A Wedding on the Other Side of the Tetons

Written By Kristin Halsey
Dramatic wedding photography at Grand Targhee Resort

The Bride and Groom stand at the top of the Dream Catcher lift at Grand Targhee Resort, renowned for its dramatic view of the Teton Mountains. Photo by Kris Halsey Photography

Crowds flock to Grand Teton National Park and explore the charming western town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. But just a short (albeit steep and winding drive) from Jackson, you’ll encounter Teton Valley and its beloved B-side resort, Grand Targhee.

Vendors

Hair and makeup: Teton Valley Beauty Co.

Desserts/Cake: Paisley Cakes

DJ: Steady Jake 

Florals: MD Florals

Venue/catering: Grand Targhee Resort

Wedding Coordinator: A Day to Remember

Wedding ceremony altar at Grand Targhee Resort

Stunning views from the ceremony site

Wildflowers and Wedding Tent at Grand Targhee Resort

Late July

Groom and groomsmen getting ready at Grand Targhee Resort

Grooms Suite Getting Ready at Grand Targhee Resort

Groom's details at Grand Targhee wedding

Groom Details

bespoke pet pins for the grooms suit

Bespoke details - custom made pins representing the couple’s pets

Groom getting ready at Grand Targhee Wedding

Present in spirit

Groom and groomsmen celebrating while getting ready
wedding dress hanging in window at Grand Targhee Resort

View from the Bridal Suite

Wedding dress hanging in window at Grand Targhee Resort

Floral dress to match the wild flowers

Bride and bridesmaids dancing and getting ready in bridal suite at Grand Targhee Wedding

Play

Mother helping bride zip up wedding dress at Grand Targhee Resort, documentary wedding photography style

A moment with Mom

Documentary wedding photography, sister helping bride put veil on, documentary wedding photography style

Beautiful simplicity with pearl details

Bride getting ready at bridal suite at Grand Targhee Resort

Pearls on repeat

Black and white photo of bride with pearl earrings at Grand Targhee Resort
Bride and sister getting ready in bridal suite at Grand Targhee Wedding, documentary wedding photography
Bride and maids getting ready, flower girl making a funny face in bridal suite at Grand Targhee Resort, documentary wedding photography

The bride chose a mismatched but complimentary floral theme for her maids

Bride outside mid-spin at Grand Targhee Resort, documentary wedding photography style

On the way to the First Look

Bride and Groom's first look at Grand Targhee resort, standing in forest holding hands, documentary style photography

We scoped out this vista for the Bride and Groom’s first look, an overlook with views of Teton Range

The bride observes a custom pet lapel pin on the groom, documentary wedding photography at Grand Targhee Resort

Finer details

Black and white documentary style wedding photography, showing groom behind bride, holding her waist, kissing her cheek
Bride and Groom walk along forest path, aspens and wildflowers with tent in background, documentary wedding photography at Grand Targhee Resort

Exploring the Grounds

Documentary style wedding photography, bride looking back at photographer over shoulder, Grand Targhee Resort

(David actually has a bloody nose here)

Documentary style wedding photography, Grand Targhee Resort; wedding party walks across lawn of resort

Everyone is ready, and the wedding party heads to the Dream Catcher Lift

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary style wedding photography, bride and groom in line to catch lift up to the top of the resort

Everyone was so excited for this part

Grand Targhee Resort, Documentary wedding photography, bride with groom's brother and sister in line at ski lift, siblings holding mason jars with flower bouquets
Grand Targhee Resort, documentary wedding photography; bride and groom sit on ski lift with family in background looking on
Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; bride and groom sit on ski lift, bride looking at camera with big smile, groom looking at her with arm around her
Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; family members and wedding party in chairs along the ski lift going up the mountain

Up and Up and Up

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; Bride and groom step off Dream Catcher Lift

Unload Here

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; groom stands along ridge overlooking the back side of the Teton Mountain Range

The greatest thing about Grand Targhee Resort is the sweeping backside views of the Tetons

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; groom has bride's train wrapped around shoulders

Always time for play, or perhaps just the best solution for managing a billowing train

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; Bride and Bridesmaid standing along ridge with views of the Teton Range in the background

Always time for laughs as well

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; bride and groom kiss with views of the Teton Mountain Range in the background

All the dramatic views for this laid back couple

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; bride and groom walking along a mountain trail with wildflowers in the foreground, pines in the background

With portraits ending, it’s time to come back down to the resort

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; bride and groom sit on ski lift with Just Married sign on the back of the chair lift
Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; bride and groom walk past mountain biker

A range of adventures

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; Groom holds door for bride as they enter the Teewinot Lodge at Grand Targhee Resort

Portraits finished, guests to arrive soon

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; bar tender setting up for cocktail hour

Cocktail Hour begins

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; drink menu showing custom pet portraits

The Moose and the Hazel

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; guests in formal attire arrive for cocktail hour

Arrivals

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; a guest bends down to pet small white dog during cocktail hour

Honored guests

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; a mother, son, and father taking a candid photo together, son pointing at camera
Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; bride and groom share a moment with guests, holding a drink and laughing

The Moose was a particular hit

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; guests seated at ceremony site

With cocktail hour ending, we transition to the ceremony

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; bride walking down aisle with her father
Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; bride and groom at altar laughing as groom puts on sticky ring

Tears, laughter, all of the emotions during the ceremony

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; bride and groom hold hands up as they've just been pronounced husband and wife

Husband & Wife

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; low shot of couple with arms up walking down the aisle as confetti is being thrown at them

Joy

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; family and friends walking path from ceremony site to reception tent, aspen trees and wildflower field

With the ceremony finished, it’s time to head to the reception

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; guest waves at camera on the way to reception tent
Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; tent with tables set up for reception
Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; custom illustrations of national parks showing seating arrangements

Custom illustrations of National Parks for table assignments

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; white wedding cake with orange and yellow flowers, candles

Of course a Teton-inspired cake

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; guests at reception putting written messages on wooden board

Guests filled out custom messages for the Bride and Groom

A quiet moment alone before their first entrance

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; bride and groom facing away from the camera with guests in the background cheering on
Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; bride and sister laughing with dad in the middle reading his toast

Toasts

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; groom dipping bride during first dance, guests in background

First Dance as husband and wife

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; guest with tears as she's watching the couple dance
Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; bride and groom walking toward camera with sun in background, illuminating purple fireweed flowers

We pulled the bride and groom aside briefly for sunset portraits

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; bride and groom smiling at camera, bride with head tipped toward groom, wildflowers in teh background
Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; groom and bride in dancing position with wildflowers in the background

A dance among the wildflowers

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; bride and groom standing outside reception tent laughing with each other

Before getting ready to dance back inside

Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; bride and guest dancing with groom in foreground
Grand Targhee Resort, documentary Wedding photography; bride and groom going in for kiss with plate of cake in hands, guests in the background

Ending the night with the traditional cake cutting

Kristin Halsey