National Park elopements are truly some of the most romantic. You’ve spent your entire life with a love for adventure. Now, you are about to take on the greatest one yet with your favorite explorer by your side. If you have been considering a Canyonlands elopement, I would love to serve as your guide! As an adventure elopement photographer, I adore working with clients to make sure they can have the celebration of their dreams. Here’s what you need to know about your Canyonlands elopement!
Your Guide To Planning The Perfect Canyonlands Elopement For You
When You Should Elope in Canyonlands & How to Pick Your Date
The very first decision you need to make when planning your Canyonlands elopement is the date. This will inform everything from the time of your wedding to the outfits. It helps to start out by thinking about what you want your wedding to look like. Because you are not chasing down peak foliage, you’ll have more flexibility. Here’s what you can expect with each season:
- Spring: In Moab, spring starts in late March and lasts until mid-May. The weather during this season is positively lovely! You’ll have mild yet warm days with the freedom to host your wedding at any time. If you want a nighttime ceremony, you’ll be rewarded with star-filled nights, especially as the Milky Way starts to appear!
- Summer: Summer lasts until mid-September. Because Moab is a desert, you’ll have to deal with excruciatingly hot weather. You’ll also have a ton more tourists who will be there throughout your ceremony. Summer weddings are still doable, but I recommend sticking with an early morning or late evening celebration. You’ll have better weather and fewer crowds.
- Fall: Fall wraps up around the first week of November. I absolutely love autumn in Moab! You get perfect temperatures, but you’ll have fewer crowds than you would with a spring wedding.
- Winter: Moab doesn’t get too many tourists from November through March. While it might be less crowded, it will also be cold! It’s not uncommon to see some flurries throughout these months!
No matter what season you choose, I would recommend sticking with a weekday wedding. This will be your best chance at avoiding on-lookers! Also, Canyonlands is open 24/7. You will be able to pick whatever time you’d like for your celebration!
Canyonlands Elopement Locations
Next up comes locations! Canyonlands has several spots they suggest for weddings. With these locations, you will be able to invite 15-25 of your closest friends and family to join you for your ceremony.
- Shafer Canyon Overlook: This location becomes especially magical at sunrise! With this site, you will exchange your vows alongside the colorful sandstone walls.
- Green River Outlook: As its name might suggest, Green River Outlook shows off the Green River 1,300 feet below. Truly, there’s no better spot in the entire park to watch the sunset!
- Grand View Point: This is a location perfect for adventurers! To access this location, you will have to travel across the Island in the Sky. Once you arrive, you’ll have sun-soaked views that stretch as far as the eye can see!
- Pothole Point: For more intimate ceremonies, Pothole Point is spectacular! This area contains sandstone with pockets (“potholes”). Sometimes, you can catch a rainbow or two following the summer rain!
- Needles Campsite: If you want a more accessible way to celebrate, the Needles Campsite lets you stay on the grounds while planning an on-site ceremony.
How to Get a Canyonlands License
Now comes the fun part: the paperwork! You will start out by applying for your Utah marriage license. Luckily, there is no waiting period on your marriage license, so you can get it on the first day of your trip. You can start out by applying at any Utah County Clerk’s office. You will fill out all the information, pay the fees (some counties have one, others do not), and then, your license is valid for 32 days. You must have someone there during your ceremony to solemnize the wedding, as well as two witnesses over the age of 18 present throughout.
Canyonlands requires a Special Use permit to use the park for your wedding. You can apply for one up to a year in advance. It will take at least four weeks to fully process your request, so do not put it off!!! You will complete NPS Forms 10-930s online and submit an application fee. And then, you should be golden!
What to Wear to Your Canyonlands Elopement
Elopements are great because you have so much freedom to do things your own way! Some couples get married in gorgeous bohemian gowns, and others pair their cargo pants with hiking boots. All that matters is what you want to do.
There are a few things to keep in mind:
- Fabrics: breathable, lightweight fabrics work best for your wedding. That way, you won’t be sweating throughout the ceremony. They also tend to be easier to pack, which can be especially useful for backpackers.
- Footwear: Look, I’m not saying you have to get your wedding shoes from REI, but you also don’t want to twist an ankle on the way to your site. Be practical and skip out on the stilettos. You can also bring a change of shoes for once you arrive at your ceremony space.
How Much Does a Canyonlands Elopement Cost?
There are two fees you have to prepare for: the Utah marriage license, which costs $0-$50 depending on the county, and the NPS Special Use permit, which costs $185. You will also have to pay for an officiant if you are hiring one. From there, it’s time to think about what you want to spend.
Remember to consider:
- Lodging for yourself and guests
- Transportation
- Attire
- Hair and makeup (optional but highly recommended!)
- Food
- Desserts
- Flowers
Hiring a Canyonlands Elopement Photographer
Finally, the one cost you do not want to skip out on is your photographer. I promise you, this is not just my bias speaking! This is a sacred memory you will want to take with you for the rest of your life. Not only do you want someone on hand to capture it, but you also want to make sure they know how to get the best angles of the canyons. After all, there is a reason why you chose this spot! As an adventure photographer, I love traveling the world and helping couples capture their day. I would love to be there to help you document the raw emotions of your celebration. Let’s write the next chapter of your story together!
I Hope This Helps You Plan The Perfect Canyonlands Elopement
Hopefully, this guide helps you as you plan your Canyonlands elopement! And if you would like to see if I’m the photographer for you, let’s chat! Send me a message today to find out more!
