Weddings and Commitment Ceremonies

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.

Please carefully read the information on this page to determine whether Grand Teton will be suitable for your ceremony and how to apply for a permit.

 

 

Application Period

2023 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:

• Reserved Site-Specific Ceremonies starting Friday, May 12, 2023, through Sunday, October 15, 2023
• Small Dispersed Ceremonies starting Sunday, January 1, 2023, through Sunday, December 31, 2023

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 Applying

Special 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.

 

Leave the Drone at Home

The launching, landing, or operation of unmanned aircraft is prohibited in Grand Teton National Park. Read more about this policy.

 

Permit Types

There are two types of Wedding and Commitment Ceremony Special Use Permits that can be applied for:

1. Reserved Site-Specific Ceremony Permits
2. Small Dispersed Ceremony Permits

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 Permits

The 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:

1. Schwabacher Landing – Group size limit of 25 people
2. Mormon Row (North or South) – Group size limit of 40 people (North) or 25 people (South)
3. Mountain View Turnout – Group size limit of 25 people
4. Glacier View Turnout – Group size limit of 25 people
5. Snake River Overlook – Group size limit of 25 people
6. Colter Bay Swim Beach – Group size limit of 40 people

 

Schwabacher Landing is fully reserved for Reserved Site-Specific Ceremony Permits for 2023

Please select another location if you apply for a 2023 permit. See How to Apply, Step 2 for instructions on how to identify alternative dates and locations.

 

 

Small Dispersed Ceremony Permits

Group 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:

• 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

 

How to Apply

Applications 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 1

Determine the type of wedding permit you are applying for a Reserved Site-Specific Wedding Ceremony or Small Dispersed Ceremony

Step 2

Download and complete the Wedding and Commitment Ceremony Special Use Application. The following information MUST be included or the application cannot be processed:

• Application Information
  Enter applicant information not a third-party planner One or both of the primary (i.e., Bride and/or Groom) ceremony main participant names may be listed.

• Description of Proposed Activity section
  Identify if you are applying for a Reserved Site-Specific Ceremony or a Small Dispersed Ceremony.

• Date, Location, and Time
  Locations and dates are issued in the order they are received. When your application is reviewed, we will hold one option based on what is available and the order of preference indicated. If your preferred is not available and you do not indicate an alternative, we cannot proceed with processing your application.

  • Enter your preferred date, location and start time for the permitted activity in the first row.
  • Identify your alternates and priority, (e.g., if location is your priority you may have to be flexible on your ceremony date and vice versa. You may enter up to five (5) alternate date(s) and location(s).
  • If you are applying for a Small Dispersed Ceremony site, please provide a description of the location with coordinates and/or a satelite view map of the requested location.
• Participants and Vehicles (best estimate)
  Enter the number of people who will be at the ceremony including children, officiant, photographer(s), and planner(s).

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).

• List of Equipment
  List equipment requested and if a photographer, videographer, wedding planner, and/or officiant will be part of the ceremony and is known upon application. Enter their contact information (name, email, website, phone number). If unknown at time of application, you may email [e-mail].
• Individual in Charge
  Enter the name and cell phone number of the individual who will be in charge of the activity onsite and is authorized to make decisions related to the permitted activity.
• Activity Questions
  • Is this an Exercise of First Amendement Rights?
  • Have you visited the requested area?
• Complete the application name, title, signature, and date section
  If a planner or photographer is completing the application on behalf of the applicant, the applicant must sign the application and be include as a cc: in the email submission of the application. The planner information must be included in the “List of Equipment section.”

Step 3

Email the completed application to [e-mail].

Step 4

Pay the $200 non-refundable application fee electronically by visiting Pay.gov. Use the Grand Teton NP Special Use Permit Application Fee Form.

• Click Continue to the Form
• Fill out all fields in the Permitee Information section. The Business/Event name should be the name of the permit applicant.
• Check the box for Permit Fee and enter $200.00 in the Permit Fee Amount field that pops up and fill in the Amount Due field.
• Click the Continue text to enter your payment information and finalize the transaction.

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 5

Once 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 6

Once you have received your permit draft, you will have seven (7) calendar days to review, sign, and return email [e-mail] 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 7

A copy of the fully executed permit signed by the authorizing official, will be returned to you via email.

Step 8

You 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

1. The permittee, in exercising the privileges granted by this permit, shall comply with the regulations of the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, and Grand Teton National Park and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway Superintendent’s Compendium regulations which are applicable to the area of operations covered by this permit.

2. The permit is valid for activities occurring in Grand Teton National Park and does not permit activities on any other lands or waters administered by any other state or federal land management agency, private land, or other units of the National Park Service.

3. This activity may be monitored by a National Park Service employee or designee to ensure compliance with all conditions of this permit.

4. Any additional information relating to the privilege applied for by this application will be furnished upon request of the official in charge.

5. The permittee and designee/representatives shall avoid any inference, written, spoken, or printed, of any connection, either official or unofficial, with the National Park Service and/or its activities.

6. Harassment of wildlife (regardless of size) is strictly prohibited. Permittee/associates will wait until animals have naturally moved off trails or roads. The Superintendent’s Compendium states, “The following activities are prohibited: willfully approaching, remaining, viewing, or engaging in any activity within 100 yards of bears or wolves, or within 25 yards of any other wildlife including nesting birds; or within any distance that disturbs, displaces or otherwise interferes with the free unimpeded movement of wildlife, or creates or contributes to a potentially hazardous condition or situation; failure to remove one’s self to prescribed distances during inadvertent, accidental, casual or surprise encounters with wildlife; failure to comply as directed by NPS staff (employees, volunteers, or agents) engaged in administering wildlife management operations or managing wildlife viewing opportunities.”

7. All natural and cultural resources are protected by law; utmost care will be exercised to see that no natural, historic, or cultural features are injured.

8. The area must be cleaned up and restored to its prior condition. Ensure all trash and ceremony items are picked up and packed out at the end of the ceremony. Respect the Park’s resources and tread lightly. Leave No Trace principles and practices shall be closely adhered to for all events/ceremonies that take place in non-developed and backcountry areas. For more information, please visit Leave No Trace Seven Principles and Wilderness Ethics.

9. The following activities are prohibited:

• Erecting or placing of alters, arbors, arches, platforms, podiums, rugs, tables, and tents.

• Chairs with the exception of a few portable chairs (provided by the permittee) under special circumstances, such as for guests who would have difficulty standing during the window of this permit.

• Attaching or placing decorations (e.g., balloons, banners, flower stands, lights, objects, signs, streamers) to any natural or historic object or any National Park Service sign, bench, post, building, or facility. Only handheld items that can be carried at all times are permissible.

• Use of generators.

• Rearrangement of park facilities (e.g., moving benches, tables).

• Mowing and/or removal of vegetation.

• Scattering, spreading or throwing of any materials (e.g., birdseed, rice, flower petals, confetti).

• Releasing or throwing birds, butterflies, balloons, rice, bubbles, etc.

• Receptions or catered food services. Small food and drink items, like a champagne toast, are permitted but must follow strict bear safety/food storage protocol.

• Using park visitor center, restrooms, and other buildings for ceremony preparations (e.g., dressing, picture-taking, rehearsals, waiting areas) or in the event of inclement weather.

• Unmanned aircraft (e.g., drones, model airplanes, quadcopters).

10. Bouquets are permitted but they may not contain any plant species on the Wyoming State Designated Noxious Weeds list nor the Teton Country Declared Species List (e.g., Baby’s Breath).

11. Participants, guests, officiant, and photographers must follow all traffic, trail, and site regulations. They must stay on established trails and on durable surfaces to minimize impacts to the natural vegetation.

12. Vehicles will abide by state and federal laws/regulations. Parking is allowed in designated parking areas only and drivers must pull safely out of traffic lanes without damaging resources. Unauthorized parking may be subject to violation notices. Parking at sites is not exclusively reserved for the ceremony.

13. This permit does not grant exclusive use of any area, including the approved ceremony site. The permitted location shall remain open to park visitors. Other park visitors shall not be requested to move themselves, their vehicles, or alter their selected activities by the permittee. Further, all pathways and trails in the ceremony area must remain clear for visitors to freely walk the path unimpeded. Permittee must not block trails.

14. Audio devices (radios, musical instruments, etc.) shall not be used in such a manner: (i) that exceeds a noise level of 60 decibels or (ii) that makes noise which is unreasonable, considering the nature and purpose of the permit, location, time of day, impact on park users, and other factors that would govern the conduct of a reasonably prudent person under circumstances. Sound amplification is not permitted. Vocal communication shall not exceed normal conversational volume. 36 CFR 2.12 Audio Disturbances.

15. Entrance fees apply to all wedding participants and guests who pass through an entrance gate. A 7-day entrance pass may be purchased in advance through Recreation.gov.

16. Photography and film/videography are authorized under the following conditions, must be included in the permit, and the permittee is required to ensure they are aware of the permit conditions:

• Maximum of 2 photographers (which are included in the total participant count).

• Equipment must be carried at all times, except for small tripods used to hold cameras.

• Artificial lighting that is not handheld may not be used. Authorized lighting equipment includes but is not limited to on-camera flash/TTL flash, handheld light modifiers, handheld flash brackets, handheld flash heads, handheld reflectors, and handheld diffusers.

• All business transactions, including disbursement of business cards, are conducted outside of Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway.

• Photographs/videos are for the consumption of the permittee and not used for the purpose of promoting the sale or use of a product or service.

 

Chapels in the Park

A 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 Transfiguration

c/o St. John's Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 1690
Jackson, WY 83001
307-733-2603
https://www.stjohnsjackson.org/

Chapel of the Sacred Heart

c/o Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church
P.O. Box 992
Jackson, WY 83001
307-733-2516
http://www.olmcatholic.org/

 

FAQs

 

Can I have a ceremony with more than 40 people?

No, 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. 

Do my guests have to pay entrance fees?

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. 

Do I need to pay an entrance fee if my ceremony is held at the Chapel of the Transfiguration?

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.

How much time is allotted for a Reserved Site-Specific Ceremony?

Permits are written for two hours. This time includes travelling to the ceremony location, performing the ceremony, and taking wedding photos.

Is there a way for me to see what locations and times are available?

No. We are continually receiving applications and do not have the ability for the public to view a live calendar to check availability.

What if my preferred choices are not available by the time you get my application?

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. 

Once my application is submitted how long will it take to process?

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.

What if the weather is inclement or there is wildfire smoke the day of my ceremony?

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. 
 

What if I need to change the permit date or location once it has been issued?

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 [e-mail] 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 [e-mail] so the location and date can be made available to another applicant.

Can my pet be at the ceremony site?

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.

How do I apply for The Wedding Tree location?

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 Us

For more information call 307-739-3616 or e-mail us.