Elopements & Micro-Weddings

An elopement used to mean running off to Las Vegas to get hitched in front of an Elvis impersonator. Now, elopements have evolved and matured into a beautiful moment for couples to share vows and express their love for one another in a more intimate setting. Where a typical wedding includes 50-150 guests, a small or micro-wedding (also called an “intimate wedding”) includes up to about 40 guests and a reception of some sort. An elopement can be up to about 20 people or as intimate as you, your partner, an officiant, and two witnesses to sign the marriage certificate (and as your photographer, I can be your officiant and your photographer, or serve as one of your witnesses). 

I’ll mostly be talking about elopements here, but much of what is included can also apply to micro-weddings.

During the COVID-19 pandemic many couples had to shift gears and rethink their weddings with venues closing and crowd restrictions. Today, many are still choosing to skip the old traditions and expense of large weddings to create their own experience with just a few friends or family members. 

Eloping or having a micro-wedding is a way to make your wedding day more intimate, personal, and unique to you as a couple, and do it for a lot less money than a traditional wedding. 

You can spend a weekend with a few close friends (you will need at least two in Arizona to sign your license as witnesses), rent a house amid the red rocks of magical Sedona, or exchange vows in your backyard with a dozen or so family and friends. 

You can hike to the top of a mountain and exchange vows in front of a beautiful sunset and a stunning view (that would be an amazing photo book cover, let alone a big framed print on your wall!). 

The beauty of eloping and micro-weddings is that you can shape them however you want, making your day completely about your relationship and the love you share with one another. With me as your photographer, you may not even need an officiant because I am authorized to sign your wedding certificate! 

Arizona has an amazing diversity of landscapes and locations, from stunning Sonoran deserts, to mesmerizing red rock canyons, to beautiful pine forests. Plus, Arizona is home to one of the most iconic natural spectacles: the Grand Canyon. 

There are even more spectacular though less well known locations: Horseshoe Bend, Humphrey’s Peak (location of the famous Arizona Snowbowl ski resort), Antelope Canyon, or Havasupai Falls (though permits are in high demand and require a lot of advanced planning). 

Arizona is home to over 12 million acres of public land; over 30 state parks; and 22 national parks, monuments, and recreation areas!

One of the best aspects of eloping In Arizona is that there is no waiting period to get a marriage license. You can apply for your license and get married on the same day! It typically only takes about 15-20 minutes to get a license. However, I do recommend getting your license at least a few weeks in advance just to be safe. If you’re coming in from out of state, I’d recommend coming in at least a couple of days early to get your license and allow yourselves to relax a bit. Sometimes there can be lines at the clerks’ offices. 

To elope in Arizona, or to get married in general, you have to make sure your marriage is legally solemnized. What does that mean? It means following a some simple steps:

1. Obtain a marriage license – Getting a marriage license in Arizona is actually quite simple! You will both need to go to a county superior court clerk’s office (click here for a list of clerk’s offices in your county), be of the legal age to marry (18+, at least 16 if you have emancipation orders or a notarized parental consent form), complete the marriage license application form, and present a valid government-issued photo I.D. The filing fee is $83 and can be paid in cash, card, or money order. Arizona also does not require copies of divorce decrees if either party has been previously married. The clerk will issue your marriage license right there and it’s good for one year, but you can get married immediately after receiving your marriage license since there is no waiting period. 

2. Find an officiant – You can have any licensed or ordained clergy person or religious leader authorized by their religious society, judge, or justice of the peace solemnize your marriage. If you don’t have someone, I’m an ordained minister and can sign your certificate, even as your photographer! 

3. Have two witnesses – Arizona requires two witnesses aged 18 or older to sign your marriage certificate, in addition to your signatures, and the signature of the person authorized to solemnize your marriage.

4. Submit your completed marriage certificate – Once your marriage certificate has been completely filled out by the two witnesses, yourselves, and the officiant, it is the officiant’s responsibility to send it in to the clerk’s office. If I am your officiant, I will do that for you. 

5. Obtain a certified copy of your marriage certificate - Either when you apply for your license or after the marriage is recorded by the court clerk, you can request a certified copy of your license for $37.50 (or $30.50 if you provide a business-sized, self-addressed, stamped envelope at the time of your request). I highly recommend having a certified copy for your records, especially if one or both of you are changing your legal names.

Arizona is full of so many beautiful locations with all different kinds of scenery, from cactus-filled deserts to pine-covered forests. Some locations require a fee and/or a permit to be issued, while some are completely free and available for you to just walk up to and exchange your vows. Many of these locations limit your guest capacity and do not allow for chairs or certain decorations. So, be sure to do your research!

If you’re still not sure where would be the best place for your elopement, I’d love to help you find a place that works for you. I can also help with obtaining permits. You’ll want to choose a date and time for your location to avoid intense weather, traffic, or busy crowds.

When couples contact me, most have no idea where, when, or how to elope, let alone what to expect on their day. Don’t fret! I’m here to help guide you through the elopement planning process from beginning to end. At the bottom of this page are some more well known locations to elope, but there are lots more beautiful places. I follow “Leave No Trace” practices, so I don’t like to tag some of the more remote or less popular places because I want to keep these locations as beautiful as possible. So, if you go through the list at the bottom of this page and you’re looking for something a little different, contact me and tell me what you’re looking for so we can start the process of finding your ideal location. I can share some stunning hidden gems that may be exactly what you’ve been looking for!

Arizona is perfect any time of year, depending on which part of the state you’re looking at. There’s really no perfect answer to this question. It’s all in how you envision your elopement. Maybe you’re looking for fall colors, spring flowers, or snow-capped red rocks. No matter what, we’ll find that perfect time of year for your special day.

Here’s a little exercise that might help:

Take a moment to close your eyes and imagine your day.

What do you see? Do you see snow? Do you see bright yellows, oranges, and reds carpeting the landscape? Do you see iconic saguaro cactus? Do you see beautiful pine forests? Do you see fall colored oak trees?

What do you feel? Is there a slight breeze? Do you feel a chill in the air? Do you feel a warm breeze with the sun bursting over the horizon with beautiful oranges and pinks?

Write down what you see and feel. These visions and feelings will help you decide the best time of year for you.

Winter (Dec. Feb.) – Around Phoenix and most low deserts, weather is generally pretty mild with average highs around 65ºF and lows around 45ºF. In the mountains (Sedona, Prescott, Flagstaff, Williams, Grand Canyon, Payson, Pinetop), winter storms can bring a fair amount of snow, making for slick roads and some road closures.

Spring (Mar.-May) – Spring is amazing in Arizona! The desert starts to come back to life with vibrant purple, yellow, and orange flowers, amid the cactus and sage brush. In the lowlands during the day average highs are around 80ºF, with overnight lows around 55ºF. The desert bloom reaches its peak for a few weeks around March-April. The best places for the best desert colors include Saguaro National Park west of Tucson, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument about an hour west of Tucson, Lost Dutchman State Park east of Phoenix, Black Canyon National Recreation Trail north of Phoenix, Bartlett Lake northeast of Phoenix, Picacho Peak State Park between Tucson and Phoenix off I-10, and Catalina State Park north of Tucson.

Summer (Jun.-Aug.) – Arizona summers can be brutal in the lowlands, like around Phoenix and Tucson. Yes, it is full of sunshine, but it’s also very dry and temps often over 100ºF. Once the sun goes down, you may get mid-80s to mid-90s. In the higher elevations you can see daily highs around 80-90ºF and overnight lows around 65-75ºF. I strongly recommend sticking to the higher elevations in the summer.

Fall (Sep.-Nov.) – Arizona’s fall season can be incredible! You can expect comfy temps with an average high around 85ºF and average lows around 60ºF. Fall foliage can begin as early as late-September near Sedona, Cottonwood, and Camp Verde. By November, brilliant yellows and reds start to take over the lower elevations in southern Arizona. Some of the best places to view these amazing colors include Flagstaff (San Francisco Peaks), Pinetop-Lakeside, Sedona along Oak Creek and in Oak Creek canyon north of Sedona, and Tonto National Bridge Park less than 2 hours from Phoenix. In southern Arizona check out Aravaipa Canyon, Santa Catalina Mountains, Madera Canyon, and Ramsey Canyon Preserve.

Weekends can get very busy at the more popular sites, especially in good weather. A weekday elopement can offer more privacy, less traffic, and often easier reservations. Many places book up to a year in advance. You may find reservations more plentiful and cheaper during the week, especially for hotels and rental homes are often more available during the week.

This is the hardest part: planning. Most people have never planned an elopement before. It can feel overwhelming to know where to start. But with this little checklist you’ll be well on your way!

1. Start dreaming – You read that right. Before you book anything, get inspired and dream up your perfect elopement day. Browse Pinterest, surf the web, and search hashtags on Instagram. You’ll find awesome and unique ideas to incorporate into your day and it’ll help you shape what you want your day to be.

   Consider what you enjoy doing together. Would you ever do a day hike in the desert? If not, nothing says that you have to hike on your elopement day. You could rent a home or cabin and elope on a deck overlooking the red-rocks of Sedona, or say your “I do’s” on a boat at Lake Powell. Your options are limitless!

2. Establish a budget – After you’ve dreamed and wrote a bunch of things down you like, establishing a budget is the most important step! Planning your budget before booking any vendors will help set your expectations and give you a better idea of what vendors to hire. Don’t go for the cheapest – you get what you pay for. But do work within your budget based on the priorities you set in your dream. Yes, you will have to make compromises or, even better, be creative about how to achieve those dreams. But a budget will help you bring that vision from the clouds into a reality.

3. Book your wedding photographer – When you’re eloping, your photographer will be more involved in your planning process than any other vendor, so it’s important to get them on board first! Unlike a traditional wedding, elopements are simpler in some ways, but still require a skilled professional to help you navigate the planning. Start your search on Google or Instagram with “Arizona Wedding Photographer” or “Arizona Elopement Photographer” to find the local photographers in the area. Look through a lot of websites and Instagram feeds to really get a feel for the type of photos that speak to you. Then reach out to your absolute favorites through their contact form on their website to schedule a consultation. Most photographers will offer a free consultation. Some make it really convenient by offering a scheduling page. You can schedule a call with me here.

   It’s so important to find a photographer that you love! Your photographer will be with you ALL DAY, so having someone that you get along with and who makes you feel comfortable is vital! Your elopement day can’t be recreated. So, when looking through different photographer’s portfolio’s, make sure they have experience and that you absolutely LOVE their work.

4. Pick your location and apply for permits – Now that you have your photographer on board, you should work together to find the perfect location for your elopement. During this process, your photographer can be an absolute life saver. We have a lot of insight into locations from having personally been there and from different tools we use to explore trails and locations. We can recommend a ton of amazing locations based on your dream and budget.Your photographer will be able to tell you if your location will need a permit, or they will at least know where to look to find out. If it does, they’ll be able to help walk you through the permit application process. Often permit applications have to be submitted 3 months or more in advance. So, don’t wait to do this!

5. Book your other vendors – You’ve booked your photographer, begun planning, and chosen a location. Now it’s time to look for your other vendors that you may want to help shape your day into what you’ve been dreaming about. Your elopement photographer may be able to help you by providing a list of other vendors in the specific area of your elopement. Even for elopements couples often look for a florist, hair stylist, make-up artist, officiant, and either catering, a private chef, or a restaurant. Start making a list.

6. Book your travel and accommodations – Maybe checking out travel needs to be higher on this list? I would recommend checking out prices as early as possible so you can plan your elopement around dates when travel may be cheaper. In any case, as soon as you get your date nailed down and your location booked, I recommend taking the plunge and booking your travel earlier rather than later. Prices for flights tend to increase as you get closer to the date that you need them.

   If you’re looking at a specific house to rent for your elopement, the sooner you book it the better. The more unique accommodations in Arizona, such as glamping (glamor camping) sites, stargazing domes, and a-frame cabins, tend to book up quickly!

   Don’t forget to reserve your rental car! If you can, I recommend spending the extra cash to book a 4 wheel drive vehicle to explore some of Arizona’s many off-roading trails on your elopement day!

7. Plan your elopement day – This is another area where your elopement photographer will be a huge help! You’ve likely never planned an elopement and probably haven’t attended one. As elopement photographers, we’ve planned and attended several different elopements, which gives us a unique perspective on how the day might go, different tips n’ tricks to help the day run smoothly, and ideas to incorporate into your day. Spend some time with your significant other brainstorming ideas and how to make it unique for both of you. Maybe you want to share a hand-written note while getting ready. Or have your favorite music in the background as you exchange your vows. How does it sound to stop for a picnic after your ceremony? The options are truly endless.

   Pro Tip: When writing your vows, make sure to write them in a nice notebook or on thick cards. (You’ll thank me later when your photos don’t have you trying to read off a thin sheet of paper blowing in the wind or holding your phone as you read from the notes app).

8. Get your marriage license – Earlier in this post I share that it’s pretty easy to get your marriage license in Arizona. You can even get your license and get married the same day – no waiting period! You’ll both just need to be present (be the legal age of 18), complete the marriage license application form, and present a valid government-issued photo I.D. The filing fee is $83 and can be paid in cash, card, or money order. The clerk will issue your marriage license right there and it’s good for 12 months!

9. Before you know it, it’s your elopement day! – Congratulations! This is the day we’ve been working so hard for! So, enjoy it!

Choosing shoes for your elopement – On your elopement day you’ll want to make sure you choose shoes that are comfortable for whatever you’ll be doing, especially if you are planning to hike. Keep your feet dry and warm if your elopement is during the cooler months. Keeping your feet comfortable helps ensure you get to fully enjoy your elopement. This doesn’t mean you can’t bring some super cute white boots with a heel. Pack ‘em in your bag and put them on once you get to your ceremony location. This also goes for the guys. Dress shoes aren’t typically very comfortable to be in for extended periods of time and they don’t have very much traction on the soles to keep you from slipping on the rocks. Pack ‘em and wear your hiking boots to get there.

Wedding dresses for adventure elopements – You’ll want to wear a light-weight and free flowing dress, especially if you’ll be on uneven ground. Form-fitting or heavy gowns with multiple layers are difficult to have that full range of motion that you’ll want and need for your elopement day. One way to make sure that your dress is comfortable and doesn’t restrict your movement is for you to move around when you’re trying it on. Walk around, sit, stand, bend over, and raise your arms. If you’re feeling any kind of restriction, tightness, etc. you’ll definitely be feeling it on your elopement day! You’ll likely not want to hike in your dress, so look for materials that don’t wrinkle – think crepe, lace, silk tulle, or polyester satin (less delicate than silk).

Suits you can hike in – If you’re wearing a suit, you’ll want to be comfortable, too! So, when you’re choosing a suit, make sure that it’s not tight in the thighs, your shirt and jacket aren’t too tight in the arms or shoulders, and that it’s light and breathable if you’re choosing to elope in the warmer months. Or, look for suits that are wrinkle-resistant. Wool is the most common wrinkle resistant suit material. It’s not as light as other materials, but it still provides breathability on hot days. It’s also important that your pants fit with your shoes. Try on your pants with the shoes that you plan to wear to be absolutely sure that they’re not too long and won’t drag in the dirt.

Gear for adventure elopements – If you’re planning on a full day of hiking, you absolutely need to be prepared. Some things that you should bring include: backpacks, headlamps (especially if you plan to do sunset photos and need to hike back in the dark), proper footwear, blanket, snacks, navigation, first aid kit, sunscreen, bug spray, portable speaker for some tunes, and a toiletry bag (deodorant, makeup, pocket mirror, bobby pins, safety pins, tide pen, lint roller, and toilet paper). Your photographer will often help you with some of this stuff, but remember they’ll also be carrying a fair amount of heavy photography equipment. Planning among the three of you is absolutely essential!

When you’re brainstorming with your significant other and writing down all of the experiences that you’d like to have, ask yourself these questions:

Where do you want to get ready?

Getting ready really sets the tone for your elopement day. I mean, it’s the first thing that you’ll be doing! You’ll want to consider if you’ll be getting ready together or separately. Will you be at the same location in different rooms or completely separate locations? Or will you be changing out in some remote location (like at the end of a hike)? I always recommend getting ready in a space in which you feel comfortable, somewhere clutter free, with lots of windows and natural light, and minimal fluorescent lighting (nothing ever looks good under a fluorescent light). If you plan to hike, your photographer will likely be able to bring a portable changing tent.

How do you want to spend your morning?

Do you want to sleep in? Make pancakes together in the kitchen? Walk to a local coffee shop? Maybe you want to wake up in time to watch the sunrise together, either before you leave or the day after your elopement.

Do you want to do a first look?

It’s completely up to you! If you’re considering having a first look, think about where you might like to have it. The backyard of your home rental? Maybe you want to drive separately to a particular location nearby? Be sure to talk about it with your photographer, especially if you’d like photos of the moment.

Are you comfortable doing a long hike to a location?

As you decide where to have your ceremony, think about how far and how much time you’d actually like to spend hiking to your ceremony location. Maybe you’re avid hikers and it’s been an important part of your relationship. That’s awesome! But remember what you’ll be bringing with you and all the cameras, lenses, and other equipment your photographer will be carrying. Would you prefer to just drive-up to a location, or have a short 1 to 2 mile hike? Or maybe you want to spend the majority of your day immersed in nature on a day-hike to your ceremony site? The important thing here is to be realistic about your abilities and how you want to feel when you get there.

Do you want your ceremony in the morning or evening?

Lighting plays a huge role when your photographer is finalizing your elopement day timeline. Your ceremony is the highlight of your day and we want to make sure we recommend the best time for your ceremony to give you the best images. Ceremonies in the morning typically happen right at or immediately following sunrise, before the sun gets too high in the sky. That could mean traveling in the dark before sunrise. Evening ceremonies are usually held right before or at sunset. This way you’re not getting that brilliant midday sunlight blasting on you with harsh shadows, and immediately after your ceremony you can roll into sunset portraits! That could mean camping overnight or hiking back to your car in the dark. That’s fine, as long as everyone is prepared for it.

Are there multiple locations you’d like to go?

If your house rental and your ceremony location aren’t the only places you’d like to go or see, do a quick search to see what’s nearby. For example, if you’re eloping in Page, Arizona, you’d be close to Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and Lake Powell. Consider having your wedding portraits at one location and your ceremony at another! This way you can get a variety of landscapes in your photos on your elopement day.

What’s the travel time?

When deciding on locations, always take in account the time it’ll take to travel from one place to the next, time to find parking, and time to walk to your desired location. When planning your travel, give yourselves a little wiggle room just in case it takes longer than you expected to find parking or you hit a little bit of traffic!

Do you want portraits at sunset, sunrise, or both?

I always, always, always recommend sunrise or sunset portraits. The lighting is always amazing with a golden glow and the soft colors of the sun as it sets (or rises) reflecting on the landscape around you. It can be breathtaking!

Are there any traditions that you’d want to incorporate?

Just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean you can’t include any wedding traditions that may be important to either of you. So, if you want to have your first dance to your favorite song or cut the cake and smash it into each other’s faces, we can make that happen!

What kind of reception or post ceremony activities do you want?

After you say your “I do’s,” it’s time to celebrate! Whether it’s just the two of you or if you invited 15 family members and closest friends, there needs to be some sort of celebration! Your celebration can include so many different aspects. You can grab a brewsky at the local brewery, share an ice cream cone at a local creamery, or head back to your rental home for a bonfire and champagne. Whatever you want, it’s just time to celebrate! And your photographer can be there to capture it all!

The point here is that almost anything is possible, even with limited budgets. This is your elopement. So make it special for you two. As your photographer, I’m here to help and guide you.