How to have an epic off-roading adventurous elopement - Merry Go Round Rock Sedona, AZ

Are you not really into hiking, but you really want to elope somewhere epic and beautiful?Let me tell you about this epic spot in Sedona that requires NO hiking and just a little bit of off-roading. Some couples aren’t really into hiking! Or maybe you are into hiking--but not on your wedding day. I don’t know about you, but I get SO sweaty when I am hiking.

I have photographed some bad-ass couples who hike on their elopement day and appear to be sweat-free unicorns. I’ll need to investigate more into this strange phenomenon of couples who don’t sweat. I’ll get back to you. 

However, that ain’t me! And maybe you’re not a sweat-free unicorn either. But let’s not have that hold you back from eloping somewhere epic.

This spot is my favorite secret elopement location in Sedona! And I’m going to give you all the deets.

You don’t need a permit to elope in Sedona!! 

Seriously! This makes it one of the best options for eloping, especially if you’re planning something last minute. Tons of iconic spots in Sedona don’t require a permit to elope there! I’m talking Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and my favorite--Merry Go Round Rock! For many spots in Sedona, all that is required is a parking fee! (But not Merry Go Round Rock. WOO!)

What are the best months to elope in Sedona?

Almost any time other than the middle of the summer, lol! People don’t realize how HOT Sedona gets in the summertime! Sedona can often be over 100 degrees in the middle of the summer. Remember what I said earlier about being a sweat-free unicorn? If you’re not one--I recommend avoiding the summer!! 

If you want the “perfect” weather, I’d recommend eloping in Sedona in the spring or fall months! Remember that it can also snow in the winter months! But honestly, those snow capped red rocks are BEAUTIFUL. So, if you’re down for some nipply weather--then do it!

Keep in mind that it can rain in Sedona! I know what you’re thinking...Arizona? Rain? Impossible! I know, it confuses me, too. But it does *occasionally* rain here! But that’s mostly during monsoon season which is also during the summer! And remember? I told you it’s best to avoid the summer--for more reasons than one! While rain can create some epic Notebook moments and I 100% subscribe to couples embracing mother nature and dancing in the rain; in Sedona it can cause flash floods in certain areas so you should be careful!

I recommend getting to Sedona on a weekday or the day before your elopement and picking up your marriage license!

You can go https://www.coconino.az.gov/134/Marriage-Licenses here and get all the info! Arizona is actually a state where there’s no waiting time for getting married after you purchase your marriage license! You can technically pick it up the day of your wedding! However, to save you the stress and headache, I recommend trying to get it a day or two before if you can!

What kind of vendors do you need for an elopement in Sedona? 

I always recommend at least the basics! Florists, hair and makeup, and some grub! However, you can get wild and have as many (or as few) vendors as you’d like! I fully believe that eloping couples have the joy of doing whatever the f#@k they want to on their wedding day. Do you want something simple and laid back? YES! DO IT! Do you want something extravagant and the whole nine yards? TREAT YO SELF. Absolutely do you, boo.

But let me recommend some of my favorite vendors!

You’ll need a photographer--hello, nice to meet you! 

You’ll want a florist that compliments the beauty of Sedona! (She created these gorgeous flowers from this shoot!) https://moelleuxevents.com/

Maybe you’ll want some hair and makeup! https://sedonabeautyteam.com/

And you’ll definitely want something good to eat. If it’s just the two of you eloping or you are having a few guests, I recommend grabbing dinner reservations at The Hudson! https://thehudsonsedona.com/

You’ll also need someone to get you two married! Did you know you can self-solemnize? If you’re wanting to ditch the traditional officiant route you can instead share your vows privately with one another! And then I can legally sign as your officiant on your documents.

But if you are wanting the officiant experience then you have a few options! You can choose a friend or family member to get ordained and marry the two of you. It’s easy--trust me! Or you can ask about my husband's services! He’s officiated several of the weddings I’ve photographed. He may be available for your day, too! And he’s pretty handsome in photos. Or you can reach out to my favorite celebrant in Sedona! 

Life Passages. https://life-passages-wedding-planner.business.site/

Is there a certain day of the week we should elope? 

I’m so glad you asked! YES. In Sedona (or almost anywhere really) I always recommend my couples try to elope on a weekday if they can swing it. If you can’t--that’s totally okay! I know that’s not possible for everyone and we will still get you married and you’ll still have an amazing day. But! There are just usually significantly less people in national and state parks, and on hiking trails on weekdays!

I love when my couples are given the privacy on their elopement day to be 100% them. I think everyone deserves to feel like it’s “only them” on a day when they’re getting married. And on a weekend day there can sometimes be a lot of people in one spot! And that’s another reason I recommend Merry Go Round rock because it’s SO private! There are other hikes in Sedona that are frequently crowded and can feel like you’re just another person in line trying to get married.

What’s so cool about Merry Go Round Rock?

As I said above--it’s so private and intimate! I usually plan for my couples to elope there towards sunset for the best lighting! Jeep Tours in Sedona will take people to this spot throughout the day, but they stop taking people towards sunset for safety reasons. Keep in mind that it’s not unsafe to travel back in the dark. In fact, you’ll get some pretty sick star pictures on the way out. Seriously, the stars are INSANE over there on a clear night.

While the spot is more private you don’t have to compromise epic views. It’s one of my favorite views in Sedona!

AND you don’t have to hike! You can sit back and enjoy the (bumpy) ride!

Okay, how do we get there?

You’ll definitely want to rent a jeep or some other off roading vehicle. https://www.myejeep.com/ Check out MYW Jeep to rent some vehicles in Sedona for your off roading adventure! I had a couple do an adventure session in Sedona and they rented their own Jeep to adventure around Sedona! You can check out the full adventure session HERE.

Keep in mind that if you’re taking it slow + safe it will take you 1-1.5 hours to get to Merry Go Round Rock from the start of the trail! But it’s SOO worth it for those epic views. Merry Go Round Rock is one of the best spots to elope at in Arizona!

Check out a fully wedding day that I blogged from this location to see what your wedding day here might look like! Check it out HERE.

Seriously, eloping in Sedona at Merry Go Round rock is that simple! If you’re thinking of eloping here then reach out to me! Fill out my contact form below and we can go over all the details of planning your epic off roading elopement day.

Your wedding got canceled because of COVID-19, now what?

My heart goes out to all of the couples who have spent months, if not years, planning their wedding day for it to get canceled or postponed because of COVID-19. 

You might be super upset and you’re allowed to be! While it is for the best to not have any large gathering, it still sucks. So much planning and thought goes into your wedding day. Take a minute, or two, to allow yourself to be upset....

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Okay, now what? 

I’ve already had several of my couples reach out to me because their venue canceled their wedding day. They’re lost and they dont know what to do! 

Don’t panic--we GOT THIS! 

My favorite suggestion to share with my couples and anyone in this situation is to ELOPE!

Not sure what exactly an elopement is in 2020? Read my blog HERE where I bust myths about elopements and help you better understand what an elopement is and if it’s the best decision for you!

I firmly believe that what is most important about your wedding is the two of you and your love for one another. Coming together, sharing your vows and promises to one another, and doing the damn thing! 

This option may not be the best option for everyone, but if you still want to have your wedding day you can! You can stick with your original wedding date! Or you can plan to elope before or after your original wedding date. Weeks, months, it doesn’t matter! Drive out somewhere, pick a spot outdoors where there’s little to no people around and promise yourselves to one another. And you can still have this special day photographed! 

Get ready together at your home. Fix their tie or button their dress. Spruce your significant other up and share that intimate moment of making sure they look FABULOUS for their wedding day. 

Share a special note with each other or a gift, if you’d like! Or get ready separately and have a sweet First Look moment!

Now drive off somewhere secluded!

You two can dress up in your wedding day clothes and have your ceremony, with or without an officiant! You can have the papers signed legally on that date or you can get them signed later (legal documents shouldn’t hold you back from marrying the love of your life!) You can also choose to NOT have an officiant and limit the amount of people there and have your photographer sign as an officiant! Ask your photographer before you do this though. Not all photographers are licensed, but I am! I photograph lots of elopements and sometimes couples choose to self solemnize, and then I am able to quickly and legally sign as their officiant. 

And then celebrate your day! Go hiking, off roading, have a drink and picnic together and watch the sunset! Go skinny dipping, have a dance party, and then make smores together! Or go back home, make dinner by candlelight, and then cuddle up on the couch and watch your favorite movie together or play your favorite card game.

Don’t let this virus ruin your day! You can still have your wedding day and make it special. 

“Okay, that sounds nice, but what about partying with my friends and family? What about all of our original plans? WHAT ABOUT MY DREAMS??”

Most venues are rescheduling couples’ wedding days at no additional cost! So, still have your traditional wedding day on a different date and have a big ol’ party and celebrate with your loved ones! 

You can have the best of both worlds here! And this is why this is my favorite option to tell my couples about. Whether or not this option is for you, reach out to your photographer and ask them for ideas. We are here to help you! 

Ask your photographer if this is an option for you! Don’t have a photographer? Let’s photograph your kick-ass day. Fill out my contact form HERE and let’s plan your epic adventure.

Sedona Couples Adventure Photos | Kelsey + Ryan

Kelsey and Ryan are SUCH a fun and in-love couple! They’ve been married for almost a decade and have two perfect, gorgeous kids together. Because life with kids is busy, they were in need of a solo vacay, and decided to vacation in Arizona together. I met them at their van, and from there we embarked on their Sedona couples adventure session! 

Arizona had been on Kelsey + Ryan’s bucket list for awhile, so they went on vacation to the Grand Canyon. They hiked all over Sedona, and rented a Jeep to drive off-road to Merry Go Round Rock. It’s not an easy drive to get there through the rocky desert, but they were persistent about it! We did it, made it there in one piece, and it was amazing! 

Keep scrolling to see their badass red Jeep, why sunsets in the desert are so gorgeous, and how an evening under the stars can be your most treasured vacation souvenir.

The road up was so rough, we were shaking back and forth the whole time. I felt like I was going to either fly out of my seat or fall off the edge of the cliff. LOL! We survived to tell the tale, and when we arrived we had the entire place to ourselves. 

Kesley and I became fast friends as we chatted about our mutual hatred of the GOT finale, and laughed hysterically about getting simultaneously pee-shy when we hit up the restroom and had side-by-side stalls. 

She and Ryan are super fun and laid back, and I was very impressed with Ry’s offroading skills in the Jeep!

They started out with cute, casual outfits, and then changed later in the day into more saucy black-on-black outfits (with Kels in a cute hat, of course!). 

Not only was our adventure together fun, but they were so much fun! They needed barely any direction at all. They’re so in love, even after 9 years of marriage and parenting two kids together. I loved watching them and snapping pics as they enjoyed the Arizona scenery! 

We wrapped up with their rented red Jeep, which they were SO excited about!

As we drove back, we were stopped dead in our (Jeep) tracks when we noticed the stars. Believe me when I say that I’ve never seen a starry sky like that in my life. They just lit up the sky. We stopped and just gazed at them for awhile, and then I decided to go for it, and take a star photo with them! 

If you’re planning an epic outdoor adventure, incorporating couples photos is such an amazing way to document your time together.

Especially when you carve out an entire day so you can explore and watch the stars come out. ;) 

Kelsey and Ryan are such a fun couple, and I could photograph them forever! I’m so glad that they decided to do fun photos while on their Sedona vacation, and I’m so glad they trusted me to capture their magic! 

If you want to plan an epic adventure but don’t know where to start, check out this list of epic locations to get the ball rolling!

Need help planning your own Arizona vacation adventure session? Contact me and I can help you plan!