Elopement With Horses


If you love horses and are planning to elopement nothing should stop you from including them in your dream wedding day. My clients Casey and Catherine wanted to include horses in their elopement in Montanan because he grew up with horses back home. Some states make it much easier to hire hires for a horseback ride or a photoshoot and that is the case in Montana and Wyoming.

We started our day exploring Logan Pass in Glacier National Park where my clients had their ceremony but after that we drove to an amazing ranch 45 min away Bear Creek Ranch. Dusty, owner of the ranch was very friendly and accommodating and help us arrange everything for a fun evening where my clients could ride horses in his pasture and then enjoy a photoshoot near the stables. He also offers super cute cabin accommodation that could be a great place to spend a night before hitting Glacier the next day.

Two riders on horseback in a lush green mountain meadow surrounded by trees and scenic peaks.
Two riders on horseback in a green meadow with mountain forest backdrop on a cloudy day.
Two riders on horseback traverse a lush green meadow with a forested mountain backdrop under dramatic cloudy skies.
Two riders on horseback traverse a lush green meadow with a dense pine forest and cloudy mountain backdrop.
Couple sharing a romantic kiss by a rustic fence with two horses in a lush green mountain meadow.
Bride and groom posing with two saddled horses on green meadow with rustic cabin and mountains backdrop.
Bride and groom share a romantic kiss in a green field with a chestnut horse in the foreground.
A bride and groom in western attire embrace tenderly beside a saddled brown horse inside a rustic barn.
Bearded groom in cowboy hat and white suit shares first dance with bride in rustic barn wedding venue.

How o Prepare for Elopement With Horses?


  • The most important thing is to find the right outfitters. There are many companies out west that will offer you group horseback rides but those often don't allow for more relaxed and intimate photoshoot and more private experience. If you are going to go horseback riding with any outfitter ask for private tours. You don't want to go on a fast paces tour with a bunch of strangers. Hire the horses just for your elopement and ask if you can have 1h or more of the time with horses solely for photos, on and off horse's back. That will allow you photographer to truly utilize the time and their skills.
  • If you are not experienced with horses I recommend spending some time with them to get acquainted first.
  • Wear comfortable attire, there are so many wedding dresses to choose from that would certainly be great for riding horses. Anything flown with an opening, and enough room and a train that ca be buttoned up should do just fine. You can read my elopement dress guide here.


Couple embracing at a wooden fence overlooking horses grazing with the Grand Teton mountains in the background.

Best Places to Elope With Horses


The main reason is you are including something you both love in your wedding day. You are making it special, different, meaningful and fun. You are adding and adventure to your day I guarantee you will remember. As far as the best places to elope with horses are, most states out west will offer some form of horse back riding.

  • Wyoming has so many ranches you think the whole state is a big pastures. If you are coming to the Tetons to elope and need Grand Teton Photographer make sure to reach out, I photograph there more often than any other place. I researched and called over 10 different ranches and got. a list of the best ones. The best time to hire horses in the park would be late May till early October, that is where most outfitters bring in horses to the Grand Teton National Park.
  • Montana is also an incredible place to include horses in your elopement. I highly recommend mid June till Sept for your Montana elopement due to the weather and road closures.
  • Utah, don't be fooled but we have. a lot of great horseback riding opportunities here in Ut of you in the spring, summer and fall. Unit mounts offer great trails, scenery and no crowds. Sundance resort also has great opportunities and Utah Premier Horseback riding is one company I'd recommend. Another great one here in Wasatch Mountains is Rocky Mountains Outfitters.


Conclusion:

No matter what you decide to do on your elopement day it is gong to be amazing but including great adventure on horses will make it more memorable and photos will look incredible!