![]() NPS Photo/Tobiason Grand Teton National Park issues Special Use Permits (SUPs) for wedding and commitment ceremonies that establish a meaningful association between the park and the ceremony. Because Grand Teton is an outdoor, rustic, natural environment where the priorities include protecting the park’s resources and allowing all visitors to enjoy the park, only small, simple, rustic, and undecorated ceremonies are permitted. Application Period2023 Wedding and Commitment Ceremony applications will be accepted beginning Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 8 a.m. Mountain Time. Applications will be accepted no less than 30 days in advance for the following:
Information on the dates and procedures for applying for 2024 Wedding and Commitment Ceremony application process will be available in the fall of 2023. Prior to ApplyingSpecial Use Permits are issued for two different types of wedding or commitment ceremonies: Reserved Site-Specific Ceremony Permit and Small Dispersed Ceremony Permits. Grand Teton National Park does not permit exclusive use of any area and there will be normal visitor activity during your ceremony. Ceremony sites in Grand Teton National Park are located in areas that are open to the public. All locations are outdoors and rustic in nature without protection from the weather. Ceremony locations can only accommodate small groups and group size is restricted based on the permit type and location. Group size includes the ‘wedding party’, wedding guests including children, officiant, and photographer(s). The Special Use Permit must be applied for by the individuals getting married and not a third party (e.g., wedding planner, relative). Wedding/Event planners who are found to be ‘re-selling’ wedding permits may be denied application for permits and restricted from operating in Grand Teton National Park. Federal law requires the National Park Service to recover its administrative costs for issuing special park use permits. Cost recovery includes an application fee and any additional charges to cover the costs in processing your request and monitoring your permit. The Grand Teton National Park Wedding and Commitment Permit non-refundable application fee is $200. See How to Apply for details. The Wedding and Commitment Ceremony Permit Special Use Permit authorizes the use of a ceremony photographer and videographer during the permitted activity. Information on requirements for still photography or filming conducted outside of the wedding ceremony permit is available at Film, Photography and Sound Recording Permits. Review the regulations and permit conditions below to ensure your ceremony will meet the conditions of holding a ceremony in Grand Teton National Park. Permit TypesThere are two types of Wedding and Commitment Ceremony Special Use Permits that can be applied for:
A permit is not required to hold a ceremony or reception at the Chapel of the Transfiguration, the Chapel of the Sacred Heart, or a concession facility such as Jackson Lake Lodge. Arrangements for the use of these must be made directly with the establishments. Reserved Site-Specific Ceremony PermitsThe total number of permits issued by the park are limited to 1 ceremony per day, per location with a maximum of 60 ceremonies per year per location with the exception of Colter Bay Swim Beach, which is limited to a maximum of 30 ceremonies per year. Ceremonies are limited to two hours maximum and must be defined with a start and end time. Group size includes the ‘wedding party’, wedding guests including children, officiant, and photographer(s). There are 6 site-specific ceremony locations that may be applied for:
Small Dispersed Ceremony PermitsGroup size is restricted to no more than 12 people, including the wedding party, attendees, guests/children, officiant, and photographers. Ceremonies are limited to one hour maximum at dispersed locations. Small Dispersed Ceremony locations maybe applied for throughout the park except in prohibited areas (see below). Only one permit will be issued per location per day. A location may not be permitted if the activity will interfere with or prevent general visitor use or cause resource damage. Applicant must provide a location description with coordinates and/or a satellite view map of the requested location. Prohibited locations include:
How to ApplyApplications must be submitted by email a minimum of 30 days prior to the requested ceremony date. See Application Period for when applications are accepted. A completed application and the $200 application fee received in order for a location and date to be “held” while the permit is being drafted and finalized. Additionally, there will be a $100 reprocessing fee for changes (i.e. changed date within this calendar year, location, time, number of people, etc. to a completed permit. Step 1Determine the type of wedding permit you are applying for a Reserved Site-Specific Wedding Ceremony or Small Dispersed Ceremony Step 2Download and complete the Wedding and Commitment Ceremony Special Use Application. The following information MUST be included or the application cannot be processed:
Enter the maximum number of vehicles and the size of vehicle based on passenger seating capacity (1-6 sedan/SUV); 7-15 (small van); 16-25 (minibus); or 26+ (bus).
Step 3Email the completed application to GRTE_Visitor_Services@nps.gov. Step 4Pay the $200 non-refundable application fee electronically by visiting Pay.gov. Use the Grand Teton NP Special Use Permit Application Fee Form.
You will receive a confirmation email from Pay.gov retain this for your records. You do not need to forward this confirmation. The Visitor Services office will automatically receive an email confirmation/receipt of the payment. Step 5Once your application and payment has been received, a Grand Teton employee will review and draft your permit. They will email you a preliminary permit for your review and signature. Please be patient, allow 7-10 days to review your request. Step 6Once you have received your permit draft, you will have seven (7) calendar days to review, sign, and return email GRTE_Visitor_Services@nps.gov the document for final processing. By signing the permit, you are certifying that you have read, understood and will abide by all of the permit conditions, and the details are correct. Once the permit is finalized, any changes such as the date, location, time, maximum number of people may be done but it will require a $100 reprocessing fee. Step 7A copy of the fully executed permit signed by the authorizing official, will be returned to you via email. Step 8You will need to have a printed copy of the fully executed permit with you on site during the event. You are expected to share the permit with a photographer, videographer, officiant, or event planner, and they are expected to understand the regulations and permit conditions. Regulations and Permit Conditions
Chapels in the ParkA Special Use Permit is not required for a ceremony at the chapels listed below, which are located within Grand Teton National Park. Arrangements for the use of these chapels must be made directly with the church. Chapel of the Transfigurationc/o St. John's Episcopal Church Chapel of the Sacred Heartc/o Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church FAQsNo, not through a Grand Teton National Park Special Use Permit. Grand Teton Lodge Company has facilities that can accomodate larger weddings and receptions; you may contact the park concessioner at 307-543-2811 to inquire. Additionally, the two chapels, the Chapel of the Transfiguration and the Chapel of the Sacred Heart, may be able to accommodate larger groups. Entrance fees are charged for all wedding participants and guests as they pass through a park entrance station. If in a private non-commerical vehicle, the $35 entrance fee or annual passes are an option. If hiring a commercial vehicle, including taxis, the non-commercial organized group fee of $20 per person for each visitor 16 years or older. The 7-day entrance passes may be purchased in advanced through Recreation.gov. See Fees and Passes for more information. The Chapel of the Transfiguration sits on private property within the park. If guests are entering only to attend the wedding ceremony at the chapel, they will not be charged an entrance fee. However, if you are holding your reception inside the park or outside the chapel complex, your guests will be charged an entrance fee. Permits are written for two hours. This time includes travelling to the ceremony location, performing the ceremony, and taking wedding photos. No. We are continually receiving applications and do not have the ability for the public to view a live calendar to check availability. We ask that you provide six locations and date priorities list at the time of application. If none of your six choices are available at the date/time you want, we will contact you to try to find a different time or place. Depending on the volume of applications received at any given time, the time will vary. Generally, you can expect to receive communications regarding your application request within 7 to 10 calendar days. If the area of the park for which you received a permit is closed to the public due to a fire or other emergency, we may be able accommodate you elsewhere or reschedule, though this is not guaranteed. Heavy smoke, rain, snow, wind, and other natural and unpredictable weather patterns are part of the potential hazards of holding a ceremony in a national park and are not grounds for changing your permit. Note: refunds will not be issued for permits that cannot be rescheduled, are cancelled, or that you do not use. Changes requested such as the date (within this calendar year), location, time, maximum number of people, etc. may be done, but it will require a $100 reprocessing fee. You may email GRTE_Visitor_Services@nps.gov the request with referencing permit number, details of the request, and pay the reprocessing fee through Pay.gov. Requests to change the date to future years will require a new application and application fee to be submitted when applications for that period are accepted. Requests to update the contact information for a planner or photographer are not subject to the reprocessing fee and can be sent at any time. If you need to cancel, please email GRTE_Visitor_Services@nps.gov so the location and date can be made available to another applicant. Generally no. Pets are allowed inside Grand Teton National Park, but they must be restrained at all times and are not permitted on hiking trails, inside visitor centers, swimming beaches, or other facilities, except for service animals. A good rule of thumb is that a pet may go anywhere a car may go: roads and road shoulders, campgrounds and picnic areas, parking lots, etc. Pets must be on a leash (six feet or less), under physical restraint, and within 30 feet of the roadway. Pets are not permitted on any park trails or in the park backcountry. Pets are not considered pack animals. The Wedding Tree is on the Bridger-Teton National Forest and not part of Grand Teton National Park. For more information visit the Bridger-Teton National Forest website. Contact UsFor more information call 307-739-3616 or e-mail us. ![]() Permits and ReservationsFind out what you need a permit for. ![]() The Mountains are CallingGrand Teton has a lot to offer whatever your interests. Explore the Plan Your Visit pages to help with your trip planning. |
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Last updated: January 17, 2023