Sedona Elopement Guide

We highly recommend finding a photographer first to make sure that he or she is available during the timeframe that you plan to elope in Sedona, Arizona. We recommend choosing a photographer that you feel relaxed and confident that you’ll be able to be your natural selves. Every photographer has a different approach to how they capture moments throughout the day, so we think that it’s a good idea to ask how the photographer will guide you throughout the entire experience.

Our photography style is documentary focused to create a safe space for you and your other half to share authentic moments on your wedding day. We create a balance of guiding you if we have a specific vision for a shot, and allowing you both to melt into a private moment or experience. Our goal is to make you feel as if you’re adventuring with good friends that happen to take epic photos as we explore together!

Sedona is absolutely STUNNING year round, but we recommend getting married in the spring, fall, or winter to escape the summer heat.

March to May: Many couples opt to elope in Sedona in the spring because of the mild temperatures and flowering plants! From March to May, enjoy weather in the low 60s to mid 80s and flowering desert flora all around (flowering cacti, anyone?). It’s also a great time to take advantage of fewer crowds and tourists. 

September to November: Fall in Sedona means less crowds and milder temperatures, but far less flowers than the spring. However, the fall weather looks beautiful on the Red Rocks. If crowds are your concern, an October or November elopement is close enough to the off-season that you won’t find too many people around!

November to March: Sedona can make a beautiful winter elopement destination. During peak winter, temperatures in Sedona will drop well below freezing and you can get an occasionally gets snowfall on the peaks!

We will provide a detailed guide for you immediately after booking with us! The elopement guide will have our recommendations from years of visiting this incredible part of the country. We’ve worked with several other wedding vendors that we highly recommend, which helps speed up your research process and allows you to book whichever vendor that you connect with the most.

We do not recommend booking an all-in-one elopement package because it doesn’t allow you to have options. We’ll share recommendations for videographers, officiants, florists, hair + makeup artists, musicians, and specialty bakeries.

If you do plan to get married in Sedona, you’ll need to bring a few things with you: a valid ID, your social security number, and your partner!

No matter the county in Arizona, your marriage license costs $83. You can get your marriage license anywhere in Arizona, no matter the location of your ceremony. You will have to contact one of the county superior courts for your marriage license. The closest court to Sedona is Yavapai County Superior Court in Camp Verde, or Coconino County Superior Court in Flagstaff. You will need an officiant to perform your ceremony and sign your marriage license before mailing it to the Clerk of the Superior Court.

Unless you plan to use a traditional wedding venue, you will more than likely need a permit to elope in Sedona, Arizona. 

If you plan to elope in the Coconino National Forest, find all permit information here.

If you plan to tie the knot in an Arizona State Park, like Red Rock State Park, find all permit information here. 

In both cases, you’ll need to fill out applicable forms for your Sedona elopement. Each destination has different rules for what is allowed and how much the permit will cost. You should plan to send in your permit application as soon as possible, with a minimum of four weeks prior to your wedding.

Most couples that elope in Sedona opt to fly into one of Arizona’s major airports, rent a car, and drive to Sedona for their ceremony. Sedona does have a small airport, but it mostly hosts small charter planes and private planes.  

If you fly into Phoenix, take the I-17 North until you hit Sedona. It’s about two hours by car, and it’s the most popular option for couples. You can also fly into the smaller Flagstaff Airport and drive around 45 minutes to Sedona. The drive passes through Oak Creek Canyon, a beautiful spot to stop. 

Some hotels and resorts may also offer shuttle services from Phoenix or Scottsdale to Sedona, though it depends on the resort.