Grand Teton Elopement Photographer

Small weddings + Elopements + Adventure sessions in the Grand Tetons

Imagine Your Grand Teton elopement, told the way it actually felt.

If you’re dreaming of a day spent dressing up in cowboy getup, wandering through alpine meadows, and saying your vows beneath some of the most iconic mountain peaks in the country, a Grand Teton elopement is exactly what you’re looking for. Grand Teton National Park is one of those places that feels almost unreal, with jagged peaks rising straight from the valley floor, endless mountain views, and wild landscapes that just stretch on forever.

Whether you want a day full of adventure hiking to a secluded overlook at sunrise, or a slower day spent soaking in the views with a picnic and watching the alpenglow light up the mountains, your Grand Teton elopement can be whatever you want to make it. The best part about eloping here is that you have the freedom to create a day that feels completely like you, surrounded by some of the most incredible scenery in the West.

Let's Elope

Hey There!

I’m Katie Dawn, your Grand Teton elopement photographer

And I can’t wait to show you around when you elope in the Grand Tetons. The first time I visited the Tetons was in 2018. I was so blown away by the utterly fantastic views from everywhere in the park, I knew I would have to go back again and again. There’s so much accessible natural beauty in the Tetons and so many beautiful spaces designed for an epic experience, the Grand Tetons are the perfect place to elope.

I’ve spent almost every summer since that first trip hiking, shooting elopements, and backpacking all over the Tetons. Whether you’re wanting to go on an epic adventure or soak in the luxury amenities available in town, I can show you all my favorite spots for your Grand Tetons elopement.

Contact Me

I help plan elopements for couples who are chasing feeling over performance

I’m here for the couples who want wind in their hair, dirt on their hemlines, and photos that show you how it felt to elope with just the two of you in the wilderness.

I’m here for unconventional souls who want genuine, imperfect, and unforgettable memories.

I walk my couples through the planning process from start to finish to create a seamless elopement day. We’ll talk about the best, most secluded locations in Telluride to say your vows, the prettiest cabins to stay and get ready in, where you can eat and what activities you can do, and everything in between to make your say special and unique to you.

Let's plan

Step 1

We find your dream elopement location

This is the biggest part. I give all my couples a detailed location guide with photos and information to help you decide where you want to elope, whether it’s someplace close to town and easy to drive up to, or somewhere that’s more of a trek, we’ll find what fits you for your day. I specifically try to find my couples places that are not only stunning backdrops, but also somewhere they can be alone and truly feel like they’re someplace special that feels like their own for the day.

Step 2

We plan the Little details

After we’ve done the bulk of the work figuring out your backdrop, we can talk about the other parts that will make everything come together to make your day special. We’ll create a timeline that works with the best lighting for photos, I’ll recommend all my favorite vendors that will make your day feel like magic, and we’ll plan the activities you want to include that will really make the day feel like you. There’s tons to do in the Tetons, we’ll find something that will make your day uniquely yours.

Step 3

You live your elopement day

The hard part’s done, you get to just enjoy your day and bask in the nature of the Tetons with the love of your life, and I’ll be handling all the logistics. We’ll spend the day hiking, driving, adventuring however you feel, taking in the view, and taking things at a slow pace where you’ll actually remember your elopement day. I’ll be taking photos that already feel like memories, and you’ll leave with moments you can relive over and over again.

Let's get planning.

How to plan an elopement in The Grand Tetons

If you want a more in-depth guide to planning your Grand Teton elopement, check out my guide here

Pick a location:

There are tons of stunning spots in the Tetons where you can say your vows with very few people around, it just depends on whether you want to hike, drive, or take a short walk to get there. Some of the best views require a longer hike with a bit of elevation gain, but there are still plenty of beautiful locations that are fairly accessible and under a few miles. I often recommend planning for some driving time between locations inside the park, since even the “easy” pull-offs can be a bit spread out and you’ll want to give yourself time to explore without feeling rushed.

Pick up your license:

You do need an officiant Wyoming, but the process is still very straightforward. You’ll pick up your marriage license from a Wyoming county clerk’s office, have your ceremony performed and signed by an ordained officiant (I’m ordained and can officiate a wedding in a pinch!), and then return the completed license after your wedding. You also need at least two witnesses to sign the marriage license, which can be your photographer, friends, or anyone who’s there with you that day.

Do something fun:

You can just say your vows and then be done with the day, but it’s so much more fun and memorable to incorporate a fun local activity into your day. Jackson Hole is known for its skiing, but there’s so much to do beyond that. You can hike some of the most beautiful mountains in the country, boat on the lakes around the park, leaf peep in the fall, visit Yellowstone for a day, and come home to sit by the fire. What activities will be options will depend highly on the time of year, so be sure whatever you want to do is actually available and open when you visit.

Best time of Year to elope in the Grand Tetons

Summer: June-August

Wildflower meadows, wide open valleys, alpine lakes that actually look like glass, and mountain views in every direction. Summer is really the best time for eloping the Tetons, especially July and August when most of the snow has melted and the higher elevation trails are finally accessible. Early summer is when you’ll still see patches of snow up high and the valleys are just starting to turn green, while mid-summer is when the wildflowers really take over and the lakes are fully thawed and bright blue.

The downsides of summer is definitely the crowds- mid-week isn’t too bad, typically, but the weekends are an absolute zoo in town and in the park. If you choose to elope in the Tetons in the summer, I definitely recommend a mid-week elopement.

Fall: September-early October

Fall in the Tetons is absolutely lovely, and it’s less crowded than summer. The valley fills with gold as the aspens and cottonwoods start to change, and the mountains get dustings of snow that make the mountains look like something from a movie. Most of the main roads and overlooks stay open through September and early October, but some of the higher roads and trails can close once the first big snow comes in.

September is usually the most reliable for weather. It tends to be pretty clear, with cool mornings and warmer afternoons. Peak color usually shows up in the last couple weeks of September, sometimes bleeding into early October depending on the year. By mid-October, you’ll start to see more snow up on the peaks while the valley floor still holds onto some of those fall colors for a bit longer.

Winter: November-February

Winter has a lot less accessibility than summer and fall, but if you love the snow and skiing, then the Tetons are the perfect place for you. There’s usually not much snow until January/February, so if you’re looking for a winter wonderland, that’s the best time to schedule for.

Hiking to most locations isn’t an option in the winter, but there are activities like snowshoeing, skiing, sleigh rides, and snowmobiling you can do instead if you still want to incorporate an adventure to your day. You can always snuggle up by a fire in a cabin at the end of the day to warm up after the day’s activities.

Spring: March-April

Can’t say I recommend spring at all, sorry! Spring in the Tetons has really unpredictable weather, gray skies, muddy trails, and nothing is green until at least early-mid May. Much of the park is inaccessible until late May (sometimes even later if there’s a lot of snowfall). The ski runs close in early April, usually, and the remaining snow is very slushy. I no longer photograph spring weddings in the mountains, and recommend my couples schedule for a different time of year.

Where to elope in The Grand Tetons

The Grand Tetons have tons of public land you can explore, and there’s so many beautiful hiking trails and viewpoints with epic mountainscapes. I have a detailed location guide I send all my couples that goes over everywhere you can elope in the Grand Tetons. My full day elopement packages give my couples the chance to explore 2-3 different locations so you can really experience the wilderness around Telluride in all its glory.

These are a few of my favorite places to bring my couples:

Colter Bay- 1-40 people
Schwabacher Landing- 1-25 people
Glacier View Turnout- 1-25 people
Snake River Overlook- 1-25 people
Mountain View Turnout- 1-25 people
Other small dispersed areas not on prohibited list- 1-12 people

Venues in The Grand Tetons

If you have a group over 15, you’re verging into micro wedding territory now, and you’re going to have to rent a venue or VRBO of some kind to host your guests for your ceremony.

These are my personal favorite venues in the area:

Best accommodations in the Tetons for your elopement

Having a beautiful space to get ready for your elopement day and to retire to after a long day of running around the mountains adds a little cherry on top of an already lovely experience. There are really beautiful luxury accommodations and unique spaces all over Telluride, but these are my personal favorites:

Grand Teton Elopement Packages

All my packages are meant for a day full of adventures, so they start at 4 hours and range to multi-day experiences. All packages include planning and location assistance as well as a full gallery of images. My packages are all inclusive, no hidden fees or additional travel costs. Get in touch to get a full pricing guide and to set up a free consult to talk about your dream elopement.