"Bridal Reset": Why I Went on One Before My Wedding to Relax
Why I Went on a "Bridal Reset" Trip Before Getting Married
PS Photography / Taylor Andrews
Ever since getting engaged last October, I've essentially been working two full-time jobs: my actual job and planning my wedding. But somewhere between finalizing vendor contracts, choosing floral arrangements, and spending what feels like Monopoly money on linens and tablecloths, I've lost sight of an engagement era that is (allegedly) supposed to be fun.
Aside from wedding dress shopping and throwing an epic relaxorette party, the wedding planning has been way more stressful than celebratory, and with my wedding quickly approaching, my eyes were craving a view that wasn't an Excel spreadsheet. That's when I booked a stay at Hotel Yellowstone at Jackson Hole (starting rate $1,199).
Nestled in Jackson Hole, WY right between Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone, the hotel was exactly the kind of cozy distraction I needed. I wanted a break to slow down, clear my head, and remember what life feels like when I'm not mentally rearranging a seating chart in my head. And fortunately for me, my stay at Hotel Yellowstone at Jackson Hole was exactly the "bridal reset" I needed.
What Is a Bridal Reset?
A bridal reset is a trip designed to help you step away from the stress of wedding planning and recenter yourself before the big day. Although you can go by yourself, with your partner, or a close family member or friend, I went with my maid of honor, who happens to be my little sister.
The ideal setting for your bridal reset depends on what kind of atmosphere recharges you, but I knew I wanted something cozy, quiet, and surrounded by nature, which is how I landed on Hotel Yellowstone at Jackson Hole. Located about 15 minutes away from downtown, Hotel Yellowstone at Jackson Hole is a luxury, adults-only retreat that sits on top of East Gros Ventre Butte. Overlooking the Tetons, the property felt worlds away from my wedding to-do list.
PS Photography / Taylor Andrews
Our second-floor cabin felt like our own private mountain hideaway, and we could see the Tetons right outside of our window. When my mom saw photos from our stay, she said it looked like a painting when it just happened to casually be our view for the entire weekend.
Now if cold-weather vacations aren't usually your thing, I get it. I'm a beach girl through and through, and given the choice, I'd typically pick a sunny coastline to relax over a mountain escape. But there's something about being immersed in nature, spotting moose along the roadside and elk grazing in the surrounding grasslands, that made the usual stresses of wedding planning feel a little less urgent.
For a few days, wedding planning took a backseat to mountain views, fresh air, and uninterrupted time with my sister, and it was just what I needed.
The Essentials For a Bridal Reset
Your bridal reset can of course look however you want it to, but here were some important factors that I needed for my own:
No itinerary. I didn't want to use my brain during my bridal reset, and I definitely didn't want to have to organize logistics or activities. For this reason, I found it easiest to stay somewhere I wouldn't want (or need) to leave. While Jackson Hole is a destination to visit in its own right, I found myself wanting to spend most of our trip at the hotel, thanks to its views and amenities.
PS Photography / Taylor Andrews
The hotel had everything that we needed, including a restaurant with amazing food, a pool with views of the Tetons, an outdoor sauna, a cozy living room (which is actually the reception era, though you wouldn't know it), and a cozy room with the best amenities. Fortunately, Hotel Yellowstone at Jackson Hole made it easy to do absolutely nothing, but they also offered paid activities and excursions if we ever felt like venturing outside of the property.
A way to relax. I booked a spa service at Hotel Yellowstone at Jackson Hole, which is always my favorite way to unwind. The 60-minute therapeutic massage was the only time in the past year when I've closed my eyes without thinking about my photography shot list or what color linens I wanted, which was so needed.
A serene body of water. There's something about being in or around water that is extremely relaxing for me, so spending some time at the indoor heated pool was a must. It had a direct view of the Tetons and retractable windows that could be opened for warmer days. We also took advantage of the resort's dry sauna located right outside, which also had direct views of the Tetons.
PS Photography / Taylor Andrews
Luxury amenities. I never wanted to leave my room at Hotel Yellowstone at Jackson Hole with all the luxury amenities. In addition to a fully stocked drink fridge and a drawer filled with healthy snacks, we had a fireplace, a bathroom with heated floors, a towel warmer, and a heated bidet. For the perfect bridal reset, the details matter — and trust me when I say, Hotel Yellowstone at Jackson Hole has the details down.
Great food. Because Hotel Yellowstone at Jackson Hole is located around 15 minutes away from downtown, we spent a lot of time eating at Olivia's, the hotel's restaurant. With every guest stay, there is complimentary breakfast service in the morning, and my sister and I agreed this was some of the best breakfast we've had. They had healthy starters and entrees to choose from, or the ability to customize your own plate off of the a la carte menu. Personally, I'm still thinking about the toasted sourdough bread with the hotel's homemade huckleberry jam. (A must order!)
When we weren't hungry for a full meal, the hotel also offered snacks throughout the day in the common lounge area meant to resemble a living room. In the morning, there were warm croissants with juices and water served. Midday, there were fresh-baked cookies — and I highly recommend trying the snickerdoodle ones. And in the afternoon and evenings, there was a charcuterie plate perfect for when we wanted to graze on some cheese, fruit, and meat outside by the firepits.
PS Photography / Taylor Andrews
Relaxing activities. As much as you'll want to stay at the hotel — and you should, for most of the stay! — we also felt like we couldn't not explore Grand Teton National Park while being so close. So, we spent our mornings hiking and exploring different parts of the park, while also keeping an eye out for the many animals seen around the area. Some light physical activity in fresh air felt amazing.
The Bottom Line on a Bridal Reset
Now that I'm officially one week out from my wedding, I can confidently say my bridal reset came at exactly the right time. Even a short weekend away at Hotel Yellowstone at Jackson Hole gave me the breathing room I didn't realize I needed to step back from wedding planning and actually enjoy this chapter of my life.
I came home feeling more present, with a clearer head and a fresh perspective on everything still left to do. In fact, I immediately started checking off the lingering tasks on my to-do list, which felt so much more manageable after a little time away. For me, the best way to get back on track was to take a step back first. And now, with a more peaceful mind and last-minute tasks falling into place, I can finally understand and experience the "fun" part of my engagement era.
Taylor Andrews (she/her) is the senior balance editor at Popsugar, specializing in topics relating to sex, relationships, dating, sexual health, mental health, travel, and more. With eight years of editorial experience, Taylor has a strong background in content creation and storytelling. Prior to joining PS in 2021, she worked at Cosmopolitan.
