Your Guide to Eloping in the Red Rocks
Samantha Rose Photography – Sedona Elopement Photographer
Sedona is truly one of the most beautiful and unique places in all of Arizona (& even the world). With over 80 trails to explore, various state & local parks – whether you’re looking for simple trails, advanced hikes, or off-roading – it has a little bit of everything.
Sedona is best known for its famous red rocks, vortexes, & hiking trails. You may have seen glimpses of it in travel magazines, on your Instagram feed, scrolling through Pinterest or maybe you remember it from the opening of the Karate Kid (I’m not kidding). However you came across it – you likely could tell just from photographs that it’s a magical place & the perfect spot for you & your partner to say “I do” at.
Whatever your reason is for choosing this epic place, whether it’s the scenery alone, memories you’ve already made here, the energy the red rocks hold, or it was just spontaneous, you’ve made the right choice & you won’t be disappointed with the adventures that await for your elopement day.
And now you’re probably wondering where to even begin. From how to get there, where to stay, what to do, & places to eat – this blog covers a little bit of it all. If you’re ready to start planning out all the details, let’s chat so I can help you have the most incredible wedding day immersed in the red rocks.
Read below for information on everything to know about eloping in Sedona, Arizona.
Know Before You Go:
Can you get married in Sedona? Yes!
Do you need a permit to elope in Sedona? It depends. In majority of places – no! As long as you have less than 70 guests (I recommend no more than 20 on hiking trails unless you’re reserving a site or venue). Certain state parks require special use permits & ceremonies cannot take place on wilderness land.
Is Sedona busy? Majority of the time… yes. Sedona has exploded in popularity in recent years. Be prepared to add extra time driving across town & if possible avoid weekends & holidays. Always plan for a backup location!
Where to Get Your Marriage License: Camp Verde will be the closest courthouse from Sedona (~40 minutes) you can obtain a marriage license from. You can also get one from the Coconino County Courthouse in Flagstaff or from just about any courthouse in the Phoenix Metro.
Read more about how to elope in Arizona.
Time of Year to Elope in Sedona:
Truly anytime of year in Sedona is absolutely gorgeous. When is the best time to elope? It depends! There are a few things to consider when planning your Sedona elopement.
Do you prefer…
Eloping in the Fall: October (80ºF/51ºF) & November (68ºF/41ºF) – perfect if you’re looking for cooler, fall temperatures, changing leaves, and autumn feelings.
Eloping in the Spring: Late March (69ºF/40ºF), April (76ºF/45ºF), & May (86ºF/53ºF) – you can still experience cooler temperatures, but avoid the snow (at least most of the time). Wildflowers will be beginning to bloom in April & May.
Eloping in the Winter: December (60ºF/34ºF), January (60ºF/34ºF), February (64ºF/36ºF), & sometimes March – if you enjoy colder temps & are ready to embrace the possibility of snow, this is a good time! Certain trails may be closed in winter months due to weather.
Eloping in the Summer: June (96ºF/61ºF), July (100ºF/68ºF), August (97ºF/67ºF), early September (91ºF/61ºF) – unless you’re early risers that want to get up before the sun, I typically suggest avoiding the summer months – especially June & July. Temperatures can stay in the high 90s & many trails have little shade. If you’re acclimated with the AZ heat & don’t want to include much hiking, it can be doable! July through early September also see more monsoons/rain, especially in August.
*My top recommendations: February, March, April, late October, & November.
When is the best time of day & week to elope?
Monday through Thursday give you the best chance for lower crowds. Always avoid holidays/holiday weekends when possible.
Pros of sunrise:
Less busy, more chances for seclusion
Avoid hot weather depending on the time of year
Start your day off with GETTING MARRIED!
Leaves the whole day for celebrating & more activities
Pros of sunset:
You don’t have to wake up early!
You’ll already be “in the groove” for having a photographer (me) present
The lighting looks great for west-facing locations
Plan activities throughout the whole day & close out the evening watching the sun go down (or even stay extra long for starry night photos)
*You can do both! Want to have a full-day or multi-day elopement? Get the best of both sunrise & sunset. I will always help with advice on which areas/trails in Sedona are best during certain times of day.
Deciding where to start your adventure
I share my detailed location guide with all of my couples that features “off the beaten path” trails & locations for all hiking levels.
Where to Elope & Hike in Sedona:
There are so many incredible locations in Sedona that can serve as the backdrop for your elopement. There are trails that take an easy 5-10 minute walk to get to, moderate hikes that range from 1-4 miles, & tougher hikes that can go up to 8+ miles.
Most Popular: Cathedral Rock – regarded as one of the most popular hikes in all of Arizona. Cathedral Rock is pretty famous. Offering epic, easily accessible views at the base & breathtaking scenery at the top of the (somewhat strenuous) hike-up. Although it’s beautiful, I only recommend this location for sunrise unless you’re fine with having a lot of spectators on your day.
*As of 2022, the Cathedral Rock parking lot is closed Thursday through Sunday, as well as holidays/holiday weekends & you must take the (free) shuttle bus to access the main trailhead. Cathedral Rock/Little Horse Shuttle Schedule.
Easy Access: Bell Rock – this trail offers 360º views that are accessible within a 10 minute, flat walk. A great location if you’re including guests. This trail gets busy though so it’s recommended for sunrise or hiring a drop-off shuttle service.
Reservable: Crescent Moon Picnic Site – a great option if you’re including over 20 guests. You can reserve a ramada to guarantee parking & a picnic site. A beautiful location that features red rocks in the distance, lots of greenery (May through October), & water! Perfect if you need/want something easily accessible (no hiking).
Off-Roading: Merry-Go-Round Rock – if you & your partner are looking for the ultimate, off-roading adventure to give you breathtaking views, this is the spot. Merry Go Round Rock (via Munds Wagon Trail) requires high-clearance vehicles to access (off-roading experience is recommended). Alternative options include renting a private Jeep Tour. The road takes about 45 minutes to an hour to drive up, then a 10-15 minute hike for the famous views.
*Be sure to pick-up a Red Rock Pass so you can park at trailhead parking areas/lots. They are available at most major trailheads. Daily passes are $5, weekly passes are $15. Cash & Credit Card are both accepted at stations. Have an America the Beautiful–National Park Pass? Stick it on your dash & it works as your parking pass!
**Ceremonies are not permitted on Wilderness Land which includes the popular trails of Devil’s Bridge & West Fork Trail.
***Setups of any kind are not allowed in Sedona – unless you are renting/reserving an area & get permission ahead of time – no chairs or backdrops are allowed. Be sure to always Leave No Trace & pickup anything that may have been used during your ceremony/elopement: including any types of food crumbs & flowers that may have fallen off your bouquet!
How to get to Sedona:
Nearby airports:
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX): ~119 miles, 2 hour drive
Flagstaff Pulliam (FLG): ~26 miles, 45 minute drive
Las Vegas International Airport (LAS): ~292 miles, 5.5 hour drive
You will need a car in Sedona!
If you’re coming from the North, include a scenic drive on your way down by taking State Route 89A through Oak Creek Canyon. If you want to avoid the curves or aren’t fond of heights – you can just take the highway via I-17 South.
If you’re coming from Phoenix, you can take I-17 to SR-179 straight to Sedona. You can also take SR-260 through Cottonwood to West Sedona which usually sees less traffic (just be prepared for quite a few roundabouts).
*Be prepared for traffic on the way in, especially if you’re coming in on SR-179. The main road throughout Sedona is a bi-directional 2 lane road so when you’re stuck in traffic, you’re not going anywhere – so just enjoy the red rocks! Allow extra time & always watch for hikers/pedestrians & bicycles.
Public Transit & RideShares:
Your only option for public transit in Sedona is the Sedona Shuttle which is free & runs year-round from Thursday through Sunday only. You can find details about where the shuttle picks up & drops off on the Sedona Shuttle website: https://sedonashuttle.com/
RideShares such as Uber & Lyft are not common in Sedona so I would not rely on them as your form of transportation!
Where to Stay for Your Elopement in Sedona:
There are a lot of great hotels & resorts in the Sedona area. When deciding where you should stay, some things to think about:
How far is the hotel/bnb from where you will be spending majority of your time on your elopement day?
Read Reviews!
Check out the natural light & overall vibe of the places you’re looking at – if you want getting ready photos or plan to have your first look here, these are important to consider
How much time will you be spending here? Do you want something with more space or just something simple to sleep at?
Here are some of my favorite hotels/resorts in the Sedona area:
Enchantment Resort: 5-Star hotel, set on 70 acres in Boynton Canyon, 8.5 miles from Sedona, 16 miles from Slide Rock State Park. A beautiful location that offers spacious rooms & great spots for getting ready, first looks, & just spending time together the morning of your elopement.
Tiny Camp Sedona: Set among trees in a rural area, 5 minute walk from swimming at Oak Creek Canyon, immersed in the red rocks. There are limited locations available, but it’s the perfect cozy option if you can snag one, giving you some of the best of the best views for your sleeping location.
Amara Resort & Spa: 6.9 miles from Slide Rock State Park, 2.9 miles from Sedona Airport. Luxury amenities if you’re wanting a resort & spa experience while still having cozy vibes & red rock views.
Dog Friendly – Element Sedona: Only 8 miles from I-17 & 16 miles from Red Rock State Park. This is a newer hotel that offers all the necessities & basics.
Junipine Resort: 8 miles from Sedona & 2 miles from Slide Rock State Park. This resort is situated between the trees giving you a cabin feeling. The property offers great spots for a first-look or just spending time around where you’re staying.
*I provide a whole list of Sedona hotel ideas once booked!
**Airbnb’s are extremely popular in Sedona & have taken over many neighborhoods. This may be the best way to go if you will be having a large group with you & you all want to stay close together. I always recommend checking out local hotels first when possible or trying to find a host that actually lives in Sedona or owns only 1 property.
Where to Eat in Sedona:
There are SO many places to eat in Sedona. From simple stops to fine dining, you will have plenty of options while you’re here. If you’re looking for some place to eat the night of your elopement, always call ahead to double-check hours (quite a few places close pretty early, especially on weekdays). Find out if where you want to go offers reservations & have a backup plan in mind.
For Breakfast: Coffee Pot Restaurant
For Lunch: Hideaway House
For Dinner: The Hudson
For Fine Dining: Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill
For the Best Views: Mesa Grill
Best Pet-Friendly Patio: The Secret Garden Cafe
For Pizza: Famous Pizza & Beer | Gluten-Free: Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen
For Donuts: Sedonuts & Coffee
For Vegan: ChocolaTree Organic Eatery
For a Bigger Group: Sound Bites Grill
*A lot of restaurants in Sedona do not offer seating for groups larger than 8. Want to have a nice dinner after your elopement adventure, but don’t want to worry about reservations? Consider hiring a private-chef!
What to do in Sedona on your elopement day:
This is one of the most fun aspects of the entire day. Whether you’re looking for something simple like packing a picnic, including an extra hike, or want to go up in the sky on a hot air ballon ride – you have so many options to make your day unique to you & your partner.
Hike! Whether it’s short or long – get out into the red rocks!
Rent a Jeep or book a Pink Jeep Tour to see trails only accessible with a high clearance vehicle.
Take a hot air balloon ride!!
Book a private plane or helicopter tour to get a whole different view of the red rocks
Visit a vortex and/or include yoga in your day
Spend time in or by water (especially in the warmer months) – Slide Rock State Park & Crescent Moon Picnic Site (among others)
Rock Climb (I’ll stay on the ground & document you two going up)
Go wine tasting on the Verde Valley Wine Trail
Stargaze – Sedona is a designated Dark Sky location so when the clouds are clear, you can get some incredible views of the stars
Want more ideas for unique things you can include in your elopement day? Check out this blog post:
Tip & Tricks for having the best Sedona Elopement
Now we’ve covered the basics & beginning steps to planning your Sedona Elopement. Here are a few extra details to keep in mind:
•Bring sunscreen, hiking boots, a head lamp, salty snacks, & lots of water. No matter the level of hike you’ll be taking, whether it’s on your elopement day or not, always be prepared with the 10 Essentials for Hiking.
Check the weather & plan accordingly – certain times of year are more likely to experience pop-up storms. Be prepared with appropriate attire such as ponchos, backpack rain covers, extra layers, & hand warmers. Talk about a plan for back-up locations in the event that certain roads or trails are closed due to weather. Sometimes mother nature has other plans.
Have a group coming with you? Carpool as much as possible! Some trailheads have small parking lots & trailheads can get crowded quickly.
Hike at sunrise to avoid crowds & visit popular trails. If you’re wanting to check-out some popular hikes while you’re visiting, it’s worth getting up before the sun to experience these spots with fewer people!
Embrace that whatever happens, happens! Your wedding attire will get red rock dust on it, you may forget something, part of the day may run later than planned, or maybe we will get stuck in a rain storm. No matter what it is, it’s your wedding day! A crazy, beautiful day that will forever be unique to you & your partner.
I’ll be here to help plan ahead as much as possible (with my emergency kit in hand), but know that it’s going to be an amazing day – even if it doesn’t map out exactly how you thought you envisioned it. The reality of it will be even more meaningful.
The red rocks of Sedona not for you? Check out my guide all about How to Elope at Horseshoe Bend – located in Page, AZ.
Myself & my love, Brannon, on one of our favorite trails in Sedona, AZ.
Who am I?
I’m Samantha! I’ve been a photographer for over 10 years now & specializing in elopement photography for 3.
I’m based in Phoenix, Arizona & absolutely love the desert. I travel all over the country for elopements, but the southwest is my speciality.
I’m here to encourage couples to have authentic & meaningful elopements that feel like home in the outdoors. A day that’s focused around you. No matter how big or small the adventure is, this is a day to celebrate your love.
When I’m not exploring the desert, you can find me hanging out in my backyard with a new book (likely on my Kindle), going to the movies, or spending time with my partner. I’m passionate about living a low-waste lifestyle, drink too much chai latte, & hope to visit every National Park eventually (currently at 12).
If you know a traditional wedding day just doesn’t “feel” like you & your partner – you’re in the right place! You’ve already taken such a big step realizing what you really want out of this symbolic day, now I’m here to help make it become a reality. Let’s chat about what all you’re dreaming up for your Sedona Elopement.
Not sure if Sedona is the right choice for you? Check out my blog post: Where to Elope in Arizona
Have any questions about eloping in Sedona or just want to chat? Fill out the form below!
Samantha Rose Photography LLC is an Arizona based elopement photographer that specializes in Sedona elopements.