Hot Air Balloon Elopement in Sedona

Full Day Adventure Elopement in Arizona

Eva + Jelle traveled all the way from Belgium to elope in Sedona! They went all out with a full day elopement that included off-roading, cave-exploring, hiking, and a HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE!!! And I got to join them on the adventure!

Full Day Adventure Elopement

Timeline

5:00 am Meet time for Red Rock Balloons

6:00 am Load into balloons and take off

8:00 am Approx land time and then head to champagne picnic

8:30 am Champagne picnic with a view

9:00 am End photos until afternoon

Break

4:00 pm Meet at the Caves parking lot and start hike

4:10 pm Arrive at the caves, get dressed

4:15 pm First Look

4:40 pm Leave caves and head to the off-road trailhead

5:00 pm Arrive at off-road trailhead and start the journey up the mountain

5:30 pm Stop along trail for Ceremony

6:00 pm Arrive at viewpoint

6:30 pm Sunset bridals and first dance

7:00 pm Leave viewpoint and head back into town

8:00 pm Arrive at trailhead and head to dinner and drinks!

Sedona Caves First Look

Because of the rain, Eva + Jelle’s original hot air balloon ride got rescheduled! Thankfully, I had an opening for their rescheduled date, so we continued on with the rest of their elopement plans and postponed their hot air balloon portion to the weekend- that’s one of the awesome benefits to hiring someone local ;).

So, we started the day off-roading through Sedona just us three. We took their Jeep (Red Rock Rubicon) to this epic red-rock canyon and they picked the spot for their first look in the middle of the caves! The moment was so sweet as their nerves washed away with just one look at each other! Then we headed up the mountain.

Off-Roading Elopement in Sedona

It was pouring rain when we made it to the bumpy road and it looked as if there would be no view at all with all the fog, but we stayed positive and headed up anyway! As we got closer, we stopped under a ledge where the rocks were able to cover us from the rain. They took a quick shot of their tequila- a little inside joke in their relationship and then they read their vows (in Dutch) as the rain poured around them. So romantic.

They laughed, they cried, and then they exchanged their rings and sealed it all with a kiss. Eva gifted Jelle the watch he had always wanted and he was so happy about it! We hopped back in the jeep and headed to the top. Just as we were approaching the viewpoint, the sun peaked out from the clouds and created the most unreal sky. It was so, so special. They danced and then watched videos from their friends and families back home as the sun set on the horizon.

Merry Go Round Rock Elopement Portraits

They couldn’t get over just how perfect the day ended up being- rain and all. They said it perfectly summed up their relationship and the day couldn’t have been any more ‘them’ if they tried! We headed back down the mountain, so they could catch their dinner reservations and eat the yummiest Mexican food.

Hot Air Balloon Elopement in Arizona

On their new scheduled hot air balloon date, we met pretty early and hopped in a hot air balloon to catch the sunrise from the sky. We saw all of Sedona from above and lots of wildlife. After we landed, they actually helped the crew load the balloon back on the trailer and then we headed to a special spot for a champagne picnic. The pilot with Red Rock Balloons surprised them by making a little hot air balloon out of the champagne cork as a souvenir.

Sedona, Arizona Elopement Photographer

If you want more info on eloping in this gorgeous part of Arizona, check out my Guide on How to Elope in Sedona! And be sure to follow me on Instagram for more epic adventure elopement ideas like this one

Off-Roading Elopement in Sedona