Last Minute Elopement in Moab

Lauren & Redmond’s Epic Utah Elopement

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER / UTAH & BEYOND

We planned Lauren and Redmond’s Moab elopement in just a few days, but it wasn’t because they decided last minute to get married, it was because the universe just kept deciding their other plans just couldn’t work out. They originally planned a larger wedding, but then Lauren gave me a call when it looked like 2020 would be a no-go for big weddings. So we planned an epic elopement…in Yosemite. However, the wildfire season had other plans for that, and after going over all the options they decided to meet me in Moab, which is where I was at the time. And it just so happened that it was a way shorter drive for them than to Yosemite anyway.

They had never been to Moab, so I knew we needed to see some of the most iconic locales, but with such late notice getting a permit for Arches would be an issue. I already have a permit to operate on BLM land around Moab, and we are so thankful for the wonderful woman who handles weddings in Moab, who turned around a permit for them in just a couple of days. Also big thanks to the wonderful people at Dead Horse Point for that as well.

So with all the paperwork done, they were able to focus on the sights, the day, and most importantly each other. We started with watching the sunrise over the incredible desert towers that make up iconic Castle Valley. When people think about the wild west, this is the view they are thinking about. Sunrise here is hard to beat, we had it all to ourselves, and it was a little chilly, but once the sun hit our faces we warmed up fast. They said their vows to each other and exchanged rings, and then stood for a while taking in the beauty.

After the sunrise session, we had a small break for relaxing and lunch, and then we headed out to Corona Arch for a little hike. It was warm out at that point so they packed their wedding gear to change at the Arch. Both of them mentioned how fitting it was to be visiting Corona Arch during the Coronavirus pandemic, and how they never would have seen this sight if not for the pandemic! As we rounded the corner and saw the arch, I exclaimed, “There it is!” to which there was no reaction from either of them. I just thought, wow- they must not be impressed- but it’s a huge arch so I was confused. We walked a little further, and then they both yelled out at the same time, “OOOH, there it is!” From the angle we were at it was hard to tell it was a giant arch, and they both just thought they were looking at a rock wall. We laughed because they thought the arch was awesome, but they just couldn’t see it before.

After the arch, we headed to Dead Horse Point State Park for sunset. It’s so fun to see both sides of the park, and such a great spot to watch the sun go down, the moon comes up, and the stars come out. Every time I’m there I’m in awe of how magical the area is. Personally, I think it’s one of the coolest views in the southwest.

After taking in all the sights and feeling thoroughly satisfied, all Lauren could talk about was getting a hamburger, so we headed back into town. On the drive back we went over everything we did that day and we were so amazed. We had seen so much, and although none of it was the stuff they had originally planned to see these two pivoted like absolute pros and never ceased to amaze me with how laid back and positive they took each new obstacle. To them, the most important part was committing their lives to each other, and building memories together that they will look back on for the rest of their lives.

Desert Tower Wedding in Moab, Utah

Sari & Luke’s Stunning Castle Valley Wedding

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER / UTAH & BEYOND

Sari, Luke, and I planned their stunning desert wedding in Moab, Utah from afar. I used to live in my truck for many years and the desert southwest is, and always will be, one of my favorite places on earth. They were coming from Washington and just knew the desert was the perfect place for them.

Several friends and family members were able to join them and what resulted was an incredibly beautiful, memorable, and joyful wedding day full of love and amazing views. We began the day at their Airbnb which was also their amazing reception location. There were so many perfect little details that told the story of who these two are together.

Let’s start at the beginning. “What made Luke fall in love with Sari, “She’s the complete package. She has a heart of gold—that encompasses everything. She makes me laugh, she is incredibly caring, the way she treats my son, Everett, how physically attracted I am to her, she sees me, she understands me, the way she loves me. I’m still falling in love with her every single day. “

What made Sari fall in love with Luke, “His thoughtfulness and small, sweet, daily gestures and little surprises meant the world to me as we were falling in love (and still do). His tender heart and strong exterior. His drive, passion, and ambition made me know we’d never become stagnant as a couple or individuals. The way he has always been my biggest supporter and never judges me, for anything. Him in daddy mode. He makes me laugh and feel like the most special and beautiful woman alive.”

After getting ready, everyone headed out to a remote location in the desert. We decided to do family formals there, so we could spend more time at a beautiful location. It was on the Colorado River with views of desert towers in the background, everything they hoped for in the backdrop to their big day. After portraits, we began the ceremony, which was officiated by a good friend. It was an emotional ceremony and there were more than a few tears shed. After wrapping up the ceremony, we headed to a different spot for sunset couple’s portraits while the rest of the crew headed back to set up for the reception.

You know it’s good when the videographer, who also happened to be Luke’s brother was exclaiming out loud the entire time. He was so blown away by the views, which was awesome to witness, and if Luke and Sari weren’t always stoked enough, which they were, it fully ignited the fire. After an incredible sunset, moonrise, and blue hour we headed back to the Airbnb for their reception. They had the backyard set up so beautifully, and it made for the perfect atmosphere of celebration. Toasts were made, games played, first dances danced, and we all watched the stars come out in complete awe. It was the perfect ending to a totally perfect day.

Luke and Sari on why they decided to have a small outdoor wedding, “A small wedding is more personal and our style—it’s intimate, sacred, and spiritual. We both have a deep appreciation and love for the outdoors and try to be outside as often as possible. Our lifestyle is very outdoor-oriented. We chose Moab because we both feel at peace in the desert and love to climb.”

“Kat did such an incredible job helping us plan, coordinate, and capture our small wedding in Moab!! She was so helpful, quick to respond, professional, and friendly! We are in love with our wedding photos and couldn’t be more impressed with how they turned out—PERFECTION. Kat went above and beyond to help us plan our special day (we live in Washington) and did a fantastic job capturing every big and small detail that we hoped she would. The editing and finishing touches on the photos are spectacular and we highly recommend her!”

— Sari & Luke

Moab Moonrise Adventure Session | Moab Elopement Photographer

Jenna & Mark Explore Moab for Engagement Session

SWELL & STONE / Adventure Elopement Photographer / Utah & Beyond

I met Jenna and Mark at a random pull out on the Colorado River outside of Moab for their adventure engagement session. It’s a spot I’ve been coming back to for years because of it’s unique viewpoint of desert towers backed by mountains. Up to our left was a treacherous looking slope littered with giant boulders in front of a sheer face. To our right flowed the mighty Colorado River, and there was an easy walk down to a nice beach. I pointed left and said, “we’re going up there.” Jenna and Mark got themselves in order and started hiking. Jenna in a dress and wedges made it up the steep, scrambling slope much faster than I did, and was less out of breath as well. They are both canyoneers and climbers and scrambling up a rock littered slope is an everyday affair for them. They didn’t think twice or hesitate when I directed them to a rock edge to perch on.

These two met rock climbing, Jenna explained. “We were bouldering at the local climbing gym and Mark fell off of a route that I was trying to climb and we just started chatting! We went on a trip to southern Utah the next week.”

They had so much in common that they just kept hanging out because who better than your best friend to go on all your adventures with? “We’re pretty similar as far as hobbies go. We both love rock climbing, hiking, running, backpacking, and canyoneering. I love to ski and snowboard, Mark hasn’t learned yet. We also both love to read.”

After we got some amazing tiny person landscape shots of the towers, mountains, and river we headed down to the river. Mark said he loves the way rivers rocks look, so I took some overhead shots of them laying on the rocks and exploring the beach area. They love all kinds of outdoor activities but mentioned that currently, backpacking was a favorite. “Backpacking is the current craze. We really want to get back to Escalante and go on a backcountry trip.”

As the sun sank lower we headed down the road to take in views of some different desert towers. Moab is such an unreal spot that driving just a few minutes in either direction can change up the scenery. We hiked, skipped, and explored, and as the sun sank lower a full moon rose overhead. Just being among the towers in golden light is a treat, but staying to see the moonrise and with temperatures still really comfortable was just spectacular. The shot of them dancing under a full moon rising ended up being one of my favorites of the whole session, even though it was one of the shots that I had given the least thought and planning. That slope that I was talking about earlier… I had hiked up and down that entire slope for hours to find the perfect rock for them to stand on for those shots as part of my location scouting process. And don’t get me I LOVE those shots. But something about the small details and the unplanned shots makes this job so much fun.

This shoot happened right before a lot was locked down for Covid-19. I’m so happy we were able to get out for a lovely evening in Moab, and Jenna and Mark spent the rest of the weekend exploring canyonlands. But they had a wedding scheduled for April, which they had to change and move several times before finally being able to elope with a few friends and family socially distanced in the great outdoors. I’m so happy they were able to make it happen because they are so clearly deeply in love!

I love staying out until the sun goes down with my couples, so if you’d love starry night sky shots or moonrise shots get in touch, and let’s make it happen.

Epic Engagement Session at Valley of Fire | Las Vegas Elopement Photographer

Maria & Kaden Explore Valley of Fire State Park for Engagement Session

SWELL & STONE / Adventure Elopement Photographer / Las Vegas & Beyond

Maria and Kaden reached out to me about 2 weeks before I was set to leave on a 3-week work trip around the desert, and in a matter of a few days, I was able to extend my trip a few days so that I could photograph them as well! They love last-minute trips and it ended up being great timing because Maria was going to be in Las Vegas for a work conference anyway. They are from Kansas City, so Kaden flew out at the end of the week, and we were able to go explore Valley of Fire State Park, which is only an hour outside the city, but packs a huge punch in terms of views.

The landscape is surreal and otherworldly, and to top everything off, it was their first time ever seeing the red rock. I love being there for people’s first experiences in the red rock desert. Like them, I’m from Kansas, and I drove through the desert for the first time in 2008 on my way to work at Lake Powell in-between years of school. I still remember hanging out of my best friend’s sunroof with my mouth hanging wide open. I couldn’t believe this magical place existed on earth.

Maria and Kaden’s first time seeing the landscape was similar. They loved the colors and shapes. We had incredible weather that was comfortable to hike around in, and even when I asked if they wanted to take off their shoes and walk through cold slot canyon water, they were game.

They met online, both swiping right. Maria said, “We talked for a week or so through texts and calls then decided to meet in person. We met at a tapas restaurant for our first date and talked for hours. Afterward, we decided to keep the night going as any mature adult would do — with hot cocoa at a local coffee shop. For our second date, I picked the restaurant. He hadn’t been there before, and admittedly I was testing him to see how adventurous he could be with food. The first thing he ordered was my favorite item on the menus — something that most people wouldn’t even think about ordering. I was pretty hooked after that.”

As we hiked we talked about life in Kansas, their dogs, and the Kansas City Chiefs. When asked about their relationship Kaden said, “It would be impossible to identify an exact moment (I fell in love with her). For me, it is everything that Maria is that made me fall in love with her. The way she cares for others, the way she cares for herself, and of course I see and feel how much she cares for me. I admire her work ethic and desire to succeed in anything she is doing. She makes me better and THAT is what I fell in love with.”

For Maria, the moment she fell in love with him was a little more concrete. “I realized how much I loved Kaden when he and I were renovating his rental property. We were on a tight deadline and it was early in our relationship. I’m a very handy woman (thanks to my mom) and took the lead of the work — Kaden was so proud and appreciative and helpful. No matter how hangry I got, he met me with patience and kindness and a burrito. I may have been the one helping without him asking me, but I felt like the lucky one because I had him.”

They both love dogs and have rescued many. They spend the weekends outside with their pups. “We love going to restaurants that have patios and hanging out during nice days. Dog park, dog-friendly bars, Jeep rides, and lazy afternoons at home make for the best weekends.”

And one of my favorite stories they told me was their engagement story. When they were telling it my hands were sweating just thinking about what Kaden was going through. “Kaden got the ring in September then tried to think of the best possible proposal. He even brought it to Iceland during a trip we took in October! Yet he couldn’t find the right moment...” That’s right, he took the ring all the way to Iceland and didn’t propose. He said he had to keep hiding and moving to different places so Maria wouldn’t find it. And he managed not to lose it or blow the secret! “Finally, on Christmas, we were in Colorado with my family and he had a chance to ask my mom and brother in law (patriarch of our family) for permission. He got on one knee after we all opened presents and popped the question. I happy cried a lot, he smiled a lot. I would also like to note that I never told Kaden a ring style I wanted, I don’t wear jewelry. But the ring he got is absolutely perfect.” And it is a beautiful ring, check out the pics below for evidence.

They are clearly very in love, I think you can see that through the photos, but they are also the kindest people. They were joyful and fun, and I’m so happy we were able to make the day work. And what an incredible afternoon/evening we spent hiking around one of the coolest parks. Thunderstorms had hit the area recently and I had planned on taking Maria and Kaden through a slot canyon, but it was filled with water. But that was no obstacle, we just took off our shoes and walked through it, and of course, they paused so I could take some photos. The stormy weather made for a lot of wind, which Maria handled gracefully, even though wearing a dress in windy weather is a hard thing to do. A lot of the images included her hair whipping around her face, which I love. Her hair still managed to look great through it all.

I’m so happy these two took the leap to get on a plane and come meet me where I was for their engagement shoot on such short notice. This was right before everything started to get locked down for the coronavirus pandemic, so the time spent outside in fresh air in a new place was really a precious memory.

“Not only is Kat an amazing photographer, but she’s an incredible person. Kat gave us an idea of what to expect, but as our first time doing a photo session, we were still a bit nervous/clueless. Kat made us feel comfortable and at ease. I never once felt rushed. She really is a professional who found her calling. Our photos turned out SO so great... I can’t stop looking at them. I highly recommend Kat and swell & stone to anyone who is even the slightest interested in getting some really cool and memorable couples photos outdoors.”

— Maria & Kaden

Arizona Saguaro Wonderland in Superstition Mountains | Arizona Elopement Photographer

Martha & Wil Wander Through Superstition Mountain Trails Outside Phoenix, AZ

SWELL & STONE / Adventure Elopement Photographer / Arizona & Beyond

Martha and Wil and their daughter, Lucy, met me in the Superstition Mountains in Lost Dutchman State Park outside of Phoenix, Arizona. We had a lovely sunny afternoon to explore some of the trails, and Lucy was excited to hit the ground running. I love how saguaros look in backlight, so naturally, I was hunting for the perfect saguaro for them to stand next to. We started by just trying to find some shade, which we managed to do, and I was able to capture some of the cutest family shots.

I love to include couple’s kids in their anniversary or engagement shoots, and of course, you include them on the actual wedding or elopement day as well. It makes the experience so fun because as a photographer I just think- what would be fun for a kid, let’s do that. So Lucy went up on her dad’s shoulders and held hands with her parents while swinging back and forth. She thought it was so much fun that she didn’t want to stop doing it. So if you can just create a fun experience and environment, that’s literally most of the battle. At one point Lucy and Wil went back to the car to grab her stuffed bunny, and that made for some really cute photos as well.

After a bit a fun family playfulness we were able to distract Lucy with an iPad and a good friend who kept an eye on her and we snuck away for some more sunset shots and a few outfit changes. The Superstition Mountains are such a cool spot, but where we were the sun was directly on the mountain, so I waited until it dropped a bit to put them against that amazing backdrop. We were able to hike far enough away from most of the people and it really felt secluded. On top of that, the weather was absolutely perfect even as the sun dropped the temps were comfortable.

The golden hour is one of my absolute favorite times to shoot, and I just revel in the amazing golden light as it’s happening. Martha and Wil were amazing and ran around like kids, spun, kissed, and twirled to their heart’s content. Every time I get to photograph a couple in these amazingly beautiful places, I love when the moment when they really take in their surroundings- how amazing the light is, how gorgeous the views are, how lovely their partner is, and they almost always say something like- we should do this more often. And the truth is most people should do this more often. Go for a hike where you have a nice view and watch the sunset. Feel your feet in the dirt and smell each flower or plant that you pass. Martha and Wil commented on how it was less than an hour's drive for them, but with a child at home and a list of obligations piling up it was something they hadn’t made enough time for. It’s so easy to let that happen. even though this is my job, I let it happen too. But my favorite part of the job is- often after the sun has set and the couple had an amazing time and their daughter is worn out from running and playing and we are hiking back to the cars- when they say something like what Martha and Wil said, which is that they will make getting outside as a family more regular. And they have a satisfied, very content-disposition and you can tell that everyone is truly happy.

Top 7 Reasons to Get Married Outside in the Off Season

Couples Eloping During the Off-Season End Up with Adventurous Wedding Stories

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE Wedding & ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER / United States AND BEYOND

It’s easy to think only about the downsides when it comes to planning your outdoor adventure wedding, like- what if it snows and the roads become impassable? But there’s a flip side to every coin, like- what if it snows and we have the magical winter wonderland elopement of our dreams?! Sometimes all that’s needed is a mindset shift, a little change of perspective, and before you know it your wedding day will be better than you ever thought possible.

Something to keep in mind is that “off-season” means different things in different locations. For instance, in the desert Southwest (Utah, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Southern California) this is generally both the winter and summer months. In the winter, temps can be nice during the day, but frigid when the sun goes down. In my opinion, the winter is the best off season time to plan an elopement in the desert because of the nice weather during the day. In the summer, the weather can be unbearably hot all day and night. However, there are some high desert locations that are really nice in the summer, like Flagstaff, AZ. If you’d like more help pinning down when are where might be the best time and place for you to elope- contact me!

In other locations like New England and the Pacific Northwest, the off-season is mostly the winter, but it can last all the way into the late spring months, depending on the location. In mountain locations the snow often doesn’t melt until well into June, so you can often plan snow hiking elopements in April and May, while still having nice temperatures during the day. Curious about how to stay warm during a winter hiking elopement? Check out this article that has tons of tips and tricks!

Here are, in my view, the top seven benefits that await when you plan the off-season elopement of your dreams.

1. Fewer Crowds

This is one of the most obvious benefits to getting married in the off-season. There’s just no one around. Views and overlooks that might be crowded with people during peak tourist season can often be found deserted, enabling you to have easy access to five-star views without all the crowds.

2. Cost Effectiveness

Often wedding vendors are more willing to give discounts in the off-season. If it’s slow season they might be looking to add to their portfolio and offer more than they would for less money than during their busy season. Another perk is that they aren’t as busy so they can give your cake, bouquet, or dress alterations more time and attention.

3. Unique Images

Let’s be honest, there are millions of images of couple celebrating in the summer when the weather is nice and the sun is out. Those are amazing, but they are not exactly unique. Getting married in the off-season gives you the opportunity for more visual interest. Imagine snow kissed desert towers in the background of your elopement location. Seriously, nothing shouts adventure more than a windy summit photo with snow capped peaks in the distance.

One elopement I photographed in February in southern Utah ended up being incredibly special. I drove up from Phoenix the day before, and it was raining the entire length of the state of Arizona. It never rains the entire length of the state of Arizona! It cleared up the next day, but we had planned to drive many hours back on 4x4 roads only to find ourselves faced with giant, frozen puddles in the middle of the dirt road needed to get to the ceremony site. We decided to go for it and made it to our destination without a hitch. The reward for taking the chance was large reflecting pools of water dotting the desert floor, a rare sight in the area, which made for truly unique and special adventure wedding photos.

4. Fewer Restrictions

Many locations have strict regulations in place for peak tourism season. If you plan an elopement outside those times, the regulations may become less stringent or disappear altogether. Sometimes those regulations are in place to control crowds in high traffic areas, and if the crowds won’t be a problem, officials often drop the regulations.

5. Easy Parking

This goes hand in hand with fewer crowds. Planning an elopement in the off-season means that the wedding party will have fewer crowd related obstacles to contend with, and of course, one of those is parking. Because the weather is often more extreme in the off-season couples tend to want to have ceremony sites that guests can drive to, while still having a five-star view. The good news is that this is possible in the off-season. Drive up spots with plenty of parking and great views are often deserted in the off-season months, making them feel like secluded far flung locations. Just make sure that the roads needed to reach those spots are still open if there is snow on the ground.

6. Guest Are Generally More Available

We all know a ton of people who schedule their entire summers around all the weddings they need to attend. Perhaps you are even one of those people! Dare to be wildly different on your wedding day and plan your elopement during a time of year when others are not attending several other weddings as well. Maybe it’s important to you that immediate family attend, or perhaps just a few good friends as witnesses. Regardless of your guest preferences, they are more likely to be able to fit your elopement into their busy schedule if you plan it in an off-season.

7. Ability to Add Interest with Fun Accessories

Most brides love to accessorize, and the benefit of planning an elopement in the off-season is that less than perfect weather gives couples the option to use fun accessories. This could mean clear umbrellas in rainy weather, warm leggings or a beautiful shawl or coat in cold weather, or your favorite hiking boots in any weather! Remember, just like when weekend adventuring the saying holds- there is no bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.

Inclement weather doesn’t mean your adventure wedding day won’t be great! Just plan to be comfortable in any weather and not only will you have an amazing adventure elopement day, but you’ll have unique images unlike anything you’ve seen before.

There you have it! The top seven reasons to get married outside in the off-season. Any time of year is a great time to get married, as long as you bring the right mindset and the right person!

If you need a photographer to help make those dream off-season adventure wedding images come true, get in touch today.

Sunset Adventure Session at Dead Horse Point | Utah Wedding Photographer

Janessa & Brandon Explore Dead Horse Point State Park in Celebration of One Year Anniversary

SWELL & STONE / Adventure Elopement Photographer / Utah & Beyond

I met Janessa and Brandon on a secluded dirt road somewhere outside of Moab. I wanted to pack in the views during their adventure session, and the dirt road had stunning views of the La Sal mountain range as a backdrop. They were approaching their one year anniversary of marriage, and Janessa had told me she was excited to get some great nature photos with her dress, because on their actual wedding day she was more nervous about tearing it up. But now, a full year after their wedding she was excited to drag it through the desert dirt and spin freely on the hiking trails.

She also brought along an amazing white jumpsuit, so she started out wearing that, which allowed her to be playful and be mobile. So naturally running down the dirt road was a must, and we enjoyed the incredible mountain views for a while.

Janessa and Brandon met on a dating app and as Janessa explains it, “Our first date was for lunch at a pho restaurant. What was supposed to be a casual date ended up being way longer than either of us planned because we were having so much fun. We were laughing and telling stories and I probably overshared but everything felt so natural. Brandon told me about breaking his foot wake boarding, I told him about prepping to hike the PCT. He drove me back to my apartment and I knew I had to see him again. We still go back to that restaurant frequently, we even have our orders memorized and sometimes they'll seat us at that same table.”

Janessa fell in love with Brandon quickly and said, “I was on the phone talking to a friend, telling them about Brandon and they said, ‘So what, do you think you're gonna marry this guy?’ And I was like, ‘You know, I might.’ That was almost two months after we started dating. I knew really soon that I could never be bored with Brandon in my life.”

And in Janessa, Brandon knew it felt right from the start as well. “My family always complained that I never went out with a girl more than twice. When I met Janessa, I broke the rules I had set for myself about length of dates, texting, and everything else. It felt right from the start, and we saw each other almost every day after maybe our third date. I kept looking for red flags, but green means go!”

They share a mutual love for adventure activities which brought them closer together and really crystalized the special bond they share when they were dating long distance. “We lived several hours apart but made special trips to see each other on the weekends. When Janessa came to Utah Brandon would plan our adventure, and when he came to Idaho Janessa would plan it. We hiked in the Tetons, went to hot springs and did our very first canyoneering trip together. I think it showed both of us how far the other was willing to go in order to see something new with someone we loved. It feels like that's been the theme of our whole relationship. We are always looking for the next adventure, location or activity to do together. Someday maybe we'll get a dog or adventure cat or bird or something. Janessa wants something small to love.”

Next we drove just a few miles down the road to Dead Horse Point State Park. It was their first time in the park and for a while they just took in the view and gasped at how amazing it was. The cool thing about Dead Horse Point is that you have two fairly different views on each side of the park, and it’s up on a thin plateau, so you can walk from one side to the other quickly. We started looking down at the Potash Evaporation Ponds- bright blue sections of water at the base of tall orange mesas. It’s a strange sight for sure, but really cool to see from above. There is an info plaque in the park with more info on why this exists, but the short explanation is that a company is mining salt, and the way they do that is by pumping water into the rock, dissolving the salt, and pumping it back out into the ponds. They dye the water various shades of blue so that it evaporates more quickly, and then a machine gathers it.

On the other side you look down to see the classic Dead Horse Point view. We hike along the rim for a while, and it’s truly best to take in this view from absolutely every possible direction. As the sun sank a little lower, Janessa changed into her wedding gown, and Brandon into his suit. It was the first time they’d seen each other in their wedding clothes since their wedding, and they were so cute when they saw one another again. We moved to a different section of the park and Brandon in particular had no problem standing close to the edge of some overhanging cliffs.

We watched the sun go down, and Brandon’s playfulness came out when he picked up Janessa and threw her over his shoulder. When I was going through the images I could see the full range of emotions play out on Janessa’s face. From surprise, to shock, a little bit of fear, to full on laughter. It was a great way to end the session after witnessing an incredible sunset in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Through it all their love for each shone bright, and I walked away so happy to have had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with these wonderful humans.

“Kat is awesome! We took anniversary photos and she was so helpful with giving us ideas for poses, keeping the mood light and capturing our love for the outdoors and each other. She was awesome with communication and answered our questions quickly. Also, she’s super cool! I’d book her again just to keep talking with her.
”

— Janessa & Brandon

Couple Go Canyoneering for Engagement Shoot | Utah Elopement Photographer

Saoly & Benjamin Descend a Technical Canyon for Epic Engagement Shots

SWELL & STONE / Adventure Wedding Photographer / Utah & Beyond

I met Saoly and Benjamin in an unassuming dirt pull off on the side of the road outside of Zion National Park. The spot didn’t look like much, and to the untrained eye it looks much more spectacular than the views you will find by just driving an additional 15 minutes into Zion. But a short hike reveals one of my favorite short canyons, and Saoly and Benjamin were up for a technical canyoneering adventure for their engagement photos.

Saoly is a canyoneer and climber, and Benjamin is a climber and mountaineer. They both have a ton of rope work experience, all the necessary gear and safety training. It should be noted that I also have a ton of rope work experience, and I’ve completed around 100 canyons. I don’t guide couples down canyons, but it they have the technical experience to do it on their own I will certainly photograph them doing it. For other couples interested in a similar experience, but have zero or only a few canyons or climbs under their belt I highly recommend they hire a guide and I would be happy to photograph and come along for the journey. It’s such a fun experience, but safety is definitely the number one priority when descending a technical canyon, so it’s great to have a guide to worry about all the safety, and then I am able to focus on the photos.

When I asked about how they met and started to date Saoly explained that they met at the climbing gym in Las Vegas, but were only acquaintances for a while. Benjamin eventually moved to Salt Lake City and after Saoly ended a relationship they both ended up on an online dating app. Saoly said she had extensive filters set so she needed to expand her range to include more cities outside of Las Vegas, so when she saw Benjamin pop up on her screen she remembered him from the climbing gym. The rest, as they say, is history. They began seeing one another on the weekends and they love doing the same things, mostly climbing and skiing.

I picked this spot for their engagement photos, and we didn’t see a single person the entire day even though it was a weekend day. We had the whole canyon to ourselves to enjoy, and both Saoly and I laughed at how Benjamin pointed out and climbed the bottom of every climbable crack along the way. If you’ve ever taken a climber through a canyon you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Saoly developed a system of tying her dress in a knot while down climbing (AKA GOWN CLIMBING, HAHAA!) and rappelling and then untied it for photos and just walking. She was really the MVP of the day, because as you can tell from the photos, there was still a little snow on the ground and it wasn’t exactly warm outside. And let’s face it, it’s never warm inside of a canyon. Luckily, we only had to avoid a few puddles, so no wading through potholes in a white dress. That would have been a first for my shoots.

It was such a fun day, and I’m so happy they were able to experience a canyon they had never done for their engagement photos. They plan to get married on a mountaintop and I can’t wait to capture that special day!

“My fiance and I had the pleasure of working with Kat on our engagement photoshoot canyoneering just outside of Zion. We are a very adventurous couple who loves rock climbing, skiing, canyoneering, and mountaineering, so naturally it made sense for our engagement photos to be during one of our adventures. Of course, I wanted the photos to be not only epic and adventurous, but also still pretty and “weddingy” with a white dress and all. In other words, I still wanted to feel pretty, so we couldn’t do anything that was TOO strenous, be on an adventure, and also be in a remote location where we wouldn’t run into anyone else who might be in our photos. Kat has been around the block and suggested the perfect location for us that was picturesque, yet also remote (we didn’t see any other people that day), adventurous enough for epic photos yet not TOO strenuous so that I could still look somewhat put together and not all sweaty LOL. It is very difficult to find a photographer who 1) knows of locations that would even meet all these criteria 2) is in good enough shape to go on said adventure 3) can scramble and do sketchy downclimbs while risking possibly damaging their photography equipment 4) is comfortable with ropework and can do technical canyoneering and/or rock climbing 5) makes you and your significant other feel completely comfortable in front of the camera and knows how to pose you 6) take amazing photos 7) deliver them to you quickly, and actually gives you a HUGE number of photos! Kat fits the bill in all regards, and we are so lucky to have found her to capture our special day. Can’t wait to use her again for our wedding!
”

— Saoly & Benjamin

Epic 4x4 Outdoor Adventure Wedding in Southern Utah Backcountry

Cameron & Rick say “I Do” in an Enchanting Ceremony in the Desert Southwest

Swell & Stone / Utah/Arizona Elopement Photographer

I can honestly say that in terms of weather for Cam & Rick's adventure elopement in the backcountry of Southern Utah, or Northern Arizona- the exact location is undisclosed- we got about as lucky as we possibly could have.
I drove in the day before and it literally rained the entire length of Arizona- I drove from Phoenix. It NEVER rains the ENTIRE length of Arizona! But the morning of their wedding day it was clear and beautiful. Cam was a flurry of calls and texts in the days leading up to the day, but ultimately she and Rick made the best call- to GO FOR IT!
Four 4x4 vehicles met me at the access road. We figured with enough wo(man) power and tow straps we would be fine even if the roads weren't passable. And hell, it'd make for a great wedding day story either way. And make for a great wedding day story it did! We all made the 1.5 hr drive safely, but we all had to navigate frozen puddles that covered entire sections of road! As soon as we arrived we went to hike around the area. We were able to see it in a completely unique way, reflecting pools of water dotted the whole desert, a rare sight!
Cam & Rick had known each other for a while before they started dating. They are both part of the canyoneering community, which happens to be fairly tight knit. Rick had a crush on Cam, and one of her friends asked if she liked him back. She responded, "I wish I liked Rick!" But as she spent more time with him and their mutual friend group she realized that she did, in fact, like Rick. Fast forward to their beautiful, love filled wedding day.
The day was spent hiking, marveling at nature, spending time with family and friends in on of their favorite places. Cam was walked down the aisle by her soon-to-be step son Gavin, and her good friend, Everett. Rick's daughter Hannah looked adorable in her lavender dress and Vans.
After the ceremony, and some group photos the group enjoyed some food and watched the sun get low on the horizon before heading out. Cam & Rick stayed back with me and venturing back out to a spot when the stars came out. There had been scattered clouds all day, but they cleared to the north just after sunset. Even in very cold temps Cam & Rick were stoked to help create the star photo you see above. A perfect ending to an absolutely perfect day with one some of the best people I've ever had the pleasure of spending time with.

“Stop your search and book Kat. She is fun, professional, REALLY good at this, and goes above and beyond. I can’t say enough. Kat will make dreams that you didn’t even know you had come true. Her photos are just beautiful! She has a great eye to capture the moments. I can look at my photos and relive the joy. She captured our joy!
”

— Cameron & Rick

Winter Elopements: The Definitive Guide to Getting Married Comfortably Outside in the Winter

Adventurous Couples Brave Winter Weather and Get Unique, Jaw-Dropping Photos as a Result

Swell & Stone / Adventure Wedding & Elopement Photographer / United States and Beyond

When it comes to getting married in the winter the vast majority of people assume it will have to be indoors. But if you’re the adventurous type and plan on eloping with just your partner and maybe a friend or family member or two then you don’t have to worry if grandpa is going to freeze standing outside. Winter landscapes provide an almost otherworldly backdrop, and talk about a memorable experience. So if you’re look for a wildly different wedding experience, consider getting married outside…in the WINTER! Here are a few important factors to keep in mind.

Footwear

Keeping your feet warm is one of the keys to staying comfortable in frigid temps. Luckily most wedding dresses are long so women can easily wear wool socks and comfortable hiking boots with their dress. Choose something you will be able to walk around in for hours if need be. Depending on your chosen location for your ceremony you may need to hike in them for a little while. These boots are some of my favorites and they happen to look stylish under a wedding dress too. This is not one of those times to skimp on comfort. In fact, comfort is of the utmost importance here, because if you’re suffering, it will be difficult to want to continue. Danner makes a classic and beautiful boot that looks great under dresses.

Long Underwear

Men can wear just about anything, thin, warm, and wooly underneath their suits, but classic long underwear is a good place to start. Women, on the other hand, need something warm but also not obvious, and for that I love nude fleece lined leggings. If the bride’s leg peaks out from under the dress while walking you can’t even tell she’s wearing leggings in the photos. Women can also opt for a long sleeve gown to make their top layer a bit warmer. However, I also recommend having a jacket you don’t mind being photographed in. Which brings me to my next point…

Stylish Jacket

It doesn’t hurt to have a nice jacket you don't mind being photographed in. You can take it on and off as needed, but you might as well be warm while walking around. For a lot of brides it's a white down jacket or some other kind of white jacket. For men, it's often a black down jacket. But it doesn’t have to fall in line with the standard wedding color scheme, the beauty of it all is you get to be yourself and wear whatever you like, not what other people expect you to wear. So break norms and traditions, after all you are eloping outside in the winter- if that’s not already breaking traditions I’m not sure what is.

Foot, Hand, & Body Warmers

These things are pretty much the best ever. They are thin, warm, and last for hours, and they just might be your key to getting married outside in the winter even if you thought that was something you could never do. They come in different types- foot, hand, and body, and yes, it makes sense to get all the types because the hand warmers do not fit in your shoes comfortably the way the foot warmers do. The body warmers are larger and cover more surface area, so if you are really worried about being cold, pick up some of these and you might be sweating before you can say “I do!”

Blankets

If you have family or friends in attendance, offer them the above advice for sure, but also maybe have a couple of extra blankets in the truck of your car if someone comes a little unprepared. They can be national park themed or just pretty blankets, but whatever you choose, make sure it’s warm and you don’t mind having them in your photos.

Hot Drinks

It does not hurt to have a thermos full of something hot to take along with you. Whether it’s hot chocolate, tea, coffee, or spiced rum- pick your favorite warm drink and carry it along in a backpack to help keep you hydrated and warm. Here’s a recipe for a delicious special occasion drink that will definitely keep you warm, even on the coldest of days.

Have a Car Nearby to Warm Up In

Finally, there is no shame in driving to a beautiful location and getting out for 10-15 minutes at a time. Most ceremonies only last about 15 minutes, so use all the above suggestions to stay warm during that time and then jump back in the car with the heat cranked up full blast! When shooting winter adventure weddings and elopements this is a common strategy, the couple gets to have the ceremony where they want, but also check out several other locations for photos. If you have guests, host the reception at a cozy, scenic lodge. This can be easy to do in the winter because there are usually fewer crowds, unless you’re at a ski resort, of course. An important thing to work out with your photographer beforehand are any potential road closures. You don’t want to plan to drive to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, for instance, between December (or the first big snow) and mid-May.

I hope this info was helpful and gave you a different perspective on getting married outside in the winter. As an adventure elopement photographer, winter weddings have been some of my favorite to photograph. Crowds aren’t an issue and there is something so quiet and peaceful about being outside in the winter that translates to a wildly different wedding experience for couples. If you’re looking for a photographer for your wildly different wedding experience get in touch with me ASAP! You can do that HERE- or by hitting the button below.