Arches National Park Intimate Wedding
This intimate elopement with 20 guests captured my clients desire for a low-key celebration in multiple scenic locations in Arches National Park. They also included a few of their loved ones as guests. Arches National park is the perfect park for micro weddings, ideally with guests 20 or under. There are many beautiful and accessible locations right of the parking lot, which don't require hiking. You can read more about how to elope in Arches National Park on my blog here.
My clients began with an intimate ceremony at the Double Arch officiated by grooms' father. Double Arch is a popular wedding ceremony side inside of the park because of access to two of the highest hArches in the park.
Keep in mind when booking wedding ceremony side in Arches National Park you will be accompanied by a ranger for the duration of the ceremony.
After very beautiful vow exchange we hiked to Double Arches for some stunning pictures. The bride wore beautiful, A shape lace dress and had contrasting flower bouquet, which perfectly matched groom's orange suit.
Later we continued on a short hike and ended up in the Windows section of the park for beautiful sunset portraits. Interested in Arches Wedding?
Best Picture Spots in Arches
La Sal Mountains Viewpoint
La Sal Mountains Viewpoint is located a short distance inside the park and offers an excellent overview of red rock scenery both inside and outside the park.
The viewpoint is right off the parking lot with an easy access to views of the La Sal Mountains, outside the park, and the Courthouse Towers area.
The viewpoint is an excellent spot for sunrise and sunset photo opportunity.
The Windows
The Windows section of the park is definitely the most popular part of Arches National Park with some majestic arches accessible by short trails. To get here you have to drive about 12 miles from the entry to big parking lot.
This area boast multiple Arches: North Window, Turret Arch, and Double Arch are just a few of the awe-inspiring wonders. Keep in mind this area gets crowded at sunset
Skyline Arch Trail
This arch is located about 10. in drive from the Windows section. A short, out-and-back hike ion well defined trail leads to an arch in a high wall. This is a very popular sunset hike with a gentle, rocky uphill slope at the beginning of the trail which continues along a relatively flat path to the base of the arch. If you don't want to hike to the arch itself and just admire it from below, the trail from car parking lot is only about 15 min long.
Sand Dune Arch
Sand Dune Arch, one of the most iconic arches for wedding photos, as its name implies, has quite a bit of sand around it, the accumulation of wind-driven sand at its base. The trailhead is located at the north end of the parking lot. This is an easy trail trough small canyon leading to shaded area where the arch is located.
Double Arch Wedding Ceremony
Undoubtedly one of the most popular sites in Arches National Park is the Double Arch. Located at the end of the road leading to the Windows section to the park, located on the left side of the parking lot.
- This is one of the designated wedding site for weddings and elopements in Arches National Park so you need to get a permit in order to have the ceremony here. You can read more about it on National Park's website.
Max number of guests including the couple allowed at the Double Arch is 25.
- Keep in mind all weddings are required to be accompanied by park's ranger for the duration of the ceremony. Right after the ceremony couples are allowed to stay as long as they won't to take pictures and enjoy what the park has to offer.
A permit does not grant exclusive use of the area and the area will remain open to the visiting public. Other things to keep in mind when considering Double Arch as your wedding ceremony location.
- Bouquets: To prevent the introduction of invasive species into the park, dried plants, including grasses (anything with seeds), are prohibited in bouquets.
- The permittee is responsible for site cleanup.
- The use of carpets, arches, or any other type of decorations will not be authorized.
- Guests may not block sidewalks, trails, parking lots, or other visitor facilities. This includes the use of tents, tables, or other furniture.
- No catering or any food service is allowed but you can bring your snacks, wedding cake or have a picnic in the park at many picnic tables around the park.
- All vehicles must be parked in designated areas only; no off-road traffic. Carpooling is recommended and may be required at specific locations.
- Pets are typically not allowed at ceremony sites, particularly those areas off pavement or in other undeveloped locations.
- Operating a drone is prohibited.
- All permits will be written for one hour.
