So, you decided to ditch the wedding traditions and elope in Grand Teton National Park instead?!!  YASSS! You are choosing an experience that prioritizes YOU with  intimacy, adventure, and one of the most iconic  landscapes on Earth: The Tetons.

However, eloping in a National Park isn’t as simple as just showing up, saying vows, and calling it good. From permits to mountain weather, there is a lot to navigate. As a local planning expert, I’ve put together this complete guide to help you plan your perfect Grand Teton elopement.

01. The Legalities

Before you pick out your dress, you need to handle the legal stuff. To get married in GTNP, you need two main things: a Special Use Permit and a Wyoming marriage license.

The Special Use Permit (SUP)

The Tetons require a Special Use Permit for all wedding and commitment ceremonies. Even if you’re renewing your vows, they require you to get a permit. The permit is for a specific location on a specific date for up to one hour and a maximum guest count. These specifics all depend on the permit location (more about choosing your location in the next section!).

To apply for a permit, you need to download the application specific for Grand Teton National Park from the Official National Park Service website, complete it, pay the application fee (currently $200), and then email your application to the park’s Special Use Permit services.

Permit applications open at the end of the previous year, typically around November/December (so 2026 applications opened at the end of 2025 and 2027 applications will open at the end of 2026). They are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, so the earlier you can submit the better chance you have of getting your preferred location on the date you want! I suggest having your application done and ready to email at the exact time permit applications open (which is announced a few weeks prior). 

A Wyoming Marriage License

To make your marriage legal, you’ll need a Wyoming marriage license. You have to schedule an appointment and both go in person to a Wyoming County Clerk (any county, but the closest one to the Tetons is the Teton County Clerk’s Office in Jackson).

You have to provide certain information and documentation for your application including photo ID and a completed Marriage License Questionnaire which asks for the following information: 

• Full legal name
• Current Residential Address
• US State or Foreign Country and State/City of Birth
• Date of Birth
• Race/Ethnicity
• Social security number
• Father’s first, middle, and last name, and the US state or foreign country he was born
• Mother’s first, middle, and maiden last name, and the US state or foreign country she was born

The marriage license costs $30 (plus a small service fee if using a credit card). There is no waiting period in Wyoming, meaning as soon as you get your license you can get married! Keep in mind, you need an officiant and two witnesses (I can be your officiant or one of your witnesses!).

02. Choosing Your Location

The park has designated locations for elopement ceremonies. Here are a few popular spots that require a Large Site-Specific Ceremony Permit —meaning a higher guest count up to 40 people:

• Schwabacher Landing: Famous for its reflection of the mountains in the Snake River.
• Mormon Row: Ideal for those who love the Old West look with the historic Moulton Barns.
• Mountain View Turnout: Offers an unobstructed, panoramic view of the entire range.
• Colter Bay Swim Beach: A lakeside beach vibe with mountains in the background.

While these are the more popular locations, as an adventure elopement photographer, I suggest the lesser-known locations that aren’t as busy as those main tourist spots. These locations require a Small Dispersed Ceremony Permit that limits the total number of people (including the couple, photographer, officiant, etc.) to 12. My favorite thing about this permit is how there are so many location possibilities —literally almost anywhere—  with minimal restrictions.

03. When to Elope

The Tetons look different every three months, and sometimes every three hours because of mountain weather! So, while you can plan ahead and expect one thing, it’s important to remember that weather in the mountains is its own breed and can change unexpectedly. But that won’t have any negative impact on your day because I’m always prepared and have backup plans!

Summer (July–August): The best weather and accessible hiking trails. Expect wildflowers in June-July!

Fall (September–October): The aspens turn bright gold and the crowds begin to thin as the days and nights begin to get cooler.

Winter (November–April): A true winter wonderland. Many roads are closed, so limited areas are vehicle accessible, and you’ll likely need snowshoes.

Spring (May–June): Expect snow on the peaks, baby bison in the fields, and the start of greenery and wildflowers.

Whatever time of year  you choose, you can’t go wrong with the unique beauty of each season at the Tetons!

04. Where to Stay

You may have been told that staying on the Idaho side of the Tetons will save you money on lodging, but I’m here to tell you otherwise. While you might save money on cost per night, you’ll be losing time and daylight that could be spent celebrating in the park or relaxing together driving the Teton Pass, paying for gas, and watching for wildlife crossing the roads. That’s why I highly recommend staying in Wyoming!

Luxury: Look into Luxury Rental Homes with Rendezvous Mountain Rentals or Amangani (closed for remodel until Summer 2026) for a high-end experience.

Boutique: The hotels in Downtown Jackson are perfect if you want to be within walking distance to local eateries and breweries.

Unique/Off-Grid: Look for modern A-frames or glamping sites like Tammah for a tucked-away feel.

Wherever you stay, make sure to choose a place that reflects how you want to feel.

05. Choosing Your Adventure

Your elopement should feel like who you are as a couple. Whether you want to break a sweat or lean into the Western vibe, here are a few ideas of adventures for your elopement day:

Hiking: Explore Taggart Lake or Hidden Falls. If you aren’t afraid of getting dirty, hiking in your wedding attire makes for epic photos! There are all types of hikes from short and easy to long and strenuous, there is something for everyone.

Horseback Riding: Wyoming was meant to be seen from a saddle. Check out guided excursions for a sunset adventure with Shoal Creek Outfitters or Mill Iron Ranch.

Tattoos: A permanent way to remember your day is by getting a tattoo of the Teton range outline, coordinates of your ceremony spot, or other meaningful detail at Paintbrush Tattoo or Twenty Two Tattoo. 

I have even more ideas to share when we talk over a Zoom call about your vision, interests, and what you want your day to feel like (book a call here!).

06. Designing Your Custom Timeline

This day is not a continuous photoshoot, and it shouldn’t feel like that. Your elopement should feel relaxed, exciting, stress-free, and memorable! Your day might look like this:

8:00 AM: A personal chef cooks you breakfast as you enjoy a slow morning of getting ready together at your Airbnb.

11:00 AM: Your private ceremony where you say your vows and exchange rings at your designated permit site in GTNP.

1:00 PM: An intimate picnic lunch at a secluded section along a lake followed by a celebratory cake for two.

3:00 PM: A sweet and simple rowboat excursion around the lake, dipping your toes in the fresh glacier water.

7:00 PM: A cozy campfire and roasting dinner back at your Airbnb while you cuddle up to watch the sun fade behind the Tetons.

When planning your timeline, make sure to account for travel time, construction, bathroom breaks, meals, etc. It’s sooo important to take the day slow and not rush, so you can spend quality time with your partner and live in the moment.

07. Vendors

Eloping doesn’t mean a quick ceremony and calling it good. You can still have whatever aspects of a typical wedding that you want like a bouquet/boutonnière (or a floral piece on your cowboy hat), a fancy dress/suit, professional hair and makeup, a cake to cut and eat, etc. For all of the details that bring your day together and make it your very own, I have top tier vendors I recommend that I have personally worked with.

Florals: Bouquet La Vie

Cake: Paisley Cake

Hair and Makeup: Highland Beauty JH

08. What to Pack

Once you have when you’re eloping, where your ceremony will be, and the activities you want to do, you’ll have a better idea of what specific things to pack. Here’s a basic rundown of what you’ll need regardless:

• Comfortable shoes (hiking or walking)
• Jacket (rain or cool breeze at night)
• Sunscreen

09. Travel

If you’re traveling to Jackson, Wyoming you can fly or drive. The quickest option is to fly into the Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) (fun fact: it’s the ONLY airport completely inside a National Park). There are other nearby airports, but they require additional travel time to Wyoming:

• Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA): about 2 hours (90 miles) west of GTNP
• Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC): about 5 hours (306 miles) south of GTNP

If you’re closer to the park, you can drive your own car or rent a car. Either way, I recommend having a car as transportation around Jackson and the park. 

10. Practical Tips for the Tetons

As your local Teton planning expert, I’ve got allll the tips and tricks to make your day easy to plan, run smoothly, and be the most memorable day of your life!

Choose an Expert: That’s me! I’m your expert who specializes in all things GTNP from planning to photography and  all the small details in between.

You Need More Than One Day: When traveling to Wyoming from another state, it’s important to plan transition time for the high altitude. Getting sick from a sudden altitude change does happen! So, plan a day for travel, a day for adjusting, and a day or two for your elopement celebration!

Dress for Movement: Pick dress fabrics like tulle or chiffon that travel well. You can always go for other materials and fullness, just keep in mind how you’ll transport your dress to each location and that weight that you’ll need to carry.

Leave No Trace: Follow the Leave No Trace Principles to keep the park beautiful and mitigate the human footprint in the park. Never feed the wildlife,  always stay on established trails, and pack out anything you carry in.

How Can You NOT be Excited Now?!

The Tetons are more than just a backdrop; they’re a witness to the start of your greatest adventure together. If you’re looking for a photographer who knows all the ins and outs of eloping and the hidden gems in the park, let’s chat and make your elopement dreams a reality!

Reach out and let’s get dreaming!

xx Jess