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How Much Does it REALLY Cost to Elope in Sedona, Arizona?
Are you considering planning an elopement in the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona? This is the perfect blog for you to start your planning process! While money is no fun to talk about, it necessary to prepare a realistic budget for your elopement experience. This guide focuses on elopements with less than 20 guests taking place on public lands rather than a traditional wedding venue. Every couple’s elopement in Sedona ends up costing different so this is just a general average! You and your partner can choose where to splurge and save at your liking.
Not sure if Sedona is the right location for your elopement experience? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Sedona Elopement for location ideas, activities, more information on seasons, and more!
Don’t forget that your elopement day is just as important as any other big wedding! At the end of the day make sure you consider your non-negotiables, as well as how you’ll remember the day!
Let’s start off with a general range of how much eloping in Sedona can cost!
*drum roll please*
$100-$20,000!
There is a HUGE range for elopements in Sedona so this blog post will be covering what the average couple spends to give you a better idea!
You can keep your day as simple as just signing your marriage license ($83) and taking photos on your Iphone in clothes that you already own but it’s your WEDDING DAY so we believe in investing in your experience!
These are REAL numbers and ranges from other local Sedona elopement vendors. Keep in mind that prices for some things like lodging and travel may range depending on the season.
What is the ACTUAL average amount that couples spend to elope in Sedona? Around $7000-$13000. Let’s break down these numbers!
Here are the main categories that most couple’s choose to invest in on the elopement experience:
Lodging: at least three nights- the two nights before and the night of your elopement in Sedona, Arizona (pro-tip: don’t try to stay in a town outside of Sedona! You’ll spend a lot of your elopement day in the car rather than on the trail having fun!)
Flights: 90% of our couples come from out of state to elope in Arizona. You will want to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor at least 2 days before your elopement.
Rental Car: Plan on renting it for at least 3 days to get to and from Phoenix and around Sedona
Marriage License: $83 dollars to make it official in Arizona!
Elopement Photography with Basic Elopement Planning: This is what we specialize in! We are the local experts and we can help make your elopement dreams come true even if you’ve never been to the red rocks! You’ll also receive epic photos that have a touch of a documentary element to them so they feel like YOU. We highly recommend hiring an elopement photographer who also includes basic elopement planning services because let’s face it, most people have no clue how eloping actually works! This will make your elopement experience 100x better and is worth every penny.
Check out more about our Sedona elopement photography packages here!
Florals: For a beautiful bouquet, boutonniere, or two of each!
Hair & Makeup: While some people choose to do their own hair and makeup, most people choose to hire a professional who specializes in long lasting makeup that can withstand an elopement adventure!
Wedding Attire: This will completely depend on the couple and their preferences- some keep it simple and others splurge! This is really going to range!
Officiant: If you got an Arizona marriage license you will need someone who is ordained to sign it! There are a few options for this which we will chat about later on!
Accessories: Think about jewelry, vow books, shoes, and any other wedding attire related items!
Food: You can keep it simple and grab a pizza, hire a private chef to come to your lodging, or go out to dinner!
Day of Wedding Transportation: This is one that a lot of people forget! If you are bringing guests then you will most likely need to hire a private shuttle or taxi to drop you off at your trailhead. You may also consider renting a fancy Jeep to drive yourselves or even a off-roading driving service!
Guests: Are you planning on bringing guests? Consider if you will be providing lodging, transportation, hair and makeup, or paying for their food on the day of. This is where you can expect a large chunk of your wedding budget to go to if you are bringing guests! Dinner is the largest cost.
Other categories you may want to consider:
Elopement Videography: Have your day documented beyond photography! We offer videography services as well as an add-on!
Elopement experiences such as wine tours, guided Jeep tour, helicopter or hot air balloon experiences, massages, etc.
Let’s chat numbers now! Like I said, these are estimates and averages so make sure you reach out to vendors for their specific quotes.
Actual Costs of a Sedona Elopement
Lodging: $600-$2000 (on average $275 per night but there is quite a range!)
Flights: $200-$1000 for two people
Rental Car: $200-$500 for three days
Elopement Photography with Basic Elopement Planning: $4400-$8400 for Wilder West Elopements: Most common package is $6400 for 6 hours of elopement photography coverage + basic elopement planning
Florals: $200-$400 for one bouquet & boutonniere
Hair & Makeup: $450-$550
Wedding Attire + Alterations: $200-$5000- Average is closer to $2500
Officiant: $500-$700 (or you can have a guest become ordained. I also can sign as your officiant for free!)
Accessories: $50-$500
Food: Such a range but the average elevated dinner experience here is around $85 per plate.
Day of Wedding Transportation: This will depend on if its just for you or guests! For just couples around $50 but with guests it can be up to $2000.
Guests: Expect to pay around $100 per guest for food.
Elopement Videography: $1000-$2500
Most Wilder West Couples spend an average of $12,000 for their full elopement experience!
I hope that you found this helpful! I recommend making a spreadsheet to keep track of costs to stay within your budget. Remember that your elopement is just as important as any other wedding day! You deserve to have the day of your dreams!
Meet Caitlyn and Chad, your dream Sedona Elopement Photographer, Videographer & Guide Team
Hello!! We are the Wilder West Team! We are a husband and wife photo video team based in sunny Sedona, Arizona. Caitlyn is the lead photographer and your personal elopement guide aka elopement wizard, question-answerer, location scouter, and designated hype woman. Chad is the lead videographer who you can expect to supply all the dad jokes, carrier of the Mary Poppins backpack, and mountain goat to get all the rad shots! We’ve been lucky enough to call this place our home for the past 5 years, going on 100+ adventures with couples from all over the world.
We’d love to show you around our home & help you plan your dream Sedona elopement experience.
We believe that all couples deserve to have an adventurous and meaningful wedding experience that reflects them and their love. Let’s work together to design your “best day” from start to finish. We can’t wait to hear all about what you are dreaming for your elopement experience so we can work together to make it happen seamlessly and care free.
Learn More About Us
Want some inspiration for your Sedona elopement experience? We’ve been a part of over 200 adventures in the red rock and would love to show some of our favorite adventures (but seriously, we can’t actually pick favorites so here’s a few from this season!).
Sedona Elopement Photo & Video Packages
- Offering 4 hour, 6 hour, 8 hour, 10 hour, and 2 day Packages
- Unlimited planning assistance including help with locations, timeline building, permit help, wedding licenses, & more with your Sedona Elopement Expert, Caitlyn!
- Exclusive list of location ideas for your elopement
- Custom day of timeline & itinerary
- Online gallery with your epic photos with personal printing rights
- The option to have me sign off as your ordained officiant if you want to a completely private, just the two of you elopement.
- The option to add on my awesome, adventurous ordained officiant Ira to your package.
- No travel fees since I’m a local!!
Photo Only Packages Beginning at $4500
Photo & Video Packages Beginning at $7000
Contact Us Now to Start Planning Your Sedona, Arizona Elopement!
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