This place–the Grand Canyon looks like it’s the beginning and the finale of an entire piece of Earth itself. There are so many expansive regions where the landscape appears endless and countless edges that come to a sudden stop. In my years as both a Grand Canyon photographer and tour guide, I’ve found that you can never grow bored with what it has to offer. Pulling from this experience, here’s a quick guide to my top recommendations for Grand Canyon wedding locations!
My Top South Rim Grand Canyon Wedding Locations
LIPAN POINT
Lipan Point is my absolute favorite location to suggest for a Grand Canyon elopement or small wedding. It can accommodate up to 35 people but I say less is more!
The Grand Canyon National Park is one of the few geological features that can be seen from space. From an aerial view, you can see a distinct bend where the Colorado River cuts the canyon running north to south before it takes an abrupt turn to the west.
Most locations along the South Rim run parallel to the river and it’s almost impossible to see the river at all. To me, the Colorado River is the lifeforce of the Grand Canyon and at Lipan Point, you can see it in three distinct places which makes it appear huge.
There are at least three Grand Canyon wedding locations here to host a small group and a lot of areas to explore for your Grand Canyon wedding photos. My most recent favorite moment nearby to this location was accommodating Gary’s request to have a barefoot walk and grounding before his wedding with Brian. Lipan Point is just outstanding in so many ways!
The point can be reached from a walk on a relatively flat unpaved trail that is pretty easily accessed by wheelchair but still a little adventurous. Carpooling is recommended because there is limited parking. There are several private ceremony location options that couples can use for wedding getting ready photos and first looks. It’s also a dog-friendly location!
SHOSHONE POINT
Shoshone Point is the best for accommodating a larger guest size and is also amazing for a sunrise elopement. Due to this fact, you will have to keep in mind that the area is generally visited by a small group of tourists. You will always run the risk of your guests being unable to walk out to the point without a small crowd. Even with a wedding permit, this does not grant you exclusivity to the site.
It’s still a great location and the only one in the park that allows private event reservations and catering. Other features include the following:
- Wedding permit includes five parked cars at the site.
- “Covered pavilion, picnic tables, grills, trash cans and a vault toilet. There is no water or electricity.”
- Open May 15 – October 15.
- Dogs are allowed and it accommodates up to 85 people.
Out of my list of recommended Grand Canyon wedding locations it is unfortunately bad lighting for sunsets so I suggest sticking with sunrises!
MORAN POINT
Moran Point is located midway along Desert View Drive about 20 minutes from the historic Grand Canyon Village. There’s easy parking, no bathrooms, dogs are also allowed at this site, and you can have up to 35 people. You can see the sunset over the rim most of the summer. Closer to the fall season, it is more difficult to see in any Grand Canyon photography. I’ve seen couples still capture beautiful elopement photography even during a winter elopement!
There is space to spread out and get away from crowds but some of the best Grand Canyon wedding ceremony spots are placed in full view. You may feel a little on display so it might not be the right fit if you’re looking for more privacy and intimacy.
To get the most out of this location, couples acclimated to climbing, scrambling and hiking (that are wearing appropriate footwear) can follow a short trail below the rim. This leads to locations that are stunning but not for the faint of heart as it is a little precarious. It is about a Class 2 scramble up some ledges on the north facing side of this feature.
GRANDEUR POINT
Grandeur Point is absolutely beautiful. It’s easily accessible by a short walk from the Yavapai Geology Museum’s parking area. The point hosts up to 45 people and there is a bathroom with running water .5 miles away in the parking area. Located close to the Grand Canyon Village, this makes returning to lodges or dinner reservations much easier than some locations further east, like Lipan Point. Another bonus is it’s one of two Grand Canyon wedding locations (the other is the Rim Worship Site) that are practically impossible to shut down because they remain plowed during snowfall.
RIM WORSHIP SITE
The Rim Worship Site doesn’t provide a rim sunset but you will see a favorite of Grand Canyon landscape photography buffs called “sun islands.” As the sun goes down it lights up all of the isolated mountains standing in the gap called temples. The site allows up to 50 people and dogs are allowed. Parking is available in the village area with season-dependent shuttle options from other nearby lots.
My Favorite North Rim Grand Canyon Wedding Locations
While the South Rim is open all year, the North Rim is only open April 15 – October 15 due to snowfall. I consider these the best North Rim Grand Canyon wedding locations during this time of year! The following is true of both of these spots:
The road may temporarily close due to hazardous weather conditions within the North Rim season. Vehicles 22 feet and larger are not permitted to drive on the road. The closest toilet is either at the parking lot or onsite.
CAPE ROYAL
Cape Royal offers a stunning sunset throughout the year with very prominent rock features that catch the light. This location requires a bit of a walk from the parking area and is not accessible to wheelchairs. The site can host up to 40 people. Dogs are not permitted at this site.
POINT IMPERIAL
Visiting Point Imperial showcases a view of the iconic peak, Mount Hayden, which can be climbed with technical climbing gear. I’ve stood on the top of it! As far as Grand Canyon climbing goes, this butte is more accessible than most though the approach is painful. It is a trip best for spending two nights below the rim of the canyon.
Up to 20 guests can be included at this location. There is an accessible paved path from the parking lot for views of the ceremony site. The ceremony area itself is not accessible and has uneven ground. You can bring your dog to a wedding here at Point Imperial.
Ready to choose your Grand Canyon wedding location? Contact me.
Vendors
Location | Grand Canyon National Park
Photographer | Terri Attridge Photography
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