Sedona Elopement Guide: How to Elope in Sedona, AZ

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groom kissing bride on forehead

A small town in central Arizona, Sedona is best known for its vibrant red rocks and comfortable weather year-round. Only a few hours north of Phoenix, you’ll discover Sedona’s unique rock formations and evergreens scattered across the canyons. A Sedona elopement is perfect for couples who want to say “I do” in the magical wilderness of Arizona! 

In this guide, you’ll learn all about how to plan your adventurous elopement in Sedona, Arizona!

The Best Time for a Sedona Elopement

T​he first thing you’ll want to think about when planning your elopement in Sedona is when you want to elope! Having a general idea of the season you want to elope in will help you know what to expect, and help you plan accordingly for your ceremony.

Winter Elopements in Sedona

W​inter in Sedona is the least busy time of year, but it’s also the coldest. It occasionally snows in higher elevations, but not a ton – there’s just a dusting of snow on top of the red rocks, which creates a unique view! The weather in town and in the canyons stays pretty mild this time of year, so you can still explore and have an outdoor adventure – but the nights can be chilly.

Spring Elopements in Sedona

Spring is a great time to elope in Sedona! The weather starts to warm up and flowers start to blossom, creating a gorgeous stark contrast to the infamous red rocks. Spring is also a pretty busy time to visit Sedona since the weather is pretty perfect around this time of year, but the mild temperatures mean it’s also the best time to get outdoors. Aim for a sunrise or sunset elopement to get some jaw-droppingly beautiful backgrounds for your ceremony!

Summer Elopements in Sedona

Though Sedona is cooler than most of Arizona, summer is still the hottest time of year. The heat can get a little overwhelming during the day, since this is a desert destination. If you want to have your Sedona elopement in the summer, try to have your ceremony at sunrise or sunset to beat the heat. You’ll also avoid the crowds at sunrise and get some pretty amazing colors!

Fall Elopements in Sedona

For a lot of couples, the best time for a Sedona elopement is fall. The warm weather through late fall is perfect for a backdrop of gorgeous colors of the changing leaves against the stunning red rocks. The crowds of summer dissipate after labor day, meaning it’ll be easier to find a more secluded location for your ceremony!

Hiring a Sedona Elopement Photographer

Once you’ve thought about when you’d like to tie the knot, you’ll want to find a Sedona elopement photographer! Doing this early will ensure that you get your top choice, plus they can help you plan the rest of your elopement!

My job as a Sedona elopement photographer is to make sure that you have the wedding day of your dreams – so I’ll get to know the two of you, and provide personalized tips and recommendations to help you create the perfect wedding day.

Contact me to start planning your Sedona elopement!

The Best Sedona Elopement Locations

Sedona is packed full of gorgeous elopement locations! Some of the most popular Sedona elopement locations include Devil’s Bridge and Cathedral Rock, but while they may be cool spots to visit, they can get really crowded, so they don’t make for ideal ceremony locations. Instead, you’ll want to find a place that’s more private to say your vows! When you book a Sedona elopement package with me, I’ll be sure to share all of my favorite lesser-known places to elope so you can worry less about waiting for that picture-perfect spot to open up and focus on what really matters – marrying the love of your life!

How to Get Legally Married in Sedona

To make your marriage official, you’ll need to get a marriage license from the state of Arizona. You can get this at any county clerk’s office, so if you live in Arizona, it’s easiest to get your license at the office closest to your home. If you’re coming from out of state to elope, the closest office to Sedona that issues marriage licenses is the Yavapai County Superior Court, located about 30 minutes away in Camp Verde – the office in Sedona doesn’t issue marriage licenses.

N​o matter where you obtain your license, you’ll both need to go down to the office in person. Bring both of your photo IDs (driver’s license or passport) and the marriage license fee of $83 – in Camp Verde you can pay with a debit or credit card, but if you get your license from another office, be sure to check with them ahead of time because many of them only accept cash, and the fee can vary!

You’ll receive your license that day, and since there’s no waiting period in Arizona, you can get married right away! It’ll expire after 12 months, so be sure to use it before the expiration date. You’ll need an officiant and two witnesses to sign your marriage license and then you’ll have to return it within 10 days of your ceremony to make it official!

Sedona Elopement Packages

Your love is unique, and your wedding experience should reflect that – you deserve an elopement that’s authentically you! My Sedona elopement packages are carefully curated to make sure that your wedding day feels just as intimate as all of your other adventures. My goal is to make your day as stress-free and fun as possible, so I’ll be there every step of the way to help you plan the perfect elopement! From finding the best locations and helping you get your permits and marriage license in order, to capturing every special moment as you say your vows, I’ll be sure to help make everything run as smoothly as it can! I want you to look back at the photos from your elopement and get that happy, warm feeling inside as you remember just how incredible your day was. So, if you’re ready to start planning your elopement in Sedona, or you want to know more about my Sedona elopement packages, get in touch!

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Specializing in Elopement & destination wedding photography

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