Where to Elope in Arizona
Arizona is one of my favorite places in the world, and the best part about it is the fact that it has so many amazing locations for weddings and elopements. Whether you’re looking for something…
quaint and remote,
adventurous and epic,
beautiful and intimate,
there’s something for every bride in Arizona.
I’m Tylee, a Destination Wedding and Elopement Photographer. I’ve seen the best locations that Arizona has to offer and I’m here to help you find your dream place to get married in Arizona!
Grand Canyon National Park
This well-known spot is more than perfect for weddings and elopements. The Grand Canyon National Park is massive, and therefore requires special use permits and reservations if you hope to have your ceremony at one of the popular viewpoints. My personal favorite spots around the park for ceremonies are Shoshone Point, Grandeur Point, and Cape Royal Amphitheatre. For more information on how to elope in a United States National Park, I have a whole guide linked here. And to learn more specifics about eloping at the Grand Canyon, view this website for more information and to reserve permits.
Saguaro National Park
Tuscon, Arizona
If you’re hoping to say ‘I Do’ amongst thousands of cacti, this is the place for your elopement. Saguaro is another incredible National Park for elopements located just 30 minutes outside of Tucson, Arizona. It is seriously cactus heaven, and offers so many different unique spots to tie the knot.Since it is another National Park, there is a special use permit that is required to get married here regardless of the size of your wedding. Check out more information on the wedding permits and instructions on how to apply here.
Cathedral Rock
Sedona, Arizona
Known as both a scenic and spiritual place, Sedona is the perfect setting to start your forever. My favorite place in Sedona for elopements and weddings is Cathedral Rock.
It is a very easy hike, just 10-15 minutes from the parking lot, and it takes you to a flat platform with incredible views. This is where most people opt to do their ceremony and exchange their vows, especially if you have a few guests tagging along to witness it.
Additionally, you have the option of hiking all the way to the top. This takes another 30-45 minutes, but trust me, the view is epic. This would be a great place for the two of you (plus your photographer!) to pop some champagne and take some more portraits after you’ve said “I Do.” No permit is needed here, all you will need is a Red Rocks Park pass which can be purchased at a pay station in the Cathedral Rock parking lot.
Lost Dutchman State Park
Phoenix, Arizona
If your dream is to get married with a scenic mountain range and massive cacti in the background, this is the place for you. The Lost Dutchman State Park is a hidden gem just an hour outside of Phoenix, Arizona. It offers amazing hikes, incredible botany, and the perfect setting for an effortlessly beautiful elopement.There is an application you must fill out and a fee for weddings in the Lost Dutchman State Park, and the price varies depending on how many guests will be attending (if any). Check out more information and access the application here.
Locket Meadow
Flagstaff, Arizona
From mountains, to evergreen trees, to meadows and wildflowers, to my personal favorite- a birch tree forest, Lockett Meadow has so much to offer and gives a very unique atmosphere compared to most other places in Arizona. Lockett Meadow Inner Basin Loop is the main hiking trail that will take you to all of the great views. Day use fees are $5 per vehicle, and no permit or fee is required to get married here unless you have a group of 75+ people. However, there is a permit required for commercial photography, so make sure that your wedding or elopement photographer is covered.
The Getaway Frame
Pinetop, Arizona
If a cozy cabin in the woods with your closest family and friends is more your vibe, I know of the perfect place for you to elope: The Getaway Frame. This luxurious AirBNB is known for hosting beautiful micro weddings and elopements. It’s the perfect place for you to make a weekend out of your wedding with the people that mean the most to you, surrounded by forests, mountains and natural beauty.
Check out @getawayframe on Instagram to see more of the weddings and events that have taken place here, and visit their AirBNB page to learn more about reserving this space for your best day ever.
Glen Canyon
Page, Arizona
To be totally honest, I may or may not have saved the best for last. Glen Canyon is a massive expanse of land filled with incredible views, hikes, slot canyons, overlooks, and the amazing Lake Powell. Northern Arizona is seriously magical, and I would highly recommend considering this area when you are planning your dream elopement.
A few spots in Glen Canyon to consider for your elopement are;
- Horseshoe Bend: This is a highly trafficked spot, so it is great for an early morning sunrise elopement, or a location to go take more photos after you have already exchanged your vows somewhere more quiet. The parking lot fee is $10 and the viewpoint is just a short walk from the parking lot.
- Slot Canyons: These magical red rock canyons are unlike anything else. They set the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable elopement and stunning photographs. Each of the slot canyons are on Navajo preservations and require paid tours to visit, but they are worth every penny. The most popular is by far Antelope Canyon, but I would recommend checking out one of the other canyons for more privacy and cheaper tour rates. My recommendations are Canyon X, Ligaii Si Andi Canyon, Wind Pebble, or Waterhole Canyon. Tours for these lesser known slot canyons can be booked here.
- Lake Powell. This is a surreal destination, and probably the one that offers the most privacy out of all the Glen Canyon spots. For that reason, I would recommend exchanging your vows at Lake Powell, and potentially choosing to do more photos at the slot canyons or Horseshoe Bend at a different time in the day. Lake Powell offers the most free range exploring and opportunity to find a secluded spot. You can either rent a boat to explore the lake until you find a remote spot that suits your taste, or rent 4×4’s and take the off-road trails until you discover your favorite place. Trust me, it won’t be difficult. Lake Powell is surrounded by so much beauty and there are hundreds of nooks I’ve discovered that would make for stunning ceremony backdrops.
Most of these locations around Glen Canyon and Page do not require special permits for weddings. The only expenses would be paying for are the tour fees when visiting the slot canyons, parking lot fees at Horseshoe Bend, and/or rental fees for a boat or 4×4 when exploring Lake Powell.
