Event Schedule:
Friday: (Only Couple, Couple's Parents, & Officiant are needed to attend)
4:30 PM - Ceremony Rehearsal
6:30 PM - Unofficial Dinner
Saturday:
4:00 PM - Family & Guests Arrive at Ceremony Location
4:30 PM - Wedding Ceremony (While we wish we could have everyone in attendance for this, due to group size restrictions enforced by the National Park, only those who specifically received a Ceremony Invitation separate from the Original Invitation are needed to attend.)
5:00 PM - Ceremony Ends / Family Photos
5:45 PM - Reception Guests Arrive at Reception Venue (See below for location details)
6:00 PM - Cocktail Hour / Open Bar begins
6:30 PM - Yudi & Joe Arrival / Dances Inside
7:00 PM - Sunset & Toasts / Announcements / Prayer
7:30 PM - Dinner & Fellowship
8:00 PM - Open Bar Ends / Cash Bar Begins
10:30 PM - Last Call for the Bar
11:00 PM - End of Event / Afterparty (Location TBA)
Sunday:
9:30 AM - Brunch & Send Off (Exact time could change. Please check back frequently for updates)
11:00 AM - If you’re checking out of the Hatchet this morning, checkout time is 11:00 AM
The Hatchet Resort
This will be the location of our Wedding Reception. It is important to note that there are limited nearby options for lodging and places book up quickly all over the region this time of year, so we encourage guests to book their lodging as soon as possible.
Visit: www.HatchetResort.com
Additional Lodging :
Important Considerations:
Price: Traveling to this region of the country can be quite expensive, and searching for places to stay that are reasonably priced can be intimidating. But rest assured, there are plenty of options for those looking to spend and those looking to save. Be sure to do your research before booking a place;
Location: The locations of both our ceremony and reception are quite remote, taking place in the northernmost sections of the National Park. Jackson, the largest population center in the region, is up to an hour's drive away. Unfortunately, aside from the Hatchet Resort, closer lodging options are extremely limited. Do your research! If you are not staying nearby, make sure you have a plan for how you're going to get to where you're staying after the festivities draw to a close.
Reference the event map for assistance with planning.
Season: Our wedding being on October 5th means it is taking place on one of the last weekends of the season for a lot of businesses in and around Jackson and the National Park. This means that they will be closing their doors until winter; ski season. Jackson Lake Lodge, for example, is one of the closest lodging options to the ceremony and reception venues, but it closes for the season the following day, on October 6th. This means that if you book a room there, you will be checking out the day after the wedding. Do your research!
Weather: See section below; "Fall in Wyoming"
Hotels ($$ - $$$$):
Hotels can range from $200 a night for something decent to $600 and up for something more luxurious.
Cabins / Homes ($$ - $$$$):
You can find solid options like the Fireside Resort in the $200-$300 range. VRBO has great options too, but because of the season, most will book up fast!
Camping (FREE - $):
This option has Joe's top endorsement, though, most of us don't enjoy sleeping with the wolves and bears in the cold. Sure is cheap though.
Fall in Wyoming :
Joe McMillon Photography
Northwestern Wyoming in the fall is unmatched in its beauty and wildness. The aspen and cottonwood trees are ablaze with vibrant yellow and orange hues. The wildlife is active and vigorously preparing for the coming arctic freezes as the air turns crisp with the first cold snaps of the year since spring. Elk are migrating in their thousands to the lower valleys - the bulls locked in fierce competition with one another over the cows. Their chilling bugles can be heard all over Teton & Yellowstone parks. The bull moose are likewise in full rut, seeking out the females. Wolves are taking advantage of all this activity - hoping to single out the weak and wounded from the herd. Grizzlies and black bears are foraging ravenously in an attempt to fatten up before hibernation. And the trout are eating their fill of hatching mayflies.
But equal in its beauty is the ruggedness of the land and the unpredictability of the weather. These things make being prepared all the more important.
Weather:
Typically, the weather in the Tetons this time of year is either sunny with scattered snow showers or overcast and cold. Though, freak snow storms that can ice up the roads are not unheard of.
Temperatures:
Temperatures on sunny days typically hover around 75° (the direct sun can be brutal), and on overcast days, around 40°. Wind chill is also a factor. At night, temps plummet to the low 30's. Temps in the 20's are also common and can even dip into the teens with single digits rare, but not impossible.
Wildlife:
As stated above, local wildlife is very active this time of year. Northwestern Wyoming is home to several very large species of mammal. All can be highly dangerous in certain circumstances. Elk and moose, especially males, are exceptionally volatile this time of year and should never be approached. Bison as well. And predators are on the hunt, looking to build up their food stores before winter, making them active, which means the chances for encountering them are much higher. Best to avoid them altogether by following park guidelines and keeping your distance if one is spotted.
Gatting There:
As stated above, traveling to this region of the country can be quite expensive. Booking your flights as early as possible is one way to save money. Consider these options when planning your trip:
Fly Straight There:
While this is the most expensive option, it gets you there the fastest.
Fly to Salt Lake City & Drive:
This option is a bit more affordable, but adds 4.5+ hrs to your travel time. Beautiful drive though.
Fly to Denver & Drive:
This option is much more affordable, but adds 8+ hrs to your travel time.
Drive All the Way:
This is the most affordable option, though it means 5+ days of driving in addition to your trip. But hey, it's an adventure right?
Getting Around:
As important as getting there, is how you'll get around once you make it. Fortunately, there are options, and the sooner you start, the more options you'll afford yourself:
Traditional Rental:
This is the most expensive overall option, but it's also the most convenient.
Camper Van Rental:
While this comes with a higher overall cost, it could save you on lodging and even flights if you opt to rent and drive cross country.
Turo Rental:
This is the most affordable vehicle rental option, though options could be limited considering the location and time of year. A big plus is the potential for a much nicer, more stylish option to roll around in.
Bring Your Own:
Cant beat free! Plus, it saves you from needing to book flights as well!
What to Wear:
We've chosen to forego having traditional wedding parties (bridesmaids / groomsmen), instead wanting everyone in attendance to be our collective wedding party. While the desired dress is not a requirement of course, it is encouraged.
For the Wedding:
For a fall wedding in Wyoming where a chill is in the air, Cowboy Black Tie attire strikes the perfect balance between western charm and elegance.
Men: Skip the jeans in favor of tailored dress pants in neutral tones, paired with a crisp western shirt and a well-fitted blazer or leather vest. Polished leather cowboy boots and accessories like a bolo tie or statement belt buckle add stylish touches.
Women: Opt for long, flowing dresses in rich autumn hues, enhanced with western details such as fringe, intricate embroidery, or sparkling embellishments. Pair with heels or heeled boots and a stylish shawl or tailored jacket for warmth.
Both outfits blend rugged individuality with refined sophistication - perfect for the occasion.
Color Palette (For Reference):
These colors are of course not meant to be followed religiously, nor do they need to comprise all of your color options. They're more meant as a general guide. And of course, avoid wearing whites and white variants.
General Attire:
Your general attire (what you wear outside of the wedding) is, of course, entirely up to you. But with the weather being so unpredictable in this area at this time of year, and temperatures potentially fluctuating from as high as 85 degrees on sunny days to as low as 15 degrees on frigid nights, the best approach to packing properly for your trip is to think in terms of layers. Below are a few helpful considerations;
Outer Layers: For visits to the national park, a light jacket may be all that is needed during the day. On overcast days, especially when it's windy, a heavy jacket may be the only thing that makes it bearable. A rain shell would work perfectly for those occasional rain and snow showers, though, if your other jackets are already water resistant, those should work just fine. Bear in mind that though Jackson is outside of the park, it is still surrounded by the mountains, so the weather there can still be just as unpredictable.
Tops & Bottoms: You'll mostly want to stick to sweaters and/or flannels for your tops while visiting Wyoming. For bottoms, jeans are always a great option. Some durable hiking pants are a great option as well.
Base Layers: Base layers aren't really a critical item, though we like to bring a pair along just in case. They help shield against the cold on those extra frigid days.
Headwear: Packing a beanie or two is never a bad idea. Ball caps work fine as well. A good pair of sunglasses are an excellent item to bring along as well. The sun can be especially harsh. Polarized sunglasses are a bonus. Especially if you plan to fish!
Handwear: A solid pair of gloves can be nice for cold, windy days.
Footwear: Warm, high ankle socks are excellent for pairing with a good, solid pair of hiking boots. Merino wool is always a solid option. And make sure your boots have good tread if you plan to hike in them.
Things to Do:
Visit the National Parks:
Sightseeing & Wildlife Watching: As mentioned above, there's plenty going on in the national parks this time of year. Fall colors are at their peak and wildlife is on the move. Early in the mornings, the willow flats all around Grand Teton National Park are great areas for spotting moose, and the sage flats all around the base of the Tetons are excellent areas for spotting elk. In Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful is the number one spot to visit. Make sure you take some time to walk around the geyser basin after you watch Old Faithful's iconic eruption. And drop in at the historic Old Faithful Inn for a unique experience as well. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is another iconic area of the park. Especially the upper and lower falls of the Yellowstone River. Hayden and Lamar Valleys are excellent spots for seeing wildlife.
Refer to the event map for locations and ideas.
Hiking & Exploring: There are so many excellent trails around Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Whether looking for something relaxing or something more challenging, the options are endless. Before you go, make sure you are familiar with proper backcountry etiquette, and be sure to do a bit of studying up on the trail(s) you would like to hike. One of the best ways to cover your bases is to speak to a Park Ranger before you embark and some of the best places to do this are at the visitor centers around the park. In our experience, Park Rangers are always very knowledgable and helpful, so don't hesitate to take some time to chat with them. Here is a great starting point for researching different trail options before your trip: www.alltrails.com
Another great way to explore the park is by bike, though many bike rental locations are closing up for the season right around the time we'll be there. Be sure to do some research ahead of time.
Refer to the event map for locations and ideas.
Fishing: The region encompassing the Northwestern corner of Wyoming, Southwestern corner of Montana, and Easternmost border of Idaho is one of the best places, if not THE best place, in the world for trout fishing, ESPECIALLY in the fall. Flyfishing is the primary form of fishing for the area and brown trout is the main trout species to target. Firehole River, Henry's Fork, Lewis River, Gibbon River, and Madison River are the top spots. For fishing with spinning and baitcasting rods, the Snake River, especially near the Jackson Lake Dam, is an excellent spot.
Refer to the event map for locations and ideas.
Explore Jackson:
Visit the Art Galleries/Museums: There are many high end Western art galleries all around Jackson and can make for really neat places to explore. Even if you're not looking to spend a fortune on art, just browsing can be a really fun experience. There are several all around the main square that are worth a visit. Our favorite gallery to stop in at is Thomas Mangelsen's photography studio - a local and internationally recognized landscape and wildlife photographer.
Another great spot to visit is the National Museum of Wildlife Art located just outside of town and overlooking the National Elk Refuge. It's definitely a unique experience.
Refer to the event map for locations and ideas.
Shop til You Drop: Like with art galleries, there are many great little shops all around Jackson that are worth stopping in at. Whether looking for souvenirs to remember the trip by, gifts for people back home, western inspired dresswear, or neat little art pieces crafted by local artists, there is no shortage of options. Be sure to stop in at the various little stores around the National Parks as well.
Refer to the event map for locations and ideas.
Experience the Food: Contrary to what you might think due to its remote location, Jackson is a great place to experience various different types of delicious food. From bibimbap to sushi, tex-mex to regional gourmet Mexican, game meats and pioneer dishes to bar food, there are many great options to choose from. Some of our favorite stops are Gun Barrel Game House, Hatch Taqueria, Bapp, The Merry Piglet Mexican Grill, Kampai, Sidewinders American Grill, & Calico.
Refer to the event map for locations and ideas.
