How to Elope at Horseshoe Bend

If you are wondering how to elope at Horseshoe Bend, I’ve compiled some great resources to help you know what steps you need to take, as well as things to keep in mind.

How to Elope at Horseshoe Bend

When to Elope at Horseshoe Bend?

Page Weather

Horseshoe Bend is located in a small city in Northern Arizona called Page, Arizona.

The weather in Page is pretty moderate. However, the summers get pretty hot. Page doesn’t get as hot as Phoenix, but June through mid-September are generally over 100ºF (37.8ºC). One wedding I shot at Horseshoe Bend in July was 110ºF. If you want to avoid the heat, October through May is the best time of year to have your elopement.

Snow can happen in the high desert anytime between November and March. However, it’s most likely to happen in January and February. The 15º to 30ºF weather can be very cold in wedding regular wedding clothes, but the powdered sugar images are definitely worth it. However, the snow can never be predicted. And when it does happen to snow, it never sticks around for long.

Horseshoe Bend Crowds and Parking

Horseshoe Bend is a hotspot for tourists. If Horseshoe Bend is your dream spot to get married, it is WORTH it. But there will be other people, no matter the time of day or year.

Luckily, there are ways to get around the crowds. The tourists generally congregate around the center of the bend, but there are miles to the right and left. I generally take my couples a few minutes walk away from the center, and it really makes a difference.

The busy seasons, like Spring and Fall Break tend to be busiest, but those are also the times with the best weather. The Horseshoe Bend website advises visitors that the busiest times of day are between 9am and 11am and 4:30pm to 6:30pm.

The fee to enter the parking lot is $10 per vehicle. The parking lot is open year round from sunrise to sunset. There is plenty of space for parking, I have never seen it at full capacity. There are also plenty of spots for RVs and large campers.

Weekend or Weekday

If you have the option, weekdays will ALWAYS be better. Crowds double on the weekends. I highly recommend choosing a weekday date if you’re considering eloping at Horseshoe Bend.

Sunrise or Sunset?

There are pros and cons to both of these.

Sunrise is my favorite time because there are less crowds. The bend is more quiet and peaceful. However, you’ll have to wake up pretty early if you want to get your hair and makeup done in time for the the sunrise. The sun also rises behind the bend, which means there could be an awkward shadow on the rock as the sun is rising.

Sunset is a lot more crowded. It’s the most popular time to visit Horseshoe Bend, so you can guarantee there will be tourists and other hikers. However, the GLOW at sunset is absolutely worth all the crowds you have to navigate.

At the end of the day, you should ask your photographer what time is best for your timeline. I actually prefer sunrise, because that leaves the rest of the day to adventure and visit other places around Page and Lake Powell.

Hiking to Horseshoe Bend

The hike to Horseshoe Bend is one mile and very easy. The path is dirt, but well kept and curated. That being said, I still DO NOT recommend wearing heels.

I like taking my couples further to the right, and the terrain on this side is uneven and tricky. The further away from the crowds you traverse, the trickier the path gets. Much of the dirt is loose, and since we’re so close to the edge of a VERY high cliff, it’s important to wear shoes you feel stable in.

Where to stay?

You’ll probably want to stay in Page, Arizona if you want to elope at Horseshoe Bend. The only other close towns nearby are 1-2 hours away.

Page is a very small city in Arizona, on the border of Utah. It’s about a 5 hours drive from the Phoenix Airport, and a 5 hour drive from the Las Vegas Airport.

Because it’s a pretty small town, the places to stay are limited.

Airbnb’s are pretty sparse, but there are a few really nice ones (like THIS one!).

The resorts on Lake Powell are definitely worth looking into, like the Resort in Wahweap Marina.

There are also a few hotels, like the Courtyard by Marriot.

If you want to explore more in the area, Flagstaff (two hours south) or Kanab, Utah (one hour northwest) are other great cities to check out.

What other activities are in the area?

Page, Arizona has no lack of things to do. If you want to get married at Horseshoe Bend, but are interested in including other activities into your day, here are a list of possibilities:

• Kayak to Antelope Canyon
• Take a guided tour through Antelope Canyon or Waterhole Canyon
• Rent a boat on Lake Powell
• off-roading on some of the bumpy back roads
• enjoying a lunch picnic together
• cater food to your airbnb after sunset
• pop champagne and/or toast with guests

I always help my couples create a timeline that makes them excited to elope, and they often incorporate one or more of these elements during their elopement.

Permits at Horseshoe Bend

The permit application system at National and State Parks around the United States all vary, and they’re constantly changing.

As I write this blog, these are the current rules for obtaining a permit to get married at Horseshoe Bend. (I will try to update this as the rules shift, but I would highly suggest referring to the GLEN CANYON SPECIAL USE PERMIT website)

• Permits MUST be submitted 45 days before the date.
• If the entire group of people is five or less (including the photographer), you DO NOT need a permit.
• If more than 5 people are attending, you will need to contact the park to ask if you need to obtain a permit. Remember that you need to submit the application before 45 days, so contact the Glen Canyon Park office as soon as possible. Email: GLCA_SUP@NPS.GOV
• If you want to use props, such as arbors, rugs, or large floral set ups, you WILL need a permit.
• If you want to hold your wedding in wilderness areas (where people aren’t normally allowed to go), you WILL need a permit.

Here is the link to the application for permits. The application fee is $100, and the permit fee is $200. CLICK HERE

If in doubt, just reach out! Contact your photographer, or email GLCA_SUP@NPS.GOV to find out if you need to obtain a permit to get married at Horseshoe Bend.

Photographers: You no longer need to obtain an additional permit to shoot at Horseshoe Bend.
Drones are NOT allowed, ever, at Horseshoe Bend.

What to bring?

Depending on what season you decide to elope in, you’ll want to pay attention to the weather in the weeks before. It could snow unexpectedly in March or a heat wave could hit in October.

For every elopement you’ll want to bring:

• water
• snacks
• good hiking boots with traction
• champagne or craft beer from your favorite brewery
• a comfortable backpack to carry everything (trust me… a Trader’s Joe bag is not going to cut it)

For winter months (December through March) you’ll want to bring:

• gloves
• warm jackets (even if it’s warmer during the day, the temperature drops FAST once the sun goes down)
• a blanket to keep you warm
• handwarmers

This checklist will be different for every elopement, so contact me and we can build a checklist specifically geared towards you!

How to Make it Legal in Arizona?

These are the things to remember when eloping in Arizona. You need an officiant to sign the marriage license. Whether you hire one, like Let’s Knot and Say We Did, or have a friend ordain themselves online, you do need an officiant present. I am also ordained, which works if you don’t mind if no one says any words during the ceremony, and you just read your vows to each other.

You will also need to have two witnesses over the age of 18 sign the marriage license.

In the state of Arizona, you can get a marriage license from any county (even if you’re not getting married in that county). You need to make an appointment within 30 days of your date, and arrange a time to appear at court to apply for a license.

The fee for a marriage license in Arizona is $83.

“If you are purchasing a license at the Justice Courts, only money orders are accepted. After the bottom portion of the license has been returned and recorded, a certified copy can be requested and mailed to you for an additional $37.50 payable at the time you apply for the license or any time afterwards, or $30.50 if you provide a business-size, self-addressed stamped envelope at the time of your request.”

I HIGHLY recommend getting a certified copy mailed to you. If you pay the $30 during your appointment, it will be mailed automatically and you won’t need to worry and wait for it.

I recommend that if you are coming in from out of state and flying into Phoenix, make an appointment in one of the Maricopa offices.

• https://www.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov/records/marriage-licenses-passports/marriage-licenses

If you fly into Las Vegas, you’ll have to drive all the way down to Flagstaff (two hours south of Page) to obtain a marriage license.

Your next step…

If you’re ready to take the next step in planning your Horseshoe Bend elopement, reach out to me! I’m not only a photographer, but also your guide to eloping in Arizona. I’ll help you create a timeline, choose vendors and lodging, and create a day you won’t forget.

Get in contact with me today!