Jackson Hole has to be the most stunning destination for an elopement with it’s unbeatable mountain views. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your perfect day!

Jackson Hole Elopement

Eloping in Jackson Hole is nothing short of magical. The Tetons rise straight out of the valley in a dramatic, beautiful way, and you have easy access to the best overlooks and trails for those iconic views. What makes it even better is the vibe of the town itself, with a Western-meets-luxury feel. You can stay in cozy lodges, boutique hotels, or gorgeous cabins with mountain views. Plus, if you’re a wildlife lover, it’s everywhere here! You can see everything from moose, elk, eagles, bison, etc. Jackson Hole couldn’t be a more perfect place to slow down, take in all the beauty, and celebrate the most important day of your life!

Elopement Location In Grand Teton National Park

There’s no shortage of locations to choose from here for you to plan your elopement, and each has their own unique beauty! Here are a few of my favorites!

• Schwabacher Landing: this is one of the most iconic Teton views with the mountains perfectly reflecting in the river. It’s extremely peaceful and romantic!
• Mormon Row: there’s a more Western vibe here with the historic barns and the mountains in the background, but so beautiful.
• Jenny Lake: the water is extremely clear here and the waterfront photos are stunning! You can also choose a viewpoint to get a more panoramic view.
• Glacier View Turnout: this is a convenient spot you can pull up to off the road if you want to skip the hiking, and still have breathtaking mountain views.
• String Lake: if you want a more secluded spot that feels intimate and has easy lakeside trails, this is a perfect choice!
• Signal Mountain Summit: for a higher perspective and panoramic view, this spot feels so peaceful and is especially gorgeous at golden hour.
• Taggart Lake Trail: if you don’t mind a little hike, this trail leads to a stunning lake with the Tetons right there and it couldn’t be a more perfect elopement spot!
• Antelope Flats: this is a gorgeous spot with wide open fields and the mountains in the background, and you can often spot wildlife here which makes it extra fun!

When to Plan Your Elopement

Choosing the time of year for your elopement can set the tone for the day and overall look of your photos. Here’s what each season looks like in Jackson Hole!

Summer in Jackson Hole

Summer in Jackson Hole is by far the best time of year, with warm weather, everything is green and there’s wildflowers everywhere. It’s also the busiest time of year, so keep this in mind in your planning! If you want to avoid the crowds and have a more intimate elopement, opt for a weekday and at sunrise. It’s the best time of day anyways with the perfect light hitting the mountains! This time of eyar also means all the roads are open, if you’re looking to do hiking in higher elevation. If you want to see Jackson Hole at it’s best, this is the best choice!

Fall in Jackson Hole

Fall is stunning and you’ll have a lot less crowds. The leaves start shifting into those breathtaking golds and oranges around late September, and usually peak between the last week of September and first week of October. Trails and backroads are still pretty accessible before the snow rolls in. Just know the window is short, by mid-October, most of the fall hues are gone.

Winter in Jackson Hole

Winter has a completely different vibe, but if you love the cozy feel and snow-covered mountains, it can be really beautiful. The views from the ski resorts are gorgeous and it feels so romantic this time of year! But, it also means that roads are closed so you’ll be limited in locations for an elopement.

Spring in Jackson Hole

Spring isn’t the most ideal time of year, as the snow melts making it really muddy, trails are still closed, and a lot of local businesses shut down. It is a slower and quieter time of year, but if you want to really experience the magic of Jackson Hole, you will feel limited and may want to choose another season!

As always, you’ll need a few pieces of paperwork to pull off your wedding in the Grand Tetons. First, you’ll need a Wyoming marriage license. These are only $30, and there’s no waiting period for it to be active. It’s valid for one year from the date of issuance. All you’ll need is to call ahead and schedule an appointment, complete the questionnaire and head to the County Clerk’s Office (in the basement of the County Administration Building if you’re doing it in Jackson) during business hours.

You will need an officiant plus two witnesses to be married in Wyoming. The County Clerk’s Office clearly states they don’t perform courthouse wedding ceremonies at the office, so you’ll need to hold your ceremony with a third party officiant.

Obtaining a Jackson Hole Permit

If you want to get married anywhere inside the boundary of Grand Teton National Park, you will need to obtain a Special Use Permit from the park. You’ll need to apply no less than 30 days in advance of the date you are requesting, and the permit fee is $200.

There are two different types of permits in the park. The first is a Reserved Site-Specific Ceremony Permits, which can be obtained for any of the following locations: Schwabacher Landing, Mormon Row (North or South), Mountain View Turnout, Glacier View Turnout, Snake River Overlook and Colter Bay Swim Beach. With this permit, you can reserve any of these locations from mid-May to mid-October for your wedding ceremony.

The other type is a Small Dispersed Ceremony Permit, which will allow you to hold your wedding nearly anywhere else in the park (with a few exceptions), but that area will not be closed off to other visitors. These types of permits can be reserved for weddings between the beginning of March and December. Notable exceptions include Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, some restrictions around Jenny Lake and chapels on park property.

When you apply for your permit, you will have to specify:

• which permit type you are reserving
• a description of your proposed ceremony
• the date and time of your ceremony
• how many people will be in attendance
• what equipment you and your vendors will be bringing

All of this will ensure you have an elopement day that runs smoothly and follows all of the necessary guidelines!

Where to Stay in Jackson Hole

There’s many different beautiful places to stay here in Jackson Hole, whether it’s a grand mountain lodge or private cabins. It all depends what fits your vibe!

• Amangani: this mountain lodge feels incredibly luxurious and has some of the most insane views in the area!
• Caldera House: conveniently located right in Teton Village, it’s perfect for ski season and has a fun, modern interior.
• The Cloudveil: this gorgeous boutique hotel sits right in Jackson Town Square making it walking distance to everything!
• Fireside Resort: these luxury tiny cabins feel so cozy with fireplaces and their own private porches.
• Rustic Inn Creekside Resort: the cute individual cabins are tucked along a creek with spa vibes and the property is absolutely stunning! It’s where we got ready for this elopement day!

Jackson Hole Elopement Photographer

Hi, I’m Lo, a Jackson Hole elopement photographer and I’ll never get over the beauty here! Your elopement photos should feel effortless and natural, and I’m here to capture all the moments that matter most. So if you’re looking for someone to help you plan your Grand Tetons elopement, I’d love to chat!