Moab Elopement Photographer
YOUR DAY YOUR WAY
For the adventurous desert lovers
Arches *
Dead Horse *
Public Lands *
Canyonlands *
Arches * Dead Horse * Public Lands * Canyonlands *
Vibrant images for vibrant souls
Weddings aren’t a one size fits all
Let’s plan a celebration tailored to you
Nature inspired photography
Moab Elopement & Wedding Guide
Andie Avery // Moab Elopement Photographer
If you’ve never traveled to Moab Utah before, you’ve been missing out! I can’t wait for you to explore this beautiful rugged red rock terrain. It’s truly a magical place… like a playground for the adventurous at heart! It offers so many breathtaking views, unbelievable rock structures, surprising formations & the most delicate cryptobiotic soil to keep it all alive. If you’re into rock climbing, white water rafting, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, trail running, horseback riding, or off roading - Moab is the place for you!
I’ve had the pleasure of not only shooting in Moab dozens of times over the past five years, but also camping there for multiple weeks at a time. While I share some of my favorite locations here, I reserve the more secretive/remote locations for clients who book me. So if you do decide to book me you’ll receive more information with other location options as well!
How to get married in Moab
01) Pick the time of year
02) Hire your photographer
03) Photographer will help you pick locations (that’s me!)
04) Apply for necessary permits
05) Get your accommodations & marriage license ready
06) Hire any other vendors
Questions to ask yourselves
01) Do we want to get married just us? Or bring some family and friends along?
02) How important is privacy to us? If it’s super important, consider getting married on a weekday or at sunrise.
03) Do we want a traditional/legal wedding ceremony with an officiant? Or do we want to get legally married before or after and just do a symbolic ceremony with or without an officiant?
04) What other activities are we excited about doing in the area? This may help you choose the best season to come!
When to
visit Moab
Weather & Seasons
April and October are generally the best months of the year to visit Moab for the best weather. In the shoulder season months (April, May, September, October) Moab can warm up quite a bit, seeing an average of 70-90 degree weather! However, it can be temperamental and have a string of days in the 80s and then a few days of 50s and rain or even snow! Even so, the shoulder months are the best time to visit Moab and plan your elopement or wedding because the temperature is much more comfortable than summer. The summer months are the most consistent, and in these months you can expect pretty hot weather (breaking 100 degrees regularly!). For this reason, I generally suggest not getting married here in July or August as it can be way too hot for hiking and doing anything other than soaking in the river! Lastly, because Moab is high desert terrain, it experiences a decent amount of wind year round so if you’re camping be prepared for some windy days and evenings.
best locations in moab
It’s all pretty, but…
places to elope, explore, or hike
Parks are for lovers
Marriage licenses & permits
To get married in the area you’ll need your marriage license, a photography permit and a wedding permit. Every park is slightly different, so it is important to review each park’s permitting rules and call the permit department if you have further questions. Permits do not include park entrance fees. Symbolic ceremonies usually don’t require these permits. Click here to learn about marriage licenses in Grand County, explore a list of authorized local officiants, and learn more about ordination/officiants here.
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you must apply for a wedding permit at least 4 weeks ahead of your wedding or elopement date. The park allows weddings to be held in 10 different specific locations, each with different size limitations. Most common guest sizes for weddings in the park are between 10-25 people. Arches wedding permits are $385 and ceremonies are limited to 10 minutes. Click here to read more about wedding permits in the park.
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Less designated wedding site options and smaller areas than Arches National Park, Canyonlands has 4 designated areas where they allow a maximum of 25 guests for 3 out of the 4 locations. The wedding permit fee at this location is also $385 and only allows for a 10 minute ceremony. This permit should be applied for more than 4 weeks in advance. Click here to apply for your permit and read more information.
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Being a state park, the permits here are slightly different than the National Park options. At Dead Horse you can hold a ceremony with up to 100 guests, but there are better location options in the park with smaller groups of 50 guests or less. These sites are not wheel-chair accessible though. Because it’s a state parks, this location is dog friendly! To obtain a permit you need to apply at least 1 month before your wedding or elopement date. The permit for Dead Horse Point is $60. Click here for the wedding/elopement informational packet from the state park which includes how and where to apply for your permit.
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As the couple getting married, you usually just need to alert the Bureau of Land Management Office that you are planning to get married on public land and you’ll need a letter of authorization from them. I hold an annual Commercial Photography Permit with BLM Public Lands that allows me to photograph couples on BLM land legally.
Moab Packages
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Half Day $6,000
4 hours of coverage
2-3 location
Consecutive coverage or $250 extra for split
Includes any necessary photography permits
Includes ALL TRAVEL FEES to get here
Vendor referrals, location recommendations, help planning your timeline
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Full Day $8,000
7 hours of coverage
3-5 locations + capturing any activities you do
Split or consecutive coverage
Includes any necessary photography permits
Includes ALL TRAVEL FEES to get here
Vendor referrals, location recommendations, help planning your timeline
Where to Stay
Favorite accommodations: camping, lodges, and airbnbs in Moab
Lodging
If you’re looking for comfortable and unique lodging, here are some of my top recommendations:
Sorrel River Ranch: Sorrel River Ranch is a luxury guest ranch and resort located in Moab, Utah. The ranch is situated on a stunning stretch of the Colorado River and offers a range of outdoor activities, including horseback riding, fishing, hiking, and rafting. The ranch also has a full-service spa and a gourmet restaurant. Accommodations at the ranch include luxury tents, cabins, and vacation homes, all of which offer beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. The ranch is a popular destination for travelers looking to experience the beauty of Moab and the surrounding area in style and comfort.
Red Cliffs Lodge: Red Cliffs Lodge is a luxury resort located in Moab, Utah, nestled among the red rock cliffs of the Colorado River. The lodge offers a range of accommodations, including guest rooms, suites, and vacation homes, all with beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. The resort is home to a full-service spa, a gourmet restaurant, and a variety of outdoor activities, including horseback riding, rafting, and hiking. Red Cliffs Lodge is a popular destination for travelers looking to experience the beauty and adventure of Moab in style and comfort.
Under Canvas Moab: Under Canvas is a glamping (glamorous camping) company that operates in several locations across the United States, including Moab, Utah. The Moab location is situated just outside Arches National Park and offers a range of luxury tent accommodations, including standard tents, deluxe tents, and suites. The tents are equipped with comfortable beds, electricity, and private bathrooms, and the property also has a restaurant, a bar, and a variety of outdoor activities, such as guided hikes and Jeep tours. Under Canvas Moab is a popular destination for travelers looking to experience the beauty of the outdoors in a comfortable and luxurious setting.
Field Station: A new outdoor hotel that makes for the perfect base for all your adventures. Each Field Station location is stocked with outdoor equipment, professional guide services, and thoughtful amenities that empower you to take on a new adventure with confidence. The rooms are modern and they offer large shared areas.
Airbnbs
Camping
There are many great campsites to choose from in Moab, Utah, depending on your preferences and needs. Here are a few options:
Kayenta Campground: in Dead Horse Point State Park, located about 20 miles from Moab and offers a range of campsites, including RV sites and tent sites with electricity. The park has beautiful views of the Colorado River and the surrounding red rock cliffs, and is a great base for exploring Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.
Devils Garden Campground: This is the only developed campground in the park, with 51 sites that can accommodate tents, RVs, and trailers. The campground has flush toilets, running water, and a campground store, and is open year-round.
Primitive Campsites: In addition to the developed campground, Arches National Park also has several primitive campsites that are accessible by dirt roads and are suitable for tent camping. These campsites do not have running water or toilets, so you'll need to be self-sufficient and bring your own water and supplies.
Campgrounds on the Colorado River: Goose Island, Granstaff Canyon, Big Bend Campground
Moab Valley RV Resort & Campground: This RV park and campground is located in Moab and offers a range of campsites, including RV sites with full hookups and tent sites. The campground has a swimming pool, a playground, and a variety of amenities, such as a laundry facility and a store.
Slickrock Campground: This campground is located in the heart of Moab and is a great option for those looking to be within walking distance of restaurants and shops. The campground has tent sites and RV sites with electricity, and is a popular choice for mountain bikers due to its proximity to the Slickrock Bike Trail.
Moab KOA: This campground is located just outside Moab and offers a range of campsites, including RV sites with full hookups and tent sites. The campground has a swimming pool, a playground, and a variety of amenities, such as a laundry facility and a store.
Willow Springs Campground: This small, secluded campground is located about 20 miles from Moab and offers tent sites and RV sites with electricity. The campground is surrounded by stunning red rock cliffs and is a great base for exploring the surrounding area.
Recent Moab Work
Hiking
Arches National Park (Double Arch, Delicate Arch, Devil’s Garden Loop with 7 arches, Windows Loop & Turret Arch Trail, Fiery Furnace)
Canyonlands National Park (Druid Arch Trail, Mesa Arch Trail, Cave Spring Trail)
Moab Area Trails (Grandstaff, Corona Arch, Mill creek, , Mount Peale, Stairmaster, Poison Spider)
Dead Horse Point State Park (Rim Loop Trail)
Castle Valley (Fisher Towers Trail, Amphitheater Loop, Parriot Mesa)
Other Activities
White Water Rafting: Fisher Towers Rafting Experience
Off Roading: Xtreme 4x4 Tours
Canyoneering: Red River Adventures
Rock Climbing: Castle Valley (Castleton Tower, The Convent, The Nuns, Parriot Mesa, The Rectory), Fisher Towers, Wall St. Potash Rd, Indian Creek, etc
Mountain Biking: Click here to see the MANY different trails & difficulty levels for each location
Horseback Riding: Moab Horses, Mill Creek, Parriot Mesa, Mount Peale summit hike
Star Gazing & Astrophotography: from any of the parks!
Food
98 Center: my absolute FAVORITE place to eat in Moab! Delicious fresh, organic, locally sourced ingredients and tons of menu options for my vegan and gluten free friends.
Arches Thai: relaxed Thai eatery serving pho, curries & other classic dishes in a warm space with a fireplace
Desert Bistro: upscale venue plating adventurous Southwestern cuisine in an intimate setting with a wine cellar
Moab Brewery: microbrewery for ales & IPAs, plus an American restaurant, bar, patio dining & a gift shop
Moab Kitchen: food truck turning out vegan wraps, soups & other bites, with indoor & outdoor seating area
Moab Garage Co: indoor coffee shop with a cool vibe! Breakfast, ice creams, and plenty of coffee options.
Moab Coffee Roasters: you HAVE to go here if you like matcha. Get the lavender matcha and you won’t be disappointed!
Moab Rainbowls: a plant based food truck with delicious smoothies, bowls, and other amazing vegan meals.
Shopping
Favorite Shops: Indigo Alley, Moab Made, Desert Wild
Thrift Store: Wabi Sabi
Gear: Gear heads for full price, Moab Gear Trader for used discounted items
Let’s work together.
Fill out this form as detailed as possible and we’ll be planning together in no time!
An epic sunset elopement for these van lifers off the beaten path on these red hills of Moab Utah.