Your Guide to Planning an Off-Roading Elopement

Off-roading is one of my all time favorite experiences for a couple to include on their elopement day. The west coast has some of the best 4×4 roads in the country due to the vast amount of public lands we have. Planning an off-roading elopement offers you an opportunity to combine your passion for adventure with your desire to have an intimate and unique wedding experience. Imagine exchanging vows surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, high on a mountain trail or in the midst of an uncharted desert. The West coast has it ALL and I promise you can find the best off-roading location for your greatest dreams. I’ve helped over one hundred couples have an off-roading elopement with these tips and tricks. Here’s your guide to starting to plan your dream 4×4 experience!

1. Pick the Perfect Off-Roading Destination

The first step to planning your off-roading elopement is choosing a stunning location that reflects both your personalities and your love for the outdoors. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Desert: Imagine dirt roads surrounded by ancient saguaro cacti on either side, or sand dunes that go on for miles, or epic red rock monuments like where I am based in Sedona, Arizona. Consider checking out Tucson, Arizona, the Superstition Mountains in Gold Canyon Arizona, Moab, Utah, or the northern Arizona!
• Mountains: Do you crave epic mountaintops with sweeping views? Our personal favorite spots are Colorado and California for off-roading trails like this! Telluride, CO and the Sierra Nevadas are great places to start.
• Forest: If you love being enveloped in trees, the West is full of dense forests and winding trails that can make for a serene, magical elopement experience. You can find the perfect spot for your day in almost any day in the West but I’d specifically suggest Washington!

2. Decide on the Level of Adventure

Your off-roading adventure can range from mild to intense, so it’s important to decide how rugged you want your day to be and your experience! It’s super important that you (or your photographer) are educated on what a specific trail entails.

Pro Off-roading Elopement Tip: We love the App OnX Off-Road to see about current trail conditions, difficulty, and more.

• Easy & Scenic Trails: Opt for more accessible, well-maintained dirt roads with beautiful vistas.
• Rougher Terrain: If you’re experienced off-roaders, you can choose more challenging paths with steep inclines, rocky trails, and thrilling, bumpy rides.

Remember to be realistic about your experience and comfort level with off-roading to avoid any unexpected challenges.

3. Who Is Driving?

Do you have off-roading experience? If not, you can still have this kind of adventure on your wedding day! There are many destinations in the West that have guided Jeep tours that can take you for your elopement adventure! Your elopement photographer may have connections for this.

If you plan on driving yourself for your off roading elopement adventure then make sure you have the correct vehicle for the trail conditions. At a minimum the vehicle should have 4×4 capability (not all wheel drive) and have decent clearance.

Let’s talk Jeep Guides! Guided Jeep tours are a great option for your adventurous wedding if you don’t want to drive yourselves for one reason or another or if you are bringing guests that don’t want to drive themselves. Jeep tours range in price depending on the location, time of year, length of trail, and tour length. On average you can expect to spend $100-$300 per person on a guided jeep tour for your elopement.

4. Choose the Right Vehicle

The type of vehicle you choose will largely depend on your destination and the terrain. Here are a few options to consider:

• 4×4 Jeep or SUV: These are reliable choices for rocky trails or mountainous routes.
• ATVs or UTVs: If you’re looking for an exhilarating ride with a bit more freedom to explore, renting an ATV or UTV is a fun way to experience the terrain.
• Overlanding Vehicle: For a longer adventure, you might want to rent an overlanding vehicle with built-in camping equipment, perfect for an extended off-roading elopement trip.

Make sure your vehicle is well-maintained and that you’re familiar with its capabilities before embarking on your adventure.

4. Hire a Photographer Who Specializes in Adventure Elopements

One of the most important aspects of any elopement is capturing the memories. Choose a photographer who specializes in adventure elopements and understands the unique challenges of shooting in off-road environments.

• Expertise in Terrain: They should be comfortable working in off-roading environments, and know how to navigate and capture stunning images in rugged terrain.
• Adventure-Friendly Gear: Your photographer should have the right equipment, such as drones for aerial shots, waterproof cameras, and gear that can handle the dust, dirt, and moisture of off-road adventures.
• Back Up Plans: It’s important that your photographer is familiar with backup plans when it comes to off-roading in case of weather or trail closures.

Remember to chat with them about your vision and make sure they’re excited about capturing your adventure.

Meet Caitlyn and Chad, your dream Sedona Expert Elopement Photographer, Videographer 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 8 years, going on 200+ 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. We 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

5. Prepare for the Elements

Since you’re off-roading elopement into the wild, you’ll need to be prepared for whatever nature throws your way. Here are a few things to consider:

• Weather: Be prepared for sudden changes in weather. Check forecasts for rain, wind, and temperature shifts in your chosen location. Pack weather-appropriate clothing.
• Footwear: Comfortable shoes are a must. Avoid heels or sandals that aren’t made for rugged terrain. Opt for sturdy boots or trail shoes that will support your feet on rocky trails.
• Layering: Bring layers to ensure you stay warm in cooler weather and can strip down to something lighter if you get too hot.

Having the right gear will ensure you’re comfortable while off-roading and exchanging vows in the great outdoors.

6. Backup Plans & Logistics

You’ll want to plan your route and destination well in advance. Make sure you know how to access your chosen location, especially if it’s remote or difficult to navigate. Here’s what to do:

• Drive the Route First: If possible, drive the route before the wedding day to ensure there are no obstacles and the terrain is suitable.
• Map Out Alternative Routes: Have backups in case your original plan gets blocked by unforeseen circumstances like road closures or bad weather.
• Check Access Permits: Some national parks, wilderness areas, and state lands require permits for off-roading, so be sure to do your research and acquire any necessary permissions.

Safety and preparedness are key to making your off-roading elopement go smoothly. We are experts in off roading elopements so we will work alongside you with these logistics!

7. Celebrate Your Love in the Wild

After exchanging vows, take time to explore the location, enjoy the solitude, and bask in the beauty of nature. A celebration afterward can be simple but sweet. Some couples bring along a picnic, plan for doing their first dance, take time to read letters from family, or just relax on a scenic overlook! The day is yours to design and we will help with making it happen!

All About Off Roading Elopements in Sedona, Arizona

We are based in Sedona, Arizona and have helped plan and capture 75+ off roading elopements here in the red rocks! We’ve experienced it ALL! Trail closures, snow squalls, extreme heat, wild animals, and more. It’s our job to help make your off roading elopement experience stress free so you can have the best adventure of your life!

Sedona Guided Jeep Tour Elopements:

There are a handful of Jeep tour companies in Sedona, Arizona but they do not all offer off roading elopements. I have partnered with Pink Adventure Tours to offer guided Jeep tours for elopement groups. Pink Jeeps will take your group on an epic, bumpy Jeep ride to an incredible location for your wedding ceremony. If you’d like more information about this please fill out a contact form and select “Jeep Adventure Wedding with Guests”.

Let’s Start Planning Your Jeep Wedding!

Sedona Drive Yourself Jeep Elopements:

If you have previous off roading experience you can drive yourself on the majority of trails in Sedona as long as you have the right vehicle! If you do not plan on using your personal vehicle then you will need to rent a 4×4 vehicle that has off-roading tires. It is super important to not use a regular rental car for your elopement as the roads here are very rocky and not suitable for highway tires. I suggest renting a vehicle through Barlow Adventures for a capable vehicle.

Merry Go Round Rock Elopement Weddings:

Merry Go Round Rock has quickly become the most popular elopement location in the whole state of Arizona. The biggest attraction for this location is that you are able off road to the location and walk less than 10 minutes to a very scenic overlook.

Go read our full blog post giving tips and tricks for planning a Merry Go Round Rock elopement wedding!

Off Roading Elopement in Arizona

Dannie and Kole’s epic off roading elopement in Arizona was one that will steal any adventurer’s heart! Not only was it such a fun experience, but it was one that was filled with so much love and joy for everyone involved. You would have never guessed that this whole adventure was planned in ONE MONTH. This was not the wedding they had been planning all along, but it turned out to be the perfect day in the most perfect place.

Read more to hear all about this amazing wedding experience!

Want more adventure?

Check out this Sedona hiking elopement at Cathedral Rock here!

Want to learn how to elope in Arizona? Check out my Arizona elopement guide!