Sunrise Elopement Ceremony, pros and cons...


Top reasons to choose sunrise for your wedding or elopement ceremony:

  • When it comes to places like the Grand Teton National Park sunrise is always better...yes, in the summer that means getting up at 3a to get ready etc. but let me tell you it is worth it. Every of my eloping clients said the same, 'it was worth it'. Why? Because you get that gorgeous mountain glow and light setting right go the mountains. Imagine waking up in a place you have never been to before and seeing that slow motion pinkish light cast its magic on the Teton range? Gorgeous!
  • Reason number two, early bird gets the worm and avoids crowds. National Parks get very crowded in the season so the only way to avoid it is to get up early and have the privacy we all seek.
  • Those pretty still lakes and perfect reflections. Sometime on calm day you can experience that in the evening as well but if you dream of those perfect mountain reflections the early morning is your best bet
  • Wildlife sightseeing! Especially if you're eloping in Wyoming and specifically in the GTNP or Yellowstone the mornings are where you can see bison, elk or even bears.

CONS of sunrise elopements

  1. When it comes to cons the obvious is getting up at the wee hour and in the summer that means very EARLY
  2. Not all vendors such as hair and make up are available this early or if they are they will charge you premium to get to you at 3am.
  3. Not every spot photographs well at sunrise, that's where you photographer comes in. Some places are better for sunsets, some better for sunrise. It depends on the sun placement and location as well as your position in the landscape.
  4. If you're eloping in the mountains it is usually very cold in the spring or fall, in the summers mornings are chilly but not as cold as in shoulder season. If you care for beautiful photography then you should just tough it up, choose sunrise elopement and enjoy your beautiful photos forever.


Couple sharing a romantic dip kiss at sunset with Grand Teton mountains reflected in calm water behind them.
Couple embracing at sunset with snow-capped Grand Teton mountains reflected in a calm river, surrounded by autumn trees.
Couple walking along a river at sunset with the snow-capped Grand Teton mountains reflecting in the water.
Couple embraces at sunset by a river with snow-capped Grand Teton mountains behind them.
Couple in western attire stands by rocky river with stunning Grand Teton mountain sunset view.
Historic wooden barn at sunset with snow-capped Grand Teton mountains glowing pink in the background.
Bride in white lace gown and fur wrap holds pink bouquet with snow-capped Grand Teton mountains behind her.
Couple exchanges vows at Grand Teton National Park wedding, bride in lace gown with fur wrap, groom in gray suit.
Bride and groom stand by a reflective mountain lake with snow-capped Grand Teton peaks in the background.

Sunrise Elopement at Schwabacher Landing


Schwabacher Landing is on elf the most popular Elopement locations in the Tetons. It is highly competitive so make sure you apply for as soon as the permits open up but if you don't get the permit, no worries you can still enjoy sunrise here and take photos in your wedding attire. My clients met with me at 5:45am on a cold May morning, high sacrifice for someone who also had to get ready, but they knew it will be worth it. They arrived in the Tetons the previous day and didn't see much of the mountains because of the storm. Having bluebird day on their elopement day was definitely an award for early wake up call.


Schwbacahcher Landing allows people to have up to 25 guests. Pros of this location are great views, serene mornings, toilets near by pleasant creek down below. Cons are: it gets crowded throughout the day, permits are hard to get and the road closes Nov-late April.

After the sunrise we drove off to their official ceremony site for intimate elopement and vow exchange. You could still see that beautiful mountain glow on the Tetons and the light stayed flattering till our coverage ended 4h later.

Couple in wedding attire embracing on rocky lakeshore at sunset with dramatic pink clouds and misty mountains backdrop.
Bride and groom pose by a rocky lakeside at sunset with misty mountains in Grand Teton National Park.
Bride and groom holding hands at lakeside with misty mountain backdrop at sunset during outdoor wedding ceremony.
A bride and groom embrace in a sagebrush field at sunset with a glowing pink sky and tree line behind them.