Best Places to Elope in Idaho | Idaho Elopement

Elopement Tips

Idaho is by far a very underrated state! Honestly, I’m okay with that, because that means less people and more privacy. You’ll be able to hit the hiking trails and have the gorgeous views all to yourselves! There are so many incredible places to Elope in Idaho and things to do that after you have your epic elopement there you’ll find yourself with a desire to come back every year.

Idaho is a gem in the U.S. and you’d be crazy to not want to have your elopement here! I’ve written out a complete guide on how to elope in Idaho filled with all kinds of advice and tips for you as you start to consider and plan your Idaho elopement!

Best time of year to Elope in Idaho

Summer Elopement in Idaho

Summer in Idaho will definitely give you the most options of places and activites to do during your elopement. If you plan to hike then summer will definitely be your best bet as that’s when all the hiking trails are open. Especially in places like the Sawtooth mountains anytime after summer the snowpack will get too high very quickly!

Fall Elopement in Idaho

Fall is also another great option to elope in Idaho if you want to hike. You might just have to count out certain locations, but the majority of hikes will still be open and accessible through October. In October the temperatures will start to drop into the 50’s and then it’s just downhill from there! September the temperatures are still beautiful and warm with the occasional cooler day.

Winter Elopement in Idaho

Winter in Idaho is pretty much what you expect from a traditional winter season. There’s lots of snow and it’s cold. If you love the snow and want to include winter sports into your elopement day, then go for it, but if winter sports aren’t your thing then I definitely wouldn’t consider eloping in Idaho during winter.

Spring Elopement in Idaho

Spring weather is very similar to fall, but a bit cooler. In April the temperatures are still pretty cool and in May they rise to the mid 60’s! A lot of hiking locations in the mountains will most likely be closed, because it’s still way cold up in the mountains. Your options will be limited still, but in places like Ceour d’Alene things will slowly start to open back up.

Best Places to Elope in Idaho

1. SUN VALLEY, IDAHO

Sun Valley is an absolutely break-taking place to elope in Idaho! If you’re looking for loads of hiking trails that lead to incredible mountain views, stunning alpine lakes and forest vibes then Sun Valley is the place for you.

If you two love winter sports and want to include skiing or snowboarding into your elopement day then this is the place for that! These mountains get loaded with fresh powder perfect for downhill skiing or even for going snowshoeing. It’s a place you’ll fall in love with no matter what time of year you decide to elope in Idado!

Incredible hikes in Sun Valley for your Idaho Elopement:

Pioneer Cabin
Baker Lake
Alice Lake
Norton Pass
Proctor Mountain Trail

2. STANLY, IDAHO | Sawtooth Mountains

Stanly, Idaho is an extremely small town. It’s so small that most business close down during the winter, but don’t count this place out by any means. If you want epic jagged mountain views and alpine trees then a Sawtooth Mountain elopement is right up your alley! I would definitely recommend eloping here during the summer months when the hiking trails are open and the wild flowers are blooming! There’s a vast amount of stunning hikes that lead to beautiful lakes surround by mountains, waterfalls and mountain peaks. If you’re looking for the ultimate adventure and want to hike then this is definitely the best place to elope in Idaho!

Incredible hikes in the Sawtooth Mountains for your Idaho Elopement:

Alice Lake
Bench Lakes
Sawtooth Lake
Thompson Peak
Goat Lake
Saddleback Lakes
Marshall Ridge
Stanley Lake Trail / Lady Face Falls
Titus Lake (Galena Summit)

3. BRUNEAU SAND DUNES

If you’re not looking for mountains and alpine lakes then the sand dunes would be a great place for you to elope in Idaho! These beautiful sand dunes will transport you to the desert. They’re open year around so they’re perfect for eloping in Idaho whenever you want! If you choose to elope here in the summer definitely elope at sunrise or sunset to avoid the heat. I always recommend planning your elopement day around one of the two anyways!

Once you’re done explore the sand dunes and having your ceremony you can head over to the Snake River for more adventure and exploring! bride and groom elope in idaho

4. COEUR D’ALENE, IDAHO

Coeur d’Alene is the place to be in the summer for those local in Idaho. The main attraction is the beautiful lake and quaint town filled with delicious restaurants, breweries, coffee shops and wineries. While the lake and town may be a bit busier there are loads of incredible hikes around the lake and in the nearby forest areas to get the privacy and adventure you’re looking for. If lush forests and beautiful views are what you’re striving for then Coeur d’Alene would be a great place for you to elope in Idaho!

Incredible hikes in Coeur ‘Alene for your Idaho Elopement:

Ermine Ridge Trail
Mineral Ridge National Recreation Trail
Tubbs Hill
Bernard Peak Trail
Blue Creek Bay Trail
Big Trees Trail
Fernan Lake Natural Area

5. SANDPOINT IDAHO – Kaniksu National Forest

Sandpoint, Idaho is a gorgeous region! You have incredible areas like Kaniksu National Forest and Lake Pend Oreille which hold some of the most beautiful views. This place is a great alternative to Coeur d’Alene Lake as it’s less popular and Lake Pend is just as gorgeous! It’s beautiful year around and offers everything you could want. From epic trails to peaceful lakes and amazing locations for a backpacking, a hiking elopement or camping trip, Sandpoint definitely won’t disappoint! There are loads of amazing places for an Airbnb Elopement, too!

Incredible hikes in Sandpoint for your Idaho Elopement:

Portage Trail
Scotchman Peak
St. Paul Lake
Lakeview Mountain
Snow Lake – Bottleneck Lakes Loop
Gem Lake
Schafer Peak via Green Monarch

6. St. Joe National Forest

St. Joe National Forest is an epic place for your Idaho elopement! There are endless amounts of hikes and adventure to take along the river. There are some super cute Airbnb’s like this Treehouse which will create the ultimate adventurous vibe for your elopement in Idaho.

Incredible hikes in St. Joe National forest for your elopement in Idaho:

Lone Lake – Stevens Lake Loop
Revett Lake
Chilco Mountain Trail
Mineral Trail
Settlers Grove of Ancient Cedars Trail
Fern and Shadow Falls

7. McCall | Payette National Forest

Payette National Forest is a gorgeous area filled with mountain views, gorgeous likes and alpine forests. There are so many different adventures you could do in McCall like hiking, backpacking, rafting, kayaking, snowshoeing, skiing and so on and so forth!

McCall is a great place for a family adventure if you choose to elope with your absolute closest loved ones!

Incredible hikes in St. Joe National forest for your elopement in Idaho:

Clayburn Creek Trail
Louie Lake Trail
Goose Creek Falls
Boulder Lake Loop Trail
Council Mountain Hot Springs
Granite Mountain Trail 165

Hire an Idaho Elopement Photographer

As an experience elopement photographer I’m here to guide you through the entire process of planning your Idaho Elopement. I’m not the photographer that leaves you to plan everything on your own. I will work closely with you to help you find the perfect location for you to say your vows and have your adventure. I’m here to give you all the tips and ideas for activities and help you plan out your timeline (more of a guideline really!) so that you won’t be worried or stressed about anything!

I would be SO stoked to chat with you, get to know you and hear all about your vision for your Idaho Elopement! You can >>CONTACT ME HERE<< and let’s get started planning your dream elopement!

Looking for more elopement advice?! Check these out!

11 Most Common Questions About Eloping Answered!

How to Elope in Glacier National Park

Elopement Ceremony Ideas & Traditions

How to Plan an Epic Elopement Timeline

Ultimate How to Elope Guide

Best Places to Elope in Idaho | Courtney Lynn

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You know you want to elope,

and you know you want it to be meaningful and adventurous, but where do you start?!

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Courtney has a very warm and bubbly personality that shows through her work! She made my husband and I feel SO comfortable throughout the whole day.

We were very confused on how to start planning our adventure and she was there to answer a lot of our questions in the beginning and honestly with a very short time frame! We planned and got married in 6 weeks, because we knew we really wanted her there for our day and that is what she had available! It was a challenge well accepted for all three of us.

Our day was perfect. She captured our true essence of love and laughter and each photo shows it. There weren't very many set up photos unless we asked for them. She just gets you in the moment!

You can absolutely tell that Courtney loves what she does and wants your day to be perfect. She listens to you and really tries to understand you as a couple first and then uses that within her photography skills.

If you are looking for an adventure/elopement photographer I would highly suggest Courtney Lynn. We will be looking at and reliving our elopement forever thanks to her amazing photos. You won't be disappointed!

Amber & Ryan

Courtney was so helpful during the whole process! She helped put together a wonderful day! She really wanted to make sure our wedding was just right for us. She made our elopement perfectly formulated for us, and I can't think of a more beautiful day!

One of our concerns going into an elopement was wanting to have pictures that let us remember the entire day. Courtney was there from start to finish and captured the whole day! Because of her outstanding work, we can share it with our loved ones, and they can experience the event almost as if they were there. We also really appreciated that she captured genuine moments between us instead of making it a photoshoot.

It felt like we were hanging out with a friend, and we think that helped us enjoy our day to the fullest.
If your dream wedding is an adventurous elopement day, I couldn't recommend Courtney more. She went above and beyond and was such a joy to work with throughout this whole experience.

She made us feel at ease and relaxed. Some wedding photographers are all about capturing posed moments that can be really awkward; that's NOT Courtney's style at all. Not only was she down to do whatever we wanted and go on little side adventures, but she made us feel comfortable.

She captured our true personalities and who we are as a couple! When looking at our gallery, our love for each other and our personalities can be seen in each image! She is extremely talented and did a phenomenal job of capturing the beauty of our wedding location. If you hire her, you will not regret it!

Sadye & Matthew

We are SO happy we decided to go with Courtney for our wedding photos! Originally we were supposed to elope in Italy, and she helped a TON with planning things like travel and what our day was going to look like.

Then the pandemic hit and we realized we probably weren't going to be able to go to Italy. So, we decided to change locations to Glacier!

She made it super easy and stress free, and helped plan what our new day in Glacier was going to look like!

Courtney was super easy to spend the entire day with, very friendly and fun to talk to! Even though our day didn't go exactly how we planned due to the weather, we all just went with the flow of it and it still turned out to be an amazing day!

If you're in doubt, just hire her!! You won't regret it one bit and you will get so many incredible photos to look back on your day!!

robbie & Aryton

When my now husband and I started planning our elopement, we were confused to the max. We didn’t know where to start or how to go about planning anything. We knew we wanted to get married in Ireland, but had too many options on exactly where. After doing some research of elopements, I was scrolling on Pinterest and came across some BEAUTIFUL photos taken by Courtney!

Courtney made the process so easy! She is organized, professional, sweet, and so so funny!! Courtney does more than just photograph your day, she cares about you having the BEST day! She helped us plan EVERYTHING! Even down to the little details, like what type of shoes to wear! She helped us narrow down where, giving us her informative opinions on each of our options! She gave us cool ideas that we could incorporate into our special day. No idea was too big! When the day came, we had the absolute best time exploring and getting married! After we exchanged our vows, we went to celebrate at a local pub (Courtney’s idea ;) ). It was a blast!!

Our elopement was an absolute DREAM COME TRUE! I will never be able to thank Courtney enough for making it happen. So for anyone on the fence, swaying back and forth about whether or not work with Courtney on your big day, SWAY NO MORE! You’ve found your person!! My day couldn’t have been any better and my pictures are beautiful and capture the fun we had!!! I can’t wait to work with her again!

Taylor & andrew

"Planning for our day and the day itself would have been completely different without Courtney. We only knew that we wanted to share our vows in the Tuscan countryside and have beautiful photos, and Courtney planned the perfect agenda for that to happen.

She coordinated our timing around sunset, and not only were the photos breathtaking, but the actual evening was too. I remember looking out over the vineyards as the sun set, the view becoming more and more stunning by the minute. There were no moments that felt forced or posed, every shot was comfortable and fun and full of love.

Courtney is such a sweet, kind, fun person and we truly enjoyed spending the day with her. Courtney helped us to turn our dreams into reality, and we hardly had to do a thing. She allowed us to be in control of our day but gently took all of our wants and needs into consideration while making everything happen. Lastly, our pictures are just magical. Courtney is an incredibly talented photographer, and I feel so lucky that we were able to work with her. I would recommend her over and over again to anyone eloping."

Ellie & Zac

"Let. Me. Tell. You. It's not the technical aspects of photography that are the most difficult. It's the human aspect. Remembering that as a Photographer, you may be behind the lens but you are still a human, in front of other humans, in some of the most raw and intimate of moments.

Courtney balances both of these necessities (but rarities) with poise, great direction, and an overall kind calmness that just makes you breathe a sigh of relief. If you've come across Courtney's page and see what you like already, BOOK HER NOW. Don't spend another second looking for another Photographer that doesn't bring anywhere near the amazing light and spirit that this girl brings right here. Thank you again Courtney for allowing my husband and I to marry each other all over again! The images are stunning and I can't wait to blow them up and hang them in our home."

Shannon & Brandon

"Working with Courtney was an extremely easy experience, seamless, positive and obviously fun. My wife and I went on our honeymoon and wanted to surprise her with a surprise honeymoon adventure session.

Courtney worked with me to make that dream gift for my wife a reality. Meeting and posing for a photographer for the first time can be intimidating, but with Courtney it was anything but that.

Courtney is extremely positive and helpful and made us feel very comfortable in front of the camera. She played some of our favorite songs and before we knew we were just having fun and she was catching them every second. Perhaps the best part of our session was that Courtney knew all the characteristic and peaceful places of where we were, which made our photos even more extraordinary.

She kept the focus on my wife and me. When we shared our images with friends and relatives, everyone complimented on Courtney's aesthetics and the emotion she was able to capture. I can't thank Courtney enough for exceeding all our expectations with this photo shoot!!"

NINA & JASON

"Pick her -- she's the best! Courtney is amazing! Seriously! If you're thinking about eloping you should snatch her up to capture your day. She makes the entire experience fun and relaxed plus the pictures just blew us away. I will never forget our magical time in Venice and I'm obsessed with the gorgeous photos Courtney took of us. She's so so good!"

Jami & Tim

Courtney is not only a talented photographer, but she makes you feel so comfortable even though being in front of the camera can be nerve-wracking! She did such an amazing job with our day and if I had to pick my favorite photo it would take FOREVER, because I love so many! Definitely consider her if you want adventurous and beautiful photos coupled with an amazing experience!

walker & mac

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Don't take it from me,
Take it from my past couples!

You’re in the right place!

I’m here to guide you through EVERY. SINGLE. STEP.

Let’s toss that’s confusion out the window and focus on how you want to get married!

Let me relieve those feelings of being lost, save you time, tell the story of your day and let’s get started creating a day that you’ll never forget!

So, if you know you want to elope,
but feel unsure on where to start,

contact me & let's get starting creating your dream elopement!

...and you want an amazing storyteller to document your day

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