When deciding where to elope, you may want to consider Sedona, Arizona. Of course, after reading about this couple and seeing their gallery by the talented "Adventure and Vow", you may not need more convincing! Warning: Gorgeous photos below!
They have since spent a lot of time adventuring and spending quality time together building their relationship. They wanted a wedding day that reflected their journey and that was a celebration in a new place with their closest family members.
Off to Sedona
Taylor and Jay road tripped from Indiana to Sedona, after having just moved to Indiana to start a new life with new jobs and to start accomplishing their dreams as husband and wife. We met up with them at a coffee shop in Flagstaff, Arizona to meet for the first time after calls and emails leading up to their day!
We chatted about a possible back-up game plan for their elopement in the event that the weather may shift and take a turn for the worse. After coffee and chatting, we headed out to Avail Tattoo for their tattoo appointment to kick off the elopement events!
A Tattoo for One Who Couldn't Make It
As we waited for the appointment to start we chatted a lot about van life, as it is a dream of theirs to travel in a van one day with their travel nursing jobs. They had decided to each get a tattoo of their puppo, Poe, since she could not be present with them on their wedding day.
They adopted Poe, a mini dachshund, and she is definitely like a child to them, it was great to be able to include her in some way in their wedding.
Writing the Vows
The following morning and the day of the wedding, we met Jay & Taylor in a coffee shop in Sedona, first thing bright and early so that they could hand write their vows into their vow books together. It was a lovely way to start the day off, sitting by the fire pit and in a cozy coffee shop.
It started the day with meaning and purpose, setting a tone for the big event later.
I loved that they were able to spend some time with just the two of them before going their separate ways to get ready for the day and not see each other again until their first look. From the start, Jay and Taylor were very excited for the first look.
The day before they had told us they weren't criers and were not expecting any tears throughout the elopement day. We took a break as they started hair and makeup for Taylor and hanging out with the boys for Jay.
Getting Ready
We met back up with them at their Airbnb in uptown Sedona, which was a beautiful spot, overlooking several of the red rock formations.
Upon arrival I picked the spot for the first look that had some beautiful yellow flowers and overlooked part of the area that we would see later during our ceremony from the opposite side of the formations. Jay was in the downstairs area of the house hanging out, anticipating seeing Taylor in her dress for the first time.
Taylor did her finishing touches upstairs as family enjoyed time together before heading out to pick up jeeps. After everyone but Taylor's mom left, Taylor got dressed up stairs with her mothers help getting into her Rue De Seine gown.
The First Look
Anticipation was high, and they were both ready. Jay stood outside facing the red rocks anxiously waiting for Taylor as she made her way to him through the cactus. As soon as Jay turned around to see Taylor and her dress, the tears came flowing.
There were smiles, laughter, hugs and so many happy tears of joy. After a few minutes of soaking in this is really happening, we left the Airbnb to go pick up the jeeps with the rest of the family to start our adventure up the mountain.
Heading off to Elope
We ventured through the muddy waters along the dirt road, having a blast taking the Jeep up the mountain side.
Once we got to location, Bill walked with Jay and the family down to the ceremony spot. Taylor got to do a first look with her father before walking down the trail to her future husband.
Her dad also shed a few tears seeing his daughter and her beautiful wedding dress.
One Beautiful Elopement
He walked her down the trail to the family and where Jay was waiting to marry Taylor. It was a beautiful day with Taylor's stepdad officiating their ceremony and reminding them what marriage is all about.
They read private handwritten vows to each other that were emotionally filled and there were of course more tears shed by each other and all of their family.
Their ceremony ended with a big hoo-rah, tears of joy and more kisses. All the family members hugged them and gave congratulations before we took family photos with the amazing back drop. The family set out to go back down the road, pick up dinner, and prepare the house for the reception.
Just Married
As Taylor, Jay and I stayed up on the overlook taking photos along the edges and different spots along the rim. They shared a private first dance in front of the sun set and of course, we had to end the evening with popping a bottle of champagne instead of a messy cake feeding.
They sprayed, the heck out of each other with champagne. It was for sure a celebratory moment! The evening was so stunning after a few rainy days in the area, more than anyone could have ever dreamed up for a Sedona elopement.
We headed back down the road stopping to take photos with the Jeep with the last bit of light was left and taking photos on the road. It was such a special evening, the time alone, the time, with family, and being in such a beautiful place.
After all the portraits and playing, we headed right back to the house where the family had picked up pizzas, and enjoyed leftovers from their grilling out the day before. While we enjoyed dinner with everyone we were able to put together the sneak peaks from the day for everyone to have for the night!
VENDORS:
Beauty: Superstition Makeup CO
Dress Store: Rue De Seine
Photographer: Adventure and Vow
