceremony and holding the space for a reasonable amount of time following the end of the ceremony while your guests exit.
If you’re choosing a bespoke CUSTOM ceremony package, it also includes: completion of a “love story” questionnaire, writing your unique ceremony, unlimited revision (if desired- some folks want it to be a surprise) of your ceremony, selecting appropriate readings, your influence on officiant attire, coordination with your wedding planner or other wedding professionals as needed, arrival at your wedding venue 45 minutes prior to your ceremony and holding the space for a reasonable amount of time following the end of the ceremony while your guests exit.
You can also include unity rituals as part of your ceremony without additional cost. You or your wedding planner will furnish ritual supplies such as Unity Candles, Sand Ceremony Vessels, Hand fasting Ribbons, Wine Goblets, etc. so they match your wedding theme and budget.
Are you my people?
I love working with people who are planning a celebration that fits their own style and personality, and want their ceremony to be just as unique as they are. This doesn’t mean at all that you need to be outrageous, loud or funky fun. It means trusting me enough to be your genuine full self. It means: bring your quiet introverted self, bring your splashy, zesty partner and let’s create a ceremony that celebrates your dreams coming true.
Compassion for oneself and others is important to me and recognizing our individual effect on the wider world is part of my basic value system. I love working with people who share that awareness. Kindness, patience, and room for growth and change are part of every ceremony conversation.