A Windy Elopement with Friends in the Utah Desert

Sometimes when couples inquire with us, they already have a pretty clear idea of what they want, and that’s exactly how it was with Nik and Abby. Their friend group is really important to them, so they never wanted to skip the big celebration. But, they also wanted something that felt special and just for them before the big reception with everyone else.

So they planned a bucket-list trip to the Utah desert, where neither of them had ever been before, and brought four of their closest friends. They rented Jeeps, spent the day off-roading through red rock country, and dealt with some of the most insane winds we have ever witnessed—all while having the best time.

Planning an Elopement with Friends: Nik + Abby’s Bucket-List Celebration

Nik and Abby are from Kansas City, but Moab had been on their bucket list for years. In fact, it was right up there with an African safari, which they later did for their honeymoon. The couple met on Hinge, and their first date took place at a brewery. So naturally, one of the first things they did when they got to Utah was hit up a local brewery.

When it came to eloping in Utah, Nik and Abby didn’t celebrate alone. They’re very, very close with their friend circle, so a wedding celebration was always part of the plan. But they did want to keep a portion of their experience (like their vows and ceremony) away from everyone and for just the two of them. 

So they brought two friends each, and rented a house for the group. On the morning of their elopement, they all got ready together with the guys playing video games and the girls getting hair and makeup done. Everyone got to hang out together and it was exactly the vibe Nik and Abby wanted.

Private Vows + a First Look

After morning preparations, Nik and Abby got changed separately, then headed to their first look location for their outfit reveal. Their friends watched from a distance, cheering them on while also giving them space to read vows privately to each other. 

After the first look, their friends left to go pick up pizza (because honestly, that’s what good friends do on your elopement day).

During their private vows, there were happy tears and laughter, but also a little surprise. Abby’s vows were not just written in a vow book, but a journal she had been keeping for some time. In the journal was also a few Pokémon cards as a gift to Nik!

Mid-Day Adventure at Corona Arch (With 50mph Winds)

Later, we all met at Corona Arch for a mid-day adventure and, by this time, the wind had really picked up. It was insane. Like 40-50 mph gusts. The kind where you literally can’t stand up straight. As we were taking their couple portraits Abby’s veil kept flying wildly about (which honestly, made for some epic photos). One of their friends kept trying to wrangle the veil, but eventually, it came off so we just embraced it. It was a moment that, despite the chaos, had everyone laughing and having fun together.

With that much wind, a lot of couples would have opted for a plan B, but not Nik and Abby. They just embraced it. Both they and their friends were just so stoked to be in the Utah desert and so excited to be experiencing it together that they didn’t even complain about the wind. I honestly think if it had been pouring rain, it still wouldn’t have mattered. Everyone was there for whatever happened, bloopers and all.

After enjoying the arch and playing in the wind, we hiked back out to the parking lot, and everyone ate sack lunches around the Jeeps to fuel up for the next adventure!

Off-Roading Through a Dust Storm

Then it was time for an off-roading excursion, and the wind didn’t stop there. If anything, it got worse as we headed out. In all our times exploring the desert, we have never seen anything like it. It looked like we were driving through a movie in the Sahara. At times, we couldn’t even see a foot in front of us and had to stop and pull over just to wait for the gusts to pass. A few times, we got out for photos, and Nik and Abby were literally leaning over trying to walk.

But still, everyone stayed in great spirits and had fun with it, laughing their way through. The whole experience was an exciting journey, seeing the sights, experiencing the weather, and having fun in the Jeeps!

We off-roaded all the way up into Canyonlands National Park and continued on to a vista point for their official ceremony. Bill officiated, and their friends stood around nearby as Nik and Abby said ‘I do’.

Cow-Topped Pizza at Sunset

After the ceremony, it was time for the pizza reception, and it was at this point that one of their friends gave them one of the sweetest gifts. 

Abby loves cows!! They even got engaged at a cow farm. One of her hopes for the day was seeing the free-range cattle that roam around the desert in early spring. But by late May (when Nik and Abby were getting married), the desert was too hot, and most of the cows had moved to higher elevations. Click here to learn everything you need to know about eloping in Moab during Spring.

When it came time for their pizza dinner, though, one of Abby’s friends brought over pizzas with these little vintage cow figurines on top. Like pizza toppers instead of cake toppers. It was so thoughtful and made Abby so happy.

After pizza, their friends said goodbye again, and Nik and Abby got the last bit of light to themselves—the perfect way to end the day. They poured champagne and sat together, with no agenda. We’d been running around the desert all day, taking photos, so by this time in the day, we just let them sit down and soak it all in.

Star Photos at Arches

To close out the day, we went to Arches National Park for star photos. With all the wind and dust in the air, we couldn’t see as many stars as we’d hoped. But there was a beautiful moon out, which meant we could still see the arches glowing in the night. And because it was late, we had the place completely to ourselves—which almost never happens at Arches.

What Made This Casual Elopement with Friends So Memorable

One of the things we really loved about Nik and Abby’s elopement with friends was the energy everyone brought to the experience. 

Their friends weren’t just there—they were fully in it. Everyone brought high energy and laughter that made the day feel special, but also like a group of friends just living it up. The day was still about Nik and Abby and not the guests in attendance.

Candid moments were huge for Nik and Abby. They didn’t want everything posed and perfect—they wanted the gallery to show what actually happened. Bloopers included. When we asked Abby what she was most excited about, she said, “Is everything an acceptable answer?” And to that, we say “Yes. Yes, it is.” 

Our photography style is very storytelling-focused. We love capturing what’s actually happening versus staging everything. Some couples want posed portraits, and that’s totally fine. But we thrive when couples just let the day unfold, and we capture it as it happens. Nik and Abby were exactly that. Their casual elopement photos show the real moments—leaning into wind, laughing while trying to walk, their friend wrestling the veil. Those are the images that tell their actual story.

What to Do If Your Elopement Day Gets Windy

Wind was such a big part of this day. And since desert elopements often come with unpredictable weather, here are a few tricks we’ve learned that can help:

Embrace it. Wind creates dramatic photos. Those flowing veil shots, windswept hair—it’s happening whether you planned for it or not. Some of our favorite images from this day exist because of the wind.

Work with a professional hair stylist. This is where having someone like Wild Bride Backcountry makes a difference. They know how to create styles that actually stay put in the wind. They’ll also ensure you have a touch-up kit with backup bobby pins and hair ties, just in case it’s needed. For a full guide on wedding hair and makeup, read this post.

Be okay with taking the veil in and out. Cathedral veils are a stunning element to add to your bridal look, but can be nearly impossible to keep in place in high winds. Being okay with taking it in and out will allow you the beautiful photos with it, but allow you time without needing to manage it or it pulling at your head.

Keep your sense of humor. Nik, Abby, and their friends laughed their way through the 50mph gusts. That easy-going sense of humor really made the difference between a stressful day and an adventure they’ll never forget.

Vendors Who Made This Windy Elopement Day Possible:

Photography & Videography: Adventure and Vow
Hair & Makeup: Kaylie Jill with Bridal by Caitlin
Dress: Newhite from bride.
Rings: Meierotto Jewelers
Suit: Slabotsky’s

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Blog post written by Sonder Studio