Imagine saying your vows in a virtually untouched wilderness landscape surrounded by epic mountain peaks. You spend your day immersed in nature, and you may even spot some wildlife like bison or wolves during your day. If you want a scenic wedding full of gorgeous views and solitude, then you should have a Wyoming elopement!

Wyoming is the perfect place for couples wanting a unique and beautiful backdrop for their elopement. Home to two national parks and thousands of acres of stunning public land, Wyoming has landscapes ranging from epic mountain peaks to high plains to volcanic activity that makes you feel like you are on another planet.

As an elopement photographer specializing in helping couples plan elopements in Wyoming, I will guide you through everything you need to know to plan a beautiful elopement in this underrated state.

Common Questions about Eloping in Wyoming

I know that you probably have a lot of questions about getting married. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions.

How Much Does it Cost to Get a Marriage License in Wyoming?

A marriage license in Wyoming costs $30 (cash). Payments with a credit card will have an additional $1.50 fee. You can learn more about getting your Wyoming marriage license further on in this guide. Click here to jump there >>

Can You Get married in a Wyoming National Park?

Yes, you can get married in Yellowstone and Grand Teton! You will need a Special Use Permit, which costs $200-$250. Learn more about Wyoming elopement locations further on in this guide. Click here to jump there >>

Do You Need Witnesses to Get Married in Wyoming?

You need 2 witnesses to get married in Wyoming. If you’re eloping with just the two of you, don’t worry! I’ll help you find witnesses for your elopement. Learn more about getting married in Wyoming further on in this guide. Click here to jump there >>

How to Elope in Wyoming

Eloping in Wyoming isn’t hard. I’ll walk you through everything you need, from finding locations to getting your marriage license.

  1. Choose a Location
  2. Decide on a Date
  3. Book Your Wyoming Elopement Photographer
  4. Plan Your Experience
  5. Get Your Marriage License
  6. Have an Amazing Elopement in Wyoming!

Choose a Wyoming Elopement Location

One of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make is where you will elope in Wyoming. This state is huge and is home to a diverse range of landscapes. I’ve narrowed down a list of the top elopement locations in the state for you to get inspired.

The Best Wyoming Elopement Locations

  1. Yellowstone National Park
  2. Grand Teton National Park
  3. Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
  4. Cloud Peak Wilderness in the Bighorn National Forest

Yellowstone National Park

Located in Northwest Wyoming, Yellowstone is home to the state’s most iconic landscapes. With geysers and vibrant blue pools to incredible wildlife roaming the park, Yellowstone is an incredible place to elope and make some unforgettable memories!

How to Get There: I recommend flying into either the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in Montana or the Idaho Falls Regional Airport in Idaho. It’s an approximate 2-hour drive from either airport to the park, depending on which entrance you will be entering.

Best Time of Year: June through September will give you the best weather, but be prepared for summer storms. January through March is great for exploring the park in its winter glory.

Permit Information: A Special Use Permit is required for all wedding ceremonies inside the park. The permit costs $250 and must be applied for at least 2 weeks in advance.

Read my complete guide to eloping in Yellowstone to learn more!

Grand Teton National Park

If jagged mountain views would be the perfect backdrop for your wedding, Grand Teton is the place! Whether you want a casual day with epic views or an adventurous experience with hiking and exploring, you can have whatever kind of elopement experience you dream of with the gorgeous Tetons in the background.

How to Get There: The best airports to fly into are either the Jackson Hole Airport in Wyoming or the Idaho Falls Regional Airport in Idaho.

Best Time of Year: June through September are best for warm weather. Be prepared for summer thunderstorms, especially in August. January through March is great if you want a winter wedding.

Permit Information: You may or may not need a Special Use Permit for your elopement, depending on where you hold your ceremony. If you do need one, it costs $200 and should be applied for early, as they only issue one permit per day for each location and they fill up quickly!

Check out my complete guide to eloping in Grand Teton National Park to learn more!

The sun beaming down on the mountains in Grand Teton National Park

Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest

This National Forest spanning from Wyoming into Colorado is home to alpine lakes, mountain vistas, and waterfalls. If you want an adventurous elopement that feels like Colorado without the crowds, this National Forest will be hard to beat.

How to Get There: The nearest airport is the Laramie Regional Airpot, less than an hour away from the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. The next best airport is the Denver International Airport, which is about 2.5 hours away.

Best Time of Year: July through early October will be the best time of year for accessing these mountains snow-free. October can be a great time for fall colors.

Permit Information: A will likely not be required for your elopement, but you will need to confirm that with the National Forest after you’ve narrowed down a specific location.

Learn about planning a mountain elopement.

Cloud Peak Wilderness in the Bighorn National Forest

Home to epic alpine mountain scenery, the almost 200,000 acre Cloud Peak Wilderness is an adventure lovers paradise. These mountains are home to gorgeous mountain views, alpine lakes, and waterfalls. This spot is underrated and the perfect place to elope if you want to be surrounded by nothing but nature on your wedding day!

How to Get There: The nearest airport is the Sheridan County Airport, approximately an hour from the Bighorn National Forest. The next closest airport is the Yellowstone Regional Airport, approximately 2-hours away.

Best Time of Year: July through September is the best time for snow-free access to the mountains.

Permit Information: A will likely not be required for your elopement, but you will need to confirm that with the National Forest after you’ve narrowed down a specific location.

Learn how to plan a hiking elopement.

Other Wyoming Elopement Locations

In keeping with Leave No Trace, you won’t see some of my best locations listed here. This is because I want to keep them safe and beautiful and away from the masses. But when we work together, I’ll send you a list of some of the best locations based on what you’re looking for. Whether you want a location to hike to or somewhere easily accessed by car, I’ll help you find that perfect spot for you to spend your day.

Choosing Your Elopement Date

Once you begin to narrow down a location, you’ll need to start thinking about when you want to elope. You’ll need to keep in mind the best season for your location because that could affect the availability and accessibility of the location.

In addition to the weather, you should also keep in mind that the date you choose will be your anniversary! So pick a date that you will want to celebrate for years to come.

Keep in mind any significant dates (like an anniversary) and remember that you’re not limited to weekends! I actually recommend choosing a weekday for your elopement because you will have better odds of privacy than you would on a weekend, especially in some of the more popular destinations.

Crowds in Wyoming

While most of Wyoming doesn’t experience a lot of crowds from tourism compared to its neighboring states, the National Parks and surrounding towns can get quite busy during certain times of the year.

Tips for Avoiding Crowds on Your Elopement Day:

  • Choose to elope on a weekday instead of a weekend
  • Elope in the off-season
  • Have a sunrise or sunset ceremony
  • Hike at least 3 miles to escape the crowds

Book Your Wyoming Elopement Photographer

After you know your general timeframe, you’ll want to start looking for your photographer. You’ll want to book your elopement photographer early in the planning process to ensure availability, but also because many will also help you with the planning process (like me!)

Tips for Finding the Right Photographer

When looking for your Wyoming elopement photographer, keep in mind their photography style and their approach to posing to make sure they’re a good fit for you. You should also take the time to chat with your photographer on the phone before booking them so you can get a feel for each other and make sure you get along well. You’ll be spending your whole day with them, so it’s best to make sure they’re easy to get along with.

You should also make sure to work with someone who knows the area you want to elope in. A good photographer may be an investment, but they will provide you with so many resources to help your planning go smoothly! Make sure they include location scouting and are familiar with the permit process so that you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

I’m going to take a moment and shamelessly promote myself. I’m an elopement photographer who specializes in helping couples elope in Wyoming. I can help you plan your elopement by providing you with customized location recommendations, assist in planning your day by creating a timeline for you and walking you through permits, and then document the experience through beautiful images. If this sounds like what you’re looking for in a photographer, please reach out to me and let’s chat about your elopement!

Plan Your Experience

Now that you have the big decisions figured out, it’s time to start planning the details!

Decide What Your Ceremony Will Look Like

What kind of ceremony will you have? Now’s the time to start figuring that out! 

Start deciding what you will include in your ceremony: will it be a legal ceremony or a commitment ceremony with an exchange of vows? Will you have family or friends present or just the two of you? If bringing guests, will you celebrate with them the whole time or just part of the day?

There’s no right or wrong answer here, so do what has meaning to the two of you!

Plan Activities for Your Experience

Beyond your ceremony, what do you want your day to look like? Will it be an adventurous day exploring nature? Or do you want a more relaxed experience, dinner at a nice restaurant and celebrating with your families?

Remember that this day is free to be celebrated however feels right to the two of you! There’s no expectation for what it has to look like.

Elopement Activity Ideas:

  • Explore a National Park together
  • Rent a cozy cabin
  • Have a bonfire and roast marshmallows
  • Hike to an epic view for your ceremony
  • Go on a picnic
  • Have an intimate dinner with your family and friends
  • Watch the sunset together
  • Go horseback riding
  • Go skiing or snowshoeing

Check out this guide to 50+ elopement activities for more ideas!

Book Your Elopement Vendors

You’ll need to start deciding what vendors you want to include in your day, in addition to your photographer. Elopement don’t always have a lot of vendors, but here are a few of the most popular to consider including in your day:

  • Florist
  • Caterer or Chef
  • Videographer
  • Hair & Makeup Artist
  • Officiant

Create a Timeline for Your Elopement

A solid timeline for your day is the secret to a smooth elopement experience. This is a service I include in all of my elopement packages and your photographer may be able to help with as well.

Once you know what you want to include in your day, you’ll need to organize it all into a timeline to keep your day on track. Make sure to include extra time for traveling from one location to the next, scheduled time to eat during your day, and plenty of time for taking in the sights.

Plan Travel and Accommodations

Great lodging can make a good trip into a great one, so make sure to find the perfect place to stay to make your elopement that much more special! Now is also the time you’ll want to book your travel if you’ll be flying in from out of town. Don’t forget the rental car if you’re flying!

How to Get Married in Wyoming

Now, let’s get into how to get married in Wyoming. While there’s no waiting period in Wyoming before you can use your marriage license, I always recommend planning an extra day or two to get it just to keep your experience stress-free.

Here’s how to get your marriage license in Wyoming:

  1. Find the closest County Recorder’s Office
  2. Bring the necessary documentation
  3. Fill out your application
  4. Receive your marriage license
  5. Have an ordained minister sign your paperwork

How to Apply for Your Wyoming Marriage License

What You Need to Bring with You:

  • Government-issued identification (i.e. your driver’s license or passport)
  • Your social security numbers
  • Cash (approximately $30) or a credit card, through a service fee is added for card payments

Look up the marriage laws in the county you plan on getting married in for specific details.

Do You Need Witnesses to Get Married in Wyoming?

Yes, you are required to have two witnesses at your marriage ceremony and sign your license. If you’re eloping just the two of you, your vendors can be your witnesses, or you can find some nearby tourists (people are usually happy to be witnesses to such a happy occasion!)

Is there a Waiting Period for Marriage Licenses in Wyoming?

No, you can use your marriage license the day you receive it. It’s valid for one year and can be used anywhere in the state of Wyoming.

Who Can Marry You in Wyoming?

Anyone who is ordained! This means you can have a family member or loved one marry you if you’d like. I’m ordained and offer complimentary officiant services in all of my elopement packages.

How to Get Ordained in Wyoming

If you want a loved one to marry you on your elopement day, they can easily get ordained online for free! You can become ordained through Universal Life Church for weddings in most states, including Wyoming, and it’s a very easy process. Just fill out the form, submit it, and your application will be reviewed and should be approved quickly.

Have an Amazing Elopement in Wyoming!

All that’s left now is to have an amazing wedding day in the beauty of Wyoming! Congrats! It’s going to be such an amazing day!

Tips for Eloping in Wyoming

  • Work with a photographer who knows the area (like me!)
  • Choose your location, then your date to make sure your location is accessible
  • Have a backup plan in case of bad weather
  • Plan a full-day elopement for a stress-free experience

If you didn’t know before, I hope you can see now that Wyoming is beautiful and a perfect choice for creating a memorable wedding experience out in nature.

If you’re ready to start planning your Wyoming elopement, send me a message! I’d love to help you plan and document an incredible elopement day!

Happy eloping!

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