What happens when you’re inspired by the moody forest vibes of the PNW for your elopement, but you’re in Idaho? A magical forest elopement that would rival even the most infamous Washington forests!
As a North Idaho local, I know firsthand how beautiful this area is. We have epic alpine lakes, forests straight out of a fairytale, and rolling mountains. But the best part? We don’t have the crowds! It’s sad that more couples don’t know about this area when planning their elopement, which is exactly why I put together this styled elopement shoot: to show off the incredible scenery of North Idaho and show you what an elopement at Priest Lake could look like.
The location for this shoot was Priest Lake, a gorgeous and remote lake located in North Idaho. Priest Lake is surrounded by National Forest Land and is part of the world’s only Inland Temperate Rainforest, which provided the perfect moody backdrop.
While this area feels very secluded, it is incredibly accessible. There are mountain views and forest walking paths that offer incredible scenery without breaking a sweat. But if you do love to get off the beaten path, there are plenty of hiking trails nearby to fulfill your love of adventure, if that’s the kind of elopement experience you’re after.
That’s one of the best parts about eloping in Idaho: we have all kinds of beautiful landscapes with a variety of skill levels, all without the crowds!
If you want to learn more about how to elope at Priest Lake, check out my complete guide.
This elopement was a styled shoot to show you what a full-day elopement can look like and the epic natural beauty you can find in North Idaho. This day was made to mimic the type of elopements I help couples plan, so while it was a styled shoot, it was planned exactly as if this were a real elopement day.
Forest Elopement Vendors:
Elopement Photography & Planning: Tiana Olivia Photography
Makeup: Sarah J. Beauty
Wedding Dress & Veil: Cloud Nine Bridal
Models: Lizzy Beggs & Brendan Beggs
The First Look & Exploring an Old-Growth Forest
The first stop of the day was a forest filled with old-growth cedar trees. This spot is super easy to access just about any time of year (wouldn’t it also be beautiful blanketed in snow?!) and gives some strong PNW vibes.
We spent the first two hours of the day here doing our first look and exploring the trail, during which we had this entire area to ourselves.
Candlit Picnic Dinner, Celebratory Rootbeer Floats & Relaxing in a Hammock
When we finished up in the forest, we made a short drive to a picnic area on the lake. We found a secluded spot with a picnic table, which we set up with a beautiful table runner and tons of candles. The perfect romantic picnic setup.
We spent the next few hours eating, relaxing in a hammock, and taking in the peaceful solitude of the lake. And let me tell you, it was so quiet. The only sound was the gentle lapping of the waves on the beach and the occasional bird chirping in the trees.
Instead of the typical champagne and cake, we decided to do something a little different and celebrate with root beer floats instead. This got a little messy after ice cream sat in a cooler in the car all day (so definitely plan on bringing a high-quality cooler, or better yet, a powered cooler, if you want to do this for your elopement), but they still tasted great and were a fun addition to the day!
This goes to show that you can really include anything you want in your elopement to make it personal to you. Not a fan of champagne? Include your favorite beverage or other dessert to celebrate instead.
That’s the beauty of an elopement: you get to do whatever you want on your wedding day!
Sunset Wedding Ceremony on the Shores of Priest Lake
Finally, it was time for the main event of the day, the wedding ceremony. We found the perfect spot on the beach with views of the Selkirk Mountains behind the lake, which was the most beautiful backdrop for sharing vows and exchanging rings.
It really doesn’t get much better than a secluded beach with snow-capped mountains in the background, with no one else around for miles and miles!
Blue-Hour Portraits
To finish the day off, we brought out the lanterns to take some moody portraits right after sunset.
Blue hour occurs in the time immediately after sunset ends and can last from a few minutes to an hour, depending on your location, and emits a soft, blue light, hence the name “blue hour.” This is one of my favorite times of day for moody, artsy portraits, and is the perfect way to end a big day.
What if this were how your elopement day looked? Fun, relaxing, and surrounded by natural beauty. I can help make it happen! As an elopement photographer and planner, I specialize in helping couples plan personal elopement experiences and photograph the day in artful images across the Western U.S.
Contact me and tell me about your dream elopement to start planning your day together!
Happy eloping!
