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

How to Elope in Moab

Castle Valley Utah Elopement: My Top Pick for a Perfect Wedding Destination

Elopement Destinations, Elopement Tips, Love Stories

Wherever you want to go for your elopement destination–I’ll be there. Even though I have my favorite spots for a wedding in Moab, I’m always open to exploring new locations with my couples. Getting to discover a spot together is part of what makes a Moab elopement adventurous. Share your elopement day vision and we will find the place that brings it to life. See how we captured this couple’s plans at their Castle Valley Utah elopement!

Couple celebrates at Castle Valley Dessert elopement

Couple takes part in their elopement ceremony in Castle Valley Utah

Why They Went For a Castle Valley Utah Elopement

Couple poses with their friends and family at their Castle Valley Utah Elopement

Hannah and Dillon just wanted a super easy elopement where their family and two dogs could join. Couples with these types of simple wedding ideas are such an on-brand fit for my Utah wedding photography business!

That meant that their top priority was finding a dog friendly site in Moab for their Utah destination wedding. Fortunately, all permit sites on BLM land (Bureau of Land Management) in Moab are dog friendly!

Elopement couple poses with their dogs on their wedding day

Bride and groom cut into their wedding cake at their desert elopement

In line with Moab’s Leave No Trace policies, dogs must remain leashed at all times to avoid disrupting the natural environment. The Cryptobiotic Soil Crusts play a vital role in Moab’s ecosystem and it can be destroyed by a single footprint (or paw print). This is why it’s advised to never veer from the trails! Dogs are also allowed at Dead Horse Point State Park but they are not permitted in the national parks (Arches or Canyonlands).

Hannah and Dillon’s other wedding destination requirements included:

A Moab BLM land location since that’s always where they camp when exploring the area.
Somewhere with a huge Moab desert feel.

I proposed a spot called Ida Gulch which is within Castle Valley Utah. It was the couple’s first time at this location and they were blown away by its beauty. Due to this site selection, their two dogs were able to stay for the ceremony and family photos. The mother of the bride then took them back to the hotel so we could photograph sunset portraits.

Couple embraces in a kiss while their friends and family cheer them on

Couple holds hands at the top of a cliff during their Castle Valley Utah Elopement

Couple walks up to the top of a cliff during their Castle Valley Utah Elopement

A couple kisses at Sunset during their Castle Valley Utah Elopement

Your Moab Photographer Guide to a Castle Valley Utah Elopement

Couple kisses at Castle Valley Utah Elopement

Some of my favorite spots to capture an elopement on BLM land is in Castle Valley. It is definitely a very underrated elopement location in Moab that I’m always excited to revisit! There are TONS of great secret spots that are too many to list. Just trust your Moab wedding photographer to be your guide!

A dessert elopement ceremony in Castle Valley Utah

Couple walks hand in hand at Castle Valley Utah Elopement

Unique to BLM land in Utah (in contrast to the state or national parks) is that it’s up to me as your Utah elopement photographer to obtain a permit. I pay an annual fee to hold this permit and I also must alert the BLM of the time and place where we will be shooting. You do not need a permit but you will need to obtain a letter of authorization from the BLM. This is very easy to do and at no cost to you.

Couple walks across the canyon at Castle Valley Utah Elopement

Couple embraces at Castle Valley Dessert elopement

Any other vendors you utilize will have to hold a permit as well. I applied for the permit for Ida Gulch and we had it secured two days later. We couldn’t believe how fast it happened! Apart from eloping in the desert and camping in Castle Valley Utah, there are other accommodations and two actual wedding venues within area that I recommend:

Couple walks down a valley at dessert elopement in Castle Valley

Castle Valley Inn Utah: This is a super cute little spot about 20-30 minutes outside of Moab with views of Castleton Tower. It’s definitely more of a rustic desert vibe that’s great if you’re looking for an isolated, peaceful space. It also works for getting ready photos and wedding portraits around the property.
Wedding Venue: Red Cliffs Lodge Moab
Wedding Venue: Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa

Couple walks out of a valley at dessert elopement

A Love Story That Starts With Moab

Following family photos with the pups, we took a short drive to our second location, Fisher Towers Trail, and captured the two of them through sunset. After sunset, we drove back to their car at Ida Gulch and the sky was so pretty that we decided to snap a few more!

couple kisses during couples photos at Castle Valley Utah Elopement

couple laughs together during photos at Castle Valley Utah Elopement

They had a lot of fun with the time and are so clearly in love. Hannah was so cute when having them kiss for the photos. At one point she mentioned loving all of the free kisses! I provided very little prompts to get such sweet photos.

Couple laughs together during Castle Valley Utah Elopement

Couple walks hand in hand during couples photos at Castle Valley Utah Elopement

When a couple first reaches out and opens with the statement: “we would love to tell you more about our love”–I’m all in! Hannah and Dillon are really an amazing couple, and we connected instantly after our initial phone call.

Details photo of a bouquet and vow books

Moab is integral to their love story as they love sleeping underneath the desert stars and even chose BLM camping in Moab for their wedding night! They are also mountain bikers who love exploring new trails in their Moab desert adventures.

Couple looks at each other during couples photos at their elopement

Hannah and Dillon wanted a Moab elopement photographer who would, in their own words, “capture both the intimacy of our ceremony and the expansive Moab landscape in a very intentional way.” The Moab bangers we captured at their Castle Valley Utah elopement are proof that we did just that!

Couple kisses at their Castle Valley Utah Elopement

Wedding Vendors

Elopement Location | Castle Valley in Moab, Utah
Photographer | Matt Davidson Photography
Cake | Sweet Serendipity

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couple embraces at their castle valley elopement

wedding couple walks down a valley at their castle valley elopement in moab utah