bride and groom are standing holding hands on a red rock cliff at Dead Horse Point overlooking a desert canyon with a river flowing through it. The sun is setting and the canyon is various shades of red, purple, and orange.

HOW TO ELOPE IN

MOAB

A groom is spraying a champagne bottle and a bride is next to him excitedly watching. they are standing in a red rock desert and the champagne is spraying above their heads.
A bride and groom are embracing in a large red rock arch in arches national park. The blue sky has wispy clouds and is visible through the rock arch and a smaller round arch on the left. There are some green desert plants in the foreground.

So you’re making it official in Moab, Utah!

I am so excited for you!

As a Utah native, Moab has some of my favorite views and is absolutely the best place to elope if you’re looking for adventure and a high end experience.

This is where planning becomes daunting though, especially if you’re not a Moab local. I’ve created this comprehensive guide to help walk though all the major decisions and immediate information you need to begin planning the best elopement day.

Let’s start mapping out the perfect day with the perfect amount of adventure.

A bride and groom stand a few feet apart in a red rock desert. There is a small arch in the background between them. There is desert greenery around them and the couples is staring off to the left. The bride holds a bouquet of pink flowers.
A bride and groom stand together in a red rock desert. the groom is kissing the brides head and she is smiling at the camera holding a bouquet of wildflowers. the sun is setting and the red rock walls in the background are shades of purple and orange

Table of Contents

  1. Where to Elope in Moab

  2. When to Elope in Moab

  3. How to Elope in Moab

  4. Utah Marriage License Information

  5. Moab Elopement Timelines

  6. Moab Micro Weddings - Where Can We Bring Guests?

  7. Moab Elopement Adventures and Activities

  8. Where to Stay for Your Moab Elopement

  9. Moab Elopement Packages

Where to Elope in Moab

Arches National Park

Arches is what most people think of when they think of Moab. This is the most popular park in Moab and for good reason. There are over 2000 natural arches which is the highest concentration in the world! The views are incredible, and the park is actually pretty big.

Arches is incredibly busy - sometimes parking is nearly impossible and the entrance has hour long waits. I always recommend off season, weekdays, or sunrise for elopements in Arches, even more so if you are bringing any guests with you.

Even though the park is busy, I have some hidden spots and less popular trails that I love to bring couples to. This way you can have epic views, but also some privacy for private vows.

Dead Horse Point State Park

Dead Horse Point is my favorite ceremony location in Moab - the views are absolutely incredible, and since it’s a state park most people skip it entirely. Dead Horse Point is much smaller than Canyonlands, but has a different vantage point of the same canyons and river below.

It is full of stunning cliff top views, and my favorite location at sunrise and sunset. Everything is very accessible, and this is a great location if anyone in your group has any mobility issues and can’t hike or walk over rocks.

Dead Horse Point is great for elopements with guests and is my most recommended location.

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands is the other National Park in Moab and it doesn’t get nearly as much attention as Arches does. Canyonlands is vast - most people only visit the Island in the Sky area of the park and entirely skip the Needles and Maze sections.

Canyonlands is significantly less busy than Arches and is one of my favorite areas for epic cliff top views. This is also an adventurer’s paradise - we can camp, hike, off road, and explore so much in the less trafficked areas of the park.

BLM Locations

Moab is FULL of public land, so there are endless options for BLM elopements. If you are looking for adventure and really want to hike and explore, there are so many amazing places that we can go without the restrictions of being inside a National or State Park.

There are incredible rock walls, mesas, arches, rivers, trails, campsites, and so much more that can be a truly unique background for your elopement.

While BLM may not have the same restrictions as parks, they do have a harder permit process for weddings. I generally only recommend BLM ceremonies to couples where it’s just the two of you.

When to Elope in Moab

A bride and groom walk into a red rock desert. The bride is looking back at the groom and he is holding the train of her dress. There is a tall red rock wall formation in the background, and light green sage and plants around them.

Fall - While early fall can still be busy, by late October things start to quiet down, and honestly, November might just be my favorite time to elope out here. If you're looking for a laid-back elopement with desert views and cooler weather, late fall is where it’s at.

Winter - Winter is the BEST and least crowded time if you’re hoping for a National Park Elopement. Winter is the off season for Moab - which means stays are cheaper, vendors have more availability, and even popular trails are less crowded. You’ll just need to bundle up a little!

A bride is wearing a vintage fur coat over her wedding dress in a red rock desert. She has curly hair and a big smile.

Spring - It’s one of the most beautiful times to elope here... and one of the most popular. Between spring break travelers and perfect hiking weather, Moab gets super busy super fast. Choosing a weekday and sunrise time is a non negotiable during spring.

A bride and groom walk hand in hand along a red red cliff. She is wearing a two piece long sleeve lace wedding dress and holding a bouquet of flowers. He is wearing a dark green suit and bolo tie. A red rock canyon and mesa is behind them.

Summer - I really don’t recommend eloping in Moab during summer due to the hot temperatures. But if you’re up for some adventure, we can do a split sunrise/sunset timeline and take advantage of the lack of crowds.

A bride and groom stand in the sun underneath Sand Dune Arch in Arches National Park. The bride's veil is over her face and she holds pink roses. The groom is wearing a sage green suit.
A groom is adjusting a bride's lace wedding dress train. The sun is hitting them from behind and there is a mountain range in the background across a open desert area.

How to Elope in Moab

CHOOSE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER + PLANNER

This is your first step to the best day! As your Moab Elopement Photographer I do so much more than just document your day - I help you plan it start to finish. This is essential for applying for the correct permits, having backup plans for crazy weather, and helping you navigate Moab as a whole. Your photographer will help you choose the best time of the year, the best lighting, and make all of your elopement dreams come true.

1.

CHOOSE YOUR LOCATION + ACTIVITIES

After booking your photographer, it’s time to start dreaming up your perfect day! We will look at all of the location options and choose what fits your vision (and guest count) best. I’ll take into account any guest mobility locations, adventure preferences, and crowd levels to help you choose a location that you’ll swoon over. We’ll also choose activities to make for the most adventurous or luxurious day ever (or you know, both).

2.

BOOK ACCOMMODATIONS
+ VENDORS

Once we’ve settled on your date, location, and adventure we can set the tone with your accommodation. Moab has so many incredible options - airbnbs, glamping resorts, luxury villas, dispersed campsites - you name it. We’ll also add on the special details of your day like flowers, cake, private chefs, guided horseback rides, officiants, and anything else you’re envisioning.

3.

CREATE A STRESS FREE TIMELINE + HAVE THE BEST DAY!

Now it’s time to put it all together! We will create a laid back but structured timeline of the day so that you can be totally stress free and present on your elopement day. I’ll make sure we get everywhere on time, have backups and other options in place, get the best lighting for photos, and let you soak up every second together.

4.

Utah Marriage License Information

A bride and groom stand on a desert cliff holding their marriage license. They are kissing.

Getting Your Utah Marriage License

The process is straightforward and includes an online option for even more convenience.

  1. Apply Online (Utah County): Utah County offers an online application process for marriage licenses, making it perfect for couples traveling in from out of state. Simply fill out the application on their website, upload your identification, and pay the fee. Once approved, the license is issued electronically, so there’s no need to visit the clerk’s office in person. You can apply in Utah County and get married in another county since your license is valid statewide. https://www.utahcounty.gov/dept/clerk/marriage/index.html

  2. Visit a Clerk’s Office: If you want a paper copy to sign, you and your partner can visit the county clerk’s office in person. You can pick up your license from the County Clerk’s office in Moab (Grand County) and get married the same day.

  3. Provide ID: Bring a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport).

  4. Pay the Fee: The cost ranges from $40 to $50, depending on the county.

Marriage Requirements in Utah

  • Utah does not require witnesses to apply for a marriage license, but Utah does require witnesses to sign the license. You cannot self solemnize in Utah, so you will need an officiant and 2 witnesses.

  • Marriage licenses are valid statewide, so you can apply in one county and get married in another.

  • Your officiant can be anyone legally authorized, including a friend or family member who becomes ordained online. https://www.utahcounty.gov/dept/clerk/marriage/officiants.html

  • The license is valid immediately and remains effective for 32 days

Moab Elopement Timelines

Not sure what your day will exactly look like? I’ve created a few sample timelines for you as a starting place.

@zandrabarrigaphoto A sample hiking elopement timeline for Arches National Park! This one is for the couples who want to hike and explore a lotttt đŸĨž #utahelopementphotographer #hikingelopement #moabelopement #zionelopement #archesnationalpark â™Ŧ original sound - Zandra
@zandrabarrigaphoto I love planning elopements and micro weddings in Moab, so here’s a micro wedding sample timeline based around Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab! You’ll have all the traditional parts of the day with your guests, but also some adventure with a sunrise horse back ride đŸĨš #moabelopement #utahelopementphotographer #microwedding #utahelopement #moabwedding â™Ŧ original sound - Zandra

Moab Micro Weddings

A bride and groom stand in Arches National Park during their wedding ceremony hand in hand. The couple has friends and family on either side witnessing their ceremony up against large red rock walls.

You don’t have to choose between a wedding and an elopement - you can have BOTH.

A Moab micro wedding is the perfect in between - you can celebrate with all of your closest people, but also have a unique, once in a lifetime adventure. I love structuring micro wedding days with both a ceremony + celebration with guests, and also plenty of alone time for the two of you to soak it all in. Truly the best of both worlds.

If you’re wanting to plan a micro wedding (generally 15-50 guests) there may be more logistics involved than for a simple elopement (just the two of you + maybe 10 guests or so).

Here are the basics:

Locations:

National & State Parks

  • Dead Horse Point - Shade Shelter Site - up to 100 guests ***only available in January, February, July, August, November, and December

  • Dead Horse Point - West Bench Site - up to 50 guests

  • Arches NP - La Sal Mountain Viewpoint & Panorama Point - up to 50 guests

  • Arches NP - Devils Garden Campground Amphitheater - up to 80 guests

  • Canyonlands NP - Dutch Oven Group Site - up to 50 guests

Venues

Multi Day Micro Weddings

One of my biggest recommendations for couples doing a micro wedding in Moab is booking a multi day package. This way you can have an entire wedding day experience with your guests AND an adventure elopement day just the two of you.

Here’s what a timeline could look like:

Day 1

  • Get ready separately

  • Meet for a first look

  • Ceremony with friends and family at an epic overlook

  • Family portraits

  • Dinner + dancing at your Airbnb or venue

Day 2

  • Get ready together and have some intentional morning time

  • Meet at a trailhead for a hike to another incredible location! (or if you want a ton of adventure - climbing, river rafting, off roading, zip lining - literally anything is possible this day!)

  • Share private vows + take epic photos

  • Sunset portraits + stargazing

Moab Elopement Adventures and Activities

A bride and groom are riding horses in a red rock desert

This is where the fun begins and where we can make your day fully customizable. I love helping couples find their perfect amount of adventure for their elopement day, and if red rock desert activities are calling to you then we will absolutely fit them in. Here are just a few examples of things you can incorporate into your Moab Elopement:

  • Hiking (I’ll help find the perfect hike - whether you want 10+ miles and some scrambles, or a very chill .5 mile hike to some arches)

  • Horseback Riding

  • Off roading (Jeeps or ATVs!)

  • Climbing

  • Canyoneering

  • Camping

  • Backpacking

  • Hot Air Balloon Rides

  • Helicopter/Plane Tours

  • Zip Lining

  • River Rafting

  • Paddle Boarding

  • Stargazing

  • Campfires

Where to Stay for Your
Moab Elopement

Your stay sets the tone for your entire elopement experience. Moab is full of really incredible places whether you’re looking for a high end luxury experience, or a fully immersed desert stay. Here are my favorites!

Hotels

Red Cliffs Lodge
Hoodoo Moab
World Mark

Vacation Rentals for large groups*

*these are all VRBO links - Airbnb no longer allows events, so these rentals will actually allow you to hold private dinners and receptions

Exclusive Retreat Desert Dream
Desert Vista Retreat
Desert Hideaway
Desert Horizon Retreat
Desert Panorama
Desert Vista Mirage
Lodge in the heart of Moab

Personally, I think the absolute best way to stay in Moab is at a glamping resort:

ULUM
Under Canvas Moab
Primal Resorts

Moab Elopement Packages

Ready for the best day with no regrets?

Elopement Packages

Half Day

4 hours photography coverage
Custom Timeline + Planning Support
Personalized Locations
Full Resolution Images
Online Gallery for Sharing & Downloading
24 Hour Sneak Peeks
Travel Fees Included!

Starting at $4200

See Pricing + Packages