An Arches National Park wedding or elopement can, of course, be spectacularly beautiful. That scenery is to die for, after all.

However, we are photographers who are local to the area and, if we’re being 100% open and honest, we’ve got to tell you that – if not done right – it can turn into absolute chaos!

With wedding permits to navigate, an ever-changing entry and ticketing system to wrap your head around, and throngs of tourists to try and avoid as you plan your ceremony… It can be a LOT.

Don’t worry, we’re here to help!

As a local husband and wife 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 an Arches National Park wedding to life. 

As locals, 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 Arches. We will help you avoid the common mistakes people make when they try to get married here without understanding all the logistics.

We’re here to co-create the elopement or wedding day of your wildest dreams…

From sunrise hikes out to inspiring overlooks, to horse riding deep in the canyons, to chartering private flights to the middle of nowhere, to staying out after dark to see the Milky Way, we’ve done it all with our couples. The only question is, what adventure sings to YOU?

In this guide, we’re going to transparently share all the insider info on Arches 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.

A Quick FAQ For Your Arches 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 Arches National Park.

But let’s briefly tackle just a few of your top questions first before we really dive in.

Ok, now that we’ve tackled just a few of the FAQs, let’s dive into the real details of planning your Arches National Park wedding or elopement…

The Pros To An Arches National Park Wedding Or Elopement

1. Other-worldly beauty for daaaaaaays

Arches National Park is truly like no other place in the US, and – dare we say it – in the WORLD! 

It is utterly mesmerizing with its soaring sandstone arches that seem to defy gravity and weird and wonderful rock formations that honestly make you feel like a little kid again, excited to go exploring. 

If you’re someone who finds joy and connection out in nature, then an Arches National Park elopement or wedding is a great choice.

2. Your wedding photos are going to be INSANE!

Like, seriously. We LOVE the juxtaposition of a couple all dressed up in their wedding outfits against the rugged backdrop of the Moab desert. 

And, really, is there a better wedding arch than the ones provided by Mother Nature?!

3. You don’t even have to work hard for the views when you get married in Arches

If you WANT to hike for your wedding day, you absolutely can and we’d love to share some ideas with you! 

But if you want – or need – somewhere with easier access, for yourselves or for your guests, then Arches National Park is a great choice. 

You can hold your ceremony no more than a few hundred feet from a parking lot and still have the most epic and quintessentially ‘Moab desert’ photos imaginable!

4. Moab is the BEST little town with so much to see and so

You’ll base yourself out of Moab for your Arches 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 might be small but it sure is mighty!

It’s an outdoor lover’s paradise, with endless opportunities to explore and adventure.

From hiking, to sky diving, to floating on the river, to simply enjoying a picnic with a perfect view: you’ll never run out of ways to spend your days in Moab. A lifetime isn’t enough!

The Cons To An Arches National Park Wedding Or Elopement

1. If you’re set on a Summer wedding, then Arches is NOT the place

The desert gets SO hot from around June through September, that it’s a horrible place to get married. 

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.

Any other time of year though and we’re IN!

2. An Arches National Park wedding is a bad choice if you want a high degree of privacy

With over 1.5 million visitors annually, Arches National Park is not the place to go if you want to get married with not another soul around. There WILL be other folks wandering around as you hold your ceremony. Depending on timing (which we’ll advise on!), it might be 10 people, it might be 100+.

And if said tourists want to stop and video your ceremony, well, they can (and they will)! You have to see that as all part of the fun.

Such high visitation numbers also mean there can often be problems finding parking at the most popular spots. Be prepared to circle a few times, waiting for space to open up.

If you crave solitude and peace on your wedding day, you can still get married in the Moab area but you might want to consider getting married OUTSIDE of Arches, where you can still find killer views, just minus all the tourists. More on this later!

In previous years, Arches has had a ‘timed entry system’ whereby you had to have an advanced reservation for a specific time slot to get into the park. We loved this as it helped manage the overcrowding but, as of 2026, it has been ditched and it’s back to being a free for all.

3. There are strict conditions on where you can hold your Arches National Park wedding or elopement

You’re not allowed to get married just anywhere you please in the park, you’re restricted to certain places the park has authorized. These spots are beautiful but you will be limited in your choices.

If you search ‘Arches wedding photos’ you’ll see a lot of illegal ceremonies. That’s why working with a local with in-depth knowledge is so important. Remember, you don’t wanna get kicked out!

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.

4. No dogs allowed, boooooo!

If it’s important for you to have your four legged family be present at your ceremony, then Arches 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.

If you’re looking for a dog-friendly location, you might want to consider state parks 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.

When Is The Best Time to Have Your Arches National Park Wedding?

The best time for your Arches National Park wedding is October through May. 

This timing allows for two things:

1. You’ll avoid the intense heat of the Summer months.

And

2. You’ll avoid the huge crowds of the high season.

Win-win in our books!

We also suggest aiming for a weekday and, if you’re game for it, getting out for a sunrise adventure. Both of these things will maximize your chances of finding relative solitude in the park!

Arches National Park weddings in Winter

Winter weddings in Arches are fantastic if you value fewer crowds over everything else. This is very much ‘low season’ in the park and, whilst you may not have the views 100% to yourselves, you won’t be sharing them with 100+ people at any given time of day like in high season.

In addition to that, the landscapes are BEAUTIFUL in Winter. If you’re lucky, you might get a light dusting of snow on the arches which looks incredible. We’ve even had cooler days with a mist swirling in and out of the landscape which is other-worldly.

This time of year will, of course, be colder. 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.

Arches National Park weddings in Spring

Ahhhhh, Spring is just a DREAM in the desert.

The temperatures are mild, the cacti are blooming, and there’s still not toooooo many people around.

Our favorite period is mid March through late April.

By May it’s starting to warm up, but is still manageable. By mid June it’s hot and busy!

Do be aware that Spring can bring some strong winds to the Moab area. Personally, we love it! Wind always adds some great movement and drama to your photos.

Arches National Park weddings in Summer

Don’t. Do. It.

It really is that simple!

Arches National Park weddings in the Summer are a hard pass. As local photographers, please trust us on this!

It’s SO hot. Like, it can easily be 100º by 9am, even hotter in the middle of day, and doesn’t relent for even a minute until after the sun has gone down.

Now imagine trying to look good and have fun in that?!

In addition, Summer is peak tourist season so, not only are you going to be hot and bothered, you’re going to be hot and bothered with a bazillion other hot and bothered people around!

Arches National Park weddings in Fall

Fall is another gorgeous time to be in the desert. Just be aware, it comes a little later than you might expect, really not hitting until well into October – maaaaaybe late September – and even through November. Early September is still very much Summer in our books and should be avoided!

By Fall, the temperatures are cooling off, some of the trees are turning golden and, by November, the crowds are thinning out.

Glorious! 

Where Is The Best Place To Get Married In Arches NATIONAL PARK?

There are only 6 places you’re allowed to get married in Arches National Park and the BEST place is the La Sal Mountain Viewpoint. This location is by far our personal favorite.

The La Sal Mountain Viewpoint is a lesser visited spot so there won’t be tons of other people traipsing on by as you hold your ceremony. What’s more, it has spectacular mountain views in one direction and stunning red rock formations in the other. The variety for your photos is wonderful!

When it comes to choosing your ceremony location for your Arches National Park wedding or elopement, the first thing to know is that there are strict rules on where you’re allowed to be: you can’t just rock up and get married wherever you please! 

You need to get a permit for the exact time and place you wish to hold it, choosing from the list of 6 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 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.

So, our best advice is this: go to a quieter place for your ceremony, then go exploring all over for your photos!

Below, we’re going to share a realistic breakdown of all the permitted ceremony locations, with info about the views, accessibility, parking etc.

The reality is that some of these locations SOUND good on paper but are a nightmare in reality because of the busyness of the park. We’re going to be completely transparent with you so you can go into your planning process with your eyes wide open! Better that, than be surprised (shocked) on the day.

Please also 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.

Location 1: Park Avenue

Park Avenue is the closest location to the entrance of the park. The allowed ceremony site is just a short walk from the parking area, on a sandy patch right alongside the paved trail. 

We really like this location for the views, but it’s not great for privacy: it’s a trade off you’ll have to decide if you’re willing to make.

Travel time from park entrance: 5-7 mins

Types of view: Iconic towering sandstone cliffs on either side of a beautiful canyon.

Accessibility: Very accessible, just 150’ from the parking area, along a flat paved trail. Folding chairs are permitted on a case by case basis, but expect most of your guests to stand.

No. of people allowed: 15. We personally think this would be very cramped, and would stick to a ‘just us’ elopement here, or perhaps 2-6 guests. Also, please note, this number includes your photographer, officiant or any other vendors present.

Parking situation: There are limited parking spots here and they go fast. So, be sure to carpool. If there are no spots available, do a little loop and keep checking: most people only spend 5 minutes checking out the viewpoint, so the parking turnover is very fast.

Toilets nearby: No.

Location 2: La Sal Mountains Viewpoint (Our Favorite!)

This is the next closest location and one we really love! The allowed ceremony site is pretty big so you can tuck away from people and enjoy a reasonable degree of privacy. 

It’s also great because the views are great in all directions so you can get great photos at any time of day.

Travel time from park entrance: 6-8 mins

Types of view: The La Sal mountains rise up in the background, and in the other direction you’ve got iconic towering sandstone formations that feel truly ‘wild west’.

Accessibility: The ceremony location is only a very short walk from the parking lot. However, it’s over very uneven terrain so isn’t the best choice if you have people with mobility issues to consider. Folding chairs are permitted on a case by case basis, but expect most of your guests to stand.

No. of people allowed: 50. Personally, we wouldn’t even attempt to coordinate a wedding this big in a national park: the logistics are going to be horrible. We would suggest not going beyond 25, at most. Also, please note, this number includes your photographer, officiant or any other vendors present.

Parking situation: There are limited parking spots here which is one of the reasons we wouldn’t suggest bringing 50 people. So, be sure to carpool. If there are no spots available, do a little loop and keep checking: most people only spend 5 minutes checking out the viewpoint, so the parking turnover is very fast.

Toilets nearby: No. Another reason not to bring 50 people: the odds of someone desperately needing to go increases with the more people present!

Location 3: Double Arch

Double Arch is probably exactly what you envision when you think ‘Arches National Park wedding’, and it IS spectacular. 

However, it is one of THE most visited spots in the park so does come with its drawbacks. There can be literally 100+ people there at any given time and, whilst a good photographer will do their best to edit out all of those people, it’s not always possible. And, in video, it’s distinctly IMpossible. 

So you have to decide if you’re ok with that!

Travel time from park entrance: 20-25 mins

Types of view: An enormous, soaring double archway with views straight up to the sky through it.

Accessibility: The allowed ceremony area is a few minutes walk from the parking area along a paved path, with a very slight up and down. The area itself is flat and sandy. Folding chairs are permitted on a case by case basis, but expect most of your guests to stand.

No. of people allowed: 25. We would suggest this would feel very cramped and would make nice photos challenging. We’d suggest sticking to 10-12. 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 very, very busy. We personally only like to hold super early morning ceremonies here to beat the crowds. You must carpool and be prepared to circle around until you all get parked. Honestly, the parking situation alone is enough for us to suggest ditching this location for your ceremony, and coming here just the two of you for photos before or after.

Toilets nearby: Yes, at the parking area.

Location 4: The Windows

The Windows area is right beside Double Arch so has the same concerns: stunning views but lots of people. If you want to get married here but don’t want tons of other people around, you’re going to want to go in the off-season and/or super early in the day (we’re talking soon after sunrise).

(The permitted location is at the very forefront of this photo, off to the right hand side. You’ll have the arch in the background, though not quite such a clear view as this.)

Travel time from park entrance: 20-25 mins

Types of view: The designated ceremony area is nestled into a little rocky area in front of the iconic Turret Arch.

Accessibility: It’s a bit more of a walk to get to this one. Only half a mile or so, but slightly uphill and with some uneven terrain. Not the best option if you need a high degree of accessibility. Folding chairs are permitted on a case by case basis, but expect most of your guests to stand.

No. of people allowed: 25. As with all the other locations so far, we’d suggest this number is too high, and we’d recommend more in the 12-15 range. 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 very, very busy. We personally only like to hold super early morning ceremonies here to beat the crowds. You must carpool and be prepared to circle around until you all get parked. Honestly, the parking situation alone is enough for us to suggest ditching this location for your ceremony, and coming here just the two of you for photos before or after.

Toilets nearby: Yes. At the parking area.

Location 5: Panorama Point

Panorama Point is the most accessible of all the ceremony locations, with no walking required. It is also more ‘developed’: it is a large paved over area with concrete benches in place for your ceremony. 

It is not the most scenic in our opinion – not by a long shot – BUT if accessibility is your number one priority this could be the best option for you.

Travel time from park entrance: 18-20 mins

Types of view: Long distance views over the northern most part of the park. Honestly? It’s not exactly iconic or screaming ‘Arches National Park wedding’.

Accessibility: Suuuuuuuper accessible, the parking is right by the ceremony area. If you had anyone in a wheelchair or with super limited mobility this would 100% be your best option. It’s also a great choice if you require seating since there are benches in place.

No. of people allowed: 50. This number is reasonable given that there is already seating for everybody. But do be aware, the bigger the group the harder the parking and other logistics. Please note, this number includes your photographer, officiant or any other vendors present.

Parking situation: There is a good amount of parking here and it’s not a hugely popular area in the park. So, as long as you car pool, you should be ok. But be prepared to wait for parking to become available if you’re a very large group.

Toilets nearby: Yes. Right by the ceremony location.

Location 6: Devil’s Garden Campground Amphitheater

Devil’s Garden Campground Amphitheater is a good choice for Arches National Park wedding if you’ve got a much bigger group. Of all the approved sites, it has the highest capacity and it has installed seating. 

However, this spot is generally used for ranger presentations and, as such, has a large projector screen set up that will be in the background of your ceremony. It is certainly not the most visually pleasing of the sites, but if your group size demands it you may not have much choice. 

In all honesty, we would not recommend this site. Instead, we’d suggest you look at a small wedding venue outside of the park if you have a large group.

Travel time from park entrance: 33-35 mins

Types of view: The general area is lovely to explore before or after, and you’ll find arches close by, but the ceremony site itself is simply facing a wall of red rock with a large screen installed.

Accessibility: The ceremony site is just a couple of minutes walk along a gravel path from the parking area. There is sufficient seating for all guests.

No. of people allowed: 80. Please note, this number includes your photographer, officiant or any other vendors present.

Parking situation: If you have a group of 80 people, we think you’re going to struggle to park even if you car pool, and instead you might want to hire a bus driver and have a shuttle system set up for your guests instead.

Toilets nearby: Yes. At the parking area.

Where Is The Best Place For Wedding Photos In Arches National Park?

Turret Arch and North Window

The absolute best place for your wedding or elopement photos in Arches National Park is what’s known as ‘The Windows Area’, specifically Turret Arch and North Window. 

We LOVE shooting in this area and our couples are always blown away by just how beautiful it is.

We HIGHLY recommend getting out here for sunrise. It’s beautiful for photos at that time of day, as the arches glow red in the soft morning light. It’s also waaaaay more peaceful early in the day and, most importantly, you’ve got a better chance of finding parking easily. Coming at any other time of day tends to lead to frustrating chaos, driving round and around trying to find a spot.

Sunset is also stunning here. If you’d prefer that, we’d definitely suggest coming in the low season to minimize the number of other people around.

Choosing where to take your wedding photos is the FUN part!

Remember we said that for your ceremony you must be in one of the six designated locations? 

Well, just for photos that rule doesn’t apply. For photos, there are no 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, assuming this part will be just the two of you, you have a whole lot more freedom and can get those EPIC photos you’re dreaming of.

As Arches photographers who know the area WELL, 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 other cool spots you might want to consider!

Sand Dune Arch

Sand Dune Arch is super cool. It’s quite a small one but it’s very unique in that it’s nestled amongst huge sandstone formations, so it feels like a little hidden surprise.

Unless you go in Winter, don’t expect to have this place to yourselves! You’ll see a lot of photos of it online where it LOOKS incredibly peaceful: the truth is that the other people have been photoshopped out. 

Don’t worry, we can also photoshop the people out and get you very cool photos. We just like to be transparent about the experience of it: you will most likely be sharing the space with lots of other people.

Double Arch

This is one of the allowed ceremony locations that we detailed above. 

Whilst we don’t LOVE it for your ceremony, due to the sheer number of other people around, we DO recommend it for some super cool photos before or after.

It really is a sight to behold and we love capturing ‘giant landscape, tiny humans’ shots here.

You should fully expect for there to be a lot of other people around, but we’ll position/pose you in such a way that we can edit them out and make it look like you’ve got the place to yourselves!

Petrified Dunes

There’s huge areas of petrified sand dunes through the park and they’re a great place to photograph: it’s safe/responsible to walk on them, you’re not doing any damage, so you wander all over and have a great time exploring.

We particularly love facing towards the La Sal mountains in the background, as it adds some really fun variety to your photos.

How To Plan Your Arches National Park Wedding Or Elopement

Narrow down a rough date

Take a look at the section above on the best time to get married in Arches, and then start narrowing down your date. 

Remember, Summer is a terrible time for an Arches wedding, but any other time of year is do-able, with our favorite being the Winter months or shoulder seasons around March or November. Basically, any time it isn’t TOO hot or TOO busy.

Don’t forget that a weekday is always going to be more peaceful, so that’s a great choice if privacy is important to you and if you want to minimize logistical challenges such as parking.

Book your Arches 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 Arches National Park weddings (oh hey, hi, that’s us!), to be sure your day runs smoothly. Arches is a great place to get married IF your photographer knows it inside out and knows how to tackle the logistical challenges. If not, it can, quite honestly, turn into a bit of a nightmare!

As your photographers, we help you a TON with the planning aspects of your Arches wedding: helping you choose precise locations, advising on which vendors to book, suggesting fun activities for your day, mapping out a realistic timeline for you, helping 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.

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 Arches is best suited for super small groups or, better yet, just the two of you.

There ARE locations that allow up to 80 people, as detailed above, but we honestly think that’s MADNESS. Bringing a large group like that into a national park is going to be chaotic, there’s no two ways around 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 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.

And, honestly, less than that is even better! We do work with a few small groups each year, but we specialize in ‘just us’ elopements. Truly, we’ve just found it’s where the magic’s at.

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 an Arches National Park wedding can spell disaster for you on your big day.

Apply for your permit

When you have an Arches 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 Arches 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

Ok, now that you’ve got your permit approved and your day/time finalized you can start making travel arrangements.

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’.

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 Arches National Park wedding:

Moab Springs Ranch

Under Canvas

Ulum

Red Cliffs Lodge

Decide if you need to book a venue and/or reception space

As much as you might initially like the idea of getting married in the natural spaces of Arches National Park, with a bit of further research you might decide it’s actually NOT the best choice for you.

And that’s ok! In fact, we’d encourage you to really think it through and make an ‘eyes wide open’ decision.

For example, if you are bringing guests, you may decide you don’t want to tackle the logistical issues of finding parking in a popular area, or squeezing everybody into the designated ceremony space, or only having limited access to facilities such as toilets.

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 for that 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!

Here’s 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 Arches 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

Apply for your marriage license

If you are planning an Arches 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 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 Arches 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. 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 Canyonlands National Park

Take a private plane tour and touch down in the middle of nowhere

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 both Springdale – the closest town to Arches – or in the St George area.

Coffee shops, cafes and casual bites

Bonjour Cafe

Dos Mas Cafe

Moab Garage Co

Moab Diner

Restaurants

Thai Bella

Birdy’s Finer Diner

Josie Wyatt’s Grille

Desert Bistro

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 Arches National Park wedding or elopement

It’s SO important you have a local expert on side when it comes to timeline planning. (Did we mention that’s us?!).

Without precise knowledge of how the light hits the arches at specific times of the day, for example, or practical experience of what the crowds look like at different times of year, you run the risk of following a poorly constructed timeline that leaves you disappointed or stressed.

That’s NOT what we want for you! We want you to have the time of your lives and leave with the best memories that will stay with you forever.

When you work with us for your Arches National Park wedding we’re not only your photographers, but your planners, too. 

Remember, we’re local and we know Arches inside out and back to front.

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. 

In a busy park like Arches, what does that actually mean?

Well, 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 privacy is super important to you, we actually don’t advise getting married in Arches national park itself. You simply cannot guarantee you’ll find a spot all 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 timeline for eloping in Arches National Park. Remember, when you work with us, we’ll handcraft a timeline from scratch for your special day.

TIMELINE (CANVA)

How Much Does it Cost to Get Married in Arches?

To get married in Arches National Park you will need a Utah marriage license costing $50 and a ‘special use permit’ for your ceremony in the park costing $185. That’s not much for one of the most beautiful ‘venues’ in the world!

Beyond that, it’s kind of an ‘up to you’ situation. You can keep it super simple or you can go all out!

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 Arches National Park wedding packages

We are a husband and wife team and we really offer it all, keeping your Arches 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:

Alternative Locations For Your Arches National Park Wedding Or Elopement

As you’ve read through this blog, hopefully you’re now feeling excited about an Arches National Park wedding. It really is a stunning location for your big day!

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.

The truth is, Arches is NOT the right choice for everyone. If you’re a couple who value peace, privacy and intimacy it really isn’t going to be the best choice.

Don’t worry!

There are plenty of other locations in the area that have equally stunning views, minus all the people. There are 100’ soaring arches OUTSIDE of the park that we go to regularly and don’t see another soul at sunrise! That simply won’t happen in the park.

There’s every chance you’re going to prefer one of these alternative locations. 

We’re going to wrap up this blog by showing you what that might look like, so you’ve then got all the information to make the right choice for YOU.

Alternative Locations Close To Arches

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands is another national park in the Moab area BUT, since it is 45 minutes outside of town – compared to Arches which is just 5 minutes – it is waaaaaay less busy.

We shoot here often and it has a MUCH higher degree of privacy. And the views are insane!!

We’ll be honest, we might just prefer it to Arches….

You can read more about holding your wedding at Canyonlands here.

Dead Horse Point State Park

This state park is beautiful and, again, because it is much further from town it’s a lot quieter than Arches for your wedding. Even better, dogs are allowed here! So, if bringing your fur baby is important to you, you might want to consider this.

However, it’s important to know that Dead Horse is a small park, so it can get quite 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 Arches, 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. 

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 given you a full and honest insight into the realities of an Arches National Park wedding. As we’ve tried to make clear from a local’s perspective with real boots on the ground experience, Arches can be SPECTACULAR, but it also comes with its limitations: mainly the sheer popularity of the park and the logistical problems that poses with things such as parking and trying to find privacy.

When you work with us, we take the time to get to know you and offer you custom location ideas based on your specific needs and wants. We always want you to have allllllll the honest info to make that decision.

For some of our couples, the trade off of having other people around is worth it for those amazing views in Arches! Others decide that they would like to prioritize privacy and decide that it’s not the location for them. Don’t worry, we have SO many other great ideas for you!

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!