The Honest Truth About Planning A Zion National Park Wedding Or Elopement, From A Local Photographer
As experienced wedding photographers local to Utah, we share the inside scoop about what a Zion National Park wedding REALLY looks like. The good, the bad and the ugly…
By Vanessa & Chad; ‘The Outlovers’, your husband and wife elopement planning and photography team.
April 2026
As a husband and wife planning, photo and video team, we have helped 100+ couples get married all across Utah in EPIC fashion, and have helped bring many a Zion National Park wedding to life.
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.
As locals to the area, we are your eyes and ears, your ‘feet on the ground’ when you’re planning your wedding from afar.
But, here’s the thing…
Whilst we often LOVE Zion National Park weddings and elopements, we DO think it’s one of the trickier places to get married outdoors in Utah, simply because it’s a very popular place and there are a lot of logistics to figure out. That’s why it’s SO important to have someone on your team who knows the system inside out and can help you avoid all the common mistakes and pitfalls.
Zion National Park weddings CAN be amazing, if you know the ins and outs of the area. OR they can honestly be a bit of a nightmare if you get tripped up by all the local rules and regs and logistics you didn’t even know about! Being 100% blunt: your dream day can turn into a bit of a sh*tshow.
We’re here to be HONEST with you, so you can plan your wedding and make decisions with your eyes wide open.
We’ve got all the insider info on Zion 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 the 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 Zion National Park Wedding Or Elopement
This guide is going to get into allllll the nitty gritty details and we’re going to share all our insider info to really help you plan a super fun and beautiful wedding at Zion National Park.
But let’s briefly tackle just a few of the hottest questions first before we really dive in.
Zion National Park is tucked into the south western corner of the beautiful Utah desert, near the little tourist town of Springdale.
The nearest city is St George, and Las Vegas is just a couple of hours away. You could fly into either of these places, and you will need to rent a car as there is no public transport to speak of in this area.
Zion is remote and is the kind of place you go to escape, to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Whilst there are plenty of good places to stay and to eat and drink, do be aware that you’ll be sacrificing some of the ‘creature comforts’ of a big city in return for some of the most amazing views you’ve ever seen!
Yes and no!
We want to be fully transparent with you and that’s our 100% honest answer.
And here’s why…
If you know the ins and outs of the park and how to get married there, and you go into the whole thing with fully realistic expectations, then you can have a really beautiful experience.
But if you don’t, and you go into it hoping for one thing but then get something else entirely, you could find yourself really disappointed.
For example, if you want a Summer wedding, you want to bring 50+ people and you want absolute privacy for your ceremony…. Well, yeah, in that situation Zion is NOT a good place to get married.
But if you want to get married any other time of year, you don’t want many guests, and you value epic views over privacy… Then, heck yeah, it’s a good place to get married!
Don’t worry, we’ll go into all of this in a LOT more detail as you read through this guide. We will be fully transparent with you about the realities of a Zion National Park wedding!
100% yes.
Every couple getting married in the park (whether it’s a legal ceremony or just privately sharing vows) 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 permit system and how to apply later in this blog.
Your permit will cost $100, pretty cheap for a ‘venue’! And your marriage license will cost $50.
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 US wedding costs upwards of $35k these days!
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 Zion National Park wedding or elopement…
The Pros To A Zion National Park Wedding Or Elopement
1. The stunning scenery
Excuse us while we state the flipping obvious, but Zion is GORGEOUS! With its towering red sandstone cliffs and dramatic canyons, Zion National Park is an obvious choice if you want stunning views for your wedding day.
2. It’s a great ‘off-season’ wedding location
The classic ‘wedding season’ is through the Summer months, but if you’re looking to get married outside of that period, then Zion is going to be a great choice. Even in the heart of winter, the weather is milder than most wedding destinations in the US. And, bonus, the crowds are at a minimum then, too!
3. There are some really accessible ceremony spots when you plan a Zion National Park wedding
You can hold your ceremony against a dramatic backdrop no more than 100’ from the parking area if you like. This is great if you or any of your guests have mobility issues. Or if you simply don’t want to walk multiple miles to get the killer views!
4. Zion National Park is a great hopping off point to explore more of Utah on your honeymoon
Zion is just one of Utah’s FIVE national parks so, if you’re making a vacation/honeymoon out of your wedding trip, we highly suggest road-tripping and exploring more of what this gorgeous state has to offer. You could head to Moab and check out Arches and Canyonlands, or you could head to the Salt Lake or Park City area and enjoy some serious mountains.
The Cons To A Zion National Park Wedding Or Elopement
1. Summer is a HORRIBLE time to be in the desert
If you want to get married in the Summer months, Zion is NOT the best choice for you.
We actually TURN DOWN Zion weddings from June to September. 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.
2. It’s going to be busy, busy, BUSY.
This is the part where we’re going to be honest and transparent with you…
Zion National Park is suuuuuper popular and receives more than 5 million visitors per year.
On top of this, the most popular views in the park are concentrated in a pretty small physical area.
Meaning, you are NOT going to find privacy for your wedding here, there WILL be other people around when you hold your ceremony. And those people cannot be stopped if they want to stand and watch your ceremony, or pull out their phone and record it.
But that’s the trade off for accessible, amazing views!
If privacy is important to you, you might want to consider getting married OUTSIDE of the actual park. More on this later…
3. There are strict conditions on where you can have your ceremony
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 ‘Zion wedding photos’ you’ll see a lot of illegal ceremonies in places where you are not allowed to be. 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 before or after your actual ceremony.
4. Driving is restricted in the main area of the park for most of the year
From March through November, and through the December holidays, Zion implements a shuttle system through the main valley, and cars are not allowed.
This means you can’t self drive, you MUST take the shuttle. Whilst this is fantastic for managing congestion, it can be more than a little frustrating to coordinate on your wedding day. Wait times can be LONG, sending your timeline for the day all out of whack if you weren’t planning for it. And loading and unloading guests – especially if you’re a larger group – can be challenging and you may find yourselves split between multiple shuttles
You might want to consider a location outside of the main valley if you’d rather drive yourself. Don’t worry, we can advise on this.
5. No dogs allowed at your Zion National Park wedding
If it’s important for you for your four legged family to be present at your ceremony, then Zion 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. If you’d still like the desert vibe then Moab, UT, has tons of dog friendly options. You can learn more about it here.
When Is The Best Time to Have your Zion National Park Wedding?
The best time for your Zion National Park wedding is hands down November through March. This is when the park is at its quietest so you have the highest chance of peace, and not 100 strangers milling around your ceremony location.
Temperatures will be chillier, of course, but it’s still relatively mild and typically you’ll still have blue skies and bright sunshine. It’s also a dry cold in the desert, which is a LOT more tolerable than a damp, achy ‘gets in your bones’ cold of a more humid environment.
Beyond aiming for ‘low season’, as photographers who’ve worked in Zion countless times, we also suggest aiming for a weekday and, if you’re game for it, getting out for a sunrise adventure. All of these things will maximize your chances of finding relative solitude in the park!
Trust us, if you plan a Zion National Park wedding for a weekend in May or June it’s going to be HORRIBLE. Soooo busy, congested traffic, queues to get in, zero peace whatsoever… Truly, don’t do it!
Zion National Park weddings in Winter
Like we said above, Winter weddings in Zion are fantastic for the higher degree of peace you’re going to find.
In addition to that, the landscapes are still BEAUTIFUL in Winter. If you’re lucky, you might get a light dusting of snow which looks so magical against the red rock background.
Just make sure you pack some cute, cozy warm layers and hot drinks to help combat the cold.
Zion National Park weddings in Spring
The desert comes to life in the Spring and we LOVE it. We’d say aim for late March into April for lovely warm temperatures, blooming spring flowers, and still not tooooo many people.
Just be careful of Spring Break, it gets INSANE in the park!
By late Spring – around mid May – the park is getting crazy busy and a bit too hot to be feeling good in your wedding outfits.
Zion National Park weddings in Summer
Nope, nope, NOPE.
Just don’t do it.
Zion 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?!
Zion 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.
Where Is The Best Place To Get Married In Zion?
The BEST place for your Zion National Park Wedding is the Timber Creek Overlook in the Kolob Canyons region of the park. This is a lesser known area of Zion, to the west of the main valley floor and it sees far fewer visitors than the ‘Instagram hotspots’.
You’ll have a much more peaceful experience if you get married here, with it feeling like a lovely experience out in nature rather than the almost ‘theme park’ vibe that can ruin the main areas in busy season.
When it comes to choosing your ceremony location for your Zion 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).
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.
Here is a breakdown of all the permitted ceremony locations:
Temple of Sinawava
The Temple of Sinawava is right at the head of the main Zion Valley, nestled in a natural amphitheater carved by the river. The allowed ceremony site is just a short walk from the parking area, right alongside the river.
Types of view: Creekside, an almost beachlike sandy area, Cottonwood groves, rising red cliffs.
Accessibility: Very accessible, just 150’ from the parking area, on a relatively flat and even trail.
No. of people allowed: 35. Personally, we’d recommend no more than 15-20 to feel comfortable. Also, please note, this number includes your photographer, officiant or any other vendors present.
Parking situation: For most of the year (March through November, and through the December holidays), the main Zion valley can only be accessed by shuttle. The shuttle is free and does not require a reservation, but you can expect a long wait during busier times and must factor this into your wedding day timeline. Sinawava is the last stop on the shuttle and the ride itself will take about 45 mins.
Toilets nearby: Yes.
Menu Falls
Menu Falls is a little 10 foot waterfall, an unexpected water source in the desert. The ceremony location itself is on a small deck in front of the falls. Please be aware this is a very small ‘waterfall’. Don’t be picturing an impressive, crashing waterfall like you might see in the PNW, for example! We’re gonna talk straight with you: it wouldn’t be our personal first choice of ceremony location. Though if you want somewhere in the main valley but a little more serene than Sinawava, or if you like the lush feel amidst the desert, it may be a good choice for you.
Types of view: Small waterfall, forested alcove.
Accessibility: Menu Falls is about a half mile walk from the shuttle, at first along the side of the road and then along a little path.
No. of people allowed: 10. This would be VERY cramped. Personally we’d only suggest this location for a two person elopement, or perhaps with just 2-4 guests. Also, please note, this number includes your photographer, officiant or any other vendors present.
Parking situation: For most of the year (March through November, and through the December holidays), the main Zion valley can only be accessed by shuttle. The shuttle is free and does not require a reservation, but you can expect a long wait during busier times and must factor this into your wedding day timeline. Menu Falls is a short walk from Shuttle Stop 8 (Big Bend).
Toilets nearby: No.
Zion Lodge Lawn
This ceremony site is located right in front of the historic Zion Lodge, constructed in 1925. Since this area has a restaurant, accommodation and toilets, it acts as a bit of a gathering place for most people who visit the park. So, please expect a lot of people milling around and potentially taking photos/videos of your ceremony. Also note that there will likely be people in the background of your photos, there’s only so much Photoshop can do!! This is NOT the location for you if you value privacy. But if you want an accessible place for a large group, it’s ideal
Types of view: Big open, flat lawn area, surrounded by Cottonwood trees. Big red cliffs rising up all around.
Accessibility: This location is as accessible as it gets.
No. of people allowed: 75. Please note, this number includes your photographer, officiant or any other vendors present.
Parking situation: For most of the year (March through November, and through the December holidays), the main Zion valley can only be accessed by shuttle. The shuttle is free and does not require a reservation, but you can expect a long wait during busier times and must factor this into your wedding day timeline. Zion Lodge is Shuttle Stop 5. If you decide to stay at the lodge, you will be issued a parking pass and will not need to ride the shuttle!
Toilets nearby: Yes.
Nature Center North Lawn (only available November through early April)
The Nature Center permits weddings on its lawn only when it is closed in the low season. So, this may be an option for you if you’re open to a Winter or early Spring Zion National Park wedding!
Types of view: Large lawn area, red cliffs and big Cottonwood trees.
Accessibility: Very accessible, a great choice for those with mobility concerns.
No. of people allowed: 50. Please note, this number includes your photographer, officiant or any other vendors present.
Parking situation: Since the Nature Center is outside of the shuttle-only area, you and your guests will be able to drive your own vehicles and there is usually sufficient parking available. If not, you would need to be prepared to drop off less able guests, then park a little further afield and walk in. Car pooling advised!
Toilets nearby: No, since the Nature Center is closed.
South Campground Amphitheater (currently under construction and not available for reservation)
The South Campground Amphitheater is a great option if you want something a little more ‘venue-esque’ for your Zion National Park wedding ceremony. It has a raised platform area for the two of you and your officiant, and has built in benches for your guests.
Types of view: Red cliffs and big Cottonwood trees.
Accessibility: Very accessible, and the only location with inbuilt seating.
No. of people allowed: 100. Please note, this number includes your photographer, officiant or any other vendors present.
Parking situation: This location is close to the entrance of the park so parking can be tricky. Be prepared to carpool and drop off less mobile guests as needed.
Toilets nearby: Yes.
Timber Creek Overlook
Timber Creek Overlook is our favorite ceremony site, if you’re able to hike a short distance. It’s the location that feels the most ‘wild’ to us, a bit more immersed in nature than some of the others that can feel a little manufactured. It is located in the western region of Zion, known as Kolob Canyons.
Types of view: Elevated canyon views, looking out to red cliffs. The ceremony site itself is a rocky area on a natural point.
Accessibility: This location is not as accessible as others, and would not be suitable for those with mobility issues. It is a 0.5 mile walk to the ceremony site from the parking area, with a gentle incline and very rough terrain.
No. of people allowed: 20. We personally would suggest no more than 10-12 to fit in the area comfortably. Also, please note, this number includes your photographer, officiant or any other vendors present.
Parking situation: As this area is outside of the main valley floor, you ARE allowed to drive your own vehicle there. However, please note that car pooling is necessary and you’re allowed a maximum of 4 vehicles. So, if you have the maximum group size of 20 people present, you’ll need to all squeeze in together!
Toilets nearby: At the parking area, yes, but at the actual ceremony site no.
Where Is The Best Place For Photos In Zion National Park?
Canyon Overlook Trail
The absolute best place for your wedding or elopement photos in Zion National Park is the Canyon Overlook Trail: you’re going to get so much bang for your buck with this easy, 1 mile round trip hike!
With its epic canyon views, and soaring red rock cliffs, the Canyon Overlook just screams ZION.
So, whilst this trail is popular, and there WILL be other people around, in our opinion it’s 100% worth it to get those classic, quintessential Zion National Park wedding photos you’re dreaming of!
The Canyon Overlook Trail is located on the east side of the Mt Carmel Tunnel, about a 30 minute drive from Springdale.
We HIGHLY recommend getting out here for sunrise. It’s beautiful for photos at that time of day, it’s waaaaay more peaceful and, most importantly, parking is extremely limited. Coming at any other time of day tends to lead to frustrating chaos, driving round and around trying to find a spot.
Remember, while there are strict rules on where you can hold your actual ceremony in Zion – and breaking those rules risks a fine and getting kicked out the park – you’re allowed to just take photos wherever you please (abiding by Leave No Trace principles, of course).
As Zion 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’s just a couple of other cool spots you might want to consider!
The Cliffs North of Mt Carmel Tunnel
This isn’t a specific trail as such, just a general area that is so beautiful and super fun to scamper around and explore!
You can park up at any of the pull off areas on the side of the road north of the tunnel and, as long as you’re staying on slickrock and doing no damage, you can climb all over and just see what you find!
There’s some killer views and it feels really ‘exploratory’, so it’s a great option if you’re up for a bit of an adventure.
(re edit Bonnie and James)
Observation Point, Via East Mesa Trail
If you’re game for a bigger hike, this is a stunning option for your Zion National Park wedding photos.
For about 7 miles of effort, you’re going to be rewarded with the most incredible views down the main valley floor of the park. In terms of epicness, you’re going to have similar views to the infamous Angel’s Landing but, because it’s a bit more out of the way and a longer – and lesser known – hike, you get those views MINUS all the people!
We like to hackle this hike for sunrise, setting off in the dark then seeing the whole world wake up around you as the sun rises. Does it get more romantic on your wedding day?!
The hike itself is pretty easy, with no major hills or challenging terrain. It is a long hike, though, so be sure you’re well prepared and have packed plenty of water and snacks.
How To Plan Your Zion National Park Wedding Or Elopement
Narrow down a rough date
Take a look at the section above on timing, and then start narrowing down your date.
Remember, Summer is a terrible time for a Zion 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.
Lastly, remember that if you plan a Zion National Park wedding from March to November, or during the December holidays, you will be obligated to use the shuttle system to access the main valley floor.
You can avoid the shuttle one of three ways:
- Get married December-February (excluding December holidays)
- Selecting Timber Creek Overlook as your ceremony location (it’s in the west of the park, outside of the shuttle system)
- Booking accommodation at Zion Canyon Lodge (you will be issued a parking pass)
Book your Zion National Park wedding photographer
Now that you have a rough date – even a season – you can book your photographer.
Be sure to pick someone who specializes in Zion National Park weddings (oh hey, hi, that’s us!), to be sure your day runs smoothly. Zion 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 Zion 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.
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.
All of our packages include extensive planning assistance, two photographers and complimentary ceremony officiation. We even offer video, too, if you’d like!
“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 Zion is best suited for super small groups or, better yet, just the two of you.
The logistics of trying to wrangle a big group – finding parking, navigating the shuttle, the needs for 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!
If you do have a bigger group, we’d suggest looking at a location outside of the park itself which we’ll share with you later in this blog.
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 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.
Apply for your permit
When you have a Zion National Park wedding – whether it’s a big wedding with 100 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 $100). 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 (detailed above in the ‘Where Is The Best Place….’ section).
- Not setting up ANY kind of decor (no signage, no arch etc) without prior permission
- Not playing amplified music or using a microphone
- Not leaving behind any trash
You can read more about these and the full list or rules and regs on the Zion 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, right until 3 weeks before (though don’t leave it this 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.
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 St George or Las Vegas and then rent a car, you will not be able to get around without one. Zion is remote and does not have a public transport network!
When you’re choosing accommodation, we’d suggest picking somewhere with a nice aesthetic, especially if you plan on having ‘getting ready’ photos taken. Choose somewhere with nice open spaces and lots of natural light.
Here’s a few of our favorite places to stay for your Zion National Park wedding:
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 Zion National Park, with a bit of further research you might decide it’s actually NOT the best choice for you.
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 getting everybody on and off the shuttle.
Or, you might decide you’re not comfortable with the permit rules, because you’d really like a decorated ceremony space with a wooden arch which is not typically allowed, for example.
Or you might decide you don’t like the idea of lots of tourists milling around your ceremony, potentially watching on and taking their own photos and videos.
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 some seriously epic views when you book a venue!
Here’s some of the places we’d suggest you check out:
Book any other vendors you need for your Zion 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.
When you’re looking for vendors, Springdale – the nearest town to Zion – is TINY, so you’ll likely want to consider vendors based in St George or even Las Vegas.
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: By Bloomers
Hair and Makeup: Wild Cactus Weddings
Baker: CBJ & Company
Private Chef: Chef Jeff Crossland
Apply for your marriage license
If you are planning a Zion 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!
You just go to the county clerk’s office, fill in the paperwork, pay a small fee and then you will be issued your marriage license. Do be aware that some county clerks require you to make an appointment in advance, so be sure to check that.
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 and have it sent out to you.
The nearest county clerk’s office to Zion is in St George and you can read all about their marriage license application here.
You can, however, get your license in any county, and it is valid across the whole of Utah. So, you can pick it up in a different county if it makes most sense for you based on your itinerary and travel plans.
You do also have the option in Utah to have an entirely DIGITAL marriage license, no paperwork needed. This can ONLY be done via Utah County. 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!
Plan out some fun activities for your Zion National Park wedding!
Zion National Park is such a COOL spot to get married and you’re really going to want to make the most of your time there.
There are so many fun activities in the area, and you should for sure try some of them out, whether it’s on your actual wedding day or in the days before and after.
Here are some things you might want to consider:
Go horseback riding through the canyons
Go dune-buggying at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Stay out late and stargaze
Hike Angel’s Landing and/or The Narrows
Check out a slot canyon
Take a helicopter tour and touch down on top of a remote butte
Check out some places to eat
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 Zion – or in the St George area.
Coffee shops, cafes and casual bites
Restaurants
Map out a timeline
It’s SO important you have a local expert on side when it comes to timeline planning. Without knowledge of realistic travel times at various times of day, or an understanding of the realities of taking the shuttle into the park, for example, you run the risk of trying to follow a completely unrealistic timeline that ends up leaving you disappointed or stressed.
When you work with us for your Zion 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 for good light and (ideally) minimal crowds. Our main focus is to make sure you can see the things you wanna see and do the things you wanna do, but WITHOUT ever feeling rushed or stressed.
Our biggest advice?
If a sense of privacy is important to you, get out for sunrise! We know, it’s hard work getting up that early but, in a park like Zion that sees millions of visitors each year, it is your best chance to minimize how many other people you have to share the amazing views with.
Full transparency: if privacy is super important to you, we actually don’t advise getting married in Zion 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…
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 a helicopter ride.
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 Zion 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 Zion?
To get married in Zion National Park you will need a Utah marriage license costing $50 and a ‘special use permit’ for your ceremony in the park costing $100.
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 Zion wedding packages
We are a husband and wife team and we really offer it all, keeping your Zion 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:
Elopement 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 Zion National Park Wedding Or Elopement
As you’re reading this blog, hopefully you’re feeling really excited about a Zion National Park wedding.
However, if you’re NOT, if you’re feeling like it’s just not right for YOU…. We understand!
As we’ve mentioned a couple of times, Zion National Park is popular and it can get super busy. Combine that with the fact that you MUST hold your ceremony at one of the designated locations and you may find it’s not really what you picture for your day.
The truth is, Zion is NOT the right choice for everyone. And that’s ok!
There are plenty of other locations in the area that have equally stunning views, minus all the people.
There’s every chance you’re going to prefer one of those. And we’d love to help you figure out what that might look like.
Alternative Locations Close To Zion
Snow Canyon State Park
Snow Canyon State park is about 10-15 miles north of St George and is an excellent alternative for your small wedding or elopement if Zion just isn’t feeling quite right.
It has incredible towering sandstone cliffs and dramatic petrified dunes.
We LOVE shooting here and, if you’re game for sunrise, we barely see another soul around.
You can read more about holding your wedding at Snow Canyon here.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Coral Pink Sand Dunes is another lesser known gem, if you’d like somewhere more peaceful than Zion for your wedding.
It is located about 75 minutes to the east of St George, near the small town of Kanab.
As the name suggests, you’re going to find absolutely dreamy sand dunes here, which make an incredible backdrop for sharing your vows.
If you’d like to elope here, don’t forget we’ll help you figure out all the planning and logistics.
BLM locations
Much of the land around St George and the Zion National Park area belongs to BLM (the Bureau of Land Management).
These BLM areas provide an incredible, more peaceful alternative to Zion, 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!
Alternative Locations A Little Further Afield
Honestly, the whole of Utah is STUNNING and you can’t go wrong.
If you really like the whole desert vibe and aesthetic, we’d highly suggest checking out the Moab or Hanksville areas.
You can find ABSOLUTE privacy in both of these areas if you know where to look.
We’re OBSESSED with the Utah desert and know these places inside out: we can guide you to some of the most spectacular views you’ve ever seen.
To learn more about getting married in Moab, you can check out this guide.
And if you’d like to read more about Hanksville, as well as other areas of Utah, you might find this one helpful.
Elopement planning resources
Hopefully this guide has given you a full and honest insight into the realities of a Zion National Park wedding. As we’ve tried to make clear, Zion can be SPECTACULAR, but it also comes with its limitations: namely lack of privacy and strict conditions on where you can actually hold your ceremony.
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 Zion! 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!
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
Colorado Elopement Advice From A Local Photographer
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!
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