Adventure Elopement at Delta Lake in Grand Teton National Park

Adventure elopement up to Delta Lake in Grand Teton National Park outside of Jackson, Wyoming. — Liz + Andy

Jackson, Wyoming

Liz and Andy were in search of a wedding photographer familiar with Wyoming. In their search, they landed on my website and saw wedding portraits from a previous Grand Teton elopement I shot. I was thrilled when they reached out and told me they liked my work! Together, we planned an adventure elopement at Delta Lake in Grand Teton National Park. If your idea of getting married involves an epic hike, mountain views, and a glacier-fed lake, keep reading!

Click here to view Liz + Andy’s full gallery, download full resolution images, & purchase prints

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Photography: Kayleigh Rust

Hair & Make-Up: Dandilu Freelance

Liz and Andy traveled to Wyoming from Austin, Texas. Coincidentally, that's also where I'm originally from, so naturally, we hit it off instantly. On their wedding day, our goal was to make it to Delta Lake and have the ceremony before other hikers arrived. It is roughly a 4-mile hike from the Lupine Meadows Trailhead to the lake, so we woke up at 3 am, packed our gear, put on our headlamps, and hit the trail with plenty of bear spray in our bags.

The hike took us about three hours in total. The last half-mile of the trail is not maintained, but I happily led them on a fun, off-trail adventure that involved climbing over fallen trees and crossing a few boulder fields. By the time we got to the lake, we had gained 2,200 feet of elevation. So, if you plan an adventure elopement at Delta Lake, be ready to get your exercise.

We were a group of six, including Liz and Andy, India (Liz's hair stylist/makeup artist), Andy's best friend, his wife, and myself. Just as we planned, we were the first ones on the scene, and there was nobody in sight. After we did our happy dance, Liz slipped on her wedding gown, and India got to work on hair and makeup. As you can see, Liz is the perfect example of an effortlessly beautiful boho bride. Shortly after she finished getting ready, Andy appeared from behind the boulders for this endearing first look with Liz.

Delta Lake is at the base of the highest peak in the park, the Grand Teton, which has an elevation of 13,770 feet. Though you might think Delta Lake has fewer visitors because of the unmaintained portion of the trail leading to the lake, this spot has gained enormous popularity in recent years. That said, the final half-mile of the path can be easy to miss if there are no other hikers around or you're not with someone like me who has been to Delta Lake before.

To elope in Grand Teton National Park, you will need to purchase a $200 permit from the park and obtain a marriage license in Wyoming. For convenience, I recommend getting a marriage license in Jackson Hole due to its proximity to the park. An appointment at the county clerk's office is required to get a marriage license, but you can obtain it on the same day. You will also need an officiant and a minimum of two additional witnesses present during your wedding ceremony. Andy chose his best friend as the wedding officiant, who played the part perfectly and rocked as the master of ceremonies at this secular wedding.

Liz, who is originally from Canada, met Andy on Bumble while she was visiting with friends in Austin, Texas. She and her friends were seeking a tour guide to show them around the city, to which Andy happily obliged. The two hit it off, and their match on Bumble evolved into an international long-distance relationship that spanned from Canada to Texas. Liz eventually moved to Austin to be with Andy. Before long, they became engaged.

Liz and Andy describe themselves as nature-loving hikers/campers. During their long-distance relationship, they embarked on many outdoor adventures together. For them, an adventure elopement at Grand Teton National Park was an ideal way to validate the love they share while staying true to their intrepid personalities. The hike to Delta Lake is known as the quintessential Grand Teton experience by those who have hiked multiple trails in the park. Despite being steep, it's the perfect day hike with plenty of switchbacks, making it relatively safe despite the extreme elevation gain. The emerald-colored water and up-close view of the Teton peaks surrounding the lake offer a world-class view.

Liz and Andy's wedding closed after their first kiss as husband and wife sealed the deal. This adventure elopement ranks high on my list of extraordinary Rocky Mountain weddings. There's not much that could top waking up in the Wyoming wilderness, embarking on an epic hike before dawn, and having a private, no-fuss wedding ceremony at Delta Lake that went off without a hitch. Everything about this day seemed so right, and I was able to capture Liz and Andy as their authentic selves in this picturesque outdoor setting.

Liz and Andy got to pose for photos in rare solitude before any other hikers arrived. Given the effort that went into the hike and the intimate ceremony that just took place, I'm glad they could cherish these moments as newlyweds without any distractions from other people. I'm amazed that we still had the lake all to ourselves at almost 8 am. The early bird does get the worm. Keep that in mind if you want to elope at Delta Lake.

Delta Lake sits at an elevation of 9016 feet. Teepe Glacier and Teton Glacier deposit glacial silt into the lake when glacial erosion occurs during the spring and summer months. Glacial silt, also known as glacial flour, becomes suspended in the ice-cold lake water, which is the essence of the lake's emerald-green color. Though the scenery is jaw-dropping in these pictures, believe me when I tell you, the view is even more beautiful in person.

The best time to journey to Delta Lake is between June and September to avoid lingering ice or snow that makes the steep incline on the trail potentially dangerous. As a bonus, making the trek near the end of June means you will get to see an array of colorful wildflowers in bloom. Though Grand Teton National Park is open year-round, road access within the park during Autumn and Winter is limited, and all campgrounds are closed from November through April. There is an entrance fee of $35 for each private vehicle, but the pass is good for seven days.

They say all good things eventually come to an end. Such is true because as other hikers began emerging around the lake's edge, the peaceful isolation we experienced on this glorious day quickly became a memory. Luckily, Liz and Andy have a gorgeous collection of wedding portraits that will preserve these moments for the rest of their lives and the lives of future generations. Retracing our steps, we made our way back to the valley floor, stopping halfway where Liz and Andy signed their marriage license.

Upon completing our excursion from Delta Lake, we stopped for more photos in this vast meadow below Mount Moran before saying goodbye and parting ways. Liz and Andy planned to spend their honeymoon exploring other national parks in the days following their wedding. If traditional weddings aren't your thing, and a low-key, intimate ceremony sounds appealing, an adventure elopement may be the perfect fit for you and your partner. I've photographed and helped plan hundreds of weddings throughout the western U.S., and I'd love to get your wedding on the books for 2022. Please click the button at the bottom of this post to contact me. Thanks for reading.