Adventure Elopement from Southern Utah to Northern Arizona

adventure elopement in the Southwest

We're so excited for Adventure & Vow to share with us this day of adventure filled with love and connection. With the help of stationery Lauren Yvonne Design, florals by Nicole of The Wild Flowers, hair and makeup Courtney of Seventy Ave Beauty and gorgeous gowns by Alis Fashion Design and Flutter Dress this couple was able to pull of a truly once in a lifetime elopement.

Adventure & Vow was there to planned and captured every detail, John Anderson to film. You can see all the images in the full gallery. Read on to hear all about this very adventurous elopement!

Adventure & Vow

Each location was hand selected for the couple based on video chats between the videographer, myself and the couple. We selected locations we knew we could fly a drone to create a video to truly tell their love story, locations that would give them the personal experience they wanted that did not have crowds of people, spots that they had never been to and places we could do this in one unforgettable day.

The day started just before dawn at what I call the VERY BEST camping spot in the Southwest. After many miles of an off road adventure you can have Lake Powell basically to yourself to camp right under the stars.

adventure elopement in the Southwest

SEDONA ELOPEMENT

As we arrived to Sedona we prepared for the hike and climb ahead of us and Courtney, the elopement hair and make up guru, met with us to give Sharon a new look! We started the hike out going straight up the red rocks of Sedona as the sun began to set, stopping for breaks to take in the beauty around us. We got to the base where we needed to climb and where my partner had already prepped all of the ropes so we did not waste any of the light during sunset.

This was their first time climbing and they were both stoked to try something new. The route is super easy and Mason opted to even solo it. It was so much fun to watch them encourage each other and have a whole new experience to get to this last epic place.

As we all ascended to the top the bride and groom got changed into their wedding attire. We headed to the other side of the cliff for a jaw dropping 360 degree view of Sedona, that we had all to ourselves. With not another soul to be seen they shared beautiful words with each other to celebrate the future they have together and give respect to the time they have had in Arizona together. As the desert cooled down we all hiked down under the stars. One day, four locations, one climb, seven miles of hiking, many miles of off road driving, but an unforgettable, priceless experience.

bride with dried floral bouquet

FIRST LOOK BEFORE THE SUN CAME UP

As the couple got ready in different parts of the area it was so peaceful and still. They enjoyed a first look and admired the area as the sun came up.

I think it is hard to find the right words to describe the feeling of this place. It is incredible, inspiring, romantic, peaceful and beautiful. It is a 10/10 way to start your elopement day.

adventure elopement in the Southwest

SLOT CANYON

Our next stop was a slot canyon in Southern Utah after driving down more dirt roads. It time for some adventure action hiking and maneuvering down the rock walls. Slot canyons always feel a little fun and romantic, especially if you manage to be the only ones there!

They always remind me of being a kid again, filled with excitement to see whats around the corner. Slot canyons naturally make you feel close to each other giving the perfect amount of space to walk hand and hand through a canyon together. You could tell Sharon and Mason enjoyed the space playfully kissing each other, walking through the slots together and helping each other during the scramble sections. Check out the video that Jocundbliss put together from this elopement day!

https://youtu.be/OqEpbzpYKi0

adventure elopement in the Southwest

LAKE POWELL

Keeping the fun going through the afternoon, on the way to the last location we made a pit stop to jump into Lake Powell to cool off a bit from the desert sun! It is always fun to get your toes in the sand and just unwind together. The water was perfect on the middle of this late spring day. It was super refreshing before getting back on the road to Sedona.

Lake Powell adventure elopement

Camping here, having breakfast and coffee, waking up and writing your vows and taking in the sunrise, pure heaven. As Mason and Sharon had explored Lake Powell the day before jet skiing on the lake and seeing Horseshoe Bend; Mason said he thought Horseshoe Bend was one of the coolest things he had ever seen in the Southwest. As we left the campsite in our review mirror I asked him what he thought, did it top Horseshoe? He said it was right there with it if not better just for the experience the location offers.