The perfect-for-you vision of a wedding day–that’s what eloping is all about. 

The beautiful thing about eloping–or getting married or really anything you’re choosing to do in life–is that your rules are the only ones that matter. 

Want to invite your closest friends and family? Do it. Want to elope in the middle of nowhere with just the two of you? Do that! Want a traditional church wedding? That’s amazing. Can’t stand the idea of getting married indoors? Then don’t. 

Anything goes on your elopement day as long as it’s what you want. 

That’s a message I’ve tried so, so hard to shine high beams on for as many years as I’ve been an elopement photographer. And in the process, I think I’ve helped a lot of couples chase down their dream of an elopement day. 

But guess what? 

You can have the epic day, the close-my-eyes-and-hold-onto-this-moment-forever day, the get-married-exactly-how-you-want day even if you’re already married. 

That’s right. A lot of couples who plan adventurous, outdoorsy elopements are getting married on the day of their elopement–but there are plenty of them who are already married. 

No matter what they chose to do before–a courthouse ceremony, a traditional wedding, in front of family and friends–they’re making the choice to prioritize something else that’s truly important to them–a day or two fully dedicated to their specific dreams. 

As an elopement photographer, I absolutely love when couples do this. Why not spend more time celebrating your marriage? Why not spend even more time creating beautiful moments and capturing images you’ll cherish forever? 

In my book, all of that still aligns with my main Forever to the Moon value–making the day fully about you; doing exactly what you want together. 

The perfect example of that commitment to chasing down that feeling? 

Julia and Ashton. 

Dancing Through the Arches: Julia & Ashton’s Moab Elopement 

Julia and Ashton’s vision of their perfect elopement was a full day of red rocks, arches, and, of course, views that make your jaw drop, and your heart beat a little faster. They chose Moab–the absolute king of everything they were seeking. 

J & A were already legally married–so for them, the day was less about the ceremony and more about the spirit of adventure. Ashton had spent time in Moab before, but it was Julia’s first adventure through the area. 

We met early–long before the full sun would grace the red rocks–and explored through the sandstone arches in the hazy blue light that lingers before the orange rays of dawn hit. They ran around like kids–dancing their way through every new place, Ashton pointing out beautiful spots to Julia as they experienced it together for the first time. 

Their morning unfolded through the lens of desert wildflowers and brief glimpses of wild horses; every bit as slow as it was exciting. The privilege of soaking in all of the quiet here–of having these ancient spaces to themselves to run, to play, to pause and absorb each second–isn’t something they took lightly. 

Every minute that went by felt like a heart-thrumming, wind-in-your-hair kind of moment–the kind that you want to live in forever if you could.   

After an early morning full of exploration and intimate moments, they made their way back to where they were staying–a one-of-a-kind glamping accommodation called ULUM Moab by Under Canvas. 

They wound down, grabbing some breakfast and sneaking a quick nap in before we’d take off again for the rest of their elopement day. When I met them at ULUM a few hours later, after the heat of the day had dissipated, they were ready to explore more stunning Utah scenery together. 

Before we dashed off to another location, we explored ULUM a little more, capturing some of the meaningful details–like J’s grandmother’s necklace–they brought with them on their elopement day. 

On the way out of town, A & J stopped for an absolute necessity to bring with them for the last few hours of their adventure–pizza. 

When we arrived at Dead Horse State Park for sunset, we’d made it with plenty of time to relax and embrace the sweeping view. Jewels & Ashton sat down and enjoyed the passing moments. They wandered around, exploring this new place together. They popped champagne, enjoyed the quiet, and soaked in the scenery together while sipping. 

As the sun began to set, the desert turned pastel. All the vibrant oranges and reds of Moab transformed into dusky blues and soft pinks in the way only the desert can. J & A climbed out to a beautiful ledge, looking out over the canyon below them and all the rock formations that reached into the sky. 

At the end of the day, a couple’s elopement day is less about the act of legally getting married and more about the promises they’re making: to love each other, to put each other first, and to create a world centered on what they want together. 

And honestly, can you think of a better way to celebrate all of those things than with a day that’s entirely focused on them? 

I know I can’t.