Intimate Adventure Wedding in McCall, Idaho

Sarah and Josh’s intimate McCall wedding was one filled with love, adventure, and all the things & people that meant the most to them. From their early morning sunrise session all the way until their evening hike to a lake in the middle of the mountains, they were ready to celebrate in a way that felt beautifully aligned to them, and their unique relationship.

A couple stands by a serene lake in McCall, surrounded by tall evergreens and majestic mountains. The woman, in a white dress, holds a bouquet, while the man, in a green shirt, vest, and jeans, smiles at her. The late afternoon sun casts a warm glow on the mountains behind the couple.

Sarah & Josh’s Intimate McCall Wedding

A day free of stress & full of joy

What was most important to Sarah and Josh was that their wedding day be stress-free, joyful, and beautiful—all of which was undoubtedly accomplished with their intimate wedding in McCall, Idaho. They curated a small guest list of only their closest family and friends to join them, as they both liked the idea of a smaller crowd and celebration in general. Rather than follow all the usual wedding traditions or plan an intricate day full of complex design and decor, they kept things simple yet intentional—choosing an intimate guest list instead of one that never ends, a gorgeous bridal bouquet rather than a detailed arbor, a minimalist ceremony site out in nature over a typical venue. McCall intimate wedding

A couple stands by a tranquil mountain lake, holding hands and gazing at each other, encapsulating the essence of a McCall intimate wedding. The woman wears a lace dress and shawl, while the man dons a green shirt and dark vest. Behind them, a rocky mountain rises under a clear sky.

A couple stands on a rock by a lake sharing a quiet moment at their McCall intimate wedding. The woman is in a lace dress, the man in casual attire. Behind them a tall mountain is bathed in golden sunlight, and reflects in the lakes surface. A bouquet lies beside them on the grass.

A sunrise session on the docks

Sarah and Josh began their day early, coffee cups in hand as they headed out to the docks for a brief sunrise session. The warm glow of the lanterns they carried brought beautiful, subtle warmth to the cool tones of blue hour as we waited for the sun to rise over the water, anticipating the rest of the day’s excitement to come. If you are having a wedding with guests but also want a bit of quality time to yourselves on the big day, a sunrise session is a great way to get that time in before you meet up with everyone—and plus, who doesn’t love watching the sun come up, especially on one of the biggest days of their lives?

A couple stands hand in hand on a dock at a marina, holding lanterns. Boats and a wooden hut are in the background and their reflection dancing in the water below. The overcast sky creates the perfect setting for this intimate McCall wedding.

Getting ready at the Scandia Inn

We made our way back to the Scandia Inn for the rest of the morning, Sarah and Josh separating to get ready in their own individual rooms. The room where Sarah got ready featured some beautiful exposed brick, wood floors, and an elegant chandelier, all of which provided a gorgeous backdrop for her getting ready photos. Capturing these quiet moments with family members is always one of my favorite parts of a wedding day; seeing her bridal look come together as she strapped on her heels, fastened her necklace, and picked up her vibrant fall-inspired bouquet was stunning and oh-so-easy to document. Josh got ready a few rooms over with the help of his buddies, donning a deep green long-sleeve paired with a black vest that would go perfectly with the greens of the creekside scenery.

A lace wedding dress hangs on a rustic brick wall in the Scandia Inn wedding venue in McCall. Next to the dress a wooden chair holds a bouquet of orange and pink flowers with greenery and beige shoes. The room exudes a light, airy feel with its wooden floor and brick wall.

A wooden chair holds a bouquet of vibrant orange and pink roses, white hydrangeas, and lush greenery. Tied with orange and blue ribbons, the arrangement is beautifully set against a rustic white brick wall on a light wooden floor.

A groom stands against a light brick wall, embodying the charm of a McCall intimate wedding. He wears a green shirt, dark vest with buttons, and jeans. A boutonniere adorns his vest as he poses, one hand in his pocket, gazing thoughtfully to the side.

A bride in a white lace wedding dress stands smiling as her mom helps her put on her wedding jewelry. The scene is unfolding in a bright room with a beige sofa and a large mirror at the Scandia Inn in McCall, Idaho.

A bride in a lace wedding dress stands against a textured brick wall in the Scandia Inn wedding venue in McCall, Idaho. She holds a bouquet of orange roses and dahlias and gazes to the side.

A creekside ceremony with mountain views

Sarah and Josh shared a private first look before joining their family for their ceremony on a tributary of Payette Lake. The early fall temperatures and sunshine made for a spectacular setting for both their first look and ceremony. You can never predict what fall in the mountains of Idaho will bring you, but we were fortunate enough to get absolutely wonderful weather with cloudy blue skies, little pockets of sunshine here and there, and vibrant greens reflected in the surface of the creek.

A couple walks on a sandy beach, holding hands and smiling at each other during their first look. The bride wears a sleeveless lace gown and holds a bouquet of orange flowers, while the groom sports a black vest over a green shirt and jeans. This McCall intimate wedding photograph features forested mountains and water in the background.

A McCall intimate wedding unfolds in a pine tree forest. The bride and groom stand with heads down as the officiant prays. The sky is partly cloudy and the scene feels peaceful.

During their McCall intimate wedding, a couple exchanges rings amidst lush greenery. The groom, in a dark vest and jeans, gently places a ring on his brides hand. A smiling officiant stands behind them.

A couple is getting married in an outdoor setting in McCall, Idaho. They stand with an officiant and a small group of guests. The bride wears a lace gown, and the groom is in a dark green shirt and blue jeans.

A bride in a white dress and a groom in a black jacket strike a playful pose with their officiant. They're surrounded by trees, water, and mountains. The officiant is kneeling and raising his arms dramatically.

A joyful wedding party celebrates after an outdoor intimate wedding ceremony in McCall, Idaho. The group, dressed in casual attire, raises their arms and cheer. The bride and groom stand at the center of the group. The background has trees, a river, and mountains.

Sunset wedding portraits in the mountains

Sarah and Josh’s decision to have an early afternoon ceremony allowed them plenty of time to enjoy the rest of their day as newlyweds, starting with a casual lunch at a restaurant back in town with their families. There is nothing better than celebrating with your loved ones over a delicious lunch! The rest of the day was spent exploring Payette Lake on their own and hiking to a picturesque lake outside of McCall for sunset portraits.

A bride in a white gown holding a bouquet of flowers stands beside a groom in blue jeans and a vest. They are holding hands on the Shore Lodge dock. A lake, mountains, and a cloudy sky is in the background.

A couple in wedding attire stands closely, with the woman resting her head on the mans shoulder. Both are smiling softly. She wears a lace dress and has tattoos on her arm. He is in a dark suit with a floral boutonniere. The intimate scene unfolds against an overcast McCall, Idaho sky.

The hike was only about two miles round trip, so it was a perfect way to add a bit of an adventure into the day without requiring too much effort. Sarah and Josh wore the most adorable Husband and Wife tees, personalized with their wedding date, for the hike in.

After reaching the lake they changed back into their wedding attire, and we took a set of stunning sunset portraits to end the day. I loved Sarah’s decision to throw on a cozy sweater once the sun started to set—a great way to make sure you stay warm when taking portraits outdoors, while maintaining your stylish bridal look!

A couple stands along a lake surrounded by dense forest and mountains. The groom is in a dark vest and jeans, while the bride wears a white gown and holds a bouquet of orange flowers. The landscape is reflecting in the calm water of the lake. This couple held an intimate wedding in McCall, Idaho.

A couple stands by a lake that is surrounded by mountains and forest. The bride is wearing a white dress and grey knitted shawl. She is holding a colorful bouquet of orange roses and greenery. The groom is wearing blue jeans, a dark green shirt, and black vest. The couple is looking at each other and sharing a moment during their McCall intimate wedding.

A bride and groom gently hold hands against a scenic backdrop of a calm lake and mountains. Both wear long-sleeve tops—one in grey and the other in green. The scene captures connection and tranquility in nature.

A couple stands on a rock by a serene mountain lake, celebrating their McCall intimate wedding. The groom embraces the bride, who holds a large bouquet of colorful flowers. Sunlight bathes the rocky mountain backdrop and reflects in the calm water.

A couple stands on a rock beside a placid lake surrounded by a dense pine forests. The lake is nestled below a tall mountain peak near McCall, Idaho. The bride holds a vibrant bouquet and is wearing a white dress and gray shawl. The groom stands next to her in a green shirt and blue jeans.

McCall intimate wedding vendors

Hotel: The Scandia Inn Dress: Savvy Bride Beauty: TenHulzen Hair Co Florals: Petal Works Design Studio

Full McCall, Idaho Elopement Guide

Are you interested in planning your own McCall elopement or wedding? I may be biased, but it’s a fantastic destination to choose for your big day—read through my full McCall Elopement Guide to figure out if it’s the right fit for you. For more unique wedding and elopement inspiration in the McCall area, take a look at the galleries: McCall Elopement With Epic Mountain Vibes McCall Idaho Wedding at Historic Roseberry

A couple stands on a grassy lakeshore during their intimate McCall wedding. The bride and groom is embracing with forest touching. Behind the couples, the lake reflects the tall, rocky mountains and dense evergreen forest. The scene is bathed in soft, warm light.

A couple embraces by a mountain lake near McCall. The groom wears a dark vest and green shirt, while the bride is in a white dress with a gray shawl. This peaceful setting captures the essence of an intimate wedding moment in nature.

McCall Intimate Wedding Photographer

Did Sarah and Josh’s wedding inspire you to create your own wedding day that feels personalized to you, and allows you to get out and explore the beautiful outdoors that McCall has to offer? If so, I’d love to chat with you about photographing your own McCall wedding or elopement