Rock Climbing Elopement in Sedona

Chelsee + Tucker’s Two-Day Rock Climbing Elopement in Sedona

Day One: Climbing Together on Sedona’s Red Rocks

Starting the Day at the Trailhead

Chelsee + Tucker got engaged last year while hiking an epic overlook trail in Zion National Park. Soon after, Chelsee found us at Adventure and Vow, and the vision for their adventure elopement started to take shape. They have always loved the desert and felt drawn to Sedona’s red rocks, wanting their marriage to begin in a landscape that felt connected to so much of what they love. Because climbing has become such a big part of their relationship, they planned a two-day rock climbing elopement in Sedona that reflected both their adventurous side and the people they care about most. One day was spent climbing together high above the red rocks, and another was spent celebrating with their closest family and friends.

Naturally, the week of their Sedona elopement, they drove their 4Runner across several states with their dog Hobbes along for the journey. The two of them, that car, and Hobbes have all been part of some of their most memorable adventures, so it only felt right for this trip to be the same.

A Seven-Pitch Climb With Epic Views

For the climbing portion of their Sedona rock climbing elopement, they chose a route that checked a few important boxes: epic views, a sport route, and an experience that still felt authentic to them as climbers. With seven pitches of climbing, it gave them the kind of day they were hoping for—one that felt adventurous, intentional, and completely true to who they are.

We started the day in the quiet morning hours, meeting at the trailhead with coffee in hand as we organized ropes and gear before setting out. As we hiked toward the base of the climb, the excitement kept building. And like many Sedona climbs, reaching pitch one required at least a little bushwhacking through a dry wash before being deposited right at the base of the route.

Chelsee + Tucker took turns leading the route, alternating pitches so they both got to experience every part of the climb. Between the slab, pulling a roof, varied face climbing, and the occasional crack for a bomber jam, the route gave them so many opportunities to enjoy the sandstone and movement that make climbing in Sedona so unique. Before heading up the seventh and final pitch, we paused to snack, talk about life, make plans, and of course talk about more climbing.

Topping Out and Hiking Under the Stars

Once they reached the top of the final pitch, they stood together taking it all in—the view, the excitement, and the feeling of having just completed the route as a team. The entire climb had incredible views, but the top-out offered a completely different perspective over Sedona’s red rock landscape. Before rappelling and hiking back down, we made our way around to the other side of the formation to take in even more of the scenery below.

Another really special part of the day was that they could see the feature where they would stand a couple of days later to share their private vows at sunrise. It felt like such a beautiful connection between the climbing day and the rest of their Sedona elopement story.

As the wind whipped around us, it was time to descend to warmer elevation. This would be Chelsee + Tucker’s longest rappel together so far. We always love seeing couples do new things together during their elopement—pushing themselves in ways that still feel safe and aligned—because moments like that ask them to work together, trust one another, and move as a team.

At the bottom of the rappel, they shared a kiss before quickly reaching for their jackets. From there, we started the hike back down the big red sandstone formation, watching the stars begin to appear and the moon rise over the edge. The night before—their first in town—there had been a blood moon eclipse, making the whole week feel even more memorable. As we hiked out, they shared more of their story with us: how they met in college, the guests waiting for them back at their Airbnb, and the adventures and travels that had shaped their relationship.

Beginning their two-day rock climbing elopement in Sedona with a full day on the wall felt like the most fitting way they could have started this chapter.

Day Two: Private Vows at Sunrise in Sedona

While day one of Chelsee + Tucker’s Sedona elopement ended under the stars, day two began beneath them. Funny enough, we met back at the same trailhead we had left from a couple of nights before. This time, though, we were headed toward a different nook tucked deep into Sedona’s red rocks. It was fun catching up on how the last couple of days had gone with their friends and family in town—mountain biking, going to a winery, and soaking in more of the area together.

A First Look in the Red Rocks

We reached the top of the red rock cliff just in time for first light, when the landscape around us looked almost painted in soft color. They each got dressed separately so they could share a private first look together on a rock they scrambled up to—even in their wedding clothes.

Sharing Private Vows at Sunrise

After their first look, they walked hand in hand and helped each other over to a larger rock they had all to themselves. There, they shared their handwritten vows privately as the sun slowly peeked over the ridgeline and warmed them with the first light of the day. It was such a beautiful and intentional way to begin their elopement day in Sedona—just the two of them, surrounded by red rocks and quiet.

We hiked back down, now seeing clearly everything we had made our way through under the stars that morning. From there, we separated so they could rest, eat, and begin getting ready for the ceremony portion of the day with their family and friends.

Tucker got ready with the guys, spent time with Hobbes, and shared lunch before the ceremony. Chelsee got ready at a different house with the women in her life while everyone had their hair and makeup done. Her mom helped her into her dress, and Chelsee helped her mom with her hair. As it finally came time to head out for the ceremony, Chelsee’s friends sang to her on the way to the car: “We are going to the trailhead and she’s going to get married!” It brought such a fun spark of excitement to the moment.

A Ceremony With Family and Friends in Sedona

Hiking Into the Ceremony Location

For the ceremony, the guests hiked down with Bill and got settled into the space. I hiked down with Chelsee and Tucker, Tucker’s parents, and Chelsee’s mom. It felt like such a meaningful image—two families, soon to become one, walking into this place together.

When we arrived, their friend stood ready to officiate, surrounded by the people who knew and loved them best. Tucker walked hand in hand with his parents down the aisle, and then Chelsee walked with her mom, with Tucker’s eyes fixed on her the entire time. Because a close friend officiated, the ceremony felt especially personal—filled with details from how they met, the adventures they’ve shared, and the personalities that make their relationship what it is. Looking around, you could see just how much love surrounded them, with some guests wiping away tears and others smiling from ear to ear.

Sunset Portraits and an Intimate Reception at Amara Resort

After the ceremony, they celebrated with hugs from everyone before taking portraits with their guests. Once family and friends headed toward the reception space, Chelsee and Tucker stayed behind for a little time on their own—popping champagne, taking portraits together, and watching the sun set over Sedona’s red rocks.

Celebrating With Guests at the Reception

Once we were back on the road, we headed to the Amara Resort for their intimate indoor reception with guests. Earlier in the day, they had already decorated the space with photos from their relationship, a crossword puzzle for guests to work through, a slideshow on the big screen, and flowers on the table. Craft cocktails were ready, dinner was ahead, and the whole space felt warm and personal.

They showed off their rings, spent time with their guests, enjoyed drinks, and signed their marriage license with their mothers as witnesses, making everything official. Before we left, we also shared more sneak peeks from their elopement so they could put them up on the big screen for everyone to see what the adventure portion of their celebration had looked like. Hearing all the oohs and aahs from their guests was such a sweet way to close out the night.

Before we left them, we had to share with them more sneak peaks from their elopement day so they could throw them up on the big screen for their guests to see what all their adventure had been about. It was such a sweet moment hearing all the oos and awes and getting to share what their whole wedding day was like with everyone still with them celebrating! We said our tearful goodbyes (yes, tears were shed telling these two goodbye!) and hopeful see-ya later’s since they will be calling their elopement location their home state soon!

Chelsee + Tucker’s Sedona rock climbing elopement was filled with so many of the things they love most—Hobbes, climbing together, Sedona’s red rock views, family, friends, and a whole lot of adventure. Every part of it felt intentional and personal to who they are. I honestly cannot imagine a better way for them to have said I do.

Read Chelsee + Tucker’s Google Review

“I don’t know that Tucker and I can adequately put into words how wonderful, fun, and excellent Traci and Bill are at what they do or recommend them more!! Their overall professionalism and welcoming and genuine personalities, their attention to detail and meticulous planning, the sheer amount of effort they put in behind the scenes to make everything flow perfectly on the day of, the extent they are willing to go to make your dreams come true (not even being over dramatic here, seriously I mean it) on every level, their communication skills and timely responses to any and all questions, not to mention their actual talent level and ability to naturally take perfect photos throughout your entire session while making it feel so effortless and like you’re just outside having fun with a couple close friends, they nailed it all so perfectly. Traci asked us for some constructive feedback so she could improve future experiences because that’s just how hard they work at their craft, and we’ve thought really hard about this and honestly couldn’t come up with one single critique. Not even down to the tiniest of details. They were the definition of under promise and over deliver on all levels, and what they promised already set the bar pretty high. We feel like our overall experience and photos belong in a National Geographic.

We wanted to have the best of both worlds with an adventure climbing day while also having private vows and a small ceremony with 30 of our closet family and friends and they made that happen! We never felt like we were doing a photo shoot, or had a camera in front of us – we felt completely comfortable as if we were around friends the whole time!

They went out of their way to scout and really LEARN a new climb they had never done before when we said that’s what we wanted to do! And then when bad weather rolled in on our scheduled day, they moved it earlier for us! During the whole process they made everything seamless and truly enjoyable! We never worried about a thing! Not only were they amazing to work with, but were so friendly! After spending 2 days with them, we cried having to say goodbye!

For the wedding day, when the originally planned location for the ceremony was more full than normal with other wedding parties, Traci didn’t hesitate for a moment to switch up the plans a bit and knew exactly where to move us to which was still very close but even more secluded! THEN, at our reception they surprised us with sneak peeks from our private vows that morning and pictures from the ceremony just 2 hours before that we were able to show everyone with a slideshow! When I say everyone was in awe I mean it, there were literal gasps!”

– Chelsee + Tucker