If you want to explore epic mountains and beautiful alpine lakes on your wedding day, Stanley Idaho is the perfect place to elope! The heart of the Sawtooth Wilderness, Stanley is a small town in Central Idaho surrounded by jagged mountains, hot springs, and beautiful forests.
This is your complete guide to planning an adventurous elopement in Stanley, Idaho! From the best elopement locations to where to stay, this guide will equip you with all that you need to plan a personalized wedding experience surrounded by the beauty of nature in Idaho’s most beautiful landscape!
Why Elope in Stanley?
If you’re not already convinced you should elope in Stanley, allow me to go over the top reasons this area is a great place for your elopement!
Epic Epic Landscapes
Whether it’s mountain views from an easily accessed lake or you want to elope on the top of a mountain with an epic hike, there’s no shortage of stunning backdrops for your elopement in Stanley!
Idaho is Easy to Get Married in
No witnesses are required to get married in Idaho, and there’s no waiting period once you receive your marriage license, making Stanley one of the easiest places to get married!
Options for a Adventurous Experience or A Laid-Back Elopement
Stanley has tons of hikes and adventure opportunities to make your elopement experience a unique and memorable experience, but there’s also plenty of options for a more relaxed wedding experience too. Whether your dream wedding includes a long hike or looks more like relaxing at a resort, there’s options for any kind of elopement experience here! The one constant is beautiful views!
How to Get to Stanley
You have two airport options to fly into to get to Stanley for your elopement. The Boise Airport is an approximate 2.5 drive from Stanley, or you can fly into the Friedman Memorial Airport in Sun Valley for a shorter 1.5 hour drive (but airfare tends to be more pricey at this airport).
From Boise, you’ll Take ID-55 to Banks. Turn right onto Banks-Lowman Highway ID-17 going East to ID-21. Turn left on ID-21 until you get to Stanley.
From Sun Valley, you’ll drive ID-75 straight to Stanley.
When to Elope in Stanley
The best time of year to elope in Stanley is June or September. The shoulder season will give you the best combination of comfortable weather, accessibility to the mountains, and fewer crowds at popular locations.
Here’s a breakdown of the seasons in Stanley to help you decide what time of year is best for you!
Spring
Snow begins to melt in the Spring, but there can still be enough snow on the ground for winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling this time of year! Temperatures tend to average lows in the 20’s to highs in the 50’s.
Summer
Summer in Stanley is hot and dry, with average temperatures in the high 70’s to low 80’s! This is the best time for exploring high elevations when the snow is melted and to get out on the water.
Autumn
Temperatures begin to drop and the Aspen tree’s change to shades of red, orange, and yellow. This is a great time for hiking with moderate temperatures before winter covers higher elevations in snow. Temperatures during the day average in the 60’s and 50’s.
Winter
Stanley is one of the coldest places in the lower 48, with temperatures dipping into the negatives and an average snowfall of 72”. This is a great time of year if you love winter sports such as skiing, snowmobiling, or ice skating!
Epic Stanley Elopement Ideas
- A backpacking elopement in the Sawtooth Wilderness
- Elope on the shores of Redfish Lake
- Include a natural hot spring soak in your elopement day
- Take in the sights with drive on a scenic byway
How to Get an Idaho Marriage License
Marriage licenses are issued in-person in Idaho. You and your partner will need to appear together at the County Recorder’s office along with state issued identification, your social security numbers, and $30 in cash or check.
The closest office to Stanley is the Custer County Recorder’s Office, located at 801 Main St., Challis, ID. They are open Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm and you do not need an appointment.
While there is no waiting period in Idaho (meaning you can get married as soon as you receive your marriage license), I recommend you plan on getting your license at least one day before your elopement to keep your day running smoothly and stress-free.
Best Stanley Elopement Locations
These are the most popular elopement locations near Stanley, Idaho!
North Shore Picnic Area on Redfish Lake
Redfish Lake is the most popular lakes in the Sawtooth Wilderness! With clear blue water and beautiful mountain peaks surrounding it, it’s no wonder it’s so popular! There are two day-use areas on the north end of the lake that can be reserved for $158 so you can have your own space to set up and celebrate with loved ones if you plan on bringing anyone with you.
Stanley Lake
This is another popular lake in the Sawtooth’s, and a great elopement location! With beautiful mountains nearby and crystal clear waters, this lake is a serene elopement location!
Sawtooth Valley Pioneer Park
This city park is a great option if you want to avoid the complication of permits but still want those epic mountain views! Located in downtown Stanley, this park offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and can be rented out for $350 for a day.
Stanley Wedding Venues
If you want a more traditional venue for your Stanley elopement, I’ve got you covered! Here are the best wedding venues in Stanley.
Redfish Lake Lodge
Sitting on the shores of Redfish Lake, this lodge offers an outdoor venue with stunning views of the lake and mountains! Outdoor weddings are for groups of 60-225, but they have indoor options for groups of less than 60 people.
Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch
With almost 900 acres of privately owned land, the Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch is not only a beautiful wedding venue, but a great place to stay for your elopement! The lodge offers both indoor and outdoor wedding venue options with a rustic atmosphere.
Sawtooth Valley Chapel
This rustic chapel offers panoramic views of the Sawtooth Mountains with options for indoor and outdoor weddings.
Permits for Your Stanley Elopement
Elopements taking place within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA) will require a Special Use Permit for photography and videography.
Still photography permits for the SNRA range from $50-$250 per day, and videography permits range from $150-$600 per day, depending on the size of your elopement.
Where to Stay in Stanley
Lodges & Hotels
Campgrounds
Stanley Elopement Activities
You’re not limited to cake cutting and your first dance when you elope (though you can still include those traditions in your day!). Here are some elopement day activities you can include in your Stanley elopement to fully experience this beautiful area:
- Take a hike
- Soak in a hot spring
- Camp or backpack
- Go Horseback riding
- River raft
- Ski or snowboard
- Take a snowshoe hike
- Rock climb
- Go on a scenic bike ride
Check out this guide to 50+ elopement day activities!
Top Hikes in the Sawtooth’s
There’s no better way to take in the beautiful mountains than through a hike! No matter your hiking ability, there are tons of amazing hikes in the Sawtooth’s to take in the scenery. Here are the top hikes in the Sawtooth’s for your elopement day.
Check out my full guide to planning a hiking elopement!
Lady Face Falls
Length: 5.3 miles roundtrip
Trail Type: Out-and-Back
Elevation Gain: 364 ft.
Difficulty: Moderate
Cabin Creek Trail
Length: 6.7 miles round trip
Trail Type: Out-and-Back
Elevation Gain: 1,663 ft.
Difficulty: Moderate-Hard
Fishhook Creek Trail
Length: 4.5 miles roundtrip
Trail Type: Out-and-Back
Elevation Gain: 288 ft.
Difficulty: Easy
Titus Lake
Length: 3.6 miles roundtrip
Trail Type: Out-and-Back
Elevation Gain: 649 ft.
Difficulty: Moderate
Stanley Elopement Timeline Examples
Deciding how much time you need for your elopement can be one of the most difficult decisions in planning your day! In case you’re not sure how you would spend more than a few hours on your elopement day, I’ve provided a few example timelines to give you a better idea of what your day can look like.
Learn more about the benefits of an all-day elopement.
8 Hour Sunrise Elopement Example
5:00am – Meet at Airbnb. Finish getting ready.
5:45am – Drive to ceremony location on the lake
6:15am – Arrive at lake. First look together by the lake at sunrise.
6:45am – Explore and find the perfect ceremony location.
7:00am – Wedding ceremony and vow exchange.
7:30am – Celebrate being married! Take some “just-married” portraits together and detail photos.
8:00am – Drive back to the Airbnb.
8:30am – Make breakfast together.
9:30am – Drive to trailhead.
10:30am – Meet up at trailhead and start the hike, taking pretty pictures along the way.
11:30am – Arrive at the lake at the end of the trail. Play in the water, soak in the view, and have a picnic lunch together.
12:30pm – Hike back to the trailhead.
1:00pm – Photography coverage ends
12 Hour Elopement With Family Example
10:00am – Meet up at Airbnb. Finish getting ready and take detail photos.
11:30am – Drive to the ceremony location on Redfish Lake.
12:00pm – Arrive at the lake. Find the perfect location for the first look.
12:15pm – First look between the bride and groom.
12:30pm – Get ready for the ceremony.
1:00pm – Wedding ceremony.
1:30pm – Celebrate being married! Take some “just-married” portraits and family photos.
2:30pm – Picnic lunch with family by the lake.
3:30pm – Couple and photographer head to hiking trail while family goes back to the Airbnb
4:30pm – Meet up at trailhead and start hike.
5:30pm – Arrive at the alpine lake. Take portraits, enjoy a few minutes alone, and soak in the view.
6:30pm – Start hiking back to the trailhead.
7:30pm – Arrive back at trailhead. Drive back to Airbnb.
8:30pm – Arrive back at Airbnb for reception with family. Celebrate with dinner, cake cutting, and first dance’s.
10:00pm – Photography coverage ends.
Check out my guide to how to include family in your elopement!
Tips for Eloping in Stanley
1. Choose a Weekday instead of a Weekend
Stanley is a popular destination in the Summer for locals and tourists. If you want to avoid crowds at popular locations such as Redfish Lake, opt for a weekday elopement instead of a weekend.
2. Elope in the Shoulder Seasons
Late May through mid June and mid September are a great time to elope in Stanley with good weather and less crowds!
3. Work with a an Elopement Photographer that also Helps with Planning
Many elopement photographers also help with planning (like I do!), which is why I recommend finding your photographer early on. They can be a huge asset in finding locations, obtaining permits, and guiding you through the planning process.
Stanley Elopement Packages
I’m an Idaho local and specialize in helping couples plan and document meaningful elopements throughout Idaho. Every one of my elopement packages includes help planning your day by providing you with a customized list of location recommendations, creating a custom timeline for your day, helping you research and obtain your permit, and more, all in addition to photographing your day!
There you have it! Your complete guide to planning an adventurous wedding in Stanley, Idaho! I hope you found this guide helpful.
Happy eloping!
