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

New Ways to Plan a Moab Wedding in Every Season

Elopement Tips

Most couples start with a venue, a date, or a vision. When you are planning for an outdoor elopement in Moab, we start with the season. You can actually plan a wedding in Moab during any season if you are properly prepared! These tips will guide you through the best times of year to elope in Utah and how to make any season work for a Moab wedding!

couple holds hands at Moab sunset overlook

Start with The Season: How to Plan a Moab Wedding

So much wedding planning stress stems from the unknown. For most, this is your first time planning such a large event and you may be unsure where to even begin. We can lessen that worry by painting a realistic picture of what to expect during all of the seasons in Utah.

couple exchanges vows at the red earth venue moab wedding

Even if you go with an outdoor wedding venue with indoor options, like The Red Earth Venue, the best times of year for a Moab wedding is in the spring and fall. A winter wedding is still possible, but some Moab wedding venues will even close during certain times of the year. No matter the season, we’ll still capture bangers!

ceremony decor at the red earth venue moab wedding

The Red Earth Venue remains closed July-August due to extreme heat and December-February due to extreme weather patterns and the cold. The venue boasts of indoor and outdoor options with three sides of the venue made of glass so there are still options for these less ideal times of year.

Exceptions are made for winter weddings when a couple like these two are down for such a beautiful time of year. During this freezing weather, small amounts of snow can be found on the buttes surrounding the venue. We will also tweak the wedding photography timeline to accommodate the sun setting earlier during the winter months.

couple walks along Utah landscape at Moab wedding

When to Plan a Moab Wedding

couple walks holding hands at Moab sunset elopement

Choosing the right season is key! The seasons and the related temperatures dictate what’s possible and how crowded popular sites will be. The best weather seasons (spring & fall) for a Moab wedding are also the most popular when parks may even close early after reaching capacity.

couple holds hands at Moab sunset elopement

It’s important to carefully plan out your location and time of day. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind as you entrust the elopement planning to your Moab elopement photographer:

The best months of the year are April, May, September & October (my favorites are May & October!)
Summer temperatures can reach well over 100 degrees fahrenheit for weeks at a time.
Winter is below freezing from late November to early March.
Options include a sunrise adventure or a sunset ceremony to avoid extreme temperatures.

couple kisses under veil at Moab sunset elopement

Expect wind! Moab is a windy place for most of the year. If there are high winds forecasted it helps to have a local Moab wedding photographer who knows how to adjust accordingly. This also can affect the kind of dress that you choose because long dresses or flowing veils make for amazing wedding photos!

bride smiles at sunset Moab wedding overlook

Choose a Location that Speaks to You

couple walks holding hands at Moab wedding

couple stands at overlook at Moab wedding

Even though there are a lot of general similarities between Moab desert wedding locations, you will also find great differences between the looks and experiences of these spots. The Moab, Utah national park options in the area showcase a variety of natural landscapes and overlooks. I love even finding more off-the-beaten-path and even secret locations that I’ve never photographed before!

Here are some ideas for the most romantic elopement destinations starting with the state and national parks. Look at these examples and see which landscapes vibe with you the most:

Arches National Park, Moab, is iconic with its red rocks and 2,000 towering natural sandstone arches.
The trip from Moab to Canyonlands National Park is just an hour with views of the Manti-La Sal Mountains on the horizon. It’s actually the largest national park in Utah!
Dead Horse Point State Park in Moab is located 45 minutes from the center. It features a dramatic panoramic overlook of the Colorado River basin and of Canyonlands.

When choosing a Moab wedding destination, also consider accessibility. Moab offers a wide selection of epic locations, some near parking lots while others involve an hour-long hike. Be sure to pick a location that both you and your guests (if any) are more than capable of handling the approach.

guests watch wedding ceremony on Moab rocks

bride walks down rocks at Moab elopement

couple poses with wedding guests at Moab overlook wedding

Come Prepared While Trusting Your Moab Wedding Photographer

couple holds hands at Moab elopement ceremony

It’s best to prepare as much as possible with the supplies and clothing needed to match your destination. The following are just a few Moab elopement essentials for various seasons:

Sunscreen, extra hair ties/bobby pins, hair brush, makeup for touch ups, water, and snacks.
Fur winter wedding shawl or hand warmers for the cold and light outfit changes when doing a summer adventure session. Layers are essential when temperatures drop as the sun goes down.

couple walks holding hands at Moab elopement

Part of the reason why it benefits you most to book an Utah elopement photographer is the knowledge and experience that I bring to the table. This might be your first trip, but it’s not mine! Having captured weddings as a photographer in Utah for the past two years, I feel like I’m an official citizen! Don’t ever be afraid to lean on your photographer for knowledge about the season or location of your Moab wedding.