Moran Point, Grand Canyon Elopement // David + Jennie
David and Jennie flew in from the mid-west to have an elopement of their dreams at the Grand Canyon. They both had been married before they found one another and their kids had joked with them about “just eloping.” And so they did!
They packed their bags and flew out to Phoenix, where they stayed at an Airbnb and traveled up to the Grand Canyon on the day of their elopement. It was about a 3. 5 hour drive for them to Moran Point from where they were staying in Phoenix. They arrived early to venture around some of the viewpoints at the Grand Canyon before changing in their rental car on a side road and meeting me and their officiant at Moran Point.
David and Jennie had even traveled up the day before to really take in the Grand Canyon and get to know the location where they’d be saying their vows to one another. They had found the perfect little area off to the side that allowed for them to have complete privacy while they said their vows. After an emotional ceremony on the side of the Grand Canyon, we ventured back to the parking lot to find a second witness to meet the qualifications for Arizona’s marriage license.
Did you know that your photographer can double as a witness if you’re not wanting to bring guests? And that you don’t have to physically have two witnesses present to watch your ceremony to sign. After your ceremony you can find a stranger on the same trail or in the area to sign as your second witness! You also have the option of mailing in your marriage license yourself and you can get a friend or family member to sign after your ceremony if you aren’t fond of the idea in having a stranger sign as a witness on your marriage license. If you’re wanting to skip all the legal paperwork completely on your elopement day, maybe consider a commitment ceremony or completing your marriage license in your home state.
After completing their marriage license, David and Jennie took me to another viewpoint, Grandview, about 10 minutes from their ceremony location at Moran Point. We arrived at Grandview just as the sun was starting to set and we could really start to see all those layers of colors in the Canyon. I told Jennie and David that blue hour at the canyon is quite literally the best time of day to witness all of those colors layered throughout the walls of the Grand Canyon. We enjoyed watching the sun set and seeing everyone clear out of the parking lot as we continued to stay until the sun had sunken completely beyond the horizon. After we said our goodbyes, Jennie and David started the drive back to Phoenix where they would stay for a few more days of adventures after their elopement before heading back home and officially announcing their elopement at the Grand Canyon!