How to Plan Your Elopement in Arizona: A Step-by-Step Guide

elopementscouples
Written By Shayna Lloyd


Ahh well let’s start off by saying congrats on your engagement! If you’re here I’m going to take a wild guess and say that you and your partner are lovers of nature and everything Arizona has to offer for an amazing elopement experience. Well let me just say, YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE! In this guide I’m covering everything from the best season to elope in Arizona and the best Arizona elopement locations to the best places to stay and so much more!

Everything You Need to Plan your Arizona Elopement

Why Elope in Arizona?

When people often think of Arizona, a lot of them just think that it is miles and miles of desert. And yes while that is true, it has an abundance of different types of landscapes and scenery that can be the perfect backdrop for an elopement. Arizona might be the perfect elopement location for you if:

  • You want endless beautiful options for elopement locations

  • You’re a lover of the desert

  • You’re up for a hiking adventure

  • You want a more boho vibe for your elopement

  • You love stargazing! (Arizona is one of the best places for this because of the minimal light pollution)

  • You want to see the Grand Canyon

  • You want to elope in the Fall, Winter, or Spring

  • You want a warm and sunny elopement

Elopement couple sitting on rocks in front of Arizona cactus

Where is Arizona?

Arizona is a stunning state that is part of the four corners region bordering Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. It also neighbors Southern California if you’re wanting to stop there on your way! For the bordering states, it’s not too bad of a drive, but depending on where you live, flying might be the best way to get there!

How to get to Arizona

Depending on where you live, driving may be the easier option, but if you’re al little farther away, here are the best airports to fly into in Arizona:

Other smaller airports in Arizona include: 

Should you rent a car?

In my opinion, 1000% YES! If you’re flying into Arizona for your elopement, odds are you are staying for at least a couple of days. There is so much to see in Arizona and a car is definitely the best way to get around! 


But, if renting a car isn’t ideal for you, there are definitely alternatives including Uber/Lyft or taking the Amtrak Train. Public transportation will definitely be much simpler if you are staying in the bigger cities like Phoenix or Tucson. 

When is the best time of year to elope in Arizona?

Arizona is one of those states that doesn’t go through extreme seasonal changes EXCEPT for in the summer. So, this is a really tough question to answer, but below you will find information that can help you decide which time of the year is best for you!

Spring

Spring is by far one one of the best times of the year to visit Arizona! It’s starting to warm up a bit, the sun is setting much later, and you might even see some wildflowers blooming. Ideally I would say early spring would be the best time for an elopement because the temperatures hover around 80 degrees while the evenings cool off quite a bit. Once you hit late April and early May, the temperatures increase quite a bit so a sunrise or sunset elopement would be the best option! 

Summer

Summer is probably the least ideal time to elope in Arizona especially if you want to do a hiking elopement. Arizona is a dry desert landscape so let’s just say you might get pretty sweaty in the summer months. With temperatures getting as high as 115 degrees and rarely falling below 80 degrees at night, IT'S HOT! But if you’re just wanting a laid back elopement near a lake or river, then a sunrise or sunset elopement in the summer is perfect! Arizona has some of the most amazing sunsets especially in the summer months which could be perfect for some golden hour photos. Ohh and the sun doesn’t set until about 9pm so you get lots of daylight which is always a plus! 

Fall

Fall in Arizona is by far one of the best times of the year! The leaves are changing colors yet the temperatures are still warm! The temperature in the Fall months typically ranges from 65-95 degrees but slowly gets cooler as you get into the later fall months. So because the days are still long and it is not uncomfortably hot, the fall months are definitely one of my favorite times of the year! 

Winter

Have you ever heard of “snowbirds?” Well it's all the people who live in the colder states who basically move to a warmer state like Arizona for the winter months. Arizona is one of the most popular states for snowbirds. That just tells you that Arizona doesn’t have much of a winter and is quite enjoyable during these months. While it can get down into the 40’s at night, the average temperature in the daytime is 60-70 degrees. If that's not the perfect weather for an adventure elopement in Arizona, I don’t know what is! 

As you can tell, it’s hard to say that there is one season that is the BEST time of year to elope in Arizona! It truly depends on what you want your elopement day to look like. If you don’t mind the heat and don’t plan on a super long hiking elopement, then a late spring or summer elopement might be perfect for you. But on the opposite end, if you want to do tons of activities like hiking, horseback riding, or off-roading on your elopement day, I say stick with the fall and winter months. Arizona truly has something for everyone and that is why I love it so much as an elopement location! 

Top 8 Best Locations for your Arizona Elopement 

Can I just say… Arizona has SOOO many different places to choose from when it comes to choosing your elopement location! There are literally so many unique landscapes to choose from making it such an ideal place to plan your elopement! So here are 8 of my favorite locations for an Arizona elopement: 

1. Sedona

Sedona is a very special location in Northern Arizona known for its unique red rock scenery and lush green vegetation. Surrounded by nature, Sedona has so many different spots that are the perfect scenery for an elopement. 

One of the more popular locations in Sedona is Cathedral Rock Trail and if you’re okay with a mild uphill climb and crowds, then this hike and the view at the top is definitely worth it for your elopement! If you’re looking for a more intimate and less crowded trail then Airport Mesa Trail and Doe Mountain Trail are both great options with epic views! 

Closest Major Airport + Driving Time: Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport -  2 hours

Best time of year to elope: A spring elopement from March - May or a Fall elopement from September - November

Permits Needed: Not needed for most trails in Sedona. For more information, visit the website here.

 
 
bride and groom pose against a yellow wall

2. Horseshoe Bend

Odds are you have probably heard or seen pictures of Horseshoe Bend! It is a spectacular horseshoe-shaped incised meander of the Colorado River located in Page, Arizona. It is truly one of the most epic backdrops for an elopement that will make for an unforgettable experience! Whether you decide to elope at Horseshoe Bend or not,I highly recommend that you visit if you have the time! 

Closest Airport + Driving Time: Flagstaff Pulliam Airport - 2 hours

Best time of year to elope: Spring & early Fall

Permits Needed: Yes - Special Use Permit

Best Places to Stay in Horseshoe Bend

Airbnb’s/ VRBOs

Hotels, Lodges, & Resorts

Campgrounds & RV Parks

Best Places to Eat in Horseshoe Bend

Breakfast


Lunch/Dinner

bride and groom kissing after their arizona elopement

3. Lake Powell

Lake Powell is located in Northern Arizona and stretches up into Utah. It is part of the Colorado River and is Glen Canyon National Recreation area. Lake Powell is a popular summer vacation spot where people often rent boats and enjoy tons of water-sports including wakeboarding, wake surfing, tubing, and jet skiing. With some of the most amazing hikes leading to beautiful views of the Lake Powell reservoir, this is definitely a location to consider for your Arizona elopement!

Closest Airport + Driving Time: Flagstaff Pulliam Airport - 2.5 hours

Best time of year to elope: Spring & early Fall

Permits Needed: Yes - Special Use Permit

Best Places to Eat in Lake Powell

Breakfast

Lunch/Dinner

bride laying on grooms lap

4. Monument Valley

Monument Valley is located deep into the desert in Arizona and is found on the border of Arizona and Utah. With breathtaking views of  red rock formations and sandstone towers, it’s easy to see why this is such a popular location for photographers and even some major films. If you’re looking for a more intimate setting surrounding epic views, then heck let’s jump in some jeeps and make an adventure out of it! 

Closest Airport + Driving Time: Flagstaff Pulliam Airport - 3 hours

Best time of year to elope: Spring & early Fall

Permits Needed: Yes - Monument Valley Entry Fee & Navajo Parks Special Use Permit for groups of 4 or moreMonument Valley

Best Places to Stay in/near Monument Valley

Airbnb’s/ VRBOs

Hotels, Lodges, & Resorts

Campgrounds & RV Parks

bride and groom kissing at their desert elopement

5. Grand Canyon

Well I’m sure you’ve heard of the Grand Canyon because I mean, who hasn’t? Or you have at least seen photos of it I’m sure. The Grand Canyon is such a remarkable place because it is one of the greatest examples of land erosion in the world. And on top of having some of the most jaw-dropping views in all of Arizona, it has so many different hikes and activities for you to experience. From horseback riding to white water rafting, you are set to have an event day if you choose to elope here! 


Closest Airport + Driving Time: Flagstaff Pulliam Airport - 1.5  hours

Best time of year to elope: Spring & early Fall

Permits Needed: Yes - Special Use Permit

6. Saguaro National Park

While the Saguaro desert might not be the most talked about destination in Arizona, that doesn’t make it any less beautiful. Located East of Tucson, the Saguaro desert is perfect for those looking for a quieter, more calm desert location for their elopement! It’s not a super busy park so it’s easy to find a private location for the ceremony with a great view! 

Closest Airport + Driving Time: Tucson International Airport (TUS) - 30 minutes

Best time of year to elope: winter, early spring, and late fall

Permits Needed: Yes - Special Use Permit

Best Places to Eat  near Saguaro National Park

Breakfast

Lunch/Dinner


 

7. Superstition Mountains

Another amazing elopement location is the Superstition Mountains. Only located about 40 minutes from Phoenix and Scottsdale, this is a great option if you are trying to stay close to a big city. This beautiful mountain range is characterized by volcanic peaks and ridges separated by canyons and so much Saguaro and other cacti. It makes for a beautiful backdrop for your Arizona elopement and the perfect desert vibes!

Closest Airport + Driving Time: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport - 40 minutes

Best time of year to elope: winter, early spring, and late fall

Permits Needed: Yes - Entry pass + Wedding permit

Best Places to Eat in/near Scottsdale

(Not many restaurants near The Superstitions Mountains)

Breakfast

Lunch/Dinner

8.The Salt River

When people think of eloping in Arizona, The Salt River isn’t typically what comes to mind. But, in my opinion, you really can’t go wrong with saying your vows surrounded by thousands of cacti with the sounds of the river flowing by in the background. AND if it’s a hot day, you could even do a fun trash the dress photoshoot in the river after all of the other photos have been taken of course! 

Closest Airport + Driving Time: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport - 30 minutes

Best time of year to elope: Late spring, summer (evenings or sunrise), and early fal

Permits Needed: No

Best Places to Eat near The Salt River

Breakfast

Lunch/Dinner


Fun Activities to do on your Arizona Elopement day

When it comes to planning your Arizona elopement, you definitely need to plan some activities to do on your elopement day or at least on your trip. Arizona has such a wide variety of different outdoor activities that can truly make your elopement a day to remember. From hiking to paddle boarding to horseback riding, there are so many options and truly something for everyone! This day is all about the two of you so spend it doing something you both love! Or try something you have never done before to make it even more memorable!

bride and groom walking together after their Arizona elopement

Arizona Marriage License + Laws 

When deciding to elope in Arizona, the first thing you need to do is get your Arizona marriage license. Here you will find all the steps you need to take to obtain your marriage license in Arizona: 

You start the process of obtaining your Arizona marriage license online HERE or in person at a County Clark office. Here are the necessary requirements:

  • Complete the marriage license application form

  • Pay the $83 filing fee

  • Waiting Period: None ( you can get married the day you obtain your marriage license)

  • You have 1 year to get married once you obtain your marriage license

  • Blood Test Required? No

  • Must be at least 18 years of age to get married in Arizona

  • Arizona residency is NOT required

Arizona Wedding Permits

Depending on where you are getting married in Arizona, you will need to determine if wedding permits are needed. Wedding permits are needed in some areas when you are getting married on public land, such as a national or state park. To make it easier for you in the planning process of your Arizona elopement, here are the areas that need a permit and the steps you need to take to get it:

Arizona State Park Special Use Permit

Application Process: 

  • Visit AZ State Park’s wedding page HERE to get the information for the specific park you want to elope in. 

  • Call the park you would like to elope in to inquire about wedding date availability, start a reservation request.

  • Fill out wedding application form and email the form in to your park wedding contact.

  • Lastly arrange all necessary to be made with you park wedding contact. 

    • Cost: varies by location

Glen Canyon Special Use Permit

Cost: Varies depending on the number of people and event specifics

Application Process:

  • Fill out this application

  • Submit your application (at least 45 days before your desired date) via email to glca_sup@nps.gov 

  • Once your permit request is approved, sign & return your permit to the park office once you receive a copy. 

Grand Canyon National Park Special Use Permit

Cost: $240 (this is a non-refundable application fee

Application Process:

  • Review the Wedding Information Brochure to see a list of the pre-approved locations in the park. 

  • Email the park office to see if your desired location and date is available

  • Fill out application form and email to grca_permits_mail@nps.gov 

    • Note: They require a minimum of 4 weeks to process permit requests so plan ahead!

  • Once they receive your application, they will reach out with how to pay the non-refundable fee. 

  • Once you receive approval on the permit request, sign and return it to the office. 

Saguaro National Park Special Use Permit

Cost: $100 application fee + a monitoring fee of roughly $35/hr

Application Process:

  • Download the Special Use Permit Application

  • Send completed applications to nps_sagu_sup@nps.gov and you can pay your $100 application fee via credit card (must be complete at least 4 weeks in advance due to processing times)

    • Note: Applications will not be processed if submitted incomplete or are received without payment.

  • Once your permit is approved, sign and return it to the office.

Need Some Elopement Vendor Recommendations in Arizona?

Picking out your vendors for your elopement can be one of the most daunting tasks because there are so many to choose from. From flowers, to officiants, here are a few that I love! 

Arizona Elopement Officiant 

Let’s Not and Say We Did

Earth Elopements

Arizona Elopement Florists

Florals by Kris

Florals by Kendra

Meet your Arizona Elopement Photographer + Videographer

Hi, I’m Shayna Lloyd

THE CREATIVE BEHIND MONTANA DIARIES.

I’m a videographer and photographer based in NW Montana and Glacier National Park, but you better believe

I’m stoked to pack up my gear, and often my cute little fam, to travel all over the world telling love stories and of course that include Arizona!

I curate the most badass video & photo teams, and that often includes my husband, Brandon. We seek to live what we offer, meaning we prioritize traveling, hiking, time in the outdoors, and creating memorable experiences for each other and our daughter, Lucy. 

Arizona Elopement Packages + Pricing

INTIMATE, ADVENTUROUS, TRUE-TO-YOU

Whether it’s just the two of you, or you have 20ish stragglers tagging along to kick off your marriage with an incredible Arizona expedition, my hope is to craft an *experience* that feels like YOU GUYS. Think about your greatest adventure, your perfect date, the things you two do together that make you feel the most alive and authentic.

THE DETAILS:

Deliverables: Videography —  the highlight film, the full ceremony/vow reading, anything else important that needs a separate video; Photography — the full edited gallery hosted online with free downloads for you, your friends, and family!

You can find information on my pricing HERE!

Shayna Lloyd http://www.shaynalloyd.com
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