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We went ham on a WHOOOOLE bunch of new info for getting married in Zion plus lots of new lovely photos!
Zion National Park Wedding Photographers
Southern Utah is home to some incredible diverse landscapes, you can find a different and amazing view driving almost any direction out of St. George. Of those amazing landscapes, few are as dramatic and breathtaking as Zion National Park. The sandstone canyon walls rise up to 2000 feet from the valley floor, placing them among the tallest sandstone cliffs in the world! That feeling of awe comes rushing back every time we get to introduce someone to these views for the first time. We feel so fortunate to have this incredible park at our doorstep and we would love nothing more than to share it with you!
Getting Married in Zion National Park
If you want to say your vows within the boundaries of this majestic park, you’ll need to follow the guidelines of the Park Service. You’ll need to attain a special use permit and submit it, along with the $100 application fee, at least three weeks in advance. The Park has given specific guidelines that you’ll want to keep in mind as you plan:
Wedding permits do not give exclusive access to the area. The area will remain open to the general public who will be allowed to view the wedding activities.
Any and all decorations will need prior approval.
Throwing anything like rice or confetti and releasing wildlife like birds or butterflies is strictly prohibited.
No broadcasting systems will be allowed, noise shouldn’t exceed normal speaking levels.
Basically, observe a strict Leave No Trace policy and plan for a low key, small affair. You can find all of the guidelines for having a wedding in the Park on the application info PDF.
Need help navigating how to plan a Zion Wedding?
Wedding Locations in Zion National Park
As you fill out your application, you’ll also want to consider which one of the six location options you’d like for your ceremony. At this time, Zion does not allow for ceremonies, no matter the group size, outside of their six sanctioned locations, even if you’re eloping. Keep in mind, the accommodation limit applies to all in attendance, including yourself, the officiant, wedding party and any other vendors (like ourselves).
Alternate Ceremony Locations
Of course, if none of those locations strike your fancy, we can always find you an amazing location outside of the Park boundary! Thankfully, the area surrounding Zion has a wealth of hidden gems, some even have unique views looking back into the Park! So if you’re looking for an extra special location for you and your lover to exchange your vows, just let us know and we’ll find the perfect spot for you!
Need a local expert who can help you plan the perfect Zion Elopement?
Zion Wedding Portraits
While the Park is restrictive on where you can host a ceremony, thankfully, they allow us to shoot portraits anywhere the general public is allowed to access. So even though we can’t hold your ceremony at your favorite viewpoint, we can certainly get there and snag some epic portraits of you there!
Engagements and Adventure Sessions
Like wedding portraits, Zion National Parks lets us shoot anywhere the general public is allowed to access and they don't require that we secure a permit ahead of time. That means we can go to any of the numerous epic locations located inside the park. We love going to the east end of the park, past the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. This side of the park is full of slot canyons, sandstone cliffs, and views of the parks major peaks and we aren't limited by the shuttle system.
“You cannot go wrong with Kyle and Tori! Not only are they super talented, but they are a very sweet and awesome couple! My fiance and I got our engagement pictures done in Zion National Park while on a trip out west, and it was the best decision we have made. I was very nervous and thought it would be awkward having pictures done, but Kyle and Tori are great with helping with directions on posing and taking away the anxiety. The pictures are GORGEOUS and I can’t wait to use them! I wish I could give them more stars, they are so great to work with.”
When should you go to Zion National Park?
Zion National Park is one of the busiest National Parks in the nation, and it's getting busier every year. In 2015, more 3.5 million people visited it's majestic cliffs followed by more than 4 million the very next year. The peak season runs between April and October, during these months, the Park runs a shuttle service and restricts access to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive to all other traffic. The Scenic Drive provides access to some of Zion's most popular hikes including the Narrows, Angel's Landing, and the Emerald Pools. In the middle of that peak season, you'll also need to prepare for the Southern Utah summers. Running from May to September, the heat of the day will have temperatures exceeding 100°F (37°C) and will rarely cool below 80°F (26°C), even at night. If the summer months are the only time you can come to Zion, come prepared to be patient and to drink lots of water.
We, personally, prefer the off-season months that range from October to April. The cooler temperatures allow for more comfortable hiking and it's much easier to avoid crowds. Winter in Zion tends to be pretty mild in comparison to many other places. The highs are usually between 50-60°F (10-15°C). Snow fall is not uncommon, though it rarely hangs around for more than a couple of hours at the lower elevations. The snow will stick to the cracks in the sandstone cliff walls creating a gorgeous contrast you can't find in any other season.
Adventures in Zion
Zion is packed full of sweeping vistas looking down into the canyon and striking textures tucked into its corners. We love adventuring in Zion and can’t wait to hang out with you in this incredible place!
