I am so happy to finally be sharing the images from this absolutely incredible day in the Selkirk Mountains in Northern Idaho! This October day had the most perfect weather for this elopement in the mountains. While planning with Brooke and Aaron, we were hoping the weather would hold out for us since we were gonna be in the mountains in October - which in Idaho means a very high chance of snow. But we lucked out and the weather was absolutely perfect! Brooke and Aaron brought their dog Stevie along for the adventure, along with two others for the perfect size group. This elopement was also special since I was able to bring my sister along as my assistant! We all got to enjoy the golden hues of the mountains for this autumn alpine lake elopement here in North Idaho together.
Arriving at Trailhead + Hiking Up
We all got an early start to this elopement by meeting at a local gas station at around 8am to follow each other up the road to the trailhead. We all marveled at the rocky mountain tops as they unveiled themselves above the trees as we got closer to the trail. As we drove on the dirt road, golden leaves were swirling all around as our cars drove over them, making everything feel so magical. When we arrived at the trailhead we all geared up and started our hike! The morning was calm and cool and the colors were so magnificent as we climbed, the morning sun illuminating the hues of reds, oranges, and golds of the foliage.
For my adventurous brides, a great hack for your hair is to have it done in an updo prior to the hike! This way your hair looks great as you're hiking and it keeps your hair out of your face. Brooke had her updo done perfect for this adventure elopement by Katie Delaney!
Adventurous Getting Ready Photos on a Mountaintop
As we turned our last corner in the trail, the alpine lake was laying there nestled in between the pine trees, and beneath some snow covered rocky peaks. It was so peaceful and quiet. The girls and the guys split off to different sections of the trail around the lake to get dressed and ready for their first look. Brooke hung her dress on some trees and had her friend accompany her in buttoning up her dress. Aaron was up on some rocks a little ways over and got his suit and hiking books on.
First Look at an Alpine Lake
I was so stoked when I found this perfect spot overlooking the alpine lake for their first look. They were underneath some tall trees but we were able to see the lake in between the trunks, and it was the most dreamy first look spot ever! No one else was around for this sweet moment, and they took each other in as the waves of the lake lapped on the shore.
Private Vows on a Rock in the Water
In the summer months previous to this fall, Brooke and Aaron spend the whole summer scoping out the best hikes and trails in the area to find their perfect elopement spot. One reason why this hike was the winner was that Brooke was looking for the perfect rock that was immersed in the water for them to stand on to say their vows. She said when she saw that rock, she knew this was the spot! Brooke brought a dress from Marcella's Bridal with a long, gorgeous train as well as a long veil, and I absolutely love it when my brides do this! The long train and the veil looked so majestic and regal on the rock in the water, and it was the perfect place for them to say their private vows to each other. It was far enough out that only they could hear one another, how special is that!
Intimate Mountaintop Ceremony
The bride brought along her brother from the east coast to be their officiant for their mountaintop ceremony! I remember him saying how in awe he was of the mountains since there's nothing like it where he was from. Brooke and Aaron found this spot for their ceremony which was nice and flat to stand on, and it had the towering mountains in the background.
Autumn Elopement Bridals
After their ceremony, Brooke, Aaron, Stevie and I wandered around for some fall elopement bridals! We got some adorable photos with their dog and her flower collar by Makenna Rene Floral, and then they put on their hiking packs for some hiking bridals. I got some epic panoramas as Brooke wanted to be tiny in the frame, and Aaron also brought along his fishing pole to do some fishing in the lake.
Meet up with Family in Priest Lake
After our mountain adventure, we hiked back down and drove to Hill's Resort in Priest Lake! There we met up with their family to celebrate and eat dinner with, and Brooke surprised her mom and Aaron's mom with pressed flowers in frames by The Petite Pansy which were based off their own wedding bouquets! Here we did some group photos by the lake at sunset, and took some more photos with Stevie on the dock. This is where we both parted ways to both head off to dinner at Millie's, one of my favorites in Priest Lake! It was funny because we both ended up going to the same restaurant! This day was just incredible and it was one of my very favorite elopement days I've ever been a part of!
Idaho Alpine Lake Adventure Elopement
Idaho Elopement Photographer
As an Idaho local of 25+ years, I know of some epic spots for your adventurous elopement day, like this autumn alpine lake elopement! I've lived here all my life, but it's so cool when my couples find places I've never been to before and we get to experience it together. If this day in the mountains captured your attention and sounds like the perfect way to spend your wedding day, I am here to help you step by step to help with all the pre-elopement planning and logistics. Check out these other North Idaho hiking elopements linked below, and let's chat about your adventure!
Working with Brooke and Aaron was so much fun! Here's what they had to say about their elopement in North Idaho: "Karlie was amazing! We did both our engagement photos and our elopement with her. She was extremely prepared the day of our elopement and was ready to put in the miles to hike to the top where we wanted to get married. Along with being an amazing elopement photographer she was fun to be around and helped make our day stress free."
Idaho Elopement Packages
If you're interested in eloping in Idaho, check out my pricing and info page! I go more in depth on the elopement experience, and how I assist you throughout the whole process!
Here's what comes with my Idaho elopement packages!
↠Booking Gift
↠72 Hour Turn-Around Time for Sneak Peek Images
​↠Day of Elopement Gift
↠Beautifully Edited Final Images
↠Access to High Quality Print Products
↠Free Phone Consultation or Zoom Call​
↠Timeline Creation
↠Leave No Trace Guide
↠30+ Page Planning Guide
↠Vendor Recommendations
↠Unlimited Planning Assistance
↠6 Week Turnaround Time for Full Elopement Gallery
↠Travel & Accommodations are Covered for Photographer
Contact me here to elope in the beautiful state of Idaho!
For even more information on eloping in Idaho, I have an entire blog going super in depth on how to elope in Idaho - the ultimate guide from a local!
Otherwise feel free to pin the image below to your Pinterest board to reference for your elopement later!
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