One of the most beautiful scenes in the Southwest is Cathedral Rock reflected in the waters of Oak Creek at Red Rock Crossing, Sedona, Arizona. Many couples want to have their wedding at one of the beautiful, natural sites in Red Rock Country.
My husband and I just returned from a weeks stay in Sedona, golfing, mountain biking, relaxing and enjoying the scenery. Naturally, as a wedding planner, I was curious about planning a wedding on Forest Service Land. Crescent Moon Ranch is a very popular site because of the beautiful views. I spoke with a very helpful member of the Forest Service who, along with the website www.fs.fed.us provided me with some great information. These are some guidelines for having a private wedding at Crescent Moon Ranch.
For fewer than 75 guests, you will not need to get a permit or submit any notification to the Forest Service. If you are expecting more than 75, you will need to contact the Coconino National Forest. On the above-mentioned website home page, you will see a Find a Forest by State box. Once you enter Arizona, select Coconino National Forest. Next, select Passes & Permits and under the Permit Directory, select Weddings and Gatherings. You will see an incomplete list of considerations. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Crescent Moon Ranch has bathroom facilities, so you won’t have to worry about that.
There are garbage cans in the group Ramada area-you won’t have to pack trash out.
No structures or props can be brought in and used at your ceremony site. Nature is the most beautiful prop you can ask for.
No chairs are allowed to be set-up at your ceremony site. The Ranger I spoke with did say that an exception would be made for elderly guests who could not stand for the ceremony.
No loud or intrusive sound equipment may be used. You may bring in a small system. How great would it be to have live, acoustic music performed by a local musician?
Remember, you do not have exclusive use of the land. If you reserve the group Ramada, which has a limit of 50 people, you will have the Ramada to yourself but you should expect other park visitors to be in the area. Having an early-morning, or mid-week wedding would lessen the chance of large crowds of people.
Alcohol is allowed on Forest Service land.
If you use the group Ramada for your reception, know that no commercial activity is allowed. This means that you can bring in your own food but you can’t have a caterer deliver, set-up and serve food for you.
Parking at Crescent Moon Ranch is $8.00. If you rent the Ramada for $75.00 per day, the fee includes parking for up to 10 vehicles.
More information is available on this same website. You want to scroll up the page and on the menu on the top left, select Recreational Activities. Next, select Red Rock District and scroll way down the page to Picnic Areas. Now select Crescent Moon Picnic Area and you will land on a page that will give you much of the information you need.
Many bridal couples have their ceremony down by the creek and their reception at one of the many beautiful restaurants and resorts in the area. An added benefit of working with a restaurant or resort is putting together a much-needed plan in case of rain. I can just picture an early morning ceremony with the beauty of Cathedral Rock and Oak Creek as the backdrop, followed by a delicious champagne brunch in a beautiful banquet room with a spectacular view!
If you live in the Phoenix area, many of our great photographers, ministers, and other wedding vendors will travel to Sedona, ensuring that your day is as close to perfect as possible. This wedding planner is also available to travel!
Tags: ceremonies, cool venues, forest service land, sedona arizona, wedding reception
