A Moab Elopement is epic!
It's no secret, Moab is a gem. Unique red rock formations in the shape of arches and canyons. Soft red sand. Then to switch things up, there's the breathtaking view of the La Sal Mountains. To top it all off, the Colorado River runs through Moab. No matter which direction you look, there is something beautiful to see.
No matter the season, Moab has something for everyone. The winters are rather mild in Moab. If you prefer cooler temperatures, Moab is wonderful during fall and winter! There is an abundance of trails that can used for hiking, rock crawling, and mountain biking. Trails can be found in Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park and BLM Lands.
Moab has several restaurants, shopping and spas. If your vision is to have something low key and relaxing, there are plenty of options for you too. Keep reading for all the details on how to elope in Moab!
When should you elope in Moab?
I recommend eloping in Moab in the fall.
When planning to elope in Moab, you should first start with setting a date. The weather is gorgeous in the fall. There are many perks to eloping in Moab in the fall. To start, there are less people. Late spring and summer are Moab's busy season. April - September is heavy with tourists. If you are wanting some of the popular locations, it will be easier to see them in the fall. Keep in mind, Moab gets very hot during the summer. You will be limited on what you can comfortably do during the day during the summer months.
Off season in Arches National Park:
As of October 4, 2022, Arches has lifted the timed entry requirements. Visitors are now welcome to arrive at any time. To avoid crowds, it is still best to arrive before 8am or after 3pm. According to nps.gov, they will be discussing policies for 2023. No announcements have been made yet.
Easter Jeep Safari in Moab
Jeep Safari is an annual event in Moab. People come from all over to hit the off-road trails. If you are an off-road enthusiast, like me, this might sound pretty rad. Keep in mind the crowds are large. People have had to wait hours to go down a trail, that typically has no traffic. If you are wanting to avoid crowds, I would avoid eloping during this week. Also, if you are wanting to make off-roading one of your elopement day activities, I would consider another time.
Jeep Safari in Moab for 2023 will be held April 1st - April 9th.
Here are some average monthly temps (highs/lows) in Moab to help you plan your date, my most recommended dates are in bold:
January 44/20
February 52/26
March 64/35
April 73/42
May 83/50
June 95/50
July 100/65
August 97/64
September 88/54
October 74/41
November 58/30
December 45/22
I recommend eloping on a weekday
There's no right or wrong day of the week to elope. If your schedule will only allow you to elope on a weekend, that's fine. If your schedule is more flexible, I would recommend eloping on a Tuesday-Thursday. There are less crowds. Finding accommodations will be easier (lodging fills up fast in Moab). All the top vendors will have more availability.
What time of day is best?
Eloping during sunrise or sunset is the best time of day to elope. If you want the views all to yourselves, sunrise is the way to go. I will say, there are some spots in Arches that are just magical at sunset. Windows and Double Arche are front lit at sunrise. It makes the red look very vibrant. However, at sunset, they are lit from the side, which causes the most beautiful golden glow. Check out this view from the back side of Double Arch.
This spot only looks like this at sunset.
Sunset is my personal favorite time to see the Dead Horse Point. The sun illuminates the unique rock formations. It's a view beyond this world!
If you want the best of both worlds, you could always make sunrise and sunset apart of your day. This bride rarely dresses up. It was important for her to take the time to capture her dressed up in one of the most beautiful places on earth. We got some portraits of her at sunrise and then they exchanged vows at sunset.
Where to Elope in Moab?
How to decide on a ceremony location for your Moab elopement
Once you have settled on a date, the fun part comes. Picking a ceremony location! This might feel overwhelming. Moab is a large area. There a so many amazing spots. It's hard not to go wrong!
Here are a few of my favorite locations:
-Some of my favorite spots in the park are: Double Arch, Windows, Sandstone Arch, Delicate Arch, Balanced Rock.
-BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Lands
-There's so many to choose from. Ask me about my favorite spots
-Uranium Arch *For the extreme adventurists*
-This arch can only be reached with a 4x4 vehicle that can risk physical damage. My kids and I love going to this spot in our 4 Runner. That's our play vehicle though. If it takes a punch that's okay! There is no hiking required for this spot. It does require scaling large rocks in your vehicle which does make for a bumpy ride! If you love adventures like this, ask me more about Uranium Arch.
Some of these locations will need permits. That is where I come in. If your location requires a permit, I will walk you through the entire process. I help all my couples chose a ceremony location. There are a lot of things to keep in mind. Some locations will be better suitable based on needs. Some factors we will consider are number of guests, parking, bathrooms, accessibility, pet friendly, hiking or no hiking. If you are wanting to combine ceremony location with a few others, we can work that into the day as well.
Where to stay?
For the ultimate glamping experience, I recommend Under Canvas. If you want something not so emersed in nature I would recommend Utah's Best Vacation Rentals. The Casa Moab Complex is a personal favorite. My family stays there during colder months. It is located downtown on a quiet street. They are 1 bedroom apartment units with kitchens. If a romantic night in is your thing, check these out. There is also a community sauna. Perfect way to end an exciting elopement day!
What to do on your elopement day?
Ideas for what to do on your elopement day in Moab
Recommended activities:
-Hiking
-Rock Climbing
-Horseback riding
-Biking
-Off-roading
-Kayaking
-White Water Rafting
If you are interested in eloping in Moab, make sure to contact me for more info! I am frequently in Moab, so I'd love to connect and help plan your Moab elopement!
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