Coeur d’Alene is the perfect place for an adventurous elopement! Situated in the foothills of the Northern Rockies and on the lake of the same name sits the town of Coeur d’Alene. This charming resort town is the heart of North Idaho and has some much to offer for couples seeking adventure and romance for their elopement experience.
I’m an elopement photographer based out of Idaho and I’ve written this guide to walk you through everything you need to know for planning your adventurous wedding in North Idaho.
Why Should you Elope in Coeur d’Alene?
Coeur d’Alene, or CDA as it’s known by locals, is like stepping into a hallmark film. This small town in the Idaho panhandle is home to a world-renowned resort, fantastic food, and charming old architecture which is why I think it’s a perfect place to elope!
As a Coeur d’Alene local, here are My Top Reasons why I think it’s the perfect location for your adventure elopement:
Coeur d’Alene is the Perfect Blend of Luxury and Adventure
Between the Coeur d’Alene Resort and historic hotels like the Blackwell, there is no shortage of beautiful places to stay. At the same time, there are thousands of acres of National Forest and public land easily accessed within a short drive from downtown. Whether you want to hike to a beautiful alpine lake, explore a historic mining town, or celebrate your elopement on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene, this town is full of variety!
Beautiful Views All Year Round
As mentioned above, Coeur d’Alene is close to a wide variety of nature and adventure opportunities. Surrounded by the Coeur d’Alene National Forest, the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, and the Kaniksu National Forest, there’s a huge variety of landscapes to choose from for your adventure elopement!
Small Town Charm
Coeur d’Alene is known by millions of people around the world for its small town charm. Originally founded as a fort town in 1878, this town still maintains its historical architecture. It’s easy to walk from the resort to any of the numerous dining options downtown, access the lake, or even go for a short hike around Tubbs Hille. In the wintertime, they light up the whole downtown with sparkling lights and it feels like you’re walking into a Hallmark film!
Beautiful lakes
Whether it’s Lake Coeur d’Alene or one of the many beautiful lakes in the Panhandle, there’s no shortage of beautiful lakes to choose from for your elopement in Coeur d’Alene!
Need some more convincing? Read this article on 6 reasons Idaho is the perfect elopement location
Have I convinced you yet? Keep on reading to learn how to plan your elopement in Coeur d’Alene!
How to Elope in Coeur d’Alene
Idaho is one of the easiest states to get married in! Here’s everything you need to plan your elopement in Coeur d’Alene.
Hire a Coeur d’Alene Elopement Photographer
One of the first things I recommend doing in your planning is to hire an elopement photographer. It’s important to work with a photographer that specializes in elopements because oftentimes they can also help with things like location scouting and creating a timeline in addition to documenting your day.
Did you know I’m an elopement photographer based out of North Idaho? If you’re searching for an elopement photographer and a planning partner, please contact me to work together. I would love to help you plan a beautiful elopement experience in Spokane!
Choose a Date for Your Elopement
You’ll want to narrow down a date for your elopement next. Remember that you have a lot more freedom in choosing a date for an elopement vs. a traditional wedding, so feel free to choose a date that you like!
Here are a few things to consider when deciding on your elopement date:
Seasons
The weather in Coeur d’Alene is hot and dry in the summers with cold, snowy winters. Choosing the right time of year is key to planning the best elopement experience. Here’s what kind of weather you can expect in North Idaho in each season:
Winter
Winter temperatures in Coeur d’Alene are an average of 25 degrees with an average snowfall of 42 inches. Snowfall typically begins in November and ends in March, with more snow at higher elevations.
Spring
The temperatures start to warm up around April and precipitation begins to slow down. The average lows are 35 degrees with an average high of 58 degrees. This is a wonderful time of year to get outdoors before the summer heat sets in, with lush greenery and lots of sunshine.
Summer
The summers in Coeur d’Alene are dry and hot with very little precipitation. The highs reach up into the 90’s and the skies are usually clear and sunny. Summertime is also wildfire season due to the hot, dry conditions. It’s not uncommon for August and September to have smoky skies.
Autumn
The temperatures begin to drop, but early Autumn still feels like Summer. The lows begin to fall into the high 30’s and rain begins to fall. Early Autumn is a great time to visit the area because there are less tourists but the weather remains warm during the daytime.
Day of the Week
One of the best parts about eloping is that you have the freedom to get married any day of the week! If avoiding crowds is important to you, choosing a weekday will be ideal. Less crowds with all of the beauty!
Time of day (sunrise vs. sunset)
You’ll want to choose a time for your ceremony, you’ll want to keep lighting in mind. As a general rule, it’s best to avoid the hours between 10am-2pm, because that’s when the lighting is the harshest, the crowds are at their peak, and it’s the hottest part of the day.
Sunrise and sunset (and the few hours surrounding them) are going to be your best times for getting those dreamy photos during your ceremony or portraits. When in doubt, ask your photographer what they would recommend when deciding on times.
Sunrise
The best part about sunrise is that there’s rarely anyone else around! That means even if you’re in a popular location, you’re more than likely going to have it all to yourselves! The con about sunrise means you have to get up early. In the summer months in Coeur d’Alene, the sun rises pretty early and you’ll probably need to be waking up between 3-4am.
Sunset
Even if you don’t have your ceremony at sunset, you’ll definitely want to take some photos in the evening! The sunsets in Idaho are incredible and will be the perfect ending to your day! An evening ceremony is great if you want to spend the rest of the day adventuring and exploring just the two of you with a ceremony with family at the end of the day.
Choose an Elopement Location in Coeur d’Alene
Deciding on a location is one of the biggest, most important decisions you’ll make while planning your day. Coeur d’Alene has a wide variety of amazing locations to choose from, so you’re sure to find something that fits what you’re looking for.
Tubbs Hill
Located on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene and just a short walk from downtown, Tubbs Hill is a local favorite for hiking, swimming, and enjoying the beauty of North Idaho. If you’re searching for a location that is naturally beautiful and is easily accessible, this is the perfect spot!
Farragut State Park
Located 35 minutes north of Coeur d’Alene, Farragut State Park is a local favorite with its stunning mountain views and serene lake. This state park has year round activities from hiking to camping to snowshoeing with some of the prettiest scenery in the area. There is a covered picnic area that you can reserve for your elopement and is a great option if you plan on bringing guests with you.
Read my full guide to eloping at Farragut State Park
The Idaho Panhandle National Forest
For a more adventurous elopement location, the Idaho Panhandle National Forest is filled with rivers and lakes and forests. Whether you’re seeking an adventure close to town or want to venture further from civilization, you’re sure to find the perfect option here!
Even more North Idaho elopement locations here
Decide on Elopement Activities
Now that you know when and where you want to elope, it’s time to start filling in the details of your day by deciding what kinds of activities you want to include in your day. This can range from traditional events such as having your first dance together as a married couple or a cake cutting to something a little more unconventional such as renting a boat for the afternoon or hiking to a sunset viewpoint.
activity ideas you can include in your Coeur d’Alene elopement:
- Go for a scenic hike
- Rent a Boat on Lake Coeur d’Alene
- Go Paddle Boarding
- Zipline with Timberline Adventures
- Go Skiing
- Go Snowshoeing
- Take a Dinner Cruise on Lake CDA
Check out this list of 50+ elopement activities to include in your day
Create a Timeline
It’s time to take all of the information you’ve been gathering for your day and turn it into a timeline. This is another area that your elopement photographer should be able to help you in. You want to make sure you schedule your day to get the best lighting for photos, avoid crowds, and still be able to fit all of your fun activities into. Make sure you print out a final copy of your timeline to keep with you on the day of your elopement, and give a copy to anyone who needs it.
Book Accommodations and Travel for Your Coeur d’Alene Elopement
It’s time to start booking your travel plans and overnight accommodations for your elopement.
If you’ll be flying to Coeur d’Alene, the nearest commercial airport (Spokane International Airport) is approximately 40 minutes away in Spokane, Washington.
There are a variety of overnight accommodations to choose from in and around Coeur d’Alene, ranging from hotels to Airbnb’s. You can view the best North Idaho Airbnb’s here.
Best Hotels in Coeur d’Alene:
Book Your Coeur d’Alene Elopement Vendors
Now is the time to start booking any other vendors you need for your elopement day. Every elopement is different, so the type of vendors you need will vary depending on what you want your day to look like. But a few of the most common vendors in addition to your photographer are:
- Videographer
- Hair & Makeup Artist
- Caterer
- Florist
- Officiant
- Elopement Planner
If you need help finding the best local vendors, be sure to ask your photographer! This is another area they can help you in.
Obtain your Idaho Marriage License
Next up, you’ll need to obtain your marriage license. Idaho Marriage Licenses are issued in-person by Kootenai County. You will need to complete the application before you visit the Recorder’s Office.
Visit the Kootenai County Marriage License website for more information.
You do not need to be an Idaho resident to obtain a marriage license in the state, however, the license will only be valid for ceremonies within the state of Idaho.
Here’s what you will need to apply for a marriage license in Coeur d’Alene:
- You and your partner must be 18 years of age or older
- You both must appear together to submit your application
- You must make the payment the day of your application. It is $31 cash or $32.93 with credit/debit card
- Have your SSN number
- Have a current government issued, photo identification
If you are not a resident of the United States, you must bring a photo identification from the country you currently live in. You will also need to visit the U.S. Social Security Office to get a letter verifying the status of your social security. Your I.D. and letter must be presented with your application.
There is no waiting period once you get your license, which means you can get married the same day you receive your license!
Officiant
To legally perform your marriage, your officiant must be an ordained minister. This can be a judge, clergy member, an ordained friend or family member, or even your photographer if they’re ordained.
Witnesses
You do not need any witnesses to get married in Idaho. All you need is an officiant. This is perfect if you’re looking to elope with just your officiant and photographer present!
Have an epic elopement day
All of your planning comes together, you have a beautiful day of adventure, and your photographer documents it all for you to remember forever! Congrats – you did it!
If you’d like help planning your Idaho elopement and a photographer to capture your memories, contact me to see how I can help you. I can’t wait to hear from you!
Happy eloping!
