How to Plan a Stunning Winter Wedding in Jackson Hole

Winter weddings in Jackson Hole are beautiful. But let’s face it: Jackson in the winter means cold temps and lots of snow. Sometimes you get beautiful bluebird days with no wind and stunning views of the Tetons, while other days you get sub-zero wind-chills with cloudy skies and lots of snowfall. We’ve put together this guide on having your winter wedding in Jackson Hole, but if we were to sum it up in on sentence it’s: Be prepared for any weather, have a backup plan, and be flexible!

Step #1: Pick a date!

The most important thing you can do during your wedding planning process is pick a date! Snowpack changes from year to year, but typically the rule of thumb is snow is more manageable late November through December (meaning you can usually walk through it without post-holing unless there is a very recent big storm). There is typically more snow come January-March, with February and March usually being the snowiest months of the year.

If you want snow-dusted Tetons, but don’t want to have to worry about tramping through multiple feet of snow to get to certain photo spots, we highly recommend late November-December. If you don’t mind a little extra snow, or if you would actually prefer to have lots of snow coverage (skiers and snowboarders.. I’m talking to you!) we highly recommend a January through early April wedding.

Step #2: Decide on how many guests you are planning to invite

We highly recommend creating your guest list at the beginning of your planning process as it will play a big role in what options are available to you for your ceremony and reception! Elopements and micro-weddings are the easiest weddings to plan in the winter in Jackson. If you are planning to have 12 or fewer total people (this includes you two, your officiant, guests, and photographer/videographer) you can actually apply to GET MARRIED IN GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK!

There are a few locations that work great for intimate ceremonies in the winter, however, keep in mind it is best if all of your guests are comfortable walking in snow and being outside in cold temperatures! If you are planning to have a guest list that hovers around 10-30 people, somewhere like THE WEDDING TREE might be a perfect option for your day as well! While you can have up to 75 guests at the Wedding Tree, it may be a little difficult to get 75 people up to this spot in the winter, and we would probably recommend guests wear snowshoes or are prepared to walk in the snow to get to the ceremony location.

For couples that choose to get married outside but want to have an indoor reception, we highly recommend the FOUR SEASONS, SNOW KING RESORT, or AMANGANI for your reception, however you can also host your ceremony at all of these locations as well! Snow King Resort is going to be the most wallet-friendly option out of these three (the Four Seasons and Amangani will cost you a pretty penny).

If you are planning to have a bigger wedding (30+ guests), we highly recommend booking a venue for your ceremony and reception. Our favorite winter wedding venues in Jackson are JACKSON HOLE MOUNTAIN RESORT, SNAKE RIVER RANCH, MOOSE CREEK RANCH (in Victor), and THE CLOUDVEIL. Most venues also require that you have a day of coordinator or wedding planner, so we highly recommend reaching out to EVENT PLANNERS OF JACKSON HOLE, SATIN N SAGE, or GRAND TETON EVENTS for all of your planning needs.

Step #3: Book your venue and vendors!

Once you’ve determined your group size, it’s time to book your venue and your vendors! We highly recommend booking vendors who are knowledgeable of the area and have backup plans in place for road closures, weather, and locations so you can get the best experience out of your time in Jackson.

Step #4: Make your day unique and special to you!

Like any wedding, it’s important to decide what traditions you will be incorporating into your day, and what traditions you will be leaving behind. With snow most likely being on the ground for your big day, there are plenty of ways to make your day as unique and adventurous as you are as a couple! Perhaps you want to ski down the mountain with all of your friends after a mountain top ceremony. Or maybe you want to get taken to your ceremony location in a horse-drawn carriage! Dog-sledding is another fun option to incorporate into your day as well! If you love winter, there are plenty of unique options you can incorporate into your day that are not “traditional”.

Step #5: Be Prepared!

Don’t forget your warm clothes, potentially snowshoes depending on the location you choose, and help make sure your guests bring plenty of warm clothes as well. A winter wedding in Jackson Hole can be enjoyable, but if you and your guests are under-dressed it can become unenjoyable quickly!