If you’re looking for an amazing lakeside wedding venue in Idaho, take a look at Elkins Resort on Priest Lake. This stunning venue specializes in outdoor wedding experiences. Elkins Resort wedding venue has been hosting grand wedding events celebrating the beauty of the Selkirk Mountains and Priest Lake in Idaho for over 30 years. This venue is one of Idaho’s premier lakefront settings, a gorgeous spot for a destination wedding. Nestled in the heart of the Selkirk Mountains and just a short drive from Spokane International Airport, Elkins Resort is an ideal location for a stunning indoor or outdoor wedding during all times of the year.
About the Elkins Resort Wedding Venue
404 Elkins Road Nordman, ID 83848
Elkins Resort is on Priest Lake in Idaho, a gorgeous lakeside wedding venue in the heart of the Selkirk Mountains. This venue specializes in outdoor wedding experiences, with stunning views of the Selkirk Mountains, Priest Lake, and Reeder Bay.
This resort’s history dates back to the 1930s when Ike Elkins loaned money to two developers to construct a hunting and fishing camp, a project that failed and led to the beginning of Elkins Resort in 1932. The first cabins were creekside structures that were framed instead of log-style. Construction continued with cedar logs, and workers received pay with room and board.
In the 1980s, portions of the lodge were restructured and renovated. An apartment was built behind the lodge, where Ike and Sue Elkins lived for many years. The cabins were later renovated to include bathrooms and enclosed sleeping porches. Today, the cabins have all of the modern amenities guests might want!
Elkins Resort has hosted weddings for more than 30 years, with celebrations occurring throughout the year except July, August, and November. There are no other wedding venues like Elkins Resort in Idaho where couples can enjoy the natural beauty of the resort’s surroundings.
Details of the Grounds
Elkins Resort can host up to 300 guests in its various event spaces, including indoor, covered outdoor, and uncovered outdoor settings. Couples can choose to host their outdoor wedding ceremonies on the venue’s front lawn of the lodge as well as lakeside overlooking Priest Lake.
Most wedding ceremonies take place on the lodge’s front lawn, or on the beach with views of Priest Lake. The combination of award-winning culinary staff and the natural beauty of the Selkirk Mountains make this lakefront venue an ideal location for an unforgettable outdoor wedding.
Elkins Resort also has accommodations that include 30 individual cabins with a full kitchen, a TV, a bathroom, and a living area. The cabins range in size and can fit 2-14 guests each. Most cabins have fireplaces and gorgeous lake views.
Photography Opportunities
The great outdoors provides ample opportunities for wedding day photography. Elkins encourages couples and the wedding party to take photos before the ceremony. Lakeside photos are beautiful at any time of day. An outdoor reception is a lovely place to take pictures, with lots of sunlight, green grass, and sparkling waters in the background.
The venue has a wooden bridge, another gorgeous, intimate spot to take photos. This bridge leads to the ceremony location. So it often gets decorated with flowers and signage. This is also an amazing site for a first look! Please remember that timing is key for this, as guests will pass to get to the ceremony.
The dining room has many windows, letting in natural light that illuminates the warm wood features. A beach ceremony includes wooden benches, glistening sand, and calm waters that set a romantic mood for couples to say their vows. Winter weddings, with snow-capped mountains in the background, also give the wedding party many stunning photo opportunities.
This resort provides many opportunities for outdoor photography. Florals, greenery, mountain views, endless trees, peaceful water, and sometimes even snow can make gorgeous elements in wedding day photos at Elkins Resort. Couples can take photos walking along the water, posing in front of snow-capped mountains, sharing a kiss among tall trees and wild grasses, embracing on the gorgeous wooden bridge, or reciting their vows with stunning lakefront views as the backdrop.
Wedding Details
Elkins Resort can host both ceremonies and receptions. In-house catering is available for events of 75-300 guests. Packages include accommodations, event planning services, buffet services, decorations, a bridal suite, set up and clean up, bartending services, tables, a dance floor, barware, glassware, flatware, china, linens, a chocolate fountain, parking, and wheelchair accessibility. Decorating can be done by the wedding party or by Elkins Resort. The venue does not provide a wedding cake, so couples must find a cake vendor before the event.
Catering services include:
- Staff for buffet service.
- Setting up buffet and dinner tables.
- Clearing any dirty plates, silverware, and glasses.
Buffet tables, beverage tables, and cake tables are also provided. Dinner tables are set with tablecloths, glasses, silverware, and plates. Services include a fully-staffed and fully-stocked bar.
Additional services (for added fees) include:
- Setting up ceremony chairs.
- Moving chairs from the ceremony to the reception.
- Decorating.
- Ceremony coordination.
- Other logistical support.
Elkins Resort also provides couples with a list of preferred vendors.
Wedding ceremonies and receptions take place throughout the year except in July, August, and November. There is a non-refundable lodge fee when couples book their wedding date. Additionally, the lodge closes to the public for the duration of their wedding event.
Wedding packages also include overnight cabin accommodations for the bride and groom.
Elkins Resort Wedding
Elkins Resort wedding venue on Priest Lake is a gorgeous lakeside wedding venue in Idaho. With excellent year-round views of the beautiful natural surroundings, it’s no surprise that this venue is one of the unique wedding venues in all of Idaho. Professional and friendly service, ample accommodations, and stunning grounds make this property a must-see for couples looking for a lakeside setting for their big day.
Now that you found the perfect lakeside venue, it’s time to find your dream wedding photographer! Above all else, I love helping couples plan and capture every moment of their special day. So check out more Spokane wedding tips, as well as additional work from my portfolio, in the blog links below! Then reach out today to chat about your dream wedding photos!
