If you are planning a Sedona summer elopement or any other time of the year, you’ll want to plan for the most unforgiving element of your day, the heat. Sedona is one of the most beautiful places to elope in Arizona, but planning a summer wedding in the desert comes with a few extra obstacles to overcome. With careful planning and a few extra items in your backpack, your Sedona elopement can be filled with adventure and comfortable. Don’t let the heat be the star of the day, these 12 planning tips will help you beat the heat no matter what time of year you choose to elope.
Short on Time? Or Rather Listen on The Go? Check Out The Podcast
All the information shared here is condensed into this podcast episode. Feel free to listen on the go or enjoy the audio version on your couch with your favorite drink. Here I break down everything you need to know on how to plan around the Arizona heat.
1. Plan Your Sedona Summer Elopement Around Sunrise
One of the best ways to beat the heat during your Sedona summer elopement is to start your day early. Summer mornings are typically more comfortable than the middle of the day. Sunrise can be an. incredible time for your ceremony, first look, hiking adventure, and other elopement portraits. There is something truly incredible about watching the sun come up over Sedona. The soft morning light is also beautiful for photography, and an early start can help you avoid some of the crowds at popular locations Like Cathedral Rock and Secret Slick Rock.
That said, the reality of a sunrise elopement, does mean an early alarm. If you are willing to wake up early, you just might be rewarded with the most peaceful and memorable moments of your wedding day. If you don’t want to go hiking or have your ceremony that early, consider doing another activity to take advantage of the cooler weather. Maybe sit outside and enjoy your coffee together before getting ready, go for a short walk from your airbnb, or simply watch the sun rise from your balcony in your matching PJs.
A Sample Sunrise Elopement Timeline
- 4:30 am: Hair and makeup
- 5:30 am: Leave for your elopement location
- 6:00 am: First look
- 6:15 am: Exchange vows
- 6:30–8:00 am: Explore and take portraits
- 8:30 am: Celebrate with breakfast at an overlook
- Late morning–afternoon: Relax and enjoy the amenities from your airbnb
- Evening: Sunset jeep adventure
Your actual timeline will depend on the time of year, sunrise, location, trail conditions, and the type of experience you want. Timelines are flexible and can be adapted based on what YOU want to do on your wedding day.
2. Consider a Sunset Elopement in Sedona
If waking up before sunrise doesn’t sound exciting to you… don’t do it!! A sunset adventure can be just as beautiful and enjoyable. Instead of spending the hottest part of the day outside, plan your ceremony or adventure for the late afternoon and evening. While the temperature will start on the warmer side, as the sun begins to set, the temperatures tend to drop quickly.
Personally, sunset is my favorite time to be outside with couples. I love the warm golden hues that come with sunset. The sky seems to catch on fire and it makes for some really incredible photography.
Choosing to elope around sunset can also give you more time to relax during the day before getting ready for your ceremony. It provides space for you to enjoy a slow morning, have lunch together at a local restaurant or back at your airbnb without feeling rush. That said, popular locations around Sedona can be busy around sunset, so choosing your location and timeline carefully is important. This is why working with a local can be helpful because they can help you find locations that are equally beautiful and far less crowded. Feel free to contact me HERE if you are interested in planning your Sedona elopement.
3. Plan a Midday Break
One of the best ways to plan a summer elopement in Sedona or any elopement day is to divide your day into smaller experiences. For example, start your day early with your ceremony and morning adventure, then take several hours during the hottest part of the day to get away from the heat. Go back to your Airbnb. Grab lunch at one of my favorite local restaurants lunch. Take a nap. Go swimming in the Oak Creek Canyon. Relax in the shade together and just read books. There are so many different things you could do during the middle of the day to beat the heat and still enjoy each moment of your elopement day.
Once temperatures begin to drop, head back outside for sunset portraits or another short hiking adventure. This timeline actually allows you to experience more of Sedona without spending the entire day in the heat sweating like crazy.
4. Choose a Sedona Elopement Location With the Heat in Mind
The location you choose can make a huge difference in how comfortable you you will be throughout the day. When planning a Sedona summer elopement, consider how much hiking, elevation gain, and direct sun exposure your chosen location requires. Some trails offer more shade than others which is important to keep in mind if you are eloping on a hot day. A location with a short walk and an incredible view may be a better choice for a hot summer day than an epic hike that takes several hours. It all just depends on what you out of your elopement experience.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing your location:
- How far you’ll need to hike
- Elevation gain
- Shade and sun exposure
- Time of day
- Parking and accessibility
- Trail conditions
- How comfortable you’ll be hiking in wedding attire
Your Sedona elopement doesn’t have to involve a strenuous hike, but if you do want a big, epic hike, I am happy to help you find the Best Time of Year to Elope in Sedona .
We can also continue your adventure well after the sun has already set. This is such a beautiful time to explore Sedona. I am here for all the night photography you can handle!
5. Create an Elopement Timeline That Lets You Breath
Your wedding day doesn’t need to be one continuous photoshoot. In fact, I help couples create elopement experiences that feel intentional, because no one wants to be smiling at the camera for 6 hours. During your Sedona summer elopement, I create timelines for my couples that include time and space to cool down, drink water, eat, and simply enjoy being married.
After your ceremony, I recommend taking a break in the shade or enjoying one of your favorite drinks over a cold glass and some ice. There’s no need to rush. These breaks aren’t wasted time. They’re part of your wedding experience, the quiet moments where you can appreciate the breeze or the trickle of the creek. Your elopement is about the experience, not just the photos (trust me, you’ll have hundreds of incredible photos). Just don’t forget to look around and enjoy the view.
6. Bring Plenty of Water
This might seem pretty obvious, but most people underestimate how much water they should be drinking and dehydration can sneak up quickly. I’ll say it once and I’ll say it again, hydration should be one of your top priorities when eloping in Sedona in summer.
You will want to bring plenty of water for both of you, especially if you’re planning to hike or spend several hours outdoors. I recommend couples bring their own camelbacks full of water to ensure they continue to drink even while hiking. These are my favorite and the packs are super cute and photograph well. You can find those packs HERE.
I also recommend bring electrolytes. The more you sweat, the more electrolytes you are probably losing and this can lead to headaches and dizziness and I promise, you do not want that on what is suppose to be the happiest days of your life. I personally love LMNT (Pomegranate is my favorite flavor). But they have tons of great flavors and they come in individual packets making them so easy to throw in a bag and mix up later if you need. You can find those HERE if you want to order some for your elopement day.
7. Choose Lightweight Wedding Attire
What you wear can have a major impact on how you remember your day. Choose something lightweight flexible and easy to move around in. If you are planning an epic adventure, you won’t want to be confined in your wedding dress. Heavy wedding dresses, multiple layers, and thick suits can become uncomfortable quickly in the Arizona heat.
When shopping for your Sedona summer elopement dress or wedding attire, I recommend looking for something that is lightweight, breathable, comfortable (because comfort is key), and allows you to move freely.
For couples planning an adventurous elopement like hiking or horseback riding, consider:
- Lightweight or flowy dresses
- Breathable fabrics
- Linen or lightweight suits
- Comfortable underlayers
- Supportive hiking shoes
- A second pair of shoes for portraits (if desired)
- Lightweight layers for the evening (temperatures can drop so bring a jacket or a wrap)
It’s your wedding day and of course you want to look your best, but I assure you, you will definitely want to feel your best and that starts with choosing the right thing to wear. For a more detailed outfit guide you can check out this post: Sedona Elopement Outfit Guide.
8. Plan Your Hair and Makeup to Stand The Heat and The Desert
The summer heat can really test the limit of your hair and makeup, especially if you’re spending several hours outdoors. Of course Sedona is known for the heat in certain months, but it can also be quite windy at times which is why it is so important to plan for this when creating your wedding day look. I recommend doing an “Up-do” or at least a half up, half down style for your hair and bring lots of bobby pins. The wind might be relentless, but there’s nothing we cant fix with a few bobby pins.
When planning your summer Sedona elopement, consider working with a hair and makeup artist who has experience with outdoor Arizona weddings and elopements. They can help make product recommendations that are better suited for heat, wind, and outdoor conditions.
Keep a small touch-up kit with you throughout the day with essentials like:
- Lip stick
- Powder
- Blotting papers
- Sunscreen
- Hair ties
- Hair pins
9. Create a Traveling Cooling Kit
A small cooling kit can make a big difference in the overall experience of your elopement day. Small items that can easily be packed into a hygiene bag or even a ziplock bag to help take the edge off the desert heat. I also recommend putting ice blocks or ice cubes in your hydration packs to help keep your fluids cool throughout the day. If you are bringing water bottles, put those in the freezer the night before.
In your cooling kit, consider bringing:
- Cooling towels
- Portable fans
- Extra water
- Electrolytes
- Portable fan/mister
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- A hat
- An umbrella or parasole
- Blotting papers
- Refreshing snacks
- An extra shirt in case you sweat through the under shirt
These small comforts allow you to focus on each other instead of worrying about how to manage the heat.
10. Don’t Forget Your Guests
If you’re inviting family or friends to witness your Sedona elopement, you’ll want to plan for their comfort as well. Keep in mind that heat can be particularly difficult for older guests and young children to adapt to. So plan accordingly if you will be bringing kiddos or any older adults. Have a plan to help them stay cool and comfortable.
One thing to consider is keeping outdoor ceremonies relatively short and make sure your guests have access to enough water and shade whenever possible. Together we can choose a location with more shade opportunities to help combat the harsh midday sun.
You could also consider having your ceremony at a beautiful outdoor location and celebrating afterward somewhere cooler like a larger Airbnb or outdoor pavillion. If your guests are coming to celebrate you, ensure the experience is comfortable for everyone and be aware of this when creating your wedding day timeline.
11. Have a Weather Backup Plan
A Sedona elopement isn’t just about heat management. Arizona is also notorious for incredible summer monsoons which can bring sudden thunderstorms, lightning, high winds, and flash flooding. So weather you are combatting the high temperatures or the sudden rain fall, it is important to have a backup plan when planning to elope in Sedona.
I communicate a variety of backup plans with my couples well in advance so that they know what to expect in the event we need to pivot. The back up plan doesn’t need to be complicated, you just need to have one in case a situation becomes unsafe.
Your backup plan could involve:
- Moving to another location
- Choosing a more accessible viewpoint
- Changing your ceremony time
- Taking a longer indoor break
- Rescheduling portraits
- Having an indoor celebration
The goal isn’t to control the weather. It’s to make sure your wedding day can still be meaningful and beautiful regardless of what the day throws at you.
12. Work With Local Sedona Elopement Vendors
One of the best things you can do when planning a Sedona elopement is work with vendors who know the area. I’ve said it once, but I will say it again, hiring a local will be the best thing you can do for your elopement day. Local vendors can help you plan around lighting, weather, crowds, trail conditions, parking, and the realities of exploring the desert in your wedding attire. If you aren’t from Sedona, having this “boots on the ground” intel will be so valuable in helping you create an elopement experience that you can fully enjoy.
If you would like help planning your Sedona elopement, you can contact me HERE. I help couples plan epic adventure elopement adventures and connect them with local vendors and provide local recommendations to further elevate their expereince.
What Is the Best Time for a Sedona Summer Elopement?
For most couples, sunrise and sunset are ideal times for a summer elopement in Sedona. Early mornings tend to offer cooler temperatures and soft light, while evenings provide that beautiful golden light that I live for. When creating elopement timelines for couples eloping in Sedona during the hotter months, I try and plan more relaxing and temperature aware activities for the middle of the day.
If you want both sunrise and sunset portraits, consider creating a split-day elopement timeline. You can enjoy an early morning adventure, take several hours to relax, have lunch, read books, take a pain class, get a massage, whatever you want, and then head back outside for an epic sunset.
Just to give you an idea of what the temperatures in Sedona look like throughout the year, here is a month by month break down and also general sunrise/sunset times so you can start considering what month would be best for you and what your timeline might look like.
| Month | Avg. High | Avg. Low | Approx. Sunrise | Approx. Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 58°F | 34°F | 7:30 AM | 5:25 PM |
| February | 61°F | 36°F | 7:10 AM | 5:55 PM |
| March | 68°F | 40°F | 6:35 AM | 6:25 PM |
| April | 75°F | 44°F | 6:05 AM | 6:55 PM |
| May | 84°F | 53°F | 5:30 AM | 7:10 PM |
| June | 94°F | 61°F | 5:15 AM | 7:40 PM |
| July | 97°F | 68°F | 5:15 AM | 7:45 PM |
| August | 94°F | 67°F | 5:30 AM | 7:30 PM |
| September | 89°F | 61°F | 6:00 AM | 6:55 PM |
| October | 79°F | 51°F | 6:25 AM | 6:00 PM |
| November | 67°F | 41°F | 6:45 AM | 5:25 PM |
| December | 58°F | 33°F | 7:25 AM | 5:20 PM |
**October thru April are my favorite times of the year for elopements with Fall and Spring being my two favorites.
Is Summer a Good Time to Elope in Sedona?
So you’re probably sitting there asking if a Sedona summer elopement is even a good idea and the answer is: Yes! A Sedona summer elopement can be an incredible experience with some careful and intentional planning. Summer may require a little more planning than an elopement during the cooler months, but that doesn’t mean you need to postpone your dream wedding.
Moral of the story here, start your day early. Choose a location that works. Stay hydrated. Take breaks. Dress for the weather. Keep your timeline flexible. And most importantly, don’t feel like your elopement has to look like anyone else’s. It is your day, so let’s create it your way.
Your Sedona Summer Elopement Should Feel Like You
The heat doesn’t have to keep you from having the Sedona elopement you’ve been dreaming about. If you ask me, I LOVE the heat, it keeps all the other tourists away. If you’re willing to embrace the heat just a little bit, you can exchange vows surrounded by red rocks, explore beautiful desert landscapes, take incredible photographs, and still have time to relax and enjoy the person you’ve just married.
Maybe your perfect day starts before sunrise. Maybe you hike to a beautiful viewpoint, exchange private vows, and celebrate with brunch. Maybe you spend the hottest part of the afternoon swimming in the Oak Creek canyon area and relaxing in a hammock together before heading back out for a sunset jeep adventure.
So don’t let the heat stop you from planning your dream Sedona elopement. With the right timeline, location, vendors, and a little preparation, you can have a wedding day that’s adventurous, intimate, beautiful, and completely your own. To start planning this one-of-a-kind adventure, contact me HERE.
Hey there, I’m Alexa – your Sedona and Colorado elopement and wedding photographer. I believe every couple deserves a deeply meaningful and personalized elopement experience. So, if you’re dreaming of an adventure-filled, one-of-a-kind celebration of your love, you’ve come to the right place. Reach out to me and let’s plan your beautiful, adventurous day together!
