An elopement, at its core, is an intimate wedding ceremony that celebrates your love story. Sedona adventure elopements, however, those are for the rule breakers. The couples who are saying “hell no” to getting married in their family’s church and the couples who live life on their own terms. To plan an adventure elopement in a gorgeous location like Sedona is to embrace your authenticity. But you might be wondering how to plan a Sedona adventure elopement with guests. It’s entirely possible, and we’re sharing our insights on how you can make it happen. Keep reading for more.
What is an Adventure Elopement?
Adventure elopements are kind of our thing at Arizona Elopement Collective. We know how to ditch the wedding rule book and work with our couples to co-create a Sedona wedding experience filled with authenticity. But we also know that the term adventure elopement means something different to each one of our couples.
It’s kind of like this, some of our couples want an adventure elopement in Sedona with a two-minute walk to their ceremony location. For them, their wedding day is about choosing to ditch the trad wedding and choose a ‘nontraditional’ experience in the awe-inspiring landscape of Sedona.
For other couples, their adventure wedding in Sedona might include repelling, hiking, off-roading, or driving around to multiple locations while chasing the sunset. They crave an experience that feels like them, and that means they are ready to hike into their wedding day with their dress or suit in a backpack; hiking boots required.
Obviously, these are two totally different versions of an adventure elopement. That’s because an adventure elopement can be both of these, but so much more. The point is, you get to define your own version of adventure.
What is an adventure elopement? It’s whatever adventure means to you. Whether it’s a wedding day in Sedona at an easily accessible location or an elopement with a two-mile hike. An adventure elopement is what screams authenticity to you. We say an elopement in Sedona is all about turning the dial-up on adventure as loud as you want.
Where do Most People Elope in Sedona?
We’re sorry to say, that this is another question that is highly ‘situational’, there is no black-and-white answer. It really all depends on what’s most important to both of you. Honestly, so many of our couples ask this same question during our initial call with them. You might be surprised to know, we don’t exactly give them a direct answer. That’s because the answer to this question is not a matter of rattling off a list. It’s more of a collaborative effort between us and our couples to explore what location would be best for their Sedona adventure elopement with guests.
Our process is kind of like this. We like to find out all the things that matter to you most. Do you want privacy, accessibility, and a bathroom on-site? Do you want to walk to your ceremony site? If so, how long do you want to walk for? There’s a big difference between a 30-second walk, a 10-minute walk, and a two-mile hike!
Once we have a better understanding of your view, then we can begin showing you photos of each location. From there we can discuss all the specifics, including the terrain of the area, the type of vehicle you’ll need, equipment to bring, and what kind of shoes to wear.
Sure, during that call we could easily give you a list of areas where people “usually elope” in Sedona. But how would that be helpful? Without knowing whether you are an expert hiker, a beginner, or someone who just loves the views, we’d be leaving you on your own to figure it all out.
But you need to consult a pro when planning your Sedona adventure elopement with guests, someone who has done this before successfully. We’re not about to leave you on your own with a random checklist to try and figure it all out.
Still curious to know where our couples choose to plan their Sedona adventure elopement with guests? We’ll excite your curiosity and give you the shortlist.
- Cathedral Rock
- Bell Rock
- Merry Go Round Rock
- Tour de Sedona [an Arizona Elopement Collective Exclusive!]
Can an Elopement be With Family?
Some couples crave an adventurous wedding in Sedona, “just the two of them”. Cool. But some couples want to invite friends & family to their adventure elopement in Sedona. Also cool. The thing is, a modern elopement is defined as having less than 20 guests. And, the best part, you get to intentionally decide who your 20 guests will be.
Are your guests just your two witnesses? Or, do you want to sit down with your partner to select up to 20 people that you genuinely want to spend time with at your wedding? People that you want by your side for your group photos, and friends and family who you actually want to celebrate with. Not a group of 200 guests stuck at a random table making mindless chit-chat at an overblown wedding. Because if you’re choosing to elope, we already know, that’s not your vibe.
Sedona Elopement Packages With Guests
So, now you know that a modern Sedona adventure elopement with guests includes up to 20 friends & family members. But what does that look like for an adventure wedding? One where you get to turn the dial up on your level of adventure.
If you want to plan your adventure wedding in Sedona with guests and the ability to hike, go off-roading, or repel, you might be wondering how to do that. There are a few ways, actually.
Sedona Adventure Elopement with Guests – Option 1
The first way to plan your Sedona adventure elopement with guests is by bringing them along for the ride, literally. If what you want out of your adventure wedding is a solid hike or an off-roading adventure, we’re sorry to say this option is not for granny or small children.
Bringing your guests on an active adventure wedding experience in Sedona that includes a hiking adventure or an off-road experience is best if your guests are fit and up to the challenge. With off-roading, the terrain is rocky and uphill. Needless to say, you and your guests will be in for a bumpy ride. So while the idea of being able to stick your less mobile guests in a vehicle may seem enticing, it’s truly not designed for everyone.
If your 20 guests are friends and family members who lead an active lifestyle, then they can absolutely hike into your ceremony location with you. Or, you have the option of renting the appropriate amount of vehicles to take everyone on a Sedona adventure wedding off-roading experience with you.
Plenty of our couples have guests attending their adventure wedding in Sedona who don’t want to be bounced around in an off-road experience. Or kids coming who attend their wedding that do not have the capability to hike for two miles. Which brings us to our next option.
Sedona Adventure Elopement with Guests – Option 2
This option is best for you if, you know you want to experience an adventure elopement in Sedona with your guests by your side. But those same guests are not at all up for the adventure aspect of your wedding day. We call this a hybrid option. Here’s how it works.
Your elopement ceremony is held at a gorgeous and scenic location in Sedona. One that is easily accessible for you and guests of all ages. Yes, including granny and the little ones. After you are pronounced, you have plenty of time with your guests for group photos, a first dance, and even to pop the champagne. But, when the celebration is over, your guests head back to their Airbnb.
From there, you get to connect, as newlyweds, on a Sedona adventure elopement with – well, each other. Your guests got to be there for your vows and now you can take that off-road adventure to chase the sunset. As you enjoy the views, one of our highly skilled in-house wedding photographers will be on hand to capture the magic along the way.
Sedona Adventure Elopement with Guests – Option 3
Still want more options for a Sedona adventure elopement with guests? We’re full of them, so here is option number 3. This one is also a kind of hybrid Sedona adventure elopement, but it’s tremendously different from the previous one.
In a sense, this option is a bit more traditional, but highly modern at the same time. We’ll explain it a bit more. The morning of your wedding, you get ready at your Airbnb with all of your guests in attendance. You can share a first look with Mom or Dad (or any other important person in your life for that matter), or even have the person you are closest to help you get dressed. All the while our in-house photographer will capture every beautiful, shared candid moment, along with group photos of you and your guests.
From there, your guests hang back at the Airbnb while you take off with us on an off-roading adventure-filled ceremony in Sedona. Your guests get to see you off. You get your adventure wedding. And, at the end of the day, you get to meet up with your guests for a reception dinner at the Sedona restaurant of your choice. Pretty rad, right?
Sedona Adventure Elopement with Guests – Option 4
Our final option for your Sedona adventure elopement with guests is by far the most modern; live streaming! Technically your guests won’t be with you live and in person. But it’s still a way to “have them there” with you on the side of a cliff while you are joined in marriage.
Our couples have attempted this a few ways. The first is to have one of their two witnesses in attendance holding an iPhone for the live stream. We will say this, the audio is not exactly the best option on an iPhone. And neither is the video, to be honest.
If you want to livestream your Sedona adventure elopement with guests watching from near and far, hiring a pro will be well worth it. That way your live stream will have multiple angles set up for your guests to view, along with quality audio. This will give your guests more of an immersive experience. You also won’t have to worry about a wedding photographer popping in and out of an iPhone stream, obscuring the view of your guests watching on the other side.
The total to livestream your Sedona adventure elopement with guests tuning in is around $500. That might seem like a high ticket price, but to put it in perspective, plane tickets, accommodations, and dinner for your guests would be 20x that price.
All-inclusive Sedona Elopement Packages
You might have a better idea of how you want to plan your Sedona adventure elopement with guests now that you’ve read through all the options. But, you really want to see what’s available in the way of all-inclusive Sedona elopement packages. Here’s the thing, you’ve got plenty of options. We don’t expect you to become an expert wedding planner in the course of one article. So we’ll give you an idea of how to pair an all-inclusive package with your Sedona adventure elopement with guests.
Sedona Adventure Elopement With Guests in Attendance
You’ve talked about your wedding and who you want to invite to your elopement. You know your guests are in shape and not only are they up to the task of hiking or off-roading, they can’t wait for the day to arrive.
The Location | Merry Go Round Rock
The Package | Arizona Elopement Collective’s Level 3 Adventure Elopement
This all-inclusive Sedona elopement package is for the couple and their guests who are down for an adventure. It includes an up to 2-hour hike or off-road adventure to a secluded location in Sedona.
It includes:
- Personal Planning Session
- Professional Sedona Elopement Photography w/up to 6 hours of Documentary Style Coverage (Getting Ready, Details, Ceremony, Couples Portraits, Adventure) Shareable online Gallery of Photos, Full Resolution Edited Images, Access to our Personal Printing Press
- Wedding Officiant
- Bridal Hair & Makeup
- Bouquet & Boutonniere
- Vendor Sourcing & Coordination
- Detailed Itinerary of Your Wedding
- Day of Coordination
- Filing of Marriage License
- Two Witnesses (if needed)
- Personalized Elopement
- Location List
- Online Wedding
- Planning Portal
- Up to 10 Guests
Total Cost $9.999
Sedona Adventure Elopement With Guests at Your Ceremony
If you have a solid guest list but you know that the kids aren’t ready for a hike, this one is for you. Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock both have accessible ceremony locations that come along with a 10-15 minute walk. If your grandparents are up for a walk it is definitely more ‘doable’. However, during the planning process, we should add the appropriate amount of time to your wedding day itinerary. A 10-15 minute walk on rocky unpaved gravel can quickly turn into a 25-minute walk for granny. Either way, each of these locations are perfect options for a Sedona adventure elopement with guests.
The Location | Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock
The Package | Arizona Elopement Collective’s Level 2 Adventure Elopement
Our level 2 package is awesome for the couple that wants an adventure with ease and a side of idyllic views.
- Personal Planning Session
- Professional Sedona Elopement Photography w/up to 4 Hours of Documentary Style Coverage Getting Ready, Detail Shots, First Look, Ceremony, Group Photos, Couples Portraits) Shareable online Gallery of Photos, Full Resolution Edited Images, Access to our Personal Printing Press
- Wedding Officiant
- Bridal Hair & Makeup
- Bouquet & Boutonniere
- Vendor Sourcing & Coordination
- Detailed Itinerary Of Your Wedding
- Day Of Coordination
- Filing of Marriage License
- Two Witnesses (if needed)
- Personalized Elopement Location List
- Online Wedding Planning Portal
- Up to 10 Guests
Total Cost $8,888
We’re Ready to Start Planning Your Sedona Adventure Elopement With Guests
At Arizona Elopement Collective, our approach to helping our couples plan their wedding is all about flexibility. We let them take what they want and leave the rest behind. There are plenty of elopement packages out there full of confusing terms and heaps of added fees. We’re not all about that. Eloping should provide you with the flexibility you desire out of your anything-but-traditional wedding day in Sedona. All in an effort to achieve that authentic celebration of your love story, without all the nonsense.
For more information on planning your Sedona adventure elopement with guests, check out these articles
