THE ULTIMATE ARIZONA ELOPEMENT GUIDE
If you’re interested in getting married in an area with stunning natural landscapes, incredible weather, and plenty of outdoor adventures, then an Arizona Elopement is for you! With wide geographic diversity ranging from colorful deserts with tall Saguaro and red rock formations to rugged mountains and snowy alpine forests, Arizona truly has something for everybody.
Arizona Elopement Planning Checklist
- Choose a Time of Year
- Hire an Arizona Elopement Photographer
- Pick an Epic Arizona Colorado Elopement Location
- Book your Arizona Lodging
- Choose Adventures for your Arizona Elopement
- Apply for an Arizona Marriage License
- Get Married & Celebrate!
Why You Should Elope in Arizona
There are so many reasons to elope in Arizona. As mentioned, Arizona has several epic landscapes, including hundreds of mountain ranges, over 12 million acres of public lands, and 24 national parks, monuments, and forests!
Arizona’s not lacking in its scenic offerings. It’s one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The iconic red rocks of Sedona, the vastly stunning Grand Canyon, the colorful deserts, and the alpine forests in the high country are just parts of Arizona’s natural beauty. It’s easily one of the most diverse places in the country! I don’t know if it’s something in the desert air, but this state has the most gorgeous sunrises and sunsets — the whole sky always seems to have that perfect golden glow.
Another reason Arizona is one of my top recommendations to elope is that many of its towns and cities have a cool outdoor-centric vibe. I always love finding a town where it’s easy to find super fun, locally-owned craft brewery, restaurants/coffee shops, and a unique boutique. Ok, you get it. Arizona really has got it going on!
TOP ARIZONA ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS:
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Lake Powell
- Page
- Kanab
- Horseshoe Bend
- Superstition Mountains
- Saguaro National Park
- Sedona
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
- Slot Canyons (Various Locations)
Best Time of Year to Elope in Arizona
The best times to visit Arizona, in my opinion are February-April and mid-September-November. Unless you can handle some heat (and I mean heat), it’s best to avoid the prime summer months. Much of the state will be close to the high 90s-100s, and it will be unpleasant to be outside for long durations of time. Save yourself the headache (literally), and pick a cooler month to elope! While majority of the country is freezing, Arizona is nice & perfectly warm.
Most days in Arizona are bright and sunny, aside from the Summer monsoon season. Great weather is abundant! The chance of you being in the sunshine is high. Phoenix gets over 300 days of sunshine yearly, and even Flagstaff — high in the mountains, gets over 260 days. Fall in Arizona offers stunning autumn colors, while spring shares beautiful wildflower blossoms. You’re almost always guaranteed to get your dose of Vitamin D.
Arizona Elopement Laws & How to Get Married in Arizona
Arizona marriage laws are fairly simple and straightforward. To elope in Arizona, you must first appear together and in person at one of the state’s justice courts to apply for your marriage license. In light of the pandemic, some counties allow couples to apply online . As requirements can change at any time, it’s best to contact the county court directly — which I will help you with.
There is no waiting period or required blood test, and you can apply for your Arizona marriage license up to 12 months before your elopement day. The fee for an Arizona marriage license is $83.
Be prepared to provide the following information on your Arizona marriage license application:
- Legal name
- Current address
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number (if you don’t have one, your passport qualifies; you don’t have to be a U.S. citizen to obtain an Arizona marriage license)
You and your partner must also provide valid, government-issued identification and submit a completed Arizona Marriage License Affidavit. To do this, you will be sworn in and sign the affidavit in the presence of the Clerk of the Superior Court.
Under Arizona marriage laws, you must be married by an officiant and have two witnesses over the age of 18. Great news: My hubby is ordained! That’s right. We can legally sign and file your Arizona marriage license for you if you prefer to exchange your vows and rings personally without finding a third party. The two of you, the witnesses, and your officiant must sign your Arizona marriage license to make it legal.
To recap, here are the legal requirements to elope in Arizona:
- One officiant and two witnesses required (that can be me and two cool hikers if you prefer a ‘just us’ ceremony)
- No waiting period or blood test
- Apply for your Arizona marriage license together, in-person, at any county justice court
- The fee for an Arizona marriage license is $83
Getting to Arizona and Where to Eat, Play and Stay
If you’re flying into Arizona, you’ll likely come through the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Hot Tip: be sure to check Google Flights for Arizona flight deals. They have a cool feature that allows you to see flight prices based on the day, and you can easily choose the cheapest dates to fly by looking at the monthly view. Depending on your elopement location, I highly recommend renting a car that is 4WD & high clearance so that your access to locations isn’t limited. Some of the best spots are trickier to access and require travel on dirt roads. When deciding on a location, know your comfort level with tricky roads and make decisions accordingly– don’t worry, I’ve got you! I won’t take us on any roads that you don’t feel comfortable on or where we’d get into any dicey situations.
Where to Dine & Drink?
If you know me, you know I love a good craft beer and small tasty bites- and luckily, Arizona has no shortage of delicious food + drink. Here are some of my favorites:
Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company
A chain with yummy brews and out-of-this-world hamburgers. Bonus, it’s dog friendly and has great vibes.
Sedona Beer Company
An awesome selection of craft brews, a cute patio and surprisingly tasty menu. It is a great place to just hang out and enjoy some good company.
Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery Co.
One of the best Mexican restaurants in Sedona. A meal at this award-winning restaurant is an absolute must!
Elote Cafe
If you’re looking for authentic Mexican eats in Sedona, this is your joint!
Pato Thai Cuisine
Delicious Thai cuisine is always a win in my world. This spot in Flagstaff is a must if you’re in the area.
What about lodging?
I will always recommend staying somewhere nearby your chosen elopement destination to reduce travel times on the day of. Plus, if you want getting ready photos (which I also always encourage), it is best to be as close to our location as possible to optimize our time together. Personally, I love finding cute and unique cabins or Airbnb’s while traveling instead of hotels. It just feels more like home. Here are some cute suggestions to consider when planning your Arizona elopement:
Sedona
Quaint, Modern A-frame Cabin in the Woods
Creekside A-frame Cabin
Cozy Cabin Mountain Retreat
Luxury A-frame Cabin
Sedona’s Open Heart Cabin with Stunning Views
Renew Cabin- the coolest tiny home
Grand Canyon/Northern Arizona
Under Canvas (Multiple Arizona Locations)
Nomad’s Pad Grand Canyon: The Grand Nomad
Road Runner’s Roost
A-frame Road – Runner Ranch
A-frame with Mountain Views
Vermillion Cliffs House
Northern AZ Getaway
For those who are looking to add a little extra adventure or activity for your Arizona elopement, i’ve collected a list of some of the thrilling, unique and just plane out fun things to consider doing on your wedding day:
Hot Air Balloon Tour
4×4 Jeep Off-Roading Tour
Helicopter + Airplane Tour
Skydiving
Hiking
Tour an Arizona Bucket List Location
Get on the water via Kayak or Stand Up Paddle Board
If any of these interest you, you can count on me to help find the right rental/tour company for you! In short, Arizona is such a great place to consider for your adventure wedding or elopement, and I would be more than honored to be your Arizona wedding sherpa!
Arizona Elopement Packages
Elopement Packages and Pricing for Arizona
>> 8 hours of elopement photography coverage anywhere in Arizona
>> 70+ page Elopement Guide exclusive to Whitney Rae couples
>> Unlimited Consultations
>> Personalized location scouting + vendor recommendations plus created just-for-you activity list
>> Handcrafted elopement timeline
>> Permit and marriage license assistance
>> Optional complimentary officiant service
>> Digital online gallery with full resolution image and printing rights
>> Sneak peek images within 48 hours
Photographer travel fees covered anywhere in Arizona Starting at $5,600
Call it authentic, candid or genuine. Whatever the adjective, I want to create a wedding celebration that resembles you, from the big celebrations and the in-between moments to the images I deliver that help you relive the day for years to come. When it comes to your wedding day, the moments you want to remember aren't always perfect, staged or scripted, they are uncut, raw and true to you.
AN HONEST WEDDING EXPERIENCE
I believe in
“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still”
Words I Live by
Let's Connect
I'm WHITNEY.
*Virtual Wave*
Hello! I feel beyond honored that you've made your way here! In order to give you the best representation of who you'll be spending your wedding day (one of the best days you'll live) with, here's a brief run down!
First and foremost, I'm a mountain gal through and through. I was born and raised in Vail, Colorado and unless it's another mountain town, my husband and I will always call this home. It's the tightly knit community, the fresh air (but really, it hits different here), the scenery and most importantly for us, the recreation + lifestyle. This is something that will always come through in my work, and what I believe sets me just a little bit apart - I am, and will forever be, inspired by the poetry of love in landscapes.
I have a deep desire to be on the move, to see everything before I don't have the opportunity to, and are therefore happiest when traveling and exploring new places (which I feel so lucky is a part of my work!)
Spending quality time hiking/biking/skiing/camping with my husband and our two border collies, clocking in some R&R at home or catching up with a friend over a glass of wine/craft beer are things that always sit at the top of the priority list.
If you're in to it- I'm a Libra, A Manifesting Generator (6-2) and an Enneagram 7 Wing 6/8. In short, I'm a people person, an optimist, and for lack of better terms- like to get shit done and make things happen. I'm a feeler, with a strong sense of empathy and sense of what people are experiencing, both when it comes to myself and others. I'm a bit of a goof, a tiny little thing packed with some sass, and ultimately just want to live a fun and adventurous life that's packed with new experiences and people.
..I guess that's why I do what I do. I feel so grateful to be on this journey of having my own business where I have freedom to curate the life I want to live, where I get to connect with truly so many amazing humans, travel to some really beautiful places, and document that as a whole, as creatively and beautifully as I can for you.
"she made the day feel so easy and seamless"
