How to elope in McCall, Idaho (2025)
McCall is a sleepy mountain town in winter and bustling in summer. I grew up skiing in McCall in the winter and hiking there in the summer. This little piece of the outdoors is one of my favorite places in Idaho and I am so excited to share my guide on how to elope in McCall, Idaho with you! I’ll be giving you all the information you need to know to plan an unforgettable McCall elopement, including the best locations for your ceremony, cozy lodging options, travel tips, and more.
Where is McCall, Idaho?
McCall sits 2.5 hours north of Boise on Payette Lake. If you are coming from out of state you would fly into Boise and rent a car to drive to McCall. Once you arrive in McCall you’ll find a variety of accommodations, restaurants and several grocery stores. Outdoor recreation opportunities include boating, hiking, fishing and camping, all of which are awesome activities to add to your elopement itinerary—but we’ll talk more about that later.
Did you know I’m an elopement photographer + planner?
My name is Autumn and I’m an elopement photographer that helps couples elope in the mountains of Idaho. I’ve photographed 90+ elopements and hiked 100’s of miles in Idaho’s backcountry.
Why Elope in McCall?
An ideal destination for nature enthusiasts, McCall is a perfect place to plan an adventure elopement thanks to its marvelous scenery, charming atmosphere, and endless array of outdoor activities. Whether you visit in the heat of summer and head out on the lake for a day of boating or you plan a trip in the coldest part of winter, when the landscapes are covered in glistening white snow, the natural beauty McCall has to offer is unparalleled. You’ll find a diverse variety of landscapes to enjoy, from sparkling lakes to snow-capped mountain peaks to lush forests, and it’s only a couple of hours from Boise—making it a fairly easily-accessible vacation spot for those who live in the city.
You also are able to enjoy all the delightful parts of being in a small town, including visiting local art galleries and artisan shops, cafes and restaurants, even an ice skating rink if you visit during the wintertime. Payette Lake is a place offering neverending opportunities for adventure, no matter the time of year or what interests you.
Not sure if McCall is the place for your elopement? Consider eloping in Stanley, or on the Salmon River, instead.
Best McCall Wedding Venues
If you are eloping with family members who do not plan on going on a big adventure, you might consider renting a venue space to celebrate with your family in, and then plan an adventure for your couples photos. Below are three McCall wedding venues I’d recommend looking into for your special day, all of which offer their own unique charm and beauty.
Scandia Inn
The Scandia Inn located in the heart of McCall has a charming and intimate atmosphere. Its rustic feel is perfect for couples looking for a warm and intimate setting for their mountain elopement or micro wedding. The inn offers onsite lodging, a bridal suite, an indoor reception space, and an outdoor ceremony and/or reception area. Whether you want a summer wedding with lush greenery or a winter wonderland wedding with snow-covered trees, Scandia Inn provides a stunning setting year-round. See this elopement that got ready at Scandia Inn.
Shore Lodge
A premier lodging destination in McCall, Shore Lodge is nestled right on the shores of Payette Lake, offering easy access to all the views that you’re coming to McCall to enjoy. It’s truly a sanctuary and such a romantic place to celebrate your happily ever after, with an atmosphere that blends the cozy, rustic energy of a lakeside stay and the luxury of a high-end resort. When you host your wedding at Shore Lodge, you’ll enjoy modern amenities, world-class dining, award-winning wine, elegant backdrops, and gorgeous accommodations for you and all of your guests. They even have a lavish outdoor spa, perfect for a romantic couples massage or a relaxing post-wedding body scrub.
Historic Roseberry
Just 30 minutes from McCall is the Historic Roseberry Barn, part of the historic town of Roseberry. This is a great venue if you’re searching for more of that rustic, charming country feel, as you can choose from either the barn itself or the restored church. Micah and Ben held their wedding reception at the Roseberry after a sunrise ceremony on Payette Lake—see their beautiful celebration here.
No Business Lodge
No Business Lodge is one of my favorite McCall wedding venues, providing a spacious place for wedding groups to celebrate, relax, and rejuvenate. It’s a beautiful place to connect with nature and disconnect from devices, notifications, all the stress of daily life—which is a great way to really focus on yourselves and your people on your wedding day. The lodge can sleep up to 26 people and offers 10 gorgeous acres of land along the Payette River perfect for hiking, fishing, off-roading, and even snowmobiling; you’ll have plenty of space to explore during your stay.
Click here for a full list of the best McCall Idaho wedding venues.
How to Elope in McCall, Idaho
Now that you know more about the area and what venues are available, let’s jump into how to elope in McCall, Idaho.
1. Hire your McCall elopement photographer
I recommend finding your McCall elopement photographer as early in the planning process as possible, since many photographers book out far in advance. Photographers that specialize in elopements offer a package service that will make planning your elopement so easy. This type of service will help you create an elopement experience that is stress-free and produces beautiful photographs.
Want to see real examples of what your Mccall elopement could look like if you hire a local photographer?👇🏻
Helpful Tip: Hire a local elopement photographer like myself! They will know all the best locations and local vendors.
2. Choose a season
What is the best time of year to elope in McCall?
Time of year will have an impact on how you plan your McCall elopement. If you are into hiking and camping, think July–September. If you love winter, think January–February. Wildfires are becoming a way of life during the summer and fall in the Northwest. You will have a better chance at a clear day if you elope in spring or early summer. Here are a few considerations for each season:
- McCall is busiest in the summertime. It is just a few hours from Boise and a lot of people use it as a weekend getaway. The lake is a big draw and you will find it packed on the weekends. Campgrounds are also busy during the summer time. Peak season for tourism is July–September. If you are eloping in peak season, I would suggest that you consider a weekday. This will give you privacy and allow you to enjoy the lake without a thousand other people.
- McCall has a short fall. The aspens begin to turn in mid to late September, and by mid-October, the colors are gone.
- Winter is considerably quieter in McCall. Brundage Mountain Ski Area and snowmobiling are big draws for winter tourism. During the winter you can elope on a weekend and still have a private day. Winter in McCall is from December–February.
- Spring months in McCall are May–June. Snowpack will determine where you can drive and hike in the springtime. Some of my favorite locations at the end of Payette Lake open up when they plow the road in mid-May.
Helpful Tip: Elope on a weekday! You will have a more intimate experience if you plan your elopement for a week day because you won’t be sharing public lands with as many people as you would on a weekend.
3. Hire the rest of your McCall elopement vendors
A solid team of vendors is so important to your elopement day! You want to be able to know that everything is taken care of and in order for your elopement. If you are eloping in McCall with just the two of you, you will want to, at minimum, find an elopement photographer, officiant, florist, attire, and food.
If you are eloping with family and interested in a traditional reception you should consider including a planner/stylist for your elopement. You will also want to find an elopement photographer, florist, officiant and a caterer. Note that McCall is a decent-sized town, but many couples do end up bringing a lot of items from vendors in Boise—so be sure to take that into account when searching for vendors and planning your elopement.
Officiants
Idaho requires your wedding to be signed off on by an ordained officiant, so you will need to find an officiant and get your marriage license. A marriage license and officiant will cost between $200-$400. Here is a guide to getting your married license in Idaho.
Helpful Tip: Hire a photographer who doubles as an officiant! I am an elopement photographer that is also an ordained officiant in the state of Idaho. If you choose to elope just the two of you or do not wish to bring an officiant along, I can sign your paperwork for you.
Florists
Farm to Market Floral Design is the only florist located in McCall. You can also pick up flowers from a florist in Boise on your way to McCall. Wildflower and Petal Works are great options!
When it comes to choosing a florist for your elopement, you should also keep Leave No Trace principles in mind. A couple of ways to do this are to ask your florist to only use flowers native to the area, or to use silk/fabric flowers as an alternative. At minimum, if you can use flowers that are seasonally and locally grown, you’ll be opting for a much more sustainable, eco-friendly way to brighten up your celebration with beautiful flowers! Be sure to clean up any flowers that may fall to the ground during your outdoor ceremony, especially if you’re on any sort of public land with regulations in place surrounding foliage, and avoid throwing any flower petals at the end of your ceremony as those will be incredibly difficult to fully clean up.
Attire
If your heart longs for a wedding dress that dances in the wind you should check out Daci Gowns. Daci’s designs are hand made in Boise. Daci also has a rental program for brides that would rather not purchase a dress. I’d recommend picking a dress made of lightweight material that is easy to move around in, especially if you’ll be spending quite a bit of time outdoors and doing anything active such as hiking. If you want to add a little western flare to your outfit, check out Hells Canyon Bolo Co.!
Food
Amy is a local private chef that offers a variety of food services. I am a big fan of charcuterie boards! They are great for a picnic-style celebration. They can be ordered in a box and will fit in a backpack. Savory n’ Sweet in Boise makes awesome boards. You can also go simple and make your own board.
Pro Tip: Bring snacks and water on your elopement hike! Food is always overlooked but no one wants to be hangry on their wedding day!
4. Pick your McCall elopement location
After choosing the time of year you would like to elope and finding your ideal vendors, turn your attention to finding an elopement location within an hour of McCall. Here are a few tips for choosing the perfect elopement location!
- Look for a location that is secluded! There is nothing worse than having a group of people come along when we are in the middle of exchanging your vows. The best way to find a private place is to get away from popular day use areas. AKA, you need to strap on your hiking boots to get your booty into nature.
- Alltrails is a great place to start looking for trails to hike for your McCall elopement. However, I am a huge fan of utilizing local resources! Here is a link to a McCall hiking guide written by an Idaho native.
- Finally, look for a location that has a lot to offer in terms of scenery. This will give you variety in your photos and also allow you to explore a cool location for your elopement. I personally love hikes with alpine lakes! The water will give you beautiful reflections in the evening and the surrounding landscape will give dynamic backgrounds at sunset.
McCall Elopement Location Ideas
Payette Lake has something for everyone. Micah and Ben began their elopement with a sunrise session at a lookout point on Payette Lake, and it was absolutely stunning. North Beach is a beautiful white sand beach that covers most of the end of the lake. If you visit the east side of the lake, you can find house sided boulders nestled among old growth pine trees.
Ponderosa State Park sits on a peninsula that extends into Payette Lake. The park is open year round and offers both winter and summer activities. It hosts a variety of wooded areas with trails for hiking and biking. The North Fork of the Payette River meets the lake within the park and offers a wonderful place to canoe and kayak. There is one road within the park that loops around to a beautiful cliff top vista of the lake. During the winter months, the road and a number of the trails are groomed for snowshoeing and cross country skiing use. The park also offers camping and cabins rentals.
5. Get your McCall elopement permit
Once you’ve picked out your McCall elopement location, it’s time to look into whether or not you’ll need any sort of special permit for your ceremony. Chances are you will not need one, but it never hurts to check especially if you are getting married on public land. I’m happy to help you with this process as it can be somewhat confusing.
6. Make your travel arrangements
Next, you will want to find lodging for your McCall elopement. In McCall, you will find a mix of Airbnbs and hotels. Camping is also an option with Ponderosa State Park, located within McCall City limits, and there are several campgrounds within 20 miles of McCall. If you are considering renting lodging that will double as your venue space, make sure you confirm with the rental company that the property allows events. Many of the rentals in McCall do not allow onsite events.
McCall Hotels/Lodges
- Shore Lodge is located on Payette Lake and is a full-service resort. It offers a spa, pool, several restaurants, beach access, and a dock.
- Hotel McCall is located in the heart of downtown McCall and has a historic feel.
- Scandia Inn is located in downtown McCall and is newly remodeled. It’s beautiful!
- The Glass House overlooks Payette Lake and gives you spectacular views of the mountains.
McCall Cabins/Airbnbs
- Bear Lodge Cabin
- Mountain Modern Getaway
- Ponderosa Paradise
- Tree-Lined McCall Cabin
- Huckleberry Rose
- Lakefront Condo
- Lakeview Deluxe Cabins at Ponderosa State Park
7. Plan your McCall elopement activities
This is the fun part! Here you get to daydream about all the fun stuff you want to do during your elopement, and then start making your dreams a reality. Start by thinking about where you see yourself saying your vows. Are you in the trees, on top of a mountain, or standing by a river? Then think about what things you would like to do as a newly married couple. Are you hiking, canoeing, or snowmobiling together?
Many couples that chose to elope are doing so in conjunction with a honeymoon trip. They come and get married the first few days they are in the area and then spend the remainder of their trip adventuring in that location.
When you are creating your elopement day, start by researching activities in that area and then pick 1-2 that you would like to do during your elopement. This could be hiking, canoeing, taking a chairlift ride or an adventure auto tour. After you have your activities picked out, you can start planning how you are going to incorporate each activity into your wedding day.
3. Create a timeline
Creating a timeline is super important for your elopement day! It will help you stay on track! Especially if you are eloping with family. Adventure elopements often have several locations and a solid timeline will help you arrive on time to each location. Below is an example timeline for a 9-hour elopement day around McCall:
- 5:00 am – Meet at Airbnb, getting ready photos, detail photos
- 6:15 am – Leave Airbnb, head to Payette Lake
- 7:00 am – Meet at sunrise location, sunrise first look & portraits
- 8:30 am – Meet family at North Beach Rec. Area, get ready for ceremony
- 9:00 am – Ceremony on the beach
- 9:30 am – Ceremony wraps up, wedding party & family photos
- 10:00 am – Photo coverage wraps up until afternoon hiking photos
- 6:00 pm – Meet at Louie Lake trailhead and hike into Louie Lake for sunset photos
- 9:00 pm – Photo coverage wraps up
Helpful Tip: Elope at sunrise! Sunrise skies are clearer, even during fire season, than sunset skies. AND there is something so peaceful about saying your vows at sunrise.
McCall Elopement Photographer
When your elopement day finally arrives, you will be calm and stress free because you have taken all the steps necessary to have a wonderful elopement in McCall, Idaho. And that’s a wrap! I hope my ultimate guide on how to elope in McCall, Idaho helps you plan your dream elopement!