Guided by Love

Guided by Love

Jocelyn & Peter

About three years ago, I unwittingly met the love of my life. We actually didn’t talk much for the first couple months, despite being naturalist guides for Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris, as Peter’s a bit shy and I’m a lot oblivious. Still, I’m grateful that he finally worked up the courage to ask me out.

Our first date was a wild success. Peter picked me up before sunrise with a giant mug of hot coffee and we headed into the Gros Ventre to track moose. There we were, swapping lenses, up to our knees in mud, photographing a gorgeous bull moose, just as happy as could be, when a local character asked if Peter was my new boyfriend. “Yep,” I responded.

We topped off our first date with an adorable river-bathing grizzly bear sighting, a delicious café brunch, and the sweetest kiss. And that was it. We just knew.

About a month later I was invited by a guy friend to film mountain gorillas, and Peter was the ever-supportive “boyfriend” who encouraged me to embrace the exciting opportunity. He was just so cool about it, and I felt myself falling for him even more. That mountain gorilla expedition then evolved into an additional film project where Peter assisted me in producing a conservation film in Tanzania. It was a complete trial-by-fire situation for our young relationship, but after spending 24 hours a day and seven days a week together for an entire month in sweaty, dusty, bumpy, stressful, chaotic, and altogether unflattering, living conditions, we were still smitten.

Fast forward a year, and we’ve traversed numerous landscapes, paddled multiple adventures, photographed dangerous wildlife, and survived yet another season of guiding together.

Then, I’m deep in Madagascar on a lemur expedition discovering the sweetest little notes secretly hidden by Peter in various nooks of my field equipment. I’ve arranged for him to meet me in Madagascar for Christmas, after our filming work is done, and we quickly escape on a trek into the jungle. 

Along the way we discover miraculously vivid tiny frogs next to flowing crystal-clear jungle streams. Under golden sunrays sparkling through moss-drenched spiral vines, we hike past ancient, buttressed giants and misty pools of burnt sienna, and discover emerald geckos silhouetted against the largest leaves you’ve ever seen. 

As we approach the summit for the grand overlook of this magical fern gully treescape, we arrive to a completely demolished bamboo hut, which had obviously not survived its last tropical storm and was unceremoniously obstructing our view. For some strange reason, Peter is adamant about taking a photo together. I’m unimpressed and run away to find a better view. Meanwhile, Peter persists and chases me down, insisting that we have our beloved Malagasy nature guide, Pierre, take our picture. 

“Alright,” I say, “Sure, we might as well.” 

I wrap my arms around Peter, but he looks flustered and asks me to take a step back. We look at each other, then he drops to one knee, with the backdrop of the rainforest pouring over our horizon, and he holds out the most stunning ocean sapphire ring of my dreams. I think he might have said something like, “I love you. Will you marry me?” although I can’t quite be sure because the pure joy screaming in my head was overwhelming. It was all just so beautiful! 

I kiss him over and over as he’s kneeling there, still quaking with nerves, and the canopy fills with a chorus of Indri lemurs singing in trees.

At this point, our semi-baffled guide is not quite sure what to do next and yells for us to follow him as he disappears back into the jungle chasing the call of some red-bellied lemurs. We follow, and I trip over at least five different tree roots, as I can’t stop staring at my new sparkling accessory.

Eventually, Peter catches me again and asks me to confirm my response to his proposal. “So, that was a ‘yes,’ right?!”

We continue to photograph lemurs, waterfalls, and an iridescent boa constrictor as we giggle our way back down the mountain.

A year and a half of engagement later, our family and closest friends descended on Jackson Hole for a “Wild West love fest.” This included a Dolly Parton-themed bachelorette party, where all the ladies surprised me with sequined onesies and blonde wigs for a magical celebration in Thomas Mangelsen’s stunning backyard, followed by dancing at the Cowboy Bar. Meanwhile, Peter’s bachelor crew hiked high into the Tetons for an icy alpine plunge. The next day, we all came together for a barbeque and canoeing on String Lake. 

The day before our wedding we rode horses through the wildflowers of Buffalo Valley until we were gazing at the Tetons. Later, we held our rehearsal in the field in front of Mt. Moran, next to the Hatchet Resort’s teepee, with Western-themed welcome bags, lawn games, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres. Since the Hatchet Resort is kid- and pet-friendly, we invited 10 kiddos and 10 dogs to run around and celebrate with us.

The morning-of, all the ladies joined me for a leisurely primping in a spacious deluxe cabin at the Hatchet Resort, until our photographers arrived to usher along some punctuality. My mom helped me button up my dress, I pulled on my vintage turquoise cowgirl boots, and shared a first look with my father. Then, we hit the road.

We drove past the bison herds of Grand Teton National Park on a breezy bluebird day, stopping only for a quick photo shoot with the snow-covered peaks towering over the horizon. 

Peter waited for me at The Wedding Tree, located in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. He said that as he reflected on our journey, he thought of that first morning when we hiked to this very spot. As we stood together watching the sunrise glow pink on the mountains, a beautiful wild fox trotted past us. 

Our chic guests were welcomed along the trail with a wheelbarrow full of strawberry lemonade Spindrifts, and the lovely acoustic melodies from our beloved friend David White’s guitar strings. Looking out over the entire river valley, guests settled in as “I Get to Love You” by Ruelle played and the processional began. Handkerchief in hand, Peter wiped his eyes as I appeared through the trees.

Anna, our officiant, began our ceremony with a native land blessing, followed by readings by my Aunt Sharon and a couple whines from our res-pup Luna. We circled each other, read our vows, and said, “I do,” my veil blowing in the wind as we sealed our marriage with a kiss and the pop of a champagne cork. Peter and I then hugged our guests goodbye and stayed behind for some newlywed photos. 

When we arrived back at the resort, our guests were already hootin’ and hollerin’ out on the deck to greet us as Mr. and Mrs. Inside, thick wooden tables were adorned with white roses and peach ranunculus, candles, and horseshoes. We drank huckleberry margaritas, followed by a barbeque dinner with all the fixings. 

After the speeches and a glorious sunset, Peter and I performed our first dance to “This Year’s Love” by David Gray before the Western swing hootenanny began. If folks weren’t two-stepping on the dance floor, they were striking a pose at the photobooth in the teepee or stargazing around the firepit.

Our evening wrapped up with a tunnel of sparklers, and someone yelled, “Best wedding ever!” We kissed in agreement. 

Morning brunch and a float down the Snake River with all our family and friends capped the perfect ending to our wild week of festivities. 

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Advice For Couples 

Embrace the destination! We recommend incorporating all the Wild West activities into your wedding celebration. Riding horses in front of the Tetons, going on a wildlife safari, floating the Snake River, hiking the stunning trails, and enjoying local cuisine (like rainbow trout and huckleberries) are all part of the magic of getting married in Jackson Hole. We also recommend hiring a guide to capture the full experience. (Wink, wink.).