Arizona elopement guide

You don’t have to elope at the courthouse-

here are the best, most beautiful locations throughout all of Arizona to elope!

For a lot of people, a big wedding just isn’t their thing. Big weddings can be expensive and a lot of stress. You might rather have a small gathering with their closest friends & family, or perhaps even just your partner & you and your officiant. It can be easy to get caught up in other people’s expectations, but ultimately, it boils down to what is right for you and your partner. Or perhaps you are downsizing your wedding, and the thought of having to wait another 6-12 months to get married just doesn’t feel right. These days, you don’t just have to go to a courthouse. Arizona has such stunning natural landscapes to utilize, allowing you to have a more personal, intimate ceremony reflective of you and get amazing photos as well!

What is an elopement? What is a microwedding or intimate wedding?

Small weddings- also called micro weddings and intimate weddings- have been on the rise over the last few years and especially now with the economy, COVID-19 etc. A lot of people are faced with the decision- do we want to buy a house, or have a wedding? This is especially true if the wedding couple is financing the wedding themselves and parents are not able to contribute. The definition of “small” is slippery and hard to define since there are no hard and fast rules with weddings. Personally, I consider a “small wedding” (or intimate wedding, micro wedding) to be less than 40-50 people (Martha Stewart Weddings agrees) but typically has a reception of some sort. An elopement, in my opinion, is less than 20 people, often without a reception but doesn’t have to be a secret like a lot of people in the past have defined it as! Most “regular weddings” I photograph are between 50-125 people, and large weddings are 150+. All of this is just from my experience and opinions though- planners may have different ideas, and I also think that different regions of the US and world will have different opinions as well. Interested in a micro-wedding, not an elopement? Read more about that here, along with some great small wedding venue ideas!

How to elope in Arizona

To elope, you’ll need:

an officiant
2 witnesses besides your officiant (hey, your photographer can be one!)
and a marriage license

Requirements to elope in Arizona

Both parties must be 18 or older or have parental consent.
Both parties must be present to apply for your marriage license.
No waiting period!
Marriage licenses are valid for 1 year after receiving the license, but you must mail or hand deliver the license to the courthouse within 30 days of your ceremony to be properly recorded.
2 witnesses over 18 years of age to sign your license, not including your officiant.
Cost for a marriage license in Arizona is $70-$86 depending on the county, payable via check, cash, money order or credit card at the time of application.
When applying, you’ll need a valid ID for both parties such as a driver’s license, passport, military ID. Social security numbers must be provided, if you both have one.
A divorce decree is NOT required.
You do NOT need to be an Arizona resident to apply for a marriage license in Arizona.
See all requirements for Maricopa county here.

Your officiant can be a friend who’s been ordained online, or you can hire one of the many wonderful officiants here in Arizona to perform your ceremony, like my good friend Sierra of Blackfern Events, a local Arizona officiant. You do not need to be a resident of Arizona! There is no blood tests, and you can get the license the same day and licenses are valid for 1 year. See all the laws including for various counties across Arizona here.

Even picking a place to elope can be overwhelming, especially in Arizona with so many beautiful natural locations. The location can have special meaning to you, like where you had your first hike, first date, where your partner proposed, or it can simply be a place you just love for no other reason than it’s beautiful. When you elope outside the courthouse, you trade ugly fluorescent lighting for beautiful natural light, the ability to have your ceremony on your own time and in your own way, and do whatever the heck you want! You can make your own schedule- or not, if you’re a more go with the flow person. You aren’t limited to the courthouse’s weekday hours and schedule. Best yet, you can only have people you trust present and can fully be yourselves- you can cry if you need to, laugh, jump for joy! You guys just got married and a stranger’s not watching you!

Have I convinced you yet? Phoenix and the surrounding cities- Scottsdale, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Glendale & Queen Creek have so many beautiful outdoor scenic areas to elope. Best of all, they are close! Arizona also makes a stunningly beautiful destination elopement location.

Best, Most Beautiful Places to Elope in Arizona

PHOENIX ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS

The Salt River

The Salt River is an iconic area for natives of Phoenix. Near Mesa, it features the important Salt River which flows from Saguaro Lake along stunning mountains, desert and riparian habitats home to the Salt River wild horses. Yes, that’s right, there are wild horses that you might encounter here! They are a treat to respectfully observe from a distance. The mountains, river and trees along with the desert make for a stunning backdrop for your elopement.

VIiew Location Info Here

salt river small outdoor wedding in Arizona

joyful cute outdoor elopement in the desert Arizona

Arizona elopement at Superstition Mountains

Superstition Mountains wedding elopement

Superstition Mountains

The Superstitions are an iconic backdrop of Phoenix and Mesa. The mountains get their name from the legend of the Lost Dutchman. It’s hard to beat their stunning beauty and the way they light up at sunset, making them a perfect spot to elope. There are a variety of spots around the Superstitions- hiking along Peralta Trail, hiking up near Siphon’s Draw for the adventurous and fit couple, or just picking a spot to pull over and enjoy the view at sunset. See more from Katie & Scott’s beautiful Superstition Mountains elopement near the adorable Elvis Church & Superstition Mountain Museum!

View Location Info Here

Gilbert Riparian Preserve

Located in Mesa, the Gilbert Riparian Preserve is a favorite spot of bird watchers and little nature escape in the middle of the city. It tends to be crowded, especially around October-November, however it’s a large property that you can work your way back into and find your own private spot. There are many small ponds and lakes which provide habitat for birds, jackrabbits and cottonwood trees.

VIEW WEDDINGS HERE

natural relaxed wedding photos in Arizona

bride & groom running eloping at Gilbert Riparian Preserve

Phoenix Mountain Preserve

The Phoenix Mountain Preserve is in the heart of Phoenix, near Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. It’s home to some stunning mountains and desert landscapes. Check out this Phoenix Mountain Preserve elopement for some inspiration! We can take a hike to the top or stay at the base of the mountains.

View Elopements here

Papago Park

Centrally located near Sky Harbor Airport, Phoenix and next to the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Gardens, Papago Park is the perfect desert location if you’re looking for easy accessibility and red rocks without the drive to Sedona. The Phoenix park features red sandstone hills and the famous Hole in the Rock where Phoenicians hike up to watch the sunset over Tempe.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum

The Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, AZ is now offering elopement packages for up to 10 guests including your photographer and officiant. Boyce Thompson Arboretum is a sprawling arboretum with a greenhouse, eucalyptus forest, mountain views and lots of native desert plants from Arizona and around the world! It also features trees that change color in fall, making it one of the closest areas to have fall color to the Phoenix area.

VIEW WEDDING INFO

South Mountain

South Mountain is near south Phoenix & Chandler. It’s a gorgeous desert mountain range with a range of hiking options and many places that don’t require a lot of hiking. Sunset yields views of downtown Phoenix in the distance. It’s a popular outdoor area for hiking, biking and horseback riding and would be a wonderful location for a small elopement!

What month should I elope in Phoenix?

The best months to elope in Phoenix are October & November and March & April, but Phoenix has nice weather from October through May. See below for more weather information throughout the seasons!

WINTER (NOVEMBER - FEB)

In the Phoenix area, you can expect temperatures between 50 degrees to 75 degrees on average during this time. Absolutely perfect in my opinion, especially if you are traveling from a state that gets a lot of snow, such as the eastern US or Midwest. Phoenix does not get snow, even in mountainous regions such as the Salt River or Superstition Mountains. At night, it can get a bit chilly though- often between 30-50 degrees, but usually between 40-50. In general, there isn’t a lot of rain during this period of time either, except February.

SPRING (MARCH - MAY)

Spring is a fabulous time in Arizona to elope, though it also coincides with a very busy wedding and portrait season, so weekend dates are in very high demand. Temperatures can range widely from the 60’s to the upper 80’s during March & April, and towards the end of April through May can reach up to 100 degrees. By the end of May, summer is here and with it are our notoriously hot temperatures. I recommend getting your elopement in before then if you can’t handle the high temperatures! Rain can happen in March but with the Phoenix area being a desert, rain is generally not a big problem. Desert plants are blooming during this time which is great for photos but may present a problem for allergy sufferers. My favorite blooming plants are the palo verde trees which typically bloom between April & May with green barked trees covered in bright yellow blooms. Wildflower season is short and rain dependent but typically happens between March & April as well!

SUMMER (JUNE - AUGUST)

Summer in Phoenix is not a pleasant time to elope outdoors. Temperatures range from 100-120 during this time and most Phoenicians go into hibernation mode, only going outside when absolutely necessary or at night when the temperatures drop down to a more tolerable 80-90 degrees. Because of the high risk of heat exhaustion and general unbearable-ness, I don’t recommend eloping in the Phoenix area during summer. Even at sunrise, which would mean a 5AM start time, temperatures are usually 80-90 degrees, climbing to 100+ by 8 or 9AM. If you have your heart set on a summer elopement, I recommend indoor, air conditioned venues, or a northern Arizona location where it’s 20 degrees cooler because of the higher elevations. Additionally, June- September is “monsoon season”- a time of increased and somewhat unpredictable seasonal rains, so there is a much higher chance of rain and potentially dangerous storms and dust storms.

FALL (SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER)

Fall in Phoenix isn’t what a lot of people think of when they think of fall. It’s still usually 80-100 degrees and because of the desert climate, we have no changing leaves to speak of. But there is a gradual break in the miserable temperatures of summer and night time temperatures start to fall, so October begins the busy season of weddings and family portraits which really amps up in November before Thanksgiving.

Questions? Want to start planning your elopement but don’t totally know where to start? Ready to do this thing already? Send me an email to get the conversation started!

CONTACT ME

NORTHERN ARIZONA ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS

I love traveling to northern Arizona for it’s cooler climate, beautiful pine trees and mountains and adorable cities and towns with history & character. Northern Arizona is definitely the place to get married in the summer or winter if you really want a winter wedding with snow!

Payson

There are several gorgeous spots in Payson that would be perfect for eloping- the Mogollon Rim is a stunning spot, or Tonto Natural Bridge or any of the numerous hiking trails in the area. It’s also a convenient place to escape the summer heat- only 1.5 hours drive away from the valley and usually at least 15 degrees cooler in the summer. Monsoons frequent the are though in the summer from July-early September, so keep that in mind!

VIEW ELOPEMENTS HERE

Sedona

Of course Sedona is a popular choice of location to elope- for good reason too, it’s one of the most stunning places Arizona has to offer, if you don’t mind tourists. Weekdays are often much less busy than weekends if you have some iconic Sedona hikes you’d like to have your ceremony on. See more from Christy & Michael’s Cathedral Rock elopement & Laura & Marcus’s Sedona elopement!

Sedona elopement bride and groom at Yavapai Vista Overlook

Humphrey’s Peak

If you’d like to elope during the height of the Arizona summer, or you love pine trees and mountains, you should definitely consider Flagstaff. Humphrey’s Peak is the highest point in Arizona and has forests of pines and aspen trees. Lockett Meadow is a popular spot, though it requires four wheel drive to get to. See Leonor & Katryna’s Flagstaff engagement session to see more from their session!

VIEW WEDDINGS HERE

Flagstaff

There are many other areas around Flagstaff that would be lovely to elope. Check out all the local hiking trails in the area and you could hit up one of Flagstaff’s adorable pubs & bars or coffeeshops for a post ceremony celebratory drink afterwards!

Prescott

Prescott is an adorable town about 2-2.5 hours away from the Phoenix metro area. Whiskey Row is a popular tourist attraction, full of cute bars and restaurants and historic hotels. My favorite spot in Prescott is Watson Lake, not far from town, full of granite boulders and a beautiful lake that would make a perfect ceremony backdrop. You can head to town for a post celebratory drink at any of the bars or restaurants!

VIEW MORE PHOTOS HERE

Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend Area

Of course, the iconic Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend is a super popular location. It’s quite a journey but worth it- 5 hours from the Phoenix area and requires a booking with a local Navajo guide & a wedding permit which is purchased through the Navajo Tribal Park. View more information here. The tours operate year round, however the famous light beams, more common and more popular in the Upper Antelope Canyon, peak between March 20 to Oct 7. Lower Antelope Canyon requires hiking, is less crowded but also narrower, and has less light beams and light is better in the early to late morning. Horseshoe Bend is nearby and a great stop towards sunset or for your ceremony, though it is also often very crowded.

Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is perhaps the most iconic location in all of Arizona. It’s a popular spot to elope, however in most cases, doing so requires special permits and scheduling through the Grand Canyon National Park office due to the popularity of the national park and to protect the area. The Northern Rim of the Grand Canyon is closed during winter.

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK WEBSITE

Best month to elope in northern Arizona?

May through Sept for most regions of Arizona are the best months to elope without the risk of snow.

Throughout the year, weather conditions can vary greatly especially in northern Arizona. Northern Arizona follows more traditional season compared with the rest of the country, compared to Phoenix which doesn’t have much of a fall or winter. Flagstaff & the Grand Canyon are generally the coldest areas because both are at the highest elevation. The city of Flagstaff is at an elevation of around 7000 feet compared with 1000-2000 feet in the Phoenix area.