If you’ve considered eloping but weren’t sure where to elope, think about eloping in Arizona. With a great deal of diverse landscapes that are full of vibrant warm tones, eloping in Arizona will not disappoint nature lovers, mountain hikers, and desert explorers. Not sure where to start? Well, we have you covered with this guide to eloping in Arizona.
Arizona Desert Elopement
When Jonathan and I found out we were going to be in Arizona, we knew we had to reach out to Hope + Josiah. I’ve known Hope for a while now and I took her senior photos as well as photos of her family a few years back. Hope and her husband, Josiah, moved to Arizona and we knew they had just celebrated their 1-year anniversary which gave us an idea. We asked if they would be willing to model for us for some photos as celebrate their anniversary. We were ecstatic that they said yes!
Golden hour in the desert just hits differently and this evening with Hope and Josiah was no different. The 100+ degree day was starting to cool off with a lovely breeze just for this. Looking up you couldn’t help but be captivated by the golden turned pink colors as the evening went on. The mountains hugged us from all sides as we explored between the cacti.
The way that Hope and Josiah looked at each other created a beautiful warmth. They were at ease in one another’s presence and not worried about the camera. These two were full of joy, laughter, and sweetness. They shared love letters with one another, played guitar together, and ran through the desert holding hands. Love stories like these are a delight to witness.
The professionalism of Vallosio Photo + Film paired with the easy-going nature of a shoot makes one feel comfortable in front the lens, and that is coming from someone typically camera shy! They pay such close attention to detail and story, and I love that. I’ve done photos with them in Indiana, and they have traveled to AZ where we live now, and every time I am blown away! 10/10 would recommend!
-Hope S.
Leave No Trace
During our exploring, we made sure to Leave No Trace. We stuck to the dirt trail and were mindful of plants + wildlife. At one point we set up a blanket for Hope + Josiah to sit on and we were extremely intentional to put the blanket in a place where there were no plants—it was just dirt and rock. When we finished taking photos, we packed everything out and made sure we didn’t leave anything behind.
All of this to say: eloping in Arizona could be epic. And if this aesthetic speaks to you, then eloping in Arizona might be the perfect fit for your amazing day. If you still have a lot of questions, keep reading to learn how you can elope in Arizona.
How to Elope in Arizona
What do we need for eloping in Arizona?
To legally get married in Arizona, this is what you need to do:
- obtain an Arizona marriage license
- hire an ordained officiant (or bring a friend who is ordained)
- be sure to have two witnesses present (if you hire a photographer + videographer, they count!)
When acquiring an Arizona marriage license, you both will need to go to the courthouse of the county where you will be getting married in. Make sure you both have 2 forms of I.D. and money to pay for the marriage license. Also, request to get a certified copy of your marriage license that day as this will save you headaches down the road—it is an extra fee in some cases.
Read this to know what is required based off the county you plan to tie the knot in. From there, you’ll should be in contact with the courthouse of the county you will be getting married in. Once everything is done and the marriage license is signed, the officiant will mail in the license for everything to become official.
PRO TIP: If thinking about getting legally married in another state is stressful to you, we recommend that you get legally married where you live before your elopement. This keeps things very simple on your end. At your elopement, you can still share your vows and enjoy a ceremony or epic adventure without having to worry about legal logistics.
Where are some locations you’d recommend for eloping in Arizona?
There are lots of lovely locations from Phoenix to Flagstaff to Sedona to the Grand Canyon. Depending on the type of scenery you want, Arizona really has a lot of diverse options! Where we photographed Hope + Josiah was just a little bit north of Phoenix.
Depending on the location you choose depends on if you will need a special permit for your elopement as different parks and areas have different rules. Be sure to look at the website of the location you are considering or give them a quick email or call if you are unsure. Respecting the rules of these beautiful places will allow for these areas to remain open, kept safe, and accessible to many for years to come.
A Few Suggested Locations to Elope in Arizona:
- Grand Canyon National Park – picture this at sunrise…
- Devil’s Bridge in Sedona – gorgeous red rock combined with a solid hike
- Flagstaff – more trees and mountains blowing in the breeze and less red rock
- Slot Canyons – these small canyons play with light in a cool way
- Saguaro National Park – lots of cacti for those who love these plants
How much does it cost to elope in Arizona?
This is up to you as it depends on what you and your partner value.
Eloping in Arizona Checklist:
- Marriage License ($50-$150 depending on the county and additional fees.)*
- Wedding Day Special Use Permit (This depends on the location you choose.)
- National Park Entrance Fees (If you want to use a national park as your backdrop, you’ll have to pay to get in.)
- Officiant ($50-$200 depending on if it’s a friend or a professional and how long they will be there.)*
- Photographer ($2,500-$8,500 depending on if you hire a local photographer or not.)
- Outfits (Depends on if you thrift your wedding dress or buy designer—you do you!)
- Food (Whether you want a small cake or a picnic, this price varies on if you hire a caterer.)
- Bouquet + Décor ($50-$500 depending on how elaborate you want. Don’t leave ANYTHING behind. Some locations will limit how much décor you have due to Leave No Trace principles protecting the area. We encourage you to embrace nature as your décor and the “less is more” principle.)
- Activities (Ex: picnic, hiking at a park, rocking climbing, horseback riding, etc.)
- Bringing guests will affect the cost so think about if you want others to join or not.
What time of the year is best for eloping in Arizona?
When we were in Arizona photographing Hope + Josiah, it was June. We waited pretty late in the evening for the start of photos and it was still 99 degrees—although it didn’t feel like it with the wonderful breeze we had that evening and as the sun set behind the mountains.
Realistically, it depends on the time of day, but the most recommended times to visit Arizona are in the spring and fall—specifically October, November, March, and April. Summer is very hot, and you don’t want to have to worry about the heat.
From our experience, the heat hits at 10 am and lasts until 5 pm or later. However, if you have your heart set on a specific date in the summer, then sunrise and sunset would be the two times of date to make the most of things. Something to remember is that you can always do indoor activities in the afternoon or even take a break in the middle of the day.
What activities could we incorporate into our Arizona elopement?
- Visit a National Park or Monument
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Camping
- Hot Air Balloon Ride
- Horseback Riding
- Mountain Biking
- Off-Roading
- Playing Guitar
- Boating/Kayaking/Paddle-Boarding/Canoeing
- Helicopter Ride
- Stargazing
Arizona is filled with epic activities that you can incorporate into your elopement! This will help you decide on your location and time of year if you plan on eloping in Arizona.
Just remember that it’s you and your partner’s day. If an adventure elopement in Arizona checks all the boxes for both of you, then go for it. The most important thing we will continue to emphasize is no matter what kind of wedding you choose to have, make sure it brings you and your partner joy. That is what matters most as you start your marriage.
For any questions about eloping whether it’s in Arizona or somewhere else, please reach out to us! We would love to help you figure out what best fits you and your partner!
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