When it comes to your elopement day, you have so much freedom to create the experience you’re dreaming of and make it extra special, whether you want more of a traditional wedding or you’re looking for unique elopement ideas.
The destination itself can provide plenty of inspiration, such as an Elvis wedding in Las Vegas, a Colorado elopement surrounded by the Rockies, or an oceanfront wedding along the dramatic cliffs of Big Sur in California. But in Sedona, the red rock scenery, mystical vortex sites, a wealth of outdoor adventures, and its Wild West feel are just some of the aspects to draw on for your spectacular wedding day.
Here are nine of our favorite Sedona elopement ideas you probably never thought were possible, and Arizona Elopement Collective can help make them happen!
1. Off-Roading Elopement Ceremony: Not Your Traditional Wedding
If you’re the type of couple who prefers going off the beaten path, why not add a little adventure to your wedding day? After all, how many brides and grooms can say they signed their marriage license in a 4×4?
An off-roading elopement is one of the most unique Sedona experiences, and it’s probably more your style if you enjoy being immersed in remote scenery without the crowds or need to embark on a long hike. It’s also a great idea if you have family members who are unable to do more than a short trek, and sites like Merry Go Round Rock are both beautiful elopement locations as well as thrilling off-roading adventures.
While an off-roading elopement is certainly not a “traditional wedding,” it will be one to remember, and it delivers an incredible Sedona experience. Jeep tours are a common way to get to some difficult-to-access areas, or you can even rent your own 4×4 so you can use it for adventures throughout the region before and after your wedding ceremony.
The views are guaranteed to be epic—and just imagine the photos! As locals with connections to the top professionals, Arizona Elopement Collective we have the best Sedona photographers on our team to capture the wedding photos of your dreams.
2. A True Wild West Elopement
Sedona isn’t just known for its red rocks and metaphysical/New Age atmosphere. It also appeals to history buffs and adventurers who want the full Wild West Sedona experience. With lessons to learn about the origin of cowboys and horseback riding trails, it’s ideal for a Western-inspired ceremony.
There are many ways to use Sedona’s most beautiful places as a backdrop for an elopement celebrating natural rustic beauty and simplicity. Locations like Cathedral Rock capture the dusty on-the-trail sensation of freedom with its red rocks and inspiring panorama. If you love animals and nature, you can also pick a location near one of the many horse trails that wind their way through the landscape.
If the idea of beginning your new life together on the trail surrounded by horses and tranquility speaks to you, here are some of the top areas to consider when eloping in Sedona.
- Lime Kiln Trail
- Turkey Creek Trail
- Jim Thompson Trail
- Brin’s Mesa
- West Clear Creek
- Doe Mountain
- Dry Creek
Any of these locations will remind you that the world is wild and free, and Sedona can be the perfect reflection of your relationship and love.
3. Incorporating Your Furry Best Friends with a Dog Ceremony
One of the best elopement ideas for dog lovers is to incorporate your four-legged pals into the elopement ceremony. After all, for many people, their dogs are on par with friends and family members.
If you decide to hike to your wedding venue there are plenty of dog-friendly options to consider. Canines also make for great bridesmaids, groomsmen, or even ring-bearers for added fun! Or, just let your dog (or dogs) hang out with your guests and be part of the wedding photos—your photographer will love it! In fact, the only thing a dog can’t do is be an official witness.
Merry Go Round Rock, tucked into the Coconino National Forest, is one of the most scenic spots to get married with a 1,500-foot ledge overlooking Sedona and the red rocks. The trail to get there is dog-friendly and can be traversed on foot or by embarking on a 4×4 road trip.
4. A Metaphysical Ceremony
There may be no better place for your special day if you’re seeking a metaphysical ceremony than this northern Arizona town. Elopement ideas that incorporate the jaw-dropping scenery a Sedona experience offers (along with those mystical Sedona vortexes!) are many. You can stage your wedding among the vibrations of the red rocks as a powerful way to solidify a commitment to the love of a lifetime.
One of the options for eloping with a metaphysical wedding ceremony includes saying your vows at a vortex site while incorporating elements from spiritualist traditions that resonate with you. Think sound healing with a native flute, drums, or crystal singing bowls. The soothing sounds of a Native American-style flute wafting over the magnificent landscape are incredibly moving. A crystal singing bowl can not only add sound—it produces a vibration that’s said to open the heart. Enhance your elopement even more by incorporating an officiant who is experienced with traditional practices.
At Arizona Elopement Collective, we have officiants who have a deep understanding of many different traditional and sacred practices, and we can incorporate all of the elements that speak to you most deeply.
5. Hot Air Balloon Ride Elopement
A balloon ride can be part of your elopement in multiple ways. You can even have your wedding while floating high above the beauty of the Sedona red rocks. Of course, this idea will naturally limit the number of those in attendance—unless you want to hire a fleet of balloons.
Couples choose this option when eloping on their own or with just a couple of friends or family members in attendance. If you want more people to witness your nuptials when eloping, you might say your vows on the ground and then enjoy a celebration of newly wedded bliss by soaring up in a balloon afterward. You can also make it an unforgettable part of your honeymoon, too! Either way, it’s an incredibly cool Sedona experience. No matter which you choose, a follow-up balloon ride champagne toast is the perfect way to kick off married life.
6. Helicopter Elopement Ceremony
A hot air balloon ride isn’t the only way to fly. How about a helicopter elopement? If you take the adventure part of your wedding seriously, one of our favorite elopement ideas is to hike to a remote spot for a private ceremony where you’ll say your vows, celebrate with a kiss (and perhaps a first dance), and then start your marriage with a helicopter flight over the red rocks. It’s sure to be a trip of a lifetime and a Sedona experience you’ll never forget.
7. A Celestial Elopement
Sedona is renowned for stargazing with some of the most brilliant night skies that always include the Milky Way. But why not make your elopement a cosmic event by saying your “I dos” under the stars?
Some couples choose to have a sunset elopement to incorporate the glorious colors that fill the sky and then take advantage of the incredible photos that can be had when the Milky Way and various constellations make an appearance. If you don’t choose this option as part of your elopement, you can always make stargazing part of your romantic honeymoon activities while you’re here, as it’s an absolutely mind-blowing Sedona experience.
8. A First Dance Among Nature
Another great way to begin married life is to enjoy your first dance while immersed in the beauty of nature. Simply exchange your vows as the sun rises or sets, and then enjoy a dance. You don’t have to have a band playing—a solo musician could play the guitar or another instrument, or you could use your phone or a mini-speaker. No matter who or what plays the music, it’s an especially romantic Sedona experience for enhancing your elopement.
9. An Airbnb with a Spectacular Red Rock View
Airbnb weddings are becoming more popular than ever, and they’re perfect for an elopement. If you’re looking for elopement ideas that mean you won’t have to worry about getting a permit or having a bunch of tourists in your photos while enjoying a unique property all to yourself, this is it. There are many vacation rentals available on Airbnb that offer an idyllic location with outdoor living spaces like large decks where you can still have the red rocks provide a stunning backdrop.
An Airbnb (or any type of vacation rental) could also provide the perfect honeymoon retreat after your elopement—perhaps book one with a hot tub for romantic soaks with an awe-inspiring view. Whether you need something just for you two or you’re looking to accommodate a larger wedding party, there are plenty of options. You could hold a reception there too and even hire a private chef. The possibilities are practically endless!
An Elopement and Wedding Planning Team To Make Your Dreams Come True
This blog article is an extension of our ultimate guide to a Sedona elopement. If you are looking for more information on how to plan your perfect Sedona elopement, give our guide a read.
Now that we’ve provided plenty of inspiration for your elopement in Sedona, it’s time to make it happen. While it might seem like there are a ton of details that need to be taken care of, our Sedona Elopement Packages got you taken care of and make sure that you have the right photographer, officiant, and every other piece of the puzzle.
No matter which elopement idea you have in mind, we’re here to take that stress away so you can enjoy the wedding day you’ve been dreaming of. Check out our Sedona elopement packages and start planning your perfect Sedona elopement!
