How to Plan an Idaho Winter Adventure Elopement
So you’ve decided to plan a winter elopement in Idaho - ahhhhh! So excited for you! This blog post will walk through everything you might want to know about how to plan your intimate celebration. From picking a location, to activities to choose from, to vendors, and weather considerations - I’ve got you.
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How bougie or backcountry do you want your winter elopement to be?
I know that there is a lot of variety when it comes to enjoying the outdoors, especially during the winter. Some folks prefer a more rustic approach, the more primitive the better. Others prefer a few more amenities. And sometimes maybe you just want to be treated like a queen while you’re in the backwoods. There are no wrong answers but your answers to these questions may help you make some decisions later on about location, activities, etc.
What amenities do you want? Do you want access to heat, electricity, or plumbing?
Would you like to be able to go to a restaurant/have food prepared for you or would you like to make it together?
Are you considering backcountry activities that you may need extra education, gear, or a guide such as backcountry skiing?
What modes of transportation are you interested in? Do you want to be able to drive to the location? Would you want to access it on foot/ski/snow mobile/CAT?
Your answers to these questions may help you determine other aspects of your elopement such as location and activities.
Picking a location for your Idaho Winter Adventure Elopement
Let’s start with my backcountry friends who don’t need running water or electricity and just want to be in a remote corner of Idaho with the love of their life to celebrate their elopement. A great place to start is recreation.gov or svtrek.com to book backcountry huts, cabins, and camping. Sun Valley huts are great options for intimate gatherings of just you and a partner or some of your closest friends with huts like Tornak holding up to 14 people. An important consideration for an elopement at a backcountry hut in the winter is making sure that you have the right gear (back country and avalanche safety equipment) and education to stay safe in the mountains. Guides are available for the Sun Valley hut system and some of the reservations require them for safety of all involved. This is a great option for small elopements in the mountains with just the two of you or a small group of friends or family especially for couples looking for a more remote backcountry option.
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If you like a few more amenities like showers or electricity and want the option to engage in outdoor winter activities but it is not required to access your lodging, here are a few good options. Many of these VRBOs are located just outside of small mountain towns such as Stanley, Driggs, Victor, or Island Park. Couples choosing an experience like these could drive up to the cabin but have access to enjoy winter activities in the area. These are great options if couples want to cook for themselves or want to go into town for meals. Each of these options varies in size. It is helpful for couples to determine whether to elope with a few close friends or family members or alone before picking a location.
Sawtooth Mountains (Stanley, ID)
Stanley Mountain Cabin with views (Stanley, ID)
Teton Valley (Victor, ID)
Yellowstone National Park (Island Park, ID)
Teton Valley (Victor, ID)
Maple Grove Hotsprings (Southeastern Idaho/Utah border)
Weather considerations for Winter Adventure Elopements in Idaho
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Weather during Idaho winters can be very unpredictable. It’s very probable to experience below freezing temperatures with high winds and precipitation. Even on bluebird days, it can be colder than 25 degrees all day. With this in mind, it’s best to check weather forecasts ahead of time as well as to pack clothing for all types of weather. Some basic rules for winter clothing include lots of insulating layers and no cotton layers. Hats, warm mittens or gloves, and multiple pairs of wool socks are also important. If you’re staying in a back country yurt or hut, the service will likely provide a packing list which may include 0 degree or warmer sleeping bag, fire starter, and slippers. The yurt service will likely also state what amenities are available at the yurt and if you’ll need to bring items such as dishes and cookware or if that will be provided. Even in the winter it’s easy to get a sunburn, especially when the sun reflects on the snow. It’s a good idea to bring sun glasses, a billed hat, and sunscreen to help protect your skin.
Winter activities for your Idaho adventure elopement
There are many ways to enjoy Idaho winters both indoors and outdoors. If you’re planning a multi-day elopement, it can be fun to plan for some indoor nighttime activities like playing cards and board games, or making meals. For outdoor activities, the sky is the limit. Some of my favorite ways to enjoy Idaho winters include cross-country skiing, alpine touring, snow-shoeing, and when possible - hotspringing!
Bringing your pets on your elopement
Another great aspect of eloping is that it becomes much easier to include your furry friends. For couples who love their animals, it can be such a joy and authentic part of your daily life together to include your pets in your celebration.
Personalizing your Elopement
In addition to bringing pets and incorporating a couple’s favorite winter activities, there are many other ways to personalize an elopement and make it your own. Some examples may include handmade items. I have worked with several brilliant couples including one who hand made coffee mugs to sip warm beverages out of before setting off on the elopement adventure. Another made a fur hat and was an integral part of the entire process, from hunting the animal to the ornate beadwork to finish. I love to incorporate my own artwork through hand embroidered books from which couples can write and share vows. There are many ways to make your elopement your own.
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Southeastern Idaho Elopement Vendors
I have worked with Josh at Flowers by LD for a few events including a weddings and elopement shoots. He was professional, communicative, friendly, and flexible. His work is gorgeous and perfect for a wide variety of weddings from large gatherings with multiple arrangements to simple bouquets for elopements. Flowers by LD is a great option for your winter elopement in Idaho.
Caitlin is friendly, kind, and passionate about her work. She has created a number of custom gorgeous wedding dresses. She is communicative and great to work with. I couldn’t recommend her enough.
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This butcher shop has been a Pocatello staple since 1958. In addition to being a butchre shop, they offer catering services including custom chacuterie boards.
Founded in 1903, Molinelli’s has been the best resource in Pocatello for fine jewelry for over 100 years. They take time to get to know their clients and with thoughtful care and attention to detail create lovely custom pieces. They are professional, communicative, and great to work with.
Hiring your Bilingual Idaho Adventure Elopement photographer/Videographer
JULIA PHELPS PHOTOGRAPHY
As an Idaho wedding and elopement photographer/videographer, I value bringing couples a meaningful, thoughtfully crafted experience that celebrates the Idaho wilderness while telling their story through a blend of candid documentaryand gently prompted photography and videography. In my photography/videography, I seek to capture connection, witness and document life’s most important moments, and tell a story. As a photographer/videographer, I am greatly influenced by my experiences as a multifaceted human being and know that you are as well.
I was born and raised in Idaho and care deeply about protecting and celebrating the land and the community here. To me that means that I live by Leave No Trace practices to care for and protect the land and that I welcome and celebrate all forms of love. I want anyone who works with me to feel safe, cared for, and celebrated, regardless of where they come from or who they love. Additionally, I am bilingual and speak English and Spanish. I recognize the profound impact that the Latino community has had on Idaho, and I want all members of the bilingual and Spanish speaking community to feel welcome with me. These values impact every aspect of my work, and I am continuously seeking to grow so that I can better serve my community.
WHAT SERVICES I OFFER:
In addition to the values that guide my photography and videography, I have worked to bring clients wrap around services that don’t stop at taking their picture. This includes:
LOCATION SCOUTING AND GUIDANCE
I have spent the majority of my life in Idaho, exploring its mountains, lakes, and trails. This means I can offer a local perspective to many of the locations that we might venture together. More importantly, living in Idaho has taught me how to find the best trails, what gear you’ll want to bring, and when you’ll want to go. This is even more valuable because I can help you find the best location for you even if I have not yet been there myself.
ELOPEMENT PLANNING
In traditional weddings, many couples will hire a wedding planner to help coordinate and direct their day. In an elopement, the photographer also fills that role. I like to help my couples every step of the way, from finding the right location, to planning activities, to choosing vendors. It brings me so much joy to help you bring your dream elopement to life.
ORDAINED OFFICIANT SERVICES
To legally marry in Idaho, you’ll need an ordained officiant. For elopements, I can offer the service in both English and Spanish. You can check that off your list :)
VENDOR RECOMMENDATIONS
I love to be able to offer recommendations for other vendors who I know will serve their every need. If I have not worked with them myself, I will do the research to help make your life easier in choosing who will be working with you to craft your special celebration.
WHAT PACKAGES I OFFER
I offer wedding and elopement photography and videography packages ranging from half day and ceremony only to multi day experiences. Reach out to find out which package is right for you :)
If you’d like more guidance on planning your winter adventure elopement in Idaho, click the link below to inquire on my website.