Jackson Hole Traveler - Visitor Guide

FREE

Jackson Hole &
Grand Teton N.P.
Visitor Guide

ORDER NOW
Share on Pintrest

Getting Hitched In the Hole

Looking for a destination wedding? Search no further than the Tetons; Jackson Hole weddings are beyond memorable. We've got the lowdown here on getting JH hitched! After all, ain't love Grand?
Getting Hitched In the Hole

You’re engaged—Congratulations! Is a destination nuptials in your plans? If so, then say “I do” to Jackson Hole. A wedding in the shadow of the Tetons is the stuff of fairytales, memories and magic. And it’s one of the most popular areas in the country to get hitched. If you’ve visited Jackson Hole before then the chances are pretty good that the area had you at “hello.” Choosing to tie the knot in this stunningly beautiful valley with the person who also had your heart at “hello” just seems to be the perfect match.

The venues for your ceremony and reception can range from the stunningly simple (a cozy log cabin B&B or alongside the banks of the Snake River) to the super sublime (a sprawling authentic dude ranch or atop one of the three area ski resorts). Of course, it almost goes without saying that the activities your family and friends can partake in before and after the wedding are just as varied and numerous.

Let’s get started with some ideas!

Quick Facts

  • When to wed: The summer and early fall are beautiful in Jackson Hole, but late spring or later in autumn finds the weather unpredictable. Winter weddings are gorgeous here, but keep in mind that a big storm could make it difficult for your guests to get to Jackson. If you're planning on eloping or having a smaller wedding, winter is, without a doubt, magical out here.
  • Make sure you schedule some time to get your marriage license before your ceremony. There is no waiting period in Wyoming nor are blood tests required in the state as well. To get your license in Jackson Hole, please visit the Teton County Administrative Building located at 220 S. Willow Street. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and is closed on legal holidays. A marriage license costs $30. For more information, call 307-733-4430.
  • If you choose to hold your ceremony in certain areas within Grand Teton National Park or Bridger Teton National Forest, you may need a special permit. Visit nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/weddings or fs.usda.gov/main/btnf/passes-permits

Planning At a Distance

Whether you’re a do-it-yourself event planner or would prefer a professional to help you create your special day, wedding planning out in Jackson Hole is mountain-town relaxed and easy. You’ve chosen a classic Western town to be married in for a reason, so embrace all of that as you go ahead with details, i.e. cowboy boots for the bride, anyone?

Hiring a planner here in Jackson Hole may be the way to go. Getting advice and working with a local who has professional experience in making dreams come true can help ease the load of planning your dream nuptials from afar.

For instance, Lisa Mack, owner of Lisa Mack Events, will head you off in the right direction starting with a personal consultation, either over the phone or in person. From there, she will create a custom proposal of wedding planning services tailored to fit your needs and budget.

"When you are planning a wedding from afar, it's easy to very quickly get bogged down with the different vendor options," Lisa says.

"These days, vendors claim to be based out of Jackson while they actually don't live here — that's not something you would know if you are just doing a quick Google search online," she continues. "That's where we come in and help narrow down the options and guide the bride and groom in the right direction based on their vision and budget. On their own, they can and do spend weeks, days and hours researching vendors which can be frustrating and exhausting when you are in the preliminary stages of wedding planning."

Living in the valley and being part of the community in Jackson comes with lots of knowledge of the area, says Lisa, and respect for how this community operates and the mountains that surround it.

More information on wedding planners in Jackson Hole can be found on the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce website: jacksonholechamber.com

Location, Location, Location

Teton County (both Wyoming and Idaho) has more venues for weddings than we can count. And the astoundingly gorgeous and dramatic Teton Mountain Range can be the backdrop at most of the locations you can choose to exchange vows and/or to celebrate after the ceremony.

Classic Jackson Hole Venues

Let the Grand Teton bear witness to your vows from such sites as Grand Teton National Park’s Schwabacher’s Landing on the Snake River or the Signal Mountain Summit. Other classic sites are the Wedding Tree and Curtis Canyon Overlook in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, the top of the Bridger-Teton Gondola (or the Aerial Tram) at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, (pictured above; photo: @davidstubbs) the summit of Snow King Mountain, Grand Targhee Mountain Resort (boasting enviable views of the other side of the Tetons) or Dornan’s which sits just inside the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park.

You might also consider a wedding and reception at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, situated on a dramatic cliff overlooking the expanse of the world-famous National Elk Refuge and Sheep Mountain, also known as “The Sleeping Indian.” Click here for more information.

Or how about getting joined in holy matrimony under the infamous elk antler arches in Jackson’s legendary Town Square? Obviously, your fête will probably be attended by uninvited members of the public, but the more the merrier, right? You can begin the planning process by contacting the Teton County Jackson Parks & Recreation Department to understand how to navigate reservations.

You could also become husband and wife at a hot springs! Astoria Hot Springs, just south of Jackson, not only provides a convenient setting in a beautiful log cabin along the Snake River, but it's additionally home to five hot spring-fed soaking pools, which you can reserve exclusively for your guests. For information on holding your ceremony and reception at Astoria, click here.

Resort Hotels, B&B’s

The Bentwood Inn in Wilson (WY),  just outside of Jackson Hole, has a great reputation as a wedding venue with its romantic ambiance, cozy lodging and attention to detail. You can also rent a log cabin “mansion” that can act as a ceremony and reception site and also as a truly Western accommodation for your and your groom’s family.

Also located in Wilson is Trail Creek Ranch (pictured above; credit: @hannahhardawayphoto). If a smaller, rustic-inspired ceremony is what you have in mind, the ranch offers a three-day stay in one of its cabins tucked away into the mountains; there are also suites on site. Celebrate your special day in a historic barn that can accommodate up to 20 people. There are also other locations on the ranch if a larger affair is what you have in mind.

Some of the resort hotels in Jackson you may want to look into as both a wedding venue and reception spot are the Snow King Resort, featuring Teton and Snow King Mountain views aplenty;  Amangani, which is nestled atop East Gros Ventre Butte; Spring Creek Ranch (also located on the butte); the brand new Cloudveil resort hotel just off Town Square; or the Four Seasons and Hotel Terra out in Teton Village.

Consider the intimacy of a wedding ceremony and reception at a B&B such as River Retreat Lodge, located in Swan Valley, Idaho, an hour's drive from Jackson. This off-the-beaten-track, boutique western B&B experience in a historic, large rustic log cabin features a new gazebo for vow exchanges. On the lawn in the back of the property is a large area for wedding receptions featuring a panorama of hillsides and mountains. The accommodations for wedding parties at River Retreat Lodge consist of six luxurious themed suites, named after local destinations/areas — Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Snake River, Palisades, Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole.

Country Clubs and Restaurants

The private country clubs in the area to check out are Teton Pines and Jackson Hole Golf&Tennis Club.

Here are some Jackson Hole restaurants that can do triple-duty (as in rehearsal dinner venue, ceremony and/or reception): Palate at the National Museum of Wildlife Art (pictured above; credit: @Cedar & Pines Photography),  SUDA Izakaya on Town Square, Piste Mountain Bistro at the top of the Bridger-Teton Gondola at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Jackson Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park and The Bistro in the Cloudveil.

Guest/Dude Ranches

Any of the many ranches that dot the valley—all replete with the “are-you-kidding-me?” jaw-dropping views of the Tetons—will add to that special Old West touch you may seek. Ranches to consider include Moose Head Ranch (pictured below; credit: @boocreative) and Triangle X Ranch in Grand Teton National Park, Moose Creek Ranch in Teton Valley, Idaho, just over Teton Pass from Jackson, and the Diamond Cross Ranch and Lost Creek Ranch in Jackson.

Wedding Snapshot

• Hire a wedding planner: lisamackevents

• Iconic wedding ceremony spot: Schwabacher’s Landing (pictured above credit: @madisonwebbphotography)

• Reception venue with Teton views: Snow King Resort

• Secure a photographer: madisonwebbphotography

• Traditional catering to food trucks:

- genevievecateringjh.com

- bistrocatering

- sagebrushgrille

• Local and organic flowers: jhflowerboutique

• Splurge on cake: buttercreamdesign  

Jackson Hole Shooting Experience

Before Or After Adventures To Plan

Create a long weekend (or even a week!) itinerary for your guests to partake of the many activities that the Jackson Hole area has to offer:

• Hiking in Grand Teton National Park or the Bridger-Teton National Forest

• Biking along the 67 miles of paved pathways through Jackson and Grand Teton National Park

• Touring Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks

Whitewater or scenic rafting trips

• Renting ATV’s for exploring Bridger-Teton National Forest

• Take a private group soak in a hot springs pool at Astoria Hot Springs Park in the beautiful Snake River Canyon

Jackson Hole Shooting Experience - This is one of Jackson Hole's most unique activities. The most popular pick is the 3-hour Multi-Gun Shooting Experience; no prior knowledge of firearms is required.

• Therapeutic floating at Healing Waters

• Playing at Snow King Mountain on the Alpine Slide, Cowboy Coaster, mini-golf course or taking a scenic gondola ride to the summit

• Taking a guided wildlife tour

Jackson Hole Wedding Venues & Vendors

DanShelley-Jewelry-jackson-hole-earrings
307-733-2259|Map||
Reflecting our beautiful environment is definitely what you will experience at this gallery. Extensive collections of wildlife, scenic, and native gemstones. Experience unique one of a kind designs for lasting memories.
$$$
307-733-5200|Map|
Picturesque escapes evolve into grand experiences at Snow King Resort’s new Grand View Spa. Reflecting the iconic environment that surrounds it, Grand View Spa pays homage to the region—the natural elements of water, salt, stone and wood to create a personal...
Jackson Hole Jewelry Co.
307-201-1722|Map||
Voted Best of Jackson Hole 2020, Jackson Hole Jewelry Co. has become the preeminent jeweler for locals and world travelers alike. Specializing in the curation of unique jewelry, the jeweler is widely known for the iconic Teton Stacking Rings™, featuring ring...
Jackson Hole Shooting Experience
$$
307-690-7921|Map||
Reserve your experience today. Many families and groups are looking for unique outdoor activities in Jackson Hole. We offer safe, fun and educational multi-gun shooting experiences that will strengthen connections and build memories, making your vacation a h...

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 648 Reviews
Write a Review

Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris
$$$$
307-690-6402|Map||
Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris combines a love of adventure with a passion for wildlife and wild spaces to create premium, once in a lifetime experiences exploring the natural world. We believe that active stewardship is the only way to ensure the same experi...

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 1438 Reviews
Write a Review

S
307-201-1057|Map||
Local, family-owned winery with wines made in Jackson Hole. We grow and source our grapes in primarily the Sonoma/Napa regions and then crush, produce, age and bottle all of our wine in Jackson Hole. Tastings in Jackson Hole by appointment.

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 32 Reviews
Write a Review

$$$
307-413-3903||
Tour GTNP in our stunning turn-key 1964 Lincoln Continental convertible. Enjoy the fresh mountain air with plenty of amazing photo opportunities, including those spectacular shots of you in the convertible! Binoculars and spotting scopes are provided, as are...
NMWA-image1-jackson-hole
307-733-5771|Map||
Explore 14 galleries of fine art and renowned masterpieces from past and present at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Stroll along the outdoor Sculpture Trail and enjoy gourmet dining at the full-service restaurant, Palate.

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 2025 Reviews
Write a Review

$$
307-733-7788|
Unmatched views and classic country club fare await you at the North Grille restaurant at Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club. Relax on the fireside patio or in the casual restaurant and bar, and enjoy this spectacular backdrop.

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 23 Reviews
Write a Review

S
307-201-5208|Map||Menu
Palate, overlooking the Elk Refuge, is a dining atmosphere unparalleled in the valley. Enjoy a creative lunch to match the world-renowned art and the view, 11 am-2:30 pm everyday, except Monday during the Winter. Patio seating, beer and wine. Kids menu. Priv...
Dude-ranch-trail-creek-ranch-jackson-wyoming
S
$$$
307-690-2610|Map||
The prettiest little guest ranch in Jackson Hole—charming cabins, and several suites for the independent traveler. This magical ranch has been greeting guests for more than 75 years. Minutes from Wilson, Jackson, and the Parks. A lovely, private spot to base...

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 153 Reviews
Write a Review

$$
307-733-5200|Map|
Escape to the only full-service resort & spa in the town of Jackson that is nestled at the base of Snow King Mountain and its abundance of adventurous activities. Newly renovated rooms in 2020 offer a spacious, crisp design with a modernistic, Western touch ...

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 147 Reviews
Write a Review