Getting Married in Southern Utah | Adventure Elopement in Moab
I was able to capture Brooke + Trent’s Adventure Elopement in Moab, Utah. Although I spend most of my time capturing couples in Southern Utah, this specific desert wedding is one that I will remember forever.
WORDS FROM THE COUPLE ABOUT THEIR ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT IN MOAB
Why did you choose to elope?
“We started to plan a traditional wedding but quickly came to the realization that it just wasn’t for us. I immediately started to stress and think about what others thought more than what our perfect day would look like. I lost sight of what the day truly meant which led to a long talk with my fiancé about what we really wanted from this season of our lives.
Our wedding day wasn’t about the flowers we chose, who we invited, or what the venue offered… it was supposed to be about us and celebrating our love. Promising each other forever and being present in every moment that lies ahead. We decided to elope because it meant focusing our time and money on us. We no longer stressed about the minor details, but instead about the adventures we wanted to take in a brand new place.
We pictured ourselves dancing to our favorite song while surrounded by the most beautiful landscape possible, writing our vows and holding nothing back in fear of what people might think, and saying “I Do” with nothing else on our minds but each other and that moment.”
How was your elopement?
“I think the easy answer is “perfect” or “unforgettable” but truthfully, our elopement was surreal. Waking up with my fiancé, knowing it was the day we had been waiting for filled my heart. Making coffee and having a slow, quiet morning getting ready in our cabin was everything my heart needed. My mom came to help me get my dress on and shortly after we headed to Arches National Park at sunrise for our first look.
The park was quiet and calm on the morning of our wedding. Entering Sand Dune Arch and feeling the cool sand on my feet while being surrounded by the stunning red rocks took my breath away. After the first look, we took some portraits and had so many laughs to set the mood for the entire day. We got back to the cabin we were staying at, put on casual clothes, and had our parents and siblings over for a morning brunch before the ceremony.
We got to see all of our favorite people who traveled such a long way for us and have some drinks together before we said our “I Do’s”. I think the next half of the day was the most surreal and I get butterflies thinking back. We picked up a white Jeep and headed to Dead Horse State Park where we met family for the ceremony.
Standing at our ceremony location and looking out you could see the ever-changing landscape. We were standing in the sand looking out on snow-topped mountains while the red rocky terrain surrounded our family. Our ceremony was short and sweet and we took a few moments to have drinks with our family and take some group photos before finishing off the most incredible day.
We loaded back up in the Jeep, cranked our favorite music, and headed to Marlboro Point to what was our favorite moment of our wedding day. Off-roading to Marlboro Point is an unforgettable experience in itself but doing so while newly married and singing your favorite songs together will forever be an unmatched experience for us.
When we arrived at our final destination, it was time to read our vows and have our first dance as The Browns. If you take anything from this it’s to write your own vows and read them to each other… each couple has their own story and their own promises they want to make to each other… take this opportunity to feel all of the feelings and promise each other the world.
After tears flowed through our vows, we soaked up all the feelings while listening to our favorite artist and having our first dance. At that very moment, nothing else in the entire world mattered. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery and only the sound of the wind in the canyon, you felt like the only two humans in the world. It was a feeling unlike anything I have ever experienced and one that I would give anything to feel again. It was surreal. Each moment was unbelievable and as time went on, they just continued to get better. It was perfect in every way and a day I will never, ever forget.”
Do you have any regrets about your elopement?
“Absolutely not.
The only regret I think we would ever have is that we didn’t have more time in that one day.”
What advice do you have for future couples looking to elope?
“1. Do what YOU want to do and don’t let anyone else influence your decision. It is your day and the one that you will remember forever.
2. Don’t sweat the small stuff. I promise it’ll be the last thing on your mind at the end of your epic day!
3. Implement your favorite things into your special day. Love cheesecake? Cool. Pack some. Like to enjoy a few drinks together? Right on. So do we, so we packed some! Like to wear sandals instead of fancy shoes? Touché.
4. Don’t wear anything super uncomfortable… it’s a long day to be uncomfortable!
5. Laugh your ass off
6. Make a playlist (and download it) because every couple has a few songs they love to jam to and cell service is quite unpredictable
7. If you’re on the fence, take it from us and just do it. Your elopement day is all about you two and nobody else. No outside opinions weighing on you, no fear of disappointing anyone or stressing to make sure guests are satisfied. You get hours of adventures and intimate moments that will never be taken from you.”
Review from couple
Booking Karen for our elopement was the best decision we could have ever made. From the initial meeting to the wedding day, working with Karen was a dream! She was knowledgeable, so darn sweet, and made sure that our big day was everything that we could have dreamed of. Karen helped us plan the timeline, and locations and helped every step of the way to make sure we were prepared. Her spirit is unmatched and she made such an amazing addition to our wedding day! She helped us plan the adventure of a lifetime… something we will forever remember and cherish. Karen didn’t miss a beat… doing everything she could to get the best shots, easing our nerves and prompting so many giggles throughout the day! She got us sneak peeks back SO quickly and we couldn’t love our pictures more. She is so incredibly talented! We constantly look at our pictures and relive the moments of the most amazing day. If you’re considering using Karen for your elopement… take this as your sign to DO IT!!!
Their Elopement Timeline
SUNRISE
6:00 AM Latest You Have to Leave Airbnb
7:00 AM Arrive at Sand Dune Arch Trailhead
7:10 AM First Look
7:20 AM Bridal Portraits
8:45 AM Leave Sand Dune Arch
9:10 AM End Photos
SUNSET
2:30 PM Getting Ready with Family | Detail Photos | First Look with Dad
3:30 PM Leave for Dead Horse State Park
4:30 PM Ceremony
5:00 PM Family Photos
5:30 PM Leave for off road adventure
FAMILY WILL HEAD BACK TO THE AIRBNB
6:15 PM Arrive at the view
6:30 PM Picnic
GRAB A BITE TO EAT, ENJOY THE VIEWS + EACH OTHER, CHILL TO SOME TYLE CHILDERS RADIO (;
7:00 PM Private Vows
7:15 PM First Dance
7:30 PM Sunset Bridals
8:30 PM Leave view
9:30 PM End Photos
INTERESTED IN BOOKING KAREN CASTOR PHOTOGRAPHY FOR YOUR ELOPEMENT?
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