How-to Guide: Planning a Stunning Sand Dune Arch Wedding

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Tucked away from the rest of the world, Sand Dune Arch is one of Arches National Park’s most unique offerings. Accessible via a short hike and winding rock corridors, the journey to the arch alone feels like an epic adventure through a natural playground, making the destination all the more worth the trip—especially if you’re looking for something that feels monumental in scale yet private and intimate at its core.

I have been photographing elopements and weddings for over a decade and Sand Dune Arch is still one of my favorite spots to bring couples. It is the perfect blend of grand adventure and romantic seclusion, making it a truly special place to get married, so here are some of my best insider tips on how to make that happen!

Frequently asked questions about getting married at Sand Dune Arch:

How do you get married at Sand Dune Arch?

Open year-round, Sand Dune Arch offers a secluded yet epic backdrop for your ceremony. I have guided so many couples through the process of getting married at Arches National Park, so here is absolutely everything you’ll need to know to plan your dream Sand Dune Arch wedding:

Pick a Date

Since Arches National Park typically allows only one ceremony per day per designated site, I suggest booking a year in advance since spots can fill up quickly!

Pro Tip: Applications for permits (see Step 3) open a year out from the date you want to book (i.e. if you want to get married December 17th in 2027, you can apply for your permit starting December 17th, 2026).

Finalize Your Guest Count

Sand Dune Arch ceremonies have a 25-person limit, including both of you, your photographer, your officiant, guests, and vendors. While there is no maximum number of vehicles allowed per group, parking is restricted to your selected site which could make it pretty limited, so carpooling is encouraged!

Get a Permit & Marriage License

All you need to get married at Arches National Park is a Special Use Permit and a Utah marriage license.

You can get the permit by visiting the Arches National Park Weddings & Commitment Ceremonies webpage and downloading the application form (linked here for your convenience!). Fill it in, then head over to Pay.gov, and pay the $185 permit fee. Once you receive confirmation of your payment, just email that along with your permit application to SEUG_CommercialServices@nps.gov, and you should be good to go!

As for the marriage license, it will cost $50 and you can get one from the county clerk’s office nearest to the park, which would be the Grand County Clerk’s Office. You’ll need to download an application from their official website and bring it to your appointment at the Clerk’s Office, in person, as well as provide your choice of an authorized officiant. If you want someone who isn’t ordained, you can have them designated by the Clerk for your ceremony—they’ll just need to fill in the Single Ceremony Designee Form, and join your appointment at the Clerk’s Office.

Pro Tip: Permit applications can take a while to process, so I recommend applying as soon as you can in order to secure your date!

Plan the Day & Pick Your Photo Locations

My favorite thing about the Special Use Permit is that it allows you to take photos not only at your ceremony site but anywhere in the park before & after you exchange your vows! Hiring an experienced elopement photographer (like me!) means you’ll have access to some of the most gorgeous spots with the best lighting for your portraits. I know where all the hidden gems are and can help you plan your day to make the whole experience as memorable and stress-free as possible!

Get Married!

That’s it! All you have to do is remember to bring a copy of your permit day-of, just in case, and enjoy the stunning views of Sand Dune Arch as you say, “I do!”.

When’s the best time to visit Sand Dune Arch?

Spring and fall are typically the best seasons for a visit to Arches National Park. Summers can get pretty crowded and hot, so those shoulder-season months offer the lighter foot-traffic and milder temperatures that will allow you to really enjoy exploring the park and everything it has to offer!

While crowds may be lighter in the spring and fall, I still recommend visiting the park on a weekday, especially if you’re visiting Sand Dune Arch. One of the best things about this spot is how secluded it can be, and avoiding weekends will give you a better chance at the opportunity to experience the arch alone. To increase those odds further, you can also visit around sunrise or sunset, with both windows offering the added bonus of catching that soft, filtered light that makes for gorgeous wedding photos!

A bride and groom stand together beneath a large, natural red rock arch in a sunlit desert canyon, surrounded by towering rock formations and sand.

Sand Dune Arch Spring Wedding

If you’re looking for something secluded and untouched by the world, then Sand Dune Arch is the perfect spot! Hidden between towering sandstone fins, this place feels like a secret hideaway on another world, its red-rock formations illuminated only by the soft golden light that filters through the crevices and winding passageways around it. During the spring, the vegetation around this area is in full bloom, bringing the space to life with vibrant colors that blend beautifully with the warm tones of the natural minerals that make up the entire park, offering a stunning backdrop for your wedding that feels both isolated from the world and at one with it.

How do you get to Sand Dune Arch?

To get to Sand Dune Arch, you’ll enter Arches National Park through its main Entrance Station, located at 38°36’59.6″N 109°37’10.1″W, and continue down Arches Nat’l Pk Rd (also marked as Arches Scenic Dr on some navigation apps) for about 16 miles. At that point, you’ll see signage for Sand Dune Arch and then an open-air parking lot located at 38°45’52.6″N 109°35’00.6″W. This lot sits at the base of the Sand Dune Arch Trail, which will lead you straight to the arch!

How long is the walk to get to Sand Dune Arch?

The walk to Sand Dune Arch can take as little as 30 minutes or up to an hour, depending on your pace. The hike is almost a mile-long, roundtrip, and has an elevation gain of just over 100 feet, making it a relatively easy trek. The trail is fairly even and takes you through a slot canyon, offering an up close view at those iconic red-rock formations Utah is known for. Trust me, walking through this place is like exploring a hidden world and being rewarded with a front-row seat to one of the most beautiful arches in the park!

How much does it cost to get married at Sand Dune Arch?

Getting married at any of the wedding sites in Arches National Park will cost about $265. This includes the $50 Utah marriage license from a local county clerk, the $185 Special Use Permit fee, and the park’s $30 Standard Entrance Pass for one vehicle (each additional vehicle will cost another $30 each). To make things easier and avoid the stress of buying passes at the entrance station upon arrival, you can actually just purchase your pass online ahead of time on the park’s official website here.

Beyond that, your total elopement/wedding budget is completely up to you! It will typically depend on your guest count, vendors, travel plans, etc. Most of the couples who hire me prioritize having an adventure at a stunning spot like Sand Dune Arch and capturing every moment of it, which is why they often invest a lot of their budget on photography.

If you want to know more, you can find my full cost of eloping guide here!

Are dogs allowed at Sand Dune Arch?

Sadly, dogs are not allowed at Sand Dune Arch or on any of the park’s trails, but they are allowed on established roads/parking areas and in established campgrounds/picnic areas if they’re kept on a leash!

Sand Dune Arch Elopement & Wedding Photos

Kristen & Michael’s Sand Dune Arch Spring Wedding

Kristen & Michael split their day up into two sections, spending the first half exploring Arches National Park by themselves and the second half at a sunset ceremony outside of the park, accompanied by a celebration with their closest family and friends.

Sand Dune Arch was their first stop in the park, decked out in their wedding attire, bouquet and a celebratory pennant on their backpacks. What makes Sand Dune Arch such an ideal place to go and grab photos is that it exhibits a lot of different qualities of the Moab landscape at once. From different angles it can look like an arch, a slot canyon, a box canyon, and even (from the outside) a mountain.

Which means if you’re looking for a whole lot of variety in a short amount of time, this is a great spot to go!

Kristen & Michael only spent about 2.5 hours out here exploring, but it’s such a defining feature of their entire day. They even hit up the gift shop & visitor center on the way out for some special commemorative wedding day souvenirs.

A person stands beneath a large, natural sandstone arch under a clear blue sky in a desert landscape, surrounded by rugged, reddish rock formations.

A bride and groom walk on a desert trail, backs to the camera. The bride wears a white dress and carries a bouquet. Both have backpacks with yellow flags attached. Red rock formations and blue sky are visible in the background.

A bride and groom walk outdoors on a dirt path, each wearing backpacks. The bride carries a bouquet and a yellow pennant that says "Married." The scene is sunny with dry grass and a natural landscape in the background.

A brown sign in a desert landscape points left to "Broken Arch" and right to "Sand Dune Arch," with dry bushes and trees in the background under a clear sky.

A couple in wedding attire stands close together on a narrow rock path between tall, rugged red sandstone walls under a clear sky.

A couple dressed in formal attire stands close together between tall, narrow red rock formations, gazing upward. The woman holds a small branch, and sunlight highlights the orange rocks around them.

A bride and groom stand close together, smiling at each other in a narrow, sunlit canyon with tall, orange rock walls. The bride holds a bouquet and wears a white dress and floral crown; the groom is dressed in a dark suit with a backpack.

A bride in a white dress and a groom in a dark suit walk between tall, narrow red rock walls under a bright sky, descending a rugged path.

A couple in wedding attire walks hand in hand on sandy ground at the base of towering red rock cliffs under a clear sky.

A bride in a white dress holds a bouquet while leaning against a red rock wall. A groom in a dark suit stands close to her, both smiling intimately in a sunlit desert setting.

A groom in a dark suit gently kisses the forehead of a bride in a white dress holding a bouquet, as they stand close against a large, textured red rock wall in a desert landscape.

A man in a suit lovingly holds a smiling woman in a white dress against a rocky wall. They appear happy and intimate, sharing a tender moment together. The image is in black and white.

A bride in a white dress and a groom in a suit walk hand in hand through a red rock canyon, each carrying a backpack with attached banners and flowers. The sandy ground and towering rock walls surround them.

A bride and groom dance joyfully on sandy ground in front of a tall red rock wall. The bride holds up her dress and bouquet, while the groom lifts her arm and wears a backpack.

A bride in a white dress and a groom in a black suit walk hand-in-hand through a narrow, sunlit red rock canyon, surrounded by smooth sandstone walls and sand underfoot.

A bride and groom dance together under a sunlit red rock arch in a desert landscape, with the bride in a flowing white dress and the groom in a dark suit.

A couple in wedding attire shares a kiss while the groom dips the bride under a large, sunlit sandstone arch in a desert landscape.

A bride in a white dress and a groom in a dark suit embrace under a sunlit sandstone arch in a desert canyon, surrounded by towering reddish-orange rock walls and soft sand.

A bride and groom stand together under a massive rock arch in a sunlit desert canyon, surrounded by textured stone walls and soft sand, casting dramatic shadows.

A groom lifts and embraces a bride in a flowing white dress, surrounded by red rock formations and sand, creating a romantic scene in a desert canyon.

A couple in formal attire, with the woman in a flowing white dress and the man in a dark suit, walk hand-in-hand under a large red rock arch in a sunlit desert canyon.

A couple stands between red sandstone rock walls, with the man hugging the pregnant woman from behind. She is wearing a long white dress, and both appear happy and affectionate in the natural, sunlit setting.

A bride and groom embrace in a narrow canyon with orange rock walls, the bride in a white dress and the groom in a dark suit, surrounded by natural sandstone formations.

A bride and groom embrace and smile at each other in a narrow canyon with tall, reddish rock walls. The bride wears a long white dress, and the groom is in a black suit. The scene is warm and intimate.

A bride in a white dress with a floral headpiece walks through a narrow rocky passage, touching the wall. Her back tattoo and wavy hair are visible. A groom stands slightly blurred in the background. Black and white photo.

A bride in a white dress and a man walk through a narrow canyon with reddish-brown rock walls, squeezing between the tight stone passageway.

A bride and groom stand close together in a narrow, sunlit canyon, surrounded by reddish rock walls. The bride wears a white dress, and the groom wears a suit, gazing lovingly at each other.

A couple in wedding attire stands closely together between narrow red rock walls. The groom gently touches the bride’s face while she leans against the rock, both sharing an intimate, tender moment in natural sunlight.

A bouquet of flowers and two backpacks rest on sandy ground against a rocky wall. One backpack has a yellow sash reading "Just Married" and the other holds the bouquet. Sunlight casts shadows on the scene.

A woman in a white dress and a man in a suit walk through a narrow, rocky canyon with reddish stone walls. The woman leads, smiling, while the man follows closely behind her.

A couple dressed in wedding attire walks hand in hand along a sandy path, with dramatic red rock formations in the background under a clear sky.

Red rock formations and a natural arch rise from a flat, grassy desert landscape under a clear blue sky, with distant mesas visible on the horizon.

Close-up of a prickly pear cactus with spiny pads in a desert setting, sunlight casting sharp shadows on the plant and sandy ground, with a blurred background of more cactus pads.

A couple in wedding attire, each wearing backpacks, sit close together on a large, twisted tree trunk in a desert landscape, touching noses and smiling affectionately at each other.

A bride in a white dress and a groom in a black suit walk along a sandy desert trail surrounded by shrubs, with large red rock formations and a clear blue sky in the background.

A bride and groom stand beneath a large, red rock arch in a desert landscape, holding hands against a clear blue sky. Green shrubs and rocky terrain surround them.

A bride and groom stand on red rocks beneath a large, natural arch formation, holding hands under a clear blue sky with a tree to the left.

A bride and groom stand on a rock beneath a large natural stone arch. The groom twirls the bride, whose dress flows outward. The scene is outdoors, with dramatic rocky cliffs in the background against a clear sky.

A bride and groom stand together on a rocky ledge surrounded by red rock formations, with distant mountains and a partly cloudy sky in the background. The bride's white dress blows gently in the wind.

A bride in a flowing white gown holds the hand of a man in a suit, walking together. The image is black and white, capturing an intimate, supportive moment between the couple.

A bride wearing a white dress and carrying a bouquet with desert flowers hikes outdoors next to a groom in a suit. A yellow sash reading "love of my life" hangs from her backpack. Rocky terrain and sparse bushes surround them.

A bride and groom sit on a blanket in a desert setting. The groom looks in a backpack with a bouquet of flowers and yellow ribbon, while the bride looks on. Low desert shrubs surround them.

Two cans of Juicy Johnson Hazy IPA beer sit on a patterned blanket outdoors, with sunlight casting shadows. The cans feature orange and green designs, and picnic items are blurry in the background.

A bride and groom sit on a patterned blanket in a desert, sharing a picnic and toasting with canned drinks. The bride wears a white dress, and the groom wears a suit. A bouquet and picnic food are nearby.

A bride and groom sit on a blanket in a desert landscape, sharing sandwiches and drinks during a picnic. The bride wears a white dress and the groom is in a suit. A bouquet and food are placed beside them.

A couple dressed in wedding attire sits on a blanket in a desert landscape, looking toward distant snow-capped mountains. The scene includes scattered shrubs, a tree, and bright sunlight.

A woman in a white dress with floral details kneels outdoors on sandy ground, looking through binoculars. The background is blurred with green shrubs and sunlight.

A bride and groom sit in the foreground, out of focus, gazing at a desert landscape with a leafless tree and distant snow-capped mountains under a clear blue sky.

A man in a suit and a woman in a wedding dress exchange cards in a bookstore or shop filled with books and souvenirs. The woman's back is to the camera, and the man looks down at the cards in his hands.

A person’s hand presses a stamp onto an open notebook with patterned pages at a wooden station labeled “PASSPORT STAMP STATION.” Several stamps and stamped papers are visible on the table.

A wooden desk with a spiral-bound notebook open to a blank page, surrounded by scattered sheets of paper with passport stamps. A tray holds rubber stamps, and a sign reads "PASSPORT STAMP STATION.

A man and woman stand in a gift shop filled with hats and souvenirs, with a large landscape photo of rock formations hanging on the wall above them. The focus is on the shop, while the people are blurred in the foreground.

A couple in wedding attire shares a kiss in front of a stone wall with an "Arches National Park" sign and a National Park Service emblem. The bride's white dress flows to the ground as the groom leans her back.

Hey I’m Maddie Mae

Sand Dune Arch Elopement Photographer

If you’re looking for someone with years of experience photographing adventure elopements around the world, then look no further! I’ve been designing, planning, & photographing elopements for over a decade across 7 continents and more than 40 countries, so I can help you navigate the logistics of planning one for yourself and make sure it’s the most stress-free experience possible.

A woman with long brown hair and glasses smiles at the camera. She wears a black blazer, a black top, and a pendant necklace. The background is a plain light gray wall.

Sand Dune Arch Elopement Packages

Contact me here to check my availability and for a free planning consultation—I promise to help you plan the adventure of a lifetime!

Always included:

8+ Hours of guided, fun photography coverage by Maddie Mae with relaxed sightseeing & exploring

The Adventure Instead Elopement Experience™

Unique & secluded locations, bespoke activity ideas with pre-vetted guides, fun & luxurious lodging options, an experience-focused timeline, mood board & personalized styling suggestions, travel advice, VIP Planning Guide, and customized packing checklists

Free initial planning consultation call, direct access to Maddie Mae via text & email, unlimited planning consultations, unlimited collaboration & revisions, pre-vetted local vendor recommendations, and advice &and help with permits & marriage licenses

Guided + FUN photography experience, empathetic posing & directing, creative GIFS &and drone photography, hand-crafted editing, full-resolution image files with printing rights, digital gallery to view, download, & print, complementary album design, and convenient print ordering

My travel costs are covered and included to anywhere in the U.S.A (including Alaska & Hawaii)

$9,800 for all of the above including 8-hours of photography

Full-day, multi-day, and custom packages available.

No added travel costs. No hidden fees of any kind.

INQUIRE FOR AVAILABILITY & MORE INFO

Hey there!

I’m Maddie Mae

Your Elopement Photographer, Experience Designer & Planning Consultant  

For the last 14 years I’ve traveled to 40 countries, all 7 continents, and planned & photographed over 300 elopements all over the world.

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