how to get married at
Snake River Overlook
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Snake River Overlook 101
The Snake River Overlook is a famous spot - Ansel Adam’s most popular photo of Grand Teton National Park featured this stretch of river with the Tetons in the distance. It has a direct view of the Grand Teton is well, which is a nice feature of this location.
Snake River Overlook can accommodate 25 guests
It’s right off the highway so it receives a lot of traffic, though not as much as the sites closer to town
It the only venue with a view of the river
The site itself is paved and it’s proximity to the parking area makes it very accessible
Given the traffic, it is not the most popular wedding venue in Grand Teton National Park. But I certainly wouldn't discount it - if you’re flexible, it is spectacular at sunrise and sunset.
It is also a great foot in the door to the Tetons - it’s located near all of the other popular venues, where we can still take plenty of photos before or after the ceremony. And hey, it’s still the Tetons!
location
The Snake River Overlook is one of the busiest wedding ceremony sites in Grand Teton, as it is located right off Highway 191.
30 minutes from Jackson, WY
Accessible immediately from the parking lot
The Snake River Overlook is fairly convenient to Jackson and it is located near the other popular sites, like Schwabacher Landing.
Like pretty much every other wedding site in Grand Teton, there are no fixtures at the Snake River Overlook. There is no restroom, either - the closest will be at Deadman’s Bar, just to the north and down a steep dirt road.
If you want certain fixtures like chairs, you’ll have to coordinate with an event planner (I can recommend one!).
Amenities at Snake
River Overlook
PERMITS
I’ll go into the details about the different types of permits you can get for the Snake River Overlook weddings below. Most people will fall under the “Site Specific Ceremony” category if they are getting married in the typical season (June to early October).
Permits cost $200 and can be found on the Grand Teton Weddings & Ceremonies page.
Permit applications opened on December 16th, 2024. Do not submit your application before the park opens applications - they will not accept them and you will not receive a refund.
Permits are only for one hour, as of 2025.
Snake Rive Overlook is one of the last venues to book up and is great for last-minute elopements.
Must Read
Additionally, starting in 2025, permits have gotten more logistically challenging. The park requires monitoring on each wedding now but does not have the staff, so the times for weddings are very limited and cannot overlap, even if they are in different locations. It is very likely that you will not get your preferred time and will have to restructure your day, so I highly recommend working with a local photographer who knows the area and can organize things appropriately.
Types of Wedding Permits
for Snake
RIver Overlook
-
Ceremony sites are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the popularity of the Snake River Overlook, 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 you could get lucky.
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. So you actually should have your photographer booked before you choose your venue, or at least before you submit your permit if you’re having a wedding in Grand Teton National Park.
Site-specific ceremonies can only be held in the park from May 10th to October 20th. You still need a permit after that, but you can only get a Small Dispersed Ceremony permit and are limited to 12 guests.
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 wedding permits are available for smaller gatherings of up to 12 guests, including the officiant. For the Snake River Overlook, you can only have a small dispersed wedding here before May 10th or after October 20th.
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 and are the only option for winter elopements in Grand Teton National Park.
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.
Cost
Eloping or having an intimate wedding at the Snake River Overlook 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.
The Snake River Overlook is located right off highway 191, so you will not have to pay an entrance fee to Grand Teton National Park.
season
Summer through fall are the best times for wedding ceremonies at the Snake River Overlook and other venues in the Tetons. 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 (you can see the haziness a bit in my photos), however, so it’s a bit of a toss up whether you want to gamble on rain, snow, or smoke. The Snake River Overlook is a little 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.
The Snake River Overlook may be open for photos in the winter, but in general is it not plowed.
Average Weather at The
Snake River Overlook
-
68° / 36°
June is cooler than the rest of the summer months and there’s always an off chance it could rain or even snow. But overall June is full of wildflowers and beautiful weather, and wildfire season usually hasn’t started yet.
-
78° / 41°
July has been getting hotter in recent years, and can easily reach the 80s. July is a little less rainy than June, though, and you should still see plenty of wildflowers (unless it’s a very dry year).
Wildfire season usually stars in July, so your chance of smoke will be higher.
-
76° / 39°
Despite those lower numbers, August has been the hottest month in the Tetons in recent years, with sustained temps in the 80s. Rain is definitely always possible, but August is overall pretty dry.
Wildfire season will definitely be going off by August, so your chance of smoke will be higher.
-
67° / 32°
September is a beautiful time of year in the Tetons. It’s slightly cooler than the summer months and the aspens and cottonwoods will start to change at the end of the month.
Wildfire season didn’t used to go until September but in recent years we’ve had fires or gotten smoke from other states, so your chance of smoke will be higher.
-
52° / 24°
Early October usually has a last hurrah of warm weather before it gets truly cold in the Tetons. The cottonwoods and aspens should still be changing and it’s a much quieter time in the Tetons.
Wildfire season is usually over by October but it went until November in 2024, so who knows anymore.
Have a great wedding day
More Wedding Venues in Grand Teton
-
Rocky beach and big water.
-
Calm water from the Snake River, morning fog, ample shade. Maybe a moose.
-
Two trees framing the entire Teton range.
-
Sagebrush and intimate mountain views.
-
Rustic buildings, big sky, and wide grassy meadows.
-
Bright sun and wide sagebrush vistas.
More Planning Resources
I’ve put a lot of thought and time into these free resources and put even more 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 Snake River Overlook, 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:
About Your Wedding Photographer
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.
Contact
vilaplanaphoto@gmail.com