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I see so many beautiful places because of this awesome job, but Page Arizona is especially stunning. This Horseshoe Bend elopement was so sweet and I can’t wait to tell you all about it today! But first, let me tell you what makes Horseshoe Bend so special.
First, it’s absolutely beautiful! At sunset, it boasts the most exquisite colors, but sunrise is gorgeous too! (Check their pictures for proof!) Another selling point is that it’s easy to travel to. Being so close to Page, Arizona makes it a great spot for couples who want a grand view as their backdrop, but don’t want to travel too far from the city. Last but not least, it’s very accessible! It’s a short, well-maintained trail to get to which makes it ideal for couples who want to celebrate with their loved ones present.
This Horseshoe Bend Elopement was extra special because of Oksana and Joseph’s story.
Joseph lives in Alabama and Oksana lived in Ukraine. They met back in 2017 when Joseph went on a mission trip to Ukraine and Oksana was his translator at an orphan summer camp. Love at first sight, turned into a long-distance relationship, and since then they have traveled the world to see each other. They traveled to many places together including the Carpathian Mountains, Odessa, Barcelona, Paris, and Istanbul – basically whenever and however they could meet!
They got engaged in 2019 and started the process for Oksana to obtain a visa so that they could get married, but then COVID happened and delayed the paperwork for a year! Then, after having to cancel multiple wedding plans, they were finally able to have their perfect day.
All they cared about was being together.
Every couple wants their wedding day to go smoothly and feel “perfect” and they were no exception! But the underlying feeling all day was that it didn’t matter as long as they were able to be together and spend the rest of their lives with each other.
They chose to celebrate their elopement day somewhere they could both discover for the first time, so that’s where Horseshoe Bend comes into the story.
They were getting married, the distance was almost over! We started the day before the sun came up. It was hair and makeup and then off for a sunrise first look surrounded by the beauty of Horseshoe Bend. We took photos at the bend and then they had an intimate picnic. It was just the two of them and they truly absorbed the moment.
After that, came the wedding ceremony. Their ceremony was so special, Joe’s Parents came and his MANY Siblings too. Their pastor traveled from Alabama, and it was so sweet to hear Oksana refer to the pastor’s wife as her “American mom”. They live-streamed the ceremony for Oksana’s family in Ukraine so they didn’t miss this moment because of the distance. Then, after the “I Do’s”, the first kiss, and the tears, they were finally husband and wife.
Then they enjoyed the most epic picnic with their guests. Celebrations were had with the most epic view! Then the family left and…
We took more epic pictures in some beautiful spots near Lake Powell.
I love meeting all my couples and I feel like I either get reminded of something or learn something new with each one of them. Oksana and Joe’s wedding day revolved around the love they share and finally being together forever.
I loved how much their elopement reminded me that at the end of the day, love wins. Love doesn’t care about the rules, about borders, about what others might say, love wins anyway.
The Florals | The Foxy Flora
The Hair and Makeup | Allie Laree
The Rug | Rustic Urban Goods
The Videographer | Alexia Gornichec (Here’s the Link to their video!)
And Lastly, THE DRESS | Kokos
Are you in love with this Horseshoe Bend Elopement so you want more inspiration? Well, then check out more on the blog!
