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I'm Kalena! A Kansas City based destination wedding & elopement photographer. I capture candid and emotional photos for adventurous, laid-back couples.
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ELOPEMENTS
Jan 17, 2024
Kalena Mitchell
I had the amazing opportunity to capture Karli and Keifer’s destination elopement in Arizona. These two chose to get ready in Flagstaff and then ride with all their friends & family in a party bus to Rim Worship Site at the Grand Canyon where they said “yes” to forever. Being able to capture this once-in-a-lifetime adventure for Karli and Keifer was incredibly fulfilling and is what gives me purpose as an elopement photographer. It’s truly an honor to be witness to love in the most amazing locations.
During the planning process for this elopement, the location where Karli and Keifer would get ready the morning of their elopement day changed a few times. Once the hotel was finalized, I was challenged with finding the perfect spot for wedding party portraits that wasn’t too far away. Luckily, this hotel had the perfect little wooded area within walking distance! Looking at the photos, you can’t even tell that this was right in the middle of the city of Flagstaff.
Karli & Keifer invited only their closest family & friends to their elopement. They opted to hire a bus to transport everyone from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon which turned out to be the perfect plan. It saved everyone the stress of coordinating carpooling, remembering directions, and finding parking. Plus, they all had the best time celebrating together on the 1.5 hour drive!
When getting married at the Grand Canyon, it’s important to know that there are only specific locations along the rim where couples are allowed to hold wedding ceremonies. You must have permission from the National Parks Service as well as a Special Use Permit for your specific spot. Karli & Keifer chose Rim Worship Site as their elopement ceremony location. It was the perfect place because there were hardly any people at this particular spot at the Grand Canyon. It was also secluded but not too far of a walk to get to. If you’re trying to find the perfect place at the Grand Canyon for your ceremony and you have fewer than 50 people, this location is perfect! Feel free to send me a message if you need help or advice on planning your Rim Worship Site elopement.
Standing at the edge of the canyon, Karli and Keifer’s love seemed to echo the vastness and beauty of this natural wonder. The golden hues of the sunset painted a stunning backdrop, enhancing the raw emotion captured in each photograph. It was the most peaceful and breathtaking moment. After their ceremony, we took some time to take portraits of just Karli and Keifer while their family explored the area. I brought out my trusty lanterns, of course, and we captured some beautiful and artful photographs in this natural wonder.
But the adventure did not end there. The next day we made our way to Merry Go Round Rock in Sedona, Arizona for a post-elopement session. Nestled among the picturesque red rocks, this location exuded a sense of magic and enchantment. If you’ve ever been to Merry Go Round Rock, you’ll know how rocky the road there is. Karli and Keifer were such good sports and made the whole trip so much fun.
I have a blog post HERE with more details and information on how to get to Merry Go Round Rock.
Karli and Keifer’s destination elopement was a testament to the beauty and depth that can be found in love. As a photographer, it was an honor to be a part of their journey and to capture these heartfelt moments. I hope these photographs will serve as a timeless testament to their love, reminding them of the emotions they shared on their special day.