Sedona Off-Road Elopement | Alyssa + John

Inspiration

Destination Elopement in Arizona | Sedona Off-Road Elopement

Table of Contents

Their Sedona Off-Road Elopement
Smashed Cake and Forever Memories
Vendors
Elopement Thoughts from the Couple
Their Elopement Timeline

Alyssa and John’s wedding day was truly special. It all started at the trailhead, where the excitement was real. Alyssa shared a heartfelt moment with her dad, and there were lots of tears and hugs.

Loaded up in jeeps, the wedding party climbed up the mountain for the ceremony. The bumpy road was worth it for the amazing views at the top. Alyssa and John wanted to say their vows on the mountain, and their families were there with them to offer their love and support.

Their Sedona Off-Road Elopement

At the top, Alyssa hid while John waited at the aisle. When she appeared, John’s emotional reaction showed the deep love they shared. His tearful expression spoke volumes about their connection.

The officiant, Jen, led a thoughtful ceremony, blending the couple’s love story with the mountain breeze. The ritual with sage added a spiritual touch, and a sweet tribute to the guests made it even more meaningful. The celebration continued with a champagne toast before the guests headed down the mountain, leaving Alyssa and John for a moment of solitude and bridal photos.

Against the stunning backdrop, the couple danced and enjoyed the view until the sun set unexpectedly quickly. Just before heading down, a burst of sunlight painted the sky in pink and orange, creating an epic sunset. Unable to resist the moment, they pulled over for a few more photos.

Smashed Cake and Forever Memories

In a funny twist, their wedding cake didn’t survive the off-road journey. Back at the trailhead, where everyone was still gathered, Alyssa and John turned the mishap into a memory by sharing a piece of the cake. Laughter filled the parking lot as they had an impromptu cake-cutting ceremony.

As the night fell, Alyssa danced with her dad under the twinkling stars, marking a sweet end to their mountain-top adventure. The day was about more than just saying “I do.” It was about embracing every moment, even the unexpected ones, and turning them into cherished memories.

Vendors

Officiant: Life Passages – Arizona Wedding | Arizona Wedding Officiant

Jeep Rentals: Red Rock Rubicon Jeep Rentals Sedona

HMUA: Sedona Makeup and Hair (@_redcheekbeauty) • Instagram photos and videos

Dress: White & Ivory (@whiteivorybridal) • Instagram photos and videos

Florals: Evergreen Bride (@evergreenbrideflorals) • Instagram photos and videos

Turquoise Jewelry: The White Buffalo: Turquoise Jewelry (@thewhitebuffalo.ca) • Instagram photos and videos

ELOPEMENT THOUGHTS FROM THE COUPLE

Why did you choose to elope?

“We had a few ideas of what we wanted to do but ultimately wanted to keep it simple and intimate. Eloping felt more stress-free and fit our style. Alyssa has always loved the mountains, John loved Arizona, and together it felt like a perfect combo!”

How was your elopement?

“It was such a beautiful day all together. Having an elopement at sunset meant we had a little more flex in our morning. So I think my favorite was when John and I woke up and met at the trailhead to pray and write our vows. It was such a special moment. Then we went our separate ways and he had brunch with his folks while I scrambled to organize things in the room. I got my hair and makeup done by Red Cheek Beauty and hung out with my Mom.

Finally, it was time to get in my dress! I shared a few moments with the girls then got in the jeep and met my Dad at the trailhead for our first look.

Before I even tapped him on the shoulder he was bursting into tears. My mom says she still isn’t sure if he really even looked at me to take it all in or was just overwhelmed by it all. When we made it to our location, we were grabbing the champagne and found the cake had gotten smashed. Which was honestly just funny! During the scramble to gather everyone together, I sat on a rock for what felt like an eternity and took in the scenery. It was nice for me to just be present, talk to God, and emotionally prepare. Our ceremony was so beautiful. We had a champagne toast after and then had our private first dance. As we were making our way down, the sunset began to pop, and had truly the most amazing sunset. Which just felt like a really beautiful sign of a life to come. We made our way down to the trailhead and found our gang had turned the lights on the jeep and was having a small party. It was an experience of a lifetime!”

Do you have any regrets about your elopement?

“Being a wedding photographer myself I feel like there are certain parts I’ll never get to experience. But then again, there’s a lot I don’t mind that I missed out on!”

What advice do you have for future couples looking to elope?

“Find a place that is meaningful to you. Let the landscape speak for your “decor” and have a mini honeymoon immediately after. It was the best week ever for us.”

Review From The Couple

“After canceling our wedding plans and deciding to elope, I spent a late evening searching for photographers in the Sedona, AZ area and came upon Karen. Wow. Talk about creating the photos of my dreams! Karen was fantastic to work with by helping me create a timeline, providing insight on other vendors to work with, and making it come together seamlessly. Despite all of the days’ worries, I felt so much ease and calmness knowing who I was working with. The photos are so gorgeous and bold and I love that she provided so many details. Photos of our guests, photos of the in between moments that I would have missed. I couldn’t be happier with our decision to work with Karen!”