Arizona Elopement planning Guide
Tips and Tricks for planning your Adventurous Arizona Elopement Experience
So you two have decided that an elopement or intimate wedding is for you! Congratulations on discovering the best wedding experience possible! If you want to discover how to elope in Arizona then you have come to the perfect place! Arizona is one of the most breathtaking places in the world to elope (in my Arizona native opinion!) It’s almost endless different landscape and elevations provides for vast backdrops and temperature ranges to elope in anytime of the year. Whether you are planning an Adventurous red rock Sedona Elopement, a pine forest filled Flagstaff elopement, or more then you can elope in many different locations all over Arizona very easily. Whether you are from Arizona or are an out of state couple looking to elope in this beautiful state then I’m here to help!
1. Decide on your dream elopement location
The first step of eloping in Arizona it to decide what city or backdrop you want when you say I do.
- Do you want the pines and/or aspens of Flagstaff/Northern Arizona?
- The red rock cliffs of Sedona?
- The cactus filled desert of Phoenix or Tucson?
- The breath taking water carved landscapes of Page?
- And so much more!
Contact me to help you plan the specific location of your dreams!
2. Plan your elopement during the ideal season with your location in mind
For eloping in the desert of Phoenix, Tucson, Sedona, and other similar areas you will want to plan your elopement around the months of spring, fall, and winter (for cooler weather because the desert can be HOT during summer). If you want to elope in the summer months then you may want to choose to elope in Northern Arizona because it rarely reaches triple digit temperatures. Here are the average temperatures for each season in Arizona to help you choose when and where you want your elopement to be.
3. Book your Vendors
Vendors can make your elopement experience even more magical! So I recommend you take some time to sit down together and choose all the incredible vendors you want to have included on your big day. You should choose your vendors soon after you decide when and where you want to elope to ensure they are not booked up for the day you want. Choosing you photographer is typically the first step. Photographers can help connect you to a; videographer, florist, hair & makeup artist, officiant, dress shop/designers, etc… You may also choose to book a small venue to celebrate with your close friends and family after the ceremony. If you choose this route you will want to book the venue, caterer, rentals, etc…
4. Research the rules and restrictions of your location and finalize all of the required Legalities
- Wedding Permit:
Depending on where you and your significant other want to elope you may need to obtain a special use Wedding Permit for your desired location. Typically National forests only require a permit for more than 75 people. National parks require a permit regardless of size. Speak with a National park, National forest, or your photographer about permitting because they can most likely help!
- Marriage License:
You will also want to obtain your wedding license before your big day. This is a fairly quick and simple process. To apply you will need you state issued drivers license/identification card and both of you will need to be present at any Arizona courthouse (it does not have to be in the county you are planning on eloping in). The cost ranges from $70-$86! Your wedding license is valid for 12 months. Here is a great resource on obtaining your Arizona marriage license .
To make your Marriage legal in Arizona you will need your officiant and 2 witnesses to sign your marriage license! If you have family present they can sign as witnesses, or if you decide to do it in a more intimate with just the two of you then your photographer and a hiker/passerby can sign it!
5. Prepare for any weather Scenario
Arizona Weather can change fairly quickly. So if you plan on having a gorgeous cloudy afternoon ceremony and you are hoping for a beautiful cotton candy sunset. Plan for any possible weather conditions with proper clothes and shoes. Pack clothes according to your areas season and weather conditions. It may be windy, rainy, snowy, or stormy depending on when and where you are eloping in Arizona. Even if the weather is not what you planned or ideal it can still be a fun and beautiful day. Be flexible. If you need to change your date or location last minute then that’s okay!
6. Go on an adventure or plan a trip after you get married!
Book some fun post elopement experiences or go on a honeymoon!
After saving money on planning your elopement you can decide to have an extravagant honeymoon, intimate road trip, or a relaxing and fun weekend getaway.
Here are some fun post elopement experience and down to earth honeymoon ideas:
- Plan a post elopement party with your closest friends and family
- Travel to a new city you’ve always wanted to go to together! (Nashville, Seattle, New York, or Hawaii?!)
- Plan a weekend getaway in a secluded cabin in the woods. You can make a charcuterie board together, sip on some wine, and watch the golden sunset in a cozy cabin
- Plan an outdoorsy camping trip with a cozy tent, smores, and hot dogs of course!
- Relax with a day of wine tasting in Cottonwood or Jerome, AZ
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