If getting married beneath jagged mountain peaks, wandering through fields of wildflowers, watching the sun rise over an alpine lake or ending your wedding day with a private dinner in Jackson sounds more like you than a traditional wedding venue, a Grand Teton National Park elopement might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Grand Teton National Park is easily one of the most incredible places to elope in the United States, and not just because of the views.

You can exchange vows in front of the Tetons in the morning, hike to an alpine lake in the afternoon, watch for wildlife along the way, and finish your day celebrating over an incredible meal in Jackson Hole. And unlike some mountain destinations, you don’t necessarily have to hike ten miles to find an incredible view.

But here’s the thing:

Planning a Grand Teton elopement isn’t quite as simple as picking a beautiful location and showing up.

There are highly sought-after wedding permits to navigate, ceremony location restrictions, unpredictable mountain weather, seasonal road and trail closures, wildlife considerations and, especially during the summer, some serious crowd levels.

Which is why we’re big believers in planning the experience FIRST, and worrying about checking off a list of Instagram-famous locations second.

After helping couples plan destination elopements in wild places around the world, we’ve learned that the best wedding days aren’t usually the ones that cram the most locations into a timeline. They’re the ones where you actually have the time and space to enjoy the place you traveled all this way to get married in. Wild concept, we know.

So if you’re considering getting married in the Tetons, we’re breaking down everything you need to know to skip the cookie-cutter version of a Grand Teton wedding and create something that actually feels like you two.

Grand Teton Elopement at a Glance

• Best time to elope: June through September for the easiest access, with May and October offering beautiful shoulder-season possibilities
• Best for: Mountain views, wildlife, alpine lakes, hiking and accessible adventure
• Closest town: Jackson, Wyoming
• Wedding permit required: Yes, for any ceremonies held inside Grand Teton National Park. You can access the application and information HERE.
  • The ceremony permit applications open up for the following calendar year, in December of every year. Note that the larger group size ceremony sites book up within a matter of days once they are released for the year. Translation: if you’re bringing guests, DON’T sleep on this one. Plan ahead to ensure that you can reserve a ceremony site for your group size.
• Current permit application fee: $200
• Best time of day: Usually sunrise for privacy, light and fewer afternoon storms and smokey skies
• Guest-friendly: Yes, depending on ceremony location and group size
• Adventure level: Anything from stepping out of your car to an all-day backcountry adventure
• Closest airport: Jackson Hole Airport

Our biggest piece of advice: Don’t choose your ceremony location based solely on the most famous photo you’ve seen on Instagram! There are SO many ways to experience the Tetons, and the most photographed option isn’t automatically the one that’s going to give you the best wedding day.

Why Elope in Grand Teton National Park?

There are plenty of places with mountains.

But there’s something different about the Tetons.

Unlike mountain ranges where the best views require hours of hiking into the backcountry, the Teton Range rises dramatically from the relatively flat Jackson Hole valley. That means you can experience absolutely massive mountain scenery from locations that are surprisingly accessible.

For elopements, that opens up a LOT of possibilities.

You can bring your parents or a few of your closest people along for an easily accessible ceremony and then disappear into the mountains for the rest of the day.

You can plan an adventure completely around hiking.

You can kayak across a lake, have a picnic, explore backroads, go horseback riding, watch the sunset or simply find somewhere beautiful to sit together and take it all in.

Basically, you get to pick your own adventure here. Your elopement doesn’t have to be an endurance event to feel adventurous. That’s one of our favorite things about this area.

The Tetons work incredibly well for couples who want the freedom to choose exactly how adventurous (or relaxed!) their wedding day feels. Want to hike eight miles in your wedding clothes? Hell yeah. Want to exchange vows with your favorite people, eat an incredible meal and call it a day? Also hell yeah.

There’s no prize for making your elopement harder than it needs to be. The whole point is creating a day you actually want to live.

Best Places to Elope in Grand Teton National Park

First, an important distinction:

The best place to have your ceremony and the best place to explore for wedding portraits don’t necessarily have to be the same location.

Grand Teton National Park regulates where wedding ceremonies can take place, and the permit requirements depend on your location, day of the week and total group size.

That doesn’t mean your entire wedding day needs to happen at your ceremony site.

In fact, we’d usually recommend the opposite.

Choose a ceremony location that works logistically for your group, then build the rest of your day around the places and experiences you’re actually excited about.

Because your wedding day shouldn’t turn into eight hours of hopping in and out of a car just so you can collect photos at every famous viewpoint in the park. Pick the places that actually add something to your experience and give yourselves enough time to ENJOY them.

Here are some of the main Grand Teton wedding locations to consider:

Schwabacher Landing

If you’ve spent any time looking at Grand Teton elopements, there’s a good chance you’ve already seen Schwabacher Landing.

The Teton Range is directly behind the Snake River, creating one of the most iconic views in the park. When the water is calm, you can even catch the mountains reflecting in it.

• Group size: Up to 25 people with the appropriate site-specific permit
• Accessibility: Short walk from the parking area
• Privacy: Low to moderate
• Best for couples who: have guests joining with limited mobility, want a close-up view of the Teton range and want access to nearby water

The location is incredibly accessible considering the view you get, which makes it a great option if you’re bringing guests who aren’t able to hike.

The downside? Everyone else knows it’s beautiful too. This is not the place we’d choose if your number-one priority is feeling completely alone in the wilderness.

If Schwabacher Landing is important to you, we’d strongly consider sunrise. You’ll generally have a better chance at a quieter experience, gorgeous light rising behind the mountains and fewer of the afternoon weather concerns that come with summer in the Tetons.

Is waking up while it’s still VERY dark the best part of planning a wedding? Probably not. Is standing in front of the Tetons while most of the park is still asleep worth it? We think so.

Mormon Row

Mormon Row gives you a completely different feel from many of the lake and river locations throughout Grand Teton National Park. Instead of standing immediately beneath the mountains, you get a wide-open view across the valley toward the Teton Range.

• Group size:
  • South Mormon Row is for a maximum group size of 25 participants.
  • North Mormon Row is for a maximum group size of up to 40 participants.
• Accessibility: Very easy
• Privacy: Low to Moderate
• Best for couples who: Love the landscape want something easy to access but don’t necessarily need an alpine setting

One thing we’d keep in mind here is that Mormon Row is a popular visitor destination, not a private wedding venue. If having space to yourselves is incredibly important, there are probably better options.

And this is something you’ll hear us say A LOT: a location being famous doesn’t automatically make it the right location for you. If privacy is at the top of your list, we’d rather help you find somewhere that actually gives you that experience than convince you that you need the iconic Mormon Row photo.

Snake River Overlook

If you want a dramatic, expansive view without needing to hike for it, Snake River Overlook deserves a spot on your list.

• Group size: 
  • Large Site-Specific Wedding Ceremony Permit
    Available for groups of up to 25 people from mid-May through mid-October.
  • Small Dispersed Wedding Ceremony Permit
    Available for groups of up to 12 people during the remainder of the year.
• Accessibility: Very easy
• Privacy: Low
• Best for couples who: Want dramatic scenery without hiking and easy access to a parking lot

This can also work really well when you’re including family members or guests who have limited mobility. Just remember: accessible usually means popular. That’s not necessarily a dealbreaker – it just means timing matters A LOT if you’re hoping for something that still feels intimate.

Glacier View Turnout

Glacier View Turnout is another ceremony location that gives you what Grand Teton does best:

A ridiculous amount of scenery for almost no physical effort. You’ll have expansive views of the mountains and plenty of that wide-open Wyoming feeling without needing to build a hike into your ceremony.

• Group size:
  • Large Site-Specific Wedding Ceremony Permit
    Available for groups of up to 25 people from mid-May through mid-October.
• Small Dispersed Wedding Ceremony Permit
  Available for groups of up to 12 people during the remainder of the year.
• Accessibility: There are designated accessible parking spots and pathways are paved
• Privacy: Low to moderate
• Best for couples who: bringing a handful of guests, locations like this can make it possible to have the best of both worlds: an easy ceremony with everyone you love followed by a completely different adventure with just the two of you.

And THAT is something we love about the Tetons. Including your favorite people doesn’t mean you have to give up the adventurous, just-you-two part of your elopement. Do both. There are no rules here.

Colter Bay

Not every Grand Teton elopement needs to revolve around the same famous viewpoint. Colter Bay gives you water, mountains and a different perspective on the park from many of the southern ceremony locations. It’s also one of the larger designated ceremony options.

• Group size:
  • Large Site-Specific Wedding Ceremony Permit
    Available for groups of up to 40 people from mid-May through mid-October.
  • Small Dispersed Wedding Ceremony Permit
    Available for groups of up to 12 people during the remainder of the year.
• Accessibility: There are designated accessible parking spots and some pathways are paved.
• Privacy: Moderate to High
• Best for couples who: value more privacy for their ceremony, but have guests joining them – as well as a view right on the lake.

If you’re planning something that sits somewhere between an elopement and a small destination wedding, this may be worth considering. You get room for the people you actually WANT there without sacrificing the whole “we came to Wyoming to get married somewhere freaking incredible” part.

Mountain View Turnout

If you want those classic, wide-open Grand Teton views without needing to hike or navigate a busy lakeshore, Mountain View Turnout is a really solid option. The ceremony site sits right along the park road with an unobstructed view toward the Teton Range, making it especially easy for couples bringing guests who need a more accessible location.

• Group size:
  • Large Site-Specific Wedding Ceremony Permit
    Available for groups of up to 25 people during the designated ceremony season.
  • Small Dispersed Wedding Ceremony Permit
    Available for groups of up to 12 people outside of the site-specific permit season, where permitted.
• Accessibility: Very easy. The ceremony area is close to the parking area with minimal walking required.
• Privacy: Low to Moderate
• Best for couples who: want to be inside the park rather than along the main exterior road, a dramatic mountain backdrop, easy access for guests and a ceremony location that doesn’t require hiking or navigating uneven terrain.

Mountain View Turnout is a great choice if you want the Tetons to feel like the entire backdrop of your ceremony while keeping the logistics simple. It can also work really well as the more accessible part of your day before heading somewhere quieter or more adventurous afterward.

Translation: Grandma can watch you exchange vows without trekking up a mountain, and you can STILL trek up a mountain afterward if that’s what you want to do. Win-win.

Small Dispersed Grand Teton Ceremony Locations

This is where things get especially interesting if you’re planning a true elopement.

Grand Teton National Park currently offers small dispersed ceremony permits for groups of 12 people or fewer, including the couple, guests and vendors.

Which opens up WAY more possibilities beyond the major site-specific ceremony locations.

But “dispersed” doesn’t mean you can simply pick anywhere on the map.

Some heavily visited or environmentally sensitive areas are prohibited, including:

• Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point
• Jenny Lake Trail, Jenny Lake Overlook and the paved trails at and around Jenny Lake Visitor Plaza
• String Lake developed area and trail
• Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve

And this is exactly why we don’t recommend planning your Grand Teton wedding around a random photo you found online.

We’ve said it before and we’ll probably say it 100 more times: just because you saw someone take an epic photo somewhere doesn’t mean you can, or should, have your ceremony there.

A location can be gorgeous and still be completely wrong or unavailable for your actual ceremony.

The good news? There are PLENTY of incredible places to explore in the Tetons. You don’t need to force your wedding day into the same handful of locations you’ve already seen all over Instagram.

Grand Teton Wedding Permits

Do you need a permit to elope in Grand Teton National Park?

Yes. All weddings held inside Grand Teton National Park require a Special Use Permit. The park currently divides ceremony permits into two primary categories:

Large Site-Specific Ceremony Permit

This is generally the permit you’ll need if you have more than 12 total participants, although smaller groups can apply for one as well.

And when the park says total participants, they mean everyone.

That includes:

• You two
• Guests
• Children
• Officiant
• Photographer
• Videographer
• Planner
• Other vendors present at the ceremony

So if you’re thinking, “We’re only inviting 10 guests, so we’re under 12!” – not necessarily. Once you add the two of you, us, an officiant or any other vendors, that number climbs pretty quickly.

These ceremonies take place at designated locations such as Schwabacher Landing, Snake River Overlook, Glacier View Turnout, Mountain View Turnout and Colter Bay.

Small Dispersed Ceremony Permit

If your entire group consists of 12 people or fewer, you can instead apply for a small dispersed ceremony permit, without needing to choose one of the listed pre-set ceremony sites.

This provides significantly more flexibility, but there are still prohibited locations (see above)

If keeping things intimate and having more freedom with your ceremony location is high on your priority list, THIS is where staying small can really work in your favor.

How much does a Grand Teton wedding permit cost?

As of 2026, the application fee is $200 and non-refundable.

Grand Teton National Park requires applications to be submitted electronically and recommends applying well in advance. The park requires at least 30 days to process an application and does not expedite last-minute requests.

Note: applications for the following calendar year open up to the public for submission in December of each year. The pre-set large ceremony sites fill up VERY quickly. 

And by quickly, we mean this is absolutely NOT something we’d wait until a few months before your wedding to figure out.

Be sure to plan ahead for this so that you can be sure to secure the date and location you’re wanting for your elopement in Grand Teton National Park. 

2026 Grand Teton Wedding Permit Update

If you’re reading this while planning a 2026 wedding:

All large site-specific Grand Teton ceremony locations are currently fully booked for 2026. However, small dispersed ceremony locations are still available at the time of writing.

Applications for 2027 ceremonies are expected to open in December 2026. 

This is exactly why the permit conversation is one of the FIRST things we have with couples planning a Grand Teton elopement.

This is one of the biggest reasons we recommend figuring out your ceremony location early in the planning process. Your permit shouldn’t be the thing you think about after booking flights, lodging and vendors. It should be one of the first logistical pieces you figure out.

What isn’t allowed at a Grand Teton wedding?

Remember that you’re getting married in a protected national park – not a traditional wedding venue.

Current park regulations prohibit things like:

• Arches and altars
• Rugs
• Tables
• Tents
• Generators
• Confetti
• Balloons
• Bubbles
• Released or scattered items
• Catered receptions at ceremony sites
• Drones

Portable chairs may be approved for guests who are unable to stand during the ceremony, but they need to be included in your permit request.

Honestly? We don’t think you’re missing much. When you’ve got the freaking Tetons behind you, you really don’t need an arch.

When Is the Best Time to Elope in Grand Teton National Park?

For most couples, we’d consider June through September the primary Grand Teton elopement season. But “best” depends entirely on the experience you want.

Want to hike into the mountains? Your “best” month is going to look completely different from someone whose dream day involves fall colors, a lakeside ceremony and an incredible dinner in Jackson.

So instead of asking, “What’s the best month to elope in Grand Teton?” we’d start with, “What do you actually want to DO while you’re there?”

May

May is a transitional month. Spring is beginning in the valley, but snow can still affect higher elevations and seasonal roads or trails.

Best for: Fewer crowds and couples comfortable with unpredictability
Keep in mind: Snow, mud and limited access are possible

Basically: don’t choose May because you’re expecting summer without the crowds. Choose May because you’re genuinely cool with letting the conditions dictate the adventure.

June

June can be incredible. The valley begins opening up, everything starts turning green and you get those beautiful long summer days. But higher mountain trails may still hold significant snow.

Best for: Green landscapes, waterfalls and early summer
Keep in mind: Mountain access can still be limited

If your entire vision revolves around a specific high-elevation hike, June might be a gamble. If you’re happy exploring the valley and seeing where conditions take you? SO many possibilities.

July

July gives you some of the most reliable access of the year. Mountain trails begin opening up, wildflowers can be incredible and you’ve got plenty of daylight to build a full adventure.

The tradeoff? People. Lots of them.

July is popular for a reason. If you’re planning a July elopement, we’d be especially intentional about sunrise, weekdays and choosing locations based on the experience rather than just popularity.

Summer thunderstorms are also common, particularly later in the day.

Translation: July is incredible, but we’re going into it with a PLAN.

August

August offers excellent access throughout the park and into higher elevations. It’s one of the easiest times of year to build a hiking-heavy elopement day.

Best for: Hiking, alpine access and warm daytime temperatures
Keep in mind: Crowds, afternoon storms and potential wildfire smoke

If your idea of the perfect wedding day involves throwing on your hiking boots and heading into the mountains, August gives us a LOT to work with.

September

September might be one of our favorite times to consider. You can get cooler temperatures, changing foliage and fewer families traveling after the summer season. It can feel like the perfect overlap between accessibility and fall. 

Best for: Fall color, cooler weather and fewer crowds
Keep in mind: Conditions become less predictable as the month progresses

And if you’re thinking, “Okay, so September sounds perfect”, we get it. We love it too. Just remember that we’re still in the mountains, and the mountains absolutely do not care about your wedding plans.

October

October can be stunning, but it’s definitely a shoulder-season choice. You might get crisp sunshine and golden landscapes. You might get snow. You might get both before lunch. Honestly, that’s part of the fun.

If you’re the kind of couple who can genuinely embrace whatever the mountains give you, October can be incredible.

If you have a very specific vision that requires warm weather and perfect access, we’d choose another month.

But if “we’ll see what happens and make an adventure out of it” sounds a whole lot more like you? October could be pretty freaking magical.

What About a Winter Grand Teton Elopement?

Yes, you can absolutely experience Grand Teton in winter, but it becomes a completely different trip. Snow covers the valley, many roads and facilities close or operate on reduced schedules, and your adventure options shift toward things like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and winter wildlife experiences.

For the right couple? Absolutely unreal.

For someone picturing an easy summer mountain elopement? Probably not.

And that’s kind of the point. A winter elopement here isn’t the backup version of a summer Grand Teton wedding. It’s its own completely different adventure.

Sunrise vs. Sunset for a Grand Teton Elopement

We love sunset. But in Grand Teton? We’d seriously consider sunrise. Yes, that means setting a truly offensive alarm on your wedding day. Hear us out.

There are three big reasons:

1. Fewer People

Popular locations become BUSY. Showing up before most visitors are awake can completely change how a location feels.

And if we’re choosing between sleeping in and actually being able to hear your vows without 47 people wandering around behind you…we’re setting the alarm.

2. The Light

The Tetons sit west of the valley, which means sunrise can create beautiful early light across the range from many eastern viewpoints.

There’s a reason so many of those absolutely insane Teton photos you’ve saved were taken first thing in the morning.

3. Weather

Summer thunderstorms frequently develop in the afternoon. An early ceremony gives you a better chance of completing the most important part of your day before afternoon weather starts doing mountain-weather things.

And here’s the secret: Choosing sunrise doesn’t mean your wedding day has to end at 9 AM. Take a midday break. Nap. Eat. Hang out at your cabin. Then put your wedding clothes back on and head somewhere completely different for sunset.

YES, you can take a nap on your wedding day. There are no awards for being photographed for 12 hours straight.

That’s one of our favorite ways to create a full-day elopement without making it feel like a 12-hour photoshoot.

How to Avoid Crowds During Your Grand Teton Elopement

We’ll be honest: You’re probably not going to have every iconic Grand Teton viewpoint completely to yourselves during peak season. This is a national park. Other people are allowed to enjoy it too. But that doesn’t mean your wedding day has to feel like you’re fighting a tour bus for elbow room. There are ways to create a much more intimate experience.

Choose sunrise.

Yes, we’re saying it again. And we’ll probably say it again before this guide is over. It’s that helpful.

Elope on a weekday.

Tuesday morning is going to feel very different from Saturday afternoon. If you’re already throwing the traditional wedding rulebook out the window, there’s absolutely no reason you need to get married on a Saturday.

Don’t build your entire day around famous locations.

One iconic stop? Amazing.

Five iconic overlooks back-to-back because TikTok told you to go there? That’s probably going to feel more like sightseeing than your wedding day.

We’d rather give you time to actually EXPERIENCE two incredible places than sprint through six of them for photos. Every. Single. Time.

Be willing to walk.

You don’t necessarily need to hike eight miles. Sometimes a little extra effort is all it takes to leave most visitors behind. You’d be amazed how quickly crowds thin out once getting somewhere requires more effort than stepping out of the car.

Give yourself time.

The more packed your timeline is, the harder it becomes to adapt when a location is crowded. We intentionally build flexibility into elopement timelines so we can pivot when necessary. Because sometimes the best plan is simply: Let’s go somewhere else. And some of our favorite wedding-day moments have happened because Plan A went completely out the window.

Grand Teton Elopement Weather

Mountain weather is unpredictable. Period. Even during summer, Grand Teton can experience sudden temperature changes and thunderstorms. Snow and frost are possible throughout the year.

That doesn’t mean you should stress about the forecast for three weeks straight. It means you should plan appropriately. Bring layers. Have rain protection. Choose footwear you can actually walk in. Build flexibility into your timeline. And then? Let the weather do whatever it’s going to do.

And most importantly? Don’t make perfect weather a requirement for having an incredible wedding day. Some of our favorite photographs happen when the weather isn’t doing what anyone expected.

Clouds rolling over the mountains? Epic. A little rain? Moody as hell. Snow in September? Well, guess we’re having a snow day.

Come prepared, have a backup plan and then lean into whatever you get.

Wildlife During Your Grand Teton Elopement

Grand Teton is home to black bears, grizzly bears, moose, elk, bison, wolves, pronghorn and plenty of other wildlife. Seeing wildlife on your wedding day can be incredible.

However – wildlife always gets the right of way. No photo is worth getting too close to a moose or, you know, a GRIZZLY BEAR. And if your elopement includes hiking, you need to understand bear safety, carry bear spray where appropriate and know how to use it. 

How to Legally Get Married in Wyoming

If you’re planning a legal marriage rather than a symbolic ceremony, you’ll also need to obtain a Wyoming marriage license and follow the state’s current requirements. Marriage license rules are separate from your National Park Service ceremony permit.

Because legal requirements can change, we recommend verifying current marriage-license requirements directly with the appropriate Wyoming county office before your wedding.

Where to Stay for a Grand Teton Elopement

Where you stay can have a surprisingly big impact on your wedding experience. And we’re not just talking about whether your Airbnb looks cute in getting-ready photos. For most couples, we’d consider three general options.

Jackson

Jackson gives you the easiest access to restaurants, bars, shopping and plenty of lodging. It’s a great option if you want your elopement to combine wilderness with a little luxury. Spend the morning adventuring in the park. Come back. Shower. Then go out for an incredible dinner. 

Mountains + cocktails + not cooking your own dinner on your wedding night? We’re into it.

Teton Village

Teton Village sits closer to the mountains and gives you more of a resort atmosphere. This can be a great choice if you’re turning your elopement into a multi-day trip and want activities, restaurants and lodging close together.

Especially if your wedding isn’t the ONLY adventure you’re planning while you’re here. Which, let’s be real, it probably shouldn’t be.

Inside or Near Grand Teton National Park

Staying closer to the park can make those brutally early sunrise alarms a little less brutal. If your priority is maximizing time outside rather than being close to Jackson’s restaurants and nightlife, we’d look at lodging options farther north. Whatever you choose, map the actual drive to your ceremony location before booking. Something that looks close on a map can still require a surprisingly long drive.

And finding out your “perfect” cabin is 75 minutes from your 6 AM ceremony AFTER you’ve booked it is…not ideal.

Things to Do During a Grand Teton Elopement

This is where your wedding day gets fun. Your elopement doesn’t have to be:

Get dressed → ceremony → photos → done.

Think about what would make this one of the best days of your entire trip.

Maybe that’s:

• Hiking to an alpine lake
• Kayaking
• Taking a scenic boat ride
• Horseback riding
• Having a picnic
• Wildlife watching
• Exploring a scenic backroad
• Drinking coffee together at sunrise
• Reading letters from your families
• Fishing
• Going for a bike ride
• Eating cake beside a lake
• Having a private chef prepare dinner
• Going into Jackson for cocktails
• Stargazing
• Sitting somewhere beautiful and doing absolutely nothing for a while

You don’t need to turn your elopement into an adventure checklist. Choose a couple of things that genuinely sound like you.

Not what Instagram says an adventurous elopement is supposed to look like. Not what another couple did. Not what you think will make the coolest photos.

What would the two of you be STOKED to wake up and do on your wedding day? Start there.

A Sample Grand Teton Elopement Timeline

Here’s an example of what that might look like:

One of the biggest misconceptions about elopements is that they’re just short wedding ceremonies. They can be. But they definitely don’t have to be.

You flew all the way to Wyoming to get married in one of the most incredible places in the country. We’re not about to cram the whole experience into two hours.

Here’s what a full Grand Teton elopement could look like:

4:30 AM Getting Ready

Coffee, final details and getting ready together or separately at your cabin.

5:45 AM First Look

Meet somewhere quiet before heading toward your ceremony location.

6:15 AM Sunrise Ceremony

Exchange vows with the Tetons behind you before most visitors arrive.

7:00 AM Explore + Portraits

Take your time exploring the area instead of immediately rushing to the next location.

No stopwatch. No rushing through a shot list. Just time to actually take in the fact that YOU JUST GOT MARRIED.

8:30 AM Breakfast Picnic

Because getting married before breakfast deserves breakfast. And because nobody wants to hike hangry.

10:00 AM Midday Break

Return to your lodging. Nap. Shower. Relax. Your wedding day is allowed to have downtime. Read that again.

2:30 PM Afternoon Adventure

Change into hiking clothes or head toward another part of the park.

4:00 PM Hike / Kayak / Explore

Choose an experience you actually want to remember – not something you’re doing solely because it’ll look good in photographs.

7:00 PM Sunset

Watch the last light disappear from the mountains.

8:30 PM Dinner + Celebration

Private chef, dinner in Jackson, pizza at your cabin – whatever sounds most like you.

There is no “correct” elopement dinner. If fancy cocktails and a five-course meal are your thing? Hell yeah. If you’re happiest eating pizza on the floor of your cabin in your wedding clothes? ALSO hell yeah.

What to Pack for a Grand Teton Elopement

Exactly what you need depends on your season and adventure, but we’d generally start with:

• Wedding attire
• Vows
• Rings
• Marriage license and black pen
• Permit
• IDs and Park Pass
• Hiking shoes
• Comfortable socks
• Warm layers
• Rain jacket
• Water
• Snacks
• Sunscreen
• Headlamps
• Bear spray
• Small first-aid kit
• Portable charger
• Blanket or extra layer for downtime
• Etc.

And yes: You can hike in boots and change into pretty shoes later. Your feet will thank you. (You can view our list of wedding day items we recommend to our couples who choose a more adventurous wedding day)

Grand Teton Elopement FAQ

Can you elope in Grand Teton National Park?

Yes. Grand Teton National Park allows weddings and commitment ceremonies with a Special Use Permit.

Do you need a permit to get married in Grand Teton National Park?

Yes, always. Weddings and commitment ceremonies held inside the national park require a Special Use Permit.

How much does a Grand Teton wedding permit cost?

The application fee is currently $200 and non-refundable. 

How many guests can you have at a Grand Teton elopement?

It depends on your permit and ceremony location.

Small dispersed ceremonies are limited to 12 total participants, while designated site-specific locations accommodate larger groups. Most pre-set ceremony locations allow up to 25 participants, while Colter Bay can accommodate up to 40.

Remember that your photographer, videographer, officiant and other vendors count toward the total.

Basically: count EVERY human who will be standing there with you before deciding which permit you qualify for.

Can you get married at Schwabacher Landing?

Yes, with a Special Use Permit. Schwabacher Landing is one of Grand Teton National Park’s designated site-specific ceremony locations and can accommodate groups of up to 25 people.

Can you get married at Jenny Lake?

Several Jenny Lake areas, including the Jenny Lake Trail, Jenny Lake Overlook and paved trails around the visitor plaza, are prohibited for small dispersed wedding ceremonies.

This is why we always recommend confirming that your chosen location is actually legal for your ceremony before falling in love with it.

Save the Pinterest board for AFTER we make sure you’re actually allowed to get married there.

Can you use a drone for Grand Teton elopement photos?

No. Launching, landing or operating drones inside ANY National Park is prohibited.

What is the best month to elope in Grand Teton?

For most couples, July through September offers the best combination of trail access and adventure possibilities. But there’s no universally perfect month.

June can be green and beautiful. September and October can bring fall colors and cooler temperatures.

The best month depends on what you actually want to do. Tell us what your dream day looks like FIRST. We’ll worry about matching it to the right month second.

Is sunrise or sunset better for a Grand Teton elopement?

We often recommend sunrise, especially for popular locations. Sunrise generally gives you a better chance of fewer crowds, beautiful light behind the mountains and completing your ceremony before summer afternoon thunderstorms develop.

Yes, the alarm is going to hurt. Yes, it’s probably going to be worth it.

How far in advance should we plan our Grand Teton elopement?

If you’re hoping for a specific ceremony location, start early – you’ll need to apply for your permit in December in order to secure a permit for a date in the following calendar year if you have a group larger than 12 (simply due to how quickly the 12+ group ceremony permits hit max capacity for the year)

So if you’re planning on bringing your people along, this is one of those rare times we’re going to tell you NOT to wing it.

But if you’re planning something small and flexible with a group less than 12 total, dispersed ceremony options may still be available even when the major ceremony sites are booked.

What’s included in a Grand Teton elopement packages?

Here’s what we believe:

You shouldn’t have to become an expert on national park permits, seasonal trail conditions, ceremony restrictions, timelines, lighting, weather patterns and location logistics just to get married somewhere incredible.

Seriously. That’s what you have us for.

Our Grand Teton elopement packages are designed for couples who want more than someone to show up with a camera. Because we’re not interested in showing up on your wedding day, taking some pretty photos and calling it good.

We help you figure out where to go, when to be there and how to turn all of your ideas into a wedding day that actually works.

No cookie-cutter timelines.

No spending your entire wedding day driving from Instagram location to Instagram location.

No pressure to hike ten miles if that’s not your thing.

No doing something just because someone decided that’s what an “adventurous elopement” is supposed to look like.

We’ll help you:

• Find an intimate location that fits the experience you’re imagining
• Navigate Grand Teton ceremony permits and park regulations
• Choose the best season and time of day for your plans
• Create a customized elopement timeline
• Build activities into your day that actually feel like you
• Connect with trusted vendors
• Prepare for weather, crowds and the unexpected
• Officiate your wedding with a non-traditional ceremony that feels unmistakably like you two
• Photograph and film the entire experience in a way that actually tells the story of your day

Because the goal isn’t just to get epic photos in Grand Teton National Park. The goal is to have an incredible wedding day experience.

The photos are what you take home from it. The EXPERIENCE is the whole freaking point.

Ready to Plan Your Grand Teton Elopement?

If you’re dreaming about getting married beneath the Tetons but aren’t sure what location makes sense, which permit you need or how to turn everything you want to do into an actual wedding-day plan, that’s exactly what we’re here for.

We’ll help you create a Grand Teton elopement that’s adventurous without feeling rushed, intentional without feeling overly planned, and completely centered around the two of you.

Not the wedding you’re “supposed” to have. Not someone else’s version of an adventurous elopement. Yours.

You bring the ideas. We’ll help you turn them into an adventure.

Contact Us to Start Planning Today