How to Elope in Arizona | Your Comprehensive Guide to Arizona Elopements

If you’re looking for epic natural landscapes, amazing weather, and plenty of outdoor adventures for your elopement, Arizona is the perfect destination for you! With incredible geographic diversity ranging from colorful deserts and red rock formations to rugged mountains and snowy alpine forests, Arizona truly has something for everybody.

So you want to elope in Arizona?

Sounds good to me! Arizona is stinking incredible! When I graduated college, I sold all my stuff and moved to the Grand Canyon (yes, really!). I had never been west of Indiana, so it kind of knocked my socks off! I lived in the park for 5 months 😂

Last fall, I returned to Arizona for the first time in a decade and its incredible scenery blew me away again! Wait. why did I ever leave?? 😜😆

From hiking, rafting, jeeping, kayaking, hot air ballooning, and more — there are SO many possible adventures for your Arizona elopement. So let’s get you ready! This guide dives into some of the most important things to know about eloping in Arizona.

In this detailed Arizona elopement guide, you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions, advice on the best places to elope in Arizona, pricing for my all-inclusive Arizona elopement packages , and information on all the important legal details. Ready? Cool, me too!🤘

Why you should elope in Arizona

There are approximately a gazillion reasons to elope in Arizona. To begin with, Arizona has a ton of epic landscapes, including hundreds of mountain ranges, over 12 million acres of public lands, and 24 national parks, monuments, and forests!

From the iconic red rocks of Sedona and the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon (one of the seven natural wonders of the world) to the colorful deserts and the alpine forests in the high country, Arizona’s pretty freakin’ mind-blowing. It’s easily one of the most diverse places in the country! I don’t know if it’s something in the desert air, but this state seriously has THE BEST sunrises and sunsets. 😍 The whole sky seems to glow!

Besides the natural beauty, another great reason to elope in Arizona is its amazing weather. Sure, the desert gets hot in the summer, but the higher elevations up north have absolutely perfect weather. Phoenix gets over 300 days of sunshine a year and even Flagstaff — high in the mountains, gets over 260 days! That means you can pretty much always count on epic adventures and good suntans.

Another reason it’s dope to elope in Arizona is that pretty much all of its towns and cities have an ultra laid-back, outdoors-centric vibe. It’s always easy to find a super fun, locally-owned craft brewery, hot new restaurant, or funky boutique. Basically, Arizona has got it goin’ on!

Arizona elopement laws and how to get married in Arizona

Arizona marriage laws are fairly simple and straightforward. To elope in Arizona, you must first appear together in person at one of the state’s justice courts to apply for your marriage license. Note that some counties allow couples to apply online, in light of the pandemic. As requirements can still change at any time, it’s best to contact the county court directly — which I will help you with.

There is no waiting period or required blood test, and you can apply for your Arizona marriage license up to 12 months before your elopement day. The fee for an Arizona marriage license is $83.

Be prepared to provide the following information on your Arizona marriage license application:

Social Security Number (if you don’t have one, your passport qualifies; you don’t have to be a U.S. citizen to obtain an Arizona marriage license)

Both you and your partner must also provide valid, government-issued identification and submit a completed Arizona Marriage License Affidavit . In order to do this, you will be sworn in and sign the affidavit in the presence of the Clerk of the Superior Court.

Under Arizona marriage laws, you are required to be married by an officiant and have two witnesses over the age of 18. Great news: I’m ordained! 🙌 I can legally sign and file your Arizona marriage license for you if you prefer to exchange your vows and rings personally, without needing to find a third party. If it will just be the three of us, Arizona is FULL of happy hikers who are always super-duper stoked to be your legal witnesses! Both of you, the witnesses, and your officiant must sign your Arizona marriage license to make it legal.

To recap, here are the legal requirements to elope in Arizona:

One officiant and two witnesses required (that can be me and two cool hikers if you prefer a ‘just us’ ceremony)

No waiting period or blood test

Apply for your Arizona marriage license together, in-person, at any county justice court

The fee for an Arizona marriage license is $83

Getting special-use permits to elope in Arizona

Arizona is pretty dang generous with its public land. Fortunately, the vast majority of places you can elope in the state are totally free and do not require special permits. However, there are some exceptions to that — of course.

Special-use permits are required for eloping in Grand Canyon National Park. You must apply for the permit at least four weeks out, but can apply up to one year in advance. The Grand Canyon is popular; I highly recommend applying as soon as possible! Fees start at $240 and go up to $500, depending on the exact location you choose.

You will also need a special-use permit to elope at either Horseshoe Bend or Lake Powell, which are both within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The fee is $100, and you must apply a minimum of 45 days before your elopement day.

Sedona, one of the other best places to elope in Arizona, is largely public land. THIS IS MY FAAAAAAAVE! And my top recommended location for Arizona elopements. 🙌 However, some areas are within national forests or even on private land. Crescent Moon Ranch , which is a great spot if you have guests or want something easily accessible with sick-sick views and a picnic site, for example, costs around $50.

It can be a bit intimidating trying to figure out all this permit stuff, I know! If you have any questions at all about how to apply for one or if you even need one, that’s what I’m here for! I’ll walk you through every step of the process. That’s one of the major perks of hiring me as your elopement photographer — I’m basically your wedding planner, too!

The best places to elope in Arizona

I realize I may sound like a broken record, but one of the very best things about Arizona is its geographical diversity. Regardless of what type of epic landscape you have in mind for your Arizona elopement — a red rock canyon, the mighty Colorado River, a colorful desert at sunset, the majestic Grand Canyon, a turquoise lake, or a snow-blanketed alpine forest — we can easily find it for you.

Better yet, you may even be able to have the best of both worlds and get your elopement photography done in two very different areas. For example, the pines and high-elevation landscapes in Flagstaff are just over an hour from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim entrance, making it super easy to visit both. This is an excellent option for couples who aren’t totally sure where they want to elope in Arizona, or who simply can’t decide between two equally incredible areas.

Regardless of which end of the spectrum you’re on, whether your heart is set on a specific destination or you have no idea yet, the great news is that there are no bad places to elope in Arizona. Seriously — the whole dang state is stunning!

Based on what you have in mind in terms of landscape and the time of year, I will help you choose the best elopement destination in Arizona for you. It will be magical no matter where you pick! For some inspiration, here are my picks for the best places to elope in Arizona.

Elope in Sedona

Sedona is my favorite place to shoot Arizona elopements. It’s so unique and iconic, with its stunning natural red rock formations. Where else can you find ancient natural arches and bridges in the middle of the desert?! There are honestly countless places to elope in Sedona, but some of my favorite spots include Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Crescent Moon Ranch, and Merry-go-Round Rock.

Check out this epic sunset elopement on Cathedral Rock , one of the best places to elope in Sedona!

Just over 100 miles from Phoenix, Sedona is easily accessible from anywhere in the state. And at an elevation of 4,300-5,500 feet, it’s always quite a bit cooler than Phoenix and Tucson. Hiking and off-road jeeping are what Sedona is best for, plus there are lots of mountain biking trails and even opportunities for some hot air ballooning! The town of Sedona itself is an adorable place with great restaurants, shopping, and spas. The best part? Most — not all, but most Sedona elopement locations are absolutely FREE!

Imagine spending your elopement day exploring Sedona’s scenic backroads in a Jeep. Then, just before sunset, we hike or drive right up to the summit of a super-sweet spot where you take your vows looking out at the near-360-degree views, then settle in with a picnic and wait for the stars to pop out. When you’re ready to head down, I hand you both headlamps to light the way and take you back to your hotel, like this one that was voted one of the most romantic in the entire US .

Phoenix elopements

If you’re interested in eloping closer to the city, the Phoenix metro area has some fantastic elopement locations. You may think of it primarily as a massive city (and you’d be right; it’s the fifth-largest in the country!), but in fact, Phoenix is often referred to as “the valley” because it’s surrounded entirely by mountain ranges. That makes for some epic photos, where there’s a mixture of mountains, cityscapes, and those famous desert sunsets.

My personal favorite place to elope in Phoenix is the rugged Superstition Mountains (shown in the photo above!). It’s an easy 30-40 minute drive from Phoenix, but you’ll feel like you’re in another world. And the views and sunsets are EPIC! 😍 Other gorgeous places to elope in the valley include the Salt River (where we may get lucky and spot the wild horses who live there!), Canyon or Saguaro Lakes, and the many trails or nature preserves in Scottsdale and Cave Creek. Bonus: Like Sedona, all of these areas simply require a parking permit as the fee!

Depending on the exact location you choose to elope in Phoenix, there is no shortage of activities we could fill your day with. Popular options include hiking or biking, but we could also rent a boat or take paddle boards or kayaks out on one of the many lakes. The mountains, in particular, also have excellent sunrises, sunsets, and stargazing. Just remember, Phoenix gets extremely hot in the summer. I definitely recommend winter and spring elopements here, when the temperatures are perrrrrrrfect!

The valley is a big place — bigger than most people realize. I recommend staying somewhere central, so that you can easily explore as much of the area as possible. This eclectic geodesic Airbnb is one of my favorites in all of Phoenix because of its incredible views. There are also some wonderful historic boutique hotels in Phoenix, like the Hermosa Inn .

Grand Canyon elopements

If you’re one of those “go big or go home” types of people, you can’t do much better than eloping at Grand Canyon National Park. The incredible views extend far beyond what you can actually see, and this place is just all-around epic.

In true Arizona fashion, the Grand Canyon is full of extremes and paradoxes. According to the National Park Service , the coolest and wettest weather station in the entire Southwest is located at the North Rim — not even eight miles from the hottest, driest station at Phantom Ranch.

Largely because of the park’s weather extremes that can change on a dime, only 10 specific areas in the park are approved for elopements, and some are open only in the summer or winter. Eight of the approved sites are outdoor, two are indoor, and all require special-use permits, as discussed above. They are also typically all booked well in advance. You can apply for the permit and schedule your elopement up to one year prior to the date (sooooooooo for all you hyper planners😉) … One unusual thing to note about eloping at the Grand Canyon is that flowers are not allowed.

There’s a lot to coordinate and keep track of with Grand Canyon elopements, but the unforgettable views and epic elopement photos you’ll get are well worth it. Plus, you have me to walk you through everything 😉

Elope at Horseshoe Bend or Lake Powell

Horseshoe Bend is perhaps the most photographed landmark in Arizona, and for good reason. The iconic formation, where the Colorado River has carved a near-perfect horseshoe shape through the rock 1,000 feet below, is truly awe-inspiring. The hike to the rim (where we’ll take some epic photos!) is just 1.1 miles and very easy. You’ll definitely want to take sunset photos here, because the sun sets directly behind Horseshoe Bend!

Even better, Lake Powell, with its unique rock formations and startlingly blue waters, is just 15 minutes away from Horseshoe Bend (yes, we can totally explore both! 🤘). If you’re looking for a truly adventurous wedding day, Lake Powell is perfect. Imagine cruising around the lake on a powerboat, exploring hidden coves and beaches until we find the perfect one for you to exchange vows. Or riding around on jet skis, touring the lake in a helicopter, or even renting a houseboat with your closest family and friends? Sounds amazing, right?

Keep in mind that this area, like the Grand Canyon, experiences weather extremes in the summer and winter. Summer temperatures regularly top 100 degrees and it does sometimes snow in the winter. I highly suggest fall or spring if you’re considering eloping at Horseshoe Bend or Lake Powell!

Since both Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell are within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, they share the same permit requirements . As a reminder, special-use permits here are $100 and must be applied for at least 45 days in advance.

Other places to elope in Arizona

The locations we’ve discussed so far are just the tip of the iceberg (Arizona really is epic. and big!). Another amazing place to elope in Arizona includes Flagstaff — 12,633-foot Humphreys Peak has snow year-round and in the fall, Inner Basin Canyon glows yellow and orange as the leaves change.

If you love the idea of a desert elopement, consider Tucson in far southern Arizona. Saguaro National Park, the historic and romantic Spanish-style architecture, and legendary sunsets provide amazing backgrounds for elopement photography!

How much does it cost to elope in Arizona?

One of the best things about eloping is that you get to control many aspects of it — including the budget! I’ve shot elopements where the couples spent over $10,000 and I’ve also seen where they spent just a few hundred. And you know what? Every single one of those elopements was amazing in its own way! The whole point of eloping is to take the pressure off and do things your way, so there is no cookie-cutter mold for the budget. Whatever your vision is for your perfect Arizona elopement, we will work together to make it epic!

My Arizona elopement photography packages are all-inclusive and custom-tailored. My duties go way beyond adventure elopement photographer — I spend countless hours location scouting and researching, putting together your comprehensive, full-day elopement itinerary with activities like a sunrise hike or off-roading in Sedona, and helping you plan all the details of your big day. And like I mentioned earlier, I am ordained in this state and would be honored to sign and file your Arizona marriage license!

A few additional expenses you may want to budget for are a hairstylist, makeup artist, and floral designer. And of course, I’ll put you in touch with my local faves 😁.

Also, as mentioned previously, there may be additional expenses for special-use land permits. Many locations in Arizona don’t require them, but some state and national parks do, and private land usually does also. Depending on where you decide to elope in Arizona, these permits generally cost between $50 and $500.

Finally, don’t forget to account for accommodations in your Arizona elopement budget. Even if you’re not traveling from out of state to elope in Arizona, you deserve to celebrate and make your elopement day extra special. This is one of the most epic adventures you’ll have in your lifetime! Whether you nestle into a secluded Southern Arizona dude ranch for a week or spend the weekend lounging poolside at a Sedona resort, you’ll want to commemorate this special time by treating yourselves.

When is the best time to elope in Arizona?

Arizona’s weather is world-famous for two reasons: it’s either absolutely perfect when the rest of the country is buried under feet of snow, or it’s as hot as the sun 😂. While it does legitimately get HOT, all four seasons in Arizona offer their own unique beauty and benefits.

Fall – This is one of the best times for Arizona elopements, especially in the mountains and high country in northern Arizona. September can still be hot during the days, but the nights are cool. Through October and November, the weather is perfection.

Winter – Weather-wise, winter is the very best time to elope in Arizona. The lower elevations, like Tucson and Phoenix, typically enjoy high temperatures in the 60s and 70s. It does snow up north and sometimes (but rarely) even in Sedona, so it’s possible to pick two locations and get both a winter wonderland and desert landscape.

Spring – Spring elopements in Arizona are full of color! Wildflowers are in full bloom and it’s perpetually sunny, with rarely so much as a cloud in the sky. Snow begins to melt in the high country in March, so if you have dreams of eloping in Arizona near a rushing waterfall, think spring!

Summer – So everything you’ve heard about Arizona summers is true — but there are some exceptions. Southern and central Arizona do frequently reach temperatures of over 110 degrees, but summer in northern Arizona is incredible! Summer daytime highs in the cool pines of Flagstaff are usually in the 80s and it’s still cool at night.

If your heart isn’t set on a date but it is on a certain location, that will actually help us nail down your best time to elope in Arizona. For example, if your elopement day vision involves the stunning gold foliage in Inner Basin Canyon, we’re totally looking at a fall elopement.

Besides the season, something else to consider about the best time to elope in Arizona is the actual day of the week. I’ve shot hundreds of elopements and one thing I’ve learned is that weekdays are MUCH less busy than weekends. Not only are Arizonans notorious outdoor enthusiasts who love to enjoy their trails and parks (and rightfully so!), but Arizona is also a major year-round vacation destination. Along those same lines, if it’s possible to avoid holidays and school breaks, we’ll have a much easier time finding private places for your elopement photos.

Ready to start planning your perfect adventure elopement in Arizona?

Off-roading through red rock canyons, under ancient natural stone arches in search of hidden caves. Taking a helicopter tour over one of the greatest natural wonders on Earth. Hiking to a roaring waterfall in the middle of the desert. Adventuring through stunning aspen stands in the high country to see the leaves change in the fall. Stargazing from a houseboat on Lake Powell. All while having epic pictures taken of you and the love of your life. On your elopement day.

If one of (or heck, all of!) these scenarios sounds like your dream Arizona elopement, let’s make it happen! 🤗 You deserve an adventurous, stress-free, and FUN full-day elopement experience, and I’m here to help you make it a reality.

This guide on how to elope in Arizona hardly scratches the surface of all the epic things we can do on your wedding day. Hopefully, though, you have some great ideas to start planning! Contact me today so we can set things in motion for your perfect elopement. I cannot wait to meet you both!