10 Places to Elope in AZ
So you want to elope?
Great! Elopements are becoming more and more common not JUST because of COVID.
People are choosing to elope because it is less expensive, there’s typically less drama, and it makes the ceremony more about you and your beautiful one of a kind relationship instead of trying to appease your Great Aunt Sally (sorry not sorry). Maybe it’s a millennial thing. Maybe it’s more people becoming aware of the amount of pressure a bride can feel on what’s supposed to be HER DAY. HER ONE DAY, DAMMIT. Or maybe people just want
a more peaceful way of doing things.
Regardless of the “why” …we LOVE elopements.
And we love being able to explore AZ and let people in on the most beautiful spaces in our state to get married.
So we are going to do a countdown of our favorite places!
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10. South Mountain
South Mountain is beautiful, and there are lots of little beautiful places within South Mountain State Park which is what makes it so great. It’s 20 min from Central Phoenix, and there’s some authentic street tacos nearby (YUM)! This is a perfect spot for elopement because it gives you tons of flexibility and amazing photo ops.
9. The Superstition Mountains
Just 4o minutes from Phoenix are the Superstition Mountains. Mysterious. Vintage. Dreamy. It’s an underrated spot for sure. Every time we’ve taken couples out here to elope, we get the entire desert space to ourselves. We’ve done sunset ceremonies, rainy day ceremonies, and have had some 50+ guest ceremonies near these beautiful mountains (not technically an elopement, but STILL). Breathtaking. Recommended anytime between Sept-April.
8. Salt River
Another underrated spot near Apache Junction. We’ve gotten some killer shots here. There’s a place to get tubing rentals and Saguaro Lake near by, but this is also a spot where you can elope… and be some of the only people out adventuring in the desert. Recommended anytime between Sept-April.
7. The Painted Desert in the Petrified Forest National Park
The Painted Desert may be unconventional, but so are all the other places in this list. How many people can say they got married in “The Badlands”?? Kinda Badass. The best place to view it is the “Little Painted Desert County Park.” It’s free and is located 15 miles North of Winslow. Sunsets here are breathtaking. Do NOT recommend in the summer. Highly recommend between Sept-April.
6. Cathedral Rock in Sedona, AZ
Cathedral Rock is its own Sanctuary. You can hike down into it where there is a river base. You can hike UP into it and say your vows on the cliff overlooking other parts of Sedona. But bottom line: Cathedral Rock is for the less traditional couple who would rather be married in a sacred outdoor space rather than the four walls of a church. And don’t forget your Marriage Rug! :)
5. zarpara Vineyard in Willcox, AZ
There are a few wineries in Willcox, AZ and although it isn’t free like the other options of getting married in State Parks, it is beautiful and the wine is delicious. The owners of Zapara are the BEST. Even if you don’t go there to elope, go there for a bridal brunch!
4. Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff is FULL of places to elope. Gorgeous mountains, beautiful forests of Pine and Aspen trees, and VIEWS. It’s an Elopement DREAM.
3. Slot Canyons in Page, AZ
The Slot Canyons are GORGEOUS. If you’re up for THAT much of an adventure there are also slot canyons just across the border in Utah. Either way. These magical canyons are the perfect place to say “I do.”
2. Horseshoe Bend in Page, AZ
1. The Grand Canyon
And there are cute squirrels along the way 😆
Timeless. How can we NOT include the Grand Canyon? It’s so versatile and HUGE. You can get married literally anywhere along the Grand Canyon and it will be STUNNING. You can even hike down. We live in the most breathtaking state in all the land. Arizona wins. Hands down.
There are of course other places to elope in Arizona. And it’s so hard to narrow it down to even 10! If you like what you see, cool. If you still want more options, let us know and we can brainstorm the perfect ceremony setting for you. Now there’s only one question.
