Diamond Cross Ranch Weddings: A Local Photographer’s Guide
Diamond Cross Ranch was one of the first places that stopped me in my tracks.
Over the years of becoming an up and coming photographer, i’d been to plenty of “rustic ranch” venues that were trying really hard. You know the one’s with decorative wagon wheels and barn wood that look…like barn wood. So I pulled down the dirt road at Diamond Cross Ranch fully ready to roll my eyes. Then I saw cattle grazing in the pasture, a few horses hanging out by the fence (zero interest in me, very rude), a stunning red barn that has been kept in the most impeccable condition, and the Grand Tetons sitting right behind all of it looking even MORE dramatic than ever. This is a real family’s working ranch, and it has THAT view. I just sat in my car for a minute like, okay, wow.
I’ve shot Diamond Cross Ranch weddings many times since then and I get that same feeling every single time I drive in.
Quick heads up before we get into it: if a ranch wedding isn’t quite your vibe, my guide to the best Jackson Hole wedding venues has 11 more spots to fall in love with!
What Sets Diamond Cross Ranch Apart
The Walter Feuz family arrived in Jackson Hole in 1912. This is a fifth-generation working cattle ranch that has been continuously operating for over a century. And one of the few remaining historic ranch families to still exist in the wild west! When you get married here, the cattle in the pasture live there. The horses are theirs. The barn is a real working building that they generously turn into a stunning reception hall for your day!
Your guests can totally tell, too. I’ve watched people fly in from big cities, step off the shuttle, and take the deepest breath of their lives. Nobody has to pretend anything out here, because the ranch is already the most Wyoming place they’ve ever been.
Diamond Cross Ranch has been named the #1 Wedding Venue in Wyoming by Cosmopolitan Magazine and featured in other Magazines like Vogue with world renowned models Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner. Even the biggest stars on the planet are seeking out this property. Because, well, it’s that incredible.
As a photographer, I am OBSESSED with this property. You get wide open meadows with clean Teton views, ponds that reflect the whole scene, and a barn with huge picture windows. And the golden hour light across those pastures? I still get giddy about it every single time.
The Horse Release
Okay, this is my FAVORITE part, so buckle up.
Usually right after your first kiss, the ranch hands open the gate and a whole herd of horses comes thundering across the pasture behind your guests at a full gallop, with the Grand Tetons right there in the background. YEE HAW doesn’t even begin to cover it.
The moment moves fast. Fifteen to twenty seconds of the horses at full run and then it settles. That’s your window. This is one of the clearest reasons to hire a photographer who’s actually worked at Diamond Cross Ranch befo
After the ceremony, right as golden hour kicks in, the ranch hands let you take portraits out in the pasture with one of their horses. These end up being my couples’ favorite photos from the whole day, every time, and secretly mine too.
The Venue
The Red Barn
The main event space is a 13,000-square-foot barn with large picture windows that face the mountains and seat up to 200 guests. At night when the interior lights come up and the Tetons are still visible through the glass, it’s one of the most beautiful reception spaces I’ve stood in across eight years of shooting in this valley.
The barn is gorgeous all on its own, so it plays nice with pretty much any style. Couples who go big with floral installations look incredible in there, and couples who keep it simple with candles and greenery on bare wood tables look just as stunning. You really can’t mess this one up!
Ceremony Sites
Most Diamond Cross Ranch weddings use the main ceremony meadow. The space is flat and open with unobstructed Teton views from every seat, and it’s where the horse release has the most visual impact. If you’ve pictured a Diamond Cross Ranch wedding in your head, this is probably the setting you were imagining.
There’s also a gazebo by the ponds for couples who want something more enclosed and intimate. Smaller guest counts and elopements feel really at home there.
The Setting and Atmosphere
Diamond Cross Ranch sits about 45 minutes outside Jackson Town Square, so it feels tucked away out in the country. If your guests stay in town, they get to drive a seriously gorgeous stretch of highway with Teton views the whole way and a really good chance of spotting wildlife.
The working ranch part: During your celebration you might see cattle grazing out in the pastures or ranch hands going about their day in the background. Your guests will LOVE it. Most of them have never set foot on a real Wyoming ranch, and now they get to party on one.
The Grand Tetons: You can see them from basically everywhere on the property, so they’ll be in your ceremony photos, your cocktail hour, your portraits, and probably your guests’ selfies too.
Getting Ready
The bridal suite is a lovely space to start your morning if you want to keep your day on the property. If you need more space, Teton Cabins sits directly across the street from the ranch. Each cabin has tons of room, great natural light, and that cozy log cabin feel, and right outside every patio you get a jaw-dropping view of Mount Moran and the Tetons. Getting-ready photos don’t get much better than that!
What It Costs
Venue fees at Diamond Cross Ranch typically range from $5,000 to $16,000 depending on the date, day of the week, and your guest count. Peak summer Saturdays fall toward the higher end. Weekdays and shoulder season dates give you more flexibility.
The venue day usually includes six hours of event time with vendor setup access starting at 10 AM. Knowing that from day one makes building your timeline SO much easier, and don’t worry, I’ll help you build it. Check out their packages here!
The Best Seasons at Diamond Cross Ranch
Summer (June through August) is the most in-demand season. Weather is reliable, wildflowers are out across the property, and evenings stay light until around 9 PM, which is a real gift for photography. Book 12 to 18 months out for a Saturday.
Fall (September and October) is my personal favorite. The aspens go gold, the crowds drop off after Labor Day, and the light gets warmer and richer than it is in the height of summer. Wildlife is more active through the valley too. It’s a quieter, cozier version of the Diamond Cross Ranch experience and I think it’s underrated.
Spring (May through early June) offers great availability. Wyoming spring weather has a wide range, and I’ve seen snow in late May more than once. Couples who are flexible and genuinely enjoy a little unpredictability love spring weddings here.
Winter: Diamond Cross Ranch doesn’t host winter weddings. If a winter Jackson Hole wedding is your goal, Spring Creek Ranch and the Four Seasons both operate year-round.
Logistics to Know
Shuttle service is something I’d put in the “essential” category. The drive involves wildlife on the road after dark, and your guests should be free to celebrate without thinking about how they’re getting back to town. Most couples arrange pickups from a couple of Jackson hotels and it makes the night run smoothly.
Dogs are welcome on leash, which is a detail a lot of couples are really happy to hear since plenty of venues don’t allow it.
The venue rents exclusively, meaning there’s no other wedding on the property during yours. You have the whole ranch.
Rentals: What You’ll Need
Your venue fee covers basic tables and chairs, but you’ll probably want a few extras to make the space feel like yours. Here’s what most couples end up renting:
- Table linens (the tables come bare)
- Lounge furniture for cocktail hour or the reception
- Extra lighting to make the barn glow at night
- A dance floor
- Glassware, flatware, and china
- A tent if you’re planning a lot outside
Plenty of Jackson Hole rental companies, decorators, and planners work at Diamond Cross all the time and can put together a quote for your guest count. Ask me for my favorites!
Activities for Wedding Weekend Guests
If your guests are flying in early or sticking around after, Jackson Hole has them covered!
Summer activities:
- Exploring Grand Teton National Park
- Hiking (there’s a trail for every fitness level)
- Paddle Boarding on String Lake
- Rafting or floating the Snake River
- Heading up to Teton Village
Spring and fall activities:
- Scenic drives through the park
- Fly fishing
- Shopping and eating around Jackson Town Square
- Wildlife watching through the valley
Many couples create welcome bags with activity suggestions and local recommendations to help guests make the most of their Jackson Hole visit.
Diamond Cross Ranch Wedding FAQ
How much does a Diamond Cross Ranch wedding cost? Venue fees usually run $5,000 to $16,000 depending on your date, the day of the week, and your guest count. Summer Saturdays sit at the top of that range, and weekdays or shoulder season dates give you more wiggle room. Your venue day includes six hours of event time.
How many guests can Diamond Cross Ranch hold? The red barn seats up to 200 guests, with huge picture windows looking right at the Tetons. Planning something small? The gazebo by the ponds is perfect for intimate weddings and elopements.
Where is Diamond Cross Ranch? It’s in Moran, Wyoming, about 45 minutes from Jackson Town Square. The drive out is half the fun, with Teton views the whole way there!
What is the Diamond Cross Ranch horse release? Right after your first kiss, the ranch hands send a herd of horses galloping across the pasture behind your ceremony with the Grand Tetons in the background. It lasts about 15 to 20 seconds, so you want a photographer who knows exactly where to be!
Does Diamond Cross Ranch host winter weddings? Nope, the ranch doesn’t host winter weddings. If you’re dreaming of a snowy Jackson Hole wedding, Spring Creek Ranch and the Four Seasons both host year-round.
Where can wedding guests stay near Diamond Cross Ranch? Teton Cabins is right across the road and makes the cutest getting-ready spot, with Mount Moran views off every patio. Lots of guests also stay in Jackson and make the scenic drive out.
Who This Venue Is Really For
After eight years of shooting weddings all over Jackson Hole, I’ve noticed something about the couples who pick Diamond Cross Ranch. They want their wedding to feel exactly like where they are: a real working Wyoming ranch, real cowboys, and the Tetons right there!
If you just read this whole post with goosebumps, that’s you, and this ranch is probably exactly what you’ve been looking for.
Still comparing? My guide to the 12 best Jackson Hole wedding venues breaks down every spot I love.
And if Diamond Cross Ranch already has your name on it, let’s GO! I’ve shot this ranch more times than I can count, and I know exactly where to be when those horses take off. Check my availability for your date!
comments +