There’s something magical about the red rocks, arches, and steep cliff edges of Southern Utah–they draw people in.

I’m not always able to put my finger on it, but every time I look at the canyons, something resonates with me, and I know that I’m not the only one.

Alice and Sam knew from the very start of their elopement planning that Southern Utah was the spot for them.

The exact location wasn’t pinned down from the beginning, but they knew what they were after–canyons, red rocks, and iconic American adventure.

To them, that meant stunning overlooks, unique scenery, and plenty of space to celebrate their moment privately and intimately, without crowds.  

Both are from the United Kingdom, and to kick off their biggest adventure yet, they chose to road trip through the States as part of their elopement. And when I say road trip, I mean it–they rented a camper van and had plans to be on the road for a few months after they tied the knot.

Above all, Sam and Alice wanted to prioritize the experience of the day.

It wasn’t about the most epic photo we could capture; it was about creating a day that was perfect for them, then authentically documenting it. It was about giving them something to look back on and remember their wedding day for what it was–genuinely them.

Alice and Sam had that laid-back, adventurous attitude that lends itself to eloping in the great outdoors. They were so open to adventuring their way–the experience was everything to them. They were so present, so willing to be flexible, and so ready to focus on the reason they were there over every other detail.

Alice & Sam’s Southern Utah Elopement Ceremony  

Alice and Sam opted to forgo long hikes and decided to drive to most of their locations. After getting ready and changing into their wedding attire, they drove their camper van into Canyonlands National Park.

There, they met up with an officiant who led them through a beautiful ceremony at an overlook punctuated with a vast and snaking river, steep canyons, and a touch of haze.

With some unplanned gusty wind, the weather ended up being a bit more challenging than we planned–but Alice and Sam were so willing to roll with the things we couldn’t change or anticipate that their ceremony was just as beautiful as we’d hoped. They read their vows among the gauzy, red backdrop, placed rings on each other’s fingers, and had their first kiss as a married couple on a steep cliffside in Utah.

After the ceremony, Alice and Sam continued their low-stress wedding day with the ultimate adventure hack–hiring a guide to take them to an amazing, secluded Moab location for a stunning sunset adventure.

Twisted Jeeps drove us all to a gorgeous spot where Sam and Alice cut their wedding cake, had a little picnic, and soaked in their first few hours together as husband and wife.

The haze lifted, revealing a breathtaking view of the iconic canyons and red rocks they’d been chasing. With Alice’s dress blowing in the wind, they held each other close and admired the beauty of Utah before them.

They took their time, they explored around, and they let the day unfold perfectly in front of them.  

Alice and Sam took a minimalist approach to their elopement details, bringing along thoughtful pieces that mirrored what was most important to them. Alice had a stunning hairpiece made, a gorgeous bouquet, and matching flowers to add to their wedding day cake (because admittedly, they both have quite the sweet tooth, and this wasn’t a tradition they wanted to miss out on).

All of this goes to show that if details and meticulous planning aren’t a priority for you, don’t bother with them. Your elopement day will be beautiful no matter what, and it’s only about the things that matter to you.

If flowers matter, bring them. If a cake doesn’t do it for you, opt for something else. If you’d rather sip a glass of whiskey than pop champagne for your wedding day, do it. Importantly, there are no set rules for your elopement day–it’s all about what you want, and Sam and Alice were so true to that principle.

I always do my best to help my clients plan a day that can be relaxed and exactly what they want, but ultimately, it’s up to each couple to accept that their elopement day can truly be wild, unforgettable, and authentically them if they’re willing to go with the flow, roll with the day, and open their hearts and expectations to all the possibilities.

Alice and Sam were the perfect picture of that.

Every elopement is so different–and that’s because every couple is unique. Sam and Alice were no exception. Something truly awesome about these two–that definitely attributed to their laid-back, soak-in-the-experience attitude I so admired–was that they were going to be true to themselves no matter what that meant. And part of being true to themselves meant embracing what they know–they can always go for a Maccies.

Translation: they’ll never say no to Mcdonald’s. And on their elopement day, they didn’t.

After an epic sunset at a beautiful spot in Southern Utah, we rolled into town. Sam and Alice didn’t hesitate to pick up a little Maccies post-elopement, an epic end to an epic day.

It was meaningful. It was unplanned. It was them.

And that’s what a perfect elopement is all about, in the end. 

Ready to Create the Ultimate Elopement Day? I Can Help

Whether you’re looking for a memorable elopement among the red rocks of Southern Utah like Alice and Sam or you have something totally different in mind, I’m here to help. For tips, advice, and elopement resources, be sure to check out my blog–there’s lots of exciting insight to help you plan the most authentically you elopement possible (and I’m always adding more).

Looking for a photographer to capture your dream day? I’m in. Contact me anytime–I’m here to learn about you, help you create an unforgettable day, and capture the moments you’ll want to relive forever.