How to Elope in Flagstaff
If you are wondering how to elope in Flagstaff, keep reading!
Wait, I’ve never heard of Flagstaff! Where is that?
When most people think of Arizona, they picture endless expanses of desert, cacti, and scorching summers. What they don’t realize is that Arizona has plenty of mountains, covered in pines and aspens. Flagstaff is one of those mountain towns, which means it has all four seasons.
I’m not biased (just kidding I totally am, I live here), but Flagstaff is actually one of the best cities in Arizona. If you want to elope in Arizona, I highly recommend looking into Flagstaff. There is so much space with miles and miles of national forest, hiking trails, and endless possibilities for your elopement.
When to Elope in Flagstaff
Flagstaff Weather
Flagstaff is located two hours north of Phoenix, and two hours south of the Utah border. Nestled next to Arizona’s highest peak (Humphrey’s Peak), Flagstaff is a mountain town with miles and miles of trails, wildflowers in the summer, and magical snowy winters.
Although the winters are much milder than Colorado, Flagstaff does get enough snow yearly to support a ski resort. December through March, you’re guaranteed plenty of snowfall. Temperatures usually range from 15º to 40ºF.
Spring, usually April and May, is windy season. Strong wings blow through Flagstaff and tend to kick up dust. The weather does start to warm up, and spring wildflowers start to make their appearance.
Summer is when the wildflowers really pop. Sunflowers carpet the valleys in late August. The temperatures can get into the high 90ºs, but it’s nothing like the summers in the Phoenix valley. The rainy season, called monsoons, also roll through in July or August.
In the autumn, the aspen trees explode with golden color. The temperatures start cooling off, but the fall stays pretty mild.
What season is the best to get married in Flagstaff? My advice is to decide what kind of backdrop you’d like. If you want to elope surrounded by snow, definitely January or February. For couples obsessed with wildflowers, I’d suggest late summer. October is your best bet for autumn leaves!
Flagstaff Crowds and Traffic
Flagstaff is a college town, home to Northern Arizona University (NAU). The traffic can get pretty bad downtown on weekends, and Route 66 is always a little slow. But for the most part, the traffic isn’t bad, and you can drive from one end of town to the other in 20 minutes.
The only time the crowds get bad are on weekends when the weather is nice, hikes can be crowded. And there aren’t too many aspen groves, so when they change to fall colors, places like Aspen Corner and Lockett Meadow get very crowded.
Flagstaff is the summer getaway spot for many people from Phoenix, but it never feels overwhelming (unlike Sedona).
Weekend or Weekday
No matter where in the world you elope, I will always recommend getting married on a weekday if you can. It’s just a fact that weekends are busier… kids are out of school, adults have a break from their 9 to 5. Weekdays are going to be less crowded and more intimate.
Sunrise or Sunset
There are pros and cons to each! At the end of the day, ask your photographer what time of day will be best for the location you’ve picked out.
Sunrise tends to be pretty chilly in Flagstaff, but that means there is almost NO ONE outside. If you want to elope in the most intimate setting, when the wildlife is still wandering about and the world is still sleeping, choose sunrise.
Sunset is actually not too crowded in Flagstaff either. In Sedona, I definitely prefer sunrise, but in Flagstaff there’s so much space in the back country that there’s a high likelihood you’ll be alone anywhere in the forests.
Where to Elope in Flagstaff?
Ceremony Locations in Flagstaff
There are lots of things to consider when choosing an elopement spot in Flagstaff. Here are just a few of the questions you should ask yourselves before choosing a ceremony location:
- How many people will be attending?
- What kind of backdrop do we want? Mountains, aspens, pines, a meadow, etc.
- Do we want to include things like tables, chairs, an arch, decor, rugs, etc.?
- Are we going to be bringing our pets with us?
- Do we want to get married in a chapel or in the outdoors?
- Will we be camping after the ceremony?
Once you have the answers to those questions, reach out to me! I’ll help you choose the perfect spot for your ceremony location.
What can you do on your elopement day in Flagstaff?
Elopements shouldn’t be just miniature versions of regular weddings. You can make the entire day unique to you (and no, you don’t have to do everything in your wedding dress).
Some activities you can include to make your elopement a blast, and totally unique to you.
Winter:
- skiing/snowboarding
- snowshoeing
- horse-drawn sleigh ride
- cuddling in a cabin with hot drinks
- snowball fight (see video above!)
Summer:
- hiking
- camping in a camper (I recommend looking into Edge of the World)
- picnic/charcuterie board
- trips to Sedona or the Grand Canyon
- climbing/bouldering
- star-gazing
- campfire
Where to Stay in Flagstaff?
I highly recommend looking into Airbnb and VRBO for Cabin rentals. Flagstaff holds some really cute A-frame cabins. Just imagine cozying up together before your ceremony in a warm cabin nestled in the pines.
What to Bring to your Flagstaff Elopement?
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:
- headlamps (especially if you’re planning on hiking after sunset)
- water
- snacks
- good hiking boots with traction
- champagne or craft beer from your favorite brewery
- a comfortable backpack to carry everything
For winter months (December through March) you’ll want to bring:
- gloves
- warm jackets (it will get below freezing at night)
- a blanket to keep you warm
- handwarmers
- extra warm socks and shoes
- layers for under your dress
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’m 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.
Getting 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.
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.
Why Elope in Flagstaff?
To sum it all up, Flagstaff is one of Arizona’s most beautiful cities. It has all four seasons, wildflowers, mountain views, and snowfall. You’ll definitely experience nature and wildlife during your elopement here.
Not only does Flagstaff have so much to offer, but it is surrounded by so many incredible other features. Flagstaff is only an hour drive from Sedona, and an hour and a half from the Grand Canyon. You can elope in Flagstaff, and spend a few days to check out the surrounding areas.
If you’re ready to start your next step…
If you’re interested in eloping in Flagstaff, and want to learn more, reach out to me on my CONTACT page! I’m not only a photographer, but also your guide to Sedona. I’ll help you create a timeline, choose vendors and lodging, and create a day you won’t forget.
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