How to Plan your Laidback and Authentic Wedding in the Idaho Sawtooths
One of the most iconic places in Idaho for a wedding is Stanley Idaho, the base of the Sawtooth mountains. When people think of Idaho (after thinking of potatoes of course), this dramatic mountain landscape may be the first image that comes to mind. Liv and Dev celebrated their love in Stanley, Idaho and their wedding weekend is a perfect example for anyone who is trying to plan a laidback, authentic, and gorgeous wedding in the Sawtooth mountains.
The wedding weekend timeline
For Liv and Dev, spending time with their friends and family was most important. They organized their weekend with meaningful touchpoints connected to their loved ones. From the rehearsal dinner where Liv’s grandmother sang “la vie en rose” to a swing dance party and special song from the bride at the local saloon, their wedding was authentic and full of love.
Rehearsal Dinner and Bonfire
Liv and Dev opted out of the traditional engagement session months before the wedding. As a photographer, I typically use the engagement session as an opportunity to help a couple get comfortable in front of the camera before the big day. Instead, we did a quick portrait session together before the rehearsal dinner. Beneath the Sawtooth mountains in the late afternoon, Liv and Dev listened to Grateful Dead (one of their favorite bands), played in the sagebrush, and at the end, rode off to the rehearsal dinner on their tandem bike. The perfect way to start the wedding weekend.
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The rehearsal dinner was an intimate gathering for close friends and family at the Stanley Supper Club, a local staple that feels like coming home to simple but delicious food, clearly prepared with heart and care. Liv had also taken the time to put handwritten notes at the place setting for each guest, a meaningful touch. Of course, one of the most memorable elements of the dinner was Liv’s grandmother singing “la vie en rose” to the couple – a lovely blessing for the couple’s journey together.
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Lastly, the group gathered around the bonfire, sharing smiles and stories, listening to music, and gazing at the stars.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place at Pioneer Park, a local park at the base of the Sawtooth mountains. Located just outside the center of town, the park is easy to reach by car or foot, no more than 10 minutes’ walk from the hotel and other accommodations in town. The ground is uneven but navigable by wheelchair and walker. Liv and Dev shared vows during the ceremony with shots of whiskey for all their guests to toast and salute the union. Some considerations for the general location and time of year were weather and wildfires. There had been wildfires in the area a few weeks before the wedding in early September. There was some concern about having to change location or date due to the possibility of evacuations – an unfortunate common practice during wildfire season in specific locations in Idaho. Thankfully, we were lucky and there were clear skies on the day of the ceremony and no smoke to battle with for photos and in regard to general health concerns. A permit is required for Pioneer Park and costs $500 for the day. The ceremony took place in the open air but was located next to a shelter where the ceremony could be held in bad weather. While the location could hold up to 300 guests, Liv and Dev celebrated with a smaller guest list of about 60. Parking permits are not required.
Portraits
Liv grew up spending summers in the Sawtooth mountains with her family and later in life, Liv and Dev shared many memories there as well. With sagebrush endemic to central Idaho and panoramic views of the rugged mountains, Pioneer Park was a perfect place to tie in these memories and center the land that they loved so much for the ceremony and wedding portraits. The couple took photos following the ceremony in full sun around 4:30 in the afternoon. The bride wanted one group photo with all the guests and then family and couple photos to follow. The couple chose to do all portraits immediately following the ceremony in full sun rather than wait until golden hour. This way they could focus on being present together with their guests and have more candid shots enjoying their time together.
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Reception
Liv and Dev chose the local casino, The Kasino Club, to host their reception with tacos from the casino catering service and drinks from the bar. They intended to have two live bands, one for the cocktail hour and one for the dance party after, however one of the bands got sick and could not make it. Thankfully, David Henry Band, was able to play for both and the entire wedding party danced all night!
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Communication
Liv reached out to me after a recommendation from a couple that I worked with for engagement photos. Liv and I scheduled a phone call to consult on her goals for her wedding and how photography fit into her plans. Liv specified that she wanted to focus on candid photos from the wedding. Following the initial consultation call, I sent out a contract and finalized details related to their specific services and add-ons. In the days leading up to the wedding, I coordinated with Liv regarding weather and back up options in the event of wildfire evacuations/smoke as well as timeline for the day. I worked closely with Four Eyes coordinators for timing on the day of the rehearsal dinner and wedding events.
THeme: Idaho mountain western chic
The theme for this wedding was western chic – perfect for an Idaho mountain wedding in the Sawtooths. With a foundation in neutrals, the colors create a cohesive and timeless look for guests and wedding party alike. Some features included denim and leather, tasseled jackets, turquoise and silver accessories, and of course, cowboy boots. This theme was great for guests as well because it added a fun twist on traditional guest attire and gave guests an opportunity to mix it up to celebrate their friends and family.
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All about Stanley, Idaho: how to get there, where to stay, what to do, when to go
How to get to the location:
The closest large airport is the Boise Airport, located in Boise, Idaho. From there you’ll need to rent a car to drive to Stanley (about 2 hours and 40 minutes.) A closer option but slightly more expensive and with fewer options is the Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey, Idaho. From there you would rent a car and drive (about 1 hour and 20 minutes.)
The seasons in Stanley
Spring – spring in Idaho boasts lush green trees and lots of flowers beginning to bloom. This normally happens between the end of April and the middle of June. However, the higher the altitude, there is still likely to be snow in the mountains! A ceremony at 5000 ft and below will allow for greenery and the beginning of blooming spring flowers.
Summer – summer allows for the most freedom in activities including hiking, backpacking, and water sports. It also offers a range of wildflower blooms between June and late July. There may still be snow in the mountain tops into late June, but you can hike into higher elevations without as much concern for snow. One consideration for summer weddings/elopements is wildfire season which can range from July through the end of September. Wildfire season limits not only where you can access but also can produce harmful air quality in surrounding areas. Something to consider with a summer wedding/elopement especially in later July-early September.
Fall- ALL THE COLORS. If you love golden leaves in aspens and cottonwood trees and fiery maple trees, fall in Idaho is for you. The arrival of fall varies from year to year in Idaho but generally falls between early September and mid-October. Colors will begin to change earlier at higher elevations so plan accordingly when you choose a date. Another consideration will be temperature. In Idaho, days can be quite warm into the 80s and 90s in the fall and then temps may drop into the 40s and even 30s at night. Bring lots of layers!
Winter – winter in Idaho is the perfect time for folks who love snow sports. Options like snowshoeing, nordic skiing, alpine skiing, and backcountry skiing are all available during the winter months in Idaho. Yurt systems are available for multiday excursions and a great option for intimate elopements with just your closest friends or family. Winter generally falls between December and March in Idaho with the heaviest snowfall between January and February. This could be an option for a peaceful snow-covered ceremony on a mountain top or yurt!
Where to stay
Mountain Village Resort - While many places close in the winter months, this hotel stays open all year round so that you can engage in your favorite outdoor activities, regardless of the season. This is a great place for guests to stay with 61 rooms, RV and tent spaces, and one waterfront property which is perfect for intimate weddings or a more private space for a bride and groom.
Camping - Many folks love to camp in and around Stanley to get the most of the Sawtooth wilderness. This is a great option as well but is not available in the winter months as the campgrounds close down.
Ketchum - A little further away, Ketchum is less ideal for the weddings located in Stanley but do have more accommodation options throughout the year.
Section: How to get married in Idaho
Marriage licenses normally cost around $30 but could be slightly more or less depending on the county. You will need two forms of identification including SSN or passport and another form of identification like driver’s license or state issued ID. https://idaho.gov/family-records/marriage/
You will need to hire an officiant. The American Marriage Ministries is LGBTQ+ friendly. I am a certified bilingual officiant through the American Marriage Ministries and that service is included when you book an elopement with Julia Phelps Photography.
Section: all about the vendors
Sara and Emily Peyton are a sister duo that do not disappoint. They both have extensive coordinating experience both in weddings and in other large events. I have worked with them for a couple weddings now and they were all executed flawlessly. Not to mention they are so much fun, would definitely recommend :)
The Kasino Club is a local saloon in Stanley where Liv and Dev held their reception. It was the perfect place for their gathering, with great food and drinks, a stage for live music, a space to swing dance, and generally great vibes!
The David Henry Band is an americana band that brings elements of country, rock, folk, and soul to any event they play. They brought the party and all of the guests were swing dancing for hours.
The Stanley Supper club is a staple in Stanley. With simple but delicious food and a setting that feels like going home, this resaturant was the perfect spot for a reception dinner. You can’t miss their fried chicken.
Section: Stanley Idaho elopement/wedding photographer
Julia Phelps Photography
As an Idaho wedding and elopement photographer, I value bringing couples a meaningful, thoughtfully crafted experience that celebrates the Idaho wilderness while telling their story through a blend of candid documentary and gently prompted photography. In my photography, I seek to capture connection, witness and document life’s most important moments, and tell a story. As a photographer, 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, 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 packages ranging from half day and ceremony only to multi day experiences. Reach out to find out which package is right for you :)
a review from the couple
"Julia was so awesome and easy to work with and my partner and I were really happy with how our wedding photos turned out! She travelled to Stanley Idaho for our wedding and did night before photos out in the sage brush and played the Grateful Dead in the background to help us chill out and relax- she was great at directing us to get the right shots and she knew how to work with the lighting! Not only is Julia a great photographer, but she’s a super friendly and awesome person to work and communicate with! I couldn’t recommend her enough."
