Alison and Cedar’s Wedding Ceremony at the Base of Cathedral Rock With Family

Alison and Cedar planned a wedding ceremony at the base of Cathedral Rock with their closest family and friends. After their small wedding ceremony, these two went up to the top of Cathedral Rock for the most epic portraits during sunset. Get all the details from this intimate experience that mixes traditional wedding elements with adventurous elopement elements that go completely against the grain of tradition.

Are you ready to plan your wedding adventure? Check out our Sedona guide to get started. 

About this Wedding Ceremony in Sedona

Photography by By Kristen Marie

“Alison and Cedar had a day split between Scottsdale and Sedona… not very common because they are 2 hours apart from each other! Alison and Cedar got ready in their Airbnb in Scottsdale and drove to Sedona. They held their ceremony at the base of Cathedral Rock, a 10 minute moderate hike from the parking lot (the guests brought a change of shoes). Alison hiked up after Cedar and the guests so they could wait until the ceremony to see each other. Alison walked up with both her parents and Cedar’s reaction was very emotional. After the group photos, Alison and Cedar changed into hiking clothes for the ascent to the top of Cathedral Rock. They changed back at the top, and we used the last hour of daylight to take couple’s photos with the incredible view. Then we hiked back down with headlamps, had the private shuttle pick us up and take us back to our cars, and began the 2-hour drive back down to Scottsdale, for a late reception/dance party.” [Kristen, the photographer]

Check out more places to have your small wedding in Arizona. 

LNT for Your Sedona Wedding Adventure

Kristen shares her top tips for leaving no trace during your Sedona adventure:

Cryptobiotic Soil

“It’s imperative for couples visiting this location to understand the significance of cryptobiotic soil and its preservation. Cryptobiotic soil, often referred to as “living soil,” is a delicate biological crust composed of cyanobacteria, algae, lichens, and mosses. This living crust plays a crucial role in desert ecosystems such as Sedona by stabilizing soil, retaining moisture, and preventing erosion. It looks like crusty, knobby dirt, which distinguishes it from the surrounding terrain. Unfortunately, even minimal disturbance, such as footprints, can disrupt its fragile structure and lead to long-lasting ecological damage (50-250 years to regrow). Therefore, it’s essential to stay on designated trails to avoid inadvertently damaging cryptobiotic soil and to help preserve the delicate balance of desert ecosystems.”

Pack Out Trash

“In line with Leave No Trace principles, it’s vital to adopt a pack-in, pack-out mentality when visiting this location. This includes traditional waste and organic materials such as fruit peels and cores. While it may seem harmless to discard organic waste in a natural environment, the desert’s arid conditions slow decomposition significantly. Organic matter can essentially “fossilize” in this environment, taking years to break down. To minimize environmental impact and maintain the pristine beauty of the area, couples are encouraged to pack out all trash, including organic materials, and dispose of them responsibly.”

Rock Stacking

“While stacking rocks, or cairns, may seem like a harmless activity, it can have unintended consequences for hikers and the environment. In many cases, stacked rocks serve as trail markers, providing guidance and direction for visitors navigating the landscape. Additional rock stacks created for fun can confuse hikers and lead them off-trail, disrupting natural habitats and causing unnecessary environmental disturbance. Therefore, it’s essential for couples to refrain from stacking rocks and instead appreciate the natural beauty of the surroundings without altering them.”

Learn more about leaving no trace during your adventure. 

Top Tips for Eloping Couples From the Photographer

Ceremony Locations in Sedona

“With the surge in popularity of elopements in Sedona, I advise my couples to choose more intimate ceremony locations, even if the view isn’t as grand. While iconic sites such as Cathedral Rock and Merry Go Round Rock offer breathtaking backdrops for wedding ceremonies and photoshoots, they have also become increasingly crowded in recent years. To avoid crowds and maintain a sense of intimacy, I guide my clients to choose less crowded locations for their ceremony. And then afterward, we can do couples photos at the more popular spots, but I let my clients know that they can expect to have other hikers/weddings in the area.”

Hydration in the desert

“One of the most critical considerations for couples eloping in Sedona is hydration. The region’s arid climate and high elevation pose unique challenges, particularly during physical activities such as hiking and outdoor ceremonies. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, make sure to prioritize hydration throughout the day. Bringing ample water supplies, including coolers stocked with water, can help prevent dehydration and ensure everyone stays comfortable and energized, even in the desert heat. I’ve seen more people faint during ceremonies than I can count, even in 70ºF weather! Don’t fast until the ceremony, drink lots of water if you’re going to be getting married outdoors. The desert is no joke, so if you choose to get married here, it’s your responsibility to be prepared and take care of your body.”

Cathedral Rock Tips

“When planning attire for an elopement at Cathedral Rock, you need to be aware that this is one of the most difficult hikes in Sedona. Add elevation to it, and you can expect to be wheezing if you’re not used to hiking straight up mountains on a daily basis. You’ll want to hike up in hiking clothes, with good shoes with grip, and a backpack to hold your wedding clothes. I specify BACKPACK for a reason, carrying tote bags is a nightmare. Most of Cathedral is a rock scramble on the way up, and butt-scooting on the way down, so you want to have full use of your hands. Also, if you plan on being at the top of Cathedral Rock after sunset, you MUST have headlamps to find your way back to the parking lot. It’s steep, so both hiking up and down, go slow, and give yourself plenty of time. I plan at least an hour to get to the top of this hike, even though it’s less than 1 mile one way, to account for multiple breaks (no need to get overly sweaty!!)”

Deciding to Have a Small Wedding

“We had initially begun planning a traditional wedding in our hometown with a large guest list (over 100 people). However, as we got deeper into the planning process it began to feel less intimate/special and more focused on providing an enjoyable event for our guests. It quickly became stressful and expensive to plan for so many people. We stopped and reminded ourselves that our wedding shouldn’t be stressful and that it should simply be a celebration of us and our love. Finally and somewhat spontaneously, we decided to cancel our plans and do something smaller and more intimate in Sedona, a place we had visited a few years prior and fallen in love with. We couldn’t be happier with our decision, it was absolutely perfect.

We decided on Sedona as we had visited the town twice before and really fell in love with the colorful and grand scenery. Our family has a vacation home in Scottsdale so we were already quite connected to Arizona. Deciding on the specific location for the ceremony was a little bit more difficult as our hometown is far from Sedona and so we weren’t able to see any of the potential locations ahead of the wedding date. Luckily our amazing photographer, Kristen, who specializes in micro weddings and elopements in Arizona, was able to provide a list of recommendations for locations along with photos she had taken of other couples so we were able to get a feel for each spot. She even had several Zoom calls with us to help us understand the logistics of each location and to help us choose the perfect one for us. We ended up going with a location that had a perfect balance of accessibility and dramatic views. We had our ceremony at the bottom of the hike with our immediate family and closest friends and had a private couple’s photoshoot at the top to really capture the scenic backdrop.” [The couple]

Check out these small wedding ideas you can steal. 

Couple’s Planning Process

“Because Sedona is so effortlessly beautiful, we did not need any decor for our ceremony which made the planning process quite simple. Once we decided on a location for the ceremony with the help of our photographer, all we needed was a speaker and our beautiful flowers from Wyld Root. We did need to rent shuttles to our ceremony location as the roads and parking lot were closed at this time of day, but again, Kristen was able to help us arrange that. Our intimate dinner back in Scottsdale was hosted at my parent’s house and was catered by my dad (he loves to cook!). The only things that we needed to plan for the dinner were the flowers and the rentals for our outdoor dinner (from Bright Event Rentals).” [The couple]

Estimated Cost For This Small Wedding

Florals: $1,500
Photographer: $4,500
Dinner Rentals: $1,000
Shuttles to ceremony location: $400.
Other costs: wedding dress, groom’s suit, dinner, drinks, van rentals from Scottsdale to Sedona, decor, etc. I did my own hair and makeup.
Total ~ $8,500

Favorite Details from Their Wedding Day

Kristen shares her favorite details throughout this Sedona adventure:

Customizable Attire: Alison’s thoughtful choice to incorporate removable sleeves into her wedding dress added a unique and personal touch to her bridal ensemble. Not only did this allow her to adapt to changing temperatures and environments throughout the day, but it also showcased her creativity and attention to detail.

Vintage Camcorder: The decision to include a vintage camcorder as part of their ceremony recording added a charming and nostalgic element to the event. Beyond capturing the formalities of the ceremony, it served as a tangible reminder of the couple’s shared memories and the unique character of their wedding day.

Stylish and Practical Accessories: The use of white parasol umbrellas by the bridal party not only added a stylish flair to the proceedings but also served a practical purpose in providing shade and relief from the sun’s intense rays. This thoughtful detail not only enhanced the visual aesthetic of the event but also ensured the comfort and well-being of everyone involved.

Memorable Moments During This Wedding

From the photographer:

“Witnessing Cedar’s heartfelt reaction as Alison made her way to the ceremony site was undeniably one of the highlights of the day. His genuine display of emotion underscored the depth of their connection and the significance of the moment, creating a truly memorable and moving experience for all involved.

Throughout the day, it was evident that Alison and Cedar shared a deep and authentic love for each other. From the way they looked at one another to the subtle gestures of affection, their bond was palpable and inspiring. Even beyond their wedding day, their continued expressions of love and support for each other serve as a testament to the strength and sincerity of their relationship.”

From the couple:

“At the end of the ceremony, our guests went back to Scottsdale to enjoy some poolside cocktails and appetizers while we went on a private adventure to the lookout point where we took our couple’s photos. This was such a special moment for us because we really got to be present and soak in the views, just the two of us after sharing our vows.”

Final Words of Advice From The Photographer

“Navigating Sedona’s mandatory public shuttle service can present logistical challenges for couples planning elopements and wedding ceremonies in popular outdoor locations. The shuttle is mandatory Thursday – Sunday, and all of spring break for hikes such as Cathedral Rock, Seven Sacred Pools, and Soldiers Pass. The city of Sedona closes down the road to Cathedral Rock , so there’s no way to get to the trailhead. Although the shuttle is free, it comes with its challenges. With limited parking and shuttle capacity, I advise my couples to plan ahead and explore alternative transportation options to ensure a seamless and stress-free experience for themselves and their guests. Private shuttle services, such as Zeus M Tours, offer a convenient and flexible solution, allowing couples to customize their transportation arrangements to suit their specific elopement needs. By proactively addressing transportation logistics, couples can focus on enjoying their special day without unnecessary distractions or delays.

One thing to note is that the road reopens at 5pm every day, so during the summer, if you’re only taking sunset photos, you can just wait until the road reopens and park at the trailhead without worrying about the shuttle. This doesn’t work during the winter, or if you have an early ceremony. If you park at the public shuttle parking lot and stay until sunset, you’ll be stranded and forced to walk an extra 2 miles from the trailhead to your car.” [Kristen, the photographer]

Final Words From The Couple

“Our wedding was amazing and perfect for us. We feel that it was a reflection of our love story and allowed us to really be present with each other on our wedding day. We did have a party to celebrate a couple of months later with all of our friends and family in our hometown, but having an intimate ceremony allowed us to focus on what a wedding is all about – our love.” [The couple]

Learn more about planning a post-elopement party here. 

Vendors

Photographer | By Kristen Marie
Florist | Wyld Root 
Transportation | Zeus M Tours 

Photos From This Small Wedding