A Flagstaff Elopement Story

Kelsey + Mike were looking for the perfect mountain elopement location in Spring that would be complete with a cute cabin stay, mountain town vibes, and potentially wildflowers. After consideration, they landed on the incredible Arizona town of Flagstaff!

The energy going into the elopement day was very much “But, Daddy I Love Him” by Taylor Swift. We started with an off-road adventure with their rented Bronco to get ready out in nature. Mike, ready for the ceremony, stood among the ferns and waited to see Kelsey for the first time, down privately down the aisle. Starting the ceremony off with tears of joy and excitement as he soaked in the stunning gown.

Bill officiated the ceremony, stepping away for them to share their private, handwritten vows and co-recite the poem, The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman. They ended their ceremony with a passionate dip kiss and instantly took their rings back off to see the surprise scribing on the inside of the bands from each other.

We explored the vista we were on, taking portraits on the ledges overlooking Sedona (where they would be having a mini-moon in a couple of days) and among the lupines that were blooming. Then it was back down the dusty, two wheel off road route to another incredible high desert location.

We came into view of Humphreys Peak, where we set a blanket out in the field for them to sit, have a beer in celebration, and cut their cake! As a surprise to these two, their friends had texted us videos of congrats and well wishes for them to watch while they enjoyed their cake and relaxed to just soak in the day!! Before the last light of the evening, we ran around in the field blissfully enjoying the views and having the mountains to ourselves on this special day.

To end their wedding day, we headed back to their stunning A-frame cabin tucked in the ponderosa pines for them to make pizza and share their first dance to “New Year’s Day” by Taylor Swift. The twinkle light dance party continued as their heart-shaped pizzas finished baking. It was a cozy, perfect evening to end a special day celebrating their years of building a friendship and partnership to live this big, beautiful life together.

Why Elope in Flagstaff, Arizona

Flagstaff is a perfect location for an elopement in the pines or with mountain views! Since this is not a place that has become Instagram famous, it is a location where you can find privacy for your day. Being a high desert environment, the area typically offers a lot of sunshine and great weather year-round, depending on what you are looking for.

While beautiful and offering a lot of adventures like off-roading, hiking, climbing, and biking, the town also offers lots of breweries and great restaurants. Some of our favorites in the area that we recommend trying while in town for your wedding are: Forét for brunch/breakfast, Shift for dinner and Sosoba for a low-key dinner + happy hour.

Not only is Flagstaff itself a beautiful location, but it is a great “home base” location for your adventure desert honeymoon! With only a short day trip drive, you can access the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Page!!

Planning your Flagstaff elopement

Best time to elope in Flagstaff

The best time to elope in Flagstaff, Arizona really depends on the type of weather you want and the type of adventure you are interested in. Personally, I think the best week is the first week of October and the last week of May.

Spring – Spring can be a great time to elope in Flagstaff, especially late Spring. A lot of the forest service roads do not open until May due to snowmelt. These roads give you a lot of access to beautiful locations in the area and offer camping.

Summer – Summer is filled with lovely temperatures and sometimes evening showers. Folks are out and about there is a lot to do in town!

Fall – The aspen leaves in the mountains change vibrant yellow late September to early/mid October. Each year’s exact dates depends on temperatures and rainfall.

Winter – If you have any interest in skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing or building a snowman man this is the place with sunny days and a lot of snow!

How to get to Flagstaff

Flagstaff is located in Northern Arizona. There is a small airport located in Flagstaff, Arizona, but there are few flight options out of it. We would recommend flying into Phoenix, Arizona, and making the two-ish hour drive north to enjoy the desert plants and views along the way.

If you are eloping in Flagstaff, we highly recommend being sure to book a car rental.

Get driving directions from Sky Harbor Airport to Flagstaff here.

Where to Elope in Flagstaff

Flagstaff offers a great variety of elopement locations, depending on what you are looking for, view, and experience-wise. A lot of locations in Flagstaff are locally known or don’t really have names – which is amazing for privacy reasons. However, we will name a few of the top, most popular here for you:

• Snowbowl
• Humpfery’s Peak
• Buffalo Park
• Oak Creek Vista
• Sunset Crater

Where to stay in Flagstaff

Being on the famous Route 66 and known as the gateway to the Grand Canyon, there are lots of places to stay! As for a hotel, our favorite place to recommend is High Country Motor Lodge. We love this place as it has a kitchen, a lovely bar with fantastic cocktails, a place to sit outside by the fire and is within walking distance to downtown.

If you want to consider an Airbnb, there are plenty of options within town and downtown. A lot of our couples tend to stay in Kachina Village, which has a lot of cute cabins and is just a few minutes outside of town, headed towards Oak Creek Canyon into Sedona.

Flagstaff Elopement Photographer

Looking for an elopement photographer in Flagstaff, Arizona?? This is a location that can helpful to work with a team that is already familiar with the area – someone that knows the best bars, the best dirt roads to incredible views and can help you plan the best desert road trip honeymoon to follow!

Hi – that is us!! We used to live locally to the area and still frequent the region each year. We have lived van life on these high desert roads, learned to climb on Flag’s limestone, have friends who own the local bars, and more. We would be more than happy to help you plan your own dream elopement location in this cute, quaint town!

I would recommend Adventure & Vow over and over again.

Adventure and Vow were the perfect photographers for our wedding day, we couldn’t be more happy with how the whole day and planning process went because of them!
Their communication was frequent but never overwhelming – we always knew exactly what they were looking for and felt very prepared going into the day. The script Bill wrote for our ceremony felt like he had known us our whole relationship. They really went above and beyond, like offering to pick up my husband’s boutonnière, and they sneakily took our phones at one point to record videos of us throughout the night without us knowing, they were such a fun surprise to see when we laid down in bed that night. Traci helped take me to the bathroom with a ball gown, fix my hair throughout the day and even surprised us with home videos from my best friends as the day settled down.

If you’re worried about the cost, they are probably charging lower than they should for all the roles they play (officiant, photo, video, planning, location guide/scouting, a friendly/calm presence to the day, etc.), I could go on and on! Truly a stress free experience.

Kelsey + Mike

Flagstaff Eloping Couple

Flagstaff Elopement Video

See more Flagstaff Elopement Photos below from the Fall!

Cynthia and Paul met by chance. They started their relationship as friends and overtime it became clear to them that they should be more than that. Each of them have a quality that sparked their interest beyond anything they had ever felt before for anyone else. Within each other they found passion, love, friendship and a balance within each other and their lives. A push to be better and a love for sharing life together.

After getting engaged at a local park with their friend capturing the YES moment, it was time to start wedding plan together. Neither of them envisioning the big wedding day most people dream about, they decided to plan something more intimate and intentional where they could share quality time with each other and those they love. As far as where to get married, they knew they often felt their happiest outside and they love road tripping together, knocking National Parks off their places to visit list. With their love for the road and travel, they decided to bring their closest family and friends to one of their favorite places, Moab!

In this blog you will find their wedding day story along with tips for your own wedding or elopement at Red Earth Venue.

Hi! Meet your Red Earth Venue Wedding Photographers!

We are Traci + Bill, a husband and wife, elopement photographer team. We are both ordained and we offer video packages to go along with any of our photo packages. Moab is our home during the Spring months and we love getting to share this little slice of the desert with our couples while capturing their wedding day.

While we focus on adventure elopements, we understand not all of our couples want to celebrate this day(s) without their closest loved ones. Sometimes an intimate venue bridges that gap for family friendly and still adventurous! We could not recommend Red Earth Venue enough for all of the couples bringing their loved ones together here in the desert.

Within this blog you will get to read the story of one of our couples elopements/small wedding at Red Earth Venue, along with exploring the National Park’s in Moab. From there we will take you though some thoughts and tips for planning your own wedding here at Red Earth! We can not wait to connect!

Meet us!

Pre-Wedding

Sunrise First Look at Canyonlands + Private Vows

Cynthia + Paul’s day started well before the sun was up, getting ready along side a few of their friends in town for the wedding day. Being sure to keep their space so that they could share a sunrise first look, the couple arrived at Canyonlands National Park without seeing each other by shuttling in different vehicles. Their first look would be with the first light of the day gracing the canyons as they stood above the canyon floor thousands of feet below. Why here? Cynthia + Paul’s favorite National Park they have been to so far is Canyonlands. So the stoke was high to start the wedding experience off here, a place that feels familiar, beautiful and meaningful to them.

Paul and Cynthia’s first look was beautiful – they looked great, the view couldn’t have gotten any better. More importantly, it was a moment that you could tell was fully felt. Meaning they took their time looking over each other’s outfits for their wedding day, taking in the view together and just relishing in the moment of we are finally here. It was quiet, it was still, it was joyful.

Cynthia and Paul opted to read their vows (looking for advice on writing your own wedding vows?) in private following their first look along the canyon rim in Canyonlands. They shared their vows and many tears, as Paul would wipe away each tear that fell down Cynthia’s face. However, there was also lots of laughter. Their vows they found were actually pretty similar to each other’s. They both promised to enjoy food together that maybe them selves didn’t love, but the other did. They promised to finish seeing all of the National Parks together during their marriage. They shared what each other has meant to them in this life so far, with future promises of continued growth in their relationship. It was the most perfect way to start off their two day wedding adventure with laying the foundation of what they are here for – joining together in marriage.

After sharing vows we decided to off road down Shafer trail to have a picnic overlooking the river. Cynthia + Paul had always wanted to do this drive, but had never been here during a time the road was open. Paul was also very stoked to take his own personal truck down the road for the adventure! We made our way down the winding road through the changing views. Cynthia and Paul, in their true fashion, stopped along the way for some “window shopping”, stopping to see the different view points. They also stopped once for an impromptu dance together by their truck with an incredible view. We had lunch at a famous movie view point filled with their favorite things – flaming hot Cheetos, sandwhiches and their favorite wine.

Sunrise in Arches National Park Wedding Day

On the day of their wedding, we met together for sunrise in Arches National Park for some morning quality time together before getting ready separately before the ceremony at Red Earth Venue. We spent the first bit of the morning at the Windows Section exploring and taking portraits along their favorite arches in the park. Later heading over to Sand Dune arch, a new arch for them to see and explore together. It was a great way to start of the day, together with their best friend watching the sun rise on the day would become husband + wife, before separating for the next several hours.

Wedding Day at Red Earth Venue

Getting Ready for the Wedding

Since Red Earth Venue doesn’t have a designated bridal suite, the couple decided to get ready at their stay, The Moab Resort. The guys got ready all together in the Lobby area where they also played pool and took some time just relaxing together. Before the fella’s set out, Paul’s best woman gifted him with a local liquor that had a story of two coming together, in honor of their wedding day.

The ladies got ready together in Cynthia’s room getting their hair and make up done over mimosas and snacks. Cynthia had her mom help her get into her dress and shoes, her mother praying over her before setting out for the big event. Cynthia’s sister helping her put all of her jewelry on before sharing a first look with her bridesmaids.

Red Earth Venue Ceremony

Paul gathered his guests outside under the iron arches to have a seat and prepare for his bride to walk down the aisle. On the other side of the glass room, Cynthia shared a private and emotional first look with her dad before he walked her through the building and down the aisle to Paul. While their private vows were already shared with each other, their ceremony was filled with key moments from meeting, dating, getting engaged and other moments that lead them to this day. However, they had a surprise for their parents and bridal party. They asked each of them to join together in helping them with the more formal vows. Each person would read a line, then Cynthia or Paul would answer “I do” to them. It was a fun surprise and a beautiful way to include their loved ones in the ceremony, helping them come together as one big unit. Elopement ceremonies offer so much freedom to curating the moment to be exactly how you’d like it to! They sealed the deal with a kiss and celebratory walk back down the aisle as everyone cheered in congratulations to them.

Before joining all back together for the reception, guests took in the views surrounding the venue, captured group photos and then snuck Cynthia + Paul away for some final sunset portraits of just them two!

Red Earth Venue Reception

Cynthia and Paul entered the reception by going into their first dance together as husband and wife. Setting the tone for a fun, love filled evening ahead. The chef had prepared a very special meal at Cynthia + Paul’s request. They looked high and low for a chef that would create a specific vision they had and found a company in Salt Lake City excited to honor their idea. Done to Your Taste prepared a fusion dinner in honor of Cynthia + Paul’s two different cultures and of course, their two favorite cuisines. The food was amazing, and accompanied by their favorite wine, which is also their go to choice for a sunset hike to take along the trail to sit at the end, taking in the view, chatting and simply enjoying their time together before hiking back.

Following dinner there were a few toasts made. First, Paul’s best woman and best man shared in a toast together to honor Paul and congratulate their marriage. Complete with the text messages of Paul letting them know he was going to propose passed around for everyone to share in that moment, which was mostly communicated via emojis! Then two of Cynthia’s friends made toasts sharing stories of who Cynthia is as a person and how excited they are she found her soul mate. Paul’s brother gave his first speech/toast ever ending in a huge hug with his brother. The last speech was Cynthia’s father’s which was the real tear jerker – welcoming Paul into the family as a son. He ended his speech with a Father Daughter dance. Cynthia’s mom, sister and brother watching along with happy tears in their eyes.

Before the evening got too late and before the group dancing started, Cynthia + Paul did a bubble send off out of the of Red Earth Venue on a path that led to their truck where a friend had put Mr. and Mrs on their windows and Just Married on the back window!

Once everyone was back in, the party was on! Cynthia and Paul danced with their guests to an array of music, some from their cultures, some that were lively dance songs, but also several slow, loving songs.

It was a magical, happy, fun ending to their two day celebration and honoring of their commitment to each other.

Things to know when Booking Red Earth Venue for your Wedding

• Red Earth Venue is located just north of town on the corner of the main highway into Moab and the 313 which is the road that takes you out to Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands.
• The venue pricing starts around $4000 for the space. The venue offers the ability to add on things through their own rental options once you book the space like tables, decor, fire pits and other items.
• There are two main spaces at the venue – the glass house and the platform. We recommend the platform for your ceremony and the glass house for the reception!
• Be mindful of the time of year that you’ll be holding your event here. There is no central air and the heaters must be rented and aren’t included automatically. That said, they have plenty of big doors that open for the perfect draft and more than enough heaters to keep you nice and toasty
• Depending on your group size, the indoor space may not be enough to hold your entire party. Somewhere around 50 people can fit comfortably depending on your table lay out, but the doors all open up and can be a wonderful mix of indoor and outdoor spacing.

When do you need to book with Red Earth Venue?

As you know, we are mainly adventure wedding/elopement photographers. We encourage our couples to book a venue if they have 25+ more people in total coming to their elopement. We have laid out this foundation for many reasons, a few of them being: the ability to follow Leave No Trace, the ability to easily get married without stress to you or worrying about sticking to your timeline and not disrupting other people enjoying nature. It is also important to know that getting a permit in the National Parks around Moab (Arches and Canyonlands), only allows for a 15 minutes ceremony time limit, having your event fully or partially hosted at Red Earth Venue allows you all the time you want in an incredible canyon.

Photography Packages for Red Earth Venue

Our photography packages are broken down by 4 hours, half day, split full day (sunrise/sunset) and multi-day. We think Moab is the perfect place for a two day elopement if you want to spend one day adventuring and exploring the area with just you two and one day gathering with your loved ones – much like what Cynthia + Paul did. Otherwise for coverage at this venue we would recommend either the half day or full day. Our packages start at $4500 and our average booking is $8000. All of our packages include assistance in planning, a two person professional photographer team, same day sneak peaks, full printing rights/high resolution downloads and officiating. We offer video as an add on option to your coverage.

Red Earth Venue Wedding Vendors from this wedding

• Hair and Make-up: Seventh Ave Beauty
• Officiant: Adventure and Vow
• Photography + Planning: Adventure and Vow
• Venue: Red Earth Venue
• Cake: Baked by Rachel
• Food: Done to your Taste
• Dress: David’s Bridal
• Suit: Men’s Warehouse
• Moab Event Rentals

We’d Love to Hear More About Your Moab Wedding Plans!

Pela + Marty’s Fall Elopement in Zion National Park

I remember the first call we had with Pela + how excited she was for their elopement! Pela + Marty reached out to us a little over a year before their elopement. We love when there is a lot of time to plan because you can take your time and truly enjoy the process and craft a day that is exactly what you want. Pela + Marty eloped just them two in Zion, but prior to the elopement they were able to go to the area with their kids and make some memories around the lake.

On the morning of their elopement we started out at a local coffee shop to pick up coffee (a morning must!) and breakfast to go! As we headed out the pouring desert rain came in. While rain may not be ideal for a wedding day, it felt soothing, calming and slow. Just right for the mornings activities. We had our breakfasts in our cars while we waited for the rain to pass. And when it did shortly after, it left us with a desert smelling of fresh rain and if you have ever experienced it you know how magical it can be. Once the skies started to clear we headed to a picnic table near the lake so Pela + Marty could write their vows. It’s always such a great way to start off a wedding day, taking the time to sit together and to focus on why you are marrying your partner and setting the tone for the day.

Once the vows were written, it was time for a little adventure!! They hoped into two different kayaks to kayak around the lake together surrounded by towering canyon walls. Between their laughter and joking around together, I was able to hear them sharing memories with each other from when they first met and all that they had been through to lead them here.

After the morning adventure, they set out to head back to their tiny home rental on the outskirts of Zion to start getting ready for rest of the day. They had found the perfect stay – it had great starry night views, the most charming porch deck, and even a hot tub for spending some close quality time together! With their busy schedules + raising kids, they were very excited to celebrate together and get this special time together! After they were both dressed and ready to set out, we sent Marty out to a field surrounded by wild flowers to wait on Pela for their first look. You could feel the excitement as Pela made her way over to show off her dress! They shared a beautiful moment together and of course the holy crap this is happening + lets freaking do it!!!!! We set out for their ceremony location – a private nook off a dirt road at the mouth of a canyon. Their ceremony was just them two! They shared private vows with each other + ended their ceremony with a hand fasting ceremony. Of course, sealing the deal with a big kiss!!!

Now that they were officially wed it was time for more adventure! We hopped into the car and headed into Zion National Park. We started up the trail on a new hike for both of them. As we made our way they stopped to take in the views and say thanks to the folks congratulating them on trail. Once we made it to the top they took in the view, played on the cliff edges and really took the time to be present together. Before the sun set behind the canyon Pela changed into her second dress – a vintage 1960’s dress she had found -a true gem. Marty also changed into a suit more complimentary to go with her dress change. I loved their change in outfits. It was like two completely different vibes – At first they were dressed for a day time big event and then switched to a super classy and dressy evening of fun. We explored more areas of the high up cliffs as the sun began to dip. Once the sun was gone it was time to hike back to the trailhead. These two had a private catered dinner and personal chef waiting back at their stay for them!

Upon arriving back to the house the chefs had set up their space to cook outside. Pela and Marty were kind enough to invite us to stay for dinner! As we all snacked on appetizers they poured a drink to begin the celebration for the evening. Before sitting down together, they shared a fun and flirty first dance with one another. We dined over an absolutely amazing meal, chatted about life and all of their goals for the future as a now Mr. + Mrs. We said our see ya laters that evening as they were jumping into the hot tub under the stars.

The entire day was filled with so much fun, so much laughter and quality time together. It was a true celebration of these two lovers, parents and friends becoming husband and wife. We love that their elopement wasn’t somewhere too far from home so they can hopefully go back as time goes on to make new memories and visit these special places together again.

Check Out Pela + Marty’s Vendor List!

Pela and Marty had such wonderful details as a part of their elopement day. If you are eloping in Zion be sure to check out their vendors. If you are eloping in general check out the items list for ideas and great options to shop at!

Items

Dress: Truvelle Bridal @truvellebridal
Ring: Alexis Russell @alexisrusselljewelry
Handfasting Cords: Embracing Cords
Vow Books: Print Smitten & Co @printsmittenpaperco
Mugs: Glam Co Designs

Vendors

Hair and Makeup: Wild Cactus Weddings @wildcactusweddings
Catering: Kelso’s Catering
Bridal Shop: Grey Pearl @greypearlbride
Location: Zions Tiny Oasis @zionstinyoasis

Watch their Elopement Video!

Words from the bride…

“

Where to begin? When I first contacted Traci, she was very professional and gave me all the bits of info I needed to get started. Once we settled on a time and place, Traci and Bill made it the smoothest planning experience ever. A lot of brides say their wedding was stressful or the planning was overwhelming, but I didn’t feel like that when I worked with them. They gave me options and made an itinerary that fit what sounded most enjoyable to us. When the week of the wedding we were notified the lake we were meant to go to for kayaking was having an event/closed – no big deal! Traci and Bill found another lake – even more beautiful than the original – and found a kayak rental spot nearby too. When it rained the morning of, they literally gave us their jackets to sit on so we could write our vows without sitting in water. Working with them allowed me to sit back and enjoy the experience instead of fretting over every little detail. I was able to be present in the moment and truly keep a positive outlook, even when things weren’t going exactly as planned. Our day was not just special, but genuinely fun and it was mostly due to Traci and Bill. They were patient, caring, authentic, passionate about their work, and above all, kind. They feel like instant family and you just want to keep hanging out with them. Don’t hesitate in hiring them. You will be beyond satisfied.” – Pela

Shannon + Cole’s Spring Elopement in Moab, Utah

Shannon + Cole traveled to Utah on a trip and fell in love with the desert and adventures there. When it came time to get married they knew they wanted to share their love + the love they had for this region with their family. We planned for an elopement in Moab since it would still be where they love, but a new place for them to check off the bucket list!

Their elopement day started with a first look at Arches National Park. Cole waited to see Shannon for the first time while standing beside a tall red rock feature with a building excitement that you could feel. Little did Shannon know as she made her way to her future husband, he had a surprise up his sleeve. She tapped his shoulder and he turned around smiling from ear to ear checking out his brides beautiful dress as Shannon showcased all of its sparkle. As they were ready to move on from the first look Shannon’s sister handed her a letter to read. In the letter it explained that she had secretly gifted her video coverage of their day, with the help of Cole. Shannon didn’t realize we had already been filming the whole thing! It was a wonderful surprise leaving everyone in happy tears – a perfect way to start off their elopement.

Following the first look, since this was their first time in Arches National Park we planned to explore several of the arches in the area we were at. As we walked around the park we could also see the La Sal mountain range! It was still covered in snow and absolutely stunning.

From the park, we headed to where they would be staying for the evening, one of our favorite spots in Moab – Under Canvas. This unique glamping stay is a fantastic place to spend your wedding night and experience Moab up close and comfortable. While we were stopping by their place we also made sure to capture them riding around in an ATV they had rented while in Moab. They had made a super cute sign for the back of their ATV – Just Married! <3

Now – it was time to finally get married!!! We went over to Dead Horse Point State Park to meet up with their family and go to their approved ceremony location. The spot was perfect, one of the best views of sunset and the thousand feet canyons below them. Shannon’s mom helped her switch her shoes and prepare to walk down the trial to the ceremony as everyone else gathered around Cole and the officiant. They had a close friend, a fellow firefighter, officiate their ceremony. It was special to have a close friend perform their ceremony, since he had an insider view of their lives together. During their ceremony they shared touching personal vows with each other in front of their guests – including their kids. It was a beautiful ceremony, even bystanders stopped to give a moment of awe and congrats at the end. With the family surrounded around, some of their closest guests standing by their sides and the monumental cliffs below them.

As they sealed the deal with a kiss they went straight into their first dance. Accompanied with the song Dressed Up in White by CAL – a romantic song to dance to in the desert sunlight just after getting married. It was a beautiful juxtaposition – Shannon in her white dress with the sparkles twirling in the sunlight with the red rock far below them! After their dance their family joined them in hugs and moments of congratulations. As the sun started to get closer to setting below the canyons we explored different areas of the state park. They had came out the day before to see just where they were going to get married and picked some of their favorite locations they would want photos at. I love this idea as it is like a date night before the big day!! We watched them play along the ledges and captured their love in these stunning spots until the light was almost completely gone from the sky.

As we returned back to the cars, two of their family members signed their marriage license as witnesses and just like that they were officially married!! The fun was not over though for the evening! They were headed to dinner in town in Moab with all of their guests to continue celebrating and gathering together for the special occasion. For the rest of the week they had plans to go explore more of Utah and to continue making epic memories together. I am sure these two will be back in Moab sometime in the future! Until then, we wish them so much love and happiness in their marriage!!!

Are you looking to Elope in Moab?

Moab is a stunning part of the desert with diverse adventures for nearly every outdoor enthusiast! It is a fantastic place to play, get married and explore National Parks and canyons! Eloping here is breath taking + there are endless beautiful places to consider for your elopement day!

Best Places to Elope in Moab

Looking for an Elopement Photographer?

Well hi! Adventure and Vow is a husband and wife elopement photography team! All of our packages include officiating, assistance in planning and the option to add on video! We know Moab super well – we spend most of our Thanksgivings there, we rescued our dog from there and we take our cat deep in the slot canyons on canyoneering trips lol. We would love to help you plan your elopement day in Moab!!!!

Let’s Chat about your day!

Why did they choose to elope in Sedona?

Emily + Andrew truly planned an elopement day that was authentic to them. They had found us on Instagram through one of their past coworkers, Jess and Tyler, who eloped with us the year before. Upon seeing their photos and hearing about their experience, they knew right away that this is how they want to get married. It was centered around connecting with each other, the beautiful location they selected to get married at and their family. They had created the perfect balance of intimate adventure together and celebration with their loved ones during their elopement day. 

Their Intimate Sunrise with Private Vows

They started their day off hiking into the depths of the Red Rocks with just them two before the sun had even begun to come up over the horizon. We hiked together through the beautiful landscape that had yet to reveal itself to arrive at the location where they would share a first look for sunrise. Each of them had gotten changed in their own pocket of wilderness before Andrew climbed up onto a mini sandstone spire where he waited for Emily to turn him around. It was clear seeing his face as he looked at Emily for the first time in her wedding dress of how much love the couple shared for one another. Andrew said the dress was perfectly Emily. It was a soft and romantic styled dress. From this ledge, they made their way to the main spot where as they shared their personal vows for one another, the sun broke over the horizon and rose over the rocks behind them. After they shared their emotional vows on this daring rock cliff, they sat together taking in the views, listening to and watching the birds fly around them as they drank champagne and ate some freshly baked cinnamon rolls, their Sunday tradition together.

We love when couples are able to include things from their everyday relationship into their elopement day, making it that much more special and that much more them. It was so beautiful to see them experience everything together, connecting and taking in all of the views. They both kept saying that it was unreal and they couldn’t believe the day was here as they had been planning for about 6 months and the time just flew by. Before we started our hike back to the trailhead, Emily gifted Andrew a very special token with his favorite photo of him and his mother on it, so that she in a way would be here on this day with them. 

Their Elopement Ceremony with Family

After a short resting and refueling break, the couple got ready in the same Airbnb with all of their guests at a stunning property in the heart of Sedona (Learn more about the best places to Elope in Sedona!). The Airbnb had so much character and color, it was a lovely cozy place to be and a perfect reflection for the vibe of the day. Emily was hanging out with her friends in her own part of the home and when the time came, her mother had helped her back into her wedding dress. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. One of my favorite moments was Emily’s mother telling her how beautiful she was and Emily saying, well, I got it from you. It was fun to see the relationship and connection as mother daughter throughout the day.

Emily shared a first look with her father as everyone loaded up the cars and we all headed out for the short hike with big views for the ceremony (Looking for advice on planning your Elopement Ceremony?). Her father walked her down the trail to her soon to be husband. The ceremony was touching and walked through the history of their relationship and their hopes for the future and this commitment as their close friend officiated. After the ceremony and some family photos, they got to spend a little time alone together again taking in the landscape and then hiked out together through the cacti. 

Dinner and First Dances

We arrived to their dinner at Mesa Grill where they had set up a beautiful clear and heated tent across from all of the small planes at the Airport in Sedona where they were congratulated again by family with cheers and excitement. Before dinner began, Andrew + Emily shared a first dance together where there were smiles all around for the entire song. This was followed by Emily’s first dance with her father. After a delicious dinner it was time for some fun as they danced the night away with their siblings and close friends. The elopement day was so authentic to them, so full of love, purpose and true moments of celebration and joy. 

 It was a beautiful day with so much attention around the events and it was beautiful to see Emily and Andrew thoroughly enjoy their day and to completely embrace the experience together from the stunning views from sunset to sunrise. It was a beautiful way to celebrate their marriage and we wish them the best and hope to see them again someday in the future!

Full Day Elopement with Family in Sedona, Arizona on an Off Road Adventure with a Romantic Dinner

Cassie and Tyler met each other in Kentucky when Cassie was doing her masters and happened to go into the bar that Tyler owned on a night typically he wouldn’t be working. And from that chance encounter, it all began. As they dated and moved in together they went on many adventures traveling all over the world. One of their favorite places being Turks and Caicos. When they got engaged, they knew that they wanted a wedding that would focus more on the commitment and celebration, without all of the stress that is so common with a traditional wedding. Of course they wanted a day that involved a little bit of adventure too. Once they reached out to us after deciding Sedona was the perfect place for them they fell in love with Merry Go Round rock, and the planning began!

A couple of days before their elopement, some bad weather was set to come in to Sedona. While usually we shoot rain, wind or snow, the road up to Merry Go Round Rock closes if it gets too wet. We thought it was best to move everything to the day before so the couple could continue with their plans in the location they most desired. As it turns out the universe also thought this was a good idea because everything that had their date on it either broke, never arrived in the mail, or was unusable at the wedding.

So as the ceremony came a day early, we met up with them at their super cute Airbnb rental to capture Cassie as she was spending time with her mother and closest family members. Cassie spent time writing her vows, drinking mimosas and getting ready. It was a relaxed morning, with time well spent connecting with family and prepping for the fun of the day ahead. To complete getting ready, Cassie’s final touch was wearing her grandmother’s pearls.

The couple had planned a gift exchange to share before hitting the dirt roads, and while we were with Cassie she opened hers first. Cassie could not have been more excited by the gift she had received from Tyler. He had found her a rare pair of shoes she had been wanting for a long time now, perfect to wear on the wedding day!

As Tyler was getting ready he added a few special things to his outfit before starting the day. He got to wear his grandfather’s bolo tie and he had special shoes made with paintings of their two huskies on the top and their cat on the side. Their pets are definitely their babies and it was super cute to be able to see them include them in their day in a fun way. When it came time for Tyler to open his gift, he received a watch and a journal that Cassie had been writing for a year. She wrote memories of them being together throughout their adventures and thoughts and wishes for this day and beyond. It was a really special touch and gift for him to read through before setting out to get married. As their family and friends finished getting ready, Cassie and her father shared an emotional first look before we all hopped into the Jeeps and made our way up the mountain road.

After some bumpy off road driving, we arrived to the top of the mountain and our group walked to the ceremony location. We all organized for the ceremony ready to go as Cassie and her father walked the rest of the way down the trail together for Tyler to see her for the first time in her wedding dress. The ceremony was beautiful. Their personal vows were so touching and talked all about their journey together and their wishes for the future. It was filled with such joyous emotion. It was wonderful to see their family gathered around them, supporting them through their ceremony and supporting this marriage.

After the ceremony, there were hugs in celebration and after capturing some family photos, the guests headed back down the mountain to gather at the Airbnb to hangout and prepare for dinner. Cassie and Tyler stayed up at the top of Merry Go Round to explore all the pockets of what Merry-Go-Round has to offer. They had so much fun scrambling to the top of the rock formations and ended the evening with one of the most beautiful and colorful sunsets I have seen in Sedona. The evening was quiet and serene. It was nice to soak in all of the blue purple and pink colors in the sky quietly together as we had the entire place to ourselves, probably due to the bad weather due to roll in the following day. Once the sun dipped, we headed back to the jeep for the adventure back down the mountain. We talked about their travel plans, past travel they have shared and their goals for life. As we made our way back into the house, we were greeted by family and two shots of tequila. They signed their marriage license with each of their mother’s as their witnesses making it legal! We left them to enjoy their dinner after a full evening of adventure and getting married! 

We captured their elopement celebration into two different days since the chef they had booked wasn’t able to switch their dinner date. It was actually really nice to have it seperated into two days so they could fully enjoy and embrace each part of their elopement So the following day, we were set to arrive at where Cassie and Tyler were staying to capture them in the cutest cabin. During the day before we had arrived, Tyler and some of the family had put together their dinner set up. Tyler had created a romantic display with a lovely blue decor, a chandler and more. He had even handled the floral arrangements as he told his mom later that he thinks what he learned at the Boy Scouts was really coming in handy. We headed back to the Airbnb the family was staying where everyone mingled over appetizers and dinner was served: a fantastic steak and duck fat fries with Brussels sprouts.

Following dinner several of the family members stood up to give a toast to the newly weds. There was so much laughter, tears of joy and reminiscing. Cassie’s sister gave an emotional toast, definitely roasting her sister just a little bit here and there, but it was beautiful to see them welcoming Tyler into the family officially after years of memories all together. Tyler’s sister also gave a speech that was emotional and you could tell that she was so excited to finally have a sister and welcome Cassie into the family. 

Their first dance music was played on a record they had gotten made with a photo on top of their engagement session. It was a fun touch and I love that it is something they can listen to over and over again at their home. The dances started with their very own first dance which was flirty and fun ending in one of their epic deep kisses. This was followed by emotional first dances with their father and mother. Their intimate reception was one for the books with so much meaning as everyones connection with each other truly showed. Before the formalities of the night came to an end, Cassie’s father sang and played everyone a song on his guitar. It was a touching moment and the perfect way to end the evening.

Before everything finished up, Cassie and Tyler thanked us for all of our help in making their day special, and a dream come true with their family chiming in with good words as well. In return, we really just had to thank them for planning an elopement based on their values and who they are as a couple and everyone embracing the experience of an elopement creating a really authentic space to form lasting memories for everyone.

 A lot of times family elopements can run behind and kind of add stress to the couple which is essentially the opposite of what we think an elopement day is all about. A tip for planning a family elopement that Cassie did that really helped was she made a very detailed spreadsheet. It included information on their elopement day, on Sedona in general, locations and more. It was easy to follow so that everyone knew exactly what to expect and even with changing the plans last minute, everyone was ready to go and knew exactly what what was going on. We couldn’t be more thankful to be a part of their day. This elopement day was a true reflection of who they are as a couple. Fun, adventurous, spontaneous and special to those around them. We stayed for awhile and hung out after the elopement coverage was complete. We chatted about life and places, there were cigars smoked, cocktails toasted and laughter before we headed out. Before leaving we reached out to Cassie’s father to see if he would be willing to record the song he performed for their elopement video. He enthusiastically agreed to rent studio space and make the song for the wedding video. It is such a special touch for them to be able to look back on throughout their whole life together and hear his music played along with their wedding day.

Congrats to Cassie and Tyler!!! We can’t wait for that one year anniversary somewhere epic and we wish you a guys, all the best.

This wedding has been featured on Bespoke Bride.

This wedding was also featured on Strictly Weddings.

Lake Powell Adventure Wedding and Sedona Intimate Elopement Ceremony

Kari and Eric have traveled all over the US and outside of the US together. When it came time to plan their elopement, they wanted to pick somewhere that they had not been to together yet for new memories. Kari is a large event planner, so she wanted a day that would not be a large production to maintain. The focus when planning was adventure on day one all over the Page, Arizona region and day two to be focused around an intimate ceremony. They flew in their own plane from Indiana to Page after exploring other parts of the desert during their flight to get ready for the next day of exploring. They picked us up bright and early at our camp site along the same road we needed to venture down to their first location! They had rented a jeep from a local company to be able to access the area. However, without Eric’s past experience off-roading, I don’t think we would have made it! It was a fun morning going through the slightly outlandish mud slide of a road hearing them think back on all the epic adventures they had been to together from many trips to Costa Rica and of course their first trip early on in their dating to the British Virgin Islands.

Upon arrival we hopped out excited to see just how muddy the jeep was. They changed into outfit one of the day and started exploring different areas of the big rock shelf as the sun started to rise. Once the sun had been up long enough to warm us all up, we hopped back into the jeep to head to location number two! Driving back down the Mars like road in the daylight, Kari and Eric were able to take in all of the odd beauty around. We got to Lake Powell and checked in, picking up the boat and kayaks to start our venture of boating, kayaking and hiking in a beautiful private slot canyon! For Eric, driving the boat was like going down memory lane as these two took in all the new beautiful scenes around them that we had seen earlier that morning from above and working together to navigate driving the boat through the rock walls. Once we navigated to our docking point it was exciting to get closer to the water and slow things down for the day as we all paddled through deeper into the rock walls. Hiking through the slot canyon was fun, touching all the different textures on the walls, admiring the different colors and shapes made by the water. After returning back to the boat we just cruised taking in the final bits of the day and views on the water. Day one of their adventure wedding was full of exploration, excitement, adventure and love. It was care-free and beautiful, setting the perfect tone for the next days ceremony and hike in Sedona.

Everything you need to know about getting married on Lake Powell!

Lake Powell is located in Page, Arizona but spans all the way past Bullfrog, Utah. The lake itself has over 2000 miles of shoreline, some of which you can dock at or even camp on. The lake has over 90 side canyons ready for exploring and is home to one of the largest natural arches in the United States. The water levels lately have been extremely low, even with the large amount of rain Arizona saw this year. This is because the water source for the lake is actually snow melt! The lake creates a water source and electric power for many on the Navajo Nation so while this is a man made lake, it is sacred in use.

Do I need a permit to get married on Lake Powell?

A lot of Lake Powell is located on Glen Canyon Recreational land, so yes you do need a permit to get married here! Specifically you need a Special Use permit and this can be obtained on the Parks website. Note that parks sometimes change their policy so you as the couple and photographer should be in contact to get information at least 45 days in advance. Outside of a permit, you will also need your marriage license! If you are going to the lake from Page you can get your marriage paper work from the Page clerk office. It is important to note however, that when you are on Lake Powell, you are dancing between Arizona and Utah pretty much the entire time. The other option would be getting your paperwork in Kanab or if you are leaving from a different area look into other options in Utah.

Is it safe to get married on Lake Powell?

Safety and understanding the desert is very important when exploring this area. It is important to understand the weather systems here and how they effect the area from the roads, to the big body of water and the canyons. If it has has rained recently (even a week ago) you may want to avoid going into any canyons. We have seen ten foot sand walls be washed out of these canyons before within a few days span from rain. If there is harsh weather in the forecast, it is highly recommended not going onto the lake with any boats because of the risk of flash flood and lightening. Also, when there are low water levels, there may be rock formations now visible and threatening to your boat if you are not aware of them or paying attention.

So in short, yes it is safe to elope on Lake Powell. It is important to be able to flexible in your day in the event that weather has made it unsafe.

When and where on Lake Powell should you get married?

Personally we think the best time of year is late March to the end of April and October to November. These are not the warmest months, but they are also the months that avoid monsoons and heavy summer crowds. Lake Powell has a strict policy of not moving boats on the water past sunset. So most rentals require boats back early. If you are wanting sunrise or sunset ceremony/photos I recommend getting a house boat to overnight on the lake or preparing to tent camp along some of the shoreline for camping.

Along Lake Powell, there are many shorelines you can get married at, different areas you can hike to and slot canyons you can explore. Importantly, pick locations you know you have time for and the ability to get in and out of. If you do not want to access your elopement location by water, you can always pick somewhere you can hike in from or off road from overlooking the lake as there are many locations like this in Arizona + Utah.

The ceremony in Sedona

The next day Eric and Kari traveled in their plane from Page to Sedona, cruising around to take photos from the sky of the amazing scenery. For day two we meet at the trail head that they would get married at. Kari’s hairstylist had traveled to Sedona to do her hair which was so special for the both of them! We hiked to a secluded spot surrounded by red rocks that tested Eric’s fear of heights just enough to get amazing views, privacy and still enjoy the evening. They shared their hand written vows together, laughter throughout the evening and celebration. Once the sun set behind the large rock canyons ahead of us, we started our hike down under the moonlight.

The next morning we met at the Sedona Airport before sunrise to hopefully take some photos of their plane flying among the red rocks. We got up into the air and immediately decided to abort the plan as the turbulence was very, very extreme. Once everyone landed safely we took some portraits of them together with their plane on solid ground. We grabbed a coffee in the airport away from the wind to chat about their next plans. We talked about their favorite places, where they will go next and swapped tips on some of our favorite places. We said our good byes as they set out to greet some of Kari’s family to continue the celebration of their relationship and marriage in the desert.

Vendors that helped make this day possible:

Harley Page Jeep Rentals

Dress: @willowbywatters from @magnoliabridalhouse | also check out Kari’s own bridal salon @sagebrides

Hair: @kellseymariie owner of @studio.3019

Bouquet: MossyMossByOliaWe

Kahla + Ben Arizona Elopement from Sedona to Page and back!

Kayla has been one of my best friend since early on during my freshman year of high school. Her and her now husband, Ben, live in Atlanta and they came out to see Bill and I in Arizona shortly before they got engaged. During part of their visit, we went to Horseshoe Bend, a must see on their Arizona bucket list, and as we were looking down at the Colorado below I said to Kahla “you see those Trails down there? People can camp down there. I feel like that would be such an epic place to get married!” Immediately after these two got engaged, she called me and said, we’re booking you, and we want to get married at the bottom of Horseshoe Bend!

I was so excited for them and could not wait for their day to come. We had met with Kahla, Ben, Kahla’s sister and her husband in Sedona to camp together overnight before heading north. On the way up towards Page, we stopped at KickStand Coffee in Flagstaff to pickup some breakfast burritos for the first morning of the kayak adventure. It was fun looking back on their trip last year remembering our picnics on the mountain, exploring rivers and canyoneering in Page. For the second night, we all camped closer to Page in this beautifully secluded spot surrounded by red rock walls. That night, the Milky Way was big and beautiful in the sky, and at this point two of Ben’s brothers and his sister-in-law also joined for the adventure. We took the time to capture some stunning star shots, breaking off into couples as well as with the whole group. The next morning was the beginning of the kayaking, so we broke camp and headed out early to make it to the dam for the backhaul service. We hurried to park our vehicles in the overnight lot and then run all of our gear over to the shuttle to be off!

Talking to the person who drove us to the dam, we pondered on utilizing one of the more private campsite but upon arrival, but decided that we would aim to camp at the bottom of Horseshoe Bend as we were the first shuttle of the morning, and so we should have a good chance to get a decent camp spot at the main location. We spent the day kayaking, relaxing, floating the river, exploring the little mini waterfalls along the way and having a great time. We stopped to see petroglyphs on the canyon walls from 6,000 years ago. We got to camp early enough for a great spot tucked away from the rest of the campers. Keeping the with the “good light” for the ceremony, we had some time for wiggle room, so Kayla and I walked along the shoreline of the area to decide where the ceremony would be held. It had to be somewhere that you could see the Colorado River and the thousand foot canyon walls above us. We picked the perfect spot and as the sun started to drop lower in the sky, the ceremony would begin.

Bill was there to officiate and had waited with Ben and their family members as Ben waited on his future wife. Kahla made the journey along the shore for a first look down the aisle after her sister helped her get ready. During the ceremony, Kahla and Ben had left their wedding rings in their vehicle in the hurry to make the shuttle, but in the adventurous spirits that they shared, Ben found a piece of metal to shape and serve as his ring, and Kahla used her engagement ring. As tradition has it, the ceremony was sealed with a kiss and we took some family photos. After the congratulations and soaking in the moment, I took these two to explore the banks of the river as well as the higher up rock shelves. The sun was giving us a show all along the way. It honestly looked like a movie set for most of the time. It was so pretty. Exploring areas that were new to all of us and enjoying the view that we worked hard to get to, taking in just how epic and crazy it had all been so far. We ended the portraits with a little dip kiss in the river as they had been walking along and floating the river all day. It just felt like the best way to end the evening.

Back at camp we rejoined the family and we signed the marriage license with one of Ben’s brothers as a witness and Kahla’s sister as the other witness. Some of us had freeze dried meals for dinner while hanging out in the sand listening to Kahla and Ben read letters their family and friends had sent. Like all true adventures, there would have been no way to expect that the group camping next to us would be a party of 40 folks who every year host a party at that camp site. They were a wild free-spirited bunch and wound up being such a blast to camp next to. Throughout the night we enjoyed watching them with all of their glow stick dancing, it was for sure an additional charm to the evening. They even brought us some firewood as a wedding present to Kahla and Ben so that we could have our own fire for the evening. We went to bed pretty early that night, so that we could start with an early morning back in the kayaks. We woke up taking in the beautiful sunrise before we got to floating.

This day, we had even more miles to cover, so we were planning to kayak faster. There were a few kayak races nonetheless, and we even saw three wild horses along the way. We stopped for a quick break from the water and got to hiking and stretching our legs through a slot canyon detour. We got back to the sandy beach, continued the journey down river, and made it back to the ferry just in time to start the rest of the evening. We took a short drive over to the top of Horseshoe Bend to take in how far down we were from the top as well as to appreciate the location from a different perspective. It was so interesting because as we were camping at the bottom, a couple whose wedding we were a part of about a week ago were at the top taking pictures of our campsite! They had no idea we were down there and they themselves were talking about how cool it would be to camp there! I saw on her social media story that they were at the top of the bend, so I reached out and asked if she had any pictures of the camp sites down below and she did! It was so cool to have that memento to take along with us. It is an image that will never forget. What a wild coincidence. The Overlook was stunning and it was so awesome to see how vastly different the river looks from up high and how far we actually kayaked.

From the vista, we all took our separate ways. Some family going back to Sedona towards Phoenix to fly back out and some family going back to Vegas. Kahla, Ben, Bill and myself continued on to another stunning desert vista where the newly weds were going to share their private vows. We drove until sunset and then some, admiring the free range cattle along the way. We camped two miles from the overlook that night, as our two-wheel drive low clearance vehicles wouldn’t have faired well for the final push. We awoke well before the sun broke the horizon to start our hike in, and when we had gotten there, there was no one else around for the stunning sunrise at our stunning overview. They sat together sharing vows as well as exchanging their wedding bands. We took in the morning, sharing snacks while Ben and Kahla FaceTimed other important family members that were not able to make the trip to show them the views and let them know they were married. We spent the day hanging out in the desert enjoying the pure isolation, drinking white claws and talking about our future goals in life and in our relationships. We headed back in towards town so that our next camp spot would be closer for the next days activities.

Originally, we had a boat rental booked to explore Lake Powell however, the weather had a different plan for us that day. A big storm was rolling in and while we were still able to rent the boat, the rental office had highly advised us that it would not be safe. Yielding to them as the greater expert on the subject, we moved our boat rental to a future date. So, in the spirit of adventure, we changed plans and headed back down to Sedona to spend the day hiking for their last day here. We made our way into a cave and had gotten caught in a thunderstorm on the way in as well as the way out, but it was such a blast.

I love so much that when these two came to see us, the trip made such a big impact on them and that they fell in love with the desert. It was so cool. They got to bring along some family to experience some of the same places from their previous trip and on such a big adventure. I feel like their elopement is a great example of how you can involve family on an epic adventure in such diverse beautiful places. Even if you don’t want to do the crazy, big hike or the hard adventures or even the scary vistas with big heights. Their day was fun and enjoyable for everybody. There was plenty of quality time spent together in the wilderness and it was all so beautiful and involved so many different activities. It was truly a big event that none of us will ever forget and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For years they’ll be able to come back to the Overlook and be able to say we were all the way down there and that’s where we got married. I’m so thankful for this experience and to be able to show people that you don’t have to have the big wedding. You don’t have to have bridesmaids and groomsmen. You don’t have to have all the family pressure and you can do whatever speaks best to you and still share the day. It was so magical and I’m so thankful that I got to capture one of my best friends special day. The desert is full of so many different adventures to be had. So easily online we get caught up in those big overlook images in the super popular places. All of those places everyone knows well, but there’s a whole world out there. There are endless adventures that can incorporate endless beautiful places. Places where you can find not another soul, providing the intimacy for your moment. Don’t put yourself in a box for what you expect your elopement day to be. Go with the flows and embrace the changes. If you forget your rings and spill coffee on your pants, smile and keep going! What really matters is that you’re marrying the person that you’ve always wanted to be with, that you’ve dreamed about sharing a life with and you’re getting to make memories that one day you can revisit with kids, friends, family, or just each other and reflect on the adventure that started the next chapter in your lives together.

Your Horseshoe Bend Elopement Photographers!

Adventure + Vow aka Bill + Traci are Arizona based adventure wedding photographers. We are here 100% of the way to help you through planning your dream day(s) together to start of your marriage that is authentic, purposefully planned and in an incredible place. We would love to connect with you about your own elopement day!

Check out Kahla + Ben’s Video from their elopement captured by us <3

Vendors from this elopement:

Dress // LAHAVA

Earrings // Ai To You

Shoes // Keds

Her Hair // Blo Dry Bar

Flowers // Kahla’s sister, Jessi

Jay + Taylor’s off road adventure wedding in Sedona, Arizona

These two met each other when they were in high school and while they each sparked each other’s attention, it wasn’t until years later they would go on their first day. When that day finally came to be, it was the best first date either of them had ever had and was going to be their last after spending hours chatting in the local brewery. They have since spent a lot of time adventuring and spending quality time together building their relationship. They wanted a wedding day that reflected their journey and that was a celebration in a new place with their closest family members.

Taylor and Jay road tripped from Indiana to Sedona, after having just moved to Indiana to start a new life with new jobs and to start accomplishing their dreams as husband and wife. We met up with them at a coffee shop in Flagstaff, Arizona to meet for the first time after calls and emails leading up to their day! We chatted about a possible back-up game plan for their elopement in the event that the weather may shift and take a turn for the worse. After coffee and chatting, we headed out to Avail Tattoo for their tattoo appointment to kick off the elopement events! As we waited for the appointment to start we chatted a lot about van life, as it is a dream of theirs to travel in a van one day with their travel nursing jobs. They had decided to each get a tattoo of their puppo, Poe, since she could not be present with them on their wedding day (Looking for ideas to include your dog in your wedding day?). They adopted Poe, a mini dachshund, and she is definitely like a child to them, it was great to be able to include her in some way in their wedding.

The following morning, the day of the wedding, we met Jay & Taylor in a coffee shop in Sedona first thing bright and early so that they could hand write their vows into their vow books together. It was a lovely way to start the day off, sitting by the fire pit and in a cozy coffee shop. It started the day with meaning and purpose, setting a tone for the big event later. I loved that they were able to spend some time with just the two of them before going their separate ways to get ready for the day and not see each other again until their first look.

From the start, Jay and Taylor were very excited for the first look. The day before they had told us they weren’t criers and were not expecting any tears throughout the elopement day. We took a break as they started hair and makeup for Taylor and hanging out with the boys for Jay. We met back up with them at their Airbnb in uptown Sedona, which was a beautiful spot, overlooking several of the red rock formations.

Upon arrival I picked the spot for the first look that had some beautiful yellow flowers and overlooked part of the area that we would see later during their ceremony from the opposite side of the formations. Jay was in the downstairs area of the house hanging out, anticipating seeing Taylor in her dress for the first time. Taylor did her finishing touches upstairs as family enjoyed time together before heading out to pick up jeeps. After everyone but Taylor’s mom left, Taylor got dressed up stairs with her mothers help getting into her Rue De Seine gown.

Anticipation was high, and they were both ready. Jay stood outside facing the red rocks anxiously waiting for Taylor as she made her way to him around the cactus. As soon as Jay turned around to see Taylor and her dress, the tears came flowing. There were smiles, laughter, hugs and so many happy tears of joy. The raw emotions of the moment were incredible to be a part of. After a few minutes of soaking in “this is really happening”, we left the Airbnb to go pick up the jeeps with the rest of the family to start our adventure up the mountain.  

We ventured through the muddy waters along the dirt road, having a blast taking the Jeep up the mountain side. Once we got to location, Bill walked with Jay and the family down to the ceremony spot. Taylor got to share a first look with her father before walking down the trail to her future husband. Her dad also shed a few tears seeing his daughter and her beautiful wedding dress. He walked her down the trail to the family and where Jay was waiting to marry Taylor. It was a beautiful day with Taylor’s stepdad officiating their ceremony and reminding them what marriage is all about. They read private handwritten vows to each other that were emotionally filled and there were of course more tears shed by each other and all of their family. Their ceremony ended with a roar of celebration. All the family members hugged them and gave congratulations before we took family photos with the amazing back drop. The family set out to go back down the road, pick up dinner, and prepare the house for the reception. As a quick side note, one of the many things we love so much about elopements is all the unique elopement ideas you can include and how unique each elopement ceremony can be.

As Taylor, Jay and I stayed up on the overlook taking photos along the edges and different spots along the rim. They shared a private first dance in front of the sun set and of course, we had to end the evening with popping a bottle of champagne instead of a messy cake feeding. They sprayed, the heck out of each other with champagne. It was for sure a celebratory moment! The evening was so stunning after a few rainy days in the area, more than anyone could have ever dreamed up for a Sedona elopement. We headed back down the road stopping to take photos with the Jeep with the last bit of light that was left.

It was such a special evening to have the whole vista all to ourselves. After all the portraits and playing, we headed right back to the house where the family had picked up pizzas, and enjoyed leftovers from their grilling out the day before. While we enjoyed dinner with everyone we were able to put together the sneak peaks from the day for everyone to have for the night! As we left them, they were sitting outside, enjoying the pool, hot tub and cigars to bring the evening to a close. 

Taylor and Jay’s adventures did not stop there, for their honeymoon they had taken a few extra days to enjoy different parts of Arizona. Stopping in Flagstaff, seeing more of Sedona and going to see Horseshoe Bend. It was funny because these two happened to be at the Horseshoe Bend Overlook as we were at the bottom photographing another elopement, and they actually snagged a photo of our campsite from a thousand feet above us. Then they headed out to Colorado, stopping in Telluride to enjoy all the fall leaves before going back to Indiana.

These two truly had the most beautiful start to their marriage. I’m so glad that they found us and that we got to work together. It was a joyous, full two days and I can’t wait to see where all their adventures take them. Congratulations to Taylor and Jay. May you have many more road trip adventures that remind you of where it all started on your wedding day in Sedona!

Vendors from this elopement:

Tattoos // Avail Tattoo Shop, work by Kiko

Dress // Rue De Seine

HMUA // Superstitionmakeupco

Jeep // MYE Jeep

Sedona Elopement as told by the Bride + Photographer!

For years now we have written some of our couple’s elopement stories on our blog. Recently we were talking with one of our first brides about our own elopement day. She said we should write out our story so we have something to look back on to read over the details as the years go by. She suggested this because she said she often looks back at the blog I wrote for her day to relive it. This made us think, we wonder how different our blogs would be if they were told from the couple’s perspective rather than our own, the photographers. So! The idea was in place and it was time to put the thought into action. One of our recent Sedona brides offered to write up her side of their sunrise elopement. The first writing is from Hailey’s perspective and the second is from ours.

Tell us in the comments, have you and your spouse written the memories from your wedding story down somewhere to revisit as you go through life together? We think it would be so cute to have an album with the writing throughout with the images!

From the Brides Perspective

My name is Hailey, and I eloped with my now-husband Jesse on April 6th, 2021 in Sedona with Traci and Bill from Adventure and Vow. It was the most meaningful experience in our lives.

We originally planned to get married in April 2020 with all of our family and friends in attendance. We chose to cancel our wedding due to the pandemic, which was a very heartbreaking experience. We have a big family that lives across the country, with many healthcare workers and immunocompromised individuals, so we didn’t feel comfortable hosting a wedding. By the beginning of 2021, Jesse and I were eager to take the next step in our relationship and get married. We wanted to elope somewhere beautiful, warm, intimate, and adventurous as we are passionate hikers and travelers. We decided on Arizona and found Adventure & Vow and booked a Sedona elopement with just a few weeks notice! Traci walked us through her locations and based on our interest in having a super private ceremony, red rock view, and a not-too-difficult hike we decided on a sunrise elopement on an amazing, off-the-beaten-path mountain in Sedona. We only told our immediate family about our plans.

We arrived in Arizona, spent a few days visiting Sedona and the Grand Canyon, and started getting ready for the big morning! We packed a picnic with some bites and champagne, picked up my bouquet, packed my dress, and got hiking before dawn. We had an incredible experience hiking up the mountain. I was full of anticipation, nerves, and elation knowing I’d finally get to marry my soul mate. We arrived at the top of the mountain before dawn, not seeing another soul. I changed into my dress and we had the most exciting and incredible experience with Traci & Bill. We took tons of photos, but it felt super low-key, we just got to be ourselves, happy and in love. We had an incredible ceremony with our own vows that was more intimate and meaningful than a traditional wedding. It felt like it was just about us. There were no outside expectations, no drama, and it was the most incredible way to start off our marriage. 

After the ceremony and a picnic, we hiked down the mountain, signed our marriage license that we picked up the day before in Flagstaff, and said our goodbyes to Traci and Bill. We got a few sneak peaks later that day and we were blown away by the photos. We spent the rest of our week in Sedona and Tucson, going on incredible hikes, visiting art museums and restaurants, and enjoying the stunning desert as newlyweds. When we were on our way home, we finally messaged our friends and family announcing our wedding and shared a few pictures. They were so surprised and so happy for us. 

From the Photographers Perspective

Hailey and Jesse arrived in Arizona (Check out our blog on the best places to Elope in Arizona!) from the north east for their sunrise adventure elopement. We had scouted a very new location for Adventure and Vow elopements and these two would be the first of our couples to get married there! The draw to this location was privacy and beautiful views. We met before dawn and drove to the location to start our hike. When we arrived on location and in the early part of the hike, we opted for some star photos. Jesse wore the cutest white bridal jumper for the hike she found at Anthropology. Throughout the hike Hailey would express often “wow” or “this is SO cool!” It made the excitement so much higher for the day and I couldn’t stop smiling as we hiked. Hailey changed into her stunning Rue De Seine dress on a separate cliff side than Jesse as he wrote his vows onto paper. The beautiful first morning light started to show, turning the sky a stunning blue and purple. Once they were ready, we set up a first look where Jesse and Hailey opted to go back to back and hold hands chatting until they were ready for the big reveal together. First looks are always that one moment of yep, this is real!!!

After the couple shared their first look, we hopped over to the other side of the cliff sides to select where they wanted to stand to read their vows to each other. They picked a lovely location with mountains in the background and cacti near by. We stepped away to give them some privacy as they chose to have a “self-solomnization” style ceremony. A few tears were shed as they shared these words with each other and they finished their ceremony with a tight hug and kiss. After a few portraits following the ceremony they set up their breakfast picnic. They popped open a bottle of champagne to drink in celebration, joined with their snacks.

As the sun rose higher in the sky Jesse and Hailey changed back into their hiking clothes to start their descent back to the parking lot. As we hiked down the views along the trail were visible to us, as though it was our first time hiking it since it was dark on the way up. It was a beautiful day in the Sedona desert. Once we were back in the cars we signed the marriage license asking a few fellow hikers to sign as witnesses. We said our goodbyes and congrats on what was such a special morning. Jesse and Hailey were all set to continue celebrating their marriage with exploring Arizona before heading back home as newly weds!!!

Looking for more inspiration? Check out another Elopement Story or Guide below!