ELOPE IN MOAB WITH a TOP MOAB ELOPEMENTS PHOTOGRAPHER, SAM STARNS
Digging the resources? you ain’t seen nothing yet.
sam@samstarns.com @samstarns
MOAB ELOPEMENT OFFERS GREAT DESERT VIBES WITH RED ROCK FORMATIONS & GORGEOUS SKIES!
Visualize a lifeless and pretty much characterless wasteland of sand, sun, and not much else, and that describes a desert, right? But elope in Moab and you’ll take your wedding adventure to a whole new level. Switch up the vibe and swap that stereotype for stunning red rock formations, free-flowing rivers, and crystal-clear blue skies, and create the perfect Moab elopement experience you’ll never forget. If you and your partner are yearning for a badass adventure where the scenery equals the occasion, you need to elope in Moab, Utah.
WHY ELOPE IN MOAB, UTAH?
If you want to capture beautifully intimate images against a breathtakingly unique backdrop, eloping in Moab is going to be right up your alley. The red rock formations of this magical setting provide unending opportunities for photos, whether near, in, on, or under them while showing the utmost respect for the environment.
In addition to the jaw-dropping landscape, an epic Moab elopement provides numerous activities to enrich the experience. If an adventure is what you’re searching for, add some of the adrenaline-filled activities listed below to your elopement in Moab. We can even include multi-day treks, enabling you to get the most out of me as your Moab elopement photographer.
- Go rafting on the Colorado River.
- Experience four-wheeling through the desert.
- Head into water-filled canyons on a canyoneering adventure.
- Explore the mountain biking trails.
- View the river on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard.
- Take an aerial tour of Moab from above.
- Hike through the parks.
- Test your skills on a ropes course.
- Observe the gorgeous night sky in Moab.
- Safely rappel the red rocks on a guided tour.
- Go on a hot air balloon ride.
BEST TIME TO ELOPE IN MOAB
Moab has rapidly become a favored destination for couples seeking to break away from the predictable and create a wedding that resonates with them, which in turn means avoiding certain times is advisable. If you’re looking to have an undisturbed visit, the ideal times to elope in Moab, Utah, are the shoulder season months of October, November, February, March, and early April. I’d strongly advise avoiding spring break weeks and the holiday season. Additionally, avoid the depths of winter as many of the roads we could use will be closed.
HOW TO GET TO MOAB FOR ELOPEMENT
Depending on where you’re arriving from, you can either drive or fly to Moab. The nearest airport is Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY), only 18 miles north, accessible via United and Delta flights from Denver, CO. An alternative to this would be flying into Grand Junction Airport (GJT), which is a two-hour drive from Moab. Due to limited hire vehicle availability, it’s essential to reserve a car for your Moab, Utah, elopement from Enterprise or Canyonlands Jeep and Car Rental.
There are several notable sites within driving distance during your Moab elopement, making meaningful side trips or starting destinations for your journey. Monument Valley is only 2.5 hours south, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is 3 hours east, and Salt Lake City is 4 hours north.
An epic elopement in Moab is an adventure lover’s dream. If I’ve swayed you into eloping in Moab, let’s go! Here are some of the best places to explore.
BEST MOAB ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS
With a population of fewer than 6000, Moab is a fairly small town, and while being the adventurous type, you’ll probably want to say “I do” away from the town itself in a more unique spot, the area has an abundance of beautiful locations nearby within 45 minutes to undertake your Moab elopement service.
To reach these picturesque locations, you will need a vehicle, and I highly recommend renting a 4×4 to ensure you have the necessary clearance for navigating the red rock terrain. These scenic spots are not only mind-blowing for Moab elopements, but they are off the beaten track, and less crowded, which allows us to take our time capturing stunning images without people in the background.
ELOPING IN MOAB’S DEAD HORSE POINT STATE PARK
Ok, so the name could be better, but Dead Horse Point State Park makes for an incredible Moab, Utah, elopement setting. Set 2000 feet above the Colorado River it offers elopers spectacular river views and is a great location for overlooking the valley’s many formations.
Accessible from 6 am until 10 pm, there’s plenty of time for me as your Moab elopement photographer to capture spectacular sunrise and sunset images, season dependent of course. Similar to other Moab parks, Dead Horse Point comprises numerous trails to explore to capture the perfect photos, and it’s only a little over 30 miles from downtown.
One undeniable advantage of a Dead Horse Point Moab elopement is that they have wedding packages all laid out. You’ll need to apply for your permit at least 30 days in advance of your proposed elopement date, and you must observe all the rules while present in the park.
ELOPING IN MOAB’s BLM LAND
If you decide you’d like to elope in Moab on BLM land, which stands for Bureau of Land Management, you’ll be required to take on a little extra planning in advance. You’ll need to collaborate with your Moab elopement photographer (Hi there!) to get your permit, and the permits are only dished out bi-annually. So, it’s critical when you’re searching for a photographer that they are authorized to take your photographs and that you book them well in advance. BLM land is also great for multi-day Moab elopement as you can camp, climb, and hike.
ELOPEMENTS IN THE NATIONAL PARKS OF MOAB
ELOPING IN ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
The Arches National Park is only about 5 miles above Moab proper, and as the name suggests, it’s strewn with majestic, bridge-like geological formations. Notable arches, including Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch, are comfortably reachable from hiking trails within the park when you elope in Moab.
One significant advantage of Moab elopements in the park is that it’s accessible 24 hours a day, so you’ll have unlimited time to secure stunning sunrise, sunset, and nighttime images with your Moab elopement photographer. The park is also popular for camping and hiking, and bikes and e-bikes are permitted on specific trails.
*As of 2022, Arches were testing out ticketed entry that requires reservations.
ELOPING IN CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Plugged as Utah’s largest national park, one of the most remarkable crowd pullers in Canyonland National Park is the Island in the Sky. An immense plateau that performs as a viewpoint overlooking the spectacular landscape and allows visitors to see for over 100 miles in every direction. The park is accessible 24 hours a day, which is a Moab elopement photographer’s dream as stunning images can be taken in any level of light.
The national park is only about 30 miles from downtown, and there are almost an uncountable number of spectacular locations to elope. Additionally, there are 20 miles of good-quality roads that present numerous opportunities for Moab elopement photos. And of course, there’ll be plenty of scope to explore off-road on the canyon’s many trails.
HOW TO ELOPE IN MOAB, UTAH NATIONAL PARKS
Getting yourself legally married in Utah is relatively straightforward. I’ve pulled together a handy page of info on the requirements for getting married in each state. To elope in Moab, Utah, the process is fabulously uncomplicated: there is no waiting period for your marriage license, and once issued, it’s valid for 30 days.
Additionally, a Moab elopement ceremony will require two witnesses to be present. With these minimal requirements, couples can easily plan and proceed with their plans of eloping in Moab. If you’re considering marriage in Utah, you’ll find it accommodating and efficient, ensuring your Moab elopement kicks off without a hitch.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ELOPE IN MOAB AT ARCHES OR CANYONLANDS?
To host a wedding of any size in a Utah park, you must pay the park entrance fee for your chosen location(s) of choice and acquire a permit. The permit costs are $185 from the National Park Service. The ceremony for your Moab elopement experience will also be restrained to 10 minutes. And, while you can hastily get your marriage license, you’ll need to apply for your park permit a minimum of four weeks before your planned elopement. The good news for serious organizers though is that you can apply for it up to a year in advance.
MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS – OPT FOR AN ELOPEMENT OUTSIDE MOAB:
I, along with a lot of other adventure elopement photographers, have seen increased strictness for eloping in Moab National Parks. A likely goal is to lessen elopements in these two parks. Personally, I feel there are a ton of other locations in Southern Utah that have significantly fewer crowds! For that reason, I’m currently not offering my photography collections for Moab elopements, but have availability for other locations in Utah.
The parks are open to everyone, not only those eloping in Moab, so the time limit at each location is moderated by ten-minute breaks if other people are waiting to get to the area. We will need to take a ten-minute break every ten minutes to allow others to freely enjoy the landscape. Again, this is only a constraint if other people are present. However—trust me—we can find plenty of places where we can have time all to ourselves for photos after your elopement.
APPROVED LOCATIONS FOR WEDDING PERMITS FOR EPIC MOAB ELOPEMENTS
There are numerous breathtaking locations for the ultimate Moab, Utah, elopement. While elopements take place at designated spots, there are plenty of unique locations to be considered on a case-by-case basis to ensure you choose the perfect one. Remember to leave no trace after your ceremony, especially if you have guests present, and abide by all park regulations throughout your visit. By respecting these guidelines, you’ll ensure your Moab elopement experience has no lasting effects on the environment and the area remains pristine for all visitors.
- Delicate Arch – up to 10 wedding guests
- Delicate Arch Viewpoint – up to 25 attendees
- Devils Garden Campground Amphitheater – up to 80 people
- Landscape Arch – up to 10 guests
- La Sal Mountains Viewpoint – up to 50 attendees
- Panorama Point – – up to 50 people
- Park Avenue – up to 15 wedding guests
- Pine Tree Arch – up to 25 guests
- Sand Dune Arch – up to 25 attendees
- The Windows Section – up to 25 wedding guests
DESIGN THE ULTIMATE CUSTOM MOAB ELOPEMENT EXPERIENCE WITH MY CUSTOM VENDOR LIST!
Ok, so, you already have your awesome Moab elopement photographer, I’m highly familiar with (and love, love, love!) the area. In addition to your photography, I’d recommend Canyonland Jeep for a good quality 4×4 rental and Tellurian Events for your planning and floral design. Manna Floral Design is a great option and they offer planning packages that are perfect for helping to create Moab elopements. Additionally, I’d highly recommend Savanah Norman, a talented makeup artist who runs a wonderful black-owned business. Based in Utah, she regularly works in breathtaking locations like Moab and Zion.
Savanah excels at working with all skin tones and collaborates with some badass hairstylists. Her skills will ensure you look spectacular for your Moab elopement, allowing you to feel incredible for your special day. Be sure to check out her Instagram to see some of her fantastic work and get inspired!
LEAVE NO TRACE DURING YOUR MOAB ELOPEMENT!
Ok, if you know me even in the slightest, you’ll know I’m passionate, like neurotic, obsessive former park ranger bonkers about being sympathetic for and caring for the land. Now, this means not leaving trash or unsettling the wildlife, but Moab’s ecosystems are pretty fascinating and almost invisible to the inexperienced newcomer. Any professional Moab elopement guide should include information concerning Leave No Trace principles.
In Moab, remaining on designated trails and durable surfaces is crucial. Though the desert appears tough and indestructible, the terrain is blanketed in cryptobiotic crust, a living organism that looks like dried mud after a rainstorm. This dry and crusty soil retains moisture, helps hydrate plant life, and reduces erosion, something any competent Moab elopement planning guide should appreciate. This cryptobiotic soil can be green, black, or nearly invisible, so staying on the trails is essential.
For couples eloping in Moab, it’s imperative to be aware that stepping on this crust causes more damage than a footprint, it’s like cracking a dry bread crust. A single step can devastate decades of work by microorganisms. Some areas have strict event regulations, including zero alcohol and no amplified sound or musical instruments. If stunning rock formations and a sea of red landscape sound perfect, following these rules is easy and you can elope in Moab and enjoy an unforgettably meaningful experience.
YOUR PERSONAL MOAB ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER!
Just in case you missed it, my name’s Sam, a Moab elopement photographer committed to outdoor adventure and building relationships. I’ve set up my working processes so I can get to know eloping couples and give them a kickass elopement.
In my previous career, I was a park ranger, and now draw on that passion and experience to assist couples in creating their dream elopement in Moab, Utah, among other destinations, with bespoke photography collections.
I’ll help you see yourselves as the incredible individuals you are and then transform that into the perfect day that includes the best Moab elopement locations.
If you choose me as your Moab elopement photographer, we’ll work together to ensure you get a day that resonates with you as a couple and that you deserve, full of love and laughter.