If you want to be surrounded by mountains on your wedding day, then you should definitely elope in Grand Teton! Home to amazing wildlife, jagged mountain peaks, and alpine lakes, Grand Teton National Park is also an epic wedding location! If you want an adventurous elopement location with amazing views, then there’s no better place than the stunning Grand Teton mountains!
Northwest Wyoming holds my heart like no other place, which is why it’s one of my favorite areas to help couples elope in! As an elopement photographer, I love getting to help couples like you plan unique weddings in amazing places like Grand Teton.
This guide was written to help you plan your own adventurous wedding in this amazing place!
Ready to get started? Let’s go!
Common Questions about Eloping in Grand Teton
Got questions about getting married in Grand Teton? I’ve got answers!
How Much Does it Cost to Get Married in Grand Teton?
You will most likely need to apply for a Special Use Permit for your Grand Teton wedding (more on the specifics of this further on!), which costs $200. You will also need an entrance pass to get into the park, which costs $35. Combine both of those, and it comes to a total of $235 to get married in Grand Teton!
Do You Need a Permit to Get Married in Grand Teton?
It depends. There are a few locations where you can get married in the park without a permit, but the most popular locations require a Special Use Permit, which is discussed further on in this guide. Click here to jump to permits >>
When is the Best Time of Year to Elope in Grand Teton?
It depends on the kind of wedding experience you want! If you want warm weather, then summer in July or August is going to be the best time. But if you want snow capped mountains and to see some amazing wildlife, Spring or Fall is probably best. We’ll dive deeper into this topic further on in this guide.
How to Elope in Grand Teton
- Hire an Elopement Photographer
- Choose a Ceremony Location
- Choose a Date for Your Elopement
- Apply for Your Grand Teton Wedding Permit
- Plan Your Elopement Experience
- Have an Epic Elopement in Grand Teton!
Hire Your Grand Teton Elopement Photographer
Your elopement photographer should be one of the first vendors you hire for your elopement. Why? Because most photographers can also help with planning your wedding experience! From location scouting to advising you on the best time of day for portraits, a good photographer can help with so much of the planning process.
I offer elopement packages for Grand Teton that include customized location recommendations, a custom made timeline for your elopement day, permit assistance, and photo coverage of your day. Want to learn more about working together? Contact me and let’s chat about your elopement!
Grand Teton Elopement Locations
There are several beautiful locations to choose from for your Grand Teton elopement! Your location may dictate what time of year you decide to elope, as some locations in the park are not accessible in the winter. Keep that in mind if you plan on a winter wedding in Grand Teton!
There are a handful of designated wedding locations in Grand Teton which require a permit and a few that do not. I’ve listed them below to help you find the best option for you and what you’re looking for.
Grand Teton Elopement Locations that Require a Permit:
Colter Bay Swim Beach
Located on Jackson Lake, Colter Bay Swim Beach is a day-use area in the park and an easily accessible location for wedding ceremonies. Located in the same area is a campground, visitor center, shops, and other amenities nearby, making it a very convenient location.
Location: Colter Bay
Capacity: 40 people
Availability: Mid-May through mid-October
Schwabacher Landing
This popular viewpoint of the Teton Mountains is also a stunning elopement location! Accessed with a short, easy hike, Schwabacher Landing takes you down to peaceful beaver ponds with the Tetons in the distance. This is an especially perfect location for sunrise or sunset ceremonies!
Location: 4 miles North of Moose Junction
Capacity: 25 people
Availability: Mid-May through mid-October
Mormon Row (North or South)
Home the iconic historic T.A. Moulton Barn, Mormon Row has two wedding ceremony sites, North and South. This area offers epic panoramic views of the Tetons!
Location: Mormon Row
Capacity: South location: 25 people. North location: 40 people
Availability: Mid-May through mid-October
Glacier View Turnout
Located off of the North-South Highway 89, the Glacier View Turnout offers views of the mountains and a peaceful wedding ceremony location. Easily accessible, this location provides views of the mountains all-year round!
Location: About 4 miles north of Moose Junction
Capacity: 25 people for weddings in May through October, 12 people the rest of the year.
Availability: All year
Snake River Overlook
Another overlook of the Tetons, the Snake River Overlook is an easily accessible viewpoint and wedding ceremony location!
Location: 9 miles North of Moose Junction
Capacity: 25 people between May and October, 12 people the rest of the year.
Availability: All year
Dispersed Ceremony Locations:
The park allows you to request other locations not listed above if your group is 12 people or less and does not fall in a prohibited area. This is a great option if you want to have an extra adventurous day and have a truly intimate ceremony in the mountains!
Prohibited locations include:
- Paved trails within and around Jenny Lake Visitor Plaza, Jenny Lake Trail, and Jenny Lake Overlook
- Hidden Falls
- Inspiration Point
- String Lake Trail
- Laurence S. Rockefeller Preserve
Elopement Locations that Do Not Require a Permit
The below locations do not require a special permit for weddings, however you will still need to contact them to make a reservation for your elopement or wedding ceremony.
Chapel of the Transfiguration
The Chapel of the Transfiguration is an Episcopal Church, built in 1925 for early settlers so they wouldn’t have to travel into Jackson for church each week. It is currently an active church with regular services open to the public, as well as for weddings.
Location: Moose, Wyoming
Availability: May through September
Chapel of the Sacred Heart
Built in 1937, this historic chapel is also available for weddings. The Chapel of the Sacred Heart is a Catholic chapel and offers Sunday services in Grand Teton during the summer months.
Location: Alta, Wyoming
Availability: June through September
Choose an Elopement Date
Now that you have a better idea of elopement locations in Grand Teton, you’ll need to start narrowing down a date. You’ll need a specific date to apply for your permit, so start deciding what kind of experience you want for your wedding.
Remember, the base of Grand Teton National Park sits at over 6,000 ft. in elevation, which means the weather can be unpredictable. Even in the Summer months, it’s not uncommon for freezing temperatures and for snow to hit the mountains! I’ve been there in August and seen fresh snow on the mountain peaks!
When is the best season to get married in Grand Teton?
If you want to access higher elevations without snow, then July or August is going to be your best bet. But each season brings its own beauty in these mountains!
Grand Teton in Each Season:
Spring
This time of year brings mild temperatures during the day with cool nights. It’s common for snow and even rain this time of year. The average temperature is a high of 49°F with an average low of 22°F.
Summer
Hot during the day, and cool at night, Summer brings the average temperature up to 77°F with nights dipping into the upper 30s. This time of year brings the most rainfall, with frequent thunderstorms in the afternoons.
Autumn
With an average high of 54°F and an average low of 23°F, Autumn typically brings sun, some rain, and even snow. It’s best to come prepared for anything!
Winter
Winter begins early in Grand Teton, with the first heavy snow usually occurring by November 1st. The temperatures are frigid this time of year, with an average high temperature of 28°F and an average low of 2°F.
Apply for Your Grand Teton Wedding Permit
Unless you decide to have your wedding ceremony in one of the park’s chapels, you will need to apply for a Special Use Permit for your Grand Teton elopement.
How much does a wedding permit cost?
There is a non-refundable $200 fee when applying for a Grand Teton wedding permit.
When You Should Apply
Grand Teton begins accepting wedding permit requests the first week of December for the following year.
The park issues a limited number of permits each year and each location is limited to one permit per day. I always recommend applying for your permit as early as possible for the best chances of getting approved!
How to Apply for Your Grand Teton Wedding Permit
You will need to fill out a Special Use Application and include the following:
- Your names
- Contact information
- Details about your day (including date, location, and time)
- The location you are requesting and an alternative location in case your first choice is unavailable
- The number of vehicles you plan on having
- Guests/vendors
Make sure to include your photographer, videographer, makeup artists, or any other vendors that will be present during your elopement on your application.
Send the completed form to grte_visitor_services@nps.gov and wait for a follow up from the park. If all goes well, you should hear back in a couple of weeks with the next steps for moving forward!
Plan Your Elopement Experience
Now it’s time to start filling in the details of your elopement day! Start thinking about what kind of experience you want to have on your elopement day. Do you want a day to explore the sights of the park? Do you want to hike into the mountains? Or maybe you want to find an intimate spot for a picnic dinner and your first dance together?
There are no rules to what your day has to look like, so start dreaming up the best day for the two of you!
Top Sights to See During your Elopement
There’s a lot to see and do in Grand Teton, but these are some of the top sights in the park that you might want to include in your elopement experience:
- Jenny Lake
- Jackson Lake
- Mormon Row
- Take a Scenic Drive (Teton Park Road, Moose-Wilson Road, and Jenny Lake Scenic Drive are some of the best in the park!)
Top Hikes in Grand Teton
Depending on how adventurous you are and how much time you want to dedicate to hiking on your elopement day, there are tons of amazing hikes in Grand Teton for you to explore! Here are some of the top hikes, ranging from easy to hard hikes:
Food for your day
Don’t forget to come with a plan for food on your elopement day! Whether you want to host your own intimate picnic or want to eat out while celebrating, there’s several options throughout the park to choose from!
You can find a list of Grand Teton picnic areas here.
You can find a list of restaurants in Grand Teton here.
Celebrate Your Wedding in Grand Teton National Park!
The day finally comes and all of your planning comes together for the best wedding experience ever! You get to celebrate your elopement in the beauty of Grand Teton and make some unforgettable memories together. I bet you can’t wait!
Leave No Trace for Your Elopement
It’s important to protect these beautiful places that we love so much, which is why Leave No Trace is something to include in your planning process. A little bit of preparedness goes a long way in protecting the landscapes around us.
Make sure you are familiar with the rules and regulations for weddings in Grand Teton National Park, and always follow them. The regulations are set up to protect you, other visitors, the wildlife, and the landscape.
Perhaps the most important thing you can do during your elopement is to clean up after yourselves. It’s respectful to other people, helps keep the animals and people safe, and keeps these beautiful spaces open to others who want to be out in nature for their wedding day as well.
Learn more about planning a Leave No Trace elopement
Grand Teton Elopement Packages
Now that you’re pumped about your Wyoming elopement, I’m sure you’re wondering about elopement packages for Grand Teton! Well, I’ve got great news for you, this is an area that I specialize in!
Every single one of my Wyoming elopement packages includes planning assistance, customized location recommendations, a custom made timeline for your day, GIFs, polaroid photos, and digital photos of your day. Learn more about my elopement packages or contact me to start planning together!
Happy eloping!
