Elopements and Micro Weddings

From experience, the Sedona sunset is probably the best one to ride off into.  With the popularity of elopements rising due to the pandemic and all the stress surrounding current wedding planning, it is no wonder that Sedona elopements are in high demand!  As a wedding planner in Phoenix, Arizona, I’ve seen a huge uptick in the popularity of elopement weddings and then postponing the big celebration for later this year or next.   Whether you want to elope to Sedona or stay in the Phoenix area, I’ve been through this process repeatedly over the last year and choosing the best option for you is important!  I’ve put together this blog to help guide you through the elopement planning process.

First, you need to decide if you’re planning on just the two of you eloping or if you’d like to include close friends and family in the celebration.  When it comes to your wedding day, there is no right or wrong answer.  You should do what’s best for the you and your spouse-to-be. 

Elopement

I’ve had true elopements where it was just the couple.  One particular instance, the photographer, Mindy Deluca, and I were actually the witnesses for the couple that got married at the Desert Botanical Gardens.  It was an incredibly intimate ceremony with only 5 in attendance—the couple, officiant, photographer and me!  

Just because it was an elopement though didn’t mean that the brides didn’t get dressed up, take stunning photographs to remember the special day, and enjoy a delicious cake.  We were able to celebrate in the way that fit them; and we still plan on doing a larger reception when they feel more comfortable.  

I also had an elopement ceremony in Sedona with a hybrid option. Originally the couple had intended for a large traditional wedding but the pandemic changed those plans.  They didn’t want to wait any longer so we shifted the ceremony to a Sedona elopement and postponed the big party.  

We went out into the red rock areas of Sedona at Slick Rock Secret Trail to get stunning photographs of just the couple with Fully Alive Photography. We brought elopement signs so they could announce the nuptials on social media but kept this initial session intimate.

Then, the next morning we had a short ceremony on the cliffs of Munds Trailhead that included their kids, family and friends.  Everyone was incredibly supportive of this blended option for a blended family!

I am also a huge fan of the micro-wedding in the middle of the Sedona desert or at an intimate venue with up to 20 friends and family.  Recently, Danielle Holman (with Danielle Holman Photography) and I got together to show what’s possible in a more traditional setting or out in the breathtaking Sedona desert.  

Phoenix Elopement

First, we setup a micro wedding at the Vintage Arcadia in Phoenix.  Their event space provided the perfect blank canvas for us to construct a boho dining experience complete with ceremony backdrop, luxurious sitting areas and an airstream photobooth!  We showcased an elaborate charcuterie board and plated dinners using the catering with The Chestnut.  My personal favorite touch was the crystal favor bar for guests to choose their own crystals.

Sedona Elopement

Then, we went north to Sedona for an outdoor dining experience in the desert.  We brought in tables, linens, décor and florals for a stunning outdoor micro wedding at the Red Agave Resort.

Sometimes seeing is believing.  We wanted to show engaged couples that it is possible even during the pandemic to celebrate safely with family and friends without sacrificing beauty and elegance.

Ultimately, no one can tell you what is best for you, but as a wedding planner I want to help provide you with all the options or --better yet-- help you design a new one that’s perfect for you!  As a result, it only seemed appropriate to pair up with a popular Sedona elopement photographer to help couples remove even more stress from the wedding planning process.  Sweet Simplicity Events is working with Danielle Holmann Photography to provide couples with easy wedding packages in Sedona.  These are particularly helpful if you’re considering eloping in Sedona or if you’re wanting to throw a micro-wedding (or tiny wedding) with a handful of friends and family.