Not going to lie, this Jackson Hole Elopement at the Wedding Tree was one of our favorites last year! The weather was incredible, Cristy and Christen looked stunning and they were so much fun to spend the day with!
Jackson Hole is the perfect place for an elopement with rustic cabins to stay at, delicious food to bring on a picnic, and views every which way you look. And if you’re looking for something quiet and a bit outside of the national park, look no further than the Wedding Tree! (and of Scenic Vows to capture it all!)
Getting Ready in Rustic Cabins
Cristy and Christen decided to have their elopement in Jackson Hole, just the two of them. They knew they wanted to have a first look, so in order to keep the surprise a surprise, they rented two cabins at The Cowboy Village Resort and got ready separately.
As Cristy got her hair and makeup done, Christen sat reading a book. We couldn’t get over how relaxed and chill she was while Cristy was a bundle of excited nerves! Molly, who works at Tori J Salon, did an amazing job bouncing back and forth between the cabins, putting the finishing touches on their hair and makeup before the big reveal.
First Look With Snow-Capped Peaks in the Background
The day before their Jackson Hole elopement, Brian and I drove through the park looking for the perfect spot for Cristy and Christen to share their first look. We love arriving a few days early to scout things out and check the condition of the trails. When we saw this spot, we knew it was perfect. The mountains were towering in the background, dusted with snow, and a trail led down to the river. It was private and intimate, just what they wanted.
We often get asked how it’s possible to make a first look happen if it’s just the couple and they’re getting ready in the same space. One solution we’ve discovered that works really well is to have one person play “chauffeur” while the other person sits in the back seat. And that’s what Cristy and Christen did!
Christen drove them to the location while Cristy sat in the back and they did their best not to peek at each other’s outfits! Once we got to the location, we showed Christen where to stand and then walked Cristy over so they were standing back to back. We counted to three and had them turn at the same time for the big reveal! They both were thrilled with each other’s dress choices and were so excited to get married!
Is this the spot you’ve been looking for? It certainly does not disappoint, and we’d love to work with you two as well! Get in touch and we’ll help plan and capture it all!
Intimate Ceremony at the Wedding Tree
After their first look, we headed to the Wedding Tree for their ceremony. The Wedding Tree is located in Bridger-Teton National Forest. There is a small parking area and it requires a quick hike to get there. We hiked out to a giant tree (the “wedding tree”) and a big clearing that opened up to an amazing view of the Teton Mountains.
In case you didn’t know, Becky is an officiant and can make things official and legal for you! All you have to do is pop into the Jackson County Clerk’s office and pick up the marriage license!
We’ve found that couples love that we offer this service so that they don’t have to invite someone else or find someone to officiate. It also helps when there is a limit to how many guests can attend.
Christen and Cristy stood holding hands in front of the Wedding Tree as Becky read the ceremony script. Big clouds rolled in and out creating an incredible atmosphere for the photos. Christen and Cristy decided to write and read their own vows to each other, which is always something we recommend! They don’t have to be beautifully written and you don’t have to turn into a poet. All that matters is that you write from the heart.
Romantic Picnic in the Meadow
After their ceremony at the Wedding Tree, we headed to a special secret spot that we had found earlier that week (perks of hiring a Jackson Hole elopement photographer!). They laid out a blanket in the meadow and spread out the picnic that they had packed earlier that day. As they snacked on cheese and crackers, salami, and almonds, we all just took a second to pause and enjoy the views. They cut into their wedding cake, made by Foxy Cakes, and popped a bottle of sparkling apple juice to celebrate.
Sunset Skipping Rocks By the River
Your elopement day is meant to be lots and lots of fun! So to finish off this amazing Jackson Hole elopement day, Cristy and Christen skipped rocks in the Snake River!
They wore matching Patagonia puffy jackets over their wedding dresses and strolled along the river, searching for the most perfectly smooth rocks. The sky lit up with beautiful oranges and pinks as if to say “Thank you for eloping in Jackson Hole”. It was perfect.
Jackson Hole Elopement Tips
If we can offer any advice when it comes to your Jackson Hole elopement, it would be to hire an elopement photographer who is familiar with the area. We’ve photographed numerous Jackson Hole elopements and the majority of them required us to be quick on our feet and switch to plan B due to weather conditions. So hiring a photographer who knows great places to go and doesn’t panic when things change is super important!
Here are a few other tips we recommend for you Jackson Hole elopement:
- Talk with your photographers (that’s us!) about which location you are interested in eloping at and then submit your wedding permit to the park service early.
- Keep an eye on the weather! Things change fast in the mountains and it’s always best to be prepared and know what’s coming.
- After your Jackson Hole elopement, stick around for a few days. There is so much to do, see, and eat in the area and it’s a really fun city!
Jackson Hole Elopement Vendors
Hair & Makeup: Molly at Tori J Salon
Flowers: Whole Foods
Cake: Foxy Cakes
Photographers: Us!
If you’re considering a Jackson Hole elopement, we would love to chat offer advice, and answer any questions you might have.
Schedule a call to chat!
