Canyonlands National Park, Wedding Planning Advice From A Local Photography Team
As experienced wedding photographers local to the Moab area, we share the inside scoop on how to plan a Canyonlands National Park wedding (which we personally think is waaaaaay better than Arches BTW!).
By Vanessa & Chad; ‘The Outlovers’, your local husband and wife elopement planning and photography team.
UPDATED FOR 2026-2027.
All content written by, and all images shot by, real humans (ie. Us!) not AI.
We’re just going to cut straight to the chase: if you’re dreaming of desert visas on your big day, then a Canyonlands National Park wedding should be at the TOP of your list.
Canyonlands is the most underrated national park in Utah, in our humble (but well informed!) opinion.
Everyone talks all about Arches and Zion and, sure, they’re beautiful, don’t get us wrong.
BUT they’re also just so darned busy.
And those hordes of people? That translates as zero privacy on your wedding day. We don’t know about you, but we think a feeling of intimacy and peace on your big day is pretty important and should be prioritized.
That’s why we love Canyonlands National Park weddings and elopements! Personally, we think it offers a WAY better experience than either Arches or Zion.
The views are out-of-this-world insane and, better yet, you’ve got a fraction of the people compared to the other parks. You can find absolute privacy and feel like you have the entire world to yourselves.
As local Canyonlands wedding photographers, we know the park inside out and back to front. We know exactly where to take you when for the best light and fewest people. Your wedding photos are going to be INCREDIBLE!
As a husband and wife small wedding and elopement planning, photo and video team, we have helped 100+ couples get married in the Moab area of Utah in EPIC fashion, and have helped bring many a Canyonlands National Park wedding to life.
We are your ‘feet on the ground’ when you’re planning from afar, and we know the absolute ins and outs of getting married in Canyonlands. We will help you avoid the common mistakes people make when they try to get married here without understanding all the logistics.
In this guide, we’re going to transparently share all the insider info on Canyonlands weddings and elopements, from where to go for the best photos, how to time out your day for the best lighting, how to apply for any necessary permits, what fun activities to fill your day with and all the best vendors to work with to create the day of your dreams.
“Eloping with The Outlovers may be one of the very best decisions we have ever made.”
“Last minute we decided to elope in Utah and Vanessa and Chad’s expert guidance was invaluable. We were able to plan the wedding we didn’t know we wanted in just three weeks time, a true testament to the organization, guidance, professionalism and creative nature of The Outlovers.”
– Meredith + Domenic
A Quick FAQ For Your Canyonlands National Park Wedding Or Elopement
We’re about to spill the tea and get into allllll the nitty gritty details to really help you plan a super fun and beautiful wedding at Canyonlands National Park.
But let’s briefly tackle just a few of your top questions first before we really dive in.
Canyonlands is deep in the desert of southern Utah.
You’ll want to base yourself in the super fun town of Moab and the park itself is about a 40 minute drive outside of town.
You have a few options for getting there: you can fly into Salt Lake City and drive about 4-5hrs, you can fly into Grand Junction over the border in Colorado and drive just 90 mins, OR you can actually fly into Moab itself, though it’s a tiny airport with limited options.
Yes, yes, YES!
Honestly, if you were to ask which Utah national park we think is the best for weddings, we would reply within a split second, without a moment’s hesitation: Canyonlands.
We love that it is super accessible, so if you’re bringing a few guests along you don’t have to sacrifice the amazing views in favor of easy access.
You’re going to feel like you’re living in a real life oil painting as you stand on the edge of those vast canyons, sharing your vows and looking out over a hundred miles of unspoilt wilderness.
100% yes.
Every couple getting married in the park MUST have a permit which allows them to hold their wedding at a very specific time and location.
Not procuring this permit, or not abiding by its rules, could lead to you getting kicked out of the park mid-wedding and even getting fined.
We share full details on the Canyonlands National Park permit system and how to apply later in this blog. Don’t worry, it’s super easy once we’ve laid it all out for you!
Your permit will cost $185, pretty cheap for a ‘venue’!
We would then suggest you’re looking at an average of $10-15k when you factor in travel, outfits, a photographer, fun activities etc. Pretty cheap given that the average – not fancy or luxury, just average – US wedding costs upwards of $35k these days! We share more detailed budget breakdowns later in this blog.
Yes!
You will need to get a marriage license in Utah (more on this later) and, as long as you follow the state rules to get married – you’ll need a legal officiant and two witnesses – and then return the paperwork all filled in correctly, your marriage will be recognized across the US.
It can feel a little daunting but, don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds and, remember, we’re going to walk you through it in this guide.
Ok, now that we’ve tackled just a few of the FAQs, let’s dive into the real details of planning your Canyonlands National Park wedding or elopement…
The Pros To A Canyonlands National Park Wedding Or Elopement
1. Incomparable scenery
The views at Canyonlands simply can’t be beat.
Deep vast canyons, dramatic drop-offs, huge mountains rising up in the distance, direct views out to the sunset…
In fact, MANY of our couples who’ve visited multiple national parks have said it’s way more impressive than the Grand Canyon!
The scale of the place is hard to describe, you truly have to see it to believe it. There’s something really special and romantic about standing there with the love of your life and appreciating the magic of finding each other in this vast universe.
If you’re someone who finds joy and connection out in nature, then a Canyonlands National Park elopement or wedding is going to be a great choice.
2. Your wedding photos are going to be INSANE!
If you want photos that make your jaw hit the floor (as well as all your friends and family!) then Canyonlands is the place.
The backdrop for your photos just screams romance and drama.
3. A real sense of peace and privacy
When you work with us as your local planners and photographers, we’re going to ensure you don’t have a bazillion other people watching as you hold your ceremony and have your photos taken.
It takes a little insider knowledge to know when and where to go to avoid the crowds but it IS entirely possible.
Most visitors just look on Google or Instagram and see the 2-3 ‘hot spots’ for photos and so everyone ends up crowding the same few places, all trying to get ‘that’ photo.
Well, from years of on the ground experience, we know equally beautiful places minus all the people! So, the masses can have the hotspots… We’ll take you to the hidden gems instead.
4. Moab is such a great town to base yourselves out of
You’ll base yourself out of Moab for your Canyonlands National Park wedding, and we highly suggest you spend at least a few days there, turning it into a little honeymoon after your big day.
Moab is tiny but it is entirely focussed around tourism and outdoor adventure, so it’s fun and vibrant with so much to see and do.
Whether you want to go horse riding, rafting down the Colorado river, rappelling off sheer sandstone cliffs, or simply road trip around bouncing from epic view to epic view… You’ll find it all in Moab.
It’s the kind of town that draws you in. Don’t be surprised if you end up coming back for your anniversary every year!
Why You Might NOT Want A Canyonlands National Park Wedding Or Elopement
1. If you’re really set on a Summer wedding, then Canyonlands (or anywhere else is the desert) is not going to be the best choice for you
The desert gets SO hot from around June through September and, honestly, it’s a horrible place to get married in that timeframe. It’s just too hot to be any fun.
We actually TURN DOWN work in that period because of the heat.
There are photographers out there that will agree to it but we actually think we’d be doing you a disservice. It’s SO hot, like hotter than you can imagine, and you’re going to be miserable trying to look good in your wedding outfits.
Literally any other time of year though and we’re IN!
2. You must be willing to drive quite a bit for your Canyonlands National Park wedding
The reason we love Canyonlands weddings and elopements is because they are infinitely more peaceful than their Arches counterparts.
And that’s because Canyonlands is a much further drive from Moab than Aches is (the entrance to Arches is just 5 minutes from town).
In reality, it’s only a 40 minute drive, not really a big deal, but you do need to be willing to factor that into the timing of your day
3. There are strict conditions on where you can hold your ceremony
You’re not allowed to hold your ceremony just anywhere you please when you get married in a national park: you’re restricted to certain places the park has authorized. These spots are beautiful but you will be limited in your choices.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re holding a full, legal ceremony or simply sharing symbolic vows; the rule still apples.
The good news is that you can take photos anywhere you please (as long as you’re abiding by Leave No Trace principles) before or after your actual ceremony.
(You WILL see lots of photos where couples and photographers have broken these rules and held their ceremony wherever they please: we ain’t those photographers and simply won’t do that!).
4. No dogs allowed! (Sad face)
If it’s important for you for your four legged family to be present at your ceremony, then Canyonlands sadly is not going to work out for you. It, like the vast majority of national parks, does not allow dogs to leave paved areas such as parking lots.
Whilst we completely understand this rule – millions of people visit each year and sadly so many dog owners are irresponsible and don’t clean up after their pet – we definitely find it sad that your best buddy can’t be there with you.
If you’re looking for a dog-friendly location, you might want to consider state parks such as Dead Horse Point or BLM (Bureau of Land Management) areas instead.
Don’t worry, there are TONS of dog-friendly options in the Moab area which is something we can advise on. We’re HUGE dog-lovers ourselves so we’ll always help make it possible for you.
(Side note: yup, there are arches, like this one, in Canyonlands!)
When Is The Best Time to Have Your Canyonlands National Park Wedding?
The best time for your Canyonlands National Park wedding is October through May.
And there’s two big reasons for this:
- You want to avoid the intense heat of the Summer months.
And
- You want to avoid the intense crowds, also of the Summer months!
In terms of ‘best timing’, we also recommend aiming for a weekend and, ideally, a sunrise start. Both of these things will be super beneficial if you’re aiming for a degree of privacy. We’ve shot MANY a sunrise wedding/elopement at Canyonlands National Park, and often see NO ONE for the first couple of hours!
Canyonlands National Park weddings in Winter
Honestly, we LOVE Winter weddings in Canyonlands. We think it’s a seriously underrated time of year!
November through February is definitely the quietest time in the park. We’ve had mornings where we’ve only seen maybe 5-10 other people, compared to HUNDREDS in the high season! It’s really incredible to be in such a beautiful place and feel like you’ve pretty much got it to yourselves on your wedding day.
In addition, the landscapes are truly stunning at that time of year. The morning light is particularly soft and dreamy making for gorgeous photos, the La Sal mountains in the background will be snow capped which contrast beautifully with all the red rock. And, if you’re super lucky, you might even get a sprinkling on the ground which feels truly magical!
This time of year will, of course, be colder so it might not be the best choice for everyone. However, it’s a very dry and manageable cold in the desert. Just be sure to pack some cute layers as well as practical items like hand warmers and maybe a thermos of hot coffee for between photos.
Canyonlands National Park weddings in Spring
Ahhhhh, the Spring – roughly mid March through early May – is just a DREAM in the desert. If we’re honest, it’s probably our favorite time of year for your Canyonlands wedding!
The temperatures are warm but not hot, the cacti are blooming and everything is coming back to life after winter, and there’s a little buzz to the place but there’s still not toooooo many people around.
Be warned: by June it’s already getting waaaaaaaay too hot and busy!
Spring can bring some strong winds to the Moab area, but, personally, we love it! Wind always adds some great movement and drama to your photos.
Canyonlands National Park weddings in Summer
No, no, no, no, noooooo. DON’T DO IT!!!
It’s a terrible idea. Like, truly terrible.
Canyonlands National Park weddings in the Summer are a hard pass. As local photographers, please trust us on this!
It’s SO hot. No exaggeration, it can easily be 100º by 9am, even hotter in the middle of day, and doesn’t relent for even a second until after the sun has gone down late in the evening. Oh, and there’s basically no shade and nowhere to hide!
Now imagine you gotta try and look good in your wedding outfits? Good luck with that.
Even worse, Summer is peak tourist season, so you’re going to be all hot and bothered AND surrounded by a bazillion other people.
Like we said, hard pass.
‘Summer’ is a little open to interpretation, but we’d suggest avoiding July and August like the plague. Realistically June and September aren’t great either but can be made to work if you’ve no other options: but you better be game for sunrise!
Canyonlands National Park weddings in Fall
For us, Fall is right up there with Spring as a great time for your Canyonlands small wedding or elopement.
The obnoxious Summer temps are cooling off and the crowds are thinning out. Mornings and evenings can be chilly, but the daytime is still lovely and warm and typically the sky is blue and the sun is shining.
Just be aware, Fall comes a little later than you might expect, really not hitting until well into October – maaaaaybe late September – and even through November. Remember, early September is still very much Summer in our books and should be avoided!
Oooooh, and EPIC bonus…. Fall is the best time for viewing the Milky Way and getting killer star photos!
Where Is The Best Place To Get Married In Canyonlands?
The first thing to know is that there are only 5 places you’re allowed to get married in the whole of Canyonlands National Park and only 3 of those are in the main area known as the ‘Island In The Sky’ region. The other 2 are in a more remote area known as ‘The Needles’.
In our opinion, the BEST place is the Green River Overlook. This location is by far our personal favorite and the one we recommend to all our couples.
Green River Overlook has spectacular views – it truly feels like you’re living in an oil painting – and the permitted space is quite large so you can find a really good degree of privacy at any time of day.
When it comes to choosing your ceremony location for your Canyonlands National Park wedding or elopement, it’s important to understand that there are strict rules on where you’re allowed to be. The park is huge but you’re not allowed to just pick any place you please and go ahead and get married!
Instead, you will need to apply for a permit for the exact time and place you wish to hold your ceremony, choosing from the list of 5 allowed locations. (More on permits later).
Theoretically, you can put in an application to hold your ceremony in another area of the park but the honest truth is that it’s VERY unlikely to be accepted: the national parks are very stringent about protecting their landscapes and we respect that.
The good news is that you can take pictures anywhere you like in the park before or after, it’s just the ceremony itself that is restricted.
Below, we’re going to share a realistic breakdown of all the permitted ceremony locations, with info about the views, accessibility, parking etc.
Please be aware that you will not have exclusive use of an area during your ceremony and cannot impinge on another visitor’s experience at all. People are free to come and go in the area as they please.
If you’d like to see really precise maps of the exact spots you’re allowed to use, check out this Canyonlands special event document.
Please note: there’s sadly a lot of false information out there. Either blogs that are outdated (e.g. sharing ceremony locations that USED to be allowed but no longer are, such as Mesa Arch), or blogs that blatantly promote places that have NEVER been allowed and are outright breaking the rules. Just coz you see it on the internet, don’t assume it’s ok!
Shafer Overlook
Shafer Overlook is the closest location to the entrance of the park.
The allowed ceremony site is a 5 minute walk from the parking area on rough terrain, initially down very uneven steps.
Please note, you are not allowed to hold your ceremony right ON the point: as highlighted in the image below, it must be on the large flat area prior to the point, so as not to block off the area and thus impact other people’s enjoyment of the views. This means that other visitors can and will be wandering past your ceremony and may be in the background of your photos/video.
For this reason, whilst we do like this area (it’s actually our favorite just for photos as you’ll see later on) we don’t LOVE it for your ceremony.
Travel time from Moab: Approximately 45 minutes.
Types of view: Vast canyons, but the view is a little blocked since you’re not allowed out on the point. Beautiful views of the La Sal mountains, especially beautiful at sunrise or in the very early morning.
Accessibility: Folding chairs are permitted on a case by case basis, but expect most of your guests to stand.
No. of people allowed: 25. We personally would suggest this is too many for the space available and would suggest capping it around 15. Please note, this number includes your photographer, officiant or any other vendors present.
Parking situation: We’ve never had a problem finding enough parking, certainly if it’s just the two of you. If you’re bringing a group, you must car pool.
Toilets nearby: 5 minute drive away at the visitor center.
Green River Overlook (Our Favorite!)
This is the next closest location and one we really love!
The allowed ceremony site is just a 2-3 minute walk from the parking area, mainly down a paved trail, then over some slightly uneven terrain, but all flat.
There are two permitted areas: off to the right of the main viewpoint, and off to the left. This is ideal as it gets you away from the other visitors and offers a bit of privacy. It also means you have some options on where to hold your ceremony based on the best lighting, the wind direction etc.
Travel time from Moab: Approximately 55 minutes.
Types of view: Incredible long distance views out over vast canyons if you go to the area to the right of the viewpoint. The area to the left is a little more obstructed in terms of views, but still absolutely beautiful and works better for light in the morning. We can help advise on this!
Accessibility: The ceremony site is only a short distance from the parking lot and mostly on a paved pathway, so this area is very accessible, including for wheelchair users or those with mobility issues. You might have to hold your ceremony closer to the pathway and not right out by the cliffside, as to get there requires traversing more uneven terrain.
No. of people allowed: 25. We personally would suggest this is too many for the space available and would suggest capping it around 15. Please note, this number includes your photographer, officiant or any other vendors present.
Parking situation: In the slower season there is plenty of parking, it CAN get a little busy in high season, so we’d always advise car pooling.
Toilets nearby: Yes, at the parking area.
Grand View Point
This is one of the largest viewing areas in the whole park and a very popular stopping point for tourists, so you should expect other people to be around.
There is a very precise area that is allowed for your ceremony: directly to the left of the main path as you walk out towards the viewpoint, right by the sandstone benches. This used to be more flexible, so you may well see older blogs or photos suggesting you can hold your ceremony elsewhere: that no longer holds true.
Depending on the time of year and the positioning of the sun, Grand View may be best at sunrise or sunset. We can advise!
Travel time from Moab: Approximately 55 minutes.
Types of view: Long distance views out over vast canyons.
Accessibility: The allowed ceremony area is a few minutes walk from the parking area along a pretty flat, paved path. It is wheelchair friendly right to the very end where you’d have to pop off the path onto the rocky area for the ceremony.
No. of people allowed: 25. Please note, this number includes your photographer, officiant or any other vendors present.
Parking situation: There is a lot of parking in this area BUT it is also very popular. So, be sure to carpool and be prepared to loop around a couple of times as you wait for a spot to open up.
Toilets nearby: Yes, at the parking area.
All of the above locations are at ‘Island In The Sky’, the main part of Canyonlands. The following locations are at ‘The Needles’ district, which is much more remote and far less frequented.
Personally, we don’t think these locations are anywhere near as beautiful or striking as the ones above, BUT if you value a sense of wildness and privacy you might decide these are the spots for you! It could be super fun if you’ve got a group of outdoorsy guests and you want to make a little camping trip out of it.
Pot Hole Point
Pot Hole Point is a short little loop trail (approximately 0.5 miles) and is a really fun choice if you want your wedding ceremony to feel remote and even a little ‘other worldly’.
Travel time from Moab: Approximately 90 mins.
Types of view: Large slick rock expanses with cool rock formations and mountains, sandstone spires and large mesas in the distance.
Accessibility: It’s pretty uneven terrain so we’d suggest it’s not super accessible for those with limited mobility.
No. of people allowed: 15. Please note, this number includes your photographer, officiant or any other vendors present.
Parking situation: There’s ample parking since this is a lesser known area.
Toilets nearby: 10 minute drive away at the visitor center.
Needles Group Campsites
There are 3 campsites in the Needles area and you can book them for your Canyonlands National Park wedding. This is a really great idea if you have a bigger group as you’re allowed up to 50 people depending on the site.
HOWEVER, you really need to think about the logistics if you do this. This area is very remote with limited infrastructure. Do NOT think of this as just a ‘cheap venue’. It’s going to be a very different vibe: think simple, laidback, more of a camping trip energy.
This could be suuuuuuuper fun, it’s just not the right choice for everyone so we like to be very transparent.
Travel time from Moab: Approximately 90 minutes.
Types of view: All three campsites have fairly closed in views. Big Cottonwood trees, sandstone cliffs.
Accessibility: The ground is pretty even but it is sandy so could be a little challenging for wheelchairs or walkers.
No. of people allowed: Dutch Oven: 50 people. Wooden Shoe: 25 people. Split Top: 15 people. Please note, this number includes your photographer, officiant or any other vendors present.
Parking situation: There’s ample parking since this is a lesser known area.
Toilets nearby: Yes.
Where Is The Best Place For Photos In Canyonlands National Park?
In our humble – but well informed – opinion, the absolute best place for photos in Canyonlands National Park is actually a tie. Our top two contenders are:
Shafer Overlook and Green River Overlook!
We simply cannot choose between them.
But, there IS a distinction:
Shafer Overlook is our favorite sunrise location and Green River Overlook is our favorite sunset location.
Choosing where to take your Canyonlands wedding photos is the FUN part!
Remember we said that for your ceremony you must be in one of the five designated locations?
Well, just for photos that rule doesn’t apply. For photos, there are no such restrictions: as long as you abide by the Leave No Trace Principles and do no damage, you can get out exploring the whole park!
So, when it comes to your portraits, you have a lot more freedom than you do for your actual ceremony.
As local Canyonlands photographers who know the park INSIDE OUT, we have tons of spots to share with you, where we can get you EPIC photos and also help you find some peace and privacy away from all the tourists.
All of our booked couples receive a personalized list of precise locations to choose from but, for now, here are just a couple of the cool spots you might want to consider!
Shafer Overlook
Shafer Overlook, whilst we don’t love it for ceremonies, is absolutely SPECTACULAR for portraits and we love, love, LOVE shooting there.
We specifically recommend it for sunrise, as the sun comes up over the La Sal mountains behind, silhouetting the layers upon layers of canyons below.
Better yet, at sunrise we often don’t see another hour or two for the first 60-90 minutes that we’re there.
Please note you must be comfortable with heights and a moderate degree of exposure to get ‘the shot’ here.
Green River Overlook
Green River Overlook is our joint top favorite along with Shafer!
The views from here are truly unmatched: you’re looking out over a hundred miles of vast deep canyons, knowing there’s likely not a single human out there.
It is absolutely best at sunset and, whilst not busy-busy, do be prepared to share the views with other people. Though we do know a little spot with the BEST views which 90% of tourists are unaware of!
Mesa Arch
We really enjoy shooting at Mesa Arch, but timing is CRITICAL.
Go at the ‘wrong’ time and you’ll be packed shoulder to shoulder with other people all trying to photograph the exact same view.
Fortunately, as local photographers, we know the tourist patterns inside out and can take you there when the light is great for photos and the hordes of people are not there ruining the experience!
How To Plan Your Canyonlands National Park Wedding Or Elopement
Pick your date or general season
Take a look at the section above on the best time to get married in Canyonlands, and then start narrowing down your date.
Our suggestion as locals, would be to aim for Spring or Fall as the best seasons, or even Winter if you’re open to the colder weather (Winter also means hardly any people!). And please remember Summer is NOT a good idea, in our opinion: too hot + too many people = not a great experience for you.
As a reminder, if privacy and peace is important to you, we’d highly suggest aiming for a weekday, and sunrise if you’re game for the early start.
Book your Canyonlands National Park wedding photographer
Now that you have a rough date – even just a general season – that’s enough to reach out to photographers. We’re going to brainstorm ideas with you and help you pin down a precise date. From there, you can get locked in and the planning begins!
Be sure to pick someone who specializes in Canyonlands National Park weddings (oh hey, hi, that’s us!), to help your day run smoothly. We know the area inside out and have the knowledge to help you plan a fun, easy and stress-free day: we’ll take you to all the best hidden-gem spots at the best times, and will be ready to pivot to a Plan B on a moment’s notice if it’s ever needed.
Non-locals are more likely to only know the ‘Instagram hotspots’ and won’t know what to do if the unexpected happens e.g. a planned location is temporarily inaccessible to visitors, or there’s a road closure, or ‘bad’ weather is coming in from a certain direction etc.
We’re not only your photographers, we’re your planning assistant, too: we’re going to help you choose precise locations, we’ll advise on which vendors to book, we’ll suggest fun local activities for your day, we’ll map out a realistic timeline for you, we’ll help you apply for your permit etc.
All of our packages include extensive planning assistance, two photographers and complimentary ceremony officiation. We even offer video, too, if you’d like!
So, once you lock us in, the planning process quickly becomes a whoooole lot easier for you! We want the whole process to feel stress-free and actually FUN for you.
You don’t have to figure this out alone, let us help you!
“Vanessa and Chad made our elopement day more incredible and personal than we could have ever dreamt up ourselves.”
“They made the planning process a breeze. They truly listened to us and made the day not ‘Instagram-perfect’ but perfect for us. We laughed until we cried, cherished every bit of our full day adventure and walked away with beautiful photos we can’t believe are us. Vanessa and Chad are some of the dopest, most down to earth humans we’ve had the pleasure of meeting.”
Determine your guest count
Before you can pick your ceremony location or apply for your permit, you’re going to need to pin down how many people – if any – you’re bringing with you.
Personally, we strongly feel that Canyonlands is best suited for super small groups or, better yet, just the two of you.
Remember, as detailed above, in the main part of Canyonlands (Island In The Sky), you are not allowed more than 25 people at any of the sites and, trust us, you wouldn’t want to try and coordinate more than that, you’d be inviting chaos.
If you have a larger group, you’d have to go to the campsites in the Needles district but we’re going to be honest and say we just don’t recommend it.
The logistics of trying to wrangle a big group – finding parking, squeezing everyone into the designated ceremony sites, dealing with people needing toilets close by, guests who are way out of their comfort zone getting frustrated by the lack of amenities etc – can become VERY stressful, leading to a day that is overwhelming and frustrating rather than peaceful and romantic.
As planners and photographers, we actually choose to max out at a group size of 15 people for this very reason.
If you do have a bigger group, we’d suggest renting a small venue outside of the park itself which we’ll share with you later in this blog. Remember, you can always come into the park just for pictures!
Figure out exact location and timing with your photographer (you’ll need this for the next step)
Before you can apply for your permit, you’ll need to choose your ceremony location (see options above) and narrow down the time of day you’d like to apply for.
Don’t worry, as your photographers, we will advise on this! We will advise which location(s) will work best for your personal needs and we can help you understand when the best time of day is for lighting, minimizing crowds etc.
Again, this is why hiring a local expert is SO important! Not understanding the nuances of a Canyonlands National Park wedding can spell disaster for you on your big day.
Apply for your permit
When you have a Canyonlands National Park wedding – whether it’s a big wedding with a whole ton of guests, or an elopement just the two of you, whether it’s a legal ceremony or just a private sharing of vows – you MUST procure what is called a ‘special use permit’.
A special use permit gives you permission to hold your ceremony/share vows at a given place at a given time.
You CANNOT get married in the park without one. To attempt to do so would be risking getting kicked out the park mid-ceremony and even getting fined.
To get your special use permit you will need to fill in an application form and submit payment (currently $185). This can feel a little overwhelming but, don’t worry, as your photographers we’re going to guide you through the whole process.
When you fill in your application, you are agreeing to abide by the park’s rules for your wedding.
This includes:
- Not exceeding the number of people allowed at a given location
- Not setting up ANY kind of decor (no decorations, no signage, no arch etc)
- Not playing amplified music or using a microphone
- Not using any dried flowers or grasses
- Not using a drone
- Not impacting other visitor’s experience e.g. trying to section off an area
You can read more about these and the full list or rules and regs on the Canyonlands National Park website.
Be sure to apply for your permit EARLY as there are a limited number available. You can apply up to a year in advance. Don’t leave it too late or you risk not getting the day or location you’re hoping for.
Do NOT make other plans until your permit is locked in! You may need to be flexible with date, timing or location.
Please note, your permit does not cover your entrance fee: you and your guests will still need to pay this. You can buy your entrance pass in advance on the park’s website which will save some time on the day.
Book your travel and accommodation
Alright, you’re got your photographer and your permit and it’s all official! Now what?
It’s time to start locking down some of the logistics. How are you going to get to Moab (the town-base for Canyonlands National Park) and where are you going to stay?
We’d suggest arriving at least a couple of days early, so you have time to settle in and get into vacation and wedding mode. And we’d always suggest staying for at least a few days after so you can relax and celebrate before you head back to the ‘real world’. There’s soooooo much to see and do in Moab, you really should make the most of it!
You’re going to want to fly into either Salt Lake City, Grand Junction or Moab itself and then rent a car, you will not be able to get around without one. The Moab area is remote and does not have an extensive public transport network!
When you’re choosing accommodation, we’d suggest picking somewhere bright and airy with a nice clean aesthetic, especially if you plan on having ‘getting ready’ photos taken. Choose somewhere with open spaces and lots of natural light, rather than dark and cluttered.
Here’s a few of our favorite places to stay for your Canyonlands National Park wedding:
Book a venue if you have a bigger group size
If you’re bringing guests with you, you might want to consider renting a venue space.
National park weddings can be absolutely beautiful but they do come with a lot of logistical challenges that you might not want to tackle on your wedding day. It’s pretty straightforward if it’s just the two of you, but can get kinda stressful if you’ve got more than just a few guests.
If you are bringing a larger group of guests – and especially ones who maybe haven’t spent a ton of time outdoors – you may decide you just don’t want the hassle of finding parking in a popular area, squeezing everybody into the designated ceremony space, only having limited access to facilities such as toilets, people overheating or getting frustrated by the wind, people complaining because there’s no food and drink on site…
You might decide you’re not comfortable with the permit rules, because you’d really like drone footage or amplified music, for example, both of which are not allowed.
Or you might decide you don’t like the idea of not having exclusive use of a space, knowing that there will be strangers milling around while you have your ceremony. Perhaps you’d like more privacy.
Whatever the reason, it may be the case that you’d actually rather book a private venue for your wedding and have a space that is your’s, all your’s.
Certainly, if you’re planning any kind of reception after your ceremony you will need to book somewhere as you cannot host a reception in the park itself, there’s simply nowhere to do so.
Don’t worry, you can still get killer views when you book a venue! And don’t forget you can always go into Canyonlands just for photos before or after your ceremony: that way you get the best of both worlds and you don’t need a permit for that.
Here are some of the places we’d suggest you check out:
The Red Earth Venue: this venue is amaaaazing and so quintessentially ‘Moab’. It’s a small building with all-glass sides, which open up directly onto towering sandstone cliff faces, essentially ‘bringing the outdoors indoors’. It’s truly the best of both worlds: you still feel out in nature, whilst having the comfort and amenities of a venue. You can expect your investment to start at ~$5500.
Under Canvas: Under Canvas is a US-wide eco conscious glamping company and their Moab location is stunning. You can host your small Moab wedding or elopement here as long as all guests are staying on site. Contact for pricing.
Red Cliffs Ranch: Red Cliffs Ranch is a beautiful hotel on the banks of the Colorado River. They have a deck with stunning views that can be used for your wedding ceremony, and a restaurant on site for your celebrations. Contact for pricing.
Whispering Oaks Ranch: This ranch is up in the La Sal mountains so has quite a different vibe to the others so far, with forest and mountain views rather than red rock. It’s stunning in the Fall and would be a good option if you really wanted a Summer wedding as you’ll avoid the worst of the desert heat since it’s at elevation. It sits on 50 acres of private land so has a real feeling of privacy and being out in the wilds. There are 7 large cabins on site, so it’s perfect for an intimate wedding. Contact for pricing.
Book any other vendors you need for your Canyonlands National Park wedding/elopement
You don’t NEED any other vendors if you want to keep your day super simple, but you may decide you’d like to treat yourselves, get some extra support and make the day feel a little more special.
Some of the other vendors you might want to consider include a florist, a baker, a hair and makeup artist, a private chef/catering or maybe even an acoustic musician.
Moab is small but it does have some really incredible vendors. Just be aware that they book up early so reach out asap to lock in your favorites! And you might need to be prepared to bring people in from Grand Junction or Salt Lake City if locals aren’t available.
We’d always suggest booking vendors who have experience with outdoor weddings with a bit of an adventure element. That way they can make sure your hair and makeup is going to last in the elements, for example, or that your flowers aren’t going to wilt in the sun.
When you work with us, we will send you a whole list of carefully vetted vendors to choose from.
For now, here’s just a few to get you started:
Florist: Tangled Sage
Hair and Makeup: Wild Brides Backcountry
Baker: Sweet Serendipity
Private Chef: Confluence Cuisine
To be completely transparent, you should be prepared to pay a premium for these vendors, especially if they’re coming from out of town and have travel costs to account for. For example, it’s not unusual to pay $500-1000 just for the bride’s hair and makeup!
Apply for your marriage license
If you are planning a Canyonlands National Park wedding, you will specifically need to apply for a Utah marriage license. You cannot bring one from your home state (UNLESS that home state is Texas which is a rare exception to the rule, as they allow you to use your license out of state).
Don’t worry, the process is easy! Let us talk you through it…
You’re going to go to the little county clerk’s office in Moab, with your paperwork already printed and filled out in advance, you’ll sign it in front of them, pay a small fee and then you will be issued your marriage license. The whole process is so quick and easy, you’ll be in and out in ten minutes.
On the day of your wedding you, your officiant and your witnesses will all sign the license. Then you will need to return the filled in license to the county clerk (either in person or via mail) and they will issue your final marriage certificate. If you go in person to return it, they will likely turn it around right there and then! If not, it will be mailed out to you.
You will need to factor all of this into your travel plans. The clerk’s office is currently open Mon-Fri from 8.30am-4.00pm.
If you look at your travel plans and realize you won’t be able to get to the clerk’s office, don’t worry! You DO have another option…
In Utah you can actually apply for your marriage license 100% DIGITALLY, no paperwork needed. This can ONLY be done via Utah County but is valid across the entire state. It’s a great option if you’d like to avoid having to go into the county clerk’s office as part of your trip: you can fill in the application online before you even leave home! Just be aware that with this option you will not have a physical license to sign, if that feels sentimentally important to you.
Plan out some fun activities for your Canyonlands National Park wedding!
The whole Moab area is INCREDIBLE. You’re for sure going to want to take some time to explore in the days before and after your wedding!
There’s literally a lifetime of fun and exploring to be had: we’d place good money you’ll come back again and again. Here’s just a few ideas to get you started:
Go horseback riding and feel like you’re in a Wild West movie.
Float down the Colorado River in the warmer months.
Hike Delicate Arch, probably the most iconic landmark in Utah.
Enjoy a dramatic sunset at Arches National Park.
Take a private plane tour and touch down in the middle of nowhere.
If you’d like some more fun ideas on how to make your elopement day feel unique and special, check out this blog with over 100 ideas.
Check out some places to eat
Moab is small but mighty! Because it’s quite tourism-focussed it has a lot of great places to eat and drink, way more than you’d expect in a town of its size.
Whether you just want to grab a quick, casual bite for the two of you, or want somewhere a little more special to host a post ceremony celebratory dinner for your group, you’ll find lots of options in Moab.
Coffee shops, cafes and casual bites
Restaurants
For a ton more suggestions on places to stay, things to do, places to eat etc, in Moab you can check out our full, detailed ‘How To Elope In Moab’ guide. We absolutely ADORE Moab and suspect you will, too.
Map out a timeline for your Canyonlands National Park wedding or elopement
It’s SO important you have a local expert on side when it comes to mapping out the flow of your day and creating a loose timeline for you. (Did we mention that’s us?!).
Timing can really make or break your day.
GOOD timing will get you dreamy light for photos, a peaceful experience and the epic images you dream of!
BAD timeline will get you challenging light, a busy and stressful experience and maybe average images!
That kind of insider knowledge takes years of on the ground experience: going to all of these places at every time of day and every time of year and seeing what they REALLY look like, not just trusting what AI or social media tells you.
When you work with us for your Canyonlands National Park wedding we’re not only your photographers, but your planners, too.
That means we’re going to create a custom timeline specifically for your day, allowing you to hit up all the locations you’re excited by at the best time of day for good light and (ideally) minimal crowds.
Our biggest piece of advice if a sense of privacy is important to you, is to adventure out in time for sunrise! This will give you the best chance to minimize how many other people you have to share the amazing views with, meaning not only great photos but more importantly a peaceful, relaxing experience. Trust us, it’ll be worth the effort!
Full transparency: if absolute privacy is super important to you, we actually don’t advise getting married in Canyonlands national park itself. Whilst we CAN find you a verrrry quiet spot, we simply cannot guarantee you’ll find a spot entirely to yourselves, and anyone who tells you otherwise is misleading you. Instead, we’d suggest heading to some of the beautiful spots OUTSIDE of the park. More on that below…
How your day actually flows is very personal – every day can and should look different – and it’s something we’ll work with you to figure out. You tell us you want to do X, Y and Z, and we’ll tell you how best to map out your day.
We highly suggest you plan out a full day of fun, adventure and activities. From little moments like a first look, sharing a first dance or throwing out a blanket and enjoying a picnic, to the bigger moments like sharing your vows or heading off on an exciting adventure like chartering a private plane for sunset.
You’ve come all this way, why short change yourselves?!
Just to help you visualize how your day could play out, here’s a realistic example of a timeline for eloping in Canyonlands National Park. Remember, when you work with us, we’ll handcraft a timeline from scratch for your special day.
How Much Does it Cost to Get Married in Canyonlands?
To get married in Canyonlands National Park the only essential costs are a Utah marriage license costing $50 and a ‘special use permit’ for your ceremony in the park costing $185. That’s $235 for one of the most beautiful ‘venues’ in the world!
Beyond that, the cost of your Canyonlands wedding is VERY fluid and your budget is really very personal: we suggest you and your partner sit down and discuss this very early on.
We’ve had a bride buy a dress for $100 on Amazon (no jokes, and it was STUNNING!), but equally we’ve seen $10k gowns before.
We have plenty of brides do their own hair and makeup, we’ve had others spend $1000 on an artist that stays with them all day for touch-ups on site.
We’ve had couples get fake florals on Etsy for $200, and we’ve had couples spend $2k+ on fresh floral installations for their ceremony.
As you can see, the cost of your elopement or small wedding is really up to YOU and what you prioritize.
But, just to try and give you a little sense of what you might want to budget for your Canyonlands wedding, here’s a list of what various items could cost.
Remember, you get to pick and choose what you want for your day!
- Photographer: $2000-$10,000 (depending on skill level and experience, the level of planning support provided and the hours of coverage). As an example, our most popular package is 8 hrs of coverage split across the day for $6800: this is for 2 photographers, planning assistance AND ceremony officiation.
- Travel and accommodation: $1500-$3000 (this is assuming you’re flying in from out of state and plan to stay for a few days)
- Outfits: $500-$3000 (are you happy with something online like Lulus or do you want a custom designer gown?)
- Rings: $500-5000 (there’s a huge range here depending on your personal taste!)
- Marriage License: $50
- Hair and Makeup: $500-$1000 (remote, small town prices are always going to be higher than your big cities)
- Cake: $50-$300 (depending on size and complexity)
- Flowers: $300-$500 (this would be for a big bouquet and a boutonniere, a bigger order would obviously cost more)
- Food: $50-$1000 (are you happy with a DIY picnic or do you want a private chef?)
- Activities: free to $1000 (do you want to hike, rent a Jeep, hire a local guide?)
TOTAL: from roughly $5k to $25k
We would suggest that our couples tend to spend in the $10-15k range for eveeeeerything, from travel to outfits to photography etc. And, don’t forget, that’s for at least a few days of vacation/honeymoon, too!
Given that the average wedding in the US costs around $35k these days – just for a few hours of ‘fun’ – we’d say that’s a pretty good deal!
Our Canyonlands National Park wedding packages
We are a husband and wife team and we really offer it all, keeping your Canyonlands National Park wedding super easy: our packages include planning, photography, legal ceremony officiation and optional video.
Our packages start at $4800 for a half day of coverage and go right through to multiple days: we’d say 80-90% of our couples opt for something in the middle, usually our full day package at $6800.
In the name of full transparency, there are no hidden costs with our packages: you’re not going to find travel fees or taxes snuck in there!
Here’s what we offer with all our packages:
Wedding planning doesn’t have to SUCK! We make it easy…
4hrs to multi-day coverage from two photographers
All the sweet moments captured from two different perspectives, giving you amazing variety in your gallery.
Fully personalized ceremony officiation
While Chad continues to shoot, Vanessa will lead a ceremony written just for you and can legally marry you if you wish.
Access to tons of resources to guide your planning journey
Like our ‘How to Elope’ guide, regular emails with all our insider tips ‘n’ tricks, our ‘Creating A Personalized Ceremony’ guide and our ‘Leave No Trace’ guide. Trust us, you’re never going to be left feeling lost or confused!
The option to add on our ‘mini video package’
We’ll edit together a 3 minute highlight video of the most special parts of your day, along with a full recording of your ceremony.
Personal guidance to design your dream day
Including location suggestions, travel advice, permitting assistance, vendor recommendations, activity suggestions and a day-of timeline.
Unlimited communication
We truly want you to think of us as your personal guides. And we’re Type A planners so take full advantage of that! Whether it’s email, text or Zoom, communication will never be lacking.
All of our travel fees included
No hidden extras.
Alternative Locations For Your Canyonlands National Park Wedding Or Elopement
Gahhhhh, we truly LOVE Canyonlands, it’s honestly one of our favorite places to shoot in the Moab area. Hopefully, having read through this blog, you’re feeling the same way!
However, if you’re NOT feeling excited, if you’re feeling like maybe it’s just not the right choice…. We totally understand! And that’s ok.
It’s suuuuuper important you choose a place that truly speaks to you.
We’re going to wrap up this blog by showing you what some alternative locations might look like, so you’ve then got all the information to make the right choice for YOU.
Alternative Locations Close To Canyonlands
Arches National Park
Arches National Park is right on the edge of Moab, so it’s quite a bit more accessible if that’s important to you.
Having said that, accessibility brings an increase in crowds. If any kind of privacy is important to you, Arches is NOT the place.
But if you’re willing to forgo privacy for incredible views and iconic sandstone arches, then check out this blog to learn all about getting married in Arches National Park.
Dead Horse Point State Park
If bringing your fur baby to your wedding is important to you, then you might want to consider Dead Horse as it is a dog-friendly state park.
However, it’s important to know that Dead Horse is quite small, so it can get busy in concentrated areas. We would suggest a sunrise wedding to avoid this.
If you like the idea of a sunrise wedding, you can learn more about planning one in this blog.
BLM locations
This is where it really gets fun and inspiring!
Much of the land around Moab belongs to BLM (the Bureau of Land Management).
These BLM areas provide an incredible, more peaceful alternative to Canyonlands, especially if you work with photographers like ourselves who know where to take you off the beaten path.
You will need to navigate the BLM’s rules on where you can hold your ceremony, how many people can attend etc but that’s all stuff we’re going to help you with!
In return, you will have access to spectacular backdrops in wild areas of the desert where you can find absolute peace.
Aaaaaaand you can bring your dog.
Honestly? Not gonna lie, they’re 100% our favorite locations.
Alternative Locations A Little Further Afield
Truly, Moab has our hearts, but the whole of Utah is STUNNING and you can’t go wrong.
Take a look at this guide to learn more about getting married in other areas of the state, from Zion National Park to the mountains of Park City.
Elopement planning resources.
Hopefully this guide has got you suuuuuper excited about a Canyonlands National Park wedding! We truly believe it’s the best national park in Utah by a LONG shot. And we would LOVE to help you create your dream desert wedding experience! If you’d like more info, just fill in the contact form below or hit the contact button in the top right. And don’t worry if you haven’t got it all figure out just yet, that’s what we’re here for! To take your ideas and turn them into a reality.
We are small wedding and elopement planners and photographers, working across all of Utah and Colorado.
We’ve planned and photographed over 150 elopements, and love sharing all our top advice with you.
If you’re in need of some more support or inspo, check out some of these blogs below. And never be shy reaching out if we can help you!
We’re here to make elopement planning easy…
… And FUN!!!
Browse more resources on our blog.
100+ Unique Elopement Ideas
Choosing Your Elopement Outfit: Advice From A Photographer
Honest Advice For Planning An Arches National Park Wedding Or Elopement, From A Local Photography Team
Meet ‘the outlovers’
Hey, We’re chad + Vanessa!
As your elopement photographers, these are our promises to you:
All couples will find themselves welcome and celebrated here. We come with ZERO expectations of how anyone should look, behave or love on each other.
Your day will be an EXPERIENCE, not a photoshoot. Our whole ‘photography philosophy’ is grounded in the belief that the best photos come from you having the best darned time!
You can read more about our packages, or just fill out our contact form below and we’ll send over all the info!
Let’s do this thing!
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