A Flagstaff elopement photographer’s dream day, play by play
If you’ve been dreaming about a Flagstaff elopement and you’re not sure where to even start planning, I made you a little roadmap. This is the exact weekend I’d plan if I were the one getting married and after seven years of photographing elopements across Arizona, I think it’s a pretty good one.
Day One: Courthouse Vows and Downtown Wandering
I’d drive into Flagstaff on a Friday and head straight to the courthouse (just know they typically close their doors around 4 or 4:30pm) so plan your arrival with that in mind. Dressed up cute, obviously.
For the weekend, I’d rent an A-frame cabin. Honestly, if you’re planning a Flagstaff elopement, this feels non-negotiable to me, it’s just the vibe.
After the courthouse, we’d wander downtown Flagstaff for photos. The murals, the brick walls, that cozy small-town-meets-Gilmore-Girls energy, t’s one of my favorite backdrops in northern Arizona for candid, editorial-style elopement photos.
Dinner that night: soba noodles, no question. It’s my personal favorite spot in Flagstaff and the perfect low-key way to close out day one.
Day Two: Coffee, Getting-Ready Photos, and an Adventure
Morning starts slow, Fat Olives bagels and coffee from Late for the Train.
Then, the part I’d actually be most excited about: a getting-ready session with the photographer. An hour or two of documenting the before, quiet moments, soft morning light, the small details, before it flows naturally into getting dressed and heading out for the day. This is the kind of intimate, in-between documentation that most couples skip and always regret not having.
From there, an activity. Two options I love for a Flagstaff elopement:
Both give you something to actually do together, not just pose for photos.
Lunch or an afternoon break at Evans Fish and Chips, then back to the cabin to change into wedding attire for golden hour.
Golden Hour: Where to Actually Say “I Do”
For the ceremony and sunset portraits, my top picks are:
- Sunset Crater — wide open, dramatic, incredible light
- Buffalo Park — same open-sky magic, easier access
- Chapel of the Holy Dove — beautiful, but it’s a working chapel, so there’s always a chance another couple has it booked. I keep this as a backup, not a plan A.
Both Sunset Crater and Buffalo Park have that vast, wide-open landscape that makes for the kind of portraits you actually print and hang on your wall which, if you know me, is the whole point.
Ending the Night
Dinner to close it out: Fratelli’s for pizza, or Fat Olives for Italian. Either way, you’re ending your Flagstaff elopement full, happy, and married.
That’s the exact day I’d plan for a Flagstaff elopement courthouse vows, an A-frame cabin, soba noodles, a sunrise-to-sunset photo day, and dinner under the pines. If this sounds like your kind of wedding day, I’d love to help you plan (and photograph) it.
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