BY STEVE SMEDE
LOOKING TO MAKE THAT SPECIAL DAY something truly spectacular? Idaho Falls has no shortage of great intown wedding options, but if you’d rather expand your possibilities into the great wide open, we’ve got you covered. Mountain lodges and backcountry retreats abound throughout the region. Here’s our hot list to get you started.
01. Grand Targhee Resort Alta, Wyo., www.grandtarghee.com Our top pick for an outdoor East Idaho wedding isn’t just one venue, but a healthy handful throughout a sprawling property that boasts one of the most dazzling scenic backdrops on the planet. Grand Targhee has been hosting weddings (as well as honeymoons) for decades. Package perks include a dedicated event manager, lodging discounts, lift tickets for mountain-top photo sessions and more. For an all-inclusive wedding package in the heart of God’s Country, this one is hard to beat.
02. Teton Springs Lodge & Spa Victor, www.tetonspringslodge.com
Well known for its world-class golf facilities, Teton Springs also makes a perfect all-encompassing retreat for matrimonial bliss. Services include gourmet catering, luxury lodging options and all the pre-wedding services you can imagine. Like Grand Targhee, Teton Springs offers specific venue options around the property. It’s also a great option for winter weddings large and small.
03. South Fork Lodge Swan Valley, www.southforklodge.com
Here’s the perfect venue set in the middle of one of Idaho’s most spectacular wild spaces–the South Fork of the Snake River. It features indoor and outdoor ceremony options, world-class cuisine and plenty of lodging and onsite services. It’s a particularly attractive choice for couples who might want to follow up with a guided fly-fishing trip.
04. Bar N Rach West Yellowstone, Mont., www.bar-n-ranch.com
Set just outside America’s first national park, this venue screams “mountain matrimony.” Outdoor ceremonies take place right on the bank of the Madison River. A main lodge and cabins are available for extended stays. A full-service kitchen is available, which is open to outside caterers.
05. Moose Creek Ranch Victor, www.moosecreekranch.com
This all-in-one mountain retreat features indoor and outdoor event options, including its signature event barn and a beautiful space set adjacent to its namesake Moose Creek. Billed as a “boutique ranch,” the property serves as a recreational hub for the greater Jackson Hole area. Be sure to check out the website’s top-down aerial view, which provides an outstanding perspective of the entire space and all it has to offer, including lodging options for cabin stays, tent “glamping” and RV sites.
06. Sweet Water Hollow Salmon, www.sweetwaterhollow.com
Set next to the rollicking Salmon River, this rustic event space with unique Old West architecture offers a unique mix of backcountry charm and small-town hospitality. Known for its seasonal lineup of concerts, it’s a perfect venue for a quaint mountain wedding. Be sure to check out its 3-night package deals for extended stays.
07. 7N Ranch Ririe, www.7nranch.com
Far more than just a wedding facility, this all-season venue is perfect for weekendlong celebrations and added activities for guests. The resort is set at the base of the Heise Hills with event options at its barn, pavilion or patio. Historic cabins are also available as well as camping and RV sites. Local activities run the gamut from hiking to mountain biking, wintertime sledding and direct access to fishing on the South Fork of the Snake River.
08. Mountain River Ranch Ririe, www.mountainriverranch.com
This wedding-friendly Heise-based property has all the trappings of an Old West hamlet, featuring a full-featured lodge, 10-plus rustic cabins and an RV park. You’ll also find a trout pond and plenty of room for activities in the outdoor grandeur surrounding the Upper Snake River. To get a taste of the atmosphere for your special day, consider signing up for one of the ranch’s famous dinner shows starting in late November.
09. LaBelle Lake Rigby, www.labellelake.com
Already a must-go destination for special events and holiday celebrations, LaBelle Lake’s retreat center offers up a 7,000 sq-ft lodge on 7 acres of private land. The property features handcrafted log bridges, nature paths, wildlife, multiple ponds and its namesake lake along the Snake River. Limited lodging is available for the family and/or honeymooners.
10. Twin Peaks Guest Ranch Salmon, www.twinpeaksguestranch.com
Poetically billed as “670 acres of isolated bliss located at the end of civilized travel,” this idyllic retreat makes a perfect secluded location for tying the knot. Along with a reception hall and outdoor space for ceremonies, the property features a new disc golf course over mountainous terrain, warm-spring tubs, access to established mountain bike trails, fishing hot spots and horseback rides.