Film Micro Wedding in Zion National Park
Having grown up scrambling down canyons and rolling in the red dirt of Utah’s National Parks, I was beyond thrilled to hear about Ashley and Aaron’s plans for their micro wedding in Zion National Park near St. George, Utah. They and their 30 guests would be staying nearby at Under Canvas Zion for the weekend, a beautiful glamping resort with picturesque views. On their wedding day, we’d all go into Zion, have their ceremony under a waterfall, and then come back to Under Canvas for a dinner under the stars. Are you kidding me???
The weekend went just that way. We arrived on Friday to check in and photograph their welcome dinner at Balcony One, a local restaurant. The next morning started bright and early for sunrise yoga, then breakfast and a brief siesta before getting ready in their respective Under Canvas tents. We drove the hour or so to the entrance to Zion, then rode the shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava, where they would hold their ceremony. Their ceremony was simple and emotional, and even though we were in the middle of one of the most popular National Parks in the country, it felt like it was just us together under the waterfall. We did a few group portraits at the Temple, then headed back to Under Canvas for their reception. Dinner, a few toasts, dances, and a cake cutting later, we were overbrimming with joy and love and yep, those stars were glittering in the sky like they were celebrating just for us.
The next day, Ashley & Aaron’s guests departed for the airport. One of the loveliest things about A + A’s vision for their wedding day was zero couples photos on the day of. You read that right - we didn’t take a single posed couples photos. Instead, they donned their wedding outfits again the next day and we had a full 3 hours to explore the park and get some incredible photos in the most beautiful vistas. I cannot recommend a day after session enough - it frees you up completely to be present on your wedding day, and you won’t feel as rushed or nervous during your couples portraits because you’ll already be married.
