Sedona Winter weddings
Winter weddings in Sedona
Looking to get married in Sedona in the winter months? We love making your Sedona winter wedding a dream come true. Our Earth Elopements wedding officiants have lived in the Sedona area for decades, and we are happy to tell you that Sedona makes an excellent winter wedding destination! Here are some reasons we love winter wedding ceremonies, as well as tips to make your day comfortable and easy…
Why we love Sedona winter weddings . . .
Coming to Arizona for the first time a lot of people think we are warm weather and blue skies! While that is usually the case, northern Arizona can have its rainy, cold and even snowy weather days. Sedona is located 2 hrs. North of Phoenix and considered high plains desert. Our elevation starts at about 4,000 and up to 4,750. We are only 45 minutes from Flagstaff which is 7,000 elevation so, you can see how our winter weather can be very exciting.
Much to our delight, we have learned over our years as Sedona wedding officiants that there is much to love about winter weddings here. For one thing, we don’t have to worry about our usual concern in summer weddings – overheating! While our winter temperatures can drop to 40’s or below, on sunny days we may still see highs in the 60’s, which is very comfortable in the Arizona sun.
And those cooler days with clouds and drizzle? They are a delight both for Sedona wedding photographers who relish the flattering light, and for couples who don’t have to worry about squinting in the bright desert sunshine. And check out the dramatic flair a moody winter sky can add to your photos!
Another benefit of a winter wedding in Sedona is that it is the time of year where we are less crowded with visitors hiking and exploring our beautiful trails. This means less traffic driving to locations, easier parking, and more privacy for your ceremony.
And that includes privacy from some of our native residents as well, with snakes and tarantulas tucked away in their winter sleep.
Tips for your Sedona winter wedding
Here are a few helpful hints to make your winter wedding day memorable and stress free:
Choose warm wedding clothing and layers
For brides, this can include a wedding dress that is warmer, maybe with long sleeves or heavier fabric. Some of our brides bring lovely wraps or coats that match their dresses. Feet can be kept comfortable with a fashionable boot, or you can wear warm shoes and carry your dress shoes to wear just at the wedding site. There are also many options for warming inserts for shoes, and to keep in pockets.
Chose an easy or gentle access outdoor wedding site
We have many Sedona outdoor wedding sites to choose from out on the red rocks, but winter lovers may want to choose an easy access location, or one that requires less walking. While always advisable if you have guests that are limited in walking abilities, it is also a smart choice if trails have become more challenging from muddy or snowy conditions. Plus it is an easy trip back to your car if weather kicks up.
Have your wedding in the afternoon
So many wedding couples love to have sunset weddings. During the winter months the sun sets a lot earlier (around 5pm), so it is best to have an afternoon wedding and then you can plan a beautiful dinner wedding reception. This leaves more local dining options as many Sedona restaurants do close early in the winter months.
Chose an indoor venue
While we always love to officiate weddings on the red rocks, Sedona also offers beautiful chapels and dedicated wedding venues that you can check out here:
So feel free to schedule that Sedona winter wedding – your Earth Elopements Sedona wedding officiants will be there with you!
