Planning a Grand Teton National Park Wedding, or elopement? Getting married in Grand Teton National Park is a bucket list location for a dreamy elopement.  I am Lizzy and I am a Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park wedding expert. Throughout this blog I will be discussing the following to help you for your 2023 Grand Teton National Park wedding. First, why you should have a Grand Teton National Park wedding or elopement, second, locations in Grand Teton National Park for the dreamiest wedding ceremonies, and lastly, dispersed and site specific ceremony locations. 

Why Choose a Grand Teton National Park Wedding or Elopement

So you’re engaged – Congratulations! This is bound to be one of the most exciting and stressful times in your life, but so incredibly worth it. Choosing potential destinations for your elopement includes endless possibilities. But if you’re considering a Grand Teton National Park wedding, let me tell you something about these mountains. They are absolutely amazing and so breathtakingly beautiful. They are majestic, powerful, commanding- yet they give refuge and shelter. Many couples that come to elope in Jackson Hole have visited it once in their youth. Something about these powerful peaks took place in their heart and it called them back. As a Jackson Hole wedding photographer, I will always encourage couples to follow their heart and elope in the magnificence of Grand Teton National Park.

Even if you’ve never been to Jackson Hole or Grand Teton National Park you can look at these photos and appreciate the beauty that is the Tetons. There’s no better backdrop for your Grand Teton National Park wedding portraits than those iconic peaks! Not to mention that there’s a lot of variety around the park. Do you want water? We got water! Do you want mountains? We got mountains! You want forest? We’ve got the forest! You want open plains? We got open plains. You get the idea, anything you can dream of, Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole can make it happen. 

Locations in Grand Teton National Park for your Jackson Hole Elopement

When it comes to locations there are so many opportunities for an adventurous and beautiful elopement perfect for your love story. Some of the most common areas to elope are Schwabacher Landing, Mormon Row, and Colter Bay. All of which are on our list of must-see spots in Jackson Hole. Each of them is breathtaking and worthy of the beginning of your forever. 

If you’re planning on a true elopement meaning it’s you, your significant other, an officiant, and a witness (or two if you don’t want me to be one) then you have a lot of options. If this sounds like what you were planning then you would qualify for a small dispersed ceremony according to the rules and regulations found on the Grand Teton National Park service website.

Dispersed Ceremony Options for Your Grand Teton National Park Wedding

According to the website the group size is restricted to no more than 12 people and that includes you, any vendors, and your guests. You are limited to one hour maximum at whatever location you choose. There are a handful of locations that are not allowed, but there are so many amazing locations you can still go to. Finding a location that’s not on this list, but still has amazing views as where having an experienced photographer in Grand Teton National Park comes into play. I have a number of locations that I can take you to and give options throughout the planning process.

Prohibited locations include:

Here are a list of reserved site-specific ceremony locations during Friday, May 12, 2023 to Sunday, October 15, 2023

The paved trails within and surrounding the Jenny Lake Visitor Plaza at South Jenny Lake, Jenny Lake Trail, and Jenny Lake Overlook

Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point

String Lake developed area and trail

Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve

Concessioner land assignments (exception for weddings sold/catered by concessioners in assigned facilities in accordance with their contract)

Park partner facilities (e.g., Murie Ranch, Teton Science School)

Within proximity of places where weddings are being managed by a chapel or concessioner (e.g., the Chapel of the Transfiguration)

Park cemeteries

If a location is behind a gate, the permittee may have walking access but not vehicle access

Site Specific Ceremony Locations for Your Grand Teton National Park Wedding

If you have more than 12 people or you want a ceremony site that is distinguished by the National Park service then you have seven options. 

Schwabacher Landing – Group size limit of 25 people

Mormon Row (North or South) – Group size limit of 40 people (North) or 25 people (South)

Mountain View Turnout – Group size limit of 25 people

Glacier View Turnout – Group size limit of 25 people

Snake River Overlook – Group size limit of 25 people

Colter Bay Swim Beach – Group size limit of 40 people

The Wedding Tree – Scheduled though Friends of the Bridger -Teton website 

Now that we have that covered I will talk about each one specifically.

Schwabacher Landing – Group size limit of 25 people

Schwabacher Landing is probably one of the most popular locations to get married or elope in Jackson Hole’s beautiful Grand Teton National Park. Why? Because you get a full view of the Grand Tetons, a captivating river, forest and trees. Permits for this location have already sold out for 2023, but if you’re reading this in preparation for an elopement in the future make sure you apply for it as soon as possible! If you don’t get a permit for this location, don’t fret because you can still take photos at this location, you just can’t get married there. All hope isn’t lost! 

Mormon Row (North or South) – Group size limit of 40 people (North) or 25 people (South)

Mormon Row is a great location, which offers a lot of variety at both locations. You can choose the location with the big barn, or the location with a pink house and a small barn behind it. 

The South location is one of the most popular with the big barn. Behind it are the commanding Tetons, and it really makes the vibe of the images look like the wild west. This is a location that’s specifically awesome for a windy day! During the fall the trees around it have beautiful colored yellow leaves, and tall grasses that make for beautiful and unique images. 

The North location is adorable with a historic pink pioneer home, with a barn in the back. This location also offers amazing views of the Tetons. When it comes down to it, the biggest difference between the north and the south is the amount of people that you can have at the ceremony.

Mountain View Turnout – Group size limit of 25 people

Mountain View turnout is kind of a secret location. There are not a lot of people interested in it and I don’t understand why. Every time I’ve gone by this location there have been beautiful flowers, amazing views, and low traffic. It is located at one of the farthest points in the park. However it’s a great location to start and to work our way back into town hitting up all the other amazing locations on our way out.

Glacier View Turnout – Group size limit of 25 people

Glacier View Turnout is extremely accessible and has an amazing view of the Tetons. Getting married in Grand Teton National Park requires a pass for you to get into the park. However this is one of the turnouts where you don’t actually have to go inside of the park. So if you want to skip those fees, and have a beautiful location, this is a place for you. There are so many different angles and places where you can go. You can stay on a paved area and you can go on grass. There’s lots of beautiful sage brush to enhance that wild west feeling

Snake River Overlook – Group size limit of 25 people

Ansel Adams and his iconic 1942 photograph of Snake River Overlook, really made it incredibly popular. It has the twisting Snake River along with a beautiful view of the Tetons. There are many places here where you could hold the ceremony, but in front of the wall seems to be the most popular. 

Colter Bay Swim Beach – Group size limit of 40 people

Colter Bay swim beach is a fantastic location, if water is an important factor to you, and you love the mountains. Something to keep in mind about this location is that it’s about an hour away from Jackson Hole. It is one of the furthest locations but like I said before with Mountain View Turnout, it’s a great location to start at and then to hit up all the other locations on your way back to town for dinner or drinks.

The Wedding Tree – Scheduled though Friends of the Bridger-Teton website 

The Wedding Tree is such a unique area. There’s a lot that goes into this area but something of note is that it isn’t very easily accessible. By no means is it a hike into the area, but it is a walk and it’s a rocky one. If you have grandparents or attendees that are not steady I wouldn’t advise this area. That being said, this area captures a valley with the Tetons in the middle. The two trees used to grow together at the top making it look like two people becoming one. But due to lighting and inconsiderate people, they don’t look like that anymore, but it’s still beautiful and takes your breath away. 

There you have it! If you made it to the end of this blog, consider me impressed – it was a heifer. As a Jackson Hole wedding photographer I just want to make sure that everybody has the most updated information that they possibly can have to ensure Grand Teton National Park wedding planning goes smoothly! We love photographing Grand Teton National Park weddings and  elopements. Contact us HERE if you’re ready to start planning your day, and we are more than happy to help assist in any way we can!