How to Elope in Moab Utah

Moab, Utah is a beautiful place to get married!  There are so many options of amazing places to have your ceremony and take EPIC pictures. But because its unknown to most, it raises the question of how to elope in Moab Utah?

So, to help couples with understanding the options they have in Moab, how to elope in Moab Utah and with knowing the rules before they choose their location there, I created this guide!  

If you have any questions about how to elope in Moab just send me an email and I will be happy to help because that’s what I do! 

So If You’re Asking How To Elope In Moab Utah, First We Need To Go Over….

A few of the best places to elope in Moab Are:

To get married in a National park, State park or on BLM Lands in Moab you will need to get a marriage permit for that specific location.  The permit process is not hard, but you do need to give yourself ample time to acquire the permit.  

The National Parks (Arches and Canyonlands) only review and administer permits a couple times a year.  So it can take a few months to hear back from them. 

For all information to apply for a permit reach out to:

• Arches National Park
• Canyonlands National Park

The following info is up to date as of March 9th, 2021.  Please use this info as a guide but ALWAYS read the latest information on the park website.  

Remember that the permit form, the fees, and office the permits are administered out of are the same location for both national parks.

Before you fill out the application, there are a few things you should know:

1. The fee is $185.00 total. There is an initial processing fee of $55.00 and another administering & management fee of $130.00. 
2. For legal ceremonies. There are certain locations that the parks designates for ceremony locations. This is important because it protects sensitive areas of the park and ensures all visitors have the best experience.  
   1. So make sure to check out the location options.
   2. Location choices are dependent on the number of guests you have. So make sure you know and apply for locations that can accommodate your maximum number of possible people attending. 
      1. Arches National Park has a couple of locations that accommodate up to 50people (and many with less).
      2. All Canyonlands National Park locations only accommodate up to 25people
   3. Locations outside these designated spots will be evaluated on a case by case basis and require a comprehensive compliance review. 
3. If portraits are just being done in the park, then a marriage permit is not needed. BUT Make sure your photographer and videographer check with the park service to make sure that a special use permit is not needed for their work.  
4. The marriage ceremony permits are for 1hour slots. The form will also ask the time you wish to have your ceremony (and a back up option), so make sure you know what your timeline will look like ahead of time.  Changes to the permit are subject to re-processing fees. So to avoid spending another $185.00, make sure you know your timing!
5. Entrance Fees still apply!  So have your passes ready and prepare your guests to know that they will need to pay the entrance fee. Carpooling really helps because it keeps the cost down and you’ll worry less about needing places to park!

Some rules of getting married in a National Park:

• Remember, you must be courteous of other visitors who are enjoying the view and potentially photographing too,  so you cannot occupy a location for more than 10 minutes. 
• You must clean up the area before leaving.  
• Remember to verify before bringing chairs.
• You cannot take up more than a half of the parking spots or pull off areas so that there is room for other visitors and traffic can flow.  
• Remember to follow other apr rules and not climb on slick rock or other unsafe adventuring because no one wants to get hurt!  

Also There are Many wedding day celebratory things that are not allowed:  

• Alcohol
• Music playing or instruments
• Throwing rice, birdseed, any non-native plant petals for confetti, glitter or smoke bombs.
• Releasing wildlife like butterflies or doves.
• And many props or setups like tents, tables and chairs, caterers or sound systems.

Always check the ALERT Page of the website before, during and many days leading up to your ceremony time.  Because it’s an outdoor space weather and conditions change regularly and often.  So checking here is important to making your day the best it can be!

Arches Alert & Conditions

Canyonlands Alert & Conditions

And remember to always have a backup plan because you never know when you’ll need it!  🙂

Next! Dead Horse Point State Park in Moab is my favorite place to elope. 

Because it is less crowded and just as beautiful! The permitting process is usually a lot easier and quicker too but, still make sure to give yourself ample time to hear from them.

Here is where you can find all the information to apply for a permit for:

• Dead Horse Point State Park Wedding Packet for Locations and FAQs
• Permit Application form

Some things to know when getting married at Dead Horse Point State Park:

• There is an option for a location of up to 100 people, but it is limited.  But most spots can accommodate smaller groups. 
• The application fee for less than the National Park at $60 total, $10 for the application fee and $50 for the permit fee.  
  • Entrance fees still apply at $15.00 per car OR for guests that come via a bus service will be charged $2.00 per person.  
  • If the park feels it’s necessary because of your elopement plan to have a ranger present, there is a ranger monitoring fee of $50/hr.
• There is also an indoor venue option here!  (It’s for 50 people for $500.00!) An entrance fee will still apply.
• Most State Parks allow dogs, but National Parks do not.
• Also, drones are allowed during the off season.  So if you are having a videographer that is capable of drone photography and you want to elope sometime between November and February, Dead Horse Point would be a great option. Before you do, a Special Use Permit will need to be acquired.  

Rules and things not allowed at the park are very similar to the National Parks.  But, check here for all the details.

Lastly!  Weddings held on BLM lands such as near Castle Valley.  

• Message the BLM Office directly and then they will direct or instruct you on how to apply.  
• You will need to receive a letter of acknowledgement from the BLM Office because they have to confirm that what you plan for your wedding is permitted at that spot and at that time.   
• Additionally, all your venders including your photographer will need to apply for the special use permit.  So make sure your vendors are aware!  Because it is important to keep these places maintained and beautiful!

Moab Field Office

435-259-2100

Email:  blm_ut_mb_srp@blm.gov

For more info visit here. 

Keep all of this in mind when wondering how to elope in Moab, Utah! There’s no shortage of information out there and I would hate for your elopement dreams to be cut short due to timing and permits!

So worry not! No need to google ‘How to elope in Moab, Utah’ anymore, because I have you covered my friends.