Moab is basically just an awesome playground for adults! A Moab, Utah elopement will allow you and your partner to celebrate your love for adventure and each other among towering red rocks and star-filled skies. Ready for your greatest adventure yet? Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions at all! We’re here to make sure you have the most epic elopement centered around your love. We would love to meet you both and chat about all things Moab adventure elopements! 

 

First Things First

When will you elope in Moab? It’s really important to understand what the weather is like in Moab so you can plan your wedding accordingly. So when is the best time to elope in Moab? My favorite months to spend in Moab are March-May and September-November! These months tend to be pretty busy, so if you’re looking for fewer crowds I would highly suggest eloping in the off-season. 

Moab Peak Season Weather: Spring 

March-May and September-November are peak seasons in Moab. These months are the nicest months, so be prepared for a busier town and more crowds. March in Moab can be a gamble, we’ve enjoyed beautiful 70-degree highs and we’ve endured 34 degrees and snow. Typically, the average high for March is 64 degrees. April is an absolute dream time to be in Moab. We’ve spent countless April’s in Moab and have loved each and every visit. With highs in the mid-70s, it’s a wonderful time to elope in Moab! May is very similar to April, but with highs in the mid-80’s. Springtime in Moab is beautiful and is a perfect time to elope there!

Moab Peak Season Weather: Fall

September-November is considered Fall in Moab and it is one of our all-time favorite seasons to be in Moab! Fall is perfect for rock climbing, off-roading, and star-gazing (PS did you know that Moab is a designated dark sky destination?! So cool!). September can be toasty (high’s of the mid-80s) so plan for a sunrise elopement. You might also consider a sunrise elopement to avoid crowds for a more intimate wedding! October and November are pretty similar. Both are amazing options for fewer crowds and more mild weather! Win-Win!

What’s next?

So you figured out when you want to elope in Moab, what’s next? Hire a photographer and/or videographer! Pro tip: Hire a photo and video team that has experience in Moab and specializes in elopements. This is really important for so many reasons. A photo + video team who specialize in adventure elopements is well versed in locations, permits needed, marriage license assistance, lodging assistance, and so much more.

We have poured so much time into figuring all of this out so you don’t have to! We have all of the best locations, vendor referrals, and activity guides. All you have to do is bring your love for each other and adventure and we’ll take care of the rest!

How to Get Your Marriage License 

Both applicants must appear at the County Clerk/Auditor’s Office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and pay a non-refundable license fee of $40.  A current picture ID with proof of age (date of birth) is required for both parties.  In order to complete the application, the date of the ceremony and the officiant’s name must be provided.  The officiant is not required to appear in the Clerk’s Office.

Where to Apply:

Grand County Clerk/Auditor, 125 E. Center St., Moab, UT 84532. Between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. You may download and print the application here, but DO NOT SIGN the application until you arrive at the Clerk/Auditor’s Office.

General Info:

• A marriage license issued in Grand County, Utah (Moab) can be used throughout the state of Utah. Meaning, you can obtain your marriage license in Moab and get married in say, Park City. 
• The person solemnizing the marriage must sign, date, and return the license to the Grand County Clerk/Auditor’s Office within 30 days of your marriage.
• The non-refundable $40 fee includes one certified copy of your license.  Additional copies may be obtained upon request.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.  Minors aged 15-17 may obtain a license for marriage with additional consent requirements.

Who May Perform Marriages

Grand County requires that the name of the officiant be provided at the time of application.  Pssst…Bailee here, I’m ordained! So if you want a “just us” Moab elopement, I can sign as your officiant, Jake can sign as one of your witnesses and we can get another hiker for the other witness. Otherwise, here is a full list of persons authorized to solemnize marriages.

Name Change After Marriage

If you choose to change your name after you get married (you totally don’t have to!!) you will need to show a certified copy of your marriage license when you apply for a name change with the Social Security Administration and Driver License Division. Other documents may be required. Contact the agency for more information.

 

Requesting a Copy of Your Marriage License

Certified and uncertified copies of your marriage license are available upon request in-person, by mail, and by phone.

If you have additional questions regarding the application for a marriage license, please call (435) 259-1321 or come to the Grand County Clerk/Auditor’s Office.

Tips for an Epic Moab Elopement

Drink tons of water. Then drink some more. Moab is a desert and you need to stay well hydrated. A good rule of thumb is half your body weight in ounces per day. When adventuring, I do this and add at least another 32 ounces. The last thing you want on your elopement day is to get a heat stroke or altitude sickness!

 

Plan activities to do during your elopement. A few ideas are:

Rock climbing: There are SO MANY amazing spots around Moab to rock climb or boulder! Check this article out for more information on rock climbing in Moab!

Hot air balloon ride: Imagine soaring above the gorgeous Moab desert with your partner! Gaining a new perspective in one of the coolest places in the US. This is such a fun and unique way to spend your wedding day! I recommend Redrock Ballooning, they are awesome!

Mountain biking: Moab is the mountain biking capital of the US. There are so many trails that range from beginner all the way to advanced! This article gives you all the mountain biking details!

Scenic Flights: You could spend a lifetime exploring Moab, but exploring Moab from the sky is on a whole new level! Discover scenic flights here.

Hiking: Moab offers so many dang trails to explore! Arches National Park, Dead Horse State Park, and Canyonlands National Park are all located right outside of Moab, you can find just about any type of trail!

Kayaking/rafting: The Colorado River runs right through Moab, making it the perfect place to bust out your kayak and have the ultimate Moab wedding experience!

Horseback Riding: A guided horseback tour in Moab would be an incredible way to see some really incredible sections of Moab! This company provides guided tours and they are awesome!

Stargazing: Moab is a designated dark sky area which is so freaking cool!! You can get the most incredible, unobstructed star photos to end your incredible Moab elopement!

 

The Best Moab, Utah Airbnb’s

Under Canvas Moab is one of the most picturesque places to stay in Moab. It is located right outside of Moab so it’s in close proximity to all of the major site-seeing areas!  Just imagine getting ready at this gorgeous clamping site!

Ranch House Bungalow is a boutique resort located near Arches National Park. “The Ranch is the oldest continuous settlement in Moab. In the 1880s, Moab’s first permanent non-native settler, William Grandstaff, built stone cabins here. Years later a larger brick home was constructed, now our National Historic Register Ranch House. Moab Springs Ranch offers a variety of accommodations including our newest addition in 2018, the Bungalows!”

Scalatore #5 is a condo in downtown Moab and it includes a rock climbing wall! Definitely one of the most unique Airbnb’s in Moab!

 

Best Places to Elope in Moab, Utah

There are so many hidden gems in Moab! If you’re looking for something off the beaten path, I recommend a location outside of Moab like Castle Valley. Arches National Park, Dead Horse State Park, and Canyonlands National Park are all just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Moab! So you can use Moab as your base and explore all of these incredible areas! Check out our blog about eloping in Arches National Park!

Heck, you can even turn your elopement into your honeymoon to extend your time in this incredible place!

 

Favorite Moab Vendors

Harper Florals
Urban Canyon
Forget Me Knot

 

Leave No Trace

There are so many incredible places to explore in Moab and we definitely want to leave this gorgeous desert better than we found it. It is super important to practice the seven Leave No Trace principles when exploring Moab. I’m going to nerd out for a minute but Moab contains a super awesome soil called Cryptobiotic Soil. This soil is a very fragile, but very important crust that exists in Moab.

These communities – made up of cyanobacteria, green algae, fungi, lichens, mosses, and other tiny organisms – create a matted crust atop the sand that retains moisture, creates nutrients, and provides grasses and shrubs a foothold in the sand.

Cryptobiotic soil is called the protector of the desert. This incredible soil helps prevent erosion, absorbs and retains water, and converts nitrogen from the air into usable nitrogen to help plants grow.

Once damaged, crusts may take many years to grow back. Areas that have been stripped of crusts are vulnerable to erosion, flooding, dust storms, loss of organic materials, and invasion by non-native weeds that thrive on disturbed soil.

Just remember: Don’t Bust the Crust!

 

We Love Moab!

Moab has a very special place in our hearts! We used to live in Utah and would find any reason to escape to this incredible area. We would love to help you plan your Moab, Utah elopement and document your incredible desert wedding! Let’s connect and start planning your Moab elopement!

Happy adventuring,
Bailee & Jake