Honest Advice For Planning A Moab Wedding Or Elopement, From A Local Photography Team

As a local husband and wife planning, photo and video team, we have helped create more than 80 epic Moab elopements over the last several years. From sunrise hikes out to soaring sandstone arches, 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.

Moab is a place that gets in your soul. The rugged, wild landscape is other-worldly and just so darned dramatic with its towering red rock formations and plunging canyons.

We have spent endless time exploring every corner of this vast desert, finding gem after gem, and we never tire of its beauty. Now, we’d love to share it with YOU!

As locals to Moab, we are your eyes and ears, your ‘feet on the ground’ when you’re planning from afar.

We’ve got all the insider info on Moab elopements, from where to go for the best photos (away from the crowds!), 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.

We know it can be confusing planning an elopement, especially if you’re not from the area, so we’re going to break it all down for you in this super detailed guide to Moab elopements.

You can read the whole blog if you’re pretty new to this elopement planning game, or use the table of contents here to jump to the parts that most interest you…

Moab Elopement FAQs

Let’s start with some FAQs.

This is just a quick lowdown of some of the most commonly asked questions about Moab elopements.

You’ll find a TON more info – and lots of inspiring photos – as you read on.

The Pros Of A Moab Elopement

We truly think Moab is one of the best places to elope in the US (if not the world!) and there are a million good reasons to plan a Moab elopement. Here are just a few of the pros:

1. Moab’s natural beauty is incomparable

This corner of Utah’s south eastern desert is truly unique, there’s genuinely nowhere else like it on Earth. So, if you are someone who is inspired by natural beauty, then of course you want to elope somewhere that will blow your teeny little mind! Moab is that place.

There’s nothing like standing under a 100′ arch that has taken millions of years to form, or looking out over the edge of a vast canyon and 100 miles of untouched raw beauty to make you appreciate how small you are in this crazy universe, and realize what a miracle it is that you and your partner found each other amongst it all!

2. The adventures are endless (and suited to all levels)

You don’t have to be Indiana Jones to have an ‘adventure elopement’: just a simple appreciation of the great outdoors and an eagerness to explore it in your own way. If that’s road tripping around a national park, hopping out to see the views and throwing out a blanket for a picnic, perfect!

Or perhaps you like to hike a few miles to really feel like you’re disappearing into the landscape, or off-road to a remote vista to escape the crowds?

Perhaps you’d like to saddle up and horse-ride your way through the wild west landscape, or charter a plane and see it all from above?

There’s truly something for everyone in Moab. 

3. Your Moab elopement photos are going to be INSANE!

You know how sometimes everybody’s wedding photos all start to look the same?! Yeah… Not your’s. Your’s are going to be bonkers-beautiful and like nothing your friends and family have ever seen before!

The Cons Of A Moab Elopement

Honestly, we’re OBSESSED with Moab elopements and – unless you legit just don’t like the desert landscape – we don’t think there are many serious drawbacks.

But there are a few factors you should at least consider before committing:

1. Moab is NOT the place to elope in Summer

If you’re absolutely set on eloping anywhere from roughly June to late September, we want to say in full transparency that Moab is NOT going to be a good location choice. The heat is extreme – it can easily be 100+ degrees by 10am and stay that way till the sun goes down – and it’s utterly relentless, with blazing sun and nowhere to hide.

That can be challenging on a normal day, but on your wedding day, trying to look good in your wedding attire? A hundred times worse.

We simply won’t do that do you, and don’t work in the desert in those months.

Instead, we take ourselves off to the Colorado mountains, which are PERFECT in that time frame. So, if you’re set on Summer, you might want to check that out instead!

2. If you’re looking for ‘the city that never sleeps vibe’… Keep looking!

Don’t get us wrong, Moab is the cuuutest little town and we absolutely adore it, but it goes to sleep very early of an evening! It’s a town of artists and outdoor lovers, not so much partiers. So, you’ll absolutely be able to go out and enjoy a nice dinner and a few drinks if you like, but don’t expect to be staying out till the wee hours!

3. Some Moab elopement locations can be BUSY

Honestly, this is really just an issue of knowing when and where to go (or not!). When you work with us as your Moab elopement specialists, we’re going to to advise you on how to avoid the crowds, assuming you don’t want 100 strangers staring at you as you share vows!

The national parks are the busiest, but you can still find privacy if you know where to look and how best to time out your day.

We’ll share all this info with you, but a good starting point is to choose a weekday elopement, and to get up for sunrise to beat the masses.

When Should you Elope In Moab?

Best Time Of Year For A Moab Wedding

The short answer is this: the best time for your Moab elopement is literally ANY TIME BUT SUMMER!

Here’s the more detailed answer…

Spring Elopements In Moab

Spring in the desert is magical. Temperatures are ideal (60-80 compared to the 100+ of summer), the crowds aren’t too large and, if you get lucky, you might even catch the spring flowers.

Just be aware of ‘Easter Jeep Safari’, a multi-day annual off-roading event: town gets BUSY and, whilst it likely won’t impact the kind of places we’d take you to elope, you may find that accommodation is in short supply or super expensive.

Summer Elopements In Moab

We generally advise against the height of summer in Moab for your elopement: it’s scorching hot in the desert in July and August and, well, it can all get rather unpleasant just by being outside. Think running makeup and sweat patches! It’s also the busiest time of year, coinciding with school holidays and the crowds can be infuriating, with hours long queues to get into the national parks and a shortage of parking once you’re in.

Fall Elopements In Moab

Fall is lovely. Both the crazy temperatures and the crazy crowds are dropping off! You can enjoy sunny days but cool mornings and evenings, and the Milky Way is going to be directly overhead in the evening, making for some world class stargazing.

Oooh, and you could combine your Moab elopement with a trip to Ouray in Colorado, which is just 3hrs away, and catch the spectacular fall colors of the Aspen forests there.

Winter Elopements In Moab

We really enjoy winter in the desert! Something about the white snow contrasted with the red rock is totally magical.

Just be prepared, it does get COLD! People often assume the desert is hot all year round but that is NOT the case. It’s a crisp, dry manageable cold but you’ll need proper winter layers and lots of time to warm up in between exploring.

Best Time of Day For A Moab Wedding

In terms of photography, we’re ALWAYS going to recommend you schedule the most important parts of the day – things like your first look, your ceremony and couple portraits – for around sunrise and/or sunset. This is when the light is at its softest and most romantic and makes for the most beautiful photos.

Whether you choose sunrise or sunset is really up to you and which you personally enjoy most! Whichever you choose, we will then base our location suggestions on that to make sure you get the best views at your chosen time of day. Certain locations are better at certain times of day and we’ll advise on that.

Our FAVORITE elopements are full day adventures, embracing both sunrise AND sunset (usually with a little down time in the middle of the day). This way, you get to check out multiple locations

How To Choose The Ideal Location For yOur Moab Elopement

There are SO many stunning vistas for a Moab elopement, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing the exact spot where you’d like to share your wedding vows.

One of the best parts of our job as elopement photographers is helping our couples pinpoint YOUR perfect location, and that really is different for everyone. We spend a lot of time getting to know you and what kind of setting sings to you the most, whether it be red rock towers, spectacular arches, never-ending canyons or even a snow capped mountain range. And we spend hours and DAYS scouring maps and getting out on trails to find the best locations for you. We’re forever finding new cool spots we’re desperate to share with our couples.

It’s a bit of a balancing act….

Typically, there are three factors we need to consider – the views you like, the level of privacy you hope for, and the accessibility you need – and usually you’ll need to be willing to sacrifice one of these to prioritize the other two.

For example, you may love a certain beautiful sandstone arch and it’s easy to walk to which is important to you. Well, that probably means it’s not going to be entirely private!

Or, you may be obsessed with a stunning canyon overlook, and love that it’s typically super private. Well, that likely means it’s going to be harder to get to, requiring either a hike or some off-roading.

Ultimately, it’s weighing up what’s MOST important to you, and be willing to let other things go in favor of that.

General Considerations For Choosing Your Moab Elopement Location

• You must make sure all necessary permits are in order for your chosen location (more details below).
• You’ll need to consider transportation. Car-pooling is a great idea if you’re bringing a group as parking is often limited, especially in the Moab national parks. And some locations will require a lifted, off-roading vehicle to access which you can rent in Moab.
• Consider park entrance fees. We highly suggest picking up an annual national park pass. Seriously, it’s the best 80 bucks you’ll ever spend!
• Be sure to check out and abide by any specific rules for your chosen location eg. are chairs allowed, can you have an arch, is music allowed, is it ok to have a fresh flower bouquet and throw confetti, is popping champagne within the rules etc? We’ll explain where to find all these rules.
• If you’re bringing guests, you must take their wants and needs into account as well. You might be capable of hiking a mile or two, but are they? You might be happy in the middle of nowhere with zero amenities, but are they? You don’t want to put anyone in a dangerous or uncomfortable situation.

The Best Places To Elope In Moab

Ok, here it is, the bit you’ve been waiting for… The very BEST places to elope in Moab!

Arches National Park, Moab Elopement

Right on the edge of town, an Arches National Park wedding is a great option if you want a super accessible, easy elopement location with insane views and a totally wacky other-worldly landscape. And what could be more romantic than getting married under an entirely natural arch?!

The main downside to an Arches National Park wedding is the popularity of the area. We can’t guarantee you’d have any spot to yourselves. In fact, it’s highly unlikely. You can expect that there will likely be other people around, so it’s not the best choice if you want a totally private place to exchange vows. Opting for a sunrise ceremony certainly alleviates this issue but, even then, there’s every chance there’ll be a few dedicated landscape photographers around catching sunrise through the arches.

The cool thing, though, is that while your ceremony must be in one of the designated spots (you can find a full list here along with how many people are allowed at each), we can then go off exploring and find somewhere secluded for romantic portrait photos once your ceremony is concluded.

Arches National Park Considerations:

• You will need a Special Use permit that costs ~$185 and should be applied for well in advance
• A ranger may be on site to supervise your ceremony. They’re lovely and usually hang back to give you space!
• No alcohol allowed
• No live or amplified music
• No rice, birdseed, pampas grass or non-native plant seed (this is super important as it prevents non native species from invading the area)

As you can see, there are a lot of ‘rules and regulations’ if you want to elope in Arches. That’s the price you pay to be in a super popular spot: the rules are in place to manage the impact on the environment and other visitors, and we respect that.

Check out the Arches National Park website for all details and further info on weddings in the park. 

If you feel like it’s more than you’d like to contend with for your ceremony, here’s the good news:

You can hold your ceremony elsewhere, outside of the park, then just come into the park for some killer pictures before or after your ceremony! You do NOT need a permit for that.

It’s also important to know that typically from April to October, Arches National Park employs a ‘timed entry’ system to try to manage the huge crowds. This means that there will be a limited number of tickets available and people will need to purchase them in advance, and will only be allowed in at their designated time.

The good news: as long as you have your special use permit all in order, you (and any guests) will be allowed to enter the park in time for your ceremony without a separate timed-entry ticket, so there’s no chance of you ‘missing out’ on the day you were hoping for.

Just be prepared for a wait line to get in and factor this into your timeline for the day. Please be aware you will still need to pay entry fees.

*** UPDATED FEBRUARY 2026: CURRENTLY THE TIMED ENTRY SYSTEM HAS BEEN REVOKED FOR THE FORSEEABLE. PERSONALLY, WE THINK THIS IS A TERRIBLE IDEA. WHILST THIS MEANS YOU DON’T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT ACQUIRING A PASS, IT DOES MEAN YOU’LL NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR LONG LINES GETTING INTO THE PARK – EASILY AN HOUR+, OFTEN MORE – AND EXTREMELY LIMITED PARKING. WE’VE EVEN SEEN THE PARK CLOSE ITS GATES BY 10AM BECAUSE IT’S SIMPLY TOO BUSY ALREADY. WE HIGHLY SUGGEST A SUNRISE ADVENTURE FOR THIS REASON. ***

If you’d like to learn more about the realities of eloping in Arches, as well as see a ton of inspo wedding photos from the park, check out this blog!

Canyonlands National Park, Moab Elopement

Uggghhhh, Canyonlands is one of our favorite places in the whole wide world. Every single time we go there (which is OFTEN!), we feel like we’re living in a real life oil painting.

Canyonlands is just 30 minutes outside of Moab but it feels SO remote. The sense of vastness is honestly indescribable so we’ll let the pictures do the talking.

Canyonlands is a great choice if you want easy accessibility – you can literally hop out of the car to a panoramic viewpoint and get insane pictures with absolutely zero effort – OR if you want to get ‘lost’ in the backcountry on a multi-day hike. It truly has it ALL! And, better yet, since it is a bit further from town, it has waaaay few tourists than Arches. We can absolutely find you peace and privacy.

Canyonlands National Park Considerations:

• You will need a Special Use permit that costs ~$185 and should be applied for well in advance
• A friendly ranger will oversee your ceremony. Don’t worry, they’re pretty chill and usually hang out at a bit of a distance!
• No alcohol allowed
• No live or amplified music
• Your ceremony itself can be held at Shafer Overlook (insane at sunrise!), the Green River Overlook (epic at sunset!) or Grand View Point, then we can galavant around and take epic pics all over!
• No rice, birdseed, pampas grass or non-native plant seed (this is super important as it prevents non native species from invading the area)

Check out the Canyonlands National Park website for details and further info.

We honestly don’t have a bad thing to say about Canyonlands, we absolutely adore it!

If you’d like to learn more about the realities of eloping in Canyonlands, as well as see a ton of inspo wedding photos from the park, check out this blog!

Dead Horse State Park, Moab Elopement

Dead Horse State Park is right next door to Canyonlands and shares similar views. It’s just a little smaller, though there’s still plenty of places to explore and take killer photos.

Oh, and unlike the other parks, you can BRING YOUR DOG here! Major plus point in our opinion.

Dead Horse State Park Considerations:

• Your wedding Special Use permit fee starts at $160 (for a 1 hour ceremony block, and up to 50 people) and should be applied for at least 30 days in advance
• In addition, you will need to pay your state park entrance fee of $20 per vehicle
• You have 5 designated sites to choose from for your ceremony (you can see a map and images of them all here). 
• Real flowers are allowed but please don’t bring in invasive species such as pampas grass
• No seeds, confetti or rice allowed to be thrown
• No amplified music or large decorations allowed

Check out the Dead Horse State Park website for details and further info.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Moab Elopement

If you want to avoid crowds, get out somewhere remote and wild and feel truly immersed in your surroundings, an elopement on BLM land is absolutely the best choice for you. From multi mile hikes, to off-roading locations, to simple ‘drive right on up’: BLM land can offer it all.

The Bureau of Land Management protects almost 2 million acres of land in the Moab area and you’ll find canyons, arches, waterfalls, crazy towering stacks of red rocks, huge mesas…. Everything the national parks have minus all the people! Massive WIN, we say.

In fact, if we’re 100% honest, Moab elopements on BLM land are our absolute favorite, hands down. You feel like you’re TRULY in the desert, more than you ever possibly could in a busy park.

We try not to share the exact names of BLM locations: not because we’re gate-keeping, but because we’re trying not to add to the problem of places becoming overrun and often destroyed thanks to social media. We really want to minimize the impact we personally have on the land! When you work with us we will create a curated, personalized list of precise locations for you.

BLM Considerations:

• There are a list of (amaaazing) locations for you to choose from, with rules on how many people and/or vehicles are allowed at each.
• You do not need a permit, yay!
• Although no permit is needed, there are still rules you need to abide by. This primarily comes down to being respectful of the land and doing no damage. You want toleave knowing that future eloping couples will still be able to enjoy it just as much as you have!

You don’t have to pick and choose and limit yourself to just one of these fabulous locations. If you book a full day elopement package, you could easily hit up at least two of these locations: one for sunrise, followed by a lazy afternoon, and another for sunset! This is by far our most booked package and we truly believe it’s perfect for 99% of couples.

You could even go all out and have a multi-day wedding adventure, checking out our other favorite place, the San Juan mountains region of Colorado. Imagine: deserts AND soaring peaks in the space of two days… Now, THAT’S an adventure elopement to remember!

Who to Hire For Your Moab Elopement: Moab Wedding Vendors

First up, you’re gonna need a kick-ass elopement photographer. (Cough, cough, hint, hint!).

Seriously, though, hiring a local photographer who knows Moab inside out is super important: we know allllll the best places (well beyond the basics we’ve shared here), the best times to hit them up for the best light for photos, how to avoid the crowds etc. etc.

As your photographers, we’re going to guide you through the whole planning process, making sure it’s stress free and FUN for you! Wedding planning doesn’t actually have to suck.

Booking your photographer should be your very FIRST STEP, as soon as you know rough location and date. We’re going to help you SO much, you don’t have to figure this all out alone.

One of the things we help you with is lining up any other vendors you might need. We are plugged into a huge network of wedding professionals and can help you lock in florists, hair and makeup artists, bakers etc.

Since Moab is so tiny, there aren’t a TON of vendors close by. However, there are many from elsewhere in Utah or other states who will happily travel to the desert to serve you. Be sure to book your vendors early, especially if you’re eloping in high season.

Here’s just a handful you might want to check out (our booked couples receive a FULL list of recommendations):

SWEET SERENDIPITY is an incredible baker located in Moab.

TANGLED SAGE does the best florals in Moab.

WILD BRIDES BACKCOUNTRY will do your hair and makeup and keep you looking fresh all day long (they’ll even join you on a sunrise hike if needed!).

Moab Elopement/Wedding Permit Requirements

The division of land in Moab is complex. There’s public land (managed by the Bureau of Land Management), private land, federal land etc… 

Each area has its own set of rules, and figuring out where and how to elope in Moab legally can be hard to navigate. There are strict rules on what permits you need, where you can hold your ceremony, how many people can be there, whether or not you’re allowed fresh flowers, if it’s ok to have chairs or an arch…. The list goes on!

Figuring all of this out is something we, as your local Moab elopement specialists, can help you with. Part of our planning assistance service is to ensure that all the correct boxes are checked.

The last thing you want during your elopement is for an official to kick you out for breaking a rule without even meaning to! 

There are two types of permits you may need for your Moab elopement, depending on where you wish to hold your ceremony and any other locations you may want to have photos taken.

The first is a ‘special use’ permit and it is the responsibility of the eloping couple to obtain and abide by. This allows you to hold your Moab elopement ceremony in a given location at a given time.

Some locations are completely free, others can cost up to around $200.

You’ll want to apply for your permit at least 2-3 months in advance of your elopement date to be sure it’s processed in time. If you’re eloping in busy wedding season (Spring and Fall), you’ll want to apply even earlier if possible, as there is a limit to how many permits are issued and you may find the day you want isn’t available. It’s always good to have a Plan B in mind, ready for this situation: either a different date or a different location.

We know this can all sound confusing. Don’t worry, when you work with us as your planners/photographers, we’re going to help you through this entire process: you’re just the ones who need to sign on the dotted line and make payment.

Then there’s a photography permit which is entirely separate to the special use permit. Here at ‘The Outlovers’, we take care of the photography permit and the cost is included in all of our Moab elopement packages. So, you don’t even need to think about this one!

There are a LOT of ducks to get in a row for your Moab elopement or small wedding which is why having local, elopement-specialist photographers on your team is a HUGE advantage (Hi, that’s us!).

Getting Your Marriage License For Your Moab Elopement

When you’re planning a Moab elopement or small wedding bear in mind you will most likely need to procure a Utah marriage license, as you typically need a marriage license from the state you are getting married in (there are a few exceptions to this, such as Texas which allows you to take their marriage license out of state).

We know it can feel confusing, so let us break it down for you.

If you would like a paper marriage license that you will physically sign on the day:

• BOTH of you must present yourselves at the county clerk’s office in Moab and pay a non-refundable fee of ~$50 USD. So, make sure you factor this into your vacation itinerary: you don’t want to be rushing around on the day of your elopement! To save time, you can have your application all ready and filled out but DO NOT SIGN IT until you are at the clerk’s office.
• Make sure you remember your IDs!
• You must provide the date of the ceremony and the officiant’s name.
• In return you will be issued your marriage license.
• Once you’ve had your elopement ceremony and you, the officiant and the witnesses can sign your certificate, then you must return it to the office within 30 days (you can do this in person or via mail). Then, your finalized marriage certificate will be issued to you.

OR….

You also have the option to apply for a digital marriage license via Utah County (it’s valid across the whole of Utah). That way, you can have it all applied for in advance, you don’t need to worry about carrying it with you on the day, and you won’t have to physically return it after. Easy as can be!

The only reason not to do the digital license would be if you find sentimentality in the actual act of signing something on the day, this entire process is digital, you’ll never lay your hands on an actual marriage license. For some people this is a blessing, it’s SO easy, for others it doesn’t feel quite right for them.

Whichever approach you take, when you get married in Utah you will need a legal officiant to lead your ceremony and sign your marriage license.

When you work with us, we’ve got you covered: it’s the beauty of a husband and wife team! Vanessa is a legal officiant and will lead your custom ceremony while Chad continues to photograph, meaning you don’t have to miss out on anything. All of our packages include complimentary, fully personalized ceremony officiation.

In addition, you will need two witnesses over the age of 18 to sign your license. This could be a family member or a friend if you’re bringing a few guests. Don’t worry, if you’re having a ‘just us’ elopement, however, as Chad will act as one of your witnesses and we always have fun finding the second: a fellow tourist, a hiker, the bar man at your hotel… They don’t need to be present for the whole ceremony (so you won’t have strangers watching on!) to legally sign your license, your officiant just needs to say a few legal phrases in front of them.

The Best Small Wedding Venues In Moab

If you’re eloping just the two of you, it’s very unlikely you’re going to need a venue. Meaning you can save that $$$$ and put it towards something more fun instead!

However, if you’re bringing more than just a small handful of guests, you may find that renting a small venue is a great idea for you. It’s not always practical – or allowed – to take larger groups out into nature. Plus, having a venue helps avoid problems like access to restrooms or somewhere to hide out from ‘bad’ weather.

You may decide you want a bit of a ‘hybrid’ elopement day: you can spend part of the day at a venue with family and friends, then spend part of the day just the two of you adventuring out in the wilds. Our sunrise/sunset split full day package works perfectly for this!

There are some really cool options for venues when you elope in Moab since it’s a popular wedding destination, and part of the planning service we provide is finding locations that work best for YOU.

For now, here’s a few ideas for you:

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.

Wolfs Spring Ranch: This is another beautiful ranch: it’s off-grid with a real rustic feel, nestled at the foot of the La Sal mountains. There are cabins on site. Contact for pricing.

Who Should You Invite To Your Moab Elopement?

You might have already decided you want to elope just the two of you, and we 100% support that! ‘Just us’ elopements are wonderful, as you can truly focus on yourselves, your experience, and YOUR marriage.

But maybe you’ve decided you’d like to bring along a few of your nearest and dearest? And that’s ok, too.

Just be aware that bringing guests WILL impact your elopement experience, for better or worse. It’s naive to imagine it won’t. Compromises will need to be made. You just have to decide if those compromises are worth it to you in exchange for having your loved ones present to witness your union.

Here are some things you will need to consider:

• Different locations allow different group sizes. Most places have strict restrictions and you CANNOT go beyond these numbers. If you’ve got a big group, national and state parks will typically have an area they’ll allow you to be in, just be aware that it may be a bit more ‘developed’ than other areas eg. it might be paved, or it might be a designated picnic area. BLM locations, on the other hand, are naturally much wilder and therefore cannot withstand the impact of larger groups.
• Will your guests be ok without amenities, eg. restrooms, for a few hours? If yes, then BLM locations could work for you. If not, then you might prefer to consider national/state parks that have restrooms at many parking areas, or an actual venue with full facilities
• Will most of your guests be ok with standing for your ceremony? Many locations do not allow lots of chairs (you can likely get permission for just a few if people actually physically need).
• How are you going to feed and water your group?! You will need to provide some kind of refreshments, whether that’s a cooler with beers and water and boxes of takeaway pizza, some big DIY charcuterie boards, or a reservation at a restaurant in town.
• Will your guests ENJOY a vacation to Moab? It’s a long way to ask people to travel if it’s just not their thing. Remember, you can always throw a celebration back home if it makes more sense for you!

As you can see, bringing guests adds a layer of complexity to the planning process. This is not necessarily a bad thing, just something to be aware of and think through before you send out invites!

How Much Does It Cost To Elope In Moab?

How much you choose to spend on your Moab elopement will vary greatly, depending on how simple or luxury you want it to be, and how much you want to do by way of paid activities while you’re there.

You could absolutely buy a dress online for $100 and hike out to your elopement location for free, and keep it pretty darned cheap.

But, you might also decide you’d like some fresh flowers, and a cute cake, and maybe it would be kinda cool to go on a helicopter tour….

Here’s a few of things you may need to budget for (and this is for the whole vacation, not just your elopement day. So essentially, it’s the cost of a wedding and a honeymoon!):

• Travel: you’ll need to factor in flights and a rental car.
• Accommodation: are you happy with a simple motel or do you want a high end hotel or something unique like a glamping resort? You could pay $100 a night, you could pay $1000 a night.
• Outfits: dress/suit, cute layers, good footwear
• Rings: this is a very personal expense, and could vary from $500 to $5000.
• Marriage license: this only costs around $40.
• Wedding ceremony permit: some locations are free, others are up to ~$300.
• Venue and rentals: you could easily pick a free location and not rent a venue, but if you’re bringing a bigger group you might need a venue and could easily expect to pay $10k+
• Photographer: our packages start at $4800 for half a day. This includes planning, 2 photographers and ceremony officiation!
• Hair and makeup: you can expect to pay between $400 and $1000 per person for hair and makeup.
• Flowers: you can expect to pay around $300-500 for a bouquet and boutonniere, more if you need more bouquets, ceremony florals or reception decor.
• Cake: you can expect to pay $150-500 for your cake depending on size and complexity.
• Celebratory food and drink: you might be totally content with pizza and beers ($50), or you might want to hire a private chef ($600-1000 for 2 people).
• Activities: you could spend zero on hiking or $1500 on a private flight. You’ll at least want to factor in ~$80 for a national park pass.

Realistically, we’d say most of our couples spend in the $10-15k range for a really great elopement experience and a few days of honeymoon.

Getting To And Around Moab: Travel Advice For YOur Moab Wedding

Despite being in a pretty remote corner of Utah, Moab is super easy to get to.

You’re going to want to fly into one of four airports: Moab itself, Salt Lake City, Grand Junction or Denver. We recommend checking out Skyscanner to browse flight schedules and costs.

Moab ‘Canyonlands Field Airport’ (CNY)

Moab has its own little airport just 18 miles north of town. Flights here are a little more pricey, but the simplicity of getting right where you need to be is pretty nice and if you’re looking for ease and efficiency this might be your best option.

From the airport, you can rent a car or catch the Moab Express Shuttle into town.

Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT)

Grand Junction is just a stone’s throw away from Moab, over the border in Colorado.

From here, you can either rent a car for the 90 minute drive or use the same Moab Express Shuttle as above.

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLK)

Salt Lake City is a major hub so you’re going to find plenty of options here.

Once you land in SLC, you’ll need to rent a car for the 4hr drive to Moab. It’s a pretty scenic route! Try something like Expedia to compare car rentals.

Denver International Airport (DIA)

Denver is another major hub, located on the other side of the Rocky Mountains. The 5 hour drive to Moab is STUNNING! Just be aware this isn’t the best choice in the Winter months as it takes you over some high mountain passes which can be treacherous – or even closed! – in bad weather.

No matter where you fly into, you’re going to want to rent a car to get around. There is no public transport or the likes of Uber in the area and all the parks and sightseeing areas are really spread out. You might want to consider getting a bigger SUV with 4WD so you can enjoy exploring down dirt tracks!

INSIDER SECRET: The Rocky Mountaineer  – a luxury train travel specialist  – has a rail line from Denver to Grand Junction. The journey takes two days with an overnight stop in the mountains AND their trains have a glass ceiling so you can take in all the crazy views! How about THAT to add a bit of unique luxury to your Moab elopement experience?!

Accommodation Suggestions For Your moab Elopement

Of course you can find all the standard hotels in Moab: Hilton, Best Western, Hyatt etc. But if you’d like something a little more unusual for your elopement, we’ve done some digging and there are SO MANY cool, unique places to stay in and around Moab. There are some real gems to suit all budgets.

Moab Accommodation $0-250

Camping

Yes, truly, you can stay in Moab for free, or like $20! You’ll just need to bring your own tent (or RV).

There are lots of campsites in the area and there are also spots where you can ‘dispersed camp’ (just be aware there are zero amenities). 

It’s really important you understand what type of camping is allowed where and also how to camp responsibly so you don’t do damage to the local environment. We recommend checking out this article that clearly explains how to camp responsibly.

Aarchway Inn

(Yes, it’s spelt weird!). This is a great little hotel just on the edge of town, nestled amongst the red rocks.

Desert Hills Bed And Breakfast

If you enjoy that ‘home away from home’ vibe this is a lovely option.

AirBnB

There are so many cozy-looking places to stay on AirBnB or VRBO. Just plug in your dates, your price range and how many people you need to accommodate.

BOOKING.COM

You’ll find lots of budget friendly options here: just plug in your dates then filter by price, low to high.

Moab Accommodation $250-500

Wooden Bungalow in Castle Valley

This place has a real cool ‘cozy cabin’ vibe to it and is nestled amongst the most gorgeous orchards with insane red rock towers all around. Don’t be surprised if some deer come wandering by as you enjoy breakfast outside!

Under Canvas Moab

We are IN LOVE with the Under Canvas upscale camping vibe: we’d pretty much live in these luxury tents forever if we could. Wild, romantic, earthy: this is the total DREAM for your Moab elopement accommodation. And if you’re bringing guests you could rent out the whole place: just imagine your wedding celebrations with everyone gathered around the campfire, dancing the night away under the stars….

Red Cliffs Lodge

Red Cliffs Lodge is a gorgeous property about 30 minutes outside of town, tucked into the valley of the Colorado River. You’ll literally feel like you’re living in a Wild West movie!

Moab Springs Ranch

A beautiful collection of cabins on the edge of Moab, with lovely shaded gardens, an oasis in the warmer months.

Moab Accommodation $500+

Sorrel River Ranch 

This beautiful ranch and spa, nestled on the banks of the Colorado river, offers ‘Wilderness. Privacy. Serenity.’ They offer all sorts of fun activities, as well as a nightly campfire with your own ‘S’mores Concierge’. Sign us up!

ULUM

Ulum is a gorgeous high end ‘glamping’ resort 30 minutes south of Moab. It combines the best of both worlds: luxury in the heart of nature.

Lionsback Resort

This property is for those seeking the peak of modern luxury. Expect to pay ~$2000 per night for it!

Best Activities When You Elope In Moab

This is where Moab as an elopement location seriously excels! When you elope in Moab, there’s just SO MUCH to see and do, no matter your personal ‘adventure level’. Be warned, you’re gonna want to stay forever. 

We highly advise you spend at least 4-5 days in Moab so you can explore the multiple parks, try out some fun activities, soak it all in and really make the most of your honeymoon. You could very easily spend more!

Here’s just a handful of the activities you might want to check out:

Hiking

There are endless trails in the Moab area, ranging from a mile or two to multi-day adventures. 

Here’s just a few of our favorites for your Moab elopement adventure:

• Delicate Arch in Arches National Park (3.5 miles roundtrip)
• Peekaboo in the Needles district of Canyonlands (10 miles roundtrip, takes you out to some incredible petroglyph drawings in the cliffs)
• Devil’s Garden Trail in Arches National Park (8 mile loop with 7 different arches, can easily do just a part of it)
• Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park (permit required, must be acquired in person up to 7 days in advance)

Off-Roading

We absolutely LOVE off-roading elopements and often suggest it to our couples for at least part of their day.

1. It’s so darned FUN!
2. It makes for some badass photos!
3. It gets you out to some of the best locations without hiking!

Whilst there are some extreme trails in Moab, the kind of stuff we’d suggest tackling on your elopement day is pretty moderate. You’ll most likely feel confident driving yourselves, and can rent a lifted Jeep from somewhere like Twisted Jeeps.

If you fancy doing the more extreme stuff – Hell’s Revenge, for example – we HIGHLY recommend hiring someone to take you on an exhilarating, adrenaline-pumping tour. High Point Hummer offers both Hummer and UTV tours.

We’ve had couples take their guests on a post-ceremony off-roading adventure before and it’s such a cool way to make unique memories with everyone.

See Moab From Above

There are multiple ways you could enjoy seeing the wild Moab landscape from above: set off on a hot air balloon ride, charter a private helicopter tour and see an aerial view your ceremony spot…. Or, if you’re feeling really brave, you could try a sky-dive! That would certainly make for a wedding day to remember.

We’ve had multiple couples charter a private sunset plane ride with Red Tail Air, touching down in the middle of nowhere, feeling like the entire world is your’s and your’s alone. Bring a cozy blanket, snuggle up and tuck into a champagne picnic…. ROMANTIC!

Horse Riding

Honestly, there’s nothing more badass than a couple horse-riding through the wild west landscapes of Moab all dressed up in their wedding attire. We know some fantastic companies that can set this all up for you.

Venture Down The Colorado River For Your Moab Elopement

We’re dying for someone to stand-up-paddle-board in their wedding dress. Who’s game?! Alternatively, you could go on a rafting, kayaking or jet boat tour. The Moab Adventure Center can help you with all this.

Best Places To Eat In Moab

For a town of its size, we’re really impressed with the variety and quality Moab has to offer when it comes to their food scene.

Here’s some places you might want to check out during your Moab elopement trip:

Birdie’s Finer Diner: a higher end, modern twist on the classic diner.

Moab Diner: a good ol’ classic diner.

Moab Garage Co: great spot for a hearty breakfast or lunch, right in the heart of town.

Thai Bella: darned good authentic Thai!

96 Center: Asian inspired, lots of great veggie and vegan options.

Antica Forma: great wood fired pizzas.

Josie Wyatt’s: gooooood steakhouse.

Desert Bistro: fine cuising with a souther western flair.

Doughbird: handmade fresh donuts.

Bonjour Cafe: best coffee town according to us!

Moab Coffee Roasters: best coffee in town according to everyone else!

How To Choose Your Wedding Outfits

If you’d like to learn more about choosing your elopement attire, check out this blog post.

For now, suffice it to say that stiff, rigid attire is not your friend in the heat of the desert: think soft, flowing, maybe even stretchy, fabrics instead.

The best thing you can do to make sure your outfit is Moab elopement appropriate is try it out. Put on your dress/suit and shoes/boots: now march around your house! Take big steps, try going upstairs pretending like you’re hiking, swing your arms around. Is anything uncomfortable or restrictive? If so, make some changes. You don’t want minor irritations like that distracting you on your elopement day.

Planning Your Elopement Ceremony

Don’t forget that your ceremony is the real heart and soul of the day, it’s the whole reason for being there after all. Sometimes it can get a bit forgotten about in the excitement of all the other wedding and trip planning!

We offer all of our couples fully custom ceremony officiation. Meaning we’re going to take the time to get to know you and your story, and to understand what your personal beliefs are about love, marriage, the future etc. Then we’ll weave that into a personalized ceremony that we will lead for you on the day.

We will also support you if you’d like to write personal vows but are feeling a bit overwhelmed with that concept.

Creating Your Wedding Day Timeline

As experienced, local Moab elopement pros, we have all the knowledge to help you piece together your day-of timeline: knowing what time the light is best at a given location, how to avoid the crowds by timing things just so, how long a given hike reeeeeally takes etc. All of these factors (and many more!) will ensure you not only get the best photos, but you also have the best experience, which is ultimately what we care most about.

Every couple’s elopement day looks different, so your timeline will be custom written for you. But here’s a couple of ideas just to give you a sense of how your day might flow.

Sample Day-Of Timelines for Your Moab Elopement

Our Moab elopement packages start at 4 hours of photography coverage and go right through to multi-day, multi-location adventures.

Here are just a couple of ideas of what your Moab elopement could look like:

What to Pack for Your Moab Elopement

If you book us for your Moab elopement, we’re going to send you a really full, detailed packing list. For now, here’s a handful of things you REALLY want to be sure you remember for an outdoor, adventurous elopement wedding:

Your Wedding Attire, Rings and Vows

Pleeeeeeease pack these essential items in your hand luggage, so there’s no risk of them getting lost.

Good Hiking Boots/Shoes

We can’t stress this enough. Nothing will ruin your wedding day happiness like a blister ten minutes into your hike. If you don’t already own a pair we suggest ordering well in advance and trying them out on some test-run hikes first.

A Well Fitting Backpack

Just like the shoes, you want to be sure in advance that your backpack fits you well and is comfortable. You also want to make sure it is big enough to carry your wedding clothes, lots of water, snacks, a first aid kit and all the odds and ends you’ll need for your elopement.

Large Water Container

We love Camelbaks as they slide right into your backpack then have a hose coming over your shoulder so you don’t have to stop and pull out your bottle every time you want a drink. We find people are more likely to stay properly hydrated this way!

Layered Clothing

The desert temperature can vary greatly throughout the day at any time of year so be sure to bring layers that you can easily change in and out of. Something warm and cute that you wouldn’t mind taking photos in is a great idea! We’re thinking fitted puffer jackets, cosy jumpers and snuggly blankets.

Good Sunscreen and Sunglasses

Whatever time of year you’re planning your Moab elopement, BRING SUNSCREEN and good quality sunglasses! Even in winter that sun can be brutal.

Respecting Your Elopement ‘Venue’: Leave No Trace Considerations

For those unfamiliar with the idea of ‘Leave No Trace’, it is a set of 7 principles written by the Center for Outdoor Ethics, aimed at encouraging us ALL to act as stewards for the natural environment.

Here at ‘The Outlovers’ we are deeply committed to respecting and protecting the great outdoors. We strive to follow LNT principles in all our work and play activities. 

What this means exactly varies from environment to environment.

In Moab, specifically, it means being really flipping careful where you step! 

You want to be sure you are walking on durable surfaces such as rock or sandy washes, and NOT on the super sensitive ‘cryptobiotic crust’. 

This crust is a living layer of biotic organisms also known as ‘desert glue’: this magic stuff literally holds the soil together and stops Moab from turning into one massive sand dune! A huge amount of damage is done by people walking or driving off trail and killing the crust.

It can be hard at first to recognise what is crust and what is just dirt: don’t worry, we’ll always make sure you’re walking somewhere responsible and can teach you the difference if you’re interested.

It’s Time For Your Moab Elopement!!!

Everything is in place and now it’s time…. Your Moab elopement day is coming!

Whether you’re flying or driving to Moab, make sure you double/triple check you have everything before setting off: it really helps to have a physical list you can actually check off. Plan your travel to arrive early and have plenty of time to settle in and get into relaxation mode. Leave wiggle room in case of flight delays or road closures.

If you’re flying, here’s just a couple of reminders for you:

Get to the airport early. This is not the time to turn up an hour before and wing it! Better you check in super early and enjoy a bit of downtime before boarding. Now would be a great time to write your vows if you haven’t done yet!

Pack all the important stuff – vows, rings and outfits – in your hand luggage. Don’t put anything in the hold that you can’t afford to lose. Often the cabin crew will help you store your outfits.

And that’s it!!

You’ve made it to moab, your little mind is already blown by all the beauty you’re seeing, anticipation is at an all time high, and…. It’s YOUR ELOPEMENT DAY!!!!

Our biggest advice?

Take it slow, let time stand still for you.

Take time to breathe and just let it all soak in. Stop, look around you, look at your love’s face and take a mental photograph…. You’ve done it. You’re standing here on your wedding day and nothing else in the world matters in this sweet moment of time….

Now Relive Your Wedding Day Forever-Ever With Killer Photos!

You’re going to have soooo many beautiful images to enjoy. The wow ‘banger’ shots of the killer landscapes, the sweet loving shots of you and your partner, the tiny little details you naturally start to forget as time goes by…

We’re local to Moab and looooooove sharing its magic with our eloping couples. We’re experts in crafting totally unique elopement experiences that truly speak to you as a couple. So don’t feel like you have to figure this out alone, we’re here to help you.

As a husband and wife team, we offer planning, photography, ceremony officiation and even optional video.

If you’d like more info, just scroll to the contact from below!