The Ultimate Sedona Elopement Guide: Planning An Unforgettable Wedding Among the Red Rocks
(updated for 2024)
Sedona has become one of the most popular places in the United States for eloping. On any given day in the area you can expect anywhere from two to ten weddings to be happening, and depending on the location, there might be that many just in that location!
Sedona is known for it’s easy access to beautiful places, its spiritual energy, stunning red rock vistas, adventure and more. It is a great place to spend the weekend or a full week, depending on what all you want to do. It is close to Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, Page and Phoenix. It is easy to see why a Sedona elopement is such a popular location.
This blog will tell you literally every little thing you need to know about planning an elopement in Sedona from a local elopement photographer and outdoor enthusiast. Before we dive into all things getting married in Sedona, let’s talk about the logistics of just visiting the area!
- Traveling to your Sedona Arizona Elopement
- Best Time of year for a Sedona Elopement
- Can you Elope in Sedona?
- The Best Places to Elope in Sedona
- Best Wedding + Reception Venues for a Sedona Elopement
- Do you need a permit to elope in Sedona?
- Things to do during your Sedona Elopement
- How much does it cost for a Sedona Elopement?
- Sedona Elopement Packages
- Your Sedona Elopement Photographer!
- Planning information for a Sedona Elopement
- Getting Around Sedona
- Why is it important to consider where I’m staying during my Sedona Elopement?
- Can I Bring guests to our Elopement in Sedona?
- Best Places to Eat in Sedona
- What to pack for your Sedona Elopement
- Wildlife you may encounter while eloping in Sedona
- Following Leave No Trace during your elopement in Sedona:
- Where to Honeymoon After Your Sedona Elopement
- Get in touch with us now about your elopement in Sedona!
Traveling to your Sedona Arizona Elopement
If you are flying in to get to your Sedona elopement, you will need to rent a car to visit. The best airports to fly into are:
- Phoenix, (PHX) which is also a fantastic elopement location, is the most convenient all round location but often the most expensive. Driving from the Phoenix airport to Sedona takes roughly two hours.
- Flagstaff (FLG) which is one hour north of Sedona has a much smaller airport. You will have a layover in Phoenix and then fly up to the Flagstaff airport. The drive from the Flagstaff airport is only about 40 minutes, but when you factor in the layover time, it takes more travel time overall.
- Las Vegas (LAS) is often the cheapest option, but much further at nearly 4.5 hours of driving. An awesome road trip can be had from here, allowing you to stop and visit other National Parks like the Grand Canyon, Zion or the Page area.
- Sedona Airport (SDX) will bring you right into town, however note that this airport is only accessible by private charter.
Best Time of year for a Sedona Elopement
Sedona is pure magic throughout the entire year, although the best time to elope in Sedona is March through May and mid September through mid November. With the ideal weather also comes the busiest times of the year in Sedona being spring break, fall break, mother’s day and Easter weekend – which is part of the reason we try to steer couples away from April. That said, in April the weather is prime, flowers are blooming, but it is Easter and spring break so everything is busy. We recommend avoiding the high times because trailhead parking is extremely limited in Sedona. Not only that, but getting around town can take you 1 hour to drive 4 miles.
This is why it’s so important to have a knowledgeable Sedona Elopement Photographer team. We help couples plan their elopement to maximize the beauty and minimize the traffic jams.
If you are hoping to see some Fall colors the best time is late October to mid November. If you want to avoid snow or see snow, you can expect very minimal flurries from mid January to mid February. However, know that snow in Sedona only happens a few times during the winter season and when it does, it is so magical! The white contrast against the red rock is beautiful and the best part is that snow here typically is not enough to close down roads or stay around long.
The summer months from late June to the end the of August are what we consider the no go zone. While it doesn’t bother some people, the temperatures can be over a 100 degrees, making it both unsafe and no longer enjoyable for many outdoor activities.
Here’s a quick breakdown for easy reference:
- Winter – Winter in Sedona is the quietest time. Winter days are nice as the temps are not too cold and you could get lucky and see snow!
- Spring – March and early April are the windiest time of the year in Sedona, however mid-April through early May have those amazing sought after Spring temperatures
- Summer – Typically we tell people to avoid Summer. Despite the temperatures, it is very hot and crowded. Added on top of this and you have monsoon season, which removes the endless sunshine for months on end.
- Fall – This is a wonderful time of year and you can see fall foliage. Wind isn’t a factor here as it is in early spring but the temperatures are just as amazing as the late spring during early Fall. We’d say Fall is the prime time of year.
Can you Elope in Sedona?
Why, of course you can elope in Sedona! In the state of Arizona, you need an officiant and two witnesses. If you are working with Adventure and Vow for your elopement, we have you covered. We are a two person team and we are both ordained, so you can “self-solemnize” or have us perform your ceremony. For the “self-solemnization” we would give you the space to hold your own ceremony, and after the fact perform the legally required actions separate from your intimate ceremony. We can also count as your witnesses if you want to bring along a friend or family member to officiate.
Do not worry if you do not have guests coming to your Sedona elopement, it is never hard to get some fellow hikers on the trail to sign as witnesses or folks back in town near where you are staying.
To obtain our marriage license: If you live out of state, you will need to make an appointment online to pick up your marriage license at any Arizona clerk’s office. The state of Arizona does not have a waiting period from the time you get your paperwork from the time you get married, however be sure to keep their office hours in mind and make your appointment with the clerk office prior to booking your travel. Below are links to the clerk offices most convenient for getting your paperwork if you are eloping in Sedona.
Phoenix/Maricopa County Clerk Office
Airbnb elopements in Sedona have become very popular. It is important to know that no matter what state you are in, if you plan on having a photographer take photos of you on private property (Like an Airbnb!) you need to get permission from the homeowner first. With all of the stunning trails surrounding Sedona, we highly recommend eloping out in the desert rather than holding your elopement ceremony at an AirBnB. We recommend getting ready at your Airbnb or sharing dinner there after your ceremony with just you two or your loved ones. Sedona is known for its Airbnbs being unique and plentiful. For places we recommend staying from resorts, VRBO, Airbnb check out our guide.
Where can you elope in Sedona?
This is a very important question! Sedona is millions of acres of red rocks, mountains and beautiful deserts, but you can not elope just anywhere.
Rules that apply to having a Sedona Elopement are no setups of any kind without approval from the forest service office (think no rugs, tables, or arches), no groups larger than 75 people and the only paid vendors that can be present without acquiring a special use permit are the officiant and the photographer. If you have any questions about permits/rules, you will want to reach out directly to the Forest Service Rangers for the Red Rock District. My biggest advice is to not assume something is okay just because you saw it on social media.
The Best Places to Elope in Sedona
Cathedral Rock Sedona Elopement
I call this THE classic Sedona hike. There is just something about this rock that is beautiful and draws people in from all over. The hike itself is straight up the rock and about two miles round trip. If you are not comfortable with a short scramble, you may want to consider a different option.
Cathedral rock offers amazing views, epic and easy places to get to for a ceremony with friends and family. The location is best at sunset, but can also be amazing at sunrise and way more private. It is one of those hikes everyone is happy on! It is important to know how busy this trail is! On some days and times you can not park here – you can hike in further from other parking take the Sedona Shuttle.
Merry Go Round Sedona Elopement
This spot is big! Yes, I mean big like spacious so it is great for an elopement ceremony, but also big for all of the jeep tours in Sedona, hikers and folks with their own off road means. This place is so worthy of whatever journey you take to get there.
Easily one of the best views at sunset in Sedona. Since the Jeep tours come here, it means you can get to your elopement location without the hike and you get to bring anyone in the family along for the adventure! This location is not as busy as Cathedral Rock, but in the last year it has picked up popularity fast.
Your best bet is to elope here in the middle of the week, but again do not expect to be the only couple there. We have photographed an elopement here and there were 6 other weddings happening at the same time. We’ve also photographed many elopements here and were the only people. It is truly luck of the draw and something to be aware of.
Bell Rock Sedona Elopement
Bell rock is located in the Village of Oak Creek on the East side of Sedona. This location is known for it’s big features and ability to see Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, Cathedral and other features all in one location. Because of this you can expect parking to be difficult to get and the area to be busy.
However, the locations we go here for ceremonies or portraits tend are quieter. At this location you can hike, rock climb or mountain bike! While the Sedona shuttle doesn’t go here, you can hire a shuttle or plan extra time for parking. This location is good for sunrise or sunset, but this is also a really easy and common area for star gazing in the Sedona area.
Part of this area is in Wilderness and part is in the National Forest. So when we photograph here there are certain areas we can go and some we can not.
Doe Mountain Sedona Elopement
This trail is located in West Sedona and one of our favorites for a Sedona elopement at sunrise, as you might get to see the hot air balloons. This is a great vista with 360 degrees of red rock views. The trail itself is pretty easy at less than 2 miles long.
While this location offers more privacy than the three above it, there can still be other folks enjoying the outdoors here. However, the red rock spans all around the rim so you can find your own little nook along the edge. A lot of our couples choose to have picnics at this location since there are great views + enough room.
This location is closest to the Enchantment resort, one of the best and most popular places to stay in Sedona!
Devil’s Bridge Sedona Elopement
It is important to know that in Sedona you are not allowed to elope on Wilderness Land, this mean you can not elope at Devil’s Bridge, West Fork or at other popular areas you may have seen images of floating around on Pinterest, Instagram and other places. You can always email the Forest Service rangers for more information on this or to try and seek special permission as sometimes they will grant it to a couple. This rule is in place by the Red Rock Forest Service.
A great map resource for seeing what is Wilderness Land and what is not is Gaia. Do not worry though, we are local to Sedona and know the area like the back of our hands. We are always happy to help with suggestions that would best fit your elopement day from a specific adventure to any amount of privacy desired.
Private Locations for a Sedona Elopement
While the areas above are very busy and very popular it is important to remember they are not the only places for a Sedona Elopement. Most of our couples that choose an elopement-type wedding are doing so because they value privacy, the outdoors and the experience of an adventure-style wedding. This can be hard to achieve in the places above. We strive to help our couples bring their exact vision to life. With a little more hiking on your elopement day, you can reach incredible locations where you are unlikely to come across anyone.
We do not often post publicly about these places because we want to keep them as little foot trafficked as possible and protect them the best we can as they are mostly social trails/climbing areas. As people who have lived and adventured in Sedona, it has been heartbreaking to watch places like the Subway cave go from a local secret to a social media craze. A location that wasn’t even on any map or hiking resource is now on social media daily, geo-tagged and flooded with traffic.
For this reason we only share information about specific fragile locations during the planning stage. We send location guides to our couples where they get the full details and images form past Sedona elopements to be able to check it out better!
Best Wedding + Reception Venues for a Sedona Elopement
A lot of our eloping couples choose to have a private dinner at a venue space or at their Airbnb rental with their guests following their adventures. We also have couples who choose to share a multi-day elopement where they spend one day out adventuring just them two and day two spent with their loved ones at a venue space. Every Sedona elopement looks different and that is part of the beauty in eloping – you get married your way! No rules! This is also the wonderful thing about Sedona, it is a great location to host an adventure wedding or an elopement with guests.
Based on photography and what the venue can deliver to the couple experience wise, these are our 3 favorite wedding venues in the Sedona area.
Two of these locations made our list for the top 40 Intimate Wedding Venues for Adventurous couples. See the full list here if you want more epic options outside of Arizona! If you require a venue for your elopement it is important to know these venues can book early in advance due to the popularity of getting married in Arizona, but especially Sedona so be sure to inquire soon!
Do you need a permit to elope in Sedona?
No, you do not need a permit to elope in Sedona currently.
That is the short answer, the longer answer is you do not need a permit for a Sedona elopement, unless you want to elope at one of the State Parks or Crescent Moon ranch. Then yes, you will need a permit.
While as of right now, you do not need a permit for an elopement while on the Forest Service land in Sedona that does not mean this will not change. We recommend always checking in with forest service before your elopement and while you plan.
Also, important to note: Sedona Forest Service does not allow set ups of any kind without permitted approval.
Things to do during your Sedona Elopement
There is no shortage of adventures available to you in Sedona for your elopement day, but the other plus is there is also no shortage of things to do that do not include adventuring. This makes Sedona a very family-friendly elopement location. Typically people tend to visit Sedona between two days and a week. For a Sedona elopement, we recommend visiting for at least 4 days so you have flexibility to get used to the area/time change, in case of bad weather, or any unlikely complication. So while you can do some of these things at your elopement, below is a list of ideas that can be used for the entire trip.
Adventurous activity ideas during your Sedona Elopement trip
- Rock Climb a spire or climb at a near by crag
- Hike
- Off Road in a Jeep or ATV
- Mountain Bike
- Take a hot air balloon ride
- Take a private plane or helicopter ride over the red rock canyons
- Yoga on a vista
- Cliff jumping into local swimming holes
Family Friendly activity ideas during your Sedona Elopement trip
- Get a massage
- Dine at one of the many restaurants or grab coffee in the am (A couple of our favorites in the area are Elote, Tortas De Fuego and Shore Bird)
- Shop in Uptown Sedona
- Take a town Trolley ride
- Get tattoos in Sedona or in Flagstaff
- Take the train from near Flagstaff all the way to the Grand Canyon
- Star gaze for the Milky Way
How much does it cost for a Sedona Elopement?
The cost of an elopement varies greatly by a lot of different factors since every Sedona elopement truly is unique. Keep in mind the average traditional wedding in Sedona is around $33,000, and while eloping in Sedona is usually less, the traditional wedding average is a good representation if your elopement will be including loved ones.
What is the cost of visiting Sedona for an elopement?
The cost during peak times is always more expensive, per typical tourist areas. A stay in Sedona can average $200-$500+ a night at a hotel or other rental. There are some free camping spots in the area as well year round. Visiting during the least busy time of the year like early December, many home rentals as well as all of the hotels will be dramatically cheaper than during April. Depending where you are visiting from, it is still typically sunny and in the mid 50s for the high in winter, although the days are shorter and the nights do drop below freezing. If you’re coming down to Sedona from far up north, it will definitely still feel like an escape from the cold! Your average dinner in Sedona for two can average $60-$150. Some of our favorite restaurants that we recommend are Javelina Cantina, The Hudson, Mariposa, Layla’s Bakery, Vino de Sedona and more!
So to configure what the cost of coming to Sedona to elope is, check out this list to easily plug in your amounts and come up with a total:
- Wedding Attire
- Marriage License $65-$85
- Hiking boots
- Red Rock Parking Pass – $5 a day, free if you have a National Parks Pass
- Flight
- Rental Car
- Gas
- Food
- Officiant – ranges from $75 – $300, but if you book with us it is included in our services
- Photo + Video
- Stay
- Flowers if desired
- Activity costs – pending if you are sharing a hot air balloon ride, off-roading, spa day, further travel, mountain bike rental, etc
- Permit – if eloping within Crescent Moon Ranch
Sedona Elopement Packages
Our Sedona elopement packages have been carefully crafted around couple’s desire to combing adventure, intention and quality time celebrating their union. Our packages are designed to capture everything from a quick “mini” elopement all the way through a multi-day adventure where we explore multiple elopement locations throughout the state. We do build custom packages for our couples when needed to best fit their vision.
- Officiant + 1 Witness as needed
- 2 international award winning photographers who have captured over 100 elopements in Sedona.
- Video Add-On option
- Assistance in Planning + location scouting
- Leave No Trace Education
- An elopement planning guide 80+ pages of everything you could ever imagine when it comes to putting together a perfect elopement day
- Vendor recommendations to past vendors couple’s have loved, or we have loved and recommendations for where to stay + dine while in Sedona (From a locals perspective!)
- Timeline for you and guests if you have any
- Same Day Sneak Peaks
- A full gallery within 5 weeks, 8 weeks for video
- And so much more! We really are your right hand people during planning, on the trail, and more.
Your Sedona Elopement Photographer!
We are a husband and wife team who have explored the climbing routes, the off roads, the campsites, the trails and more! We know the area like the back of our hands. We have been capturing elopements in Sedona since 2018.
We truly believe in the magic of a location, what type of feeling and the experience it can give you on your elopement day.Sedona still leaves us in awe even after living here for years. It’s stunning and surreal. We are dedicated to this place as much as we are dedicated to your day, your experience and telling your love story authentically.
” From the day we reached out, she was so kind and responsive. She eased our nerves instantly with her knowledge on photography, the location we had chosen, and all the nitty gritty details of what an elopement entails.
We were lucky enough to meet Traci the day before our ceremony and although our nerves were high, it felt like we were instant friends. It was such a calming feeling going into our elopement day! She was willing to answer all questions, go through all the worst case scenarios, and help us stay positive and upbeat for the next day. On the day of our ceremony, Traci was all business. She is extremely punctual and knows exactly what needs to get done in order to make your dreams come true.-The Seibergs <3
We are so thankful to have met and get photographed by both Traci and Bill and we are so hopeful to cross their paths again someday! Thank you both so much for making our elopement the very best day of our lives!!!!”
Planning information for a Sedona Elopement
Getting Around Sedona
It is important to understand the layout of Sedona when planning to get around. So in Sedona you have:
- Uptown
- West Sedona
- Village of Oak Creek
Uptown is where all of the shops are, many Airbnbs and hotels. This area has great red rock views and places to eat. Uptown is near trailheads like Brins Mesa, Cow Pies, Oak Creek Canyon, etc
West Sedona is easiest to get to from Cottonwood, Arizona. From here it is easy to access grocery stores, coffee shops, some restaurants and trails like Devils Bridge, Lover’s Knoll and Boynton Canyon.
Village of Oak Creek is easily accessible via highway 17. Here there are places to eat and one small store. Trails here are Bell Rock, Red Rock Crossing and Chicken Point area.
Why is it important to consider where I’m staying during my Sedona Elopement?
Even though it’s a small town and these three areas are relatively close together, where you are planning to elope in Sedona can be greatly impacted by the traffic. Your elopement timeline ideally includes as little driving as possible from stay to trailhead. Booking a stay in the Village of Oak Creek while eloping up at Merry Go Round can easily add an hour and a half of driving if you catch the wrong end of traffic. Further, traveling in-between the three of these places can take anywhere form 15 minutes to 3 hours depending on traffic that day. We recommend to all of our couples to wait and book their stay until after they have selected where they want to elope in Sedona.
Can I Bring guests to our Elopement in Sedona?
Yes! We would say half of our couples in Sedona elope with guests and half do not. However, we recommend capping your guests count at 10 people if you plan to elope out on the trails. This way logistics are easier and parking is a breeze. If you plan to have more guests in attendance, we recommend booking a venue or private elopement area.
Best Places to Eat in Sedona
We are foodies!! We LOVE a good meal, a great coffee and a cocktail. Since we lived in the area we ate at a ton of places! Below are our personal favorites:
- Tortas De Fuego in the Village of Oak Creek specifically
- The Vault
- Local Juicery
- The Coffee Pot
- Javelina Cantina
- The Hudson
- Vino De Sedona
What to pack for your Sedona Elopement
- Sunscreen – even in lower temperatures you will need this in the desert
- Layers – in the desert it can be warm during the day but super chilly in the evening, also it can be very windy out on those vistas
- A head lamp – night hiking in the desert is the best!
- Hiking shoe, water shoes, chacos all depending on your activity
- Chapstick + Lotion because the desert is dry, you will thank me later 🙂
- National Park pass if you already have one
- Re-usable water bottle – you need to drink a lot of water while in the desert, it is helpful to have something you can refill.
- Bathing suit – lots of the airbnbs have hot tubs or you may want to visit Slide Rock State Park for a dip or trip down the natural water slide.
- Wedding things I.E. – vow books, letters from family, special items like jewelry, ID to get marriage license, etc
Wildlife you may encounter while eloping in Sedona
- Rattlesnakes – Yes, we have them. Should you be scared? Nope. Just keep your eye out and give them space. If one is coiled or rattling back away slowly and do not provoke it.
- Javelina’s are like rodent large pigs. You may see them on the trails or even in Uptown. Don’t worry, they mostly dont care that you are there, just do not approach a mother with it’s young.
- Mule Dear
- Elk in Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon
- Bears are not seen often in the Sedona area unless you are deep in the canyon, closer in elevation to Flagstaff. This is not really something you need to worry about at all in any of the elopement locations allowed in Sedona.
- Big Cats – Yes we have cougars and the rule of thumb is – It may be there, but you wont see it. If you see it, there is a problem. Cougars, do not want to see you and do not want you to see them. We have been here over three years and never seen one and we hike in the dark a ton as well as on remote trails a ton. If you see one do not break eye contact and back away slowly.
Following Leave No Trace during your elopement in Sedona:
For elopements in Sedona out on the trails, it is important to follow Leave No Trace. Sedona sandstone is super fragile and crypto soil can be found on some of the trials. Sedona gets millions of visitors a year so it is important to treat the land with respect so people can enjoy it for the many years to come. Sedona is already seeing a large impact from social media with locations like Devil’s Bridge becoming overwhelming popular from folks geo-tagging it on Instagram and Facebook.
My suggestions is to never tag a specific trail. The other LNT principals to follow are: plan ahead and be prepared, travel on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize fire impact, respect wildlife and be considerate of other visitors. The last one is so important in place like Sedona, it is important to remember we all share the trail, even if it is your wedding day.
Where to Honeymoon After Your Sedona Elopement
Flagstaff
Flagstaff, just off of the famous Route 66, is a great adventurers base for their stay in Northern Arizona. Even some of our eloping couples choose to stay in Flagstaff during their elopement. Flagstaff has cozy cabins, a fun quaint downtown area and so much outdoor activities. There are many places to rock climb in Flagstaff and near it. There are many biking and hiking trails in Flagstaff. In the summer Lake Mary is a great place to kayak and in the Winter you will want to hang out here for skiing! Flagstaff is also the connection point to head out to the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon is one of the seven wonders of the world so of course you want to stop here during your time in Sedona. You can take Grand Canyon tours through Pink Jeep from within Sedona or you can drive yourself there. The closest access to the park, and the one that is open year round, is the South entrance. The park has something for everyone from viewing the canyon along the rim to hiking the Rim to Rim trail.
Page
Page, Arizona is most famously known for Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell. This area has many slot canyons to explore and off road adventures. We love this area so much for camping, canyoneering and getting into some unknown adventures. A lot of people come here for the tours, but there is so much more beyond that. I say get married and then come here to spend a few days on a house boat exploring arches + slot canyons.
Get in touch with us now about your elopement in Sedona!
Our Sedona Elopement Photography has been featured in many places like JuneBug Weddings Top Wedding Images of 2022, Wandering Weddings, Zion Brides, Story Board Weddings and more.
Check out below more desert elopement stories and location guides!