Hanksville, Utah Elopement
Kelli & Alex's Hanksville, Utah elopement had stunning light, jaw-dropping views, and sweet moments with loved ones – in the absolute middle of nowhere!
The couple gave me so much trust to plan a day of hiking and sightseeing off-the-grid. Their Hanksville elopement included a sunrise first look among the hoodoos, a ceremony with family and friends, and epic portraits in front of the Milky Way.
Hey there! I'm Sam, Your Utah Elopement Photographer & Planner
I know and adore Hanksville (and the rest of southern Utah!), and I would be thrilled to help make your elopement just as epic as Kelli & Alex's.
Where the Heck is
Hanksville, Utah?
Believe it or not, "Where the heck is Hanksville?" is kind of the unofficial slogan of this tiny town in southern Utah. Hanksville isn't anywhere near an airport, and its population is about 150 people (seriously). So why on earth would you elope in Hanksville, Utah? Because there's a huge variety of insane desert landscapes within just an hour of the town!
Kelli and Alex found me (and Hanksville) through Instagram. They saw a photo I'd posted of my husband and myself at the spire, and thought, "We need to go there"!
And that's exactly why I'd dragged my husband and our wedding attire out to that spot in the first place! I knew Hanksville was an incredible place to elope – I just had to convince couples like Kelli and Alex that it was worth it to go way out to the middle of nowhere.
Sunrise in Goblin Valley
I met up with Kelli and Alex just before sunrise on the morning of their elopement at Goblin Valley State Park. Like all the locations we visited during the couple's Hanksville elopement, Goblin Valley is an amazing hidden gem! It's a wide-open space full of hoodoos and cool rock formations.
Kelli and Alex shared a first look as the sun came up over the red rocks. The light here at sunrise is insane, with gorgeous golden sunbeams. Then the couple spent some time exploring the park, climbing around the rocks, and just having fun. We had the whole place to ourselves in the early morning!
Donuts + Vows
Kelli and Alex spent the morning focusing on each other (and exploring some incredible nature). They shared a little breakfast picnic of coffee and donuts – the donut shop was sweet to frost their wedding date on a few of them!
As it started to get busier in the park, we found a little tucked-away nook where Kelli and Alex could exchange vows. One of the best things about Goblin Valley for elopements is that it's such a big, open space, without any designated ceremony spots – so it's easy to find privacy for your vow exchange!
Cliffside Ceremony
We left Goblin Valley and met up with Kelli and Alex's guests for their ceremony – which was officiated by one of their friends, and took place literally on the edge of a cliff!
This was also a hidden gem spot in the middle of nowhere, and I loved that the couple's friends and family were so down for this super unconventional "venue." I think not every wedding guest would be game for off-roading and trekking across slickrock to reach the ceremony!
Portraits, Champagne, and a little adventure
After the ceremony, we took some group photos with Kelli and Alex's friends and family. I also grabbed some individual portraits of all the couples and families who attended. I love including this in a microwedding timeline, because a lot of people don't have many opportunities for formal portraits all dressed up!
Kelli and Alex hosted a mini cocktail hour with champagne and more donuts. It was such a fun, chill vibe as everyone hung out and toasted champagne on their tailgates.
The couple also explored the area around their ceremony spot with their friends. There's a very cool (but sketchy) rock nearby that I'd climbed up previously with my husband. I knew how precarious it was, so I told them they absolutely didn't have to climb it – but Kelli, Alex, and a few of their friends were willing to brave it!
Hanksville Slot Canyons
I loved how Kelli and Alex handled the timeline for the rest of their Hanksville, Utah elopement. The couple planed to visit two more spots that afternoon, and they invited their friends and family to come along if they wanted!
We got a head start on our hike through some nearby slot canyons while Kelli and Alex's guests changed into casual clothes, which gave the couple some time to explore on their own.
I took so many fun photos during the hike – like details of the couple's rings (that they made themselves!), and shots of Kelli's sister touching up her hair and makeup.
Sweet Surprise
After our slot canyon hike, we took a little break to refuel. The couple had dinner with their guests back at their accommodations, and Kelli surprised Alex with a cake topper that looked like their dog (including his favorite Tractor Supply frisbee).
Then Kelli and Alex got ready again for the final location in their adventurous Hanksville, Utah elopement day. Kelli changed into a second dress, and her sister helped with her hair and makeup.
Adventure to the Spire
Like their earlier slot canyon hike, Kelli and Alex let their guests tag along for their sunset hike to one of the coolest landmarks near Hanksville. And once again, we found ourselves way out in the middle of nowhere!
I especially loved the shots of Kelli and Alex in their wedding attire, next to their guests in hiking clothes – and the ones where I turned the couple into unicorns.
This was the same location that originally inspired Kelli and Alex to elope in Hanksville, Utah – so it was fun to come full circle and take some photos of the couple at the place it all started!
Impromptu Star Photos
We made a last-minute decision to hang out at the spire past sunset for some star photos. There was a full moon that night, so we weren't sure whether we'd see the Milky Way at all, but we got an unexpected (and incredible) peek for a few minutes.
This ended up being the perfect way to wrap up Kelli and Alex's Hanksville, Utah elopement – a truly epic and unique day that I felt so lucky to be trusted with!
Kelli + Alex's Review
We cannot say enough good things about Sam! From the very start Sam was above and beyond any expectations, providing insight and guides for our locations, vendor ideas, help planning, everything. From the first phone call, straight through the day of, Sam was phenomenal.
We are not huge “center of attention” people and being in front of a camera all day can be intimidating. However, Sam provides such good directions and prompts you would never know seeing the pictures. It felt more like spending the day with a friend and getting some pictures than feeling like a photo shoot.
Of all the decisions made for our elopement, starting by hiring Sam was the best one. She is worth every penny and we cannot recommend her enough!
- K + A
