The Wedding Tree Wedding + Elopement Guide - Jackson, Wyoming
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 expertise you want in someone who will be helping plan your timeline and taking your wedding photos.
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.
Interested in booking The Wedding Tree 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, vendors, where to stay, and more.
Here, I’ll get into the basics:
The Wedding Tree is a Jackson Hole wedding venue just outside the small town Kelly, Wyoming. Though The Wedding Tree is just outside of the park, if you’re dreaming of Grand Teton National Park vibes for your wedding, you've come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to make your dream wedding at The Wedding Tree a reality.
The Wedding Tree Overview
The Wedding Tree is located in the Gros Ventre (“Grow-Vont”) Mountains about 10 minute from Kelly, Wyoming. Kelly is a 20-30 minute drive from Jackson Hole and is pretty much just a small community of houses on the edge of Grand Teton National Park and the elk refuge.
The venue is basically composed of two gigantic trees on the edge of a hill with a dramatic backdrop of the Teton range. The Wedding Tree was once an under-the-radar spot since it’s not actually in Grand Teton National Park, but this is now my most popular guide so I’d say it’s blown up now. This means that you’ll want to jump on permits quickly if you’re thinking about this site - prime summer weekend dates are already full for 2025!
Fortunately, The Wedding Tree is busy for weddings but not much else and as Grand Teton wedding ceremony venues go, you won’t have to deal with a ton of other visitors.
Like all of the other outdoor wedding venues in Grand Teton, there are no fixtures or places to sit at The Wedding Tree. If you would like to have some chairs for guests, you will need to arrange this beforehand with an event planner (which I can recommend!).
Location
The Wedding Tree isn’t actually a Grand Teton National Park venue. It’s an outdoor wedding venue near Kelly, Wyoming in the Bridger Teton National Forest and Gros Ventre Mountains, at the edge of rolling hills and the Gros Ventre river. It has an unbeatable view of the entire Teton range.
It is about a 35 minute drive from Jackson Hole, and a 5 minute hike to the Wedding Tree itself on an obvious path. The path is slightly rocky though, as Wyoming goes, which means that this site it’s not great for accessibility. Fortunately, there are plenty of wedding sites in Grand Teton that fit the bill for easy-access.
Amenities
Like all outdoor locations in/around Grand Teton National Park, there are no benches or tables for guests at The Wedding Tree. If you want certain fixtures, you’ll have to coordinate with an event planner (I can recommend one!).
It’s also worth nothing that this trailhead does not feature a restroom and there isn’t one in Kelly either, so plan on using the bathroom in Jackson or getting comfortable outside. Mormon Row is not too far away though and does have an outhouse.
Permits
To get married at The Wedding Tree, you’ll need to fill out an Operating Plan and choose dates online with the Friends of Bridger Teton calendar. The website will prompt you to choose a time allotment, so it’s best to book your photographer before getting permits to make sure you get the best conditions and are not rushed for time at The Wedding Tree.
The Wedding Tree is starting to get a lot of attention so you’ll need to book decently far in advanced for prime summer dates.
Time of Year
Summer through fall are the best times for ceremonies at the Wedding Tree and other venues in Jackson Hole. It can stay chilly in the mornings all summer, but it’s much more bearable in July and August.
The Tetons can get hit hard by wildfire smoke, however, so it’s a bit of a toss up whether you want to gamble on rain, snow, or smoke. The Wedding Tree is pretty far away from the Tetons and not being able to see the mountains on your wedding day is tragic, so earlier summer sessions will reduce your chances of getting smoked out.
Winter weddings are a little complicated in the Tetons and The Wedding Tree is one of the only venues that is still open. It can be challenging to get to though, depending on conditions, as you have to drive uphill into the Gros Ventre mountains a bit. Plan accordingly and rent a 4x4 car (but only if you have snow driving skills!).
Transportation
The Wedding Tree has extremely limited parking, so it’s best to book a shuttle from Jackson Hole to the venue. The parking should be adequate for smaller elopements, however.
Pet Friends
Looking to bring your goodest boy to your elopement? The Wedding Tree is on National Forest land, so it’s pet friendly venue! It’s one of the few in the area, since pets aren’t allowed in Grand Teton National Park.
Nearby Outdoor Wedding Venues in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
If you’re looking to add another site to your wedding, the Moulton Barns at Mormon Row and a few of my other favorite photo sites are right down the road.
More Jackson Hole, Wyoming Wedding Venues
Just starting to explore wedding venues in Grand Teton and Jackson Hole? If you’d like to check out more options beyond The Wedding Tree, check out my guides to the other popular Grand Teton National Park wedding venues.
Wedding Venues in Grand Teton National Park:
More Planning Resources
I’ve put a lot of thought and time into these free resources and put even consideration into my clients’ weddings and galleries. All of my clients will receive:
My unlimited attention, local expertise, and assistance while designing your wedding or elopement timeline.
A plan b for the day in case the weather does not cooperate - this is so important in Grand Teton and only a local photographer is going to have the knowledge to basically create two itineraries.
My client planning guide packed with Jackson Hole and Grand Teton-specific details and vendor recommendations to make planning your day as seamless as possible.
An easy-access, beautifully-designed digital gallery with full print and sharing rights.
If you’re considering getting married at The Wedding Tree, I highly encourage you to reach to a photographer with a serious connection and expertise on Grand Teton National Park. It will show in the photos!
Recommended Reading:
Jackson Hole Wedding Photographer
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