Imagine this: it’s your elopement day, and you stand next to the shores of an alpine lake before the sun rises above the jagged mountain peaks. You hold hands with your partner as you share your raw and heartfelt vows with no one else around. Maybe you shed a few tears during the ceremony. You share your first kiss as husband and wife as the sun casts an incredible pink alpenglow sunrise over the mountains behind you.
This is exactly the experience Heather and Kenneth had during their Redfish Lake wedding in Idaho.
When I tell people that they should elope in Idaho for epic views and privacy, this is exactly what I have in mind. Because where else can you get these incredible mountain views all to yourselves in the middle of summer? Nowhere but Idaho!
Redfish Lake is the heart of the Sawtooths, which are a mountain lover’s paradise! These epic mountain peaks and vibrant, sparkling alpine lakes are easy to access, with plenty of adventure opportunities nearby, yet somehow there are hardly any crowds.
This mountain range is one of the West’s best-kept secrets, and today you’re going to learn all about how to elope at Redfish Lake!
Frequently Asked Questions about Redfish Lake Weddings
Can You Get Married at Redfish Lake?
Absolutely! Redfish Lake is a great destination for weddings of all sizes. You may need a permit to get married here, but otherwise, it’s an easy mountain wedding location.
What are the logistics: parking, restrooms, etc.
Parking is available with a self-serve pay station that accepts cash. There are vault toilets, reservable day-use areas, and even a visitor center near the lake. You can also host your wedding at the Redfish Lake Lodge, which is an incredible mountain getaway on Redfish Lake.
When is the Best Time of Year to Get Married at Redfish Lake?
Redfish Lake is at its peak from May through September, but it’s also a great winter destination. Meaning it’s perfect year-round for weddings! June through August will provide the most accessibility to the mountains if you plan to adventure during your elopement, but the shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds and snowy mountain peaks.
Can You Camp at Redfish Lake?
Redfish Lake is home to some of the most epic front-country tent camping in the country! Two of the most popular campgrounds are the Outlet Campground and Glacier View Campground, both of which are reservable through Recreation.gov, but they fill up quickly!
Are Dogs Allowed at Redfish Lake?
Yes! This is one of the best places you could elope if you want to include your furbabies in your wedding day. This area is exceptionally dog-friendly, and dogs are allowed on the beach and even in the water.
How do You Get to Redfish Lake?
If you’re planning a trip or elopement at Redfish Lake in Stanley, Idaho, getting there is easier than you might think. The closest major airport is Boise Airport (BOI), about a 2.5–3 hour drive from the lake. Travelers can also fly into Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN) in Sun Valley, which is roughly 1.5 hours away, or Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA), located about 3 hours to the southeast.
Once you’ve landed, make your way to the small mountain town of Stanley, Idaho, which sits along Highway 75 in the Sawtooth Valley.
From Stanley, head south on Highway 75 for approximately 5 miles, then turn right onto Redfish Lake Road and continue until you reach the lake.
How Much Does a Redfish Lake Wedding Cost?
Some weddings may require a permit, but it’s evaluated on a case-by-case basis. For intimate elopements with just the couple and one or two vendors (such as a photographer or videographer) you likely won’t need a permit. But larger gatherings will definitely require a permit, which costs a few hundred dollars.
The only other thing you need is an Idaho marriage license, which costs about $30.
So you could feasibly get married at Redfish Lake for only a few hundred dollars!
Read more about getting an Idaho marriage license in my complete guide to Idaho marriage licenses!
How to Plan Your Redfish Lake Wedding or Elopement
- Decide on a ceremony location.
- Hire your Redfish Lake wedding vendors (photographer, videographer, officiant, etc.)
- Book your lodging and travel plans.
- Apply for a permit (if getting married outside of the Redfish Lake Lodge)
- Have an incredible wedding experience!
Learn more about eloping in Stanley, Idaho, in my complete guide!
Heather & Kenneth’s Redfish Lake Elopement Story
The Sawtooths have been on my bucket list of places to shoot an elopement, well, since I became an adventure elopement photographer back in 2023. So when Heather and Kenneth reached out to me about eloping in the Sawtooths, I was beyond excited!
We worked together to plan a fun and relaxing day for these two to share vows among epic mountain views. Redfish Lake turned out to be the perfect wedding location.
In order to ensure Heather and Kenneth had ultimate privacy for their Redfish Lake ceremony, I recommended they have a sunrise ceremony, which they agreed to. That meant meeting up at their cute little log cabin at 5am to capture them getting ready before heading off to the lake.
They got dressed, Heather did her makeup, and I took photos of the details and getting ready. It was a peaceful and casual start to the day.
We arrived at Redfish Lake just after 6am and went to the spot Heather and Kenneth had chosen for their vows. It was on a beautiful sandy beach with the Sawtooth Mountains in the background.
One thing I love about my job is that I get to witness some of the most beautiful wedding vows. This day was no exception. These two have such a love for each other, and it was so sweet to get to be their only witness.
The sun slowly rose, casting a gorgeous pink alpenglow on the distant mountains. After Heather and Kenneth finished their vows, they took a walk along the beach, and we took some of the most epic “just-married” portraits I’ve ever had the pleasure of photographing! I mean, look at that sunrise.
The celebration continued with a celebratory cake and champagne. The cake was custom-made with these adorable Lego figures and animals representing their pets back home.
After that, they shared their first dance as husband and wife on the beach as the sun finished rising.
The last activity of the morning was a short drive to the Redfish Lake Lodge Marina, where Heather and Kenneth rented a canoe to get out on the water. Since it was still early, they were the only ones on the water for a while, and they said the views were fantastic!
We split up for the afternoon and met up for sunset at another alpine lake in the Sawtooth Mountains. We took some more casual photos of the two together as the sunset behind the mountain, the perfect end to an incredible day.
Narrowing down which photos to share was such a difficult task because there were so many incredible images from this elopement! But I did my best and narrowed it down to these. Enjoy!
Redfish Lake Wedding Vendors:
- Elopement Photography & Planning: Tiana Olivia Photography
- Canoe Rental: Redfish Lake Lodge
Redfish Lake Elopement Photography Packages
If you’re inspired by this Redfish Lake wedding for your own elopement, I would love to work alongside you to plan your own unique experience! I offer elopement packages in the Sawtooths that include:
- Customize location recommendations for every part of your day
- Permit assistance
- Lodging recommendations
- An elopement planning checklist & exclusive planning guides
- A personalized packing list
- An ordained officiant to sign your marriage license (that’s me!)
- A candid approach to photographing your elopement day
- Posing guidance as needed
- All of your photos, beautifully edited, for you to keep forever
- And more!
Happy eloping!
