While Arizona is best known for its vast deserts, cactus gardens, and hot climate, the northern part of the state is a whole different story! A few hours north of Phoenix, you’ll find the town of Flagstaff – surrounded by mountain peaks and pine forests, a Flagstaff elopement is perfect for couples who want to experience the seasons, and elope amongst the more woodsy scenery of Arizona.
This guide will tell you all about how to elope in Flagstaff, Arizona – so you can plan a wedding day that’s epic, and truly one of a kind.
How Do You Elope in Flagstaff?
There are a few things you’ll need to know to elope in Flagstaff – from marriage laws to ceremony locations, and more! Here ‘s what you’ll find in this Flagstaff elopement guide:
- The Best Time to Elope in Flagstaff
- Hiring a Flagstaff Elopement Photographer
- The Best Places to Elope in Flagstaff
- How to Get Legally Married When You Elope in Flagstaff, Arizona
- Flagstaff Elopement Packages
The Best Time to Elope in Flagstaff
The first step to planning your Flagstaff elopement is to decide when you want to elope! You don’t have to set a date quite yet, but one of the great things about Flagstaff, Arizona is that it has all four seasons – so your elopement experience will be different depending on when you tie the knot.
Winter Elopements in Flagstaff
Unlike most of Arizona, Flagstaff experiences pretty harsh winters! The high elevation means colder average temperatures, and snow. November through March is a great time to elope if you want to experience the snow, or hit the ski slopes! What’s great about Flagstaff is that the sun still shines often – so after a snow storm, the sunshine reappears in a day or two, creating a gorgeous, sparkling, winter wonderland.
Spring Elopements in Flagstaff
In the spring, Flagstaff warms up and the flowers bloom! Tulips and daffodils sprinkle the town, adding fun pops of color all over. It’s usually sunny, but mornings and evenings are still pretty cold, and there’s often a chilly spring breeze. You’ll definitely need layers if you plan to elope in the spring!
Summer Elopements in Flagstaff
Summer is, for most couples, an ideal time to elope in Flagstaff. The daily temperatures are warm, but not too hot (unlike the deserts in Arizona), and mornings and evenings are the definition of “sweater weather.” This time of year is perfect for hiking, as the mountain trails are snow free! But, July and August are usually the rainiest, with intense rainstorms happening in the afternoon. Luckily, these storms tend to pass quickly, and you can plan your ceremony for sunrise or sunset to avoid them!
Fall Elopements in Flagstaff
Fall is a wonderful time in Flagstaff. It’s usually sunny and pretty warm, and the leaves change to vibrant shades of gold. The Aspen groves in the mountains are an incredible place to see the fall foliage, and this is a great time for hiking and exploring outdoors.
Hiring a Flagstaff Elopement Photographer
After you have an idea of when you’d like to elope and what season you want to experience, it’s time to get in touch with a Flagstaff elopement photographer! I recommend doing this early on, because after your photographer is booked, they’ll be able to help you with the rest of the planning.
As a Flagstaff elopement photographer (hint, hint, here’s my contact page!), my job is to make sure you have the wedding day you’re dreaming of. I’ll get to know the two of you and what you want your elopement to look like, so that I can give you personalized recommendations and help you create a totally customized, unique day!
Get in touch to start planning your Flagstaff elopement!
The Best Places to Elope in Flagstaff, Arizona
Next, it’s time to decide on an elopement location! As a Flagstaff elopement photographer, I send a questionnaire to get to know you and what you’re looking for (like whether you want to hike, what kind of views you’re drawn to, that sort of thing), and provide a personalized list of recommendations for each couple. But, to get you inspired, here are a few of the best places to elope in Flagstaff!
Lockett Meadow
This is one of the best places to elope in Flagstaff if you’re looking for those gorgeous, woodsy views! The meadow closes in the winter, because the road to get here is rocky and difficult to navigate in the snow. But the rest of the year, the meadow is a beautiful open field surrounded by Aspen groves and mountains. It’s a stunning place for an elopement, with wildflowers blooming in the spring and incredible foliage displays in the fall!
Snowbowl
Snowbowl is the ski resort on Humphreys Peak – and while it’s most popular for winter sports, it’s one of the best places to elope in Flagstaff year round! From the gorgeous mountain, you can see the valley below and the surrounding peaks. For a bird’s eye view of the scenery, there’s even a gondola!
Kendrick Cabin
For a unique Flagstaff elopement experience, you can book a retired forest service fire guard station – this cabin built in the 1960’s is the perfect rustic getaway, tucked in the gorgeous natural scenery of Coconino National Forest. Around here, you’ll find views of the San Francisco Peaks and Kendrick Mountain, hiking trails, forest groves, and endless natural beauty. You can book the cabin from May to October, and the three bedroom house has all the modern amenities, and can host up to 10 people!
How to Get Legally Married in Flagstaff, Arizona
When you elope in Flagstaff, you’ll need to learn about Arizona’s marriage laws to get legally married!
First, you need a marriage license. This can be obtained at any county clerk’s office in the state of Arizona, so if you live in the state, it’s usually easiest to find the office closest to home. If you’re traveling for your Flagstaff elopement, there’s an office right in town.
You’ll both need to go to the office in person, with a photo ID (driver’s license or passport) for both of you. An Arizona marriage license costs $83 – while the Flagstaff office does accept debit and credit cards, if you choose a different location, keep in mind that many of them do not – check this ahead of time, and bring cash if needed!
You’ll get your marriage license the same day, and there is no waiting period, which means you can use it right away! It expires after 12 months, so your ceremony needs to take place within a year, and after you tie the knot, the marriage license needs to be returned within 10 days.
An officiant and two witnesses are required to sign the marriage license!
Flagstaff Elopement Packages
You deserve a wedding day you love – one that’s authentic, true to you, as real and intimate as all your adventures. My Flagstaff elopement packages are designed to make sure you get the most perfect day – and nothing less! I’m all about creating a stress free day, so I’m here to help with finding the perfect spot, getting the right permits, navigating marriage laws, creating an epic timeline, and everything you need to plan your Flagstaff elopement! And of course, I’ll be there to document the whole thing, so you can look back on these photos and see the once in a lifetime story of your elopement day unfold, forever.
If you’re ready to tie the knot, contact me to start planning your Flagstaff elopement!
