If you’re planning a true elopement in Grand Teton National Park with 12 people or less, a Small Dispersed Ceremony Permit gives you way more options for locations rather than choosing one of the park’s Reserved Large Site-Specific Ceremony Locations.
A lot of couples make the mistake of thinking that “dispersed” means they can get married anywhere in the park, but unfortunately that’s actually not the case at all.
After spending way too much time reading NPS information, emailing the permit office, and talking with them directly about specific locations, I’ve learned there’s a little more nuance to how this works than “pick any spot in the park.”
So this guide breaks down exactly what a Small Dispersed Ceremony Permit is, who counts toward the 12-person limit, how locations are approved, where you can’t hold your ceremony, how hiking locations work, and how to fill out the actual permit application without wanting to throw your laptop across the room.
Jump To:
- What Is a Grand Teton Small Dispersed Ceremony Permit?
- Who Counts Toward the 12-Person Limit for a Grand Teton Ceremony Permit?
- Can You Choose Your Own Ceremony Location in Grand Teton National Park?
- Where Are Small Dispersed Ceremonies Not Allowed in Grand Teton?
- What Locations Can You Request for a Grand Teton Small Dispersed Ceremony?
- Can You Have a Hiking Elopement in Grand Teton National Park?
- What Information Do You Need Before Applying for a Grand Teton Ceremony Permit?
- How Do You Apply for a Grand Teton Small Dispersed Ceremony Permit?
- How Long Does It Take to Get a Grand Teton Small Dispersed Ceremony Permit Approved?
- What Are the Rules for a Grand Teton Small Dispersed Ceremony?
- Does Your Grand Teton Elopement Photographer Need a Separate Photography Permit?
- Can an Elopement Photographer Help You Get a Grand Teton Ceremony Permit?
What Is a Grand Teton Small Dispersed Ceremony Permit?
A Small Dispersed Ceremony Permit allows groups of 12 people or less to request a ceremony location in Grand Teton National Park outside of the traditional Reserved Large Site-Specific Ceremony system.
Here’s the quick breakdown:
- Maximum group size: 12 people total
- Application fee: $200 and nonrefundable
- Ceremony length: Up to one hour, including setup, ceremony, and photography
- Location: You can submit a location name or Exact GPS coordinates
- Location approval: Your requested location must be reviewed and approved by NPS
- Permits per location: One ceremony permit per location per day
- Exclusive use: Nope. Your permit doesn’t close the area to the public.
- Availability: Small Dispersed Ceremony Locations are available throughout the year, subject to location restrictions and availability
- Prohibited areas: Certain locations and types of areas cannot be used for dispersed ceremonies (See Where Dispersed Ceremonies are not allowed section)
The National Park Service has a separate Large Site-Specific Ceremony Permit for larger groups and couples who want to use the park’s established ceremony locations. But I’m not going to spend half of this guide explaining that permit because we’re here to talk specifically about Small Dispersed Ceremony Permits for couples who are TRULY eloping.
If you’re trying to decide between the two, I break down both permit types in my Grand Teton Elopement Locations Without the Crowds guide.
Who Counts Toward the 12-Person Limit for a Grand Teton Ceremony Permit?
Twelve people means 12 people total, NOT 12 guests PLUS your vendors.
Your total includes:
- Both people getting married
- All guests, including children
- Officiant
- Photographer
- Videographer
- Other support guests participating in the ceremony
So, for example, if it’s the two of you, an officiant, one witness and myself photographing you’ve already got five of your twelve spots accounted for.
If you’re genuinely planning to elope with just the two of you or a handful of people, you don’t need a ceremony location designed to accommodate 25 or 40 people, honestly these locations are kind of boring anyways. Having this limitation is actually a power play because we’ll have so many more options to choose from.
Can You Choose Your Own Ceremony Location in Grand Teton National Park?
Yes, but requesting a location doesn’t mean the NPS will definitely approve it.
For a Small Dispersed Ceremony Permit, NPS allows you to submit either the name of the location or GPS coordinates for the area you’re requesting. The park then reviews your requested location, date, and time.
And this is where I think the term dispersed can get a little confusing.
It sounds like you can find a spot anywhere in the park that isn’t explicitly prohibited, drop a GPS pin on it, and you’re good.
But that’s not exactly how the permit office explained it to me. Other park officials have to determine whether your requested location is appropriate for a ceremony before NPS can approve it, which may take a little longer.
What Does NPS Consider an Appropriate Ceremony Location?
When I spoke directly with the permit office about requesting specific GPS coordinates, they explained that they can’t simply let everyone choose a random sagebrush field and get married there.
Fair enough. But that means NPS still has to determine whether your requested location is appropriate for a ceremony.
When the NPS is considering what’s appropriate they evaluate whether your requested location is in an area with high visitation, if there’s potential for resource damage, and whether or not the location falls within the park’s prohibited locations. That means there won’t be one specific public map showing every single place in Grand Teton National Park where you can get married. Depending on the location you request, NPS may need additional time to review it before approving your permit.
But ultimately NPS gets the final say on whether the location you’ve requested can be permitted.
Can You Submit GPS Coordinates for a Dispersed Ceremony?
Yes. NPS specifically instructs Small Dispersed applicants to provide either a location name or GPS coordinates on the application.
But again: GPS coordinates are a request, not a definitive approval.
So I wouldn’t set your heart on a specific spot or plan your timeline around that location until you get your permit approved.
Where Are Small Dispersed Ceremonies Not Allowed in Grand Teton?
A dispersed ceremony permit does not mean everywhere in Grand Teton National Park is fair game.
The Grand Teton National Park permit office has a specific set of locations that are currently prohibited and some of these locations are subject to change every year.
Prohibited Areas:
- Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point
- Jenny Lake Trail, Jenny Lake Overlook and the paved trails at and around Jenny Lake Visitor Plaza
- String Lake developed area and trail
- Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve
- Concessioner land assignments (e.g., the veranda at Jackson Lake Lodge)
- Park partner facilities (e.g., Murie Ranch, Teton Science School)
- Near areas where weddings are managed by a chapel or concessioner (e.g., the Chapel of the Transfiguration)
- Park cemeteries
- Areas with high visitation
- Areas with the potential for resource damage
Last verified: November 2026 Grand Teton’s ceremony rules and closures can change, so always check the current NPS Wedding and Commitment Ceremonies page before applying.
What Locations Can You Request for a Grand Teton Small Dispersed Ceremony?
There isn’t a particular list of dispersed locations that are preapproved by the NPS and honestly that’s probably for the best when it comes to preserving sensitive areas.
I’ve spoken with the permit office about areas including Leigh Lake, Cascade Canyon, Taggart Lake, certain turnouts, Colter Bay areas, Blacktail Ponds, Cunningham Cabin, and other locations around the park.
But it’s important to note that a location being discussed by NPS, approved previously, or appearing in someone else’s elopement photos doesn’t guarantee that your exact ceremony location will be approved.
So I’m not going to turn this guide into another location list. But if you’re trying to figure out where you want to elope, that’s exactly what my Grand Teton Elopement Locations Without the Crowds guide is for.
This article is about getting that location permitted once we find it.
Can You Have a Hiking Elopement in Grand Teton National Park?
Yes, hiking can absolutely be part of your Grand Teton elopement. But hiking somewhere and being allowed to hold your ceremony there are two completely different things.
This is something I specifically asked the permit office about because hiking elopements are a huge part of what I do and the couples I work with.
Some trail areas may be appropriate for ceremonies. Others may be prohibited, environmentally sensitive, heavily visited, temporarily closed, or need to be evaluated individually.
And just because you’ve seen somebody get married at Delta Lake, near Phelps Lake, Cascade Canyon, or another hiking location online does NOT mean I can say for certain “Yep, your permit will definitely be approved.”
Also, don’t assume a hiking elopement means you have to hike ten miles to the end destination on the All Trails App. I actually think that some of the best spots for an elopement can be found along many of these trails. And my favorite part about that is we don’t need to hike the entire thing to get there!
Regardless, everything still needs to go through the NPS and we have to respect that.
What Information Do You Need Before Applying for a Grand Teton Ceremony Permit?
Before opening the permit PDF and staring at it wondering what the hell you’re supposed to put on it, it’s important to have the basics figured out first.
Information You’ll Want Before You Apply:
- Your preferred ceremony date
- Requested start time
- Approximate total number of participants
- Preferred ceremony location or GPS coordinates
- Alternate locations and/or dates
- Estimated number of vehicles
- Equipment you’re bringing
- Photographer, videographer, officiant, planner, or other support personnel
- Contact information for whoever will be in charge on-site
Luckily you don’t actually need every vendor finalized before filling out the paperwork. Current NPS instructions allow “unknown support personnel” to be listed as TBD, with their information provided before the permit is technically finalized.
But now that we have all the details, let’s tackle how you should fill out the actual application.
How Do You Apply for a Grand Teton Small Dispersed Ceremony Permit?
A lot of elopement blogs give you written step-by-step instructions for filling out the permit application, but as someone with ADHD, I find it way easier to follow along when I can actually see what I’m supposed to be doing. So I’m going to walk you through the application both visually and step by step, so you can see exactly what goes where.
Step 1: Download the Current NPS Application
Download either the current Word or PDF Wedding and Commitment Ceremony Special Use Application directly from NPS.
Pro tip: click on the Adobe PDF version and it’ll let you fill it in online.
Don’t download an application somebody saved to their photography blog three years ago. Use the current one here: Grand Teton Ceremony Permit Application Instructions
Step 2: Fill Out Your Ceremony Information
The first page is where you’ll enter most of the information about your ceremony. I’ve filled out an example below so you can see what goes where. Anything in blue shows an example of what you would enter, while my notes in orange point out the things that are easy to miss or misunderstand.
A few things worth paying extra attention to:
- Activity Details: This is just asking what you’re applying to do. For this application, you can put “Small Dispersed Ceremony.”
- Preferred Location: You can enter the name of your requested ceremony location or GPS coordinates. I also recommend filling out the alternate date, location and time fields so NPS has backup options if your first choice isn’t available.
- Participants: This means everyone who will be at your ceremony, not just your guests. The two of you, photographer, videographer, officiant, planner and guests all count toward the 12-person limit.
- Vehicles: Give your best estimate of the total number of vehicles that will be there, including vendor vehicles.
- Equipment: This means the equipment you and your vendors plan to bring for the ceremony…not your hiking backpacks, water bottles and every random personal item you’re carrying. Think camera gear, tripods, bouquets, musical instruments or any chairs you’re requesting permission to use.
- Support personnel: List your photographer, videographer, officiant, planner or other vendors involved in the ceremony. If you haven’t booked everyone yet, NPS currently allows you to list them as TBD and provide their information before the permit is finalized.
- Person in charge: This is the person responsible for making sure everyone follows the permit conditions on-site. NPS says your photographer or planner can be listed here if they’re authorized to make decisions or you can just list yourself.
- Have you visited the requested area? Pretty straightforward. Select yes if you’ve been to your requested ceremony location before and no if you haven’t.
On the second page, you’ll need to fill out the applicant section and sign the application. One of the people getting married should enter their name and title, sign the application and add the date.
If you’re filling out the application digitally, you don’t have to print the entire thing just to sign it. You can use the drawing/signature tool in the toolbar directly above the application to add your signature to the PDF. I’ve included an image below showing exactly where to find it and how to use it.
Once everything is filled out and signed, you’ll need to download the completed application with your changes saved. Look for the download button in the upper-right corner of the PDF viewer. When you’re given the option to download the application with your changes or without your changes, select “With your changes.” This makes sure everything you filled out, including your signature, is saved in the downloaded copy. You can also find an image of where to find the download button below.
Step 3: Pay the $200 Application Fee
Grand Teton National Park requires a $200 nonrefundable application fee for Small Dispersed Ceremony Permits. You’ll pay this online through Pay.gov.
To get started, head back to the NPS Wedding and Commitment Ceremonies page and find Step 3: Pay Application Fee under the application instructions. Click “Open the form” to access the payment website.
Once you’re on Pay.gov, select “Continue to the Form.”
Next, you’ll need to complete the payment form. I’ve included an example below showing what goes where.
A few things to pay attention to:
- Business/Event Name: Enter Applicant’s Full Name
- Applicant information: Enter the name and contact information of the person applying for the permit. Make sure this matches the applicant information on your ceremony permit application.
- Permit Fee: Check the box labeled “Permit Fee.” DO NOT select “Additional Fee.”
- Amount Due: Enter $200.00.
Once everything is filled out, click “Continue” to enter your payment information, review your details and complete the transaction.
Keep the Pay.gov confirmation email for your records. You don’t need to email your payment confirmation to NPS.
Keep in mind that paying the $200 application fee doesn’t guarantee your requested ceremony location, date, or time will be approved. That’s why I strongly recommend including alternate locations and times on your application.
And that’s it! Your application fee is paid. Now you’ll need to submit your completed ceremony permit application.
Step 4: Submit Your Application to NPS
Now that you’ve completed and signed your application and paid the $200 application fee, it’s time to send everything to Grand Teton National Park.
Email your completed Wedding and Commitment Ceremony Special Use Application that you downloaded earlier to grte_spu_permits@nps.gov.
Make sure you’re attaching the completed PDF with all of your information and signature saved, not the blank application you originally downloaded.
If your photographer or planner is submitting the application on your behalf, one of the people getting married must be copied on the email.
According to NPS, you should allow 2–10 business days for an initial response after submitting your application. So don’t get your panties in a bunch if you don’t see a response email right away but don’t forget to check your spam!
Step 5: Review and Sign Your Draft Permit
Once Grand Teton National Park has processed your application and payment, they’ll review your requested ceremony date, time, and location. If everything checks out, NPS will email you a draft ceremony permit to review and sign.
Before signing, double-check that your ceremony location, date, time, and other details are correct. If anything looks wrong or needs to be changed, contact the permit office before returning it.
You’ll typically have 7–10 days to review, sign, and return your draft permit. If you need additional time, you can contact NPS to request an extension.
If you listed any vendors or support personnel as TBD on your original application, you’ll also need to provide their information before your permit can be finalized.
Once you’ve signed and returned your draft permit, NPS can move forward with issuing your final ceremony permit.
Step 6: Receive and Carry Your Final Permit
Once you’ve signed and returned your draft permit, Grand Teton National Park will finalize your application and email you your approved ceremony permit.
Print a copy of your final permit and bring it with you on your elopement day. You’ll need to have it available in case a park ranger asks to see it.
Before your ceremony, make sure everyone involved, including your photographer, officiant, and any other vendors, understands the permit conditions and approved ceremony location and time.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Grand Teton Small Dispersed Ceremony Permit Approved?
Grand Teton National Park requires a minimum of 30 days to process a Small Dispersed Ceremony Permit application, and any sort of expedited processing is not available.
After submitting your application, you can generally expect an initial email from the NPS permit office within 2–10 business days confirming they’ve received it. However, this doesn’t mean your requested ceremony location, date, or time has been approved.
You should plan on approximately 30 days from when NPS receives your completed application for them to review it and let you know whether your requested ceremony location, date, and time are available. Keep in mind that this is separate from the initial 2–10 business day response window, so I’d recommend allowing closer to six weeks for the process rather than assuming you’ll have an answer exactly one month after hitting send.
Once those details are confirmed, you’ll still need to review, sign, and return your draft permit before NPS issues your final approved permit.
For locations that can only be identified using GPS coordinates or aren’t commonly used for ceremonies, I’d highly recommend applying even earlier. NPS may need additional time to have other park staff review your requested location and determine whether it’s appropriate for a ceremony.
What Are the Rules for a Grand Teton Small Dispersed Ceremony?
Grand Teton National Park has specific rules about what you can bring and set up, how you can use your ceremony location, and how long you’re allowed to be there under your Small Dispersed Ceremony Permit. These restrictions are meant to protect the park’s natural resources and minimize environmental impact.
What Can You Bring to Your Grand Teton Ceremony?
Honestly, let’s be so for real here…the Tetons ARE the decor. You don’t need much else.
So here are some items that are generally allowed at your ceremony:
- Bouquets and boutonnieres: Handheld flowers are allowed, but you can’t scatter petals or leave any floral materials behind.
- Photography equipment: Cameras and equipment used by your photographer or videographer, subject to your permit conditions.
- Acoustic music: Quiet, non-amplified instruments may be permitted as long as they don’t disturb other visitors.
- Chairs for accessibility: Limited seating may be approved for individuals who need accommodations, but it must be requested and authorized in advance.
If you’re planning to bring anything beyond the basics, include it on your application.
What Isn’t Allowed at a Small Dispersed Ceremony?
Grand Teton is NOT a wedding venue. There are strict limitations on what you can set up or bring into the park.
Generally, you cannot have:
- Wedding arches, arbors, altars, or other ceremony structures.
- Rugs, blankets, platforms, tables, tents, or decorative setups.
- Amplified music, speakers, or sound systems.
- Confetti, rice, birdseed, flower petals, balloons, or anything else released or scattered.
- Drones or generators.
- Receptions, catered meals, or other wedding-related gatherings at the ceremony site.
Everything you bring into the park needs to leave with you. Your ceremony should leave the location looking exactly as it did before you arrived.
How Long Can Your Small Dispersed Ceremony Last?
A Grand Teton Small Dispersed Ceremony Permit allows one hour at your approved ceremony location. That hour includes arriving at the site, setting up, holding your ceremony, taking photographs, and leaving the permitted area.
But that condition is only for your actual physical ceremony. The rest of the day you can spend time exploring, hiking, taking portraits and visiting other areas of Grand Teton National Park so long as those activities follow the normal park regulations and any other permit conditions.
The one-hour restriction only applies to your permitted ceremony location and ceremony activities.
Does Your Grand Teton Elopement Photographer Need a Separate Photography Permit?
No. Your elopement photographer does not need a separate photography permit to photograph your ceremony under an approved Grand Teton National Park Small Dispersed Ceremony Permit.
According to the National Park Service, photography associated with an authorized wedding ceremony is covered under the ceremony permit. However, your photographer still counts toward the 12-person maximum, along with any other vendors attending your ceremony.
If you’re planning to take additional wedding photos throughout the park before or after your ceremony, you can generally do so without a separate photography permit, provided you’re following normal park regulations and your activities don’t independently require additional authorization.
Can an Elopement Photographer Help You Get a Grand Teton Ceremony Permit?
Yes! Your elopement photographer can absolutely help you navigate the Grand Teton ceremony permit process. And that’s exactly what I do as a Grand Teton elopement photographer!
I help all my couples with their National Park permits to make sure the applications are filled out correctly to avoid any unnecessary delays. I also help you find gorgeous ceremony locations, plan fun activities, scout out cool spots for portraits, build backup plans, timelines, and packing lists so the planning process feels easy, even if you’re traveling from out of state!
So if you’re ready to stop stressing over permits and start planning one hell of an elopement in the Tetons, let’s make it happen!
