Bride and groom stand holding hands facing mountain peaks during their Grand Teton National Park Elopement

Grand Teton National Park Elopement Guide 2025

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Grand Teton National Park Elopement Guide

A Grand Teton National Park elopement is for lovers pure of heart! Gazing at the stark zigs and zags of these still-growing peaks might remind you of the rhythm of your heart. Scanning the horizon of these giant mountaintops is like reading an EKG. It’s only fitting because one certainly feels more alive pondering these towering masses of mountains. 

If you find these 13,776 feet within the symmetry of reflection, the timbre of your heart might even deepen and reach octaves deeper below the surface. Here, you can exchange vows somewhere in between contemplating parallel universes and self-reflection with your better half. The Grand Tetons are a lover’s paradise, and this guide will explain how to get married, cover ceremony permits, park rules, elopement packages, & more.

A couple sits on rocks by a lake, watching mountains illuminated by sunset. The scene is mirrored in the calm water.
A couple holding hands, standing in a field, gazing at misty mountains under a blue sky.
A couple in wedding attire stands in a lush landscape, gazing at distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
A couple stands together outdoors, with the woman in a white dress holding its train. Mountains and sunlight are visible in the background.
A bride and groom stand on a wooden bridge over a river, surrounded by forest and mountains at sunset.

How to Get Married in Grand Teton National Park

A couple embraces by a lake with snow-capped mountains in the background. The woman wears a beaded dress, and the man is in a white shirt and jeans.
  1. Decide where you want to get married in the National Park.
  2. Choose when you want to get married.
  3. Apply + pay for a ceremony permit.
  4. Hire your Grand Tetons elopement vendors.
  5. Book lodging and reserve any additional venues or activities.
  6. Pack + prepare for the adventure of a lifetime! 

Grand Teton National Park Wedding Ceremony Permits

In order to get married at the Grand Teton National Park, you must obtain a Special Use Permit through the park service. You can locate the SUP application through the parks official website here and email it to grte_visitor_services@nps.gov. Grand Teton National Park ceremony permits cost $200, which is non-refundable. 

There are two different permits available for ceremonies within the park: Reserved Site Specific Permits and Small Dispersed Ceremony Permits. You must know your location to apply for a permit. These permits are limited to one ceremony per location, per day. There is a maximum number of 60 ceremonies per site, per year for all ceremony sites, except Colter Bay which is limited to 30 ceremonies a year. Reserved Site-Specific Permits are available from Friday, May 16, 2025, through Monday, October 13, 2025 for all sites except Mountain View Turnout, which allows ceremonies starting on June 1st, 2025. A full detailed list of ceremony sites is in the section after the rules just below.

Ceremony Permit Availability Update: Schwabacher Landing, Mormon Row, and Colter Bay are all full for the 2025 season.

💍 Reach Out About Your Dream Elopement 💍

A few more important things to note about Ceremony Permits:

  • Permit applications are open as of December 16th, 2024 for the 2025 season.
  • Do not apply early as your submission will not be held.
  • Permits must be applied for at least 30 days prior to your ceremony date.
  • Applications must be submitted by at least one of the persons getting married – not a third party such as a relative, planner, photographer, etc. 
  • You are limited to one hour of time for your ceremony site including any set up or photos & videos.
  • Expect applications to be processed in 15-30 days.
  • After the permit has been finalized, there is a $100 reprocessing fee for any changes to date, time, location, or number of people.
  • Application release dates for the following year are announced in November of the current year. 
  • You & any guests must pay an entrance fee for every vehicle entering the park.
  • Permits do not grant you exclusive access or use of the area and are open to the public alongside your ceremony.
A couple stands by a river in a forested area, with a mountain in the background. The woman holds her dress while the man holds her hand.

Grand Teton National Park Wedding Rules

If you are getting married in Grand Teton National Park, you must abide by all park rules as well as adhere to the ceremony and wedding rules. A majority of the rules are centered around the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace to protect the nature and beauty of the park. The park does not allow decorations such as arches, altars, rugs, platforms, tables, chairs, signs, generators, tents, non-invasive plants, or catered food services. Moreover, you cannot scatter any materials such as confetti, seeds, lavender, flower petals, bubbles, etc. You & any guests must stay on existing trails and durable surfaces like hardened gravel or rock to help protect the vegetation. Please clean up after yourself, pick up any trash, and leave nothing behind. Lastly, do not approach, feed, or harass wildlife. 

⛰️ Learn more about Leave No Trace ⛰️

Moreover, you must abide by the max number of participants for your specific ceremony site. This max number includes you & your partner as well as any guests (including infants, photographers, videographers, officiant, coordinators, etc.).

Bride and groom pose on a path by a lake with trees and mountains in the background under a sunny sky.

Wedding Ceremony Sites in Grand Teton National Park 

As mentioned, Grand Teton National Park has two different types of ceremony sites: reserved site-specific sites and small dispersed ceremony sites. Below are photographs and detailed descriptions for all sites including the number of people you can have, what permit you need, and if they have availability for 2025. Lastly, you also have the option to get married at one of chapels or lodges within the park.

Reserved Site-Specific Sites

There are six site-specific ceremony locations within Grand Teton National Park: Colter Bay Swim Beach, Schwabacher Landing, Mormon Row North or South, Mountain View Turnout, Glacier View Turnout, & Snake River Overlook.

Colter Bay Swim Beach

Colter Bay Swim Beach ceremony site is located directly on the shore of Jackson Lake with an expansive view of the Tetons hugging the lake’s shore on the horizon. The beach is also conveniently located near the visitors center, restaurants, convenience + souvenir shops, bathrooms, & campgrounds.

Pro-tip: the shoreline is much smaller in late spring and early summer due to higher water levels from snowmelt.

A couple in wedding attire stands on a rocky shoreline, facing a calm lake and snow-capped mountains under a clear sky.

40

people group limit

Both

Site-Specific + Small Dispersed Permits

Full

2025 Season

A couple embraces outdoors by a river, with mountains and trees in the background under a bright sunlit sky.

25

people group limit

Only

Site-Specific Permits

Full

2025 Season

Schwabacher Landing

Schwabacher Landing is located along Snake River with views of the water weaving through trees and the Teton valley. The short walk to the ceremony site is on level gravel and takes roughly 5 minutes. At the site there are two wooden benches facing the riverfront. There is a small parking area with vault toilets.

Pro-tip: this location is inaccessible between mid-October to mid-may and ceremonies are not allowed during this time.

Mormon Row North or South

If you are looking for wild west vibes, then Mormon Row offers a unique experience to get married near historic hand-built structures from the original homesteaders in 1980. The North side features the large wooden T.A. Moulton Barn while the South side features a unique pink home. Once snow arrives in fall, the road to the Mormon Row intersection is closed to vehicles until spring. Mormon Row North is limited to group sizes of 40 people and Mormon Row South is limited to 25 people.


Pro-tips: watch where you step! There are a lot of gopher holes surrounding the structures.
Be sure to remove any seeds from your clothing after visiting this area before visiting other locations within the park as these seeds should not spread to other areas of the park.

A couple in wedding attire stands in front of a wooden building, with mountains in the background on a sunny day.

40 / 25

people group limit

Both

Site-Specific + Small Dispersed Permits

Full

2025 Season

A couple in formal attire holds hands, facing distant blue-hued mountains and misty fields at dawn or dusk.

25

people group limit

Both

Site-Specific + Small Dispersed Permits

Full

2025 Season

Mountain View Turnout

If you want to feel immersed in the staggering height of the Tetons, then choosing a Mountain View Turnout ceremony is the best place for you. In the summer months there are a plethora of wildflowers blanketing the meadow. This site is available for Reserve Site-Specific permit June 1st to Mid-October. Small Dispersed Permits are available for up to 12 people May 1st to Mid May and mid-October to October 31st. After that the road to the ceremony site closed to vehicles and small dispersed permits can be considered for those who wish to bike, hike, snowshoe, or cross-country ski in. 

Pro-tip: this site is located just off the road, so for the most privacy we suggest a ceremony during sunrise. 

Glacier View Turnout

Glacier View Turnout ceremony site features expansive uninterrupted views of the entire Teton mountain range. The ceremony site is conveniently located just off the main road US-191 that travels along the national park. To access the site you simply walk a few hundred feet on a paved path to the overlook. This site is available for reserved site-specific permits during the allotted dates, as well as small dispersed permits for the remainder of the year. 


Pro-tip: while this site is on a busy road, it is one of many pull-offs that is easy to just drive by making it a quieter and busy ceremony site. 

A couple holds hands in front of a mountain range with the sun shining brightly in a clear blue sky.

25

people group limit

Both

Site-Specific + Small Dispersed Permits

Available

2025 Season

A person in a yellow dress stands on a paved area, facing a stone wall with a view of a forest, river, and snow-capped mountains under a clear blue sky.

25

people group limit

Both

Site-Specific + Small Dispersed Permits

Available

2025 Season

Snake River Overlook

One of the most iconic views of the Tetons can be experienced from the Snake River Overlook ceremony site. Made popular by the famous photographer Ansel Adams, this site is well-established and a popular spot for park visitors. This ceremony site is the easiest to access with a paved parking area leading to an overlook lined with a stone wall. The ceremony site offers an expansive view of the winding Snake River zigzagging toward the Tetons. This site is available for reserved site-specific permits during the allotted dates, as well as small dispersed permits for the remainder of the year. 

Pro-tip: because this is such a popular spot, we highly suggest sunrise on a weekday for the most privacy. 

Small Dispersed Ceremony Sites

Small Dispersed Ceremony Sites are for group sizes with a max number of 12 people. They offer you the opportunity to choose your own location within the park as long as it is not on the prohibited list on the official park site. These selected locations must be approved by the park, and in order to apply, you must provide detailed information as to the exact spot you’d like to get married with either GPS coordinates or a satellite map view. You also need to include how you intend to use the space and what your ceremony will involve. Small Dispersed Ceremony Permits are available all year long. Keep in mind that the park closes some roads due to heavy winter snowfall making some areas are not accessible. 

You also have the option to apply for a small dispersed ceremony permit between mid-October and Mid-May for Colter Bay Swim Beach, Mormon Row, Glacier View Turnout, Mountain View Turnout, and Snake River Overlook.

A couple in wedding attire stands by a serene lake surrounded by trees, with a snow-capped mountain in the background under a clear blue sky.

Reservable Chapels or Lodges in the Park

Additionally, Grand Tetons offers the ability to book one of the chapels or lodges for your wedding. You must contact the chapel or lodge directly to make a reservation.  

Grand Teton National Park Elopement Packages

We are a Grand Teton elopement photographer team who can help you plan and photograph your wild elopement! Our Grand Teton elopement packages start at $5000. Every package includes step by step planning where we assist with location recommendations, fun timeline creations, officiating, & more.

📷 Learn More About Our Elopement Packages 🎥
A couple dances in a field at dusk with snow-capped mountains in the background.

Dreamer

  • 2 photographers
  • 4 hours of coverage
  • Digital & Film Photography
Bride and groom holding hands, walking up wooden steps near a body of water, surrounded by trees.

Explorer

  • 2 photographers
  • 6 hours of coverage
  • Photography/Videography
Bride and groom stand holding hands, facing a lake with snow-capped mountains and trees in the background.

Wild

  • 2 Photographers
  • 8 Hours of coverage
  • Photography/Videography

Book Your Grand Teton Elopement Photographer! 

As a husband and wife Wyoming elopement photographer team and Grand Teton National Park elopement photographer team, we specialize in adventure elopements! With nearly 10 years of experience, we can help you create and capture the magical elopement of your dreams!

A couple stands on a rocky lakeshore with mountainous background. The woman wears a patterned dress and hat; the man wears a blue shirt, red shorts, and hat. Clear blue sky above.

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Tips for Eloping in Grand Teton National Park 

  • Most ceremony sites do not have restrooms except Colter Bay.
  • Grand Teton Park Road is closed to vehicles yearly from November 1st through April 30th between Taggart Lake Trailhead to Signal Mountain Lodge.
  • There is an airport conveniently located directly outside of the park.
  • Teton County Clerk’s office requires an appointment to pick up your marriage license. More details on obtaining your marriage license can be found here.
  • You need an ordained officiant and two witnesses to sign your marriage license in Wyoming.

Best Times to Get Married in Grand Teton National Park

As you can imagine, the incredible landscapes of the Grand Tetons are spectacular and offer unique experiences throughout the year. The most popular time is during the warmer months. In summertime, the park is obviously busier than the rest of the year. One big advantage to the summertime is that you have the option to get on the water without it being too cold.

A couple kisses on a grassy hilltop with mountains in the background. The woman wears a white dress, and the man is in a light shirt and tie.
Two women in wedding dresses and fur stoles smile and hold hands in a snowy forested area by a stream.
A couple in formal attire smiles at each other, standing in front of vibrant autumn foliage.
A couple in wedding attire embraces by a clear, blue lake with mountains and trees in the background under a bright blue sky.

Not to be overlooked, the other seasons provide incredible adventures just waiting for you to discover! Wildflowers, fall colors, and winter wonderlands are all at your fingertips. Reach out today if you want more guidance on when might be the best time for you to elope in the Grand Tetons!

💍 Book Your Elopement Photographer Dream Team 💍
Map of Grand Teton National Park highlighting trails, lakes, lodges, and roads, with a compass placed near the center.
A couple in wedding attire kisses by a lake with pine trees and snow-capped mountains in the background at sunset.
A couple sits by a calm lake. The man points across the water, where mountain reflections are visible. The woman leans against him, and both are wearing light blue clothing.
A couple walks hand in hand towards a rustic barn on a sunny day, with green grass and distant mountains in the background.
A couple dressed in wedding attire walks hand in hand down a tree-lined road with mountains in the background.
A couple embraces on a wooden bridge with pine trees and a sunlit mountain peak in the background. The woman wears a white dress, and a bouquet lies on the bridge.
A couple in wedding attire sits on a wooden bench in a sunny, mountainous landscape with trees and grass. A bouquet lies next to them.
A couple walks through a field with tall grass, mountains in the background, under a clear blue sky.
Starry night sky over silhouetted mountain range and trees.

Grand Teton National Park Micro-Wedding Reception Venues

Since the Grand Teton National Park does not allow catering, you may want to consider reserving a micro-wedding reception venue to host a celebratory meal for your elopement. These venues located outside the park offer you the ability to either reserve a space for a meal as well as reserve space for overnight stays, which can be a great to spend quality time with guests all in one place.

Table decor featuring a Grand Teton postcard, a floral arrangement in a jar, a doily, a menu, a lit candle, and a wine glass.

Restaurants 

Overnight Venues

Places to Stay within the National Park

One of the best parts of the Grand Tetons is that there is lodging directly within the park. One of the benefits of staying in the park is being close to your ceremony site and avoiding the traffic entering the park. Lodging fills up quickly so book this as far in advance as you can.

Lodging within the park includes:

Grand Teton National Park also offers an array of wonderful campgrounds including tent, RV, and motorhome camping.

A couple in wedding attire kisses while the groom dips the bride, with mountains in the background.

Best Lodging in Jackson outside of GRTE

Alternatively, you may want to stay in the historic town of Jackson and drive into the park. Jackson has more upscale and affordable options that don’t book up as quickly as places within the park. Staying in Jackson for your elopement allows you to be close to restaurants, shops, and the ski resort. Below are some of the best lodging options in Jackson.

A bride and groom sit on a chair by a large window in a modern room, reading a card together. The bride wears a white lace gown, and the groom is in a gray suit. A potted plant is nearby.

Rentals, Airbnb, + VRBO

Hotels + Resorts 

Grand Teton National Park Elopement Vendors

Choosing the right Grand Tetons elopement vendors can truly transform your special day. A true professional can enhance the overall experience, mood, aesthetic, and vibe of your elopement. Whether you want gorgeous floral arrangements, a scrumptious cake, a shuttle to transport you & your guests, or top tier hair & makeup services, hiring the right vendors for you is important.

Bride in a white dress and veil stands by a lake, holding a bouquet. Snow-capped mountains and trees are in the background, lit by golden light.

Hair + Makeup

Wedding vow booklets with names and date, featuring "Her Vows" and "His Vows," are placed alongside a bouquet and hiking boots on rocky terrain.

Florists

A cake with mountain scenery decor and a "The Adventure Begins" topper. It sits on a patterned cloth by a lake, with snow-capped mountains in the background.

Bakeries

A couple faces each other outdoors at sunset. The person on the left wears jeans and boots; the person on the right wears a white dress and embroidered boots, holding a bouquet.

Shuttles

A couple in wedding attire sits on a picnic blanket in a lush, mountainous area. They are embracing and holding champagne glasses, surrounded by picnic items including food and flowers.

Catering & Private Chefs

Event Rentals 

Alternative Elopement Locations Outside of the National Park

If none of the ceremony sites within the Grand Teton National Park meet the needs of your day or are fully booked, there are other elopement locations outside the National Park that may fit your needs. The Bridger-Teton National Forest is expansive and offers stunning views with a quieter experience than the park. The Wedding Tree is the perfect ceremony site for those looking to have views of the Tetons that are reservable. Additionally, we love Slide Lake & Ski Lake Hike if you want to hike or get on the water!

Two people stand near a large tree on a rocky hillside with mountains and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
A man and woman stand on opposite sides of a large tree, overlooking a mountainous landscape. The woman wears a white dress, and the man wears a blue shirt and jeans.
A couple in wedding attire kisses in a mountainous landscape with green vegetation and a partly cloudy sky.

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