Chapel of the
Sacred Heart
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Hello, World!
Chapel of the Sacred heart 101
The Chapel of the Sacred Heart is one of two historic log chapels within Grand Teton National Park. It was built in 1937, during a period when the region was still largely wilderness territory. When the church and chapel were founded, the population of Teton County was 2,500 and it was considered mission territory - quite different from today’s tourist destination and wedding venue.
The Chapel of the Sacred Heart is located on Catholic Bay, part of Jackson Lake. The chapel has undergone several renovations throughout its history to preserve its rustic charm while maintaining its functionality, most recently in 2002.
The building is a traditional log-cabin style with two stunning stained-glass windows that reflect the natural beauty of its surroundings. The Catholic Church owns the chapel and usually offers Sunday services during the summer, continuing its original mission of providing spiritual services to visitors and residents.
The chapel is small but has quite a lot of seating inside, so it can fit 115 guests.
location
The Chapel of the Sacred Heart is in the northern portion of Grand Teton National Park, between Signal Mountain and Jackson Lake Lodge.
The Chapel of the Sacred Heart venue is:
60 minutes from Jackson, Wyoming
0 minute hike from the parking lot
The Chapel of the Sacred Heart features pew seating for 115 guests. There is an NPS outhouse in the parking lot.
The chapel does not have heating, but the temperature should be comfortable as weddings are scheduled for midday.
Amenities at The Chapel
of the Sacred Heart
PERMITS + Conditions
You don’t need a Grand Teton permit to get married at the Chapel of the Sacred Heart. Instead, you’ll need to contact Our Lady of the Mountains, the operating church, by phone. This is your first and most important step to check availability and get specific requirements for your wedding day.
Unfortunately, the chapel is not available to everyone. It is a wedding venue for Catholics only - at least one of the engaged must be a baptized Catholic and it must be a Catholic ceremony. And the requested donation amount is massive for parishioners vs non-parishioners - $100 vs $2,000, respectively.
Weddings are held at 11:00am and 2:00pm on Saturdays. Clients and vendors will only have access to the church 60 minutes before the ceremony and 30 minutes after, so it’s best to keep things fairly simple.
The Chapel has quite a few guidelines for parishioners and non-parishioners that go a bit over my head because I am not a Catholic, so I encourage you to read check out their website for further information.
They also have guidelines for vendors, so I would recommend hiring a vendor who is familiar with these guidelines or informing them of the expectations laid out on the website.
Transportation
The Chapel of the Sacred Heart has a fairly large parking lot but it is still limited, so it’s best to book a shuttle from Jackson Hole to the venue for your wedding guests or ask them to carpool.
The parking should be adequate for smaller weddings.
season
The chapel is available for weddings June 1 - September 30th.
Summer through fall are the best times for ceremonies at the Chapel of the Sacred Heart 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. Recently, July and August have been outright hot during the day though.
The Tetons and all of Wyoming 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. Luckily the chapel is indoors, so you have some flexibility with the weather.
Average Weather at The Chapel
of the sacred heart
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Rustic barns, wide open sky, fields of grass.
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Calm water from the Snake River, morning fog, ample shade. Maybe a moose.
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Rocky beach, endless water, Mt. Moran.
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Sagebrush and intimate mountain views.
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Ansel Adams and the Snake River. Enough said.
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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 Chapel of the Sacred Heart, 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 Tree Guide
I’m Danielle, a Jackson Hole wedding photographer who lives at Colter Bay in Grand Teton National Park from May to October.
I’ve found myself drawn to this valley year after year. As a wedding photographer who thrives in untamed landscapes and seeks genuine emotion, I’ve discovered that Jackson Hole isn't just a backdrop. It’s a creative sanctuary, a place to witness love stories that are both deeply personal and beautifully honest.
Between work and life in Jackson Hole, I’ve witnessed these mountains and valleys at every time of day. I know the way our weather builds and breaks and how to anticipate the unexpected. Whether your day involves a gathering of loved ones atop Rendezvous Peak or just the two of you beneath the rising sun, I’m here to guide you with the ease and skill that only a local can.
Contact
vilaplanaphoto@gmail.com