Boho Southern Utah Elopement
This Elopement took place near Zion National Park, in Southern Utah! It was intimate, boho, funky, special, and FUN.
This weeks couple is Navy and Daniel. These two are very down to earth. They are friendly and are some the funniest people to be around. They love taking their dog Bruce on walks, have a million plants in their house. They also love ice cream, their film cameras and going out to eat.
I first new of Navy when her sister Sid reached out to me in search of the right photography for Navy’s elopement. “I think your work is amazing. You capture moments so beautifully. You truly have an eye for beauty. I love how real and raw your images are. I can already tell you are the coolest person,” Sid said..
When I finally met Navy, she and I talked all things wedding planning: style, time, vibe, place, ceremony, vows and who would be there. In her mind she wanted a dreamy boho elopement with a small ceremony in the red rocks of St. George. Think boho rug and a beautiful dress all at golden hour. She wanted to share vows separately, immediately meet with family and some friends to be married, and afterwards take photos at sunset.
It came time to finally meet them in person. Me and my very pregnant belly drove to St. George and met Navy and Daniel at the bottom of a trailhead. I climbed into their car and they drove the rest of the way to their elopement spot. Bruce, their furry, black and white dog sat on me as we bounced around in the back seat while they offroaded to the red rocks. As I mentioned, I was very pregnant, so he snuggled up to my bump. Bruce and I are close now;)
When we arrived, their loved ones greeted us and were setting up the arch and decorations.
Shout out to their makeup artist. He works on movie sets, and was fortunate enough to work on the set of Yellowstone the series. Before their vows he did her makeup, and through out the evening he would touch-up her face.
“We want it to be private, but we’d love for you to capture us doing our vows,” they said, “We want to just be ourselves.” Navy held her dress in one hand and Daniel lifted her up with the other while they climbed onto one of the tall rocks in the area.
On the rock, Navy stood looking at Daniel with her curly silver-purple hair, flowy a-line chiffon dress, low cut flower top with strappy back detailing, a sheer sunflower-dotted veil and black and white checkered sandals.
Standing in front of Navy, Daniel held her near in his brown plaid trousers, a cream cowboy hat and long hair. They embraced each other. They shared their vows. They cried. And although I couldn’t hear them, I captured those special moments while they were on the rock.
Ten minutes later they climbed down for the long-awaited ceremony. Their guests sat on green camp chairs and held matching fans to their faces to cool themselves down. Flower girls with long wavy hair and flower crowns etched the way for Navy.
Electric guitar filled the space as one of their friends with a curly afro started playing. He sat in the shade to escape the heat, while he and the others waited.
The warm tones in the rock, sand and brush felt inviting and elegant, but the vibrant colors and patters their loved-ones wore added to the wildness of Navy’s checkered sandals.
Navy’s dad walked her down the dessert sand path lined with candles until both she and Daniel stood on a moroccan rug at the end of the path.
A copper arch with dried flowers, palm leaves and a potted cactus standing against southern Utahs famous red rocks matched the earthy boho wedding they were looking for. Oh! And we can’t forget about Bruce. He lounged at Daniels feet, waiting for the big “I do.”
Navy smiled continuously as she shared her vows even amidst the summer heat, and Daniel took his time as he wiped his tears from his face.
After the ceremony we took group photos.
When the sun set behind the rocks, I snuck the happy couple with me so their guests could throw a little surprise for them.
Daniel had his own surprise for Navy. “I actually wrote a song for you,” he said, while they were playing in the blue hour lighting. The song played as they slow danced under a velvet sky.
We came back to a white sheet hanging against the rock with a projector playing back the memories of Navy and Daniels story. They also played the beautiful video Sid, @sidhoopesfilm.photo, filmed during their bridles in Oregon.
Their guests sat in camp chairs, and Navy and Daniel laid out on their blankets while the last bit of light faded from the sky, and the starry night shined.
Camping lanterns lit the way to a small table where Navy and Daniel cut their naked cake, and everyone joined in laughter, joy and celebration!
To end the day off, they signed their marriage license to make it official!
