Guide to Elope in Grand Teton National Park
Looking to Elope in Grand Teton National Park then you've come to the right place! I have SO much amazing info to share, but I will try to contain my excitement and not overwhelm you. If you go through this blog and want even more details all you have to do is fill out my contact form and we'll get the conversation started.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BEST TIME TO ELOPE IN THE TETONS
GRAND TETON ELOPEMENT LOCATION GUIDE
FAQ
THE LOGISTICS
GRAND TETON ELOPEMENT DAY ADVENTURE IDEAS
Best Time to Elope in the Tetons:
Let's start things off with my personal favorite - early fall (September / Early October)
FALL: In my opinion nothing beats fall in the Tetons! It's a little less crowded and the weather is incredible. Some days bring snowfall, cold mornings and chilly evenings, but overall it's very special.
WINTER: There are without a doubt many fun winter activities to enjoy in the Tetons, but it's not for the faint of heart. If you like snowshoeing, cross county skiing, or snowboarding you will have the time of your life. And, let me tell you - there's something magical about seeing those mountains covered in gallons of snow.
SPRING: With heavy winter snowfall Spring really starts showing off in Late May. Similar to Fall, the Tetons are usually still snow capped and a beautiful sight to see!
SUMMER: June and July in particular is very popular. It's when the wild flowers come out and it's not too hot or too cold, but with the summer heat also bring wild fires. Wait till late July or August and you might run into that issue.
Grand Teton National Park Elopement Ceremony Locations:
There are six permitted ceremony locations within the park. You can click on each location below to find out more info straight from the NPS:
Group size up to 25 people
Group size up to 40 people
Group size up to 25 people
Group size up to 25 people
Group size up to 25 people
Group size up to 25 people
Group size up to 40 people
Other locations to get married near the park (with views of the Tetons of course!)
Now I'm not going to share all of my secrets here, but if you are interested in alternative locations you can fill out my contact form and we can go over all of the options together.
Im my personal opinion if you're planning to have 20+ guests I would suggest considering a venue for your ceremony to accommodate all of your guests. Here are a few venues I love and recommend:
If you decide a venue is the best choice for you and your group we can still shoot in the park and go on a Grand Adventure - just the two of you and your official third wheel.. AKA me!
Find even more venue location ideas on Rocky Mountain Bride's Website
FAQ for anyone interested in Eloping in Grand Teton National Park:
Q: Do I need a permit and how much does it cost?
A: Yes. A Special Use Permit non-refundable processing fee of $200 is due upon application.
Q: How far in advance should I apply for a permit?
A: You’ll want to apply at least 30 days before your Elopement date, but I recommend applying as soon as you have a date picked out.
Q: There are so many locations how do I choose?!
A: That's where I come in handy! I'm here to walk you thru each location to see which one will be best for your elopement.
Q: If we choose one location for our Ceremony can we still take photos at another location?
A: Absolutely yes! There are a lot of locations not on the permit list where we can still go to take portraits
To learn more about the logistics, rules, and more
visit the GTNP NPS Website here
THE LOGISTICS:
WHEN, WHERE, AND HOW DO WE GET OUR MARRIAGE LICENSE?
You can head right the the Teton County official website for all of the info. They will have you call to make an appointment and then you will be required to have a ceremony after you pick up your license.
The cost for the marriage license is $30 and must be used within 1 year in the state of Wyoming. Don't forget! The county office is only open Monday - Friday, but they will tell you that when you call to make an appointment.
How do we find a ordained minister or officiant for our ceremony?
Planning to come to Jackson Hole just the two of you to Elope? Worried about the logistics of the ceremony and making everything "Official"? Don't worry! I have you covered!
Option 1: You can hire a officiant (don't worry I can recommend options) to perform a ceremony.
Option 2: Fun fact: I'm actually Ordained and can legally sign your marriage license. Then we will find two witnesses to sign your marriage license and make it official! This might sound a little odd, but believe me hikers absolutely LOVE this and without a doubt they will be saying "this just made my day!"
Grand Teton Elopement Day Adventure Ideas:
Wake up and catch the sunrise together and see the Teton Mountains light up
Grab coffee & a snack at Picnic Jackson Hole
Take a boat shuttle from Jenny Lake to Hidden Falls Waterfall
Check out the famous Jackson Hole Town Square
See the spot that was made famous by photographer Ansel Adams - Snake River Overlook
Need even more ideas to make your Elopement day one of a kind?
Check out my blog post 50 Freakin' Awesome Things to do on your Elopement Day