Shannon & John Elope at Amangiri
Amangiri, Canyon Point Utah
Otherworldly.
That’s how Shannon and John described wanting their elopement day to feel when they first reached out to me. Couples often describe wanting their day to feel happy and carefree, all words I love to incorporate when helping a couple plan their day, but that word stuck out to me as we were making decisions about locations and how to spend their day. Shannon mentioned that word again on their elopement day, as we were walking through a landscape where red rock melted into white rock, melted into hoodoos and toadstools. A landscape unlike any I’ve seen in this part of the world, or any part for that matter. That word came back to me as I was reflecting on their day and editing their photographs- this sense that they stepped into this world and came out the other side as partners bonded for life. I don’t think that a marriage certificate changes that, or even that they didn’t feel that way before, but there is something powerful about the ritual of entering into a union together, in a set apart space.
The day.
We planned their day to be full of slow moments together. They wrote their vows in the morning overlooking the desert, drank tea and read passages from books they had selected to share on their elopement day, we hiked, they were wed, they danced, we hiked some more, popped champagne, walked around Amangiri at sunset and they ate cake (before dinner of course) to commemorate the day. It was a blissful day to be wed.
The vendors.
I can’t help but feel so lucky that I get to consistently work with the most amazing people. Shannon and John prioritized supporting small and sustainably-minded businesses at every turn. Each of these people brought creations to their day that enhanced how special it felt.
Jenevieve at Wild Flora crafted a little bouquet that looked like it had been plucked straight out of the desert earth. They sources a vintage rug from Boheme Project to say their vows on, and take home as a keepsake. Annie’s cakes made a beautiful chocolate and cherry cake to commemorate someone close to them. I was their officiant, photographer and certified buddy to accompany them on their day.
All of that to say, thank you to these two for bringing me out to Amangiri and letting you show you a piece of the desert I love so much nearby. I know it won’t be the last time we spend time running around outdoors together. I’ll let the images of their day do the talking.
To see their slot canyon adventure we embarked on the next day, click here.
xxHaley
