From winding rivers through valleys of evergreens, to pink sunrises against towering mountains, Grand Teton National Park is full of beautiful landscapes. For many adventurous couples, a Grand Teton elopement is the perfect way to tie the knot!
From choosing the day you'll say "I do" to picking the perfect spot for your ceremony, I’ve got you covered! This guide will help you figure out all the details, and tell you everything you need to know to get married in Grand Teton National Park.
Weather & Seasons at Grand Teton National Park
Choosing the date of your elopement is an important step in planning your perfect wedding day. Here’s what you can expect throughout the year, and things you can do in each season!
Winter Elopements at Grand Teton National Park
Snow drapes the Grand Tetons in the winter, making for a magical experience. Though most of the roads and campgrounds are closed, winter is the best time for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing - if you're the adventurous type, there's primitive winter camping near the Colter Bay Visitor Center in the winter. Since a lot of the park is closed to cars, there aren't as many people around which means, while you can't have your ceremony here, some of the best photo locations are a lot more private!
Spring Elopements at Grand Teton National Park
During the spring, there's usually still a bit of snow, so many roads don't open up until May 1st. You can still go snowshoeing and cross-country skiing early in the season, or wait until later in the season when you can go hiking and have your ceremony at the park.
Summer Elopements at Grand Teton National Park
Summer in the Grand Tetons is a perfect time for an elopement. In higher elevations, you might still find some snow, but by late July it's usually all melted - meaning it's a great time to hike any of the trails in the park! The warmer weather means more crowds at the park, so to get some more privacy, plan for a sunrise or sunset elopement, and try to pick a date that falls on a weekday.
Fall Elopements at Grand Teton National Park
Fall is a great time to elope in Grand Teton National Park - oranges and reds begin to frame the mountains, creating an unforgettable landscape! If you visit in September, you'll be able to see the park before it's covered in snow, but after the height of crowds have left the park after Labor Day. A fall elopement means there will still be moderate weather for hiking in Grand Teton - check out Paintbrush Canyon or the Teton Crest Trail!
Grand Teton Elopement Locations
At Grand Teton National Park, if your ceremony is less than 12 people, you can have your ceremony anywhere - however, even with a smaller ceremony, if you’re hiring a photographer (which you should!), you’re still limited to the pre-approved locations.
If you have your heart set on a certain spot that's not on this list, we can definitely adventure around the park to take photos after the ceremony. Here are the 6 locations where you can have your Grand Teton National Park elopement.
Schwabacher Landing
Sitting on the edge of the beaver ponds, Schwabacher Landing is one of the most beautiful elopement locations in Grand Teton National Park. The Teton Range perfectly reflects in the clear alpine lakes on a clear day, and they shine as the sunrise hits them each morning. This location is the least busy midday, but it's worth it to say your vows at one of the best sunrise views in Grand Teton!
Mormon Row
Once home to two settler farmers, Mormon Row is a historic site that gives visitors a look into the early 1900s western farming community. The historic buildings are set on wide-open fields, with views of the eastern front of the Tetons in the background. The North features an adorable pink stucco house and the South has a rustic wooden barn - both perfect backdrops for any elopement. Shoot for a sunrise or sunset elopement to avoid the crowds here, since this is a popular spot for other park visitors!
Mountain View Turnout
A field of flowers coupled with a view of the Grand Tetons in the background makes any elopement feel like a fairy tale. This location is usually much less busy, so you don't have to worry about crowds!
Glacier View View Turnout
At Glacier View Turnout, you'll find an unobstructed view of 3 of the Grand Tetons’ incredible glaciers - Middle, Teepee, and Teton Glaciers. Saying your vows in a field of sagebrush with the Tetons behind you is really a dream come true for any couple.
Snake River Overlook
One of the most popular locations in the Grand Tetons is Snake River Overlook - with the curves of the Snake River and the Grand Tetons in the distance, it's not hard to see why! A sunrise elopement will help you avoid the crowds, and if you're lucky, you might even get some pink clouds and the moon setting behind the Tetons.
Colter Bay Swim Beach
If you've always dreamed of a lakeside wedding, look no further than Colter Bay Swim Beach. The rocky shores of Jackson Lake are the perfect location to say "I do." There are views of the Tetons in the distance and who doesn't love a beach wedding? This is one of two swim beaches at Grand Teton National Park, so it’s great if you want to get in the water!
How to Get Legally Married During Your Grand Teton Elopement
Now that you've thought about when and where you want to have your elopement, it's time to do a bit of legal stuff to make your marriage official. In Wyoming, couples are required to show up to the county clerk's office together to pick up their marriage license. When you go to pick up your license, you'll need to bring your ID, a filled-out copy of Wyoming's Marriage License Questionnaire, and $30. There's no waiting period in Wyoming, so as soon as you get your license, you're ready to have your ceremony!
The closest office to Grand Teton National Park is in Jackson, WY. You'll need to make an appointment to get your license, and because it's a popular place for people to say "I do," make your appointment early and give yourself a little time before your ceremony in case you run into any hiccups in the process.
To make your marriage official, you need to have an officiant and two witnesses to sign your license. An officiant can be anybody who is legally able to officiate a wedding, so you can hire somebody or have someone you know get ordained through the Universal Life Church!
Grand Teton Wedding Permits
Having your ceremony at Grand Teton National Park isn't as simple as showing up and saying your vows. On top of paying your entrance fee, you'll need to get 2 types of permits to have a Grand Teton elopement - a Reserved Site-Specific Ceremony Permit and a Portrait Service Commercial Use Authorization Permit (CUA) - so let's talk about how to get those.
To get into Grand Teton National Park, each car must pay an entrance fee of $35 and your pass is good for 7 days. If you have an America The Beautiful Pass, it'll waive your entrance fees to the park - the pass costs $80 and gets you into every national park in the country for an entire year!
For all wedding photos, you'll need a $300 Portrait Service CUA permit. Your photographer will need to apply for this permit at least 30 days before your ceremony. For the ceremony, you'll need a reserved site-specific ceremony permit for $200. You'll need to apply at least 30 days in advance, so I'd suggest applying as soon as you set your date - the NPS accepts applications starting in February each year.
Grand Teton Elopement Packages
You want a wedding day that's as unique as your love, and I understand how important it is to make it special! My Grand Teton elopement packages are designed to help you plan a day that's stress-free and all about you.
From location recommendations to planning a timeline, to navigating the unique and kinda confusing permit requirements, I'll be with you every step of the way to make sure you have the best day ever! If you're ready to elope at Grand Teton National Park, or want to learn more about my elopement packages, contact me!
Also check out this LGBTQ+ wedding in the Grand Tetons that I blogged HERE.
