Blue Bird Winter Elopement in the Tetons

D+J_Elopement_2644.jpg — Danae + Jamie

Jackson, Wyoming

Danae and Jamie traveled from Florida to Wyoming for a winter elopement near Grand Teton National Park. They exchanged vows at The Wedding Tree under an almost cloudless vibrant blue sky. A blanket of snow covered the landscape on this bright and sunny day. If you never thought a winter elopement in the Tetons was possible, keep reading to see why the peaceful beauty of the Tetons during winter is worth considering.

Click here to view Danae & Jamie’s full gallery, download full resolution images, & purchase prints

Vendors

Photography: Kayleigh Rust

Florals: Field & Frond

Officiant: Tom Jordan

We met at their accommodations in Jackson Hole. I like trendsetters, so I appreciate the non-traditional way that Danae and Jamie began their wedding day. The two shared a room and lovingly helped each other prepare for their ceremony. With two kids already and a third on the way, I could tell these loving parents were savoring some quality time alone.

Both from the same small town, Danae and Jamie met through friends. They became engaged on home plate at Tropicana Field four years ago on this day. They chose to have an intimate wedding ceremony with no guests to focus on each other and give their relationship the time and energy it deserves. At the time of their elopement, Danae was seven months pregnant.

Danae and Jamie made life-long promises of commitment to each other and exchanged rings. Their ceremony was authentic and meaningful. There was no pressure to perform and no timeline to follow. Their wedding chapel was the winter wonderland of every childhood dream. If planning a large wedding seems stressful and costly, perhaps an outdoor elopement with stunning scenery is a better option for you to consider.

There was an abundance of crisp winter air and pure exhilaration. After the ceremony, Danae and Jamie held hands for the first time as husband and wife while I captured these stunning images. The genuine happiness in their smiles made me glad I got to be part of this sweet ceremony at The Wedding Tree in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I'm so grateful that they chose me to be their adventure elopement photographer.

Simply put, Danae was a beautiful bride. Everything about her look was right. I love that she chose to wear minimalistic makeup and a natural hairstyle. She also made a good choice in the dress she wore. I barely noticed she was seven months pregnant. Her elegant bouquet of roses added a nice pop of color to her white gown and the snow-covered ground and mountains that surrounded her.

An outdoor winter elopement in the Wyoming wilderness was perfect for Danae and Jamie. While most people avoid traveling to Wyoming during winter, this adventurous couple braved the cold and snow to get married in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Wyoming weather is cold and can be unpredictable at this time of year, but there are many sunny days between snowstorms, and this was one of those days. Two hearts united as one under a bright blue sky at The Wedding Tree.

Wyoming weddings are favored by many, having magnificent canyons, serene lakes, and the stunning, rugged Grand Tetons. Non-residents can obtain a marriage license and get married in Wyoming with no waiting period or blood tests required. To be eligible for a marriage license, you and your partner must bring a valid picture ID to the County Clerk's Office. Acceptable forms of ID are a driver's license, military ID, or a United States passport.

The marriage license application requires your residential addresses, dates of birth, social security numbers, your parent's full names (including your mother's maiden names), and their places of birth. The marriage license is valid for one year after it's issued. If you or your partner have been married before, you'll need to provide the date of a divorce decree or a former spouse's death. Lastly, in Wyoming, a wedding officiant is required to perform the ceremony.

The Wedding Tree where Danae and Jamie said "I do" is located in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, just outside of Grand Teton National Park. Conveniently, a parking lot that can accommodate 6 - 7 cars is within 5 minutes walking distance from the tree, making it a suitable spot for an intimate wedding ceremony. If you'd like to get married at The Wedding Tree, you'll need to make a reservation. To reserve your wedding date and learn about permits, contact the USDA Forest Service by calling 307-739-5526 or email them at sm.fs.jdpaperwork@usda.gov. To book me as your Wyoming photographer, please get in touch by clicking the button below. Thanks for reading. I hope to hear from you soon.