It’s my job to tell your story and capture your love in its truest form. It doesn’t matter if you're a model or are super shy in front of a camera, I’m here to make you feel comfortable throughout the process. I’ll provide as much guidance as necessary to capture those raw and authentic photos that you’ve always dreamed of!

I'm a Moab-based wedding and elopement photographer with a passion for the outdoors and this industry. I love the entire process! From my first call with the couple to hearing their reactions after delivering a final gallery. Every day I feel grateful that I get to do this for a living.

Hey, I'm Matt

Arches National Park Sunrise – a Private Getaway for Your Wedding Day

Elopement Tips, Weddings

When planning an intimate wedding day, it doesn’t have to be spent in one spot or limited to a single day. This couple just so happened to select The Red Earth Venue and arrived two days early for a sunrise wedding portrait session nearby. They incorporated wedding traditions at their small wedding location with elopement elements provided by an Arches National Park sunrise adventure session!

couple holds hands at sunrise Arches National Park sunrise elopement

couple kisses at sunrise Arches National Park sunrise elopement

An Epic Start to a Dream Wedding Day

couple holds hands in field at sunset elopement

Whether it was intentional or not, their wedding fell on the same date as that year’s annular solar eclipse. My day started that morning alongside some friends at the venue watching and photographing the eclipse. It was the perfect setup to set the mood for their wedding day photos.

Traveling from Georgia, Drew and Colton knew they wanted to do a destination wedding in Utah. Following their summer engagement, they chose a fall wedding in Moab and loved the vibe of the venue. Most guests came from out of town and for many it was their first Moab adventure, including the couple’s!

bride carries groom at Arches National Park sunrise elopement

I had the greatest time working with these two from their Arches National Park sunrise session to the wedding day! So many features of the day showed off their personality and specific tastes:

couple kisses under bubbles at wedding recessional

Bubble machines went off during the recessional while the newlyweds walked down the aisle.

bride wears cowboy hat at wedding reception

groom wears cowboy hat at wedding reception

Both bride and groom took turns wearing a white cowboy hat on the dance floor.

bride dances wearing shorts wedding bridal jumpsuit

pearl-studded white leather ankle boots beside wedding florals

Before the dance party, the bride changed out of her spaghetti strap gown that had a long tulle train and floral details flowing out from the bodice. This was paired with a short veil that transformed into a cape. Drew then wore her own take on a wedding reception dress: a silver sparkling one-piece shorts wedding bridal jumpsuit. She also switched out of her pearl-studded white leather ankle boots into white bride wedding sneakers.

couple walks holding hands under sparkler exit

The night was finished off with a bright sparkler exit!

The Red Earth Venue–a Moab Utah Wedding Venue

couple holds hands in front of The Red Earth Venue in Moab

The couple held their ceremony and reception at The Red Earth Venue in Moab, Utah. The Red Earth Venue is an epic spot located 15 minutes north of Moab between Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park on Highway 313.

couple exchanges vows at The Red Earth Venue in Moab

couple kisses at The Red Earth Venue in Moab

At the time of this wedding, the venue had only been open for one year but it already had a star-studded cast of vendors who created a perfect day! The morning was chilly but it warmed up just enough to be the right temperature for the outdoor ceremony.

rustic boho chic wedding reception decor

couple sits with wedding party at rustic wedding reception

Drew and Colton’s vision for their day was rustic wedding decor meets a modern wedding style. They incorporated deep, darker earthy vibes creating a desert party experience! Their other wedding day priority was oriented around their guests! With so many visiting from the east coast, they wanted to provide a fun environment where everyone could enjoy all of the Moab, Utah things to do!

couple holds hands in field at Moab elopement

couple embraces in field at Moab elopement

One of the best features of The Red Earth Venue is using the space itself and the surrounding area for a first look or couple’s portraits. We never run out of spots to explore and capture! Apart from their Arches National Park sunrise session, these sunset wedding pictures following the ceremony allowed for more private moments together on their day. This sunset session at the venue was magical!

Making Their Own Moments at an Arches National Park Sunrise

couple stands under arch at Arches National Park sunrise elopement

couple twirls at Arches National Park sunrise elopement

Since Drew and Colton’s Moab wedding venue is in such a prime location, it was easy to explore the neighboring area for this initial visit! We started two days before their wedding with an Arches National Park sunrise adventure session. Drew chose a unique wedding dress for the shoot: a white silk two-piece crop top with a flowing skirt and train.

bride wears white cropped silk wedding dress at Arches National Park sunrise elopement

couple holds hands at Arches National Park sunrise elopement

It was freezing, and they were running on less than two hours of sleep, but they toughed it out and we made it happen! Most of the time there’s a million other people present, but, sometimes you get lucky! We got amazing shots under what I’ve dubbed the “all-seeing eye of Moab” without anyone else around.

couple kisses at Arches National Park sunrise elopement

The couple combined the best of both worlds, with this pre-wedding Moab elopement experience and a full wedding day also at a Moab venue. Sometimes, it’s these moments between just the two of you either beforehand or during the day that make the wedding itself that more meaningful.

Starting to envision your own Arches National Park sunrise or other destination wedding and elopement combination? Let’s chat!

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