How to Be Prepared for a Moab Winter Wedding
Ashley and Zach’s outdoor wedding in winter is one I will never forget. It’s weddings like this one that create the best stories and enable me to capture some of my most creative shots! Their location was one of the first destinations they traveled to together and having visited many times since, it was the perfect spot. Knowing that they wanted to get married somewhere special, a Moab winter wedding was their top choice!
Where the Dream for a Moab Winter Adventure Begins
In Ashley and Zach’s own words, they were drawn to a Moab winter wedding by “the natural beauty and adventure that Moab brings to us and everyone around us.” It ties together what first united them and continues to be the core of their relationship.
As Ashley explained, “We plan our daily lives around adventures, camping, and traveling together. Traveling and experiencing adventures in the great outdoors is definitely a regular part of our life.”
Zach has gone to Moab for years enjoying 4-wheeling and climbing which is why it became the location of their first adventure together. They have camped, watched the stars, and explored the incredible beauty that Moab has to offer. When initially deciding where to get married, these two both said “Moab” at the same time. There was no question whether it should be anywhere else!
Casting a Vision for an Outdoor Wedding in Winter
The couple wanted a place, a look, and a feel that was “true to ourselves and also true to the colors of Moab.” Not wanting to take away from the natural beauty that Moab has to offer, they kept their desert wedding colors neutral with whites and Zach’s brown suit.
They also wanted a wedding destination that allowed for having their closest family and friends present. It was their desire to give everyone present the experience of joining these two on an adventurous camping trip. The newlyweds set up their campsite with some of their favorite games, food, and activities for all of the guests to enjoy. It was truly special!
The bride summarized the day noting that “it truly was such an incredible day and weekend. We were excited for the whole thing! Seeing all of our plans and visions come together and then seeing it through our friends and families eyes.” Or according to the groom, “Seeing my beautiful bride for the first time in a beautiful place!”
Expecting the Unexpected at Your Moab Winter Wedding
This day was the most freezing cold I had ever experienced before for a Moab winter shoot (it took place in November). A battery froze in one of my cameras during the ceremony and I was lucky to have two camera bodies on me. I also placed back-up batteries in my coat pocket keeping them warm with hand warmers. It was a very eventful day that had us making adjustments as the weather changed!
Sunrise at Arches National Park
The day started out with an Arches National Park sunrise session in order to beat any crowds. On the drive we experienced gusts of snow and rain that held off just long enough for an intimate vow exchange surrounded by the beautiful natural arches.
The 34°F weather was pretty brutal but we had a lot of fun and time seemed to fly by. Ashley brought along a vintage fur wrap to stay warm which ended up being one of the stars of the show! The rain later picked up again and turned into snow for their outdoor winter wedding ceremony.
Ceremony at Dead Horse Point State Park
These two settled on Dead Horse Point State Park for the ceremony because of its outstanding view and accessibility for their family members. It was dumping snow and freezing cold but, as they shared, “the snow made for some incredible pictures and memories that we will cherish forever!”
I love how these two summarized their ceremony experience: “Zach and I walked hand in hand out to the site surrounded by all of our closest people, watching the fog and snow over the cliffs at Dead Horse Point. Although the weather did not turn out as we initially planned, going with the flow is part of who we are, and I would not have changed a thing about it.”
Following the ceremony, we actually decided together that it was too cold to continue with their wedding portraits. I happened to have the next night open on my calendar so we all agreed to try again then.
BLM Campsite
I met up with the newly married couple the following day at their campsite on BLM Land. We started their Moab winter session taking photos first alongside their vintage car before returning to Dead Horse.
Zach was recently gifted a 1932 Ford Roadster from his grandpa who owned it for 50 years. He had made some recent changes to it and wanted to include the car in the photos as a tribute to him. The snow and cold had halted their plans of using it as their getaway car but we were able to include it in the session and still get some wonderful images.
A Couple’s Reflection on Their Winter Destination Wedding
Having previously traveled to Moab in the winter, Ashley and Zach entered the wedding day understanding how cold it could become. The weather was mostly as expected for this trip except for the actual wedding day when it was completely unpredictable.
For these two, the experience of their day came down to their perspective: “Fortunately for us, we always try to roll with life’s punches. Nothing was going to stop or put a damper on our day. We truly were there for the experience and to celebrate with our friends and family. We weren’t going to settle for anything less than that even with the extreme weather!” Their wedding day was truly incredible!
The following are my top tips & resources for planning a Moab wedding or elopement in every season:
- The Moab Elopement Guide
- Plan a Moab Wedding in Every Season
- Where to Plan Your Moab Elopement Adventure
- The Red Earth Venue Moab Winter Wedding
- Winter Canyonlands Adventure & The Red Earth Venue Wedding
Wedding Vendors
Portraits | Arches National Park
Ceremony | Dead Horse Point State Park
Vintage Car Portraits | Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Photographer | Matt Davidson Photography
Canvas Tents | Moab Event Services
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