Arches and Canyonlands Elopement - Dawn To Dusk Elopement in Moab Utah

Some days just feel aligned from the start. Chelsie and Mario’s elopement in Moab was exactly that  laid-back, meaningful, and full of emotion from sunrise to sunset.

They wanted something simple, beautiful, and true to who they are. A day that reflected their love of nature, their family ties, and their shared sense of adventure. No big production just the good stuff.

Sample 6-Hour Elopement Timeline in Moab

Two Locations: Morning Arch Ceremony + Sunset Canyon Views

☀️ Sunrise Ceremony (3 Hours) 5:30 AM – 8:30 AM

• 5:30 AM – Meet at trailhead + hike in the dark with headlamps

• 6:15 AM – Change into wedding attire + private moment before the ceremony

• 6:30 AM – Ceremony as the sun rises

• 6:45 AM – Vows, coffee break, picnic, and portraits around the arch

• 7:45 AM – Hike back out

• 8:30 AM – Morning coverage ends

🕒 Midday Break Time to nap, relax, grab food in town, or explore Moab on your own

🌄 Sunset Portrait Session (3 Hours) 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

• 5:30 PM – Meet at a scenic overlook + short walk to a canyon viewpoint

• 6:00 PM – Golden hour portraits, another toast or shared moment

• 7:00 PM – Champagne toast + Sunset and blue hour portraits

• 8:30 PM – Photo coverage wraps up

Sunrise Hike to Sandstone Arch for Ceremony and Private Vows

We met before the sun was up and hiked through the dark, following a trail across boulders and red rock until we reached a hidden arch. Chelsie and Mario changed into their wedding attire right there, had their first look, and shared a quiet ceremony as the sun rose behind them. In a simple ceremony, officiated by Leti (yes, we are also ordained) they exchanged private vows, had a little picnic, and soaked it all in before we hiked back to the trailhead and took a midday break.

Midday Pause

Sunset at Canyonlands National Park | Overlook

After a break, we met back up in Canyonlands National Park for sunset. The overlook they picked had the Green River winding in the distance, and it’s known for having the best golden light as the sun drops low. But that evening, nature had her own plans lightning started flashing across the desert valley, turning the whole thing into a wild, unforgettable scene. Chelsie and Mario popped a bottle of champagne, and we ran around capturing the moment as the sky put on a show.

Why Split the Day Between Sunrise and Sunset?

One of the best things about eloping in a place like Moab is that you're not locked into a traditional timeline. Chelsie and Mario chose to start their day at sunrise and wrap it up at sunset and there's a good reason for that.

We time most elopements around two magical windows of the day — golden hour and blue hour. Golden hour happens just after sunrise and just before sunset, when the light is soft, warm, and super flattering. Blue hour follows, with cooler tones and a moody, cinematic feel.

When you split your day between sunrise and sunset, you get two golden hours and two blue hours — the best of both worlds. This gives us dreamy light for both parts of the day and makes for a really diverse, beautiful gallery. Plus, midday can be too harsh and hot for comfort or photos, so having that intentional break also makes the day more relaxed.