Arizona is one of the most underrated states for its beauty, but we think it’s one of the best places for a destination elopement.
If you don’t know anything about Northern Arizona elopements and weddings, let me be the first to tell you that Sedona is where everyone goes. And for good reason: Sedona’s stunning landscapes, variety of ceremony options, and high quality resorts make it great for couples. However, the Southwest marriage scene offers more than just desert and Arizona offers more than just Sedona.
In the space north of Phoenix there are sprawling forests, reaching peaks, twisting waterfalls and canyons that are open for destination elopements.
Keep reading and we’ll redefine your idea of the Southwest. We’ll show you the beauty of Northern Arizona and why you should consider an Arizona destination elopement.
Arizona destination elopement or wedding?
The timeless outdoor scenery of Arizona includes public, state and tribal lands, but what’s the best way to feature that in a marriage ceremony?
If you’re okay with spending a bit of money, a destination wedding can buy you a venue, hotel, and great experience. However, with Arizona destination elopements, you’re going to find that the world is open to your ceremony. Some areas do require a small fee for elopements, but most are totally free assuming you keep it small and clean up after yourself.
For the couple looking to save for their future life together, destination elopements in the beautiful outdoors can still save couples thousands by reducing the a major wedding cost — venue.
And the costs of Arizona venues drop off of a Grand Canyon-sized cliff once you head out of Sedona. Northern Arizona’s lands have everything a couple looking for a secluded get away needs.
Grand Canyon elopement
Nothing deserves the first spot on our destination elopement mention more than the Grand Canyon — one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
The canyon’s stunning color variation in its reaching canyon walls contrast the vast Arizona sky. These factors make a great backdrop for your sunset elopement. All you have to do is find a quiet location to watch birds soar with your cherished loved ones — safely away from the canyon’s edge.
If you’ve never been to the Grand Canyon, what more adventurous way to explore it first hand than by reciting your vows during sunset.
Flagstaff
Certainly underrated among the Arizona destination elopements, Flagstaff and the surrounding landscape are known as one of the few places in the Southwest to experience a true forest destination elopement.
The crisscrossing trails through the ponderosa pine trees are easy to get lost in (and that’s part of the appeal.) You can perfectly frame the remnants of a dormant volcano, popularly known as the San Fransisco Peaks, find the dramatic edge of a canyon, or stand in an open meadow.
Flagstaff also has another benefit — it is the largest city in Northern Arizona. It’s close to the Grand Canyon, so it also has many hotels and amenities that you can enjoy during your destination elopement.
Prescott
Prescott is a city that feels plucked right out of the heart of an old Western.
It is located about halfway between Phoenix and Flagstaff and is surrounded by the Prescott National Forest. For those who want a more tame elopement at an affordable price, Prescott’s downtown area includes the lawn of the Yavapai County Courthouse that runs along Whiskey Row for a quaint, old town setting. It’s also an incredibly easy place to pick up your wedding license, which Arizona doesn’t make exactly easy (if you’re wondering.)
Outside of the city streets, the rolling hills, colorful rocks and peaceful waters are all open for the adventurous couple.
Page
The city is small, but its surroundings are vast.
Page sits on the border of the Arizona and Utah and benefits from the nearby Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell. This city of a little more than 7,000 people is a hidden gem, but is widely known for the nearby Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. With four possible spots to adventure, and two top Arizona destination elopement locations, it’s easy to see why we recommend Page to our clients.
Victoria Nabours, a Northern Arizona local, founded White Desert Photography in 2018. Since then, the company has bloomed into one of the most in-demand wedding, elopement and engagement photography companies in Sedona. Additionally, her years of expertise has taken her to international wedding destinations and attracted the eye of local and bridal magazines.
Check out her photo galleries, elopement and wedding packages, and inquire today!
