How to Plan a Fall Adventure Elopement in Sun Valley Idaho and #keepthewestwild
Fall in Sun Valley is a magical time of year and the perfect time for an elopement. This post will walk through all the steps to planning your elopement in Sun Valley in the fall. From choosing the location/trail, to amazing vendors in the valley and the process that I follow to collaborate with a couple and craft the perfect day, this post has it all.
Personalizing your elopement - customized charcuterie picnic box and writing your vows
The beauty of an elopement is that you can personalize your day as much as you want. You can add several activities that you love to do with your partner, or you can keep it simple. This elopement was designed to be a half day spent hiking to a mountain lake and then writing and sharing vows in a private ceremony. The couple enjoyed a custom designed charcuterie picnic box from Salty Sisters and their favorite beverages as well as gorgeous floral arrangements from Tarabella flowers. The couple brought their dogs to help them celebrate.
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Location and Keeping the West Wild
As someone who lives by Leave No Trace principles, I also do my best to protect private lands from exploitation – even in social media and blog posts. Sooooooooo, I won’t include specific information about the location and how to get there, but I will include general information about how to find routes and considerations for weather and safety in outdoor recreational endeavors. If you are interested to know more about my process and my guided experience, please reach out. I’d love to chat over a consultation call :)
When planning a fall adventure elopement in Sun Valley there are some great apps for route finding. I prefer to use onX Backcountry. OnX was originally created to help hunters navigate and see public land boundaries, but it has since expanded for multiple types of recreational use. As a photographer, I use it to find already established trails as well as information about access. If trails are already established, there will often be information about types of terrain, elevation, distance, and even pictures of the trail for reference.
I can also use it to plan a route if I am either going off trails or using it in the winter for backcountry skiing.
In addition to route finding, I will also consider potential weather and seasonal factors. In the fall, we were looking for the bright fall colors from the aspens and cottonwood trees and so we were looking for trails in the alpine. We also considered weather like rain and even snow and checked weather apps and brought appropriate clothing. In the mountains, it’s always best to be prepared with a few non-cotton layers like wool and fleece as well as wind breaker and raincoat in the event that a storm rolls in – which it did! In addition to clothing, it’s always best to bring a first aid kit and any other relevant gear. In the fall this was not much more than shoes with proper tread but in the winter that will include an avalanche shovel, transceiver, and probe, and other winter travel gear. There are many places in the mountains surrounding Sun Valley that exceed 30 degrees and anyone doing recreational backcountry activities in the winter will want to be avalanche aware and use proper tools and precautions.
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Beyond actually being on the trail, you’ll also want to consider how to get to the trail. There are many trailheads where you can park and hike from however there are also some that will require AWD and enough clearance to get up beyond the trailhead. If you’re uncertain and renting a vehicle, it’s best to place it safe and get a vehicle with AWD and clearance for uneven roads.
Permits, passes, & legalities
You’ll need a Special Use Permit for your photography/videography. The cost will vary depending on the area and if it’s a state/national park or in a national forest but can cost anywhere between $50-$250. For this specific area, you’ll call the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (208) 774-3000 or (208) 774-3023. Different areas will require more time, especially if you’re in a national or state park but you will want at least two weeks. For this specific location which was in national forest land but not a state or national park, there was no parking or entrance fee.
Obtaining your marriage License in Idaho
Marriage Licenses normally cost about $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 such as a driver’s license or state issued ID. You do not need to be a resident of Idaho to obtain an Idaho marriage license but the license is only valid for ceremonies performed within the state of Idaho. There is no waiting period, you can get married the same day. There is no expiration date. Witnesses are not required. The marriage must be officiated by an ordained officiant. For more information, visit the official website for the state of Idaho
Sun Valley Vendors
As a resort town, Sun Valley has so much to offer when it comes to vendors. I’ve included the two that I personally worked with for this event and recommend but there are many more!
Salty sisters
Hailey and Ciara are a sister team who artfully craft design charcuterie boards that are as delicious to eat as they are beautiful to look at. They offer a diverse array of custom boards and tables for all events including picnic boxes for smaller intimate date nights (or elopements for just the two of you!) I worked directly with Hailey, and she was very communicative and friendly. From the first email and phone call to discuss details, to accounting for a freezer bag that would make it up our hike to the destination, she thought of everything and put so much love and heart into every detail. Would definitely recommend Salty Sisters and work with them again!
Tarabella flowers
Tara designs gorgeous floral arrangements in the Wood River Valley and has been doing so for over 20 years. You can tell that she is experienced, and that each arrangement is a work of art designed perfectly for your day. I worked with Tara and she was available to me even at the last minute to deliver the details of the day. She was communicative and her work was not only beautiful but endured the hike to our destination in one piece. I would 100% recommend her and work with her again.
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Sun Valley elopement/wedding photographer
As a Sun Valley 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 :)
If you would like to talk more about planning an elopement, please inquire. A consultation call is included in every package and extensive elopement planning is included with all elopement packages. I’ll be with you every step of the way.
