Intimate Horseshoe Bend Elopement: India + Jay

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

It takes a special couple to decide to say their I Dos at the edge of a 1,000 foot cliff in the desert! India + Jay happen to be that couple, and today we’re excited to share their beautiful elopement, at the Grand Canyon’s Horseshoe Bend, on GWS! These two did everything non-traditionally from the start; from getting ready in the middle of the desert to exchanging their vows at the edge of a canyon. And to make this day even more meaningful + amazing, the location has so much history for them. Below, India tells us more about that:

There are so many reasons why we decided to elope. First, we have both always wanted to elope. Just our closest friends and family came, everyone pitched in so much to make our little dream wedding more perfect than we could have imagined. The second reason would have to be because we wanted to marry somewhere that was special to our love story. We met in the Grand Canyon, fell in love in Lake Powell, and even got engaged in the bottom of the Grand Canyon as well. It’s also right dab in the middle of our families and friends too, in between Utah and Arizona.

Thanks so much to Jordan Voth for sharing these incredible photos with us + big congrats to the newlyweds on a perfect day!

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

bride with dad after seeing her in wedding dress

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

We didn’t want to waste money on all the fluff that goes into weddings. We spent money on the things that last, we didn’t care about decorations or fancy cakes or a big glamorous venue. We wanted the bare essentials, to us it was about what weddings are truly all about, celebrating love. Lastly, we wanted to marry in a place we feel close to God in. Nothing makes you feel smaller, more vulnerable, or in more awe standing at the edge of a 1,000 canyon.

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

India’s Leanne Marshall dress was a perfect choice for the windy, desert setting.

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

India’s predominantly eucalyptus bouquet, by Bloom by Madison Murdock, was beautiful but didn’t distract from the breathtaking red rock surroundings.

Leanne Marshall Wedding Dress

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

If you're planning an elopement, I would say just to do it how you want it. Don't let anyone else decide what you do or don't do on your wedding day, because it's yours. Make decisions together as a couple, not just the bride. It makes it so much more special. One thing I'm so happy I did do was invite my closest family and friends, without them there's no way our day could have turned out so amazing.

photography: Jordan Voth // florals: Bloom by Madison Murdock // wedding dress: Leanne Marshall // makeup artist: Baylee Jensen // groom attire: Utah Woolen Mills // videography: Chris Koch of Chord Weddings // officiant: Luis Eduardo Cardona // location: Horseshoe Bend at the Grand Canyon and Lake Powell Antelope Marina in Arizona

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