Priest Lake Idaho: Idaho’s Crown Jewel known for its exceptionally clear waters surrounded by the Selkirk Mountains. This area is thoroughly enjoyed year round, and makes it one of my top recommendations for elopements in North Idaho! With cedar forests, pristine waters, rocky snow covered mountains, and 5 star resorts, Priest Lake offers you all you could need for the perfect wedding day. If you’re looking for more information on how to actually get married in this area, this blog post will go over everything you’ll need to know to elope in this northern mountain paradise of Priest Lake, Idaho.
If you’re looking for even more information on eloping in this gorgeous gem state of Idaho, I have a blog going over even more stunning locations and information perfect for planning your elopement in the state of Idaho - all from a local!
Table of Contents:
Why You Should Elope in Priest Lake Idaho
If you love the area of Coeur d’Alene but want somewhere more secluded and private, then Priest Lake is a great alternative! Priest Lake is great because you have easy access to stunning places, perfect for including some family or if you want a more relaxed day! Or even if you’re craving a hiking adventure in the Selkirks, then there are so many great options nearby as well! With secluded alpine lakes in the mountains, miles of untouched forest, and the lake itself, there’s no reason to not elope in Priest!
Where is Priest Lake Located?
Priest Lake is located near the Canadian border in the Northern Idaho panhandle. Priest Lake’s state park is located just 30 miles south of the Canadian border. With Priest Lake also having a secluded upper lake that you can only get to by boating or kayaking the thoroughfare, or by hiking, this gets you even closer to Canada with even more privacy and seclusion!
-Nearest Towns to Priest Lake
Coeur d’Alene: 2 hours South
Sandpoint: 1.5 hours South
-Nearest Airport to Priest Lake
Spokane International Airport: 2 hours and 10 minutes away
Best Times of Year to Elope
Whether you’re looking to elope here in the summer or winter, Priest Lake is perfect for any time of year!
Summer/Fall
Summer and Fall are going to be the most popular times of the year to elope! Summer opens up the world of being on the lake. Imagine starting your day with a kayak or paddleboard ride on the lake before you start getting ready! Hikes in the area are also finally accessible this time of year, and the resorts and local restaurants are in full swing! This time of year often has some form of wildfire smoke in the air, so definitely keep that in mind for the photos and views you want, as well as older family and guests.
Fall is a lot like the spring season, the weather and colors are perfect, and the tourist crowds die down. Early September is often warm enough to still enjoy the lake, while going into October there’s chances of snow starting to fall. We get gorgeous fall colors with all the foliage lining the trails, and fall rains often help clear the air of any smoke. So definitely consider the fall season for your elopement here! For some autumn alpine lake elopement inspiration in Priest Lake, check out this blog!
Winter/Spring
With Priest Lake being further North, it’s going to have more snow, so I always recommend Priest Lake if you are wanting to elope in North Idaho in the winter. You’ll still get to be surrounded by the beauty of the area, and not surrounded by crowds here in the winter. You’ll likely get the place to yourself! Here's an example of a cozy cabin winter elopement in Priest Lake!
Late spring elopements are also absolutely gorgeous! The weather is perfect, there’s fresh wildflowers popping their heads up, and everything is turning green with the season’s new blooms. May is great because it isn’t quite the peak tourist season yet, so you can enjoy the outdoors to yourself. The lake is melted off by this point, but you can still enjoy spots of snow in the surrounding mountaintops. Check out this Spring Forest Elopement in Priest Lake!
Where to Elope in Priest Lake
As I mentioned earlier, Priest Lake is perfect if you want to include family and have easy access to incredible views, or if you want a full on mountain hiking adventure, or even a little bit of both!
Priest Lake Elopement Locations
Priest Lake State Park - Located towards the northern end of the lake and by the Indian Creek Campground Unit, Priest Lake State Park gives you access to gorgeous forests and access to the lake. I used to camp here a ton as a kid, it’s one of my favorite spots!
Ledgewood Picnic Area - A gorgeous private spot in the off season is Ledgewood Picnic Area! With picnic tables and a large beach area with views of Chimney Rock, this beach is perfect for a picnic, sunset bridals, launching a kayak in the water, or all three!
Hanna Flats Nature Trail - A cedar grove trail just 15 minutes North of Hill’s Resort, this 0.7 mile easy loop trail is perfect for a bit of seclusion like for an intimate first look under the trees.
Hill’s Resort, Elkins Resort, or Resort at Cavanaugh’s - These are highly rated resorts all located on the beaches of the lake. With available lodging, restaurants, marinas, and cabins, these are the perfect addition to your Priest Lake elopement. The photo below is Hill's Resort.
Upper Priest Lake - Being only accessible by boat or hiking, this area of the lake has some private beaches you can pull your boat up to! The views are absolutely breathtaking as you exit the thorofare into the upper part of the lake. This part of the lake is perfect if you want to enjoy some time on the water and some seclusion. Check out this Upper Priest Lake elopement!
Airbnb’s - Airbnb’s make a great spot for getting ready, ceremonies (if allowed), bridal photos, and post-elopement celebrations!
Hikes - If you book an elopement with me, you’ll receive a custom list of locations perfect for your elopement, along with hikes that I’ve done with previous couples that are exclusively for you! There’s a lot of awesome ones on the east side of the lake between there and Bonners Ferry perfect for if you’re wanting an adventurous hike in the mountains and to explore some epic alpine lakes!
Elopement Permit Information
Depending on where you want to elope in Priest Lake, you might need permission from either the Airbnb host, and/or permits to have a ceremony or take bridal photographs in the area. Typically, you’d want to reach out to the corresponding national forest that the location you want to take photos at is on, but as your photographer I do that for you! I make sure all the places we are going will allow us to take photos there, along with making sure you are legally allowed to get married at the spot you want!
Typically, having things like a larger guest count, arbor setups for ceremony, chairs for guests, etc. will determine if you need a permit or not. Each state’s national forest is going to have different rules and regulations, so once we have your locations and timeline ready to go, I’ll be able to reach out with all the needed information and let you know what you need!
Idaho Marriage License Information
Can You Get Married if You’re Not an Idaho Resident?
Absolutely! Almost all of my couples come from out of state to get married here.
Are Witnesses Required?
Idaho is one of the easiest states to get married in because Idaho doesn’t require any witnesses! You will still just need a registered officiant to sign off on your license for you.
How Much Does a Marriage License Cost?
Approximately $30 in cash. Obtaining the license on a weekend may cost more, so going in during the week to get one is best!
How Long is the License Valid For?
There is no expiration on the license, though it should be used within the year.
Is there a Waiting Period?
There is no waiting period, so you can get married the same day you acquire the license.
What Documents Do I Need to Bring?
First off, you’ll need to appear together at a county office. You’ll just need to bring about $30 in cash, and you’ll need an SSN. Then you’ll need one of these documents to provide proof of age and identity: driver’s license, passport, birth certificate, or a state issued identification card.
Best Places to Stay
Local Lodging in Priest Lake
Airbnb’s in Priest Lake
Here’s some incredible Airbnb’s/VRBO’s that you can rent for your Priest Lake elopement! Whether you want a fairytale cabin in a forest, or a modern lakefront escape, there’s plenty to choose from to fit your elopement vision!
Elopement Tip: Have your family stay at local lodging, and you and your partner can rent an Airbnb for you to stay at after the elopement together! This is the perfect way to explore more of the area and get some beautiful photos at your Airbnb - as long as your host is okay with your planned activities. You can get ready here, do a first look at a gorgeous property, have a stunning table setup for dinner, sit by a bonfire and roast smores, the options are endless! For more Airbnb elopement inspiration, check out this blog post on why you should rent an Airbnb for your elopement!
Best Places to Eat
Along with these, Hills, Elkins, and Cavanaugh's also offer dining experiences right on the lake!
Reception/Venue Options
These options are great if you want a group of guests with you for either a ceremony or reception, and/or a place to have your guests hang out while you’re out adventuring!
Airbnbs - Airbnbs or VRBO’s are a great option to have for a post elopement dinner if the rental allows events! They also make a great place for your guests to hang out while you’re out adventuring.
Elopement Activity Ideas
Start your morning with a sunrise paddleboard adventure
Camp overnight at Priest Lake State Park and drink coffees together
Rent a pontoon boat from Priest Lake Boat Rental for a sunset reception on the water
Take a guided snowmobile tour for a winter wonderland experience
Go off-roading in a UTV rental to take photos where no one else has before
Meet up with friends and family at Priest Lake Brewing for a mini reception
Have a picnic on a mountaintop, or down on the beach
Bring your dog along for the adventure
Hike in the Selkirks to a secluded alpine lake for private vows
Relax on the beach at sunset
Snowshoe at a Park N’ Ski location like Hanna Flats, Priest Lake State Park, Chipmunk Rapids, and the Priest Lake Golf Course.
Relax in a hammock in the trees after ceremony and read letters from friends and family
Kayak the thoroughfare and watch for wildlife
Check here for more fun adventurous activity ideas for your timeline!
Priest Lake Idaho Elopement Vendors
There are some incredible vendors in the area! With Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint nearby, there will be plenty of vendors to choose from to make your elopement vision come to life!
North Idaho Elopement Vendors
Hairstylists: Terri Reece, Hair by Krystle K, Kiss and Makeup
Makeup Artists: Blush by T, Steph D Makeup, Chantel Reeder
Florists: Garden of Eden, Pearl and Tin, Anthesis Co.
Officiants: Coeur 2 Coeur, Chanelle Carlin, Your Day Your Way Weddings
Food and Desserts: PNW Platters, Kate’s Cakes, Jennifer Werner
Priest Lake Elopement Timeline Examples
Whether you’re looking for a more relaxed day or an adventurous hike in the mountains (or a little bit of both), Priest Lake is the perfect place to get the best of both worlds. Here’s some real timelines previous clients of mine have had for their Priest Lake elopements!
Real All Day Timeline Examples
-Adventurous Hiking Elopement to an Alpine Lake in the Selkirks
Meet at store to follow each other to trailhead
Arrive at trailhead, photo coverage starts here
Get geared up for hike, hike to ceremony spot
Arrive at ceremony spot
Get changed into bridal attire and do first look
Ceremony, private vows, and group photos
Fishing photos
Hike back down to cars
Drive to Hill’s Resort
Photos at Hill’s Resort, meet up with other family
-Relaxed Airbnb Elopement in the Forest
Getting ready at forested cabin Airbnb
Drive to Hanna Flats trail for first look
First look at Hanna Flats trail
Forest bridals
Meet back up with family for ceremony at family cabin
Ceremony in the forest
Group photos
Dinner/reception at cabin with dancing
-Winter Elopement at Cabin near Hill’s Resort
Arrive at cabin - coverage starts here
Take detail shots while everyone gets ready
Write vows for ceremony
Get in dress and get ready for first look
First looks outside with family
Ceremony
Snowy bridals outside and family group shots
Head to Ledgewood Picnic Area for whisky shots
Sunset bridals
Head back to Airbnb for blue hour lantern photos
Celebrate with Pizza from Millie’s
-Upper Priest Lake Boating Elopement
Meet up with groom and his family at Lionhead boat launch
Drive boat up the thorofare to private beach location
Take groom getting ready photos
Wait for bride to arrive with her family on their boat
Ceremony in the water
Bridals and photos with friends and family
Boat ride back to boat dock and boat bridals
Priest Lake Idaho Elopement Photographer
Living less than an hour away from this Crown Jewel, I can firsthand tell you how pristine this area is, perfect for your outdoor elopement!
Priest Lake Elopement Packages and Pricing
From getting into your dress while you look out over the trees, to walking to a pristine beach for a first look, to going on a hiking adventure in your wedding dress with hiking boots on, all the way down to the end of the day where you’ll reflect on the amazing day you had, I’ll be there for every part of your adventure. Here are the things included in my Priest Lake elopement packages!
↠ Booking Gift
↠ 72 Hour Turn-Around Time for Sneak Peek Images
↠ Day of Elopement Gift
↠ Beautifully Edited Final Images
↠ Access to High Quality Print Products
↠ Free Phone Consultation or Zoom Call
↠ Timeline Creation
↠ Leave No Trace Guide
↠ 30+ Page Planning Guide
↠ Vendor Recommendations
↠ Unlimited Planning and Assistance
↠ 6 Week Turnaround Time for Full Elopement Gallery
↠ Travel & Accommodations are Covered for Photographer
Click here to see pricing and more info! I can't wait to hear from you!
As a born and raised local to the area, I’m so happy to provide you with this How to Elope in Priest Lake planning guide! Now that you know everything you need to elope in this gorgeous spot, let’s start planning your Idaho elopement together! I love working with my couples to not only photograph their day, but to help them create an unforgettable experience in the outdoors! Trust me, you’ll love eloping in Idaho!
