Arizona Elopement Essentials | Arizona Elopement Photographer
Arizona Elopement Essentials | Arizona Elopement Photographer
Ahhh Arizona… it’s no secret how beautiful this place is. But when planning something in the outdoors here, one needs to remember that it can also be pretty harsh. From weather extremes to unfriendly wildlife to the pokey prickly plants.
When planning your Arizona elopement, you have to take these things into account and plan accordingly!
Here are a few essentials to make sure you have on hand when you’re out and about during your Arizona elopement, whether you’re in the hot sun, the snow, or the nighttime chill.
Arizona Elopement Essential #1
WATER!!!! + Snacks
I recommend Hydroflask or another insulated water bottle to keep your water cool in the Arizona heat! Also love the straw lid to avoid spilling. 👍🏻
This is number one for a reason! You do NOT want to get dehydrated on your wedding day (or ever, obviously). Quite simply, it’s dangerous. Dehydration can make you disoriented, slow, dizzy, not to mention extremely dry. It is very easy to get dehydrated in Arizona. Especially in the heat of the day, but even when it’s cold, the air is still so dry that your body will dry out very fast if you don’t drink enough water. It also gets even drier at higher elevations. Have AT LEAST 64oz on hand PER PERSON, with more waiting for you in the car if possible. Having too much on hand is WAY BETTER than not having enough.
Another related necessity is SNACKS! If you’ll be out there for a while, you will get very hungry exerting so much energy, so it’s important to bring some snacks along. Bonus points for protein and any extra hydration! I personally love to bring along clementines and granola bars. 👍🏻
Arizona Elopement Essential #2
Proper Footwear
You may want to wear cute shoes for your elopement ceremony, and that is totally fine when you’re standing in one place or walking around in a short radius. But if you’re hiking at all during your elopement, you do not want to be doing so in heels, sandals, booties, or any kind of unsupportive shoe. You want good hiking boots, or at least some kind of sport shoes with traction (though I would definitely recommend actual hiking boots for anything more than a couple miles).
The benefits: you don’t mess up your nice shoes OR your feet! Pluuuus it actually makes you look super cool and adventurous to wear hiking gear with your wedding attire. Just sayin. 😎
Arizona Elopement Essential #3
Layers
You wouldn’t think it if you haven’t spent much time here, but even in the hottest parts of Arizona, it still gets pretty chilly at night and in the shade. That’s why we all say “It’s a dry heat!!!” Because it is. :P There is very little humidity keeping it warm when the sun isn’t out. The only times I’ve experienced a warm night in the Sonoran Desert are the summer months. And trust me, you probably won’t be getting married in the Sonoran Desert in the summer. 😜 SO! Moral of the story, have layers readily available if you’ll be out around sunrise or sunset! A light sweater is good in some cases, in others you might even want a puffy jacket. Also to my dress-wearers: consider leggings under your dress! There are nude leggings that exist precisely for purposes like this.
Arizona Elopement Essential #4
Sunscreen
Seems obvious with the oppressive sun in this state, but even I forget to wear it sometimes, and it never goes well. You might be tempted to skip the SPF if it makes you seem oily, but I beg you to at least put some on your face if you’ll be out in the sun for a good portion of the day. We all know the dangers of getting too much sun without protection. Not just uncomfortable burns, but possible long-term damage to your skin, not to mention the threat of skin cancer. Just do yourself a favor and use sunscreen, please!!
Arizona Elopement Essential #5
First Aid Kit
You can get a fully stocked First Aid Kit like this at REI or other outdoor retailers, or make one yourself!
This one is important for anyone doing anything in the outdoors, ever. Definitely don’t forget it on your elopement day! (I’ll also undoubtedly have one if you’d rather rely on that, but you can’t really be overprepared in this area.) As I said, Arizona can be pretty harsh and accidents happen. You could accidentally brush a cholla (jumping cactus that sticks to your clothes and is very hard to get off), you could get stung, you could trip and get a scrape while hiking. The possibilities are unfortunately endless! So it’s never a bad idea to have first aid on hand. Any good first aid kit will at least have bandages, gauze, tape, painkilllers and anti-inflammatories, scissors, ointment, and a decent multi-tool.