The Moab Elopement Photographer’s Guide to a Romantic Moab Adventure
There are many voices that can tell you when, where and how to elope in Moab.
Fortunately, there’s no single right way to plan your Moab elopement.
The only mistake you can make in your elopement planning is forgetting to focus the day on the two of you. It’s my job as your Moab elopement photographer to provide options based on my own expertise but ultimately leaving final decisions up to you!
Moab, Utah – So Much More Than a Place
I am that guy. The desert-obsessed, sunset-shooting, sunrise-catching adventurer who knows the seasons, the terrain and the secret nooks and crannies of both Moab itself and the surrounding parks. In the years I’ve specialized as a Moab photographer, resident, and the area’s Red Earth Venue wedding photographer–this place has become my muse.
Moab continues to inspire me...
because of its ever-changing natural environment and the unique ways it interacts with the sun.
Due to the area’s natural instability, it provides the perfect combination of challenges and excitement that together push my creativity.
Also, there’s you. No two couples are ever the same, so your own personalities against an ever-changing backdrop keep things interesting. I typically take my clients to epic places they have never visited before and I love seeing their reactions to the stunning views! It’s your experience of all that Moab has to offer that creates the epic memories I’m privileged to capture during your Moab adventure.
Moab Basics
It offers a unique combination of breathtaking natural beauty, adventure, and flexibility that appeals to both out-of-state couples and us locals. At the top of this list is Moab’s stunning scenery.
Moab is surrounded by dramatic landscapes, including those found in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. These areas feature striking red rock formations, arches, and sweeping desert vistas that provide an insane backdrop for wedding ceremonies and desert wedding photos.
Moab is a magnet for couples for many reasons.
Moab is…a Town, a Desert, & Your Elopement Destination
One of Utah’s most iconic locations, Moab offers diverse settings including towering cliffs, arches, views of the Colorado River, and its middle-of-the desert looks surrounded by red rock. Moab provides such a variety of scenic locations to match all types of different tastes.
Overall, Moab’s unique combination of awe-inspiring natural settings, opportunities for adventure, and a range of Utah elopement locations make it a solid choice for both out-of-state couples and residents. Visiting couples can take this opportunity to turn their Utah destination wedding into a memorable vacation for themselves and any guests!
Most locals who chose to elope in Moab do so because they take great pride in the high desert, a beloved part of the state's natural heritage. It’s also the unique opportunity to enjoy a destination-like wedding experience without the need for extensive travel. This allows couples to take advantage of Moab's beauty and amenities while staying close to home.
When exploring where to fly into Moab, I would actually recommend the Grand Junction Regional Airport in Colorado. It’s the one I primarily use when traveling since it flies to most places and it is only about an 1.5 hours away from Moab. It’s a smaller airport and very efficient.
How to Get to Moab, Utah
Moab does have a tiny airport (Canyonlands Field Airport), but this isn’t always the best option as it can be expensive and only flies to Phoenix and Salt Lake City. Plus, you’ll have a hard time picking up a rental car at this airport as they have only a limited supply of expensive jeeps!
Salt Lake City International Airport is about 3.5 hours away from Moab and is generally the most affordable choice. There are plenty of rental cars and if you’re OK with a longer but pretty scenic drive then it’s not that bad.
- The desert attracts the coolest and most adventurous people.
- The weather is unpredictable at best.
- The desert is massive with endless places to explore!
No matter where you're from...
in my years as your Moab elopement photographer, I’ve learned that three things are certain:
Moab Utah Wedding Planning Tips
The majority of my couples either already have a vision or know exactly how and where they want to get married in Moab. For those who do not, I am very involved in the location selection.
We will always start with your elopement ideas.
The Process of Building Your Elopement Plan
There are major differences between the four major Moab location options and usually it becomes clear what you want after I explain these differences. While it isn’t my role to act as your Moab wedding planner, (here’s one that I recommend!) I will still alert you to all the important details necessary for eloping in the area.
It’s my job as your Moab elopement photographer to help with all location selection as well as provide vendor recommendations. I provide these specific to each couple so they are shared post-booking, but there my top videographer recommendations can be found below [LINK TO Moab Wedding Vendor List section]. This includes pointing you in the right direction for obtaining relevant permits, creating your wedding photography timeline and helping facilitate the ceremony.
I can arrange where everyone stands that will work best with the lighting for your photos. I’m a great resource for making these little decisions so there’s no worries about how your ceremony will look!
Guiding you through the ceremony means coming up with a game plan for the ceremony schedule and coordinating the processional, recessional, etc.
All other logistics such as coordinating with other vendors will be up to the two of you and/or your wedding coordinator. I’m always available, and happy to provide support throughout your entire process!
1. Marriage License
You must obtain a marriage license in person in order to legally get married in Utah. This can be done at any County Clerk’s office by filling out some quick paperwork and paying the $50 fee. Once acquired, your marriage license can be used immediately and is valid for 30 days. The Grand County Clerk is located in Moab, making it the most convenient option, but you can get your license at any county clerk throughout Utah.
2. Leave No Trace Restrictions:
Leave No Trace is something that I take very seriously as an adventure elopement photographer. We all need to work together to minimize our environmental impact so we can continue to be allowed to hold weddings in these special places. Shooting on any Moab land is a privilege and not a right. I hold a lot of these locations close to my heart and it would be a huge bummer for any rule breakers to ruin it for the rest of us.
2. Leave No Trace Restrictions cont'd:
The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace may seem like common sense but there is a little bit more to it that’s specific to Moab. Cryptobiotic Soil Crusts are a living carpet of organisms that form a hard black crust in arid areas and they are all over the Moab desert. The crust plays a vital role in Moab’s ecosystem and it can be destroyed by a single footprint. This is why it’s advised to never veer from the trails!
3. Including Pets in Your Couples Adventure:
Moab is a great place to include your furry friend in your elopement! While dogs are not welcome in the national parks (Arches or Canyonlands) they are allowed at Dead Horse Point State Park and all of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land permit sites! However, you do have to consider the time of year if you plan to bring your dogs. In the summer, the temperatures can rise above 105°F which, as a dog owner myself, I promise is not fun or fair for them.
How to Plan an Elopement
With (or without) Family
Being your Moab elopement photographer, I will always advise that you opt for a sunrise elopement or portrait session during the busy seasons.
How to Plan According to Moab Utah Weather
Like all of Moab, the best seasons are spring and fall (mid March – early June and September – mid-November). I consider April, May, September & October (my favorites are May & October) as the best months of the year.
Summer is possible but only at sunrise! Temperatures reach 100+°F and it’s still very hot even in the evening. Options include a sunrise adventure or a sunset ceremony to avoid extreme temperatures.
Winter can be done if you’re prepared for temperatures that are well below freezing from late November to early March. This does provide the added bonus of very few people present in the parks during this time.
Expect wind! Moab is a windy place for most of the year. If there are high winds forecasted we can adjust plans accordingly. This also can affect the kind of dress that you choose because long dresses or flowing veils make for amazing wedding photos!
Don’t ever be afraid to lean on your photographer for knowledge about the season or location of your Moab wedding!
It’s by far the busiest national park in Moab boasting truly other-worldly sites from towering red rock cliffs, unusual rock formations, and an array of beautiful natural arches. These are the details for eloping in Arches National Park:
Arches National Park is the most popular destination for tourists in the Moab area.
Arches National Park Moab Elopement
Arches Permits
- I’ll always recommend an Arches National Park sunrise elopement to avoid crowds! A Moab sunrise is also an exception to the time entry requirement since we’ll be past the gate prior to 7am.
- It is possible to go at sunset but it will be crowded without any space to perform a quiet ceremony. At certain times of year, you can be denied park entry (even with a permit) for hours at a time due to a high influx of crowds.
- If including a wedding with guests, they should carpool as parking is very limited. Like most national parks, there also are not any stores or gas stations so be sure to have plenty of gas in your car and bring snacks along with plenty of water!
Arches Seasons & Weather
Canyonlands National Park is actually the largest national park in Utah covering more than 500 square miles. It’s huge! Located over an hour from the west side of Moab, it has views of the Manti-La Sal Mountains on the horizon.
Canyonlands National Park Utah Elopement
each option has a max group size of 25 including the couple:
Island in the Sky has three ceremony options
- Shafer Canyon Overlook
- Green River Overlook
- Grandview Point
Canyonlands Permits
Canyonlands Permits
Canyonlands Permits
Canyonlands Permits
Dead Horse Point is a state park located 45 minutes from the center of Moab featuring one of the most iconic views in the American Southwest. Perched 2,000 feet above the Colorado River, it provides a panoramic view of the surrounding canyon country including dramatic cliffs, winding river bends, and the distant Manti-La Sal Mountains.
Dead Horse Point State Park Moab Elopement
Dead Horse is a state park often overlooked by a large portion of Moab tourism since everyone sprints to Arches and Canyonlands. This means it’s very rare that Dead Horse Point Moab is busy!
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Great options exist for both sunrise and sunset with some locations working well for both and others for one or the other. With BLM elopements it’s very possible to find locations with little to zero people present!
In Moab and the surrounding areas, a significant portion of the land outside of state and national parks is independently managed by the Bureau of Land Management or BLM.
BLM Land
- Corona Arch Trail (where this couple went!)
- Fisher Towers Trail
- Parriott Mesa Trail
- Castleton Tower
- Some of my favorite spots are located in Castle Valley.
The permits are very different from Moab state and national parks. It is the responsibility of your Moab elopement photographer (and any other vendor) to obtain a permit for BLM.
BLM Permits
You do not need a permit but you will need to obtain a letter of authorization from the BLM. This is very easy to do and at no cost to you.
Moab Elopement Activities
Couples who love the outdoors can incorporate these activities into their wedding experience making it more than just a one-day event.
Moab’s organic adventurous spirit and natural beauty makes it an ideal location for destination wedding adventures, drawing couples who want a unique, outdoorsy and memorable experience.
Moab is known for its outdoor adventures including hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, off-roading, skydiving and now even tandem base jumping!
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1. RENT A JEEP OR TAKE A JEEP TOUR
Jeep Rental Companies:
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2. MOUNTAIN BIKING
If you don’t bring your own bike, here are a few places to rent from:
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3. TANDEM BASE JUMPING
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4. ROCK CLIMBING OR CANYONEERING
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5. HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE
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6. RIVER RAFTING TOUR
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8. HIKING
- Delicate Arch inside Arches National Park
- Corona Arch (BLM)
- Moab Rim Trail
- Grandstaff Canyon Trail
- Mill Creek North Fork Trail
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9. LA SAL LOOP SCENIC DRIVE
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10. HORSEBACK RIDING
Moab Adventurous Elopement Activities
These are some of this Moab elopement photographer’s most highly recommended Moab, Utah things to do:
This is one of the nicest hotels in Moab with beautiful aesthetics for photos although the rooms are a bit small. The hotel has an awesome spiral staircase in the lobby that I love to use. Apart from the hotel rooms, they also offer awesome two-story Casitas. These spaces have much more room and access to a separate pool.
This place is very unique and outdoorsy. You stay in yurts with limited power but they make for gorgeous getting-ready photos. I do not recommend these in the summer as there is no AC, only fans. You can also use the space to have your ceremony here!
This is another option that includes Casitas with good lighting and plenty of room for a small group to get ready together. All the Casitas also have a nice view of the pool.
I shoot here the most! These are nice condos with access to an awesome pool. It's a great place for large parties since you can reserve a block of condos. It's a bit further from the main areas of town but all of my clients have been happy to stay there. It can also be booked through Airbnb.
This is a super cute little spot about 20-30 minutes outside of Moab with views of Castleton Tower. It’s definitely more of a rustic desert vibe that’s great for Castle Valley elopements or if you’re looking for a more peaceful space.
t's a more luxurious glamping version of Under Canvas with added amenities.
The suites have great lighting and work for a large wedding party. The property has beautiful 360-degree views with an amazing pool.
Self-described as an adventure hotel, it was created with the adventurer in mind. The very modern and simple rooms are offered at a lower rate than the Moab standard. They even have Van Life posts where for around $20 you can park your van with full hook up and have access to the communal areas, Wi-Fi, showers and the pool!
Moab Wedding Venues & Vendors
Many of my couples who include guests at their elopements rent a big Airbnb in town and hold their reception there. Otherwise, there are great hotel, camping and glamping options for both getting ready and staying in Moab!
Best Places to Stay & Get Ready in Moab
Here’s more on my top recommendations for the best places to stay in Moab
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- Located 15 minutes from Moab and positioned between Arches, Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point this venue feels like your own private national park. It’s on a mostly undeveloped 17-acre property with the intent of keeping a small footprint and big views so you can celebrate and party in the desert with minimal environmental impact. There are two outdoor ceremony sites and an 1800-square foot reception space.
- The space fits up to 120 guests.
- There is a preferred vendor list with an in-house coordinator or you can bring in your own vendors.
- They offer a mid-week elopement package at a discounted rate for under 30 guests.
- A getting-ready space and accommodations are not included.
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- It’s a beautiful property fit for adventure-minded couples just seven miles north of Moab near Arches and Canyonlands. Your stay is in desert glamping tents that have minimal power (no AC).
- They have two packages that are wildly different. 30 or less people can rent a block of tents and hold the full wedding there with use of their ceremony site. Over 30 people (and up to 250) have to rent the entire property which is very expensive.
- You provide your own vendors but they also have a preferred list.
- Also serves as a getting-ready space.
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- Placed above the Colorado River, this rustic wedding venue has spacious suites and comfortable cabins. The property includes 10,000 square feet of event space across three separate venues and a scenic deck overlooking the river.
- Hosts up to 150 guests.
- Has accommodations and/or getting-ready spaces, in-housing catering and coordination. All other vendors can be found through their preferred vendor list.
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- Located in the La Sal Mountains with views of Canyonlands, the venue is quiet and private surrounded by pine trees and greenery. It’s a great place to beat the heat and is about an hour away from Moab. They also have a dedicated ceremony site and a sheltered reception area.
- Includes lodging and/or getting-ready spaces, and accommodates up to 65 guests (ceremony & reception) and up to 200 in attendance at the ceremony alone.
- They have no in house services but have an extensive vendor list.
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- It's a more luxurious version of Under Canvas with added amenities. Still a high-end glamping experience, it sits on a beautiful property about 30 minutes south of Moab with views of Canyonlands.
- Their different elopement destination packages accommodate either under 30 guests or over 30 guests which requires a full buyout at a max of 150 guests.
- They offer accommodations and/or getting-ready spaces and in-house catering.
Moab Wedding Venue Recommendations
Moab provides a wide range of venues, from luxury resorts such as ULUM and Sorrel River Ranch to more of a private setting such as The Red Earth Venue. Whether couples are looking for a small, private ceremony or a larger event, Moab offers the flexibility to accommodate different preferences.
I have a lot of great relationships with many of the local vendors and once booked as your Moab elopement photographer I will provide you with recommendations that fit your specific needs. For starters, here are the top Utah wedding videographers that I recommend:
Moab Wedding Vendor List
They are a husband and wife team out of Grand Junction, Colorado and they typically work together. I’ve worked with them a handful of times and they’re amazing. They shot this Dead Horse Point State Park elopement with me!
We worked together on this Canyonlands elopement and she specializes in adventurous elopements.
3. Curtis - Curtis Jensen Films
Based out of the Salt Lake City area but loves to travel to Moab! Curtis and I worked on this beautiful Moab wedding together.
Eloping in Moab can be an incredibly memorable experience for adventurous couples who love the outdoors and the idea of a deeply personal ceremony. If you’re drawn to the idea of a wedding day focused on the connection between you and your partner set against one of the most stunning backdrops in the world then Moab is the perfect fit!
The Bottom Line – Whether or Not You Should Elope in Moab, Utah
Are we OK with the possibility of 30 mph winds or a random rain cloud that arrives during the ceremony? Are you OK with the fact that the train of your dress will get dirty (a gorgeous red rock color)? Are we willing to stand on the edge of a 400-foot cliff to get that epic photo we’ve always wanted?
However, it’s essential to do your research and be honest with yourself about what the two of you want from your wedding day. You need to ask these questions:
“How adventurous are we?”
Even though I would love to be your Moab elopement photographer, if you answered in the negative to any of these questions, then you may want to consider an alternative location.
For example, these two opted for a Dead Horse Point State park couples adventure session. They went out a few days before their wedding at two different locations and in a second set of wedding clothes.
You can include this 90-minute session in your elopement wedding package to get those epic Moab photos without going on a full-day adventure. Their wedding was then held at The Red Earth Venue.
And if you really want the elopement experience without the uncertainties of an elopement plan, there is an alternative–a day-before, day-after or simply an adventure session.
There is an alternative
