Sedona Off Road Jeep Elopement

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Off roading in Sedona for a sunset elopement at Merry-go-round


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Sedona has a lot of beautiful places to elope, but there tends to be one that captures the heart of so many couples! If you are willing to do the six mile hike or take an hour one way off road up the mountain you will find one of the best places to elope in Arizona!

Natalie and Dan reached out to me once they knew they had to cancel their big wedding back home in Texas because of Covid. Initially they just wanted to tie the knot and say I do by the Aspens in Flagstaff, but after more research decided to go with an off road adventure in Sedona. They brought along Dan’s parents to witness and a friend couple that was ordained and could marry them! So we took three jeeps, rented from Barlow, up the side of the mountain to the most stunning sunset view in town! As we headed up the mountain Natalie handed me a gift bag with some amazing chocolates in it where the proceeds go to help wild life, elephant socks and a donation to the World Wildlife Fund! I was so touched and couldn’t believe how well they knew me. Turns out Dan had put his lawyering skills to use and researched things I liked on my website and social media to give me the perfect thank you! We arrived with plenty of time and casually hiked down to the location from the parking on the road. They selected the exact spot they wanted to say their vows to each other and everyone separated to get ready by different tires so the first look down the isle would still be possible! Dan’s mother helped Natalie get into her dress and put her pearl necklace on that had been a gift from her uncle that was previously owned by President Reagan’s daughter, Maureen. Natalie walked down the isle to a violinist playing a beautiful song, a romantic surprise from Dan. A few weeks before the elopement Dan reached out to me asking if I knew a violinist in the area that he could surprise Natalie with. From there we went into helping Dan plan the most romantic thing ever! The Violinist, Sonja, we found ended up having a Celtic music connection with Dan! He asked for Sonja to play Offenbach’s Barcarolle from his Opera, “The Tales of Hoffman.” This is his and Natalie’s song, they knew of the song from the movie “Midnight in Paris,” but they LOVE Paris and it is one of their favorite places to travel. Dan proposed to Natalie in Venice and the band at the piazza was playing it! The second song that Dan asked for Sonja to play was Greensleeves, for his parents as it was the song that was played at their wedding in the 1970’s and he felt that it would be moving to them to get to hear it again at their son’s wedding. I love the little details like these that make elopement days so special, connective and memorable. After the ceremony and photos with family Dan and Natalie explored the rest of the rim area with me as the sun dipped behind the red rocks. Towards the end of their night they popped a bottle of champagne to celebrate! As they changed to get ready for the drive back down I captured some details of their day from the flowers, special cuff links Natalie had made for Dan for this day and an ornament Dan had bought Natalie here in Sedona. As they have an ornament for all of their travels, they had to one from Sedona on their wedding day! We headed back to the Jeeps to sign the marriage license before heading back down the mountain! We said our goodbyes at the base of the mountain and I wished them a happy time here in Sedona for the rest of their weekend where they had nothing but relaxing plans form couples massages and taking in the views here in Sedona together for their first few days as a married couple!

Congrats to Natalie and Dan! I know you may not have gotten your big wedding in Houston this year but I am so happy you got to do something you love on the big day, travel and off road! I am so happy you got to bring along a few of those folks that are close to you to celebrate! Now you have a stunning place to go back to on anniversaries and were blessed with a stunning colorful sunset on such a special day. It was so beautiful!!! I am so happy we got to work together and maybe one day we’ll come across each other out in the Superstitions!

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Arizona-elopement-photographer

Hey, I’m Traci, your ready to off-road adventure elopement photographer!

I pride myself on knowing all the epic locations for your adventure elopement in Sedona and Northern Arizona. I enjoy spending my free time scouting out new locations and making sure I know everything I need to know about an area for you to enjoy your big day. I’m here to help you every step of the way from planning, to buttoning the dress the day of, and making sure we preserve all of those authentic important moments. Feel free to reach out if you’re looking for an elopement photographer who is down for any adventure and will be just as stoked as you on your wedding day!

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“Traci has an eye for out of this world photos! She goes above and beyond to help orchestrate anything you need to make your elopement perfect. Highly recommend her for anyone wanting to capture the most memorable photos of your special day!” – Natalie