Elope In Sun Valley : 2022 Guide to Sun Valley Elopement Packages.

How to elope in Sun Valley

Sun Valley is a historic ski town in central southern Idaho. Rare for being nearly as popular in the warmer summer months as it is during the bustling snowy season, Sun Valley is known for its ski areas at Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain, and, in the summer, its many miles of mountain treks, equestrian trails, and sunny meadows. Like a low-key Aspen, Sun Valley has an authentic charm and panoramic mountain views to spare.

Why should I elope in Sun Valley?

America’s First Destination Ski Resort town is nestled in a surprisingly accessible area of the Northern Rockies. With a lively arts community and some of the best off-slope activities of any resort town in the country, Sun Valley has plenty to offer for the ski-averse. During the summer, the area offers up top-notch fishing and hunting and countless trails around town offering paths up the mountains to appreciate the region’s sweeping views of the peaky Sawtooth Mountains. For snowbirds, the area boasts some of the country’s best cross-country skiing and even the fabled onsite heli-skiing.

What is the best time of year to elope in Sun Valley?

Deciding on the best time of year to elope in Sun Valley will depend on whether or not you’re a fan of the snow. If you are, then you’re in luck, as snow can be expected from the end of October to the beginning of April. During the winter months, days usually hover around freezing while nights regularly dip below zero. If you’re not a snow bunny, no worries! Sun Valley in the summertime is a dream come true for lovers of the outdoors. Due to the area’s high altitude, summer days tend to be hot and sunny, while nights drop to nearly freezing even in July and August.

What are the best places to elope in Sun Valley?

Just outside of Sun Valley, Eagle Creek is all mountains, meadow, and wildwood. The perfect setting for a wild and scenic outdoor elopement. Stanley is an uncomplicated and largely untouched mountain town with fewer than 100 residents about two and a half hours northeast of Boise. Along the banks of the Salmon River and at the foot of the Sawtooth Mountains, Stanley is easily one of the most naturally stunning towns in the state, if not the entire United States. Boasting big skies, big mountains, and crystal clear alpine lakes, Stanley is unbeatable for raw natural beauty. At the base of the Sawtooth Mountains in Custer County, Redfish Lake is an alpine lake tucked into the valleys of the Sawtooth National Forest. A quaint and quiet lake with only a small dock for company, Redfish is comprised almost entirely of snowmelt, so the lake is typically crystal clear and safe for a post-nuptial dip.

How do I legally get married in Sun Valley?

Marriage licenses are issued by County Recorders in the state of Idaho, no appointment required. You and your partner must appear at a County Recorder’s Office with $30, one valid form of identification for each of you, and your social security numbers. Note that you will be required to read an AIDS information sheet before being granted your marriage license. There is no waiting period for using an Idaho marriage license, so once you have it in hand, you can proceed with your marriage ceremony. Idaho State marriage licenses are only valid for unions performed in-state. In Idaho, the marriage license fee varies by county. Some counties charge up to $20 more to process these requests on Saturdays, so it is best to plan ahead and visit the County Recorder’s Office on a weekday.

Do I need a witness to get married in Idaho?

Nope! You do not need a witness to get married anywhere in the State of Idaho.

Is Sun Valley expensive?

As it is an established resort community, Sun Valley is on the more expensive side, especially if compared with other Idaho destinations. The average price of a weeklong trip to Sun Valley is $2,210 for a solo traveler and $3,969 for a couple. There are a handful of options for accommodations, with hotels starting from about $85 per night and vacation rentals costing a minimum of about $260 to $1,000 per night for an entire home.

Lift tickets here are above average in price, but you won’t have to worry about arranging your own transportation in Sun Valley, as the entire village is walkable and the Mountain Rides Transportation Authority system provides free transport in both Sun Valley and nearby Ketchum.

How much does it cost to elope in Sun Valley?

Our Sun Valley elopement packages range from $450 for our simplest ceremonies to $2,350 for our deluxe Oasis package. If you would like to further personalize any of our offerings, get in touch with your preferences and we can create a customized quote for your special day. Our elopement packages in Sun Valley pair you with a dedicated destination coordinator to help you manage all the logistics of a Sun Valley elopement.

Where do I fly into for my Sun Valley elopement?

Sun Valley’s closest major airports are in Boise and Salt Lake City, in neighboring Utah. The Boise airport is about two and a half hours west of Sun Valley, while Salt Lake City is about four and a half hours away.

Article written by

Coby Carlson

Reading corner

Recent blog posts
What it's like to elope here

How Does Eloping Save the Environment? 6 Environmental Perks of Eloping

When you think about a wedding, the mind typically drifts to white wedding dresses, fan...

101 Elopement Dresses That Are Completely Show-Stopping

If you're searching for elopement wedding dresses that fit your style, but can't seem t...

Nichole & Andrew's Intimate Idaho Wedding at Redfish Lake

Fate has a way of bringing two people who may not have ordinarily met togethe...

4 Tips You Should Know If You're Eloping With Family

Most often, eloping has a reputation for being spur-of-the-moment: something that happe...

How To Include Your Dog Into Your Wedding

We here at Simply Eloped believe that eloping doesn’t have to be just you and your he...

Erika & Kyle's Rustic Mountain Elopement at Redfish Lake

They say that home is where the heart is, and Erika and Kyle knew from the mo...

Read the real stories of couples who eloped in Sun Valley!

Erika + Kyle

They say that home is where the heart is, and Erika and Kyle knew from the moment they met that they had found home with each other. A chance meeting and a series of fortunate events brought these two together, and they haven’t looked back since. This wayfaring couple is always looking forward to find the next destination, but no matter where they go, they will always be at home with each other. Read more about how their straight-from-the-movies romance led to a gorgeous mountain elopement at Redfish Lake.

How did you meet? What was your first impression of one another?

Erika: I guess you can say it all started with a “home.” Our story sounds like a sweet country song. I was living in Nashville, Tennessee at the time. I wanted to move to Clarksville, to make my commute to work easier. A friend had told me about this charming tiny white house with a front porch surrounded by magnolia trees that was going to be available for rent over the next month. I pulled up to the address, parked my car, and that’s when I first saw Kyle. My heart literally skipped a beat. Kyle was outside having just pressure washed the porch. He was barefoot, wearing wranglers and said in his sweet southern drawl, “Hi, you must be Miss Erika.” I still remember the first time I heard his sweet laugh. The house was all of 300 square feet, so as cute as it was, the tour didn’t last that long. Instead, we ended up chatting for hours that day on the porch. As it turned out, Kyle was moving out of the house to relocate to Colorado. I ended up signing the lease that day, excited for my new home, but bummed the cute cowboy who lived there wouldn’t be local.

Kyle: I remember her leaving to sign the lease. I wanted to get her number but I didn’t want to be too forward.

Erika: Well it all worked out! I called my friends on the way home to Nashville and they were like “How was the house?” They still joke that the first thing out of my mouth is “Oh my God! A really good-looking cowboy lives there!” His huge heart was the first thing I was drawn to – he has a heart of gold. When I moved into the house a month later, I opened the mailbox and there was a stack of mail for Kyle. I was able to get his contact information and I messaged him asking if he would like me to shred some of the important looking documents.

Kyle: That’s when I said, “Hell no! I’m coming back to Tennessee to get them myself!”

Erika: Pretty close to that! He replied and said plans fell through in Colorado and that he still had work in Tennessee. And he asked if it would be alright if he stopped by in person to get the mail. I remember being so excited to see him again. I immediately said, “Yes! Come on over!” We started dating shortly after Kyle came back to Tennessee and the rest is history.

Kyle: Best decision I ever made. Next to asking her to marry me.

When did you first fall in love? How did you know?

Erika: I fell in love with Kyle’s heart the minute I met him. He has this huge, warm smile and kindness just echoes through his being. I had a crush on him for months! I think it was love at first sight for me.

Kyle: She is such a good person. We could talk like we had been friends forever. I thought she was beautiful when we met, but it was when I came back to Tennessee that I knew we had something special.

How did you propose or accept the proposal?

Erika: We were supposed to backpack Zion National Park last Thanksgiving. The weather turned crazy basically all over the country. We ended up heading to Joshua Tree National Park because it was the only area we could find that wasn’t getting plummeted with a storm. We drove out to Joshua Tree (from Arizona, where we were living at the time) and when we arrived, Kyle saw snow covering the San Bernardino Mountains. So we drove towards the mountains and stumbled upon Idyllwild, California. It was so cute! And absolutely covered in snow.

Kyle: It was awesome! I found us a campsite. We went in and spoke with the ranger, and she told us that in just an hour the town was going to have their annual tree-lightning where they lit up five giant Sequoia trees in the middle of town. I knew that was it.

Erika: It was the most beautiful mountain town engagement! I was so surprised when he proposed. After Kyle set up the tent, we walked into town and explored all the shops, and then he took me to a romantic dinner. When we left the restaurant there was a snowball fight happening in the center of town and we jumped in. We had a lot of laughs. After everyone went home, we took one last stroll around the lit up Sequoias and that’s when Kyle took me to the center of them all and got down on one knee. Of course I shouted yes! It took my breath away.

What do you love about your partner?

Erika: Gosh, I just love everything! I love Kyle’s heart, and how generous he is. He is willing to help anyone and he always shows up for the people he cares about. I love how I can always count on him and I know he will always protect me and keep me safe. He is the perfect combination of a spontaneous soul with a grounded heart. He is my favorite adventure and he has shown me that I am capable of so many things I never knew. I would never have lived my life this fully if it weren’t for him.

Kyle: Erika is beautiful inside and out. She would do anything for me. She is sweet, caring and kind. She has shown me what love really is, and she is my best friend.

What is the greatest strength of your relationship?

Kyle: Appreciation. Erika has always been so thankful for what we have and she shows me her gratitude every day. Waking up early to pack me a lunch, making sure my coveralls are clean for work, having a warm meal on the table when I come home from the shop…little things like that.

Erika: It took forever for me to find Kyle, and he is better than anyone I could have ever imagined for myself. I would say committing to making each other’s life better by being in it. We both want what’s best for each other. We support each other and we are always looking out for each other’s needs.

How did you find Simply Eloped?

Erika: I Google searched elopements.

How did you know Simply Eloped was the right fit for you?

Erika: I had been researching various vendors and it seemed like a lot to manage for an event that I truly wanted to keep simple, fun and special. It was very important to us that we keep the focus on the love shared between us and the significance of the commitment we were making to share the rest of our lives together.

Kyle: When Erika told me that Simply Eloped does everything for the couple and all we had to do was dress up and show up — that sounded good to me!

What attracted you to the venue you eloped at?

Erika: We wanted an outdoor location that captured our spirit of adventure. We live on a ranch in Wyoming and we just had to have mountains, cabins and horses with us or it wouldn’t feel like home. Redfish Lake is absolutely beautiful and created the peaceful and calming atmosphere that we wanted to experience on such an important day.

Kyle: Definitely the mountains. The Sawtooths are awesome.

What activities did you do before the wedding? How did you prepare? How did you feel leading up to the moments of your elopement?

Erika: I loved our wedding day. We chose an afternoon ceremony and by going through Simply Eloped, we were able to wake up slow and start our day with a stroll around the lake. We hung out in our cabin and just took our time getting ready. Kyle went on a hike with his dog, Cinch, while I was doing my hair and makeup. It was really peaceful and so enjoyable. We happened to elope while the wildfire smoke was encompassing the Sawtooth Mountains. I looked out and saw our location for the first time when I walked down the beach to meet my husband. I said “Wow, this is really beautiful.” It looked like we were getting married in the clouds. Our officiant Jill said, “Yes, it’s like we’re in the Heavens.” It was perfect.

Tell us about your experience with Simply Eloped leading up to and on your big day!

Erika: Simply Eloped was amazing! I tell everyone to check them out. I can’t imagine having our wedding any other way. Olivia answered all of the questions that I had when it came to choosing our location. Haley introduced me to the wonderful Jill Iris, our officiant, and the amazing Jenni Simpson, our photographer. The whole experience was perfectly simple and truly enjoyable. Jenni went out of her way to make sure she captured every element I was dreaming of. Jill tailored our ceremony to include our favorite Bible passages and do a special reading of The Four Directions blessing that tied in the location with who we are as a couple and what we desire for our marriage. The day was flawless and Kyle and I have only positive memories of our wedding. We are so grateful to Simply Eloped.

How did you celebrate after?

Erika: After our ceremony we went to an intimate dinner with a few special loved ones. It was the perfect way to celebrate our elopement and share our joy with those closest to us. The next day we left for Glacier National Park and celebrated our honeymoon. It was a week filled with adventure and love, which is exactly what we wanted.

What words of encouragement do you have for those considering eloping?

Erika: You only get one chance to marry the love of your life. When you’re planning your wedding, ask yourself, “What is it I want to look back on and remember about our day?” I can guarantee, that will make the answer simple for you. Elope!

Why did you decide to Elope?

Erika: We wanted to experience a totally intimate wedding celebration – a day focused on just the two of us and saying our vows out loud for God to hear. I didn’t want the pressure, anxiety and obligations that can come with having a traditional wedding.

Kyle: We wanted it to feel like “us.” Free spirited but real, honest and meaningful.

Planning: Simply Eloped

Officiant: Jill Iris

Photographer: Jennifer Simpson

Go back up

Nichole + Andrew

Fate has a way of bringing two people who may not have ordinarily met together, and that’s exactly how Nichole and Andrew’s love story began. After a chance encounter during their respective jobs, they knew that there was something between them, and slowly began falling for one another. After an intimate proposal, Nichole and Andrew knew that they wanted to keep their wedding day small, intimate and personal, without spending time and money on a large, more traditional wedding. They found their perfect venue at Redfish Lake in Idaho, and on July 1, 2020, Nichole and Andrew said their vows amongst a small group of loved ones. Read all about their big day – and the details leading up to it – below!

How did you meet? What was your first impression of one another?

I was working for a bank, and he worked for our armored truck service, delivering us our shipment of money. It wasn’t always my job to accept the delivery, but all my coworkers knew when they saw him enter the building, I was making it my job that day. When I looked at him, I felt intrigued by him. When he looked at me, he [said he] had no idea that he had a chance.

When did you first fall in love? How did you know?

We fell in love slowly over time. We actually agreed that we would just be friends! We saw each other weekly and each week, the conversations got deeper and eventually, we realized that we were meant for each other. I’m not sure if it was when I caught him spending as much time saying goodbye to my cats as he did saying goodbye to me in the mornings, or if it was when he realized I’d drive through a blizzard just to spend time with him that we really fell in love. But one day we just realized we loved each other in that “you just know” kind of way that people in love can’t explain.

How did you propose or accept the proposal?

Andrew proposed to me in the park where we spent hours getting to know each other. That park is usually crowded with people, but in the middle of the day he got down on one knee and for those few minutes, nobody walked by. It’s like the world stopped for us to have that private moment. We’ve talked about how surreal that was.

What do you love about your partner?

I love that he is playful, thoughtful and willing to adventure through this world with me. He loves that I will always need him to kill the bugs in the house that nobody but me can spot.

What is the greatest strength of your relationship?

Our dedication to one another and shared passion for living a life that is adventurous and meaningful.

How did you find Simply Eloped?

I knew about it because of research I had done. But a close family friend mentioned this company to me, and I took it as a sign that we should pick them and trust them with our important day.

How did you know Simply Eloped was the right fit for you?

I spent months trying to find the perfect location. Simply Eloped was great at communicating with us and they found us the PERFECT spot to get married, in a state we never thought of, in a place nobody ever heard of.

What attracted you to the venue you eloped at?

The mountains, the scenery, the fact that it was off the beaten path. It allowed us to have what we called an “adventure wedding.”

What activities did you do before the wedding? How did you prepare? How did you feel leading up to the moments of your elopement?

We spent the week horseback riding, white water rafting, exploring in an ATV rental, and relaxing under the stars next to the river. We spent our wedding morning out on a pontoon boat with all our friends. And leading up to the elopement, we felt energized and high on life. We felt ready.

Tell us about your experience with Simply Eloped leading up to and on your big day!

They were great with communication! We needed that because we didn’t live anywhere near where we got married. We had no idea what to really expect. We took a chance and it paid off!

How did you celebrate after?

We had dinner at Limberts and went back to our cabin to celebrate with all our guests.

What words of encouragement do you have for those considering eloping?

You need to do it. A wedding day should be about you and the love of your life and the fact that you found each other in this crazy world, and all the decisions in your life led up to this moment. Focus on how rare that is, and create a day for yourself that you will enjoy. You won’t regret it, and everyone will understand.

Why did you decide to elope?

Our love is special to us and intimate. We wanted our wedding day to be the same way. We didn’t want to spend time, energy, and money on a big fancy party. We wanted to spend our day together, having fun with the people who made us who we are.

Planning: Simply Eloped
Officiation: John Moreland
Photography: Christine Hansen

Go back up

Elope in Sun Valley

Why is Sun Valley awesome

Places to Elope in Sun Valley

Sun Valley Elopement Packages

Wildflower Experience

Add-Ons

Flowers

Extra Photography

On-Site Helper

Engagement Shoot

Hair & Makeup

Relationship Coaching

Sun Valley Elopement Gallery

Simply Eloped has been seen in

Meet our vendors

What do you think makes eloping in Sun Valley so special?

Tell us about one of your most magical elopements in Sun Valley!

What’s your favorite elopement venue in Sun Valley?

Our Team

How to elope in Sun Valley

Why should I elope in Sun Valley?

What is the best time of year to elope in Sun Valley?

What are the best places to elope in Sun Valley?

How do I legally get married in Sun Valley?

Do I need a witness to get married in Idaho?

Is Sun Valley expensive?

How much does it cost to elope in Sun Valley?

Where do I fly into for my Sun Valley elopement?

Coby Carlson

Reading corner

How Does Eloping Save the Environment? 6 Environmental Perks of Eloping

101 Elopement Dresses That Are Completely Show-Stopping

Nichole & Andrew's Intimate Idaho Wedding at Redfish Lake

4 Tips You Should Know If You're Eloping With Family

How To Include Your Dog Into Your Wedding

Erika & Kyle's Rustic Mountain Elopement at Redfish Lake

How did you meet? What was your first impression of one another?

When did you first fall in love? How did you know?

How did you propose or accept the proposal?

What do you love about your partner?

What is the greatest strength of your relationship?

How did you find Simply Eloped?

How did you know Simply Eloped was the right fit for you?

What attracted you to the venue you eloped at?

What activities did you do before the wedding? How did you prepare? How did you feel leading up to the moments of your elopement?

Tell us about your experience with Simply Eloped leading up to and on your big day!

How did you celebrate after?

What words of encouragement do you have for those considering eloping?

Why did you decide to Elope?

How did you meet? What was your first impression of one another?

When did you first fall in love? How did you know?

How did you propose or accept the proposal?

What do you love about your partner?

What is the greatest strength of your relationship?

How did you find Simply Eloped?

How did you know Simply Eloped was the right fit for you?

What attracted you to the venue you eloped at?

What activities did you do before the wedding? How did you prepare? How did you feel leading up to the moments of your elopement?

Tell us about your experience with Simply Eloped leading up to and on your big day!

How did you celebrate after?

What words of encouragement do you have for those considering eloping?

Why did you decide to elope?

ALL SIMPLY ELOPED DESTINATIONS

Your own dream venue

ALL SIMPLY ELOPED DESTINATIONS

Your own dream venue

Why You SHOULD Elope!

Browse

Company