Jackson Hole is an incredible location for elopements, being so close to Grand Teton National Park and multiple other National Forests. Jackson Hole alone is gorgeous, and is a beautiful town to elope in if you’re interested in the “small mountain town” vibes. This Jackson hole elopement guide will highlight how to elope in Jackson Hole, as well as Jackson Hole elopement locations.

Where is Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole is located in Northwest Wyoming, very close to the border of Idaho. It is nestled between Grand Teton National Park, and the Gros Ventre mountain ranges. You’re also close to the Bridger-Teton National Forest, and not too far from Yellowstone National Park.

To get to Jackson Hole, you can fly into the Jackson Hole airport, the only commercial airport inside of a National Park! From there, you can rent a car and make the 36 minute drive into the town.

When to Elope in Jackson Hole

The best time to elope in Jackson Hole is in Fall. Due to Jackson Hole being close to multiple National Parks, it gets a ton of tourism in the summer. Places are more crowded, and things like lodging and flights are more expensive this time of year. This is why the off-season is a great choice. In fall, most of the trails are still open as there isn’t normally new snowfall until the end of October.

Spring is also less crowded, however, most trails are still closed due to snow not having melted yet.

Jackson Hole Wedding Permit

If you elope in Grand Teton National Park or Yellowstone National Park, you’ll need to get a special use permit here. You will also need to apply for a special use permit if you elope in one of the National Forests. To get married in Jackson Hole, you will also need a marriage license that you can get from the County Clerks office within the county you are planning to have your ceremony in.

How to Elope in Jackson Hole

Figuring out how to elope consists of a few major steps, and you can read about those here on my thorough guide on how to elope. For this Jackson Hole elopement guide, I’m going over the major things you’ll need to consider!

1. DECIDE IF YOU’RE HAVING GUESTS

This is an imperative part of the planning process for elopements. This is because some guests won’t have the hiking ability, some might not want to drive or forest roads, and others will be apt to altitude sickness if you plan on going into the mountains such as nearby Grand Teton National Park. Choosing a location will be much easier once you’ve determine who you’re inviting, and how many guests total you’ll have.

2.HIRE YOUR JACKSON HOLE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER

This might feel early in the planning process, but bear with me. Elopements don’t have wedding planners. Most elopement photographers have taken it upon themselves to help couples with some of the planning. Many actually help you find your location! And they will think of things you might not have considered, such as: lighting, elevation, difficulty in hiking in a dress, permits, and so much more.

Each elopement photographer offers something different. Personally, I send my couples a customized list of locations based on their preferences, hiking ability, who they want to invite, and what they want to see. I also help them determine lodging options, get permits, get their marriage license, recommend vendors, and create a comprehensive day of timeline, and offer unlimited guidance calls for any questions along the way.

The being said, hiring your Jackson Hole elopement photographer early is going to take a massive amount of planning stress off of your shoulders. Wanna chat? Contact me here!

3.DETERMINE WHAT WEATHER YOU WANT TO BE IN

This is going to help you choose a date and location. There are rainy seasons, dry seasons, and even seasons that you THINK would be warm, but can still be snowy and cold, especially in the mountains. So, when you’re doing that research, you’ll already want to have in mind what kind of weather you want.

4.PICK YOUR JACKSON HOLE ELOPEMENT LOCATION

Once you’ve decided on how much you’d like to hike, how many guests are coming, your ideal weather, and the landscapes you want, you’re ready to deep dive into researching Jackson Hole elopement locations. Finding the perfect spot will be a lot simpler after considering all of your needs and logistics.

This is information I collect from my couples through a questionnaire, and then use to make a customized list of Jackson Hole elopement location options for them.

5.HIRE VENDORS

Once you have your location, it’s time to consider if there’s anything you need vendors for. Do you need any event rentals? Do you want a friend or family to officiate, or do you want to hire an officiant? Will you go out to eat, or do you want something catered, like a meal at an Airbnb from a private chef?

Figure out what extra services you may want, and hire your vendors in advance!

6.GET YOUR PERMITS

You will need to get the correct permits for your elopement. These are usually “special use” permits that you apply for on the National Parks website, or National Forest/BLM website.

Personally, I get all permit information for my eloping couples that hire me. With that, all you need to do is fill out the application when it’s sent to you and pay the fee. Fee’s vary, but are usually around $150 or less.

7.CHOOSE ADDITIONAL ELOPEMENT ACTIVITIES

Activities are such a fun part of an elopement. When you choose to elope, you’re opening yourself up to having a wedding day celebration that feels unique and resonates with you. Incorporate things that will elevate your elopement day experience. Here’s just a few ideas to get you brainstorming:

• Going on a hike
• Having a bonfire
• Having a picnic on a mountain top
• Star-gazing or astrophotography
• Swimming
• Exploring bars and dining in Jackson Hole
• Visiting waterfalls
• Going to nearby Grand Teton National Park
• Hiring a private chef
• Hot air balloon ride
• Helicopter tour (landing on glaciers, mountains, etc)
• Kayaking
• Paddleboarding
• Sightseeing
• Scenic driving with time to stop for pictures
• Visiting hot springs
• Exchanging gifts
• Reading letters from friends or family

8. MAKE A DAY-OF TIMELINE

Making a timeline is an important part of any elopement. It strings together all of your locations, activities, and lets guests know where to be and when. Creating a well thought out timeline will help you feel relaxed during the day, instead of stressed or rush. Make sure to include drive times as well as buffer times between each “event.”

Here are the things I include in the timelines I make for my couples:

• All addresses
• Sunrise time
• Sunset time
• Drive times
• A linke to Accuweather
• A list of all names for group shots
• Vendor info
• Emergency contact info
• A packing list

Lodging in Jackson Hole

There are a ton of incredible lodging options in Jackson Hole. Accommodations for elopements can be really important if you aren’t using a venue. A lot of couples choose to have an intimate reception at their rental sometime after their ceremony. Some couples choose a gorgeous Airbnb on private land to host the entire event. Additionally, this is where you’ll be getting ready, and possibly getting photos taken. So make sure the location you choose has good lighting if you want those photos!

Here is a list of lodging options for elopements in Jackson Hole:

• Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole
• Teton Mountain Lodge and Spa
• Huff House Inn and Cabins
• Bentwood Inn
• Rustic Inn Creekside Resort
• Hotel Terra
• List of Airbnbs

How Much Does it Cost to Elope in Jackson Hole

A marriage license costs $30.00 to elope in Jackson Hole. That being said, most couples spend an average of $5000-$20,000 on their elopement. This includes flights, lodging, permits, vendors, wedding attire, meals, and anything extra a couple might want.

Jackson Hole Elopement Locations

There are many gorgeous Jackson Hole elopement locations, some of them being public land within Grand Teton National park, and some being private property such as resorts and venues. Here’s a list of some Jackson Hole elopement locations:

Schwabacher Landing

The Wedding Tree

Amangani

String Lake

Jackson Hole Elopement Packages

Elopement photography by Emilee Setting Photo, and everything included in my packages:

• Explore anywhere within Wyoming, all travel fees included in the price!
• Packages from half day elopements to multi-day elopements
• Receive a customized location list
• Help finding lodging that suits your needs if you’re having an intimate reception
• Included comprehensive timeline design
• Help obtaining your permits
• Help obtaining your marriage license
• A planning checklist
• Unlimited planning and guidance calls 
• All of your stunning photos delivered under three months
• Day of polaroid sneak peeks

Jackson Hole elopement packages starting at $6800. Want more information on my pricing and what’s included? Click here

Ready to Elope at Jackson Hole?

This Jackson Hole elopement guide is a way to get you excited about all the possibilities of what your day could look like. Although, this amount of information can be overwhelming. I’m here to help. I can answer any and all questions you have on a complimentary low pressure consultation call. If you then choose you’d like to work together, I’ll do all of this planning right by your said to alleviate any stress, and bring your Wyoming elopement vision to life. We can chat here!