Sam + Jake / Moab Elopement Photographer

When choosing their location, Samantha and Jake knew right away that these Moab redrock towers were just the back drop they were looking for. We had so much fun wandering and playing in the desert!

Moab Adventure Elopement

Angela and Patrick knew they wanted to elope. And they knew they wanted their elopement to be an adventure their family could attend also. So naturally, they made their way to Moab, Utah to make their union official in the desert. Driving up to the top of the mesa that overlooks Canyonlands National Park and the Colorado River is something I’ve done hundreds of times. I lived on that mesa top when I worked as a park ranger at the Island in the Sky. But not kidding— every single time I get there it blows me away. I love hearing the couples gasp as they see Canyonlands for the first time. Also, I have to say that her Rue De Seine gown was made for sandstone and desert light. And his green Indochino suit was also on point!

Claire + Jeff Moab Under Canvas Adventure Wedding

About a year ago Claire contacted me to shoot her 4th of July wedding at a vineyard in Italy. Both she and Jeff are F-16 fighter pilots for the Airforce and she was currently stationed there. Their original plan of a small intimate wedding was slowly overrun by the idea of having a huge party. Well, 2020 had other plans. Italy didn’t open and Claire and Jeff (being the super cool people they are) didn’t let covid stop their wedding. Instead, they went back to plan “A” and opted for a small intimate wedding. They traded the Italian countryside for the Moab redrocks and stunning vistas. They rafted the Colorado River the morning of their wedding and hit up the national parks. Moab Under Canvas was the perfect venue for the adventurous laid-back couple and their family and friends. A few 4th of July details to commemorate their day (and the USA) and an outdoor patio dinner completed the incredible day (not to mention fireworks)! I felt like I got to know these two over the course of our yearlong correspondence and time together in Moab. I sincerely love my couples and these two were the best of the best. xoxo you two!

ELOPEMENT GIVEAWAY - Moab Utah Elopement + Wedding

Yes, you heard that right! The ultimate team of local Moab vendors are teaming up to giveaway an entire elopement experience right here in Moab, Utah for 2 to 20 guests. Whether it’s just the two of you (or your crew of up to 20) this is a $10,000 giveaway to a real couple! Possibly the biggest of all time. Ok, I have no idea if that’s true but it’s freaking huge!

Here are the rules of entry: follow all of the vendors of the giveaway on Instagram (you can see the post HERE), tag a friend, share to your stories and let us know in the comments why we should pick you in 50 words or less.

That’s IT! SO simple. We will announce the winner by March 1st, 2021.

Here is what is included:

Elopement Giveaway in Moab, Utah!

5HRS AT THE RED EARTH VENUE

The Red Earth Venue (located in Moab, Utah) reserved for five hours for up to 20 guests on April 20th, 2021. 20x20 platform in stunning private location located just 10 minutes from Moab, Utah and surrounded by red rock cliffs. It doesn’t get any better than a private dinner + celebration with your closest people under the stars. A weekend elopement reservation at The Red Earth Venue is valued at $2,000.

View from the Red Earth Venue wedding and elopement venue in Moab, Utah

3HRS PHOTOGRAPHY COVERAGE

3hrs photography coverage by local resident and photographer Angela Hays. Photography services include ceremony, group photos, couples session and low light reception coverage all at the Red Earth Venue location. This collection is valued at $3,800. In addition to the 3hrs coverage, you’ll receive 200+ high resolution edited digital images, online downloadable gallery and print rights. Processing time is approximately 3-4weeks. Her work has been featured in Rocky Mountain Bride, Utah Valley Bride, Anthropologie’s BHLDN, The Huffington Post + more! This is her first ever giveaway!

Moab Utah elopement by Angela Hays Photography

2HR CONSULTATION WITH WEDDING MOAB

Wedding Moab has been helping brides + grooms plan their weddings in the Moab area for years. Her knowledge and expertise are unparalleled! She can answer your questions and guide you through the process of planning a long distance elopement and make sure your day is as seamless as an outdoor wedding can be. $200 value

EVENT RENTALS FROM MOAB EVENT SERVICES

You’ll receive tables, chairs, lighting, cutlery, china and location styling from Moab Event Services. Customize your event in a way that reflects you and allows you and your guests to fully enjoy the elopement experience in Moab, UT. $2,800 value

Elopement platform reception in Moab, Utah

HAIR + MAKEUP BY COSMETOLOGIST LINDSEY V.

You’ll be able to completely relax knowing local Moab cosmetologist Lindsey Vacarro will get you ready for your big day in a stunning and natural way. $200 value

Hair by Linzy Moab, Utah Cosmetologist

SUSTAINABLE FLORALS BY FARMYARD MOAB

Local farmer Jess Olham provides a stunning bridal bouquet, boutonniere and centerpieces. Her floral arrangements include locally foraged stems and blooms. $600 value.

Farmyard Moab bridal bouquet

CAKE FROM SWEET SERENDIPITY

Moab local baker, Sheila provides a beautiful and delicious one-tier cake for your elopement celebration. $200 value

Sweet Serendipity wedding cake

UT CERTIFIED OFFICIANT

Ruth Lowe will help walk you through the process of obtaining the necessary paperwork, custom design your ceremony and perform the “I-dos” right there at Red Earth. $200 value

Moab wedding + elopement officiant Ruth Lowe

NOT INCLUDED: obviously you need to get yourself to Moab, Utah. But consider this a favor because you’ll fall in love with this place if you haven’t already. Also, catering. We’ll give you a list of our top folks to help you find a good fit, but that’s not covered in this mega giveaway. And your suit/dress — you might as well use the $$ you didn’t spend and get yourself a killer gown and suit! Our fav designers are Rue De Seine, BHLDN, Haley Paige and Vera Wang. But there are soooo many others! Can’t wait for one of you to elope in this red rock desert!

Top ten moments with the Hays' xoxo

10)— We were both working as park rangers at Rocky Mountain Nat’l Park. As a backcountry ranger, I frequently stayed in the parks’ remote cabins. One evening I looked out the window and saw that Brian had run the nine miles up the trail just to see me. I was like, “who runs 9 miles uphill to find his wife in the middle of the mountains after his shift and then 9 miles back down again the next morning before his 7am shift?! My man, that’s who.”

9—Brian wanted to climb El Cap ever since he was a ten-years-old and found out what it was. Right after we were married we moved to Moab to work as rangers at Canyonlands. We climbed hard so that he would be ready in the spring. Cheering for him up on the Nose route on El Cap and fulfill a dream he had for fifteen years ranks way up there.

8— One night in Hawaii he cooked me the most amazing Fijian dinner. He lived on those islands for two years and I knew all the stories about the people, the ankle deep mud, the open seas, the coconuts and the grass mats. SO it wasn’t just a dinner, it was experiencing a place he loved and I wanted to know.

7— Our first date. We went climbing but he didn’t want it to end so he kept making up reasons to have it continue… climbing, then dinner, then the grocery store, helping me fix my bike… it was a conversation that started and then never ended.

6— We were living in the middle of nowhere. And by that, I mean the worst kind of quarantine you’ve ever seen. No people for 75 miles, no cell service, no gas station. Birds didn’t even chirp, I swear. We were living in a remote section of Canyonlands National Park and it was our anniversary. I wasn’t sure how we were going to celebrate it since there was no restaurant, no theater, no… nothing. But I love to dance. And even though he doesn’t, he put together a one-couple dance for just the two of us with all my favorites. We’ve had some killer anniversaries since then— our last one we climbed Castleton Tower together and our previous one we mountain biked all over Fruita. But somehow this one shines. Sounds too simple to make it to the top ten, but it was like a flood of water in a drought so it won’t be forgot.

5— There’s this one time when we were skinny dipping in the biggest, slickest mud puddle/lake you’ve ever seen in the middle of nowhere desert, USA. Brian decided it would be awesome to back flop off a rock into the squishy mud. Turns out, it was like falling on solid concrete. I’ve never laughed so hard in my life.

4— We were working as park rangers on the Chilkoot Trail in Alaska which is full of giant bears that will eat you (you can only judge me if you’ve hiked in Alaska by yourself). I was camping alone for a work patrol up the trail, but started to psych myself out. I knew if I stayed I wouldn’t get a wink of sleep. So I packed up and ran the six miles back to the trailhead. When I was almost back, two large bears were eating dandelions on either side of the trail. I had to walk right in between them to make it out. I held my breath, prayed my heart out and tenderly walked between them. I made it back to Brian’s cabin at almost midnight. He didn’t judge me for being too scared to sleep out there alone or for bailing on my work assignment. Instead, he made me pancakes and promised my secret was safe with him.

3— This is every memory I have of seeing a burnt out lightbulb and thinking, “I’ll have Brian change that tonight.” Thanks, babe. I’d be living in darkness without you. We never set out to make that distinction in the division of labor, but somehow it happened and I can’t (or won’t?) reverse it. ;)

2— Not all rescues end well and there was one that was particularly difficult for me. I arrived second on scene to a fall victim. For two hours we struggled to keep her alive in the remote backcountry until help arrived. But she died in my hands. All I could think was that I needed you. I hiked up the hill right as you arrived with the rest of the team. It didn’t matter that we were both in uniform or at work, you held me and let me cry. Then together we wheeled the body out for five miles until we reached her husband at the trailhead. It was one of the saddest scenes I’ve witnessed, but it taught me to not take you or our life together for granted.

1– The moment after I had our first child all I could think was, “thank goodness that’s over.” It was raw, difficult and absolutely overwhelming. We were looking at our little human without a clue. What now? How could we raise her? I looked at Brian and knew that we were moving forward whether we were ready or not. And to me, that’s kinda why we do this whole marriage-thing— because the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Together, we can do more, be more and create more.

Helicopter Adventure Elopement (Moab, Utah)

My favorite wedding moment of all time happened during this Moab desert elopement. Kyle + Andrea (plus me!) drove 30 miles down a paved road, another fifteen miles down a dirt road, and hiked for 20 minutes in their full wedding attire to an incredibly remote cliff edge. We were totally engrossed in our photo shoot having a blast when a helicopter approaches and the bride and groom's moms are both INSIDE THE HELICOPTER!! Snapping pics and waving! They chartered a helicopter to crash the elopement and I caught it all on camera. We were laughing so hard our cheeks ached. The bride BASE jumps and the groom flies helicopters for a living... their adventurous spirit must have been an inherited trait. And props to those mamas. They weren't going to be left out!