Windy Moab Desert Wedding Makes For a Picturesque Day
I always tell my couples that your day will never go exactly as you plan, or even as you expect. But, that doesn’t mean that the minor mishaps we encounter due to the timeline or weather should hinder you. Couples are instead surprised by all the magic that their day unexpectedly provides! See how these two made the best of their Moab desert wedding during this windy spring day.
What it Means to Get Married in Moab in the Spring
Apart from planning a Moab fall wedding, spring is the next best time of the year to visit. Because of this well-known fact, it’s also the second busiest time of year to travel to Moab. Even though Moab, Utah weddings in the fall hold the #1 spot, spring can get just as busy.
The Moab spring weather generally lasts from April through mid-June when the wildflowers start to populate the desert. The type of temperatures to expect range from highs of 60º to 80º F with lows of 30º to 50º F. Weather can change abruptly and it’s important to alert guests so they prepare with the right layers for the plummeting temperatures in the evening.
Spring in Moab means the weather is perfect for outdoor activities throughout your day including hiking, trail running, and off-roading. Simply prepare for increased crowds at popular spots and colder evenings as the temperature drops. Don’t worry, I know the spots and times to go! A Moab desert wedding in the spring also always means a lot of wind!
How to Plan a Moab Desert Wedding in the Spring
Fortunately for Jessica and Matt, we knew what to expect. Gusts of winds were predicted at 50 mph the day before this couple’s desert wedding at The Red Earth Venue. These two had faith in our planning and in their desert wedding photographer that the photos would still look amazing.
Upon reflection, the couple shared, “even if we had to move the wedding indoors, it would have still been stunning and perfect in its own way. I think we handled it pretty well, and we all just had fun with the situation!” The speeds lasted throughout the entire day with sustained winds staying at 35 mph. With this in mind, we prepared for this windy desert day:
- All of the bridesmaids opted for wedding bridal updo hairstyles instead of down.
- The wedding coordinator changed the reception layout so that the welcome table and all other pieces of furniture could be placed indoors.
The wind was at its worst just about 30 minutes prior to their ceremony. The couple along with the coordinator, venue staff, and myself decided it was best to go with a Plan B. We first discussed the option of performing the ceremony inside of the venue’s reception hall (like one of these Red Earth weddings). We instead moved the ceremony location to the front of the venue using the building itself to block the wind.
Originally hoping for a Moab elopement, but opting for a wedding instead, an outdoor wedding ceremony was still highly important to the bride. Once Jessica discovered Red Earth and its surrounding red rocks, she shared it was a, “Hell yes, this is the spot for both of us” sort of decision! This was only the second time that Red Earth has ever used this ceremony spot and I was fortunate to be the Moab photographer who caught it both times!
It’s All in The Details of a Moab Desert Windy Wedding
Jessica and Matt focused their desert wedding theme to match the entire look and feel of the Moab desert. This started with embracing their deep appreciation of the desert’s earthy colors particularly the beautiful greens and red rock tones.
As Jessica described, “I carefully selected our favorite shades and collaborated with our talented planner, to bring our vision to life. We aimed for a charming, relaxed atmosphere with a touch of mystical elegance in a desert boho style.”
Despite the windy spring weather, we were able to photograph beautifully all of the key desert wedding photos that these newlyweds desired. It started with the couple’s first look against the red rocks of The Red Earth Venue’s desert landscape. Another special moment captured was the inclusion of a handfasting ceremony as part of their desert wedding ceremony. We then did a killer sunset session where we had so much fun using the extreme winds for epic shots.
The day closed by dancing into the night with a wild outdoor dance party where the wind held strong beneath the full moon and stars. The moon was stunning and everyone had a great time!
Meaning Behind a Moab Desert Destination
Jessica and Matt were especially excited about “having their family come together for the first time and sharing the magic of Moab with everyone.” Jessica used to live and work in Moab. She describes the time as “a healing experience for my soul where I discovered my true self and learned how to feel alive.” Moab became special to Matt after his simultaneous first trip and their first adventure together as a couple.
Traveling and immersing themselves into the great outdoors is something Jessica and Matt consider essential to the soul. That’s the main reason why planning a wedding in Moab was nonnegotiable. Their wedding in the desert marked Matt’s sixth visit making it an incredibly meaningful place for both of them.
“It’s where we both feel most at home and truly happy. Visiting Moab is just a regular part of our lives, and we strive to enjoy nature as much as possible. Whether it’s hiking with our dogs, road-tripping to national parks, or simply watching the sunset wherever we find ourselves–we cherish those moments.”
The couple was just so fun, easy-going and relaxed. Jess’ smile lit up the room. I could tell by the way she looked at Matt that she absolutely adores him!
Let’s discuss planning your Moab wedding in any season!
Wedding Vendors
Venue | The Red Earth Venue
Photographer | Matt Davidson Photography
Coordinator | Kosi Events
Catering & Bartender | Caley’s Catering
DJ | Erick Miner Music
Florals | Farm Yard Floral
HMU | LV Salon
Rentals | Kosi Rentals
