STAY & PLAY
Making your summer wedding more than a single day of celebration
Jackson Hole has so much to offer! While you and your fiancé are probably aware of what an absolutely amazing place this valley is (you did choose to get married here, after all!), your guests may not be aware of everything your selected wedding destination has to offer. Whether you opt to simply include some activity suggestions on your wedding website, create a weeklong itinerary of scheduled opt-in activities for your guests, or anything in between, there are some truly wonderful Jackson Hole experiences just waiting for you.
For The Wedding Party
Bridal Luncheon at Persephone Bakery
The light, whimsical decor and French-inspired menu, along with the downtown Jackson location, make Persephone Bakery Boulangerie & Cafe the perfect venue for an intimate luncheon or happy-hour get-together for you and your bridesmaids. Whether you choose to buy out the entire space or simply take advantage of the airy indoors, leaving the deck open to the public, you can enjoy a customized menu of incredible pastries and lovely champagne cocktails.
145 West Broadway
307/200-6708 – persephonebakery.com
Groom’s Bash at The Whiskey Barber
Treat yourself and your groomsmen to a leisurely afternoon in Jackson’s unique downtown barbershop, complete with a whiskey bar. Dave and Dub, the Whiskey Barbers, give the best straight razor shave around, and their unique shop is the perfect “man cave.” Give the guys a call in advance, and you can arrange to have the place to yourself. Have a drink, toss some darts, grab a slice of the best pizza in town from next door, and get a little rowdy.
50 West Broadway
307/201-1549 – whiskeybarber.com
Downtown Pub Crawl
Get the guys and gals together for a fun evening on the town. Start at Local on the Town Square for great happy-hour specials, incredible cocktails, and a killer buffalo tartare. Head across the Square to the Snake River Grill (be sure to make reservations!) for dinner, where the potato pancake and Korean hot bowl are NOT to be missed. After dinner, head over to the Silver Dollar Bar in the historic Wort Hotel for a Bartender’s Margarita and live music every Tuesday night. To finish up your evening, make your way to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and saddle up for a beer in Jackson Hole’s quintessential watering hole.
A Day on Jackson Lake
If the downtown scene is not for you, head into Grand Teton National Park to Signal Mountain Lodge for a scenic and amazing day on Jackson Lake. The Marina can outfit you with a pontoon boat (or two) for an hour or for the entire day, and the Trapper Grill will pack an amazing picnic lunch for you. Just be sure to make your reservation and place your pick-up order in advance!
1 Inner Park Road, Moran
307/543-2831 – signalmtnlodge.com
For The Whole Group
Scenic Float Trip on the Snake River
Floating beneath the Tetons on the channels of the Snake River is one of the most accessible and intimate ways to experience Grand Teton National Park. Sightings of bald eagles, osprey, and moose are common, and the mountain views are breathtaking. The seasoned guides at Solitude Float Trips provide cultural and natural history information, while you and your guests soak up the mountain sunshine—do not forget that sunscreen! Private boats are available for up to twelve people (ask about requirements depending on water levels), and groups of up to sixty can usually be accommodated with prior booking.
888/704-2800 – solitudefloattrips.com
Horseback Riding
No trip to the Rocky Mountains is complete without a journey on horseback through wildflower meadows to lovely vistas. The Wheeler Family at Mill Iron Ranch provides an incredible two-hour ride through Bridger-Teton National Forest, climbing 2,000 feet for incredible views of the Snake River Canyon and the Tetons. Four-hour or full-day rides are available for more experienced riders, and you can enjoy a barbecue lunch upon your return to the ranch.
1-888-808-6390 – millironranch.net
Ride the Tram
While Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is renowned for its world-class skiing in the winter, that is no reason to miss out on the grandeur of the resort in the summer months as well. The aerial tram runs daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the bulk of the summer, carrying passengers 4,139 vertical feet to the top of Rendezvous Mountain in just fifteen minutes. The hiking options from the summit are nearly endless, including the seven-mile hike back to the base of the resort. For a fun afternoon, hike from the summit down to The Deck at the Bridger Gondola for happy hour (5-6 p.m. most days) and then ride the gondola back down to the base. For the thrill-seekers in your group, tandem paragliding rides are available from the top of the gondola in the mornings, weather permitting—check with the Activity Center at the resort base for details.
888/333-7766 – jacksonhole.com/summer-ride-the-tram
Now get out there and have fun! While this is a great start, your wedding planner can help you create an itinerary that is tailor-made for your guests. See you on the river, in the mountains, or at happy hour this summer—enjoy!
Virginia Powell Symons owns and operates Vibrant Events of Jackson Hole, a wedding planning and consulting company that is focused on creating truly unique and creative weddings, showcasing everything that Jackson Hole and Teton Valley has to offer. Virginia can be reached at virginia@vibranteventsjh.com or by calling 307/413-0174.