Elopements vs Weddings
There’s a thin line between elopements and weddings in Grand Teton and Moab. Every wedding here has an emphasis on the outdoors, so it’s not as clear cut of a line as say, a wedding at a church in Salt Lake City or an elopement in the Wasatch.
If you’re not sure which package makes the most sense for your day, here’s how I break it down:
A split sunrise-sunset hiking elopement to a Teton lake.
A biking elopement in Teton Canyon.
Elopements
The schedule revolves around the couple.
There are generally fewer guests (under 20).
The location is often the main event.
Flexibility is the priority.
Portraits and adventure are woven throughout the day.
The day can be split up in sunrise and sunset.
There may be big or small hikes or other types of activity (though not required!).
Generally does not include lengthy reception coverage .
A classic wedding at Rendezvous at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
A large wedding at Diamond Cross Ranch.
Weddings
The schedule also revolves around the guests.
There are generally more guests.
There are more fixed events (cocktail hour, dinner, speeches, dancing).
The timeline has less flexibility.
Portraits fit into the larger celebration - think sneaking out for half an hour from the reception to take golden hour portraits
You may have a planner or day-of coordinator.
There is generally zero hiking.
Ask yourself:
Is the day more about the making it worth the trip for our guests or more about just us?
How involved do we want the guests throughout the day?
Will we have a reception venue?
How important are traditional things like cake cutting, speeches, and dances?
Do we want to visit anywhere that isn’t a very short hike away?
