Planning your Zion National Park wedding at the Temple of Sinawava

Can you envision standing beneath the massively breathtaking canyon walls saying your marriage vows? Let’s make that dream a reality! Whether you simply need a photographer or you would like to hand over the details to someone familiar with the area, I would love to assist you on your monumental day. Visit here for more information about Zion National Park wedding packages.

 

 

Looking for a unique destination wedding? National parks are becoming increasingly popular for tying the knot. Couples like Brian and Danielle are turning to scenic places like the Temple of Sinawava in Zion National Park for their dream wedding. The natural beauty lends itself perfectly to stunning wedding photographs.

The Temple of Sinawava is a massive natural amphitheater with canyon walls reaching heights of over 3000+ feet from the canyon floor. Its sheer beauty has made it one of Zion National Park’s most popular destinations – especially for weddings. An intimate outdoor ceremony at the Temple of Sinawava is the perfect place to say I do for any outdoor adventure enthusiast.

Want more information about planning a ceremony at the Temple of Sinawava? This article will help you with all the details -from what you need to know to get married at the Temple of Sinawava to the best time of year to wed at Zion National Park.

 

Why get married at the Temple of Sinawava?

 

At the entrance of Zion’s Narrows, the majestic sandstone of the Temple of Sinawava provides a picturesque backdrop for your outdoor wedding ceremony. You cannot beat the view that surrounds you when you are saying your vows.

You can be joined by up to 35 of your closest friends and family. This number includes the happy couple, the officiator, the photographer, and all your guests. If you want to have an authentic and intimate wedding, Zion National Park is a perfect place. It’s truly a place of heaven on earth for nature lovers. Photo opportunities will not be in short supply.

Many couples enjoy returning to the Temple of Sinawava to celebrate their wedding anniversary. What a memorable place to revisit with the family!

Zion National Park is ideally located in southwestern Utah, only 2.5 hours from Las Vegas, Nevada. Accommodations are available within the park at the Zion Lodge or in the nearby cities just beyond the entrance – Springdale, LaVerkin, and Hurricane. St George, Utah, is less than an hour away.

 

What do I need to know to get married at the Temple of Sinawava?

 

It’s important to plan so that you can enjoy your scenic outdoor wedding at Zion National Park. A wedding professional (such as myself!) can help you navigate the important details so your special day transpires without a hitch.

The Temple of Sinawava is the last shuttle stop on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. It is not accessible by car year-round. From the shuttle stop, you take a beautiful .5 mile stroll along the paved Riverside Walk. It is handicap accessible.

A special use permit is required for holding a wedding of any size in Zion National Park. There is an application fee of $100. Applications must be received at least three weeks in advance to receive consideration. You can fill out the application and get more details about the permit here.

 

Other important details to note about Zion National Park as a wedding venue:

 

– Any decorations need prior approval.
– Live plants and flower arrangements are permitted provided that neither live plant nor flower arrangements contain any seed pods whether dried or alive.
– Chairs are permitted at the Temple of Sinawava. During shuttle operation season, the chairs must be foldable so they can be taken onto the shuttle.
– No physical changes can be made to the environment.
– A permit does not guarantee exclusive use of the area. Visitors may watch the ceremony and activities.

More details available from Zion National Park here. 

As someone who has been part of the planning and/or photographing over 800 weddings, I can help you navigate these details and make the most of this unique wedding venue.

 

What is the best time of year to get married at Zion National Park?

 

Lined with beautiful wildflowers in the warmer months and stunning foliage in the fall, this setting provides different atmospheres depending on the time of year. We have even had good weather at a December wedding at the Temple of Sinawava.

One important factor to note is that the Temple of Sinawava may be several degrees colder than the rest of the canyon and has shorter time frames for sunlight. Be sure to time it right with your wedding coordinator who is ideally familiar with the area (like I am!)

With over 3.5 million visitors a year, Zion National Park is a popular place to visit. The weather is more moderate during Spring and Fall. Zion National Park is open year-round, but the majority of crowds visit between April and September. January is the least-visited month, but temperatures will be cooler. I can help you determine the perfect timing for your outdoor wedding.

 

Where else can I get married at Zion National Park?

 

Zion Canyon Area:

 

South Campground Amphitheater (Maximum of 100 people)
Zion Lodge Lawn (Maximum of 75 people)
Nature Center North Lawn (Maximum of 50 people. Available November-early April only).
Temple of Sinawava (Maximum of 35 people)
Menu Falls (Maximum of 10 people)

 

Kolob Canyon Area:

 

TimberCreek Overlook (Maximum of 20 people, 4 cars).