As an elopement photographer, I’ve had the privilege of capturing some of the most intimate and breathtaking moments between couples. But every now and then, there’s an experience that stands out as absolutely magical. That’s exactly what happened when I had the honor of documenting a stunning salt flats elopement in one of the most surreal places on Earth.

Let me take you behind the scenes of this unforgettable adventure, where an epic love story, unexpected weather, and unforgettable memories collided in the heart of the salt flats.

The Journey to the Salt Flats: A Stormy Start

I arrived at the salt flats two days prior to the elopement. I had my van all set up for the long stay, surrounded by dark skies, rain, and a sense of gloomy anticipation. To be honest, I had prepared myself for the worst: storms, cold temps, and a slight feeling of disappointment, knowing that nature often has a mind of its own.

But in the world of elopements, unpredictability is part of the charm. And as I sat in my van, I couldn't help but feel that this could be one of those moments where everything surprises you in the best way possible. It’s all a wait-and-see kind of game, with alternatives in your back pocket if need be.

The Magic Unfolds: Sun, Sky, and Salt Flats Serenity

As the clock ticked closer to their elopement, just two hours before the ceremony, something truly extraordinary happened. The rain stopped, the sky began to clear, and suddenly, the sun began to peek through the clouds. Before we knew it, the salt flats had transformed into something out of a dream — endless, pristine pools reflected the vibrant blue sky, and the world felt completely still.

We kept saying to each other, “I cannot believe this is happening.” It was the kind of moment you couldn’t have predicted, but felt incredibly grateful to witness.

First Look & Private Vows

The couple, ready for adventure and eager to exchange vows in their own unique way, decided to do their first look outside their off-roading rig. They changed into their wedding gear from The Black Tux and David’s Bridal. The rugged terrain surrounding us made for the perfect backdrop, with the salt flats stretching as far as the eye could see. Their dog, full of energy and excitement, ran freely through the vast space, embodying the spirit of their adventure.

During their private vow exchange, the couple chose to include me in a special way: they asked me to read a passage during the ceremony. It was such an honor to be part of such a personal, emotional moment. The air was thick with love, joy, and a sense of pure connection as the couple promised each other a lifetime of adventures.

Sunset Portrait Session

After the vows, we set off for their portrait session, with the setting sun casting a warm glow across the salt flats. And then, something happened that I never could have expected: we captured the craziest photos I’ve ever taken. The light, the scenery, and the couple’s genuine connection all came together in a way that left me speechless. It was as if the universe had aligned just for them.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, we watched in awe as the sky shifted into hues of pink and orange — the perfect finish to the most incredible elopement day.

Blue Hour Magic - First Dance, stargazing & Cake to Celebrate

But the day wasn’t over yet. As the sky darkened and the blue hour set in, the bride changed into another David’s Bridal dress and the couple shared their first dance, lit only by the glow of their off-road vehicle's headlights. It was intimate, surreal, and deeply emotional — the kind of moment that sticks with you forever. They topped off the evening with a cake to celebrate their new life together and stargazing, the perfect end to an unforgettable day.

Why a Salt Flats Elopement is a Must-Consider Adventure

A salt flats elopement is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The expansive white landscape offers a sense of serenity and grandeur, making it the perfect canvas for couples seeking adventure and intimacy. Whether it’s the dramatic sky, the stunning natural features, or the sheer remoteness, eloping in such a unique environment creates a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is beyond words.

If you're thinking about eloping, the salt flats are an incredible option. The natural beauty, the adventure, and the freedom of the open landscape make it a one-of-a-kind location to say “I do.” And if you’re lucky enough to witness such a magical day like this one, you’ll know that sometimes, the best things in life happen when you least expect them.

Planning Your Salt Flats Elopement: Tips from an Elopement Photographer

1. Plan for the Unexpected: Weather is always unpredictable, especially in such remote locations. Be ready for anything, but remember that nature often surprises us in the best way.

2. Consider an Off-Roading Adventure: The salt flats are perfect for an off-road vehicle to transport you and your guests to a variety of stunning spots.

3. Include Your Furry Friend: Don’t forget to bring your dog along for the adventure! Salt flats are a wide-open space for them to run free and be part of your special day.

4. Timing is Key: The golden hour and blue hour are incredible times for photos, so plan your elopement to capture the breathtaking light at sunset and beyond.

5. Embrace the Moment: No matter what happens, embrace every part of your day. Whether it’s the sun, rain, or clouds, your elopement will be uniquely yours — and the memories will last a lifetime.

Ready to start planning your Salt Flats elopement? Let’s make your dream adventure come true! I’m here to help every step of the way, from capturing your story to making sure your day is as magical as this one.

Reach out today to begin your adventure!

The Amara Resort in Sedona doubles as a great backdrop for your special moments—like a proposal—and of course, a place to rest your head before a hike up to Cathedral Rock. Travis reached out to me from Australia, as he had won a sweepstakes to travel wherever he wanted from an Australian airline, and he chose Sedona. He would tell Alyse he was going to the gym in order to meet with me on Zoom via his car, and it would be nearing evening time for me. We had fun planning his proposal and making it work to not drop a single hint to Alyse!

The Amara Resort worked with Travis to lay out rose petals for not only his proposal spot, but also for their hotel room with celebratory champagne to follow. They were a great resort to work with and kept everything under wraps. Travis wanted Alyse to be able to dress up for their proposal, but also wanted to have an adventurous hike in Sedona for epic backdrops. Which is totally fair, it’s Sedona and a proposal! The way to get the best of both worlds is to book a next-day adventure session. We did 30-minutes of photo coverage to purely capture the surprising moment, some shots by the creek, and then an 1.5-hour session for a Cathedral Rock Hike the next morning. This allowed for them to have dinner at the resort together all dolled up, to take in the moment just the two of them, and then prepare for an epic hike the next day. It’s a perfect combination in my opinion.

And just like that…we woke up before the sun rose and headed to Cathedral Rock.

Cathedral Rock has its own challenges when it comes to its popularity, parking/shuttle, and timing. I always give my clients all the options and what their outcomes will be experience and photo wise. The timing chosen allowed for more intimate moments and epic lighting show thrown against the rock walls.

I love seeing my clients get down and dirty with the adventure; throwing off the hiking boots and walking barefoot on the rocks in order to safely change into picturesque shoes. I also love when they keep their hiking boots on for shots since it’s how it truly got them to this point. Genuine!

On top of giving options, I always provide my clients with a Cathedral Rock guide in order to thoughtfully prepare them for the hike, and all the necessities they will need for the adventure. It helps make a great experience for all and not to sweat the small things. Cathedral Rock is truly my favorite spot in Sedona for its views and the epic vantage point it provides for photo sessions. Cheers to Travis + Alyse!

Photos taken for Flytographer

What a unique morning hike proposal I captured for Andre + Alex on their dream trip to Sedona, Arizona featuring an Alebrije. When Andre first contacted me, he immediately mentioned two things:

1. “We're keen hikers so happy to go somewhere in Sedona that you recommend, we've never been to Arizona before – we're flying in from our home in New Zealand on holiday.”

2. “I've made a small Alebrije [ring] box…so it's a bit of a funky one.”

It was exciting to be able to help curate a proposal for someone from New Zealand, AND for someone that built their own Alebrije that doubles as the ring box! Extremely cool. Now some of you surely may be asking, ‘what is an Alebrije?”

An Alebrije is traditionally a papier-mâché or wooden sculpture. It is a form of art previously invented by Mexican artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in Mexico City, with a large influence in Oaxaca today.

With Andre having family from Oaxaca, he explained to me that he has made his own Alebrijes over the years. He even made one for Alex when they first started dating, and he explained it felt right to make one for his proposal to her with a special twist. The addition of their home cities HAND PAINTED on it made it extra special to show Alex. He also explained he felt it would be a good way to display both of the Alebrijes he has made her as bookends. A very special idea!

From there, we chose a hike with a summit but a casual one, as it was an early morning hike or “stroll” to start their first day in Sedona with. We specifically also chose a hike where the trailhead was only steps away from their Airbnb. All of these things were decided to keep it feeling casual, in order to not give the surprise away. The photo below is me spying on them from above as they started the hike!

About 15 minutes later, I start acting like a fellow hiker; eating my snack bar and taking phone photos of the sites, as I see they made it to the top as well. As planned, Andre asked me to take a photo of them with his phone and when I got them into place, that was Andre’s cue to go ahead and do the thing—propose!

Alex was enamored when seeing a familiar Alebrije, and couldn’t help but put together the pieces of Andre’s suspicious behaviors back home in New Zealand. Her happiness and excitement for his proposal was palpable.

From here we took celebratory photos to commemorate the moment and take in the views. This was all possible for their 1-hour photo session with the hike included in the time. For those wanting something short & sweet, a 1-hour session with me is just right. If they wanted to do a more extensive hike, or a longer session for more options to adventure further, I always recommend beyond an hour. I have plenty of location advice to provide in Sedona for whatever kind of adventure you’re looking for. Consider me your hiking guide!

Congrats to these two on their engagement and for bringing a slice of home with them on their dream vacation. Nothing is better than doing what you love to celebrate your engagement.

K + A got married at the courthouse in Flagstaff, Arizona before heading north to Grand Canyon National Park to commemorate their day with elopement portraits, yurt camping under the stars, taco bell dinner, and Mario Kart racing on their Nintendo Switch. This was truly THEIR day and exactly how they wanted it.

They helped each other get ready in their Airbnb yurt outside of the National Park, and got their florals ready from Sedona Flowers. From there we drove together to the Grand Canyon and captured some lovely portraits for them.

Their beautiful florals curated by Sedona Flowers perfectly complimented the cotton candy post-sunset skies we got. I had them exchange rings again, and share some extra vows to commemorate their time here at the Grand Canyon.

As the sun went down, their minds ached for celebration and stomachs ready to feast. We headed back to their yurt, where we would soon learn of all the fun yet to be had for their special day. The first thing they were excited to dive into was their beautiful succulent cake made by Sedona Cake Couture.

And oh no, they did not stop there. Next up they pulled out a bag of their favorite goodies: Taco Bell and endless snacks from the convenience store. Now this is where they thought of themselves and what THEY wanted for THEIR day. When I asked during their early consult meeting, “What do you both love to do together?”, they both replied with exactly what you’re seeing here. They love playing games, munching on their favorite snacks while cozied up on their couch together. What’s better than comfort food and some Mario Kart competition after your elopement day?!

During their consult meeting, this is everything we went over and talked about: How do you want your day to look? What do you hope to feel and see in your final photo gallery? Timing wise, are you looking for an epic sunrise? sunset? starry night? All of my elopement packages come equipped with this in mind. They wanted something that felt them, not out of the ordinary—except for the Grand Canyon of course. They immediately mentioned sunset at the Grand Canyon and that they were beyond excited booking a yurt—so starry night photos were a “yes please!”

These kinds of questions I asked when designing their elopement, ultimately helped them to enjoy their day and it not feel like a timed and rigid photo shoot. It’s more about experiencing and being present. After-all, this is their elopement day they traveled thousand of miles for, it should be enjoyed! This allows their final gallery outcome to tell the full story, and again, not just be a timed photo shoot.

The next day we met back up in the morning at the Grand Canyon South Rim to take advantage of capturing more Grand Canyon view points, and they also FaceTimed their family and friends to share the news—they eloped!

If you’re looking to capture your Grand Canyon elopement, look no further than Earth Below Photo. As an experienced destination elopement and wedding photographer, I specialize in capturing the raw beauty and intimate moments of couples against the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Grand Canyon, all while being able to help you plan out your perfect day. Inquire here. I can’t wait to join you on your next adventure!