Wedding couple celebrate their elopement in a slot canyon in Arizona

If you’re looking for a totally unique wedding experience, eloping in a slot canyon should be at the top of your list. The Arizona desert is full of beautiful surprises (you would never know this location was here just by driving by) and slot canyons are an absolute dream to explore! B + J had so much fun running through the sand, going up and down the ladders, and discovering each new scene that revealed itself as we made our way through the canyon. This was definitely one of my favorite locations to date!

Top reasons to elope in a slot canyon:

You’re looking for a one-of-a-kind and gorgeous adventure for your wedding day
Slot canyons are one of the few locations that offer the best lighting in the middle of the day — perfect if you have evening dinner plans or want to enjoy the sunset at a second location
It’s beautiful in every season, even winter!

Check out more slot canyon wedding photos here!

Steps FOR planning your slot canyon elopement:

Start with general research on slot canyons — there are so many throughout the Southwest! In particular, you’ll find slot canyons all over Utah, Arizona, and Nevada. Some are widely known like Antelope Canyon, but many are quieter and off the beaten path.
The next question to ask yourselves is how much hiking do you want to do during your elopement? Slot canyons are fantastic to explore which means some amount of walking while you’re in the slot canyon itself. Some slot canyons require a hike to get to the actual slot canyon in the first place. Think about how you want to spend your wedding day to help you narrow down your location ideas.
Determine if you need a guide or private tour. Many slot canyons on native land require a guide through their slot canyons as it’s a sacred place. Others are on BLM land and may require a permit. Know the rules and regulations for any slot canyons you have your eye on.
Decide what time of year you’d like to get married. As most slot canyons are found in dry desert areas, I would suggest avoiding both the hottest and coldest months of the year so that you and your partner are comfortable. You’ll also want to consider if there’s a busy tourist season and how you can work around that (I’m all about avoiding crowds when possible for a more private experience). The other consideration is rain and wind; slot canyons should be avoided if there’s any rain on the forecast as flash floods can occur. Rain is infrequent in the desert, but it’s important to factor into your plans. When it’s windy in a slot canyon, sand is often blown around from inside the canyon as well as from the ground above. Research the general weather conditions for different times of the year and check with local resources if available.
Hire your photographer and work with them on a day-of timeline and finalize your elopement date! Your photographer has the best understanding of lighting and what time of day you’ll be able to get the best photographs. As someone who has photographed a wedding couple in a slot canyon, there are definitely unique lighting situations and other logistical considerations to keep in mind. I also think pairing a slot canyon ceremony with an epic sunset location would make for a perfect elopement day. If you’re interested in eloping in a slot canyon, contact me for more ideas!

More Eloping in the Desert Magic Here!

Side note on this location: In an effort to prevent this specific location from being overrun by the masses, I’m not listing the exact location here. There are far too many examples of once pristine locations being treated with disrespect after blowing up on social media. And while this location was super fun to explore (we all absolutely loved it!), it’s important to include that we were on Navajo land with Navajo guides and we respectfully followed the rules for this area. Slot canyons are considered sacred by the Navajo and can be likened to walking into a cathedral or other revered space. It’s important to be mindful and show respect for the land — neither of which was hard for any of us as the slot canyons inspire awe as soon as you approach — but I felt it was important to mention when sharing our experience of this space.