Why elope in Sedona, Arizona?
Picture a magical little town in the middle of the red rocks of Arizona, perfectly curated to provide everything you could possibly want for your desert elopement or intimate wedding…a town full of quirky charm, great hiking, luxurious comforts, and epic views…Sedona is an adventure lover’s paradise, and doesn’t lack when it comes to offering unique ways to elevate your elopement experience.
The unique beauty of the surrounding area can’t be found anywhere else on earth, so it’s no wonder so many people flock here every year to experience the magic for themselves.
All of these factors are why we can confidently say that Sedona is our favorite place to elope in Arizona.
Getting Married in Sedona: The Ins and Outs
To elope in Sedona and the state of Arizona, you’ll need a few things: An Arizona marriage license, an officiant, and two witnesses.
Luckily, at the time of writing this there is no waiting period when applying for a marriage license in Arizona, but you will both need to be present to apply. It’s a really easy process.
Most people drive up to Sedona from Phoenix, so best to look into getting your license upon arrival. All the specifics about Arizona Marriage Licenses in Maricopa County can be found online.
What are the Permit Requirements to Elope in Sedona
Some locations around Sedona are on National Forest Service land and do not require a special use permit to get married on. This is awesome, because it can be fairly tricky sometimes to acquire a special use permit for many of the National Parks. Arches, props, chairs and other large items are not permitted on Forest Service Land.
You will need a permit for certain locations such as Red Rock State Park, and a parking pass will be required for most areas around Sedona.
You can get the parking pass easily online and it’s only $5 per day or $15 for the week: Red Rock Pass
My recommendation is to always double check whether or not your chosen location requires a permit or fee, and check with your photographer about rules and restrictions. When in doubt, call the park office and they can walk you through the process, since permit requirements are always changing.
We always take care of any professional photography permits for you so you’ll never have to worry about that when planning your day.
When is the Best Time of Year To Elope in Sedona?
Winter in Sedona
Welcome to the beautiful off season! Winter in Sedona is pretty mild compared to other parts of the state, and this is a much quieter time of year. The look of a little snow on the red rocks is awesome if you get lucky, and if you don’t mind bringing layers, this would be my first choice for a more intimate Sedona experience.
Springtime in Sedona
February through May: Most people say primetime in Sedona begins in March. Picture 70 degree days, cool nights, and flowering cacti everywhere. It’s honestly perfect, but since you won’t be the only ones there to enjoy it, I suggest visiting as early in springtime as possible. February in Sedona is magical – what you miss in flowers you make up for in more privacy and cooler temperatures for those longer hikes.
Summer Sedona Elopements
I’m going to be honest, summer is not the time to enjoy all that Sedona can be. Flash flooding and intense heat are two factors you probably don’t want to be worrying about for your elopement, and sunset and sunrise are very busy times for hiking. It can definitely be done, but you’ll need to make sure you’re properly prepared to handle the sun & elements.
Fall Sedona Elopements
I would consider September to November the perfect Fall season in Sedona. Red rocks, cacti and stunning colors all coming together to create a breathtaking backdrop for your elopement. The temperature is mild and the town is somewhat quieter than peak season.
What is the easiest way to travel to Sedona?
From Phoenix: 2 Hours Drive Time
Phoenix Skyharbor International Airport
Most people from out of state fly in to Phoenix and then rent a car for the two hour drive up to Sedona. Phoenix Sky Harbor International is one of the busiest airports in the world, which means there are tons of cheap flight options. The airport in Sedona is another choice, but you’ll be paying more for that convenience and the general rental car situation is a little less convenient, with limited hours and fewer options available. The drive from Phoenix northbound is beautiful. Something you definitely don’t want to miss seeing in the daytime (Plus, it gets extra dark out there at night). Highway 17 is the only way to get from Phoenix to Sedona, so give yourself extra time on the weekends.
Favorite Travel Tools
How do we get around while in Sedona?
Renting a Car
If you flew in for your elopement, you will definitely need to rent a car to get in and out of town. Once you’re in town, there are some really popular elopement destinations with trailheads just minutes away, but you’ll need to drive if you’re hoping for something a little more intimate feeling.
There will be moments as you’re heading out to your elopement locations that there may be spotty or no service. Make sure to map things out ahead of time!
Ride Sharing
There aren’t usually any options for Uber or Lyft, so it may be better to hire a driver or rent a car instead of relying on spontaneous transportation requests.
The parking situation at some of the popular trailheads can get pretty crazy. On weekends you can end up waiting up to an hour just to park.
An update for 2022: There is now a free Sedona Shuttle service that runs during peak season in the spring (Mid march through April) . They provide transportation from two Park and Ride locations, to the most popular trailheads.
There’s also Sedona Quick Rides, who allow you to schedule a ride ahead of time so you aren’t struggling to find a drive when you need it! They’re super friendly and know the area well.
Self-Guided 4×4 Rentals: Some great elopement locations require an off-road capable vehicle to comfortably get there, so consider renting a Jeep! There are multiple companies to go through, but check out MYE Jeep.
What other activities and adventures can we include during our Sedona elopement?
Hiking: This may seem obvious, but Sedona offers some of the best hiking around, with scenic views and rewarding climbs for any comfort level.
Off-Road Adventures: One of the most popular off-road tour companies is Pink Adventure Tours. They have a long list of different excursions options that’ll take you in their fun pink Jeeps to all the best views of the red rocks.
ATV and UTV Rentals: These are so much fun! Explore Sedona in the coolest way possible by renting an ATV for a true off-roading excursion. Check out Sedona Offroad Center as one of your many options. https://sedonaoffroadcenter.com/
Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Ride: Gain a unique perspective of the Sedona landscape from the air through Red Rock Balloons.
Where to Elope in Sedona
People flock to Sedona every year for very good reason…this area has some of the best views and hiking trails in the country, and some of the most iconic trails can be quite popular. We love these popular destinations, and are so down to take you there, but there are so many quieter locations to choose from that give you a little extra peace and quiet together…
Some of the most popular locations for eloping in Sedona include:
Cathedral Rock
Bell Rock
Red Rock Crossing
Merry Go Round Rock
And again, our advice will always be to elope on a weekday in Sedona. Get out on the trail early at sunrise to avoid the crowds so you can enjoy each other instead of waiting your turn at the big viewpoints. Most of the top trails will be very crowded on the weekends. For truly awesome golden hour portraits, we recommend arriving at your destination (hiking in) by an hour or two before sunset.
Where to Stay in Sedona
Do you want to rough it a little, or do it up at a luxury resort? We like to stay on BLM land just out of town in a camper van. That’s just our preference, but you have so many options!
Home on wheels: For the camper van experience, check out Escape Campervans for a simple and efficient choice, or rent something more off-road capable through MYE Jeep!
All the amenities: Sky Ranch Lodge
This beautiful retreat with a private hiking trail: The Elysian Retreat
For all of your guests: This Luxurious Home with Epic Red Rock Views
Something Totally Unique: This amazing GeoDome!
Bonus: Sedona’s Proximity to Other Destinations
Turn your elopement getaway into a proper road trip.
Phoenix – 117 Miles (2hrs)
Flagstaff – 30 Miles (50 min)
Grand Canyon South Rim – 110 Miles (2.5 hrs)
Las Vegas – 280 miles (4.5 hrs)
Zion National Park – 265 miles Drive Time (5 hrs)
Sedona Elopement Photography Packages
Gosh, we just love it here in Sedona, and we get so excited to show it off to eloping couples.
As specialized elopement photographers and planning guides, we can help you put together your dream Sedona elopement.
Elopement packages range from 4 hours of coverage to multiple days of epic adventures. Let us know if Sedona is calling your name and we’ll walk you through planning the ultimate elopement experience.
Read more about the Elopement Photography Experience
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