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Ashley and Daniel met in college while both living in Colorado. From the first moment she saw him, she knew Daniel was who she would marry. While Daniel never thought he would get married, Ashley was going to be the one that completely changed his mind. Through the seven years of dating each other, their love withstood long distance and big moves to a different state. When they moved to Arizona together, they visited Sedona, Arizona and it was a memorable and special trip for them, leading them to choose it for their elopement location where they wanted epic backdrops for their wedding day celebration.
Sunrise Elopement in Sedona
On the morning of their elopement, Ashley and Daniel met us before the sun came up and the stars were still twinkling in the sky. We started our ascent up one of the red rocks for a cliffside view overlooking all of Sedona. We got to the top just as all of the colors started to pop during the morning blue hour. The stunning greens started to show up more, the red rock with its purple tones from the dewy blue sky.
The two got changed into their more formal wear and prepared to share their vows. We gave them some space to share this intimate moment without any distractions. Daniel lost his bet that he wouldn’t shed any tears on their wedding day.
One of my favorite parts from their day was after their vows when Ashley looked at us laughing and smiling saying that she felt like she was just looking into his soul. We love elopements for the sheer fact that couples get to share this super special moment together, free of stress or expectation, and be moved in such a beautiful place together.
I’m not sure about you, but I think it’s the perfect way to start your wedding day. We hung out up top as the sun rose over the red rocks shining light down onto the trails we had scrambled up. We hiked down looking back on where we were before leaving the area.
We took a break for them to be able to catch up on some sleep from the early am and get ready for the rest of the big day! They set up their reception space in Amara together. It was a super special moment for them to be able to create this romantic space they would later join their family for dinner after the ceremony. They decorated with candles, flowers, and photos from their last seven years together.
Bride & Groom Tie the Knot
We arrived back at the Amara resort to capture them getting ready in their wedding attire before seeing each other for the first time. Their smiles were big and you could feel all the excitement of finally getting married! We left the resort to drive to their ceremony location where their family had already started the short hike.
They hiked the trial together toward their family and the location they had hand-picked to become husband and wife at sunset. Daniel walked down the hill to the plateau overlooking Cathedral Rock first to start the ceremony. Followed by Ashley accompanied by her brother, mother, and the two flower girls that carried her train. During their ceremony, they both were able to include their moms.
Daniels's mom brought forward the ribbon for their handfasting during the ceremony and Ashley’s mom brought forward the rings. The location picked up some intense wind, which happens in Sedona sometimes, so we moved family photos following the ceremony to a spot along the trail with some protection provided by the Juniper trees.
Just Married
We ended the evening with a beautiful sunset taking portraits with views of Courthouse Butte and Cathedral rock before heading back to Amara to rejoin the family. The newly married couple entered the ceremony space with cheers from everyone and hugs of congratulations. We signed the marriage license, grabbed drinks, and cut the cake before leaving the couple with their family to enjoy their intimate dinner together.
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