Sedona, Arizona is the perfect destination for couples wanting to have a small wedding. Most people would consider a small wedding to have between 10-50 guests. We specialize in Sedona elopements and micro weddings with less than 50 guests. This guide will give you tips and tricks for planning your own small wedding in Sedona, as well as give you inspiration for your own day by featuring an elegant microwedding with about 15 guests! 

Do you need a venue for a small wedding in Sedona? 

This depends on a few factors:

1. Guest amount: We recommend booking a venue if you are having more than 20 guests attending. There are a handful of public locations that you can have a ceremony but they require more research (we help our couples book these locations). 
2. Guest accessibility needs: If your guests need a more accessible location and other amenities like a bathroom close by. 
3. Your vision for your wedding: Do you want to have more of a set up with chairs and an arch? You will need a private venue as those set ups are not allowed on public lands. 

Ideas for your small wedding in Sedona

• Book a venue for a couple of hours for your ceremony and family portraits and then go off on a private adventure session to get epic elopement style photos. 
• Make it a wedding weekend! Book an estate or private residence where you and your guests can stay for multiple days, as well as host your wedding ceremony and dinner on site. 
• Have your ceremony on a trail and go back to a private residence for a dinner with a private chef (yep, I have great recommendations!). Only do this if your guest count permits! 
• Best of both worlds- have a small wedding experience at a venue on one day and then meet up with us the next day for an elopement style adventure! 

Venues for your small wedding in Sedona: 

For our couples who want to invest in a multi-day small wedding experience we recommend these venues: 

• Rancho Los Lagos 
• The Elysian Retreat 
• Eagle Dancer 
• Red Agave Resort 

Wedding Venues in Sedona perfect for a small wedding: 

• Sky Ranch Lodge 
• Enchantment Resort 
• Red Agave Resort
• Venue on the Mesa 
• Sedona Heritage Museum 

Restaurants & Venues that allow for small wedding dinners: 

• Orchard & Broome 
• Salt Rock 
• The Cabin 
• Indian Gardens 

Real Small Wedding in Sedona Story

Brandi and Dustin reached out to me and we were instantly such a great fit for their small wedding dreams in Sedona! They wanted a day that encompassed their love for Sedona, each other, as well as their closest loved ones who they invited! I absolutely love how this day prioritized adventure and quality time. It was all so laid back and we all got to enjoy the beauty of the red rocks as well as make amazing memories! I loved being a part of this small wedding so much! 

Want more information about planning your small wedding or elopement in Sedona? Check out our Sedona Wedding Guide now!

We met up with Brandi and Dustin at one of their favorite trails in Sedona for their small wedding ceremony. Everyone hiked up to the scenic vista where they had one of their close friends officiate their ceremony. Brandi got into her wedding dress right on the trail so it was a complete surprise to Dustin! I loved his reaction to her walking down the aisle so much! It was so full of emotion for everyone! They shared personal vows as well as did a hand fasting ceremony. You may notice Brandi started off with a veil but the wind got strong and we decided to part ways with it halfway through the ceremony, haha! 

After their small wedding ceremony we took portraits with all of their guests. I love how they still had a wedding party with bridesmaids and groomsmen! When the portraits were over their friends went back to the private residence they stayed in to set up for their dinner reception. 

I’m always a huge fan of a sunset adventure session for portraits! As you can see we got the most beautiful golden hour followed by a cotton candy sunset. We explored all over the trails and got some of the best views in town! 

Once the sun went down we went to celebrate over dinner with their guests. Brandi and Dustin decided to rent out a private residence that had the perfect deck for hosting their small wedding dinner. They had their dinner catered from a local restaurant, as well as a few desserts and local wine. It was the perfect setting for their friends sharing toasts and relaxing after their day of hiking!

Pro Tip: There are strict regulations with weddings at short term rentals in Sedona. You may need to book a residence through VRBO or book directly through the property to ensure it’s legal. I give my couples links to pre-approved private residences that allow wedding dinners.

Astronomy and astrology are important to Brandi and Dustin so we set aside time on their wedding day to go stargazing and get epic starlit photos. These ended up being some of my all time favorite Star photos I’ve ever taken! They have zero photoshop- this is what the sky really looked like on their wedding day! 

This small wedding timeline was a great example of having a day filled with adventure and quality time! We loved helping make this small wedding happen and would love to help other couples who dream of having a similar looking day! Fill out a contact form to schedule a phone call to chat about your small wedding in Sedona dreams! 

Want more micro-wedding inspiration? Check out this blog post!