Arizona Elopement Photographer

Ready to elope in Arizona? I’ve got you! I’m Lucy – Arizona elopement photographer and RV traveler – here to guide you to the perfect location for your epic and outdoors Arizona elopement. Arizona is a diverse state, with red-rock deserts, wind swept mountains, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, arches, hoodoos, caves and forests. There’s something for everyone here, and I guarantee it will be colorful!

Best Arizona Elopement Locations in 2024 & 2025

One of my favorite places in the desert southwest is.. the entire state of Arizona! Sharing my favorite Arizona elopement locations with you is a dream, and I’ll tell you why. Arizona is so cool! It’s not just a hot, blank desert. The northern part is home to Lake Powell, Page, Antelope Canyons, Horseshoe Bend and the famed Grand Canyon. In the middle is the paradise valley of Sedona, along with mountains and waterfalls and the blue hills of Petrified Forest. And to the south, cactuses rule with national monuments, state parks, and Saguaro National Park.

Sedona Elopements

The first thing you need to know about Sedona is that it is AMAZING! The best Sedona Arizona elopement locations are just about everywhere in this valley! If I was planning to elope in Arizona, Sedona would be my first choice. A shuttle bus is mandatory in the busy summer months to access the most popular hiking areas. There are caves, mountains, arches, colorful flowering cacti, and epic hikes throughout the red sandstone town.

Horseshoe Bend Elopement Location

This epic u-turn in the Colorado River is just a few miles south of Page. The 1.5 mile flat hike is well worth the baking sun to reach the 1,000ft drop off vista to the river below. High visitation means this spot is very busy, with the rim getting packed especially on weekends and midday. As your Horseshoe Bend elopement photographer and guide, I’m here to help as much as I can. Imagine just the two of you standing at this vista to say your vows – can you picture a more majestic backdrop for your desert elopement? 

Horseshoe Bend Elopement Permits

Horseshoe Bend is within the Glen Canyon Recreation area, and a special use permit is required for all horseshoe bend elopements. Make sure to apply more than 45 days in advance – Apply and find more information here. The application costs upwards of $100. Remember that these fees support the staff and support our National Parks and sites. Although the bend is within the parks system, the parking lot is not, and therefore the city of Page requires a separate, additional parking fee. Your National Parks pass won’t work here, but it’s a small price to pay for this iconic view. It’s important to know all the details for where you plan to elope when you apply for your permit, so get in touch with me first!

Northern Arizona Elopement Locations

In this area that overlaps the southern Utah border, you can find buttes, (haha, butts.) slot canyons, rivers, natural arches, beaches, pools, grottos, islands, washes, cliffs and rocky red deserts. Around the man-made Lake Powell, hundreds of miles of water fill the intricate canyons, providing many side-canyons to explore. It would take years to see all there is here. Which is exactly why you should hire one of the many local boat captains! Accessing the lake and many remote hiking areas from the Wahweap Marina would be an unforgettable adventure. Or you could get married on the boat itself! How amazing would that be? I’d love to know what spots get you excited to elope there! 

The Chiricahua Mountains Photographer

The Chiricahua Mountains, located in the southeastern corner of Arizona, are a seldom- visited hidden gem. These incredibly diverse mountains are home to rare birds, incredible canyons and trails, and spectacular rhyolite hoodoos. If you want your elopement to be unlike anyone else’s, please consider exploring this unique landscape. I can show you around – from the west side’s National Monument to the east side’s rivers and waterfalls.

2024 Arizona Elopement Locations – Hidden Gems

Arizona is home to 11 National Monuments and 3 National Parks as well as Reflection Canyon, Diagenetic Arch, and Pool Canyon. Additionally, many areas are within Navajo Nation’s federal reservation, and permits are required for access, like the Rainbow Bridge, Waterholes Canyon, and both of the stunning Antelope Canyons. These areas are especially sacred and special. Like all of our natural resources, these lands need to be treated with respect and all Leave No Trace principles. However, there are some arches, vistas and hikes that don’t require access permits. And don’t forget the meteor crater, one of America’s last true roadside attractions.

Petrified Forest Elopement Photographer

This is the most overlooked National Park in Arizona with relatively low visitation. While it doesn’t have any super iconic landmarks, don’t overlook a Petrified Forest National Park Elopement. The painted desert is the easiest area to access and showcases the odd red hued earth. The adobe style visitors center makes a great focal point. Further into the park, you can explore the fascinating petrified logs, which are filled with colorful crystals in every shade. This is a geologists’ dream elopement location! The purple and white hoodoos and teepees in the southernmost area of the park are my favorite. It’s like another planet out there!

Eloping in Saguaro National Park

This is one of the most iconic Arizona elopement locations and for good reason! That wild west motif of the giant cactus and the world famous Arizona sunset meet in this southernmost National Park. Plus, it’s one of the easiest places to elope in the state! Select your preferred location when you apply. You’ll have a blast exploring the two halves of this park near Tucson, AZ. I love this park so much that I went into greater detail in my Saguaro Elopement Guide.

Eloping in Grand Canyon National Park

This vast canyon is absolutely mind-blowingly big. The South rim is accessible year round while the North rim’s high elevation causes it to close at Summer’s end. The most epic adventure would be tackling the rim-to-rim backpacking trail, which is one of my bucket list hikes. This is a popular park, but I’ve got plenty of places and ideas to make it your own. I cover all the best areas and tips in my comprehensive Grand Canyon elopement guide.

When to Elope in Arizona

For milder temperatures rather than the baking summer heat, consider a shoulder season. October, November, March, April and May are the best months to elope in Arizona. While the slot canyons provide some shade in the morning and late afternoon, there aren’t many trees in the lowlands so most hikes are exposed. If you’ve been dreaming of a richly textured rocky landscape for your desert elopement, I can definitely help you find it here. A light dusting of snow on the desert landscape is unusual but would look like a frosted dream! You could follow up by cozying up in a lodge together. Or consider camping out with a campfire! The remoteness of this state lends itself to stargazing in every season. 

Arizona Elopement Photographer Packages in 2024

I offer half day, full day, 1.5 day and 2 day elopement photography in Page, Arizona National Parks, Sedona elopement photography, and more! See my pricing and package details here. I would love to chat with you and help see if an elopement with me is what you’ve been dreaming of. No matter which of the Arizona elopement locations speak to you, don’t hesitate to get in touch below!

Here’s a preview of my interactive Arizona Elopement locations map:

This map is like a virtual tour of 25+ Arizona elopement locations with color photos I’ve taken of each place. So you can see all the great spots to elope in Arizona without leaving your living room. If you’re planning from afar, this is a visual key to picking out the elopement spot that works for you. Details like what seasons and time of day are best for each location are included. It will help you plan your activities, accommodations, and your day’s itinerary. Lastly, it’s easy to have a great backup location picked out with this map in front of you. Having that Plan B in your back pocket will keep your planning stress-free!

Ready to start planning your Arizona elopement Photography? Contact me!

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