Adventurous and non-traditional couples go hoodoo for a Bryce Canyon elopement. The national park is a great location for vows in a down-to-earth setting, and the amphitheater is a one-of-a-kind backdrop for bridals.
About this Elopement in Bryce Canyon
Marlyn & Kenneth picked Bryce Canyon National Park for their elopement because of their love of exploration in and around Southern Utah. These two Arizona natives make it a habit to check off a new destination on their bucket list every year. Surprisingly to me, they had never been to Bryce, and that’s why they chose it. I totally dig that mentality! It was my honor and privilege to be their tour guide and adventurous elopement photographer.
A ceremony in Bryce Canyon with a backdrop of red-rock hoodoos creates an otherworldly experience. Marlyn & Kenneth picked the site for their intimate elopement near Sunset Point. With an ancient-looking juniper tree serving as an alter, the spot overlooked the grandiose amphitheater, which still had remnants of prior snowfall during the early spring.
Marlyn & Kenneth were married during the late afternoon by none other than Bryce City’s mayor himself (who did an excellent job, I might add). Even though the couple arrived together, Marlyn wore a jacket to preserve the first look moment. A quaint and short ceremony, with heartfelt vows followed. I think that it’s really impactful that it was just the two of them there amongst the wide open space.
Also, if you inspect the photos carefully during the first look and first kiss, you might notice a technique I’ve been honing: shooting two cameras at once! Yep, that’s right. On one body, I have a 35mm and on the other a 85mm. This allows for the same scene to be shot without a second shooter for a tight and a wide photos, which I like mostly for layout options with fine art albums.
After their ceremony on the canyon rim, we made the jaunt down the Queen’s Garden Trail. This particular quick out-and-back hike has been aptly named, “America’s most scenic two miles.” As you dip into the hoodoos, your wedding garb is destined to get dusty, as you can see from the photos. Worth it though!
What’s a Bryce Canyon Wedding Like?
I love photographing weddings and elopements in Bryce Canyon. While the foot traffic can be high at times—especially during spring break, summer weekends, and holiday weeks—there are plenty of places to find solace to create intimate imagery. If you’re planning son saying your vows in Bryce Canyon, let’s chat. I can advise about timing, weather, logistics, and everything in between.
Aside from the awe-inspiring tunnels, the staggering hoodoos, and the epic vistas, I love the Queen’s Garden Trail for a late-afternoon bridal shoot because you get directional light longer than if you were closer to the canyon rim. Winning. It was indeed chilly, but the couple was determined to have awesome photos, so we persisted. And I’m glad we did till the end, because the sunset that you’ll see below is unreal!
If you’re considering having your elopement in Bryce Canyon National Park, contact me and I can help with all the permitting, logistics, and planning. If you’re interested in seeing more desert elopement photos, check out this gallery of Delicate Arch Elopement Photos.
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Moab, National Park and Elopement Wedding Photography
If you’re looking for a Moab Wedding Photographer, Utah Elopement Photographer or Utah National Park Photographer who works with you to craft imagery that isn’t cookie-cutter and is totally unique to your stories and your vision, please CONTACT ME today!
