Sedona is arguably Arizona’s most famous wedding destination. Between the incredible views, challenging hikes, and beautiful lodging options, it’s easy to understand why. There are a number of venues located within the town with most of those being resorts. I should note that the resorts here are small and intimate. There is also a huge array of different rental home options. There are so many AirBnb’s available that you may find yourself questioning if anyone actually lives in the town or not. (Honestly, I have lived here for 16 years and I still haven’t really figured out if Sedona has any actual residents). Between the plethora of lodging options and the plentiful access points to nature, Sedona has a lot to offer. Everything in this article should be helpful regardless of the size of your wedding.

Beware.

I would be remiss if I failed to caution you of the crowds and the traffic. Both of which are easy to plan for ahead of time but if it’s not taken into account, it actually could totally derail your wedding. I am not the type of wedding vendor that warns you of every single doomsday scenario. Quite frankly, these days, things very seldomly go super wrong (Little mishaps and hiccups are a normal part of every wedding but rarely does it really mess anything up). That being said, Sedona traffic can absolutely fuck everything up.

But don’t worry.

There is a simple solution to the crowds and traffic. Plan for it. You can safely assume that from around 7am-7pm it is going to busy all over the area. Every (non-residental) road will be bumper to bumper traffic. The primary road that carries you into town from the highway (I-17) features roundabouts every 100 yards.

So think about this: Sedona is a tourist attraction that calls in people from all over the world. For some reason, roundabouts really confuse people. Getting into town can be maddening. The good news (and there is plenty of good news, trust me) is that once you are in town, you typically don’t need to go that far in any direction to access any part of Sedona. Where this traffic really gets in the way is in the small drives we often do during a wedding day. The map on your phone may tell you “It’s only 3 miles, it should take you about 9 minutes”. So when it takes 45 minutes to get there, that round trip is now 90 minutes of driving instead of 18. Imagine what those kinds of miscalculations can do to a tight wedding day timeline. Where I often see things go sideways is when we have 60 minutes to shoot portraits in between the ceremony and the reception (Yes, if you are planning on eloping, this does affect you to). You definitely don’t want to be in a situation where you are an hour late to the reception and your guests have been sitting around and waiting for two hours. It can absolutely kill the vibe. So.. how do you make it work?

How to make it work

As I previously mentioned, planning for the traffic is really the key to having a great experience in Sedona. There are a few options to choose from and the right choice for you depends on where you are staying, where you want to explore for portraits, and how much time you want to spend on those portraits. (Yes, wedding days are much much more than posing for the camera. Let’s be honest though, you aren’t going all the way out there just to see the views from the hotel.

There are a few different ideas that I have seen work perfectly.

Hire a driver for the cocktail hour: To name a few, Exec Rides AZ, Sedona Quickrides, and Elite Ride Service. Hiring a driver ensures that you don’t need to worry about parking. Obviously there isn’t much you can do about heavy traffic but in the middle of the day, parking spots are typically empty for matter of seconds. While it would be one of the smallest items in your wedding day budget, it will probably the the most consequential.
Have a friend drop you off and circle around for a bit: The DIY version of the first option. If you have a friend or family member that doesn’t mind, having them drop you off and pick you back up when you call them means that you can avoid looking for parking.

I should note that all of the parking lots at trailheads are very small, and in turn, very busy.
Stay on one side of town: There are three primary regions in Sedona. The most common is going to be just south of the town. This is where Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock are located. This is also where you will find the bulk of the Airbnb’s. Next is the main street area of the town. A lot of the resorts are located in this tiny, half mile or so, stretch. This is the epicenter of tourism in Sedona and where traffic is usually the most backed up. That being said, you are a short distance from the expansive views of Cathedral and Bell as well as Oak Creek. Which naturally leads to the third region: Oak creek is located just north of the town (By the way, all of this resides on the same road) This region is my personal favorite. While it does not feature the iconic views of Sedona, they are no less epic. It’s also significantly less crowded. There is a lot of private land along this stretch and with that comes a few gorgeous cabins you can rent. There are some small boutique resorts in the Canyon and those are also a great option. The creek itself is incredible. Crystal clear water meandering through gigantic grayish blue boulders all sit right at the base of the red cliffs.
If you pick a part of town and stay within a couple miles, you will be setting yourself up for an easier day.

Seasons: When should you get married there?

Sedona is beautiful year round. The valley sees season in ways that a lot of Arizona (especially Phoenix) doesn’t. The leaves change in the fall, it can snow in the winter, and summer monsoons can paint the landscape in dramatic fashion. I’ll give you some points to think about with each season.

Summer: Summer weddings in Sedona are obviously more frequent than they are in Phoenix but it can still be quite warm. With the sun setting much later in the day, summers here are much more conducive to elopements. The resorts and venues have a time ordinance to adhere to and that means that regardless of the season, the reception ends at 10pm. The sunset in the summer is around 7:30 and I am usually still shooting until just before 8pm. If you are wrapping up portraits at 8pm and then still need to drive back to the venue, you’re reception is only going to be about 90 minutes long. If you are eloping, it’s no biggie'. A lot of the resturants do close early in town so I do actually recommend staying in Flagstaff for summer elopements. Flagstaff is a (very scenic) 45 minute drive from Sedona and with it being a hippie college town, you have a ton of fantastic bars and restaurants to celebrate at.

Autumn: Sedona really is at it’s best in the fall. The trees along Oak Creek all go bright yellow, the days get shorter, and the air temperature is perfect 24/7. With all that comes the worst of the crowds though. Sedona is on a totally different level of busy in October and November. Most of the venues book their fall weddings over a year out. A lot of the Airbnb’s will book up a few months in advance. The traffic is brutal.

Winter: This is the slow season. I am really not sure why, but I’ll take it. Sedona is still in the desert. It’s appearance really does not change much over the course of the year. Off season in Sedona also means discounted lodging. Rates go way down, hikes become very peaceful, and the traffic is much more manageable. (Yes, there will still be traffic in the middle of winter. The only real downside is that it gets pretty damn cold. Deserts exhibit huge fluctuations in air temperatures between night and day. If you are planning to celebrate outside in the evening, makes sure you have heaters. People overlook them all of the time and weddings end early when folks are eating dinner outside and it’s 20 degrees out.

Spring: Sedona can be a little unpredictable in the spring. Sometimes we get a lot of snowmelt and that floods out the creek running through the whole area. Sometimes spring starts in February, sometimes it waits until April. It can be hard to predict the traffic as well. I have driven right through town without really stopping before. I have also sat 2 hours of traffic to travel 5 miles. You are going to get a lot of the same perks (minus the fall colors) as you do in the fall and it will be easier to lock down venues and lodging.

Where to go: Choosing where to get married in Sedona

I mentioned earlier that there are 3 primary zones in Sedona. I have specific spots to recommend in each of these zones. While the specific views may be the dominant factor in this choice, you should also be considering the logistics of your lodging.

South of Town: Lots of Airbnb’s and a few resorts. Also features most of the iconic views and hikes.

Bell Rock: This is one of the easiest trails (until it isn’t) in the whole area. If you, or anyone that will be tagging along, might struggle with a tough hike, this would be the spot I recommend. There is a huge network of trails here so it isn’t too difficult to find some solitude for a quick ceremony and group photos. Then, its pretty easy to go find new look for your newly wed portraits.
Cathedral Rock: Probably the most iconic vista in Sedona and definitely the best spot to see a sunset. There are two things you should know. First, the parking lot here is always full. In fact, during the summer, it is usually closed all together. To access the trailhead you must have a driver drop you off or you need to take the public shuttle. Second, this is not an easy hike. Once you get about halfway there, it’s a hands AND feet kinda thing the rest of the way up. The hike isn’t very long but it is steep. You will be in close quarters with the other hikers and very likely, other newly wed couples.
Red Agave Resort: This small resort is great for weddings. You can basically rent the whole place out for your wedding and host the ceremony and reception there. It has quick and easy access to Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock and the traffic between is usually quite light. (Parking is still an issue so don’t assume you will be able to find any on the day)

Central to town: This is the busiest part of the valley. Great resorts and you are in the middle of all the Red Rocks.

Tlaquepaque & Los Abrigados: This is the art’s district of Sedona and it is absolutely gorgeous. Old buildings crowding narrow walkways and there are vines all over all of it. Right next to Tlaquepaque is the Los Abrigados Resort (fun fact, this where where I photographed my first wedding). They do host weddings at both but I do want to warn you about Tlaquepaque. They won’t close off the area for your wedding until all of the shops close at like 6pm. Even then, you are likely to have people walking around close by all night. I don’t want to deter you from considering this option, I just don’t want you to find out too late.
L’Auberge: All of the resorts in this area are fantastic but this one set’s itself apart. Super nice rooms, great foot access to Oak Creek and there are indoor/outdoor options for your reception space. This resort is built on the side of a steep hill so expect a lot of stairs.
Amara Resort: I think this resort is a great middle ground. It won’t be as busy as Tlaquepaque and it wont be as pricey as L’Auberge. Great foot access to the creek and you have a great, close up view of the mountains from the lawn.

North of Town: Oak creek canyon is my personal favorite. This is the side of Sedona that unjustly gets overlooked. There are a few tiny resorts in the canyon as well as some fantastic cabins. If you choose to get married here, the creek is what you will center everything around. There are a few access points to the creek with my favorites being Grasshopper Point, Bootlegger, and West Fork. The West Fork hike is breathtaking and it is also going to be the easiest hike in the valley. The parking lot does fill up early and it stays full all day. (I really cannot overstate the difference hiring a driver will make).

Junipine Resort: This cute little resort has a restaurant on the property, a spacious parking lot, and it is located right along the creek. It is also really close to the Bootlegger access point (My personal favorite part of the creek).
Cabins: I would check Airbnb to see if any of the cabins in the canyon appeal to you. Most of them are smaller but they make a great home base for elopements.
Indian Gardens Cafe: Honestly, I have driven past this place a thousand times and it never occurred to me that it would be an option for weddings until I shot one there. The patio is covered with a large tree canopy. You can get married there, walk across the street for portraits on the creek, and walk right back for your reception. Check out the gallery from that wedding.

Just a few things you should know

So we have covered the broad strokes. This is the point where I fling miscellaneous bits of pertinent information at you.

It is still a wilderness area. You do have a high likelihood of seeing wildlife. Mostly completely harmless but watch out for rattlesnakes. Javelina are mostly harmless but I strongly advise against approaching them. They can be mean and they rarely travel alone.
Unless you are planning on setting up a whole thing with an arch and chairs, you do not need to worry about permits. So long as you respect the space of other hikers, stick to marked trails, and don’t litter, you will be just fine. I am a strong advocate for Leave No Trace, and I do ask the same of my clients.
You can get the ball rolling on obtaining your marriage license here.
Wear appropriate shoes. Sedona will absolutely punish you for wearing heels off the pavement. No shade or anything but if you don’t like the idea of wearing hiking shoes for your elopement, Sedona is not for you.

Lastly, a few recommendations

If you plan on eloping, whether it is just you or a small group, you may be faced with the dilemma of sourcing food. The restaurants in town close really early so planning for a dinner after the sun sets can be challenging. There is one bar that stays open late (Mooney’s Irish Pub). The food is great and it is often a pretty lively atmosphere. This is where you will find the wedding afterparties. You probably won’t be the only newlyweds in the room but honestly, it has always been kinda cool for that. As far as food goes, your best bet is Flagstaff. Staying in flagstaff will offer you the most flexibility in food options but a lot of these places will cater a wedding in Sedona. My personal favorite is Pizzicletta.

Conclusion

That pretty much covers it. If you are planning a larger wedding, the resort is going to help you along with everything. For those of you planning to elope, Pick the location, get the marriage license, book the catering, and last but not least, get a driver.

If you have any questions about the process, please don’t hesitate to reach out. With elopements especially, I am happy to offer help and advice when it comes to piecing this all together.

Congratulations on your engagement and I wish you a very happy wedding day!

Eloping in Sedona