How to Elope in Idaho - Your Guide to Planning an Epic Elopement in the Gem State
Looking to elope in Idaho? You’re in the right place! The Gem State is often overlooked, but it’s filled with some pretty amazing scenery and is the perfect choice for couples seeking an adventure wedding experience. Whether you’re seeking a big adventure with beautiful mountain views or a more casual experience by the lake, Idaho has something for everyone.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to plan your adventure elopement in Idaho.
I’m an Idaho local and elopement photographer, and I help couples plan personalized elopements in the outdoors. I specialize in helping couples like you plan epic elopement experiences to create a stress-free, fun experience then document the day to keep the memories with you forever. Need help planning your Idaho elopement? Contact me to work together!
How to Elope in Idaho
Hire an Idaho elopement photographer
Choose a ceremony location and date
Obtain any permits necessary for your elopement
Plan your Idaho elopement experience
Have an epic elopement in Idaho!
This guide is going to walk you through every step of planning your elopement in Idaho. It will guide you through the best seasons for eloping in Idaho, the best locations for eloping, how to obtain your Idaho marriage license, and everything else you need to plan an unforgettable elopement experience in the Gem State!
Why elope in Idaho?
If you haven’t had the privilege of visiting Idaho yet, you might be surprised to hear that it has more to offer than farmland. Did you know that Idaho is home to a canyon deeper than the Grand Canyon? And that there’s mountains over 12,000 ft. tall in this state? Yep! There’s a lot more here to experience than just potatoes!
HERE ARE SOME OF THE TOP REASONS IDAHO IS PERFECT FOR YOUR ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT:
UNIQUE & DIVERSE LANDSCAPES
Did you know that Idaho is home to a canyon deeper than the Grand Canyon, a waterfall taller than Niagara Falls, and 40% of the state is National Forest land? Idaho has some amazing landscapes and a whole lot more to offer than potatoes.
Seclusion
If you’re looking for somewhere that is private and secluded, Idaho is filled with endless options to escape crowds and surround yourself with nothing but nature for miles and miles.
YEAR-ROUND ACCESS
Whether you dream of getting married in the middle of summer or deep in the winter, Idaho has a range of outdoor activities available all year round with a strong outdoors culture. From hiking and mountain biking in the summer to skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, adventure is available year round in The Gem State.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ELOPING IN IDAHO
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ELOPE IN IDAHO?
The average wedding cost in the United States is approximately $30k, but the average cost of weddings in Idaho is only $19k, however the average couples spend on an elopement is between $5k-$15k.
IS IDAHO EASY TO GET MARRIED IN?
Idaho is very easy to get married in. There is no waiting period once you receive your license and this state doesn’t require any witnesses, making it perfect for couples that want to get married with only their officiant and photographer there!
WHAT IS REQUIRED TO GET MARRIED in Idaho?
You will need to obtain a marriage license. To get a marriage license you and your partner will need your social security numbers (or I.D. from your home country if you reside outside of the U.S.), proof of identity and age, and approximately $30 cash.
DO YOU NEED WITNESSES TO GET MARRIED IN IDAHO?
Idaho does not require any witnesses to get married. The only person required to be present is your officiant.
WHO CAN LEGALLY MARRY YOU in Idaho?
Your officiant can be a judge, clergy member, an ordained friend or family member, or even your photographer! As long as they are legally ordained, you can be married by just about anyone.
DO YOU NEED TO BE AN IDAHO RESIDENT TO GET MARRIED here?
No, you do not need to be a resident of Idaho to get married here. You will need to obtain a marriage license from the county in Idaho that you want to get married in, but you do not need to be an Idaho resident.
Chose a location for Your Idaho Elopement
One of the first things you need to do is decide on an area to elope in. This can be one of the most exciting and challenging parts of the planning process. When you have so many beautiful options to choose from, it can be hard to narrow it down!
Take a moment with your partner and envision your day. What kind of scenery do you want to be surrounded by as you share your vows? Do you want to include some exciting activities in your day like a hike or would you rather keep it simple? Keep these things in mind when looking at the locations below.
COEUR D’ALENE
At the heart of North Idaho, on the lake of the same name, sits the town Coeur d’Alene. It is a popular destination for weddings of all sizes for couples around the world. Known for it’s natural beauty and small town charm, Coeur d’Alene is close to several National Forests, ski resorts, and has easy access to the surrounding mountains for year-round recreation opportunities.
Check out this list of the best elopement locations in North Idaho.
LAKE PEND OREILLE
Lake Pend Oreille (pronounced pon-der-ay) is also in North Idaho and sits about an hour north of Coeur d’Alene. The lake is one of the deepest lakes in the United States and is over 43 miles long. Sitting within the Selkirk Mountains, Lake Pend Oreille is a beautiful sight to see, surrounded by pristine forests, picturesque mountain ranges, and charming small towns.
See this elopement on Lake Pend Oreille for inspiration.
THE SAWTOOTHS
Situated in south-central Idaho, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area is over 765,000 acres with 3 mountain ranges with peaks over 11,000 ft. high. It contains over 750 miles of hiking trails and more than 300 lakes. With its jagged peaks, alpine lakes, and wildflower meadows, the Sawtooth Mountains are a stunning sight.
Check out my full guide to eloping in Southern Idaho
MCCALL
McCall sits on the southern shores of Payette Lake in west-central Idaho. It is home to Ponderosa State Park, named for its old growth forest of Ponderosa Pines sitting at 150 feet tall. The area is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts year round with access to hiking trails, camping, boating and in the winter skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and more!
SUN VALLEY
Renowned for its world-class skiing and outdoor recreation throughout the year is Sun Valley Idaho. Founded in 1936, this small town quickly became a popular location for locals and celebrities around the world for winter activities including skiing and snowboarding. It offers adventure opportunities year round with hiking, biking, and golf with beautiful mountain views.
PRIEST LAKE
If you haven’t noticed by now, Idaho is filled with beautiful lakes. Priest Lake is no exception! Remote and serenely beautiful, this lake is surrounded by forests and mountains. It is 19 miles long and over 300 feet deep. It’s remote, quiet, and absolutely stunning! Half of the lake sits on National Forest land and it is surrounded by several charming small towns.
In Summary, the Best Idaho Elopement Locations are…
For Mountain Views:
The Sawtooths
McCall
Coeur d’Alene
Sun Valley
For Lakes:
Lake Pend Oreille
Priest Lake
Coeur d’Alene
McCall
Still can’t decide on a LOCATION?
Check out my full guide on how to pick an elopement location for some more tips on narrowing down your search.
CHOSE A DATE for Your Idaho Elopement
The next piece to planning your elopement is going to be choosing a date. When deciding on a date, there are a few things to keep in mind:
SEASONS
Idaho experiences all four seasons and their associated weather. Winters can get into the negatives with several feet of snow in some parts of the state and the summers have average temperatures in the 90’s. The exact weather varies across the state, but don’t let the extremes deter you! Idaho is stunning all year round and worth toughing out the temperatures!
WILDFIRES
During the Summer, it’s common for wildfires all across Idaho. The hot, dry conditions in combination with the forests that cover much of the state create the perfect conditions for fires to start and spread. It’s not uncommon for August and September to have smoky conditions, even miles away from any active fires.
Wildfires are typically the worst in August and September, but they can start in June or July if the conditions are right.
Before heading out to the backcountry, it’s always best to check for active wildfires near where you will be going. The Idaho Department of Lands has an updated map with all wildfires and shows their status if they are contained or not.
HUNTING SEASON
If you plan to have your adventure elopement in the backcountry of Idaho, you should be aware of hunting seasons and know where hunting is allowed. Hunting is a big deal in Idaho and you want to take the proper precautions when in the backcountry to avoid getting hurt.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE:
Be aware of hunting seasons where you are going
Know if the area you’ll be in allows hunting
If it is hunting season, wear a high-visibility vest to stand out
Hunting is a year round activity in parts of Idaho, so it’s best to check the hunting seasons of any area’s you are interested in if you will be in the backcountry.
CROWDS
Because Idaho isn’t on most peoples bucket lists, it’s pretty easy to avoid crowds. This is especially true if you are spending time in the backcountry. With that said, Idahoans are very into their outdoors sports and holiday weekends near bigger cities like Boise or Coeur d’Alene can be busy, but if you plan properly, it’s not difficult to find a secluded spot that is private and intimate.
The best way to avoid crowds at even the most popular destinations is to either choose an elopement date on a weekday or in the off-season (or both!).
BOOK YOUR Idaho Elopement PHOTOGRAPHER AND OTHER VENDORS
If you haven’t done so already, you want to start booking your vendors, especially your photographer! Most elopement photographers (such as myself) also help with planning, which can include finding the perfect location, creating a timeline for your day, and more to help you plan the perfect experience. A good photographer is an invaluable resource for planning because they will guide you through the process, help you find locations you might never of known about, and help you choose the best time of day for your ceremony and portraits to get the best light. All on top of documenting your day!
You’ll also want to start considering what other vendors you want to include in your day and get them booked. Just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean you can’t have a day catered to you! Some of the most popular elopement vendors you can consider booking include:
Florist
Caterer or Chef
Officiant
Hair & Makeup Artist
Videographer
HOW TO GET MARRIED IN IDAHO
Now let’s get into how to legally get married in Idaho. Don’t worry, it’s not a complicated process.
No matter what state you live in, you will get your marriage license through the state that you are getting married in. Below you’ll find how to get your marriage license in Idaho. Please note that I always recommend looking up the County Recorders Office website for the county you will be getting married in to find the exact steps, as it may vary slightly from county to county.
If you are traveling for your elopement, I recommend you plan on arriving at least one day before you plan to get married to obtain your marriage license since you have to apply for it in-person. While there’s no waiting period once you receive your Idaho marriage license, it’s always best to have extra time so your wedding day can run smoothly and stress-free.
OBTAIN An Idaho MARRIAGE LICENSE for Your Elopement
In Idaho, Marriage Licenses are issued in-person by County Records. Some counties may require an appointment be made ahead of time to apply for your license.
You do not need to be an Idaho resident to obtain a marriage license in the state, however, the license will only be valid for ceremonies within the state of Idaho.
There is no waiting period once you get your license, which means you can get married the same day you receive your license!
TO APPLY FOR YOUR Idaho MARRIAGE LICENSE, YOU WILL NEED:
To appear together at a County Recorder’s Office
Be prepared to pay with cash. The cost is approximately $30
Bring your social security number for both you and your partner. Non-U.S. residents should also bring identification from their home country
You will also need to bring proof of identity and age. This can be one of the following:
Current driver’s license
State-issued identification card
Passport
Original birth certificate or certified copy
For more information, take a look at the Idaho.gov site about getting a marriage license.
OFFICIANT
Your officiant must be an ordained minister to legally perform your marriage. This can be a judge, clergy member, an ordained friend or family member, or even your photographer if they’re ordained.
WITNESSES for Your Idaho Elopement
In Idaho, you do not need any witnesses to get married. All you need is an officiant.
For up-to-date information, check with the Official Website of the State of Idaho.
OBTAIN ANY REQUIRED PERMITS AND/OR PERMISSIONS FOR YOUR Idaho Elopement LOCATIONS
If you plan on eloping in a state park or National Forest, check to see if you need a permit or any special permissions for your day.
Contact the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation or the U.S. Forest Service for more information about permit requirements.
PLAN YOUR Elopement DAY
Now’s the fun part, you get to start planning the details of your adventure elopement. Have fun finding activities and ways to make your day special, unique, and memorable. Remember, you can include anything you want in your day!
Don’t forget to follow Leave No Trace when planning your day.
SOME ACTIVITIES IDEA’S TO INCLUDE IN YOUR Idaho ElOPEMENT:
Go ziplining
Hiking and/or backpacking
Spend your evening at a cozy cabin
Hire a personal chef
Visit a ghost town
Have a picnic by a lake
Go kayaking
Watch the sunset
Check out this list of 50+ elopement day activities for more ideas!
BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS for Your Idaho Elopement
Find and book your accommodations for your trip. Great lodging can make a good trip into a great one, so make sure to find the perfect place to stay to make your elopement that much more special! Check out these unique Airbnb’s in North Idaho!
MAKE YOUR Idaho TRAVEL PLANS
Once you’ve started planning your day, you need to start making travel plans! This may include booking airfare if you’re flying in from out of state, reserving a rental car, and/or a shuttle to get from the airport to your hotel.
FLYING INTO IDAHO
Idaho has several large airports and is easily accessed from anywhere in the world! Here are Idaho’s most easily accessed airports and the regions they’re closest to:
BOISE AIRPORT (BOI) - BOISE, IDAHO
Best for accessing West Idaho and the Sawtooth’s.
2.5 hour drive to McCall, Idaho
3 hour drive to Stanley, Idaho
FRIEDMAN MEMORIAL AIRPORT (SUN) - SUN VALLEY, IDAHO
Best access to Central Idaho
1 hour to Craters of the Moon National Monument
1.5 hours to Stanley Idaho
IDAHO FALLS REGIONAL AIRPORT (IDA) - IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO
Best access to Tetonia and West Wyoming
1 hour drive to Tetonia, Idaho
2 hours to Grand Tetons National Park
3.5 hours to Stanley, Idaho
SPOKANE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (GEG) - SPOKANE, WASHINGTON
Best airport for accessing Coeur d’Alene and North Idaho
45 minutes to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
1 hour to Farragut State Park
2 hours to Priest Lake
CREATE A TIMELINE for Your idaho Elopement
Once you’ve decided on what activities you want to include in your day, put together a timeline for your day. Ask your photographer for help with this, as they can help you arrange your day to give you enough time for everything, as well as suggest the best times for photos to get the best lighting.
Check out my guide to creating an elopement timeline.
Idaho Elopement Packages
Want to take the stress out of planning your elopement? I offer elopement packages that include a whole lot more than just photography! Every single one of my packages offer unlimited planning assistance to help you find that perfect location you’re dreaming of, helping research and obtain any required permits for your day, assistance creating a timeline for your day, and more all on top of documenting your adventure!
GET MARRIED!
The day is here and all of your planning comes together! You get to have the best day every while your photographer documents it. Take your time and enjoy the day!
Eloping in Idaho offers the perfect opportunity to create an intimate, meaningful wedding experience surrounded by the beauty of nature. With the right location, a bit of planning, and some assistance from your photographer, your day will be a magical, stress-free experience that will become the adventure of a lifetime!
If you’re looking for someone to help you plan and document your day, I would love to help you! Contact me to start planning your adventure elopement.
Happy eloping!
ARE YOU READY TO PLAN your Own Epic Elopement in Idaho?
I can help you bring your dream elopement to life by helping you plan your day! Let’s work together to create a beautiful wedding experience in nature that’s custom tailored to the two of you.
