A bride and groom kiss in front of the Teton mountains

5 Mountain Wedding Locations for Midwestern Couples

5 Mountain Wedding Locations for Midwestern Couples

As a Midwest wedding photographer, my favorite thing (next to an iced coffee and snuggling up on the couch with my dogs) is hopping in the car and taking a roadtrip to the mountains. So you better believe I jump at every opportunity to photograph a mountain wedding! 

Whether you’re planning a celebration in the Rockies, Grand Tetons, or another national park, there’s nothing quite like getting married in the mountains. There’s something about the majesty of the landscape that makes your day feel sacred. From elopements and micro weddings to full on destination celebrations, mountain weddings are one of the most beautiful ways to celebrate the start of your marriage! 

5 Incredible Places for Mountain Weddings 

Sapphire Point Overlook in Dillon, Colorado 

Sapphire Point Overlook offers unparalleled views of Dillon Reservoir and the Gore and Tenmile mountain ranges. This is the perfect place for a micro wedding, since the site can accommodate up to 30 guests! Just imagine getting ready in a cozy mountain lodge, making your way to the site, and getting overwhelmed by the blue lake and snow-covered peaks. 

That’s exactly what happened for Noah and Melany, who had worked with me for a few mini-sessions over the years. When they decided to tie the knot in Colorado, I was overjoyed to capture the intimate moments between the couple and their closest friends and family members—plus their adorable dogs!  

A mountain wedding ceremony at Sapphire Point in Dillon, Colorado
Bride and groom portraits with the Rocky Mountains in the background
A bride and groom walk across a field with the Rocky Mountains looming behind them
A bride and groom stand on an outlook overlooking a lake with the Rocky mountains partially obscured by fog behind them
A bride and groom surrounded by their wedding party. The girls wear dark green dresses while the men wear beige suit jackets and jeans

Schwabacher Landing in Moose, Wyoming

Schwabacher Landing is a gorgeous little spot along the Snake River in Wyoming. The clear water reflects the jagged peaks of the Tetons, creating one of the most stunning backdrops for photos! 

Tyler and Maura’s elopement at Schwabacher Landing lives rent-free in my head. We started the day at the landing, where the couple exchanged vows. Then, we transitioned to Mormon Row for dome Western-inspired portraits. The historic homestead is known for it’s iconic barns and mountains in the background. We rounded off their elopement by stopping by the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar in Jackson Hole for some city-style portraits with a Western flair! 

A bride and groom exchange vows in front of the river and snow-capped mountains at Scwabacher Landing
A groom in a black suit kisses a redheaded bride in front of snow-capped mountains at Schwabacher Landing
A groom dips the bride and kisses her in the wide open field in front of the Rocky Mountains at Mormon Row
A groom in a black suit with a black cowboy hat kisses a bride in an off-the-shoulder white gown with a white cowboy hat during sunset at Mormon Row, an old farmstead
A bride and groom walk along the street in front of the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

String Lake & Mountain View Turnout in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming 

If String Lake wasn’t on your list of places to visit in Grand Teton National Park, you’ve got to add it. This shallow lake is about four miles around, and offers such a peaceful respite from the rest of the world. The tree-covered trail feels secluded and intimate, and you only need to look up to see the towering mountains. 

Max and Emilie started their wedding day off at String Lake, writing their vows. I loved their decision to spend the morning quietly together. They wore comfy clothes and basked in the fresh mountain air before returning to their Airbnb to get dressed. Then, we drove to Mountain View Turnout for their ceremony. This is a popular location for weddings, but they only issue one ceremony permit per day, so we had the entire space to ourselves. The photos make it feel like Max and Emilie were the only two people in the world. 

A couple in comfy sweaters sits on the shore of String Lake and writes their vows
A cloud partially obscures the jagged peaks of the Teton mountains while a couple sits on a log and writes their vows to one another
A bride flings her arms around the grooms neck as he embraces her in front of the Teton Mountains
A bride and groom exchange vows in front of the Teton Mountains at Mountain View Turnout
An intimate mountain wedding at Mountain View Turnout

Colter Bay in Grand Teton National Park

Colter Bay is at the Northern tip of Grand Teton National Park. It gives sweeping views of the northern peaks and Jackson Lake. Sydney and William eloped here, starting their day at 5am to get the sunrise views. They exchanged their vows as the light hit the peaks in the background, making an already incredible day just that much more memorable. After their vows, we snuck off to Mountain View Turnout for some more portraits with another view of the Tetons. 

A private mountain wedding ceremony on the shores of Colter Bay with the snow-capped peaks of the Teton Mountains in the background
A bride and groom embrace on the rocky shores of Colter Bay
The wind lifts a bride's long cathedral veil while she stands in a field at Mountain View Turnout
A bride and groom walk in a field in front of the Teton Mountains at Mountain View Turnout

Elk Ranch Flats Turnout 

Elk Ranch Flats Turnout is a unique location just outside of Grand Teton National Park. You get the mountain range in the back with a high possibility of free-roaming buffalo—but you don’t need a permit since it’s outside the park entrance! This is a great place for intimate portraits, which is exactly what Cami and Thomas wanted for their elopement. 

The jagged peaks of the Grand Tetons are visible across a grassy field at Elk Ranch Flats Turnout
A bride and groom lean on a rustic wooden fence at Elk Ranch Flats Turnour
Bride and groom portraits with the snow-capped Teton Mountains in the background
A groom in a black suit and black cowboy hat kisses a bride in a long-sleeve white gown, holding a bouquet of white flowers
A bride and groom kiss with the Teton Mountains behind them

Mountain Wedding Photographer 

I go on and on about the views, but the truth is, mountain weddings offer more than just breathtaking scenery. They’re all about the experience. Immersing yourself in nature on your wedding day reminds you to slow down and soak in every moment. It makes your wedding or elopement feel even more personal, because you’re fully present. 

As a midwest photographer specializing in National Park elopements like the ones in this blog, I feel honored every time a couple wants to take me with them on their adventure! I love helping couples find their dream locations and capture the moments they most want to remember. If you’re considering a National Park wedding (which I HIGHLY recommend), I would love to chat with you and learn more about your vision. Explore my wedding photography packages and inquire to start the conversation!

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