Grand Teton National Park Elopement

Stefan & Leticia Olson
7 days ago
4 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Kristen & Jonathan’s Rainy Grand Teton Elopement That Turned Out Perfect

The forecast said 100% rain and snow.

But Kristen and Jonathan showed up anyway, with the kind of mindset we wish every couple had.

📍 Example 6-Hour Grand Teton Elopement Timeline

Cathedral Turnout Ceremony + String Lake Portraits + Campfire at Moose Creek Ranch

1:30 PM – Meet at Cathedral Turnout

Quick touch-ups + prep in the car
Couple sees each other for the first time walking into the ceremony (not a pre-set first look)

2:00 PM – Ceremony Begins

Officiated by Pastor Paul
Vows with dramatic mountain views
Weather had been cloudy all day, but cleared just in time for their vows

2:30–3:15 PM – Portraits at Cathedral Turnout

Wide landscapes + candid couple moments
Overcast lighting made everything soft and moody

3:15–3:45 PM – Warm Drinks + Snack Break

We brought hot chocolate, sparkling water, snacks, umbrellas, and lanterns
A cozy stop before heading into the second half of the day

3:45–4:30 PM – Drive to Lake | Portraits at String Lake

Quiet shoreline moments
Barefoot walking, fall colors, and reflection shots

4:45–5:15 PM – Quick Stop at Cascade View Turnout

Optional scenic detour if time/conditions allow
Wide Teton views and golden-hour glow

5:15–6:15 PM – Drive to Moose Creek Ranch

Travel over the pass to Victor, ID
Light snack break + downtime before evening photos

6:15–7:30 PM – Campfire + S’mores

Stefan takes care of the campfire, film, beers and s’mores in the field behind their lodge
Laid-back, intimate vibes — a perfect way to close the day

Couple in Western attire holding hands, smiling in a meadow with majestic mountains and cloudy sky in the background; she holds flowers.

They didn’t fly across the country to chase sunshine. They came to the Tetons to start a new chapter together, outdoors, in a way that felt intentional and true to them. And sometimes, that means things get a little messy before the magic shows up.

A Last-Minute Wildflower Bouquet and a Whole Lot of Trust

These two rolled into Jackson a few days before their Grand Teton National Park elopement with nothing but a clear vision and an open heart. They stopped at a local flower shop (shoutout to Floral Art in Jackson, WY) the day before their ceremony and hand-picked every stem for Kristen’s bouquet. Jonathan helped piece it together :)

They trusted us to lead the way, and that trust made all the difference.

Plan B (That Turned Out Better Than Plan A)

The weather had been bouncing between mountain mist, rain, and snow all week. The original timeline had us starting later, but after checking every radar app and chatting through a few options, we all agreed: let’s move things earlier and build a longer window just in case.

So we did.

We rerouted the timeline to start at Cathedral Group Turnout with their ceremony first. No first look, just the two of them meeting at the spot, with Kristen walking toward Jonathan under dramatic skies and fall color in every direction.

And right as they exchanged vows, the clouds lifted. For real.

Like the Tetons were waiting for them to say "I do" before peeking out.

Hands holding wedding rings against a backdrop of misty mountains, evoking a sense of romance and commitment in nature.

A couple embraces in a mountainous field, the man lifting the woman in a white dress. Snow-capped peaks and clouds create a romantic backdrop.

A wedding ceremony in a field with snowy mountains. Bride holds flowers, groom wears a tan jacket. Officiant reads. Clear, bright day.

A Slow Evening with Campfire & S’mores

After exploring a few more scenic pull-offs and lakes around the park (including String Lake and a spot with gorgeous fall foliage), we wrapped the day at their private campfire just outside the park at Moose Creek Ranch.

We wrapped the night with just the two of them roasting s’mores, laughing in the cool air, and soaking in the last light of the day.

We brought the lanterns, warm drinks, and clear umbrellas.

Why This Day Worked So Well

The truth? It wasn’t because the weather cleared. It worked because Kristen and Jonathan didn’t come to control nature, they came to embrace it.

That’s exactly why all of our Grand Teton National Park Elopement packages come with Plan B built in.

Weather changes fast in the mountains. But with a flexible

timeline and an experienced team who’s scouted and worked in every kind of condition, we can pivot to make something even better.

Woman in white dress and hat holding flowers, laughing in mountain meadow with snow-capped peaks and cloudy sky in the background.

Couple kissing outdoors with snowy mountains in the background. The woman wears a white dress, the man a brown jacket. Romantic setting.

Couple in wedding attire kisses under a clear umbrella, set against a misty mountain landscape. The mood is romantic and serene.

Woman in white lace dress holds flowers, tipping a cowboy hat. Mountainous, cloudy background adds a serene mood.

Woman in white dress and cowboy hat holds flowers in a mountain meadow, snowy peaks behind. Blurred man in foreground, serene mood.

A woman in a white dress and cowboy hat smiles, holding flowers in a mountainous landscape with cloudy skies and green foliage.

Portraits At String Lake in Gran Teton National Park

String Lake is one of Grand Teton National Park’s most peaceful and photogenic alpine lakes and a quiet spot where glassy reflections meet dramatic Teton backdrops. It’s easily accessible, yet tucked away enough to feel secluded.

Framed by pine trees, with crystal-clear water and views of the peaks rising sharply above, it’s perfect for slow, intimate moments and candid portraits after the ceremony. Whether you're walking along the shoreline, dipping your feet in the water, or just taking in the light as it softens toward sunset, String Lake adds a calm, timeless feel to the day.

It’s especially beautiful in the fall when the colors start to pop around the edges.

Couple kissing under clear umbrella in front of a white SUV with headlights on, holding a bouquet on a rainy road. Moody overcast sky.

A couple in cowboy hats walks hand in hand through a mountainous landscape. The woman holds a bouquet. Foggy peaks loom in the background.

Couple embraces in a field, surrounded by majestic mountains and trees, framed by a car window. Cloudy sky, romantic and serene mood.

Woman in white holding flowers stands in a field, viewed through a car window. Man in tan jacket is in the car. Background shows trees.

A man lifts a woman holding flowers in a mountain field, seen through a vehicle window. Snowy peaks and trees in the background. Romantic mood.

Two people sit in a car trunk covered with a gray blanket. Visible are brown cowboy boots and white heeled boots, exuding a cozy vibe.

Couple sits in the open trunk of an SUV, drinking from mugs, laughing. Overcast day, open field and trees in background, cozy atmosphere.

Couple in coats kisses under clear umbrella in front of white Jeep, holding flowers. Pine trees and mountains in rainy background convey romance.

Couple walking hand in hand by a mountain lake in rain. Man in brown jacket, woman in white coat. Gloomy sky, pine trees in background.

Couple holding hands, walking by a lake in the rain. Dressed warmly, surrounded by trees and mountain backdrop. Cozy and romantic mood.

Couple holding hands, walking by a lake in a forested mountain setting. The woman wears a white dress and coat, the man a tan jacket. Peaceful mood.

A couple in formal attire holds hands by a lakeside, surrounded by forested mountains. Overcast sky creates a serene, romantic mood.

Couple embracing by a lake, surrounded by trees and mountains. They're on a pebbled shore, dressed warmly. The mood is serene and romantic.

Couple stands by a serene lake, surrounded by trees and mountains. The woman looks back smiling, wearing a light coat. Peaceful, natural setting.

A couple in beige coats stand by a serene lake, surrounded by mountains and trees. Overcast sky creates a tranquil setting.

A couple kisses by a tranquil lake, wearing beige coats. Snow-capped mountains and a cloudy sky form the serene backdrop.

Campfire Elopement

You can end your elopement day however you want. That’s the beauty of doing things your way.

For Kristen and Jonathan, that meant winding down with a cozy campfire, s’mores, and a few quiet moments together under a cloudy sky.

We brought the hot chocolate, they brought the best mindset. It doesn’t always have to be champagne and cake we’ve seen couples end their day with a lakeside picnic, a private first dance under the stars, a dip in an alpine lake, or just stargazing wrapped in a blanket.

Whatever feels most like you two - that’s the right way to end it.

A Few Film Frames

We also shoot film, these are a few 120mm frames on Kodak Portra — because some moments just ask to be captured on film. A few quiet seconds by the lake, a smile caught mid-laugh, the stillness after the vows… Film just hits differently. These images are soft, honest, and feel like memories you’ve already lived. We always try to sneak in a roll or two when we can.