How to plan a
MOAB ELOPEMENT

updated APRIL 27th, 2023

Are you considering an adventure elopement/wedding in Moab, Utah but not sure how to start planning? You’ve definitely come to the right page! Moab is the perfect place for a desert elopement. There are so many different types of landscapes to explore- from natural arches, sweeping canyons, and towering rock structures- you truly can’t go wrong with getting married here!

The beginning stages of planning an adventure elopement can feel super overwhelming, and you probably have a lot of questions! That’s why I created this guide, as an elopement photographer whose shot over 100 adventure elopements, I know the best tips and steps to plan the perfect Moab elopemnet.

Whether you’ve decided Moab is your place or are still on the fence of whether you should elope in Moab- keep reading to learn more about how to plan a Moab adventure elopement/wedding!

Keep scrolling if you want to learn everything
you need to know on how to elope in Moab, UTah!

First things first, let’s run through some of the most frequently asked questions I get about eloping in Moab:

“Where Can I Elope In Moab?”

Moab has a wide variety of scenery and locations for your adventure elopement. The best places to elope are on public land such as National Parks, State Parks, campgrounds or BLM Land. For larger groups, having a ceremony on private property can be a great option too. Below are some of my favorite areas for Moab elopements.

best places to elope In Moab, Utah:

1. Canyonlands National Park

2. Dead Horse Point State Park

3. Moab BLM Land*

4. Arches National Park

*BLM land stands for Bureau of Land Management, this is public land managed by a specific federal group called the Bureau of Land Management.
There are dozens of locations in Moab on BLM land that offer less crowded locations with epic arches and canyon views.
Photographers need a special permit to work on this land, so it’s important to hire someone who is permitted to work here.
I have a special use permit to work on Moab BLM Land- contact me here if you’re interested!

“How Much Does It Cost to Elope In Moab?”

On average, can cost between $3,000 to $15,000 to elope in Moab, Utah. It totally depends on what you want your day to look like.
Things that contribute to elopement costs are: photographer, videographer, florist, baker, travel accommodations, wedding attire, lodging, and food.
I break down the cost of eloping more below!

“Do I Need a Permit to Get Married In Moab?”

A lot of locations do require a permit to have a wedding on public land in Moab. It depends on your group size and what location you choose, but it’s important to do your
research beforehand or find someone to help you with the permit regulations!

“WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO plan a wedding or elopement in moab?”

The best time to elope in Moab is either between April & May or October & November. These times of year have great weather that will make your wedding experience much more enjoyable!
Related: Looking to elope in the spring? Click here to find out the 5 best places to elope in the month of April!

“Where Can i Have A Wedding In Moab?”

Similar to the answer above, Moab has a wide variety of scenery and locations for your adventure elopement. The best places to elope are on public land such as National Parks, State Parks, campgrounds or BLM Land. For larger groups, having a ceremony on private property can be a great option too.

The cost of eloping in Moab, Utah

An elopement in Moab can cost anywhere between $3,000-$15,000 depending on what you want to spend your money on. Here is a price breakdown of the different things you can spend your money on with elopements:

Vendors:
Florist: $200-$1500( you can make your own at a flower market/whole foods so $25-75 if you do that)
Hair and Makeup Artist: $400-$1000
Photographer: $4k-10K
Cake: $50-$150
Officiant: $200-$900 (or I can sign as your officiant and have a family member run the ceremony)
Videographer: $2.5K-$7.5K

Adventure Wedding Things:

Lodging: $500-$1500K
Travel: $200-$1000
Wedding Attire: $300-$5000
Food/Caterer: $50-$500
Permits: $50-$300 
Adventurous Activities: $250-$2000

”What do you need to elope in Moab?”

To elope in Moab you need a marriage license, officiant, witnesses, proper permits (not every location/elopement needs permits- it varies).
Other common elopement items are:

• Wedding Attire

• Flowers

• Photographer

• Officiant

• Food/Catering

• Fun Activities

• A Celebration

the 7 steps to planning A
Moab Elopement:

Step 1: Choose a Location and Date

Step 2: Find Your Ceremony Location and Apply for Permits

Step 3: Book Vendors & Lodging

Step 4. Choose your Elopement Activities

Step 5. Design a Timeline

Step 6: Have an amazing elopement experience!

how to find your
Moab Elopement Location:

Although Moab isn't a massive location, there are a lot of different types of scenery & landscapes to choose from.
The first step in planning a Moab location is figure out what park(s)/land you want to have your ceremony at!
Here are some questions that may help you narrow down your locations:

1. What type of scenery do you want to be surrounded by on your elopement day? (Canyons, Cliffs, Arches, Red Rocks, Boulders, Towering Sandstone Walls)

2. What type of activities do you want to do on your day?

3. Are you looking for an accessible or more challenging to get to ceremony location?

4. How far are you willing to drive to from your lodging to your ceremony location?

5. What’s most important to you on your elopement day?

The answers you come up with might give you a better idea of which area is the best place for you. Each location has its own unique features to it, some are easier to get to, while others are more ‘out there’ so it’s important to consider all these factors before picking your location.

Here are some photo examples of different locations in Moab, Utah:

Looking for Elopement Inspiration? Click here to check out this Dreamy Sunrise Elopement in Arches National Park

How to Pick a Date for your Moab Elopement:

To choose a date to elope in Moab, the best thing is to consider the weather during each time of year and choose one that’s best for you.

Spring

Spring is an excellent time for a Moab elopement or wedding. The temperatures are much cooler than the summer, while still having a lot of sunny and warm days. Things are blooming in the desert in the spring. In the early spring months the mornings & evenings tend to drop temperature wise- which is nice for people who aren’t used to the desert heat. Early April through Mid May are great times for Moab elopements.
Fall: 

Fall is similar to spring with cooler evenings and good average temperatures. I typically recommend mid October to end of November for some great fall weather. Early November will have the least amount of crowds compared to the other spring & fall months.

Winter

Winter is a bit cooler in Moab because it is a high-alpine desert. Moab occasionally gets snow in the winter months temperatures drop decent amount compared to spring & fall. You’ll have less crowds during this time of year, but it’s important to be prepared for colder weather.

Summer

Summer can get very hot in Moab. Temperatures are at a high of 100 degrees in July & August, so if you want to elope in the summer you’ll want to plan something early in the morning before it gets too hot. I do not recommend eloping in Moab in the summer if you choose to bring guests because it tends to be a little too hot for guests to be outside all day.

Want to learn how to avoid crowds on your elopement day?
Read more about it on my blog post here!

Once you decide on your general location and date- the next part is figuring out where to have your Moab elopement ceremony! It’s also important to research the permit regulations in the area you are looking to elope at. Every public land area has their own specific rules, so make sure to do your research! As mentioned above, land is owned by different groups in Moab, so their regulations for permits are different. First figure out which backdrops/scenery is your favorite and look into permits in that area!

If the thought of doing this all by yourself is overwhelming, I can help! As an elopement photographer who specializes in adventure elopements- I help all my couples with permits, locations, planning, and I design a customized elopement guide for their day. If you’re interested in hiring an elopement photographer who can help you with all of this, fill out my contact form below to get in touch!

Moab Wedding Venues:

Thinking about planning a larger wedding in Moab or a two day event (one day adventure elopement and second day wedding ceremony & reception?)
Here are some Moab Wedding Venues that are beautiful and fit that ‘adventurous’ vibe:

1. Red Earth Venue

2. Sorrel River Ranch

3. Moab Under Canvas

The last step in planning a Moab elopement is building a timeline! Elopement timelines depend on your activities, ceremony location, where you want to explore, and what you want to do for a celebration. Here is an example of an adventure elopement in Moab, Utah.:

Moab Elopement Timeline Example [8 Hours]:

2:00pm: Getting Ready [Playing Games & Writing Postcards]

3:45pm: Head to Arch Location

4:15pm: Vows 

4:30pm: Exploring & Photos

5:00pm: Head to Canyonlands National Park

6:15pm: Open Letters from Family

6:40pm: Head to Second Location

7:00pm: Golden Hour & Sunset at Second Location

7:45pm: Sunset

8:00pm: Head to Dinner w/ Private Chef

8:50pm: Private Dinner

9:30pm: Head to Airbnb 

9:35pm: Cut Cake & First Dance at Airbnb

10:00pm: End Photography Coverage

YOU’VE MADE IT!! Once you’ve finished all these steps you are well on your way for an EPIC Moab adventure elopement. If you you have any questions or are looking for an elopement photographer who can help guide you through the planning process get in touch with me below! I would love to be apart of your wedding day.

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