Eloping inside Zion National Park
A dreamy desert elopement
On a scorching October day in the heart of Southern Utah, amidst the towering red rock formations of Zion National Park, Michael and Kathryn began a day that would mark the beginning of their forever. They traveled from the bustling east coast for the quiet majesty of the desert for their intimate elopement.
Getting ready in a Zion stay with a view
They began their day by getting ready at The Bungalows at Zion. It was calm and peaceful, filled with smiles and laughs as they were able to take their time to get hair and make up completed, details laid out for photos, and to help each other get dressed in their wedding day attire. The views out the windows of their Bungalow were of gorgeous towers of Red Rock and the natural light from all of their windows was giving all the energy!
Zions National Park Wedding and Portraits
First Looks in the Red Rock
Call us true wizards, but we managed to get all the way from their hotel stay to the very gorgeous stop at the top of Zion National Park without Michael seeing Kathryn in her full wedding get up. Yes, please, hold your applause. Oh, okay, carry on then.
We walked Michael down the trail a little ways and faced him towards the red rock mountains. Kathryn glided down the sand in her stunning gown and they had a truly beautiful first look filled with so much emotion and love! They privately exchanged their vows with each other in that moment in time and I would be lying if I told you there were no tears. We stayed back and photographed with long lenses to offer privacy, but we were close enough to hear several laughs, sighs, and "I love you"s.
Ceremony and vows inside Zion National Park
Michael and Kathryn began their ceremony with privately exchanging their vows with each other. Their chosen officiant then entered and began their official ceremony. It was a beautifully warm and sunny southern Utah evening, a perfect time to get married. Their ceremony was sweet, funny and personally tailored for their relationship. There were so many happy tears and gut busting laughs! It was a ceremony that made me say, "I'm calling my husband and we're getting married again just so we can do it like this!"
Something important to note about getting married inside of Zions National Park is that when you have a ceremony inside the park they do not stop park guests from attending the ceremony location. Park guests are still able to visit, hike, and be present in all areas of the park so others will probably be hiking in the area. We had very few passersby during their ceremony and anyone that came within the area to view the ceremony was extremely respectful, quiet and kind.
Wedding Portraits at The Overlook
Hiking to The Overlook on your wedding day
For their sunset wedding portraits Michael and Kathryn wanted a gorgeous, epic view. A perfect location with an very doable hike is The Overlook in Zion National Park. It is about a one mile hike in and back without any scrambles or significant difficulty. You are looking west at the overlook, making it an ideal place to watch the sunset and to have dreamy golden hour photos. Yes, it does get busy so you are going to have to share space with other hikers and guests, but when humans are good people and we are respectful of their space as well, portraits at the Overlook are absolutely stunning!
Champagne Pop!
We stopped at a quiet and private first location for a celebratory champagne pop before heading to the Outlook. Would I recommend it? YUP! Totes recommend a celebratory champagne pop! Make time for it sometime in your day! During the daylight or during the evening in the dark taken with flash, champagne pops are the perfect party photo to really show off your excitement and energy.
Couple Portraits at the Overlook
The Overlook hike can be definitely be done in wedding attire, but I absolutely would recommend you bring hiking shoes to do the hike in! Michael and Kathryn hiked like pros to the Overlook. We changed from their wedding shoes to hiking boots, placed the bouquet in one of the the backpacks, and off we went!
Hiking tips for your Wedding day
Before yourI would absolutely prepare yourselves for hiking weeks to months prior to your wedding day if you are traveling in to get married here. Go for hikes, do the stair master machine at the gym, practice carrying a weighted backpack while you walk, break in your shoes. If you are traveling from a low elevation location fly in a few days to a week prior to your wedding day to allow your bodies to acclimate to the higher elevation in Utah.
Pack in your backpack water, snacks, shoes, first aid kit, and your touch up kit. Great items to include in your touch up kit are hairspray, pomade, flyaway sticks, small pads or towels for dabbing away sweat, your make up to touch up, translucent powder or setting spray, sunscreen, and any other small items you may feel you'll need.
It is important to note that there can be wind gusts at the top of the cliff faces so always practice great awareness of your space, footing, and never go to close to an edge, especially after rains as the rock can be slippery, soft and can fracture. Trust me, your photos are stunningly beautiful without unnecessary risks.
Wedding Portraits at The Overlook
Ready to explore having your own portraits and adventure in Zion National Park?
Let's get in touch!
Whether you want a big wedding celebration, an intimate ceremony or elopement, a vow renewal or just an epic and adventurous session - let's get in touch! Allow me to help you plan a timeline, hikes and activities, locations, and more. Let's adventure together!
