An incredible morning filled with sunrise dessert views, hiking, and pies made for the most unforgettable Capitol Reef National Park elopement! | Dani and Ro
I photographed Dani and Ro’s proposal at Great Sand Dunes National Park. When they reached back out to me and asked if I would photograph their Capitol Reef National Park elopement, you better believe I said YES!
When planning your elopement in Capitol Reef National Park in Utah, there are a few things you need to know. The first, is you must apply for a $100 special use ceremony permit. There are a few different spots you are permitted to have a ceremony, with various guest counts. If you are eloping with a maximum of 5 people total (perfect for elopements with just the couple and their photographer/videographer), the permit allows you to elope anywhere in the national park! This permit is for a case-by-case basis, so you still need to get official permission for your chosen spot.
The next thing to consider when planning your elopement is time of year. I personally love spring and fall for desert elopements in Utah, but even in the summer, Capitol Reef can be great. If you consider a sunrise ceremony during the busier months (July-September), you can still find a secluded spot! A sunrise ceremony will also help you escape the heat in the summer months.
If you’re dreaming of a desert elopement in Utah, reach out now!
Early Hike to South Fruita Overlook
To start Dani and Ro’s elopement day, we met at the Cohab Canyon Trailhead before the sun came up. With our headlamps on, we hiked the trail to South Fruita Overlook. This is a 3.3 mile trail that leads to an incredible cliffside overlooking the beautiful town of Fruita in Capitol Reef National Park. When we reached the overlook, Dani and Ro started getting ready and changed from their hiking clothes into their wedding attire. We took some blue hour photos with lanterns and waited for the sun to come up.
Sunrise Portraits
As the sun started rising, it illuminated the cliffs. Alpenglow in the desert is so incredibly beautiful when it hits the red rocks! Dani and Ro enjoyed the scenery as we walked around the area of the South Fruita Overlook. We were so lucky to have this place all to ourselves! Elopements in places like Capitol Reef are truly magical because it is a less crowded national park than nearby places like Zion or Arches National Parks. Choosing to hike at sunrise guaranteed even more seclusion!
Capitol Reef National Park Elopement Ceremony
As the sun continued to rise, Dani and Ro read their heartfelt vows to one another. Before they started, they had to do their special handshake. They also showed me their handshake the first time we met during their engagement! Just the two of them up on that cliffside, with not a single other person in site, they had a very emotional ceremony. They exchanged rings, with Ro kissing Dani’s ring as he placed it on her finger, and had their first kiss as husband and wife. What a beautiful moment in such a beautiful place!
Hike back down
We didn’t want to leave the magnificent South Fruita Overlook, but it was time to hike back down to enjoy some celebratory pie! It was great to see the scenery that we could not see in the darkness on the hike up.
Pies and Fruit Picking!
After we made it back down to the trailhead, we walked over to the Gifford Homestead. Dani and Ro loved the locally baked fruit pies at Gifford Homestead. So, rather than cutting a wedding cake, they thought it would be fun to enjoy some delicious pies. It was definitely the right choice! Finally, we ended their day at the orchards in Capitol Reef National Park for some fruit picking. Dani and Ro truly made the day their own and incorporated their favorite things about Capitol Reef National Park into their day. Having spent a lot of time in the area in the earlier parts of their relationship, it made their elopement day that much more special!
Congratulations, Dani and Ro!
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