Our Sedona Elopement Guide is made to help you narrow down what’s important to you! Hopefully you find clarity on how to make your elopement more authentic to you.
Sedona is one of the most beautiful places in the United States to elope. With its stunning red rocks and peaceful atmosphere, Sedona is the perfect place to exchange your vows and begin your married life together. But before you pack your bags and head for Sedona, there are a few tips and tricks that will help make your Sedona wedding experience one that is truly unforgettable. Let’s get started!
Sedona Elopement Guide: STAY AT LEAST 4 DAYS
IN A PERFECT WORLD, STAY A WEEK!
The best itinerary for a destination elopement would be:
Day 1: Arrival.
Use this day for traveling, settling in to your hotel or Airbnb, and getting through any last minute wedding things. If you come two days before, then you don’t spend the day before your ceremony traveling. You will most likely fly into Phoenix which is where you’ll want to pick up your marriage license. You’ll want to make an appointment at a courthouse in Phoenix. Click HERE to do that! Bring your Driver’s License to the appointment (you will both need to be there) and you’ll have it in about 15 minutes! Sedona is a 2 hr drive from Phoenix, so keep that in mind when planning your trip!
Day 2: Relax and settle in!
If you wanted to do an easy hike on this day we recommend Bell Rock (grounding vortex energy) or if you wanted to do a moderate hike we recommend Devil’s Bridge.
The night before the big day, lay out all the things that you need to have ready. I always show up for detail shots and the rings, vows, unity ceremony items, shoes, jewelry, tie/bowtie, and any other special things all in one pile/box/location so that when I arrive I can just grab what I need and we can get started with the fun!
Day 3: Your Sedona Wedding Day!!
This is the day you’ve been dreaming of, and it’s finally here!! Wake up early (but not too early) so you have time to relax, eat a good breakfast, and get ready for your day. If you hired us to plan your Sedona Elopement, we will have created the perfect Sedona Elopement Timeline for you. We always create space within the day so that no one feels rushed. We want you to soak in all the moments you can!
Day 4: Relax + Explore
Rest and enjoy your first day as newlyweds soaking up all that Sedona has to offer! Sedona is also the perfect place for a post-wedding day hike. If you want to do a mini-honeymoon and stay longer than four days, Sedona has plenty of activities and adventures for you to enjoy as a married couple.
Day(s) five and beyond: Explore Sedona!
Red Rock State Park, Slide Rock, Cathedral Rock, Bear Mountain… the options are endless. If you can only stay for a short period of time, we recommend at least four days. This way, you will have one day to relax and settle in after your travels.
SEDONA ELOPEMENT GUIDE: ELOPE ON A WEEKDAY
If you elope on a Saturday or Sunday, you’ll have to share Sedona with all the other tourists. But eloping on a weekday means you’ll have a more peaceful and less crowded experience! There are already so many emotions that come along with this day without adding stress from traffic. If you can, try and stay away from Saturday and Sunday. This way, you can just focus on all of the happy feels!
SEASON
Sedona is stunning year round, but July and August can be extremely hot. We typically don’t do weddings in Arizona during the summer months. We use this time to create magical weddings in Colorado, California, Montana, and Oregon.
Fall (September-November) and spring (March-May) are our FAVORITE times to create weddings in Sedona. The temperature is perfect and the colors are GORGEOUS! These months book up fast, so if this is your ideal time to elope, be sure to reach out as soon as possible!
Winter (December-February) can also be lovely in Sedona! Just know that it may be cold and there is a chance for snow. If you’re okay with braving the elements, I say go for it! I’ve captured some of my all-time favorite photos during the snow and rain.
SEDONA ELOPEMENT GUIDE: YOUR VENDORS MATTER
Just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean you should skimp on your wedding vendors. This is your wedding day, after all! Who you bring into your wedding space matters, especially when you’re eloping because it is such an intimate day. That’s why we are so picky about who we choose to work with. When choosing your vendors, be sure to read reviews and look at portfolios to get an idea of their style. And most importantly, make decisions with your heart or your gut. We are looking for that FULL-BODY YESSSSSS!!!
ADD A PRIVATE CHEF
One of the best parts about eloping is that you can get creative and make your wedding day look however you want it to. And one way to do that is by adding a private chef! This is such a special touch that will make your day even more memorable. Not to mention, it’s a great way to relax and enjoy each other after the ceremony in a more private and intimate way.
SEDONA ELOPEMENT GUIDE: CUSTOMIZE YOUR CEREMONY
Your wedding day should be a reflection of you as a couple. So whether you want to keep things simple or go all out, make sure your wedding day is uniquely you!
One way we do that is by personalizing your ceremony. Rich creates a personalized script weaving your story together in a beautiful, poetic, and meaningful way. We help you write your own vows with our Vow Writing Guide, offer unique unity ceremony ideas, or incorporate a special tradition that’s meaningful to you.
No matter what you decide to do, just remember to have fun and enjoy this special time in your lives! Eloping is an incredible experience that you’ll never forget. ♥️
Let’s Knot and Say We Did offers All-Inclusive Wedding Packages and All-Inclusive Elopement Packages so that all YOU have to do is show up! We specialize in intimate weddings and elopements because we believe in the power of authentic love rather than have weddings be a production. We value marriage and the sacred union that takes place in a wedding ceremony. Rich is a Master of Ceremony, meaning that he creates a grounding presence that allows people to feel safe to be fully themselves. He and Shelby bring their joy + high vibes into your ceremony space with intention, love, and creativity.
Rich and Shelby create a detailed timeline of your wedding day, coordinate with all vendors (ensuring that you have the BEST), offer Ceremony Design + Floral Coordination, and provide everything you need to get married in an absolutely beautiful location.
