Mormon Row Wedding + Elopement Guide - Grand Teton National Park
Pink House at Mormon Row
Hey, I’m Danielle! I’m a wedding and elopement photographer in Jackson, WY and literally live in Grand Teton National Park. I’ve seen all of the wedding ceremony sites at every time of day and in every season, which is the kind of experience you want in someone who will be helping plan your timeline and taking your wedding photos.
I’m not saying you should pick the coolest photographer you find…but if having a photographer with some serious local expertise and skill behind the camera sounds like something you want on your very important wedding day, check out my Grand Teton wedding and elopement packages.
The pink house and smaller barn at Mormon Row North
Below is a quick run down on the details of the Mormon Row wedding and elopement ceremony sites.
Interested in booking Mormon Row for your wedding but not sure where to start? I put together an enormous guide for my clients that includes planning essentials like a step-by-step permitting guide, marriage license information, and my personal suggestions for time of day, where to stay, and more.
Table of Contents
The Mormon Row privy shot you didn't know you needed
Mormon Row 101
Mormon Row is an iconic and unique venue for your elopement or small wedding in Grand Teton National Park. This is where you’ll find the popular Moulton Barns.
Mormon Row has two different ceremony locations.
The north location provides an unobstructed view of the Tetons and a stunning golden grass field and allows for up to 40 attendees. Mormon Row North is the site with the pink house and several iconic barns. I like Mormon Row North because it’s a larger area so the other visitors have more space to spread out instead of clustering in the one general ceremony area.
Mormon Row south is the site with the one iconic barn in a field and the Tetons in the background. It accommodates a maximum of 25 people, but you will have MANY more witnesses because pretty much everyone has their ceremonies next to this one barn.
I think Mormon Row North is the overall nicer location but having your ceremony at Mormon Row South and taking photos at the North location is a perfect way to hit all of the sites.
Mormon Row North is also nice place to mix up the scenery for your wedding images - most wedding sites in Grand Teton National Park feature a lot of sagebrush and dirt, but at Mormon Row you can wander around in grass and worry a little less about getting your dress dirty. This may not always be the case though, as the park is currently replanting sagebrush around Mormon Row that was originally pulled out by the settlers.
Location
Mormon Row is fairly close to Jackson (30 minutes is close in Grand Teton terms). Its central position within Grand Teton National Park makes it easy to pop over to other scenic locations in the area too, including the Snake River Overlook and Schwabacher Landing for additional bridal photos and videos after the ceremony.
Its close proximity to town makes it a more practical option too for getting ready in town and then proceeding to the ceremony (as opposed to some more distant locations like the Colter Bay Swim Area).
Cost
Eloping or having a micro-wedding at Mormon Row is significantly more budget-friendly than traditional venues in the area. Couples can secure a spot via a $200 permit fee through the Grand Teton National Park, which is so much cheaper than the cost of a traditional venue in Jackson (they can cost over $20,000!!).
Mormon Row South
Permits
Permits can be found on the Grand Teton Weddings & Ceremonies page. Permit applications open on December 4th. Do not submit your application before then - the park will not accept them and you will not receive a refund.
Site-Specific Ceremonies
Ceremony sites are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the popularity of Mormon Row, only one wedding or elopement is allowed per day. To secure your desired date, you must apply for the permit early because it’s one of the first locations to book up. Last minute elopements here are not likely but it’s worth checking with NPS for cancellations.
Applications must be submitted at least 30 days before the scheduled event, but earlier is better given Grand Teton National Park’s popularity for weddings. Schwabacher Landing, Mormon Row (South), Mountain View Turnout, Glacier View Turnout, and Snake River Overlook can accommodate up to 25 guests, while Mormon Row (North) and Colter Bay Swim Beach have a capacity for up to 40 guests.
Remember: ‘guests’ includes the photographer, officiant, videographer, and guests.
Site-specific ceremonies can only be held in the park from May 10th to October 20th.
These permits do not apply to the two distinct chapels in the park (Chapel of the Transfiguration and Chapel of the Sacred Heart) or the lodges - all of these locations have their own websites and fees.
Small Dispersed Weddings
Small dispersed wedding permits are available for smaller gatherings of up to 12 guests, including the officiant. These ceremonies are permitted in any park area except reserved ceremony sites, certain paved trails (around Jenny Lake, Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, String Lake), Lawrence S. Rockefeller Preserve, park partner facilities, park cemeteries, and areas near chapels.
Small dispersed weddings can be held in the park all year.
Prohibited locations include:
Reserved Site-Specific Ceremony locations during Friday, May 10, 2024 to Sunday, October 20, 2024
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
Areas where there is high visitation during the requested period or potential for resource damage
Park regulations prohibit the use of arbors, arches, platforms, podiums, rugs, tables, or tents. Limited seating, primarily for guests with standing difficulties, is allowed. It's important to note that rearrangement of park facilities is not permitted according to park guidelines.
Time of Year
It can snow in Jackson from September until June, but we tend to get bad wildfire smoke mid to late summer, so it’s kind of a toss up if you want to gamble on snow or smoke more for your Mormon Row wedding. My recommendation is to get your Mormon Row permits for mid to late June, before the heat really picks up in California and starts sending wildfire smoke our way.
Fall is a beautiful time to capture the changing cottonwoods and aspens in the area. You won’t be able to see the fall colors particularly well from Mormon Row North, but it would be a nice addition to photos in other areas.
Mormon Row is one of the first venues in Grand Teton to fill up, so you’ll want to reserve your permits well in advance. Permits are expected to open up for 2025 in fall 2024.
Pros
Unobstructed Grand Teton view
Fits well into various budgets
Ideal location in relation to Jackson and the entire Grand Teton National Park
Allows up to 40 people at Mormon Row North
Cons
Limited to 25 people at Mormon Row South (may not suit larger weddings)
Area remains open to the public during your wedding date (though visitors are typically respectful)
Smoke can obscure the Tetons if we’re having a bad year
The pros definitely outweigh the cons, making Mormon Row a great choice for those envisioning a smaller wedding or elopement. While the area remains accessible to the public during your ceremony, the other visitors are usually respectful of photo sessions. Opting for a smaller, more intimate celebration allows for a more personalized and meaningful connection with this beautiful landscape.
More Jackson Hole, Wyoming Wedding Venues
If you’re just starting to explore wedding venues in Grand Teton and Jackson Hole, check out my guides to the other popular elopement locations in the area.
More Wedding Venues in Grand Teton National Park:
More Wedding Venues in Bridger Teton National Forest:
Mormon Row North
What NPS Says:
South Mormon Row Wedding Ceremony Location
The South Mormon Row wedding ceremony location is available for groups up to 25 people. The ceremony location is south of the T.A. Moulton Homestead and not in front of the barn which is an iconic historic structure visited by many who are seeking to view it and take photos.
You and your Jackson Hole wedding photographer can take photos in front of the barn as long as we’re respectful of sharing the space with all visitors seeking to do the same.
Details
Restroom? Yes – vault/pit toilet
Points of interest? Views of the Teton Range; Historical buildings
Is the site level or rocky? Level
Is the location accessed by a paved or gravel road? Paved
Is the site closed seasonally? Inaccessible by vehicle in the winter.
How many parking spots are available? Approximately 14
Is there overflow parking nearby? Yes
Is the parking frequently full or have availability? Frequently full during peak times
How busy is this location? Slightly busy in morning, very busy at midday, and moderately busy in the evening.
Seating? There are no benches or picnic tables at this location.
Any structures for shade or rain cover? No, although there are some trees.
Are there formal pathways? Yes, unpaved.
Accessibility Information: There are no designated accessible parking spots and pathways are unpaved.
Mormon Row South
North Mormon Row Wedding Ceremony Location
The North Mormon Row ceremony location is available for groups up to 40 people. The ceremony location is North of the John Moulton Homestead. A short walk down the gated road past the “Pink House” and John Moulton Barn, cross the foot bridge and you will find the ceremony site behind the barn in the historic corral area which provides more privacy with an open area and views of the Tetons.
You and your Jackson Hole wedding photographer can take photos in front of the barn as long as we’re respectful of sharing the space with all visitors seeking to do the same.
Details
Restroom? Yes – vault/pit toilet
Points of interest? Views of the Teton Range; Historical buildings
Is the site level or rocky? Level
Is the location accessed by a paved or gravel road? Paved
Is the site closed seasonally? Inaccessible by vehicle in the winter.
How many parking spots are available? Approximately 14
Is there overflow parking nearby? Yes
Is the parking frequently full or have availability? Frequently full during peak times
How busy is this location? Slightly busy in morning, very busy at midday, and moderately busy in the evening.
Seating? There are no benches or picnic tables at this location.
Any structures for shade or rain cover? No, although there are some trees.
Are there formal pathways? Yes, unpaved.
Accessibility Information? There are no designated accessible parking spots and pathways are unpaved.
More Planning Resources
Choosing to elope at Mormon Row is a huge step in the planning process but there’s a lot more that goes into Grand Teton elopements. Check out my ultra-comprehensive guide to eloping in Jackson Hole for everything else you need!
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