Dan & Emily's Surprise Glacier National Park Proposal at Apgar Village
Dan and Emily's Glacier National Park proposal started long before they ever stepped onto the dock at Apgar Village.
In fact, Emily didn't even know she was going to Montana.
She thought she was heading out for a Memorial Day weekend camping trip with friends. Instead, Dan woke her up at 4:00 in the morning and told her to start packing because they were heading to Montana.
Talk about an EPIC surprise.
What Emily didn't know was that Dan had been planning far more than just a trip.
Over the weeks leading up to the proposal, we exchanged messages, talked through locations, and even shared videos of potential proposal spots to make sure everything went off without a hitch.
Dan knew he wanted mountain views, water, and a location that truly felt like Montana. With Going-to-the-Sun Road still closed for the season, our options were a little more limited, but together we narrowed down the possibilities and landed on Apgar Village.
As it turned out, it was exactly what Dan had hoped for and more. The views were incredible, the dock was surprisingly quiet for a Saturday morning, and it couldn't have been a more perfect setting for such an important moment.
One thing I always ask proposal clients for is a photo of the two of them together so I can be absolutely certain I'm photographing the right couple.
Dan joked that at 6'5" with bright red hair, he wasn't exactly hard to miss.
Luckily for both of us, Emily was busy enjoying her surprise Montana adventure and never gave me a second glance. She may have had a feeling a proposal was coming sometime during the trip, but she definitely wasn't expecting it right then and there.
The Proposal
One of my favorite parts of proposal photography is getting to play undercover photographer.
Even better, Apgar Village was surprisingly quiet that Saturday morning. I was casually chatting with a few locals and another couple with a dog when Dan and Emily walked right past me.
They had absolutely no idea I was their photographer.
The two wandered out onto the dock, took a few selfies, and enjoyed the incredible views across Lake McDonald.
Then Dan asked Emily to turn around so he could take a photo of her.
Instead, he got down on one knee.
When Emily turned back around, she simply stopped.
She stood there smiling, taking it all in as she realized what was happening. It was such a sweet reaction and perfectly fit her personality.
The smile on her face was priceless. She just stood there for a moment soaking it all in before walking toward Dan, and honestly, it was pretty darn adorable.
Then came hugs, huge smiles, and one very excited newly engaged couple.
Celebrating Their Engagement
After the proposal, we spent the next hour exploring some of my favorite areas around Apgar and Lake McDonald.
We made our way down to the rocky shoreline, took advantage of the beautiful lake views, and captured some amazing engagement photos together. From there, we headed over to Belton Bridge to finish the session.
We had an absolute blast.
One of my favorite things about proposal sessions is that once the surprise is over, couples can finally relax and enjoy the moment together. The nerves are gone, the ring is on, and all that's left is celebrating.
Between the mountain views, the gorgeous spring weather, and all the excitement from the morning, this turned into such a fun engagement session.
The Ultimate Surprise
As amazing as the proposal itself was, I think my favorite part of the story might still be the fact that Emily had no idea she was even going to Montana.
While she thought she was preparing for a Memorial Day camping weekend with friends, Dan had secretly planned an unforgettable Montana adventure complete with a proposal in Glacier National Park.
It's easy to see how much thought, effort, and love went into creating this experience. From the surprise trip to researching locations and planning every detail, Dan worked incredibly hard to create a moment Emily would never forget.
And judging by the smile on Emily's face all day long, I'd say he absolutely nailed it.
Congratulations, Dan and Emily! Thank you for allowing me to be part of such an incredible day. It was so much fun helping bring this surprise proposal to life and documenting the beginning of your next adventure together.