Allison & Britley

Death Valley is full of surprises, especially for those who aren’t in the know.

Like, did you know it’s the largest national park in the Lower 48?! This park is a whopping 5,270 square miles—which means you can’t possibly see the whole park in a week, let alone just one day.

So make the most of your Death Valley wedding by going all day, just like Allison & Britley did.

DEATH VALLEY ELOPEMENT GUIDE

Wedding Romance in the Desert

I met Allison & Britley at their first location in the park: Breakfast Canyon. This spot is off-limits to the public, which means you get it all to yourself on your wedding day—when you apply for a special-use permit, of course. Too cute!

Allison & Britley had already started getting ready when I arrived. But they still had a few final touches to make everything perfect, including getting into their fabulous gowns. Allison even got a makeup touch-up from Wild Brides Backcountry.

When our brides were all ready to go, we had a quick first-look, which was, of course, full of love, smiles, and eagerness for the day.

The wedding ceremony was anything but traditional. Which is exactly what this couple wanted for their Death Valley wedding day.

For example, Allison & Britley chose to have the ceremony itself in Breakfast Canyon—but they wanted private wedding vows in another location: Golden Canyon. And even though it’s in a popular area, we took a longer route to ensure privacy. That’s the amazing thing about Death Valley—there’s beauty all around in this park if you know where to look.

After their vows, we headed to a popular viewpoint in the park, soaking in all the desert glow of golden hour and watching the most beautiful cotton-candy sunset.

To end the night, they headed to another spot to have a first dance. Yes, you can do this when you elope! They even had their headphones in and a few songs downloaded so they could enjoy this time with just the two of them. Special note that there is no service in the park, but a silent disco of downloaded music made for some really cute photos!

But the fun wasn’t over yet—they celebrated getting hitched by making their favorite cocktails. What a way to spend a whole day in Death Valley for their elopement!

Tips for Your All-Day Adventure Elopement in Death Valley

The desert is an amazing place to get married. And with the right preparations, you’ll be so ready for it. Here are a few things to know when planning your Death Valley elopement:

Work with your photographer regarding locations, permits, places to stay, weather, and more. I’ve captured tons of weddings, elopements, and engagements in Death Valley. I can help plan your when, where, and more!
Practice Leave No Trace when getting married outdoors. Desert environments are surprisingly fragile. Make sure to follow all guidelines and keep this place beautiful for years to come.
Don’t get married in the summer! Death Valley is one of the hottest places in the world. Plan your wedding for winter, early spring, and late fall to avoid dangerous temperatures.
Looking for adventure and activities? If so, Death Valley is a hot spot for all sorts of outdoor fun! Talk with your photographer about including some fun activities like offroading!

Ready to take the next step? Book a call with Love & Latitudes, your Death Valley elopement photographer!