SEDONA ELOPEMENT
GUIDE
GUIDE
Sedona Elopement & wedding Guide:
How To Married in Sedona
a red rock playground for your sedona elopement
[updated for the 2024 & 2025 wedding season]
Looking to get married between the red rocks, blue skies and cacti? Sedona is a red rock lovers dream. Ranked as one of the most beautiful places in America; Sedona has endless spots to explore, making it the PERFECT elopement destination. Whether you’re looking for an intense hike on your elopement day or just an easy walk- Sedona is filled with a range of easily accessible spots to challenging hiking adventures, all with equally epic views. As you enter this red rock desert playground, you will be completely surrounded by jaw-dropping buttes, canyon walls, and rock formations.
This Sedona elopement guide is filled with everything you need to know about planning a Sedona elopement, from the best elopement spots to advice on where to eat- I’VE GOT YOU COVERED.
follow along below to learn everything you need to know about
how to plan a Sedona elopement
Sedona Elopement FAQ’s
Can you get married in Sedona?
Yes you can get married in Sedona! A lot of couples choose to get married in Sedona amongst the towering red rock sand beautiful scenery.
What is a Sedona Elopement?
A Sedona elopement a unique and intimate wedding experience where the focus is brought back to the couple by creating a day filled with activities/experiences they love. Many couples choose to elope in Sedona because there are so many beautiful places to explore in nature and it is surrounded by a cute town with great food & activities.
Do you need a permit to Get Married Sedona?
You do not need a permit to get married in Sedona in most locations. There are rules to go along with this though. Certain locations in wilderness areas you are not permitted to take photos or have a ceremony at all. Also, Sedona elopements do not allow free-standing arches, tables, chairs on the National Forest Land. If you’re looking to have any of those items, you will need a permit. Lastly, there are a few specific areas in Sedona that require a permit to have an elopement there- so make sure to hire a photographer who knows all these rules & regulations!
How much does it cost to elope in Sedona?
The cost of a Sedona elopement can range from $2,000-$25,000 depending on what types of things are important to you for your elopement. Some couples highly value photography/videography and want to put their money there, while others know they want some beautiful lodging & a small reception after their adventure elopement. It totally depends on the couple, but the best part about elopements are you get to choose which parts of a wedding day you want to include & spend money on, while leaving out all the other stuff you don’t feel is necessary!
Looking for a Sedona Elopement Photographer?
Check out more of my work below!
Best Time of Year for your Sedona Elopement
While Sedona looks beautiful year round, there are a few months out of the year that are more optimal than others.
The best time of year for a Sedona elopement is in the fall or spring. This is when the weather is the most optimal.
March-may- a Spring sedona elopement
If you’re looking for ideal temperatures and flowering cacti and plants, March through May is a perfect time for your Sedona elopement. Weather ranges from low 60s to mid 80s during this time of year. With desert flora blooming everywhere, spring is a perfect time to visit Sedona. If you’re looking to minimize crowds- I recommend planning your Sedona elopement at the earlier part of the spring season.
End of September-November- a fall sedona elopement
Fall is a great time of year to explore Sedona with less crowds than the spring. Temperatures are still ideal and not too hot in the fall. Although things won’t be blooming as much, Sedona’s beauty truly comes from the red rocks that look STUNNING all year round. November is an optimal time to visit Sedona, as it is approaching the off-season, with the least amount of crowds and great lodging deals.
My Recommendation:
april-May & October-November are the best months for a sedona elopementApril-May and October-November are on the edge of peak seasons while still providing optimal weather for your elopement.
Related: Looking for a better summer elopement location?
Washington State is filled with beautiful mountains, wildflowers, and forest views. Check out my washington elopement guide below
Sedona Elopement Spots
Where to Elope in Sedona:
Cathedral Rock Trail: Cathedral Rock Trail is the most iconic trail in Sedona, and for good reason. For a mild uphill climb, you get some of the most epic red rock formations and views. With the ability to walk out on the cliff’s edge, Cathedral Rock can’t be missed. This hike is worth the crowds (you always make friends when you hike up in wedding attire) and the views are breathtaking every time. Sunset is an optimal time to get that glowing light behind Cathedral Rock, but I personally think sunrise is a great way to escape the crowds.
Airport Mesa Trail: Airport Mesa Trail is a 3 mile loop, but there are plenty of spots & viewpoints that are accessible via car and a short walk without hiking the whole trail.
Yavapai Vista Trail: A super easy and beautiful trail for Sedona elopements!
Looking for lesser known & unique locations for your Sedona elopement? Hire a Sedona Elopement Photographer who works in the area frequently!
SEDONA ELOPEMENT ADVICE:
Hike in your athletic clothes and then change into your wedding attire at the top- once you get dressed, have your significant other looking out at the views while you have them turn around for a ‘first look’ on your elopement day surrounded by beautiful red rock views.
Sedona elopement photographer
hey, i’m amanda.
I’m an adventure elopement photographer who has photographed over 100 elopements.
I specialize in fall & spring Sedona elopements.
My goal is to work with you to help create an amazing wedding adventure, and capture all the beautiful moments that come with that experience.
i believe YOUR WEDDING DAY SHOULD BE AS adventurous, as breathtaking, and unique as you want it to be.
My goal is to capture wedding photos that make you feel something. I want to tell the story of your elopement day so you can look back and re-live those moments for the rest of your life.
I want to work with couples to design their ‘perfect day’ that they didn’t even think was possible. I am so excited to hear more about you two as a couple and help create the perfect adventure for both of you.
i want to help you create your dream elopement in sedona az.
How to Get to Sedona AZ
By Plane:
Flagstaff Airport (FLG): Flagstaff Arizona is about a 50 minute drive to Sedona. Although this airport is extremely small, it is a great option if you frequently fly American Airlines or United.
Phoenix Airport (PHX): The Phoenix Airport is about 2 hours to Sedona. This is the most common option for people visiting Sedona as you can find some affordable flights with a minimal drive.
By Car:
Sedona is definitely a destination where you need a rental car. There is minimal public transportation in the area and you will be MUCH better off driving around to explore the area. There is plenty of cell service in the Sedona, so you will be able to GPS to navigate around to different hiking trails. If you are deciding whether to fly into Flagstaff or Phoenix, you may get a better rental car price at the Phoenix airport since it is much larger.
Peak Season & Crowds:
As I touched on earlier, spring and early fall can get crowded in Sedona. This can make parking at certain trailheads very difficult. If you are planning to have your elopement or wedding in Sedona- I HIGHLY recommend having your elopement on a weekday- so you have more privacy and intimacy at your location.
Where to Stay for your Sedona Elopement
Airbnbs for your sedona elopement
Hotels for your sedona elopement
Looking for a more relaxing and luxurious place to stay in Sedona? Amara Resort is a great spa location for your Sedona elopement. With daily yoga classes, wine hour, coffee & tea, it has everything you could want for a spa weekend.
Another luxurious hotel option for couples who love the amenities of a hotel. Included with your stay you’ll have access to their beautiful pool & fitness center.
The Enchantment Resort is surrounded by stunning views of red rock canyons, combining the rugged Southwest landscape with luxurious amenities and Native American culture. Each guest rooms have private decks with great views.
Great Places to Eat During your Sedona Elopement & Visit
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Sedona Elopement Packages
Are you 100% set on getting married in Sedona? HECK YES. Now it’s time to start planning! Here are my wedding/elopement photography packages for couples looking for someone to help them plan & photograph their adventurous wedding day!
Full Day Adventure Elopements
The full day adventure elopement packages start at 8 hours and are for couples looking for a full day adventure in the outdoors while capturing the story of their day with just themselves or with close friends and family. These packages include full planning assistance to find the perfect location, create a custom timeline, and guide you through the elopement planning process.
Includes:
- 8 hours, 10 hours, or 2 Day Elopement Photography
- Personalized Adventure Guide & Location List
- Elopement Planning Handbook
- Custom Timeline Creation
- Option to include both sunrise & sunset in your day
- High Resolution Gallery of Photos
Starting at $7200
Half Day Vow Ceremony & Golden Hour Adventure:
This elopement experience is for couples who want to say their vows in an amazing location & take adventure photos at golden hour. Couples who choose this option are looking for a simple elopement experience and don’t want full day coverage/planning offered in the other elopement packages.
Includes:
- 4 Hours of Photography Coverage
- Location List of set locations nearby
- High Resolution Gallery of Photos
Starting at $4500
Video Add-Ons
Looking for video of your elopement without hiring a separate elopement videographer?
I’m now offering a few different options of video add ons to your elopement packages:
1. ‘Home Movie’ Style Elopement Video
2. Behind the Scenes iPhone Video Content
3. Ceremony Recording
Interested in Eloping in Sedona Arizona?
The As both an elopement photographer and guide, I work with my couples to help plan their PERFECT elopement day. If you’re looking for a photographer who is super laid back, loves to joke around, and is always looking to make best friends- I’m your girl.
Sedona Elopement Advice:
Hike popular trails at sunrise to avoid major crowds and to have the amazing Sedona views to yourself
Hike early morning or later afternoon in the summer there is limited shade on certain Sedona hiking trails, so hiking mid day can lead to overheating & exhaustion
Bring water with you… always the Arizona sun can be strong during all seasons, it’s important to stay hydrated at all times
Buy a Red Rock Pass & leave it on your dashboard Sedona isn’t a National Park, so you actually need a different pass to park at the trailheads, thankfully it is super affordable and is only $5 per day or $15 for the week.
Looking for some Off-Roading Jeep Trails?
Barlow Adventures has some great Jeep Rentals with trail-maps and instructions on how to go on off-roading in Sedona, an epic idea for adventurers and Jeep lovers alike.Use the AllTrails app to find unique trails & track your hikes AllTrails is a great way to see the distance and elevation gain of a trail- it also shows previous hiker’s photos to get a better idea of what the trail is like
Make sure to be prepared with proper gear for the time of year, sunscreen, sunglasses. water, cramptons, windbreaker- make sure to research what you will need during each season
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