Where to Elope in Wyoming
“Wyoming seems to be the doing of a mad architect - tumbled and twisted, ribboned with faded deathbed colors, thrust up and pulled down as if the place had been startled out of a deep sleep and thrown into a pure light.”
Your Wyoming Elopement Photographer
I’m Danielle, a Wyoming elopement photographer who lives in Grand Teton National Park from May to October.
I’ve found myself drawn to this state year after year after first hiking across it in 2017 on the Continental Divide Trail. As a wedding photographer who thrives in untamed landscapes and seeks genuine emotion, I’ve discovered that Wyoming 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 Wyoming, 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 at in Grand Teton or just the two of you beneath Squaretop in the Winds, I’m here to guide you with the ease and skill that only a true local can.
Wyoming 101
When you think about places to elope in Wyoming, chances are you’re thinking about the little, green, mountainous corner that contains Jackson Hole. From Teton Pass to the west, Togwotee Pass to the east, Star Valley to the south, and most of Yellowstone National Park to the north, the northwestern corner of Wyoming is unlike anywhere else in the world.
It’s also unlike the rest of Wyoming - most of Wyoming is a sagebrush desert, generally flat with occasional wild prominences like the Bighorn Mountains and Devil’s Tower. You’ll see rocks as red as Moab, sandy roads through sagebrush that go on forever, and herds of sheep and cattle throughout the open spaces.
If you’re interested in getting married in Jackson Hole, you’re in good company - most people naturally steer to the Tetons.
But if you’re interested in seeing what else Wyoming has to offer, you’re in for a wedding beyond the ordinary.
As a long-time Wyoming resident and someone who hiked the entire state on the Continental Divide Trail, you’re in good hands.
Wind River Range
The Winds are one of the most incredible ranges in the country. They’re one of the few places you’ll find remaining glaciers in the Rockies and their sheer granite faces are like valleys full of Half Domes.
The Winds aren’t made for casual elopements, though - just about anywhere you go, you’re looking at a 12 mile hike into the mountains.
Some of my favorite locations are: Green River Lakes, Island Lake + Titcomb Basin, and the Cirque of the Towers.
Cloud Peak Wilderness
Cody, WY
Medicine Bow National Forest
Lake Marie is a beautiful and popular hiking destination.
Lander, WY
Lander has just about everything you could want in your photos - western charm, red rocks, and the tall granite peaks of the Wind River Range at your finger tips.
Star Valley
Just south of Jackson, Star Valley is the most “affordable” place in the Jackson vicinity. The Snake River Range are beautiful in their own right though, and Thayne, Etna, or Afton would all be fun little towns for a wedding.
Wyoming Elopement Experience
Local Knowledge
Nothing beats having an elopement photographer who's truly rooted in Wyoming and hike crossed the entire state slowly and observantly on foot. I'm not just showing up to scout locations the week before your wedding or relying on satellite images - I'm running around Grand Teton on a daily basis and getting into the Winds every spare weekend I get.
Every couple I work with gets an in-depth wedding and elopement planning guide, plus all the hands-on support you need to make your vision a reality.
Natural, Photojournalistic Style
My unobtrusive documentary approach means I'm there to capture life as it happens, not direct a photoshoot. I focus on documenting the real interactions that reveal your genuine bond, all set against the stunning Wyoming landscape. While I'm happy to offer gentle guidance when it's helpful, I believe your wedding day should be about living each moment fully, not worrying about posing for photos.
What drives my work is preserving those authentic emotions and spontaneous moments that make your story uniquely yours. Whether it's catching that private smile during your ceremony or the way you move together during your first dance beneath the mountain stars, my quiet, watchful presence ensures those precious, ephemeral moments become lasting memories you'll treasure for years to come.
Wyoming Elopement Collections
Most Wyoming elopements begin at $5,600 for five hours, though these may vary slightly for locations outside of Grand Teton. Certain locations, like the Winds, will likely require a custom quote given their difficult hiking access.
Some elopements can be split into sunrise and sunset sessions to maximize the most beautiful times of day.
Free Guides to Help You
Plan Your Wyoming Elopement
What’s the Next Step?
If you’re looking for a Wyoming elopement photographer and candid, honest storyteller for your day, I would love to chat and find out more about your dream day. I can’t wait to learn more about you and what draws you to this special place.
I’ll be there to guide you through the location planning, permit applications, timeline creation, and any other questions along the way.
Fill out the form below to get started.
vilaplanaphoto@gmail.com