An Intimate, Adventurous Wedding in Northern Idaho on the Summer Solstice

On the longest day of the year, this couple celebrated their love with two unforgettable experiences: a private sunset hike to a secluded hot spring for a dual bridal boudoir session, followed by a heartfelt intimate wedding at Rivers Fork Lodge and Resort. With just 30 guests, neon glowsticks, and a moonlit limbo contest, this summer solstice wedding in northern Idaho was full of wild joy, natural beauty, and personal traditions.

Engagement Photos on a Bitterroot Valley Hike – with a Surprise Re-Proposal

When I met this couple for their sunset engagement photos on a scenic trail in Hamilton, MT, I could tell right away — these two were adventurers. As we hiked up, the weather quickly turned and the trail became too icy to safely continue in the falling light. Prioritizing safety, we decided to reschedule the shoot. But before we made it back to the trailhead, he surprised her by dropping to one knee and proposing again — a quiet, heartfelt re-proposal that stopped me all in my tracks. It was such a tender, unexpected moment.

For the reshoot, we headed to a recreation area near Alberton, MT, where the couple has spent countless days rafting, fishing, and just being together in nature. It was the perfect backdrop to capture their love — rooted in joy, wilderness, and deep connection. From that moment on, I knew their wedding day would be nothing short of epic.

Day One: Solstice Hike to Hot Springs & Sunset Bridal Boudoir

Before their wedding day, the couple escaped into the hills of central Idaho for a private hiking adventure. Their destination? The serene, steamy cliffs of a hidden hot spring, where they documented a dual bridal boudoir session as the sun set on the year’s longest day. We were hiking a 2-mile trail as fast as possible to catch the sunset, battling an almost vertical ascent.

“We wanted something just for us—something powerful and freeing. These springs gave us that.” — from the Bride

The session captured not just the romance but also the raw connection these two share, surrounded by wilderness and golden light. Hiking back out of the canyon under the light of a headlamp was slow and steady, and they were back in Salmon, ID before midnight.

👉 Curious what goes into planning a day-before bridal boudoir session? Ask me HERE!

*Hot spring location intentionally not publicized.* Please contact me directly and click to learn more about Leave No Trace and sustainable geotagging.

Day Two: Intimate Riverbank Wedding at River’s Fork Lodge

The next day, friends and family gathered at River’s Fork Lodge and Resort to witness their ceremony on the riverbank. The entire day was grounded in celebration, connection, and joy. While the bride was getting ready, the groom’s brothers were fishing the river.

During her first look with her father, the bride’s pup walked up and sat squarely on her train—like a four-legged sentinel guarding their moment. It was as if he knew they needed that quiet space, just the two of them. How do pups always know exactly what we need in that moment?

Later, the bride walked HERSELF down the isle with a cathedral-length veil, to the tune of the babbling river up to a floral arch on the riverbank. The groom’s best friend officiated the ceremony while cottonwood fuzz floated around, then the couple was handfasted with a braided cord they made together.

Ceremony Highlights:

Location: Riverside meadow at the lodge

Flower Girls? Not a chance. The groom’s twin younger brothers were “beer boys” handing out brewski’s instead of flower petals.

Décor: Pastel silk florals and river stones, with the added confetti of cottonwood fuzz catching the light throughout the ceremony

Guest count: 30 close friends and family

Officiated by: the groom’s best friend.

“It felt like the wedding was designed around who we are, not just what a wedding is supposed to be.” — From the Groom

Reception Vibes:

• Barbecue catering and local craft beer
• Neon glowsticks and string lights on the patio
• Newlyweds fishing off the bank
• Campfire s’mores bar and cobbler dessert
• Full moon limbo contest under the Solstice Super-Moon (yes, the groom’s family are professional limboers!)
• Yard games scattered throughout the lawn

The evening only got better as the sunlight faded, between peach cobbler and an ultimate 90’s baby playlist. The bridal party broke out glowing sunglasses and accessories and the deck was a’rocking, unit the long-awaited limbo contest began. It came down to the groom and his brother, defying gravity under the full moon. I can’t even begin to explain how fun this was to be part of!

Cowboy Ken’s Dutch Oven Dinner: Home-Cooked Magic on the Riverbank

No celebration is complete without a little smoke and sizzle — and Cowboy Ken brought both. River’s Fork Lodge’s beloved camp cook, Cowboy Ken, served up a feast straight from his massive grill and signature Dutch ovens. Picture a cast-iron symphony of slow-roasted meats, bubbling cobblers, food that warms your soul from the inside out. The Kind of meal that doesn’t just feed a voracious wedding crowd — it fills them.

Real Summer Solstice Wedding Timeline Samples

4-Hour Adventure Elopement Timeline (Hot Springs Hike)

Time	Activity
6:30 PM	Arrive at hot springs trailhead & start hike
7:45 PM	Arrive at hot springs, change + prep
8:00 PM	Bridal boudoir session in Golden Hour
9:00 PM	Private time for the couple
9:30 PM	Sunset, Final portraits, hike down
10:30 PM	Return to car, celebratory snack

12-Hour Wedding Day Timeline (Rivers Fork Lodge)

Time	Activity
11:00 AM	Getting ready – hair, makeup, details
12:00 AM	First look & riverside portraits
2:00 PM	Ceremony on the riverbank
3:00 PM	Group photos, champagne toast
4:00 PM	BBQ dinner & games on the lawn
6:00 PM	Fishing, glowsticks, and music begin
8:00 PM	Campfire + s’mores bar opens
9:00 PM	Supermoon rises, limbo contest kicks off
11:00 PM	Last dance under the stars

Why a Summer Solstice Wedding in Idaho is Magical

From golden-hour light in the mountains to the reflection of a full moon over the river, Idaho’s summer solstice offers a one-of-a-kind backdrop for elopements and intimate weddings. Whether you’re hiking into the wilderness or gathering with friends for riverside BBQs, the long daylight hours give you space to make every moment feel un-rushed and sacred.

Planning Your Own Summer Solstice Wedding in ID?

If this intimate Idaho wedding speaks to your heart, let’s make your adventure wedding dreams a reality. Whether you want to soak in a hot spring, get married on a mountaintop, or dance by a river under the full moon—I’d love to help you plan it.

👉 Inquire about summer solstice elopement and wedding photography HERE.

Best Intimate Wedding Venue in Salmon Idaho

The River’s Fork Lodge and RV Resort might be missed on a casual drive through the mountains. But this absolute GEM of a venue is tucked away to their own little bend in the Salmon River in North Fork, Idaho. They have a spacious bridal suite for getting ready, a big kitchen for help with prep and brunch, and riverfront rooms that feel completely secluded. From fishing to hot-tubbing to strolling the river bank, this serene boutique resort has it all. And let’s not forget the in-house chef, Cowboy Ken.

Being on the banks of the Salmon River, they’re only 20 minutes from Salmon, ID and 80 minutes from Hamilton, MT. Keep them in mind as you search for your perfect wedding venue in Northern Idaho and Western Montana!