Laura and Hugo’s Moab elopement day was built around the things they actually love – adventure, the desert, their dog, and, of course, each other. Their day was full of doing exactly what makes them feel alive, and I am still freaking buzzing from it, too!  

If you’re also dreaming of saying your vows surrounded by towering red rock cliffs, endless desert views, and wide open skies, this day is basically a love letter to why Moab is one of the most extraordinary places on earth to exchange your vows.

Why Moab is Such a Dream for Elopements

Moab, Utah, sits in one of the most dramatically beautiful landscapes on the planet. There are towering red sandstone cliffs, ancient canyon formations, and wide-open desert skies that go on forever. 

I especially love Moab for spring, fall, and even winter elopements. The shoulder seasons bring warm days, cooler mornings, fewer crowds, and that gorgeous desert light. Summers in the desert can get very hot! Laura & Hugo got married in November, and the weather was perfect.

Moab is also one of those rare places where your elopement day can include SO many different experiences like jeeping through the canyons, hiking to overlooks with jaw-dropping views, watching the sunset paint the desert in different shades of amber, and then staying out late enough to catch a sky full of stars. It’s an entire adventure wrapped up in one unforgettable day, and that’s exactly what Laura and Hugo chose.

Getting Ready at a Unique Airbnb

Laura and Hugo started their day getting ready at one of the most unique places I’ve ever photographed. They stayed at an incredible cave Airbnb tucked into the desert cliffs outside Moab.

The space itself felt peaceful and earthy, with soft natural textures and warm desert light filtering through the windows. It was the perfect quiet place to start the day before heading out into the canyon for the adventure ahead.

Hugo looked absolutely handsome in his deep forest green suit with a bolo tie and a wildflower boutonniere. While Laura slipped on her lace dress and boots (always a great call for desert elopements). And of course, their adorable dog was there the entire time, chilling on the floor and waiting to hop in the jeep.

Afterwards, they shared the sweetest first look!

Jeeping Through the Canyonlands for Their Moab Elopement

One of the things that makes a Moab elopement so special is how much adventure you can build into the day. For Laura and Hugo, that meant hopping into a bright red jeep and heading out to explore the rugged desert terrain around Canyonlands National Park.

Driving through the canyons felt like stepping into another world. Massive sandstone cliffs towered above us while winding dirt roads led deeper into the desert landscape. Every turn revealed another breathtaking view.

Moab is one of the best places in the country for off-road exploring, and incorporating jeeping into an elopement day is such a fun way to experience the landscape together. Plus… let’s be honest, a jeep makes a pretty epic photo prop too!

If you are considering adding a Jeep tour to your Moab elopement, please, PLEASE do it. 

Moab Elopement Ceremony at Marlboro Point

Laura and Hugo’s elopement ceremony was at Marlboro Point, one of Moab’s most incredible overlook locations. Perched at the rim of a sweeping canyon with views that stretch for miles, it felt like they were standing at the very edge of the world.

The couple exchanged their vows surrounded by the glowing desert cliffs as the sun began to dip toward the horizon. The golden light wrapped around the red rock formations and created the most incredible warm glow across the landscape.

Champagne, Desert Views & One Very Good Dog

After the ceremony, the celebration continued with one of the most fun moments of the day. Laura and Hugo popped a bottle of champagne overlooking the canyon, laughing as the bubbles sprayed everywhere with their pup lying at their feet. Moments like this are why I love elopements so much!

After the champagne pop, we took some more time capturing portraits in the desert. The canyon walls seemed to stretch forever into the distance, creating the most dramatic backdrop for their photos.

Star Portraits During Their Moab Desert Elopement

One of the things people don’t always realize about Moab is that it’s an amazing place for night photography. With very little light pollution, the desert sky can fill with thousands of stars once the sun goes down.

Laura and Hugo’s elopement happened during a full moon, which made the sky incredibly bright at first. We waited patiently while the moon slowly moved across the sky and the stars started to appear. And eventually, they did! But while waiting for the stars to come out, we had some more fun taking photos with their jeep.

Standing out in the quiet desert under the night sky felt like the perfect ending to their adventure-filled elopement day.

Dreaming of Your Own Moab Elopement?

I am so here for it, and I would love to help you make it happen! A Moab elopement is one of those experiences that genuinely takes your breath away, and I don’t just mean the views (although, yes, obviously the views). It’s the feeling of being out there in the desert with the person you love most, completely untethered from expectations, fully present in one of the most extraordinary landscapes on earth.

From helping couples find epic ceremony locations to planning timelines around desert light and exploring hidden spots off the beaten path, I love helping create elopement days that feel relaxed, adventurous, and completely unique.

Whether you’re envisioning a Jeep adventure through the canyons, vows at a dramatic overlook, stargazing under a desert sky, or all of the above, I will help you plan every single detail so that your day unfolds exactly the way you envisioned it. I handle the logistics, the location scouting, the timeline, the permits, and all the behind-the-scenes stuff so you can just show up and actually LIVE your day.

If a Moab elopement adventure is calling your name, I’d love to help you plan it. Reach out and let’s get started!

Vendors:

Host: Megan MacPhail 

Florist: Tangled Sage 

HMUA: Wild Brides Backcountry

Jeep Rentals: Twisted Jeeps

Getting Ready AirBnB: Redrock Caves by Primal Resorts

Vow Books: The Cozy Comfy Home

Couple: Laura & Hugo