It’s no secret that I absolutely love Zion National Park, and I’m passionate about helping couples plan their elopements in this beautiful place! Here are my recommendations for planning your very own Zion elopement.
When?
I recommend eloping in the spring or fall
The first step in planning your Zion elopement is setting a date. Zion National Park is absolutely gorgeous in the spring and fall. I normally recommend planning your elopement in March, April, May, September, October, or November. Spring does run some risk of rain fall, but it’s so amazing to watch all the flowers blooming during this season. I would recommend avoiding summer at all costs. Not only is it 100 degrees in the summer, but it is also crawling with lots and lots of tourists. Winter is another if you are open to snow and cold temperatures.
It’s best to elope on a weekday
It’s not wrong to elope on a weekend, but I definitely recommend eloping on a weekday if you are able to. There are a lot less people around, which will make your experience with your significant other that much more special.
Sunrise or sunset?
If you really want to have Zion National Park all to yourselves, then I recommend incorporating a sunrise session into your day. Imagine hiking to an overlook in the dark and seeing it for the first time with your significant other as the sun rises. It’s a magical experience! I love helping my couples brainstorm about timelines for their elopement day.
Where?
Deciding on a ceremony location
Once you’ve decided on a date, then comes choosing the ceremony location! There are two main options: inside the park or outside the park. If you choose to get married inside the park, then there is a permit process and a few ceremony locations to choose from. They each have their pros and cons. You can check out this link for the most up to date information on the permit process and the ceremony locations.
There are also lots of locations outside the park that don’t require permits, and are equally as beautiful. Some can accommodate guests and some are better for small groups or just the couple. This is where I can help!
The good news is that no matter where you choose to have your ceremony, you can still have portraits done basically anywhere within the park. There are several locations I can recommend to you depending on how much or how little you want to hike. There are cliff edges, slot canyons, vistas, etc.
Where to stay
The town of Springdale is right at the entrance to the park, and is surrounded by towering red rocks and palisades. You cannot go wrong staying at any of the hotels in this town. If you are looking to rent a cute AirBNB, then you may need to look outside of town in places like Hurricane and St. George, which are 20-40 minutes away from the park.
There is also a really cool spot called Under Canvas Zion, which allows you to stay in these amazing glamping tents.
What?
Ideas for what to do on your elopement day
Your elopement can be as simple or as crazy as you want it to be! I have tons of recommendations for activities, from getting ready photos to popping champagne to helicopter rides!
Vendors I recommend:
Florist – Bloomers
Planner – Forevermore Events
Rentals – St George Party Rentals
Dessert – Cupcakes by Julie
Activities I recommend:
Jeep rental
Helicopter rides
Horseback riding tours
Hiking
How?
How to get to Zion National Park
The Las Vegas airport is only 2 and 1/2 hours away, which is super convenient because there’s always cheap flights to Vegas!
How to make your marriage official
Utah has no waiting period, so you can pick up your marriage license and get married the same day! Your officiant will be able to guide you through the marriage license process.
Why?
Check out my blog post, Why You Should Elope in Zion National Park
