Katie + Matt
There's something so incredibly special about choosing to get married somewhere that already holds so many memories for you, and that's exactly what Katie and Matt did for their intimate elopement in Grand Teton National Park! These two traveled all the way from Colorado to exchange vows surrounded by the mountains they've spent so many summers exploring together. From a breathtaking sunrise ceremony with rolling fog beneath the peaks to a lakeside picnic and an afternoon spent soaking in the beauty of the park, their wedding day was everything an adventurous elopement should be!
A Meaningful Place to Say "I Do"
For Katie and Matt, Grand Teton National Park wasn't just a beautiful destination they stumbled across while planning their wedding. It was somewhere they had been visiting together for years! Every summer, they would pack up the car and road trip from Colorado to Jackson, Wyoming, spending their time exploring the mountains and enjoying everything this incredible area has to offer.
So when it came time to decide where they wanted to get married, the Grand Tetons felt like the most natural choice. Instead of planning a traditional wedding, they decided to keep things intimate and exchange vows with just the two of them, surrounded by the landscapes they had fallen in love with over the years.
And truly, I couldn't imagine a more perfect way for these two to celebrate their marriage!
A Dreamy Sunrise Ceremony at Mountain View Turnout
We started Katie and Matt's elopement day bright and early, making our way into Grand Teton National Park before the sun had fully risen. If you've ever experienced sunrise in the Tetons, you know just how incredible those first moments of morning light can be. The mountains slowly begin to glow as the sun rises, and there's something so peaceful about being out in the park before the crowds arrive.
We spent the beginning of their morning stopping at a few scenic turnouts, taking portraits and soaking in the incredible mountain views before making our way to Mountain View Turnout for their ceremony.
And oh my gosh, the conditions couldn't have been more beautiful!
We had the clearest views of the Teton Range, with these beautiful layers of fog rolling through the valley beneath the mountain peaks. The fog stayed just low enough that we could still see the mountains perfectly, adding this incredibly dreamy and dramatic atmosphere to the entire landscape.
With the mountains towering behind them and the morning light slowly filling the valley, Katie and Matt exchanged vows in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable.
There were no elaborate decorations, no big production, and no distractions. Just the two of them, promising forever to one another in a place that already meant so much to their relationship.
It was simple, intimate, and so incredibly sweet.
Exploring Alpine Lakes and Mountain Views
After their ceremony, we continued exploring the park together, making our way to a beautiful little lake surrounded by mountain scenery.
One of my favorite things about eloping in Grand Teton National Park is how much variety you can experience without having to travel very far. From wide-open valleys and dramatic mountain overlooks to peaceful lakes and forested trails, there are so many incredible places to explore throughout your wedding day.
For Katie and Matt, we really wanted to embrace that freedom and spend the morning enjoying the park without feeling rushed from one location to the next.
We wandered around the lakeshore, took some portraits with the mountains reflecting in the water, and gave them plenty of time to simply enjoy being newly married.
And I have to say, these two were genuinely some of the happiest, giggliest people I've ever photographed!
Throughout the entire morning, they were constantly laughing with one another, and even when little things didn't go quite according to plan, they just laughed it off. From buttons popping off Katie's dress to getting dirt on her gown while exploring, absolutely nothing could take away from their excitement.
And that's exactly the kind of energy I love to see on an elopement day!
Your wedding day doesn't have to be perfectly polished or go exactly according to plan to be absolutely incredible. Sometimes those little unexpected moments become part of what makes the experience so memorable.
A Lakeside Picnic at Colter Bay
After spending some time exploring the southern portion of the park, we made our way north toward Colter Bay, one of my favorite areas of Grand Teton National Park.
Located along the shores of Jackson Lake, Colter Bay is such a beautiful place to slow down and enjoy the scenery. With expansive lake views, mountain peaks rising in the distance, and plenty of peaceful shoreline to explore, it's the perfect place to incorporate a little downtime into your elopement.
Katie and Matt had packed a sweet little picnic to enjoy together by the water, which was such a fun and intentional way to celebrate their marriage.
We found a spot along the lakeshore where they could sit together, enjoy their food, and take in the beautiful surroundings.
And of course, they couldn't resist dipping their feet into Jackson Lake to see just how cold that mountain water really was!
It was such a simple little moment, but honestly, those are some of my favorite things to document. The spontaneous laughter, the little adventures, and all the moments in between that make your wedding day feel like the two of you.
There was no pressure to be anywhere else or follow a strict timeline. They were simply enjoying the morning together, exploring one of their favorite places, and celebrating the fact that they were finally married.
An Elopement Day Filled With Laughter and Adventure
Looking back on Katie and Matt's Grand Teton elopement, one of the things that stands out to me most is just how genuinely happy these two were throughout the entire experience.
They weren't worried about the little things going wrong, whether their clothes got dirty, or if everything looked absolutely perfect. They were just so excited to be married and to spend the morning together in a place they loved.
And I think that's such a beautiful reminder of what eloping can really be about.
You get to create a wedding day that reflects your relationship, filled with the places, experiences, and little moments that mean the most to you. Whether that's waking up before sunrise to exchange vows beneath the mountains, exploring alpine lakes, or enjoying a picnic along the shoreline, there are no rules for what your celebration has to look like.
Katie and Matt's day was the perfect example of that, and I feel so incredibly lucky that I got to spend such a beautiful morning exploring Grand Teton National Park with them!
Tips for Planning Your Own Grand Teton National Park Elopement
If you're dreaming of an intimate wedding surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery, Grand Teton National Park is one of the most incredible places to elope in the United States! Between the breathtaking mountain views, beautiful alpine lakes, and endless opportunities for adventure, it's such a wonderful destination for couples who want to create a wedding day that's a little different.
Here are a few of my biggest tips for planning your own Grand Teton elopement!
1. Plan Your Ceremony Around Sunrise
If there's one thing I recommend for couples eloping in Grand Teton National Park, it's considering a sunrise ceremony!
The Teton Range is particularly beautiful in the morning as the first sunlight illuminates the eastern faces of the mountains. Not only can you experience some absolutely incredible lighting conditions, but you'll also have the opportunity to enjoy the park before many of the day's visitors arrive.
Sunrise is especially wonderful during the summer months when popular locations can become quite busy throughout the day.
And if you're lucky, you might even experience some of that beautiful rolling morning fog that Katie and Matt had during their ceremony!
2. Choose a Ceremony Location With Meaningful Mountain Views
Grand Teton National Park has several designated wedding ceremony locations, each offering its own unique scenery and experience.
Some beautiful locations to consider include:
Mountain View Turnout: Beautiful, expansive views of the Teton Range and a wonderful option for an intimate mountain ceremony.
Schwabacher Landing: Known for its peaceful setting along the Snake River and beautiful mountain reflections.
Glacier View Turnout: A convenient roadside location with incredible views of the mountains.
Snake River Overlook: A dramatic landscape featuring the Snake River winding through the valley beneath the Tetons.
Colter Bay Swim Beach: A beautiful lakeside setting with views across Jackson Lake toward the mountains.
Keep in mind that Grand Teton National Park requires a wedding permit for ceremonies, and the locations available for weddings depend on your permit type and group size. Be sure to check the National Park Service's current regulations before finalizing your plans!
3. Incorporate Multiple Locations Into Your Elopement Day
One of the best things about eloping in the Tetons is that you don't have to limit your experience to a single location!
You could exchange vows at a scenic mountain overlook, explore a peaceful alpine lake, enjoy a picnic along Jackson Lake, or even venture into the nearby town of Jackson for a celebratory dinner.
Some of my favorite areas to explore include:
Jenny Lake and String Lake
Colter Bay and Jackson Lake
Schwabacher Landing
Mormon Row
Oxbow Bend
The scenic turnouts along Teton Park Road
I recommend choosing a few locations that offer different scenery while allowing plenty of time to enjoy each stop. You don't need to pack your timeline full of activities to have an incredible experience!
4. Embrace the Unexpected Moments
If Katie and Matt's elopement taught us anything, it's that a little dirt on your dress or an unexpected wardrobe malfunction doesn't have to take away from your wedding day!
When you're getting married outdoors, things aren't always going to go exactly according to plan. The weather might change, your dress might get a little dirty, or you might need to adjust your plans along the way.
And that's completely okay!
Some of the most beautiful moments happen when you stop worrying about everything being perfect and simply enjoy the experience together.
Pack a few essentials like comfortable shoes, an extra layer, snacks, and a small emergency kit, but don't be afraid to embrace a little spontaneity throughout your day.
5. Make Time for Activities That Feel Like You
Your Grand Teton elopement can be so much more than just a ceremony and portraits!
Whether you're an adventurous couple who loves hiking or you'd prefer a relaxed day exploring scenic overlooks, there are so many ways to make your experience feel personal.
A few fun ideas include:
Pack a lakeside picnic to enjoy after your ceremony.
Rent a canoe or kayak and explore one of the area's beautiful lakes.
Take a scenic boat ride across Jenny Lake.
Go horseback riding with mountain views.
Spend the afternoon exploring downtown Jackson.
Book a cozy cabin with a private hot tub.
Enjoy a romantic dinner at a local restaurant.
Go stargazing beneath the mountains.
Take a scenic drive through the park and stop wherever catches your eye.
The best part about eloping is having the freedom to create a day that's entirely your own!
6. Hire a Photographer Who Knows the Area
Grand Teton National Park is an absolutely incredible place to get married, but there are quite a few logistics to consider when planning your elopement.
Between choosing the right ceremony location, navigating permit requirements, planning around sunrise and sunset, and building a timeline that allows you to explore multiple areas of the park, having someone familiar with the destination can make such a difference.
As an elopement photographer, I help my couples with so much more than just taking beautiful photographs. From location recommendations and timeline planning to helping you create an experience that genuinely reflects your relationship, I'm here to make the entire process feel as easy and enjoyable as possible.
For more information on how to elope in Grand Teton National Park, visit my Grand Teton Elopement Guide blog post.
Dreaming of Your Own Grand Teton National Park Elopement?
If you're dreaming of exchanging vows beneath the Tetons, exploring beautiful mountain lakes, and creating a wedding day filled with meaningful experiences, I would absolutely love to help you bring that vision to life!
Whether you're planning an intimate sunrise ceremony with just the two of you or a small celebration with your closest people, Grand Teton National Park offers so many incredible possibilities for an adventurous and intentional wedding day.
Let's start planning your Grand Teton elopement!
VENDORS
Photography & Videography | Sally G Photography
Florals | Trader Joe’s
Dress | A & Be Bridal / Jenny Yoo
Veil | Rue de Seine
Suit | Indochino
Rings | John Atencio / Sarah O. Jewelry
