An Arches National Park Elopement: The One That Changed Everything

Sometimes, a career shift happens over the course of years and a thousand tiny decisions…but for me? One big moment changed everything for me: my little brother’s wedding.

My brother Josh is four years younger than me and we’ve always been incredibly close. So when he told me (in complete secrecy before anyone else knew) that he and his now-wife, London, had gotten engaged, I was beyond excited. But then he told me something that completely caught me off guard.

They wanted to elope. Aaaand they wanted ME to photograph it (!!!!). At the time, I was still photographing mostly traditional weddings with a handful of elopements sprinkled in. I had been quietly dreaming about photographing more adventure elopements, but I wasn’t sure if making the leap to doing them full-time was realistic. Josh didn’t know how much I needed to hear those words. He simply said they were thinking about eloping in Arches National Park and that they wanted me there. They also asked our friend Emmy to officiate and her husband Dawson to be their witness. It felt so intentional, so personal, and so perfectly them.

Why They Chose to Elope in Arches National Park

Josh met London in 2024, and they’re the kind of couple that just makes perfect sense together. They both love spending time outside, care deeply about conservation, and feel most at home exploring public lands. Josh is working toward becoming a National Park Ranger and has spent time working in both national and state parks, so choosing a national park for their wedding felt incredibly meaningful!

Arches was especially perfect for their day. We grew up in Utah, so it already felt like home to our family, but it also held significance for London. Instead of planning a big traditional wedding, they decided to exchange vows in Arches National Park and celebrate with friends and family a few weeks later. It was truly the best of both worlds.

They applied for a Special Use Permit and intentionally chose March for their day. At the time, timed entry reservations typically began in April (always double-check current park requirements because they can change!), so March gave them a little more flexibility while still giving them a good chance of beautiful weather.

The Day That Confirmed Everything

Leading up to the wedding, they kept me in the loop on everything. Florals, outfits, timeline ideas. We talked through alllllll the little details together, and I loved every second of it. Looking back, I think that was the first time I realized how much I enjoy being involved in the planning process—not just showing up with a camera, but helping people create a day that feels authentic and effortless.

The morning of the elopement, we all stayed at the same hotel in Moab and met up in London’s room where they shared a sweet first look before heading into the park. Their ceremony took place at the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, one of the designated ceremony locations inside Arches National Park. You can’t typically hold a ceremony just anywhere inside a national park…each park has approved ceremony sites that are available through the permit process, so make sure to do some research!

The forecast had called for clouds all day, but instead we had perfect blue skies from sunrise to sunset. It ended up being the most beautiful March day and their ceremony was quiet, emotional, and deeply meaningful.

The Adventure Didn’t End After “I Do”

After portraits at their ceremony site, we headed back toward the visitor center where they changed into hiking clothes. London had the cutest all-white hiking outfit that was wonderfully practical and adorable.

They enjoyed a picnic before heading out to hike to Delicate Arch. But of course, no adventure is complete without at least one unexpected moment. I had forgotten the pop-up changing tent that I bring to literally every elopement, so Josh and I made a quick run into town, bought a couple of tarps, and created a very questionable makeshift changing room in the parking lot lol. It was messy and clunky buuuut effective.

It’s still one of my favorite memories from the day because it’s such a good reminder that adventure elopements aren’t about everything going perfectly! They’re about rolling with whatever the day brings. And the unexpected moments usually become the favorites.

One of My Favorite Parts of National Park Elopements

After photographing them at Delicate Arch, we started hiking back down. Almost every person we passed smiled, congratulated them, or stopped to tell them how beautiful they looked.

It’s one of my absolute favorite things about national park elopements. Complete strangers become part of your story for just a moment, sharing in your excitement before continuing on their own adventure. There’s something really really special about that.

Why I Love Multi-Day Elopements

We wrapped up the first day with dinner together before meeting again early the next morning for a sunrise adventure back inside the park. Instead of trying to squeeze everything into one day, they chose an eight-hour experience split over two days: six hours on their wedding day and two hours the following morning. I’m a huuuuge fan of this approach—it allows your actual wedding day to stay relaxed while still giving you time to explore more locations without feeling rushed!

We visited Double Arch, The Windows, and Sand Dune Arch as the sun came up. Without the ceremony or guests nearby, the morning felt slower, quieter, and gave Josh and London space to simply enjoy being together. Some of my favorite images from their entire wedding came from those two peaceful hours.

The Wedding That Changed My Career

Driving home after their elopement, I couldn’t stop thinking about the day. Not because of the incredible scenery (although Arches never disappoints) or the photos, but because the day itself was unlike any other wedding day I had witnessed. It was distinctly intentional, relaxed and meaningful. It was centered completely around who Josh and London are instead of what a wedding was “supposed” to look like.

That experience gave me the confidence to fully lean into photographing elopements, and I’ve never looked back! Every time I help another couple plan an adventure-filled wedding day, I think back to my brother’s elopement and how it reminded me that the best weddings aren’t about following traditions. They’re about freeing yourself from the “production” and instead creating a day that will actually stick with you for the rest of your life. A day entirely focused on adventure and love.

If this kind of day stirs something in ya…I’d love to connect. Head here to start a conversation!