Elope in Sedona

If you’re the type of couple that loves feeling small in a stunning natural landscape then Sedona just might be the elopement destination for you. Sedona is one of the most scenic mountain towns in the country, known for its iconic red rock formations, nearby ponderosa pine forests, and numerous viewpoints that will take your breath away. Located just over two hours from the South Rim entrance of the Grand Canyon, and about 45 minutes from Flagstaff, Sedona is known for its spiritual vortexes and New Age vibe.

Choosing to elope in Sedona offers the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. World-class spas, unique shopping, and art galleries are plentiful in this artsy community, as are epic hiking and mountain biking trails (more than 400 miles worth). The town sits amidst red rock, bright blue sky, and green juniper trees, guaranteeing stunning elopement photos. Sedona is also a close drive to a handful of national monuments and state parks, as well as just under a two hours drive from Phoenix.

What are the best places to elope in Sedona?
For Sedona elopements, we love the Crescent Moon Day Use Area, which sits between Oak Creek and Cathedral Rock. This is one of the most photographed locations in the Southwest and what a lot of people envision when they think of Arizona’s high desert and Sedona specifically. You can choose to elope wherever you want within the day use area. Reservations are required, a maximum of 15 guests are allowed, and no alcohol is permitted. We also love The Chapel at Tlaquepaque, an adobe chapel located in Sedona’s quaint shopping district. It’s our favorite indoor venue in the region and ideal for daytime ceremonies when you want to beat the heat. Completely non-denominational, the Chapel at Tlaquepaque has beautiful stained glass windows and a tranquil, oasis-like feel. The maximum guest count for a small wedding here is typically 40 people, but due to Covid-19 that number is currently 16.

It would be amiss not to add the Grand Canyon National Park to our list! Gorgeous colors of orange, red, and purple combine at this natural world wonder, which changes drastically depending on the time of day and the light. No matter what viewpoint you choose to elope at in the park—options include Pima Point, Grandeur Point, Shoshone Point, Moran Point, or Lipan Point—your photos will capture the vast valleys and mind-blowing scenery. We highly recommend a sunrise or sunset elopement here. Permits for a Grand Canyon elopement are required and can be purchased up to a year in advance (permits typically process in about four weeks). Your small wedding here can include up to 20 guests typically (currently 16 due to Covid-19) and no alcohol is allowed.

Flagstaff is also a charming mountain town, home to Humphrey’s Peak, Arizona’s tallest mountain, Northern Arizona University, and Arizona’s best ski resort, the Arizona Snowbowl. Surrounding Flag, as the locals call it, is great hiking, mountain biking, and fishing, as well as a handful of Native American pueblo sites and cliff dwellings. The Mariposa Meadow  [insert venue url], located at the Arizona Nordic Village in Flagstaff, is a great option for a DIY-style small wedding with onsite yurts for overnight stays. For elopements, we also love the Arboretum at Flagstaff, which offers forested backdrops and panoramic mountain views.

Arizona does not have a waiting period, meaning your elopement can take place the same day you get your marriage certificate.

The state of Arizona does require two witnesses. If you’re looking to have a private Sedona elopement with just you and your partner, then you might have to improvise by asking a kind stranger to sign your marriage certificate. While your photographer can always serve as a witness, your officiant can’t legally marry you and serve as a witness.

We highly recommend eloping during shoulder season in Sedona, which is roughly September through November, as well as March through May. During those months there tends to be less people and more mild temperatures. Because of the high desert environment winters can actually get quite chilly in Sedona, although snow is rare (if you want a snow-filled wedding, plan on eloping at the Grand Canyon or in Flagstaff). Despite Sedona’s higher elevation, summers can still be very hot, with daytime temps reaching upwards of 90-degrees. Thus, many people find daytime summer elopements in Sedona intolerable for more than a couple minutes without shade.

We recommend eloping during golden hour, or the hours surrounding sunrise and sunset. Our favorite Arizona elopement locations are mostly in the high desert and as such, we advise avoiding midday and afternoon ceremonies when temperatures are at their hottest and the sun can be a photographer’s worst nightmare. If you’re drawn to a more popular elopement location, such as the Crescent Moon Day Use Area, we highly recommend eloping on a weekday when the likelihood of a more intimate ceremony increases. Because it’s so awesome, Sedona is incredibly popular!

The time of day you choose for your Colorado elopement can make a world of difference.  For instance, since Colorado is so sunny, midday ceremonies when the sun is directly overhead often leave folks squinting and add glare to photos. This can even be an issue in the winter, especially if there’s a lot of snow on the ground. According to our Colorado elopement photographers, the best lighting generally happens near sunset, what’s known as the “golden hour.” Golden hour generally occurs an hour prior to sunset, however, in the Colorado mountains, it’s a little bit harder to predict as listed sunset times online do not account for the sun going down behind the mountain peaks. So, in actuality, Colorado’s golden hour can occur about an hour and a half to two hours before the sun officially sets.

Sunrise ceremonies in Colorado also offer great light. Our photographers actually consider this one of the better times for a Colorado elopement, since you’re more likely to have epic, sweeping views to yourself. For this same reason, we recommend eloping on a weekday, when crowds and traffic are at their lightest.

Eloping in Sedona can be a great way to save money. Although there are a plethora of high-end spas and resorts in the area, there are also numerous affordable Airbnbs and other lodging options. On average, a vacation to Sedona costs about $930 per person per week. There are also two airports in Phoenix, ensuring flights remain affordable year round. We do recommend renting a car for your Sedona elopement, so you’ll also want to factor in that cost. Our Sedona elopement packages range in price for a basic ceremony, which includes advice on ceremony locations, custom officiation services, and the actual enactment of your ceremony. Prices rise if you want to include photography and flowers.

For your perfect custom package, visit our quote builder. 

Many people choose to drive to Sedona for their elopement or small wedding, flying into one of Phoenix’s two airports and taking in the scenic drive from a rental car. Some hotels and resorts also offer shuttle services. Flagstaff Airport is the closest small commercial airport to Sedona, located roughly 45-minutes drive away via AZ 89A, which passes through beautiful Oak Creek Canyon.

To get married in Sedona you’ll need a valid ID (a birth certificate, passport, or state-issued ID works), your social security number, and the presence of both parties when picking up your license. An Arizona marriage license costs $83 and no matter what county you get it in, your marriage license can apply to a wedding ceremony that takes place anywhere in Arizona. You will need an officiant to perform the ceremony and sign your marriage license, which can then be mailed to the Clerk of the Superior Court. Note that Sedona Municipal Court does not issue marriage licenses and you have to contact one of the county superior courts to obtain a marriage license. The superior court closest to Sedona is Yavapai County Superior Court located on Highway 260, in Camp Verde, or the Coconino County Superior Court in Flagstaff.