mary + andrew

arches national park elopement

Mary first contacted me over a year before their elopement date. In her very first e-mail she mentioned how Moab is one of their favorite places in the United States and that they would love nothing more than to get married here. I love this. For me, an elopement means a little something different to everyone. In the 5+ years I’ve been lucky enough to photograph couples, helping them plan their weddings and elopements, large and small, I’ve come to realize that for me, an elopement needs only two things: love of place and love of each other. I don’t give a shit how corny that sounds. I believe it. How we as humans connect to places is something that has always interested me. There are certain vistas, certain smells, and certain spots on the dirt that bring me incredibly strong feelings of nostalgia and hope and romance. Most of mine are in the desert, because this is where I became, and am still becoming, who I am. My toes in the Pacific Ocean at sunrise is another. What are yours? If you’re thinking of eloping and have the freedom to go where your heart takes you without many guests, think about those places that resonate with you and your partner. Epic landscapes are common, Moab has endless amounts of them, but it could be a simple place – a bar where you first felt that spark, a city where you and your love travelled when you had no responsibilities or anything holding you down. Let’s go there.

Mary & Andrew have my favorite kind of love. They are so real with each other, they are who they are and all they did the entire time we were together was make each other laugh with their hilarious, straight-faced sarcasm and wit. Some couples require so little from me, they are comfortable in their love and they just interact how they always do. These two were just that way, and I loved every minute with them.

They even braved a crazy early wake up time for photos a few days after their ceremony at Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park. We hiked out at sunrise on a chilly fall morning, avoided the craziness by the arch, and took in that incredible view. I brought donuts from Doughbird in Moab, cause I can’t help myself. If you haven’t been there yet, you absolutely must go on your next visit. Not only do they have crazy donut flavors like London Fog and Lavender, they also have fried chicken and really strong coffee. Delish.

Congratulations you two, here’s to a lifetime of road trips and adventures together. xo

P.S. If you’re thinking of eloping, check out my elopements page for some ideas on where to go, details on permits, etc.