Zion National Park | Under Canvas Zion | Lazalu
the hearnes » adventure elopement photographers
Sunrise Yoga at Under Canvas | Intimate Fall Wedding in Zion | Reception at Lazalu | Wedding Day-After Adventure Session
Oh my goodness, I am so excited to finally be writing this blog post! Katie and Tyler’s intimate wedding in Zion National Park last fall was such an amazing weekend, and I think it’s a really great example of how you can travel for a destination adventure elopement, but still hold on to some of the wedding traditions you care about. These two invited their closest friends and family to Zion with them, had a campfire welcome dinner, a private sunrise yoga class with all their guests, a romantic ceremony in Zion canyon, a beautiful catered reception on a property bordering the park, an epic dance party in the desert, and then we woke up for a sunrise adventure in Zion the following day! It was incredible!
The whole planning process was so fun, I always loved getting voice memos from Katie updating me on everything wedding and life related. I knew from the moment we started working together that she was really sweet, but now that it’s all over, I honestly think she’s one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. While planning HER wedding, Katie would constantly ask how WE were doing, how she could pray for me, and want to know updates on my life. By the time we got to Zion for their wedding weekend, I felt like I was photographing a close friend’s wedding! We arrived for their welcome dinner at Under Canvas Zion and were immediately welcomed by their whole family. One thing I really love about the small weddings we photograph is how the guests have usually already been briefed on us, our names, and they almost always ask for Charlie (our dog) immediately :) Callen went to get Charlie, and I sat down to chat with guests. Everyone made us feel SO welcome and like we were much more than “just vendors.” By the end of that night, we were just so SO psyched for their wedding the next day.
Their wedding day began back at Under Canvas Zion with a sunrise yoga session led by Stella Blue Trincado, a good friend of ours and amazing yoga instructor! Most of Katie + Tyler’s guests joined in, even some who had never done yoga in their lives. It was hilarious and relaxing, and absolutely set the calm, close-knit mood of the entire day! After that, they had a little brunch for everyone and then made their way to the cabins to start getting ready. Callen met up with the guys and I met up with the girls for getting ready photos. One amazing thing about having a smaller wedding is how chill it can be — you’re not glued to a strict timeline, and everyone is so much more relaxed. Katie and her mom got to sit out on the porch at Lazalu and soak in the beautiful day together before getting started with hair and make up. Then everyone started making their way to the canyon and Katie got to have some quiet moments with her closest friend before heading to their ceremony.
One really unique thing about these two was that Tyler planned the whole ceremony and it was a complete surprise to Katie! Also, they didn’t do a first look, so the first time he saw her in her dress was as she walked down the “aisle” (I honestly think that was one of the first couples we’ve had that didn’t do a first look in years!). Their ceremony incorporated so many sweet moments and meaningful details, like Tyler washing Katie’s feet, them praying with their families, taking communion together, and reading vows directly from the book that was used in her grandparents’ wedding ceremony. At the end, he scooped her up and carried her across the river to a giant boulder where they shared their first kiss as husband and wife! It was all so perfectly “them.”
After some hugs and family photos, their guests headed back to Lazalu and we did some portraits in the canyon, then spent sunset in the beautiful field on the Lazalu property. It was so peaceful and stunning! And just as the sun set, Katie and Tyler were welcomed to their reception with olive leaves thrown by their guests!! Their small reception was so perfect, with a delicious catered dinner, a beautiful cake, heartfelt speeches, and an epic dance party. It was such a fun evening!! Despite staying up quite late and partying quite a bit…we all motivated to wake up at 4am and drive back to Zion and then hike up to an epic overlook for sunrise!! It was so so worth it, the views were stunning and it was so sweet to get to adventure around with these two. We will never get over how meaningful it is to get to join our couples on their first adventures as a married couple.
This weekend was such an amazing time! These two did a great job of planning a beautiful wedding weekend that felt true to them and included the people they love most. I’ve included some notes below about their vendors and style that I hope are helpful for other couples planing an adventure elopement!
Boho Western Bride Style
Custom Fringe Bridal Jacket: Opal Milk by Rye (use code OMAH for 20% off)
Bride’s Earrings + Perfume: Opal Milk by Rye (use code OMAH for 20% off)
Bride Straw Hat: Lack of Color
Adventure Wedding Dress: Made with Love Bridal
Zion National Park Wedding Vendors:
Bridal Bouquet: By Bloomers
Private Utah Yoga Instructor: Stella Blue Trincado
Lodging, Sunrise Yoga, + Campfire Rehearsal Dinner: Under Canvas Zion
Bride + Groom Lodging & Intimate Wedding Reception: Lazalu Zion
Intimate Wedding Caterer: Chef Crosland
Bridal Hair + Make Up: Chantry Wagstaff
Elopement Coordinator + Day of Planner: Forevermore Events
Wedding Ceremony: Zion National Park
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The Hearnes Adventure Photography is run by Abbi and Callen Hearne, a husband & wife wedding photography team with an emphasis on adventure. Unless stated otherwise, all blog and social media posts are written from the perspective of Abbi! Our photography style is adventurous, full of stoke, and centered around telling a true story. We are nomadic wedding photographers living on the road, which allows us to photograph your adventures anywhere in the world. We especially love the sierra mountains in California, southwestern desert in Utah, and the glacial landscape of Alaska. We have updated passports and are ready to travel anywhere your love takes you!
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