Emily & Colin

Emily & Colin joined their hands in marriage 282 feet below sea level. Their feet firmly planted on the salty ground of Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park. Above us, a cloudless blue expanse. And all around us, the serene white void of the salt flats—making the whole moment feel endless, romantic, and otherworldly.

Death Valley is for lovers. There, I said it. I’m sure the spooky-sounding name is a turn-off for some people, but for adventurous couples, this is a place of magic and romance. It’s why couples reach out to me for professional wedding and elopement photography in Death Valley National Park.

Badwater Basin Elopement

I met Emily & Colin at The Inn where they were staying. This hotel is beautiful and centrally located. I often advise my couples to stay inside the park since it’s so remote that lodging elsewhere means too many long drives. While The Inn is a little pricey, it’s worth it for the classic decor, refreshing pool, dining options, and ease of park accessibility.

I snapped a few photos of our soon-to-be newlyweds, as well as some detail shots of the wedding dress, rings, jewelry, and more. It’s important to capture the little things. Emily’s mom gave her a handkerchief made for her own wedding dress. It’s a lovely personal touch from a family member.

On the way out of The Inn, I got some photos of the couple in the stylish Spanish lobby before we got into our vehicles and drove to the ceremony site.

There are so many incredible landmarks in Death Valley. One of the most popular is Badwater Basin. What was once a sea called Lake Manly is now a nearly 200-square-mile salt flat. In fact, it was recently filled with water as a result of a rare hurricane! I’ve photographed here many times, both with couples and on my own, but I’ve never had an elopement ceremony here before. So, I was absolutely ecstatic about it!

My husband, Isiah, officiated the ceremony for Emily & Colin. He opened with a beautiful reading and shared a bit about the couple's history before transitioning to a ring exchange and—of course—the big kiss!

Emily & Colin bubbled with joy. Yes, they had crossed that threshold of life where they could say, “This is my husband” and “This is my wife.” How incredible of a feeling that is. They clued us into an inside joke, that they thought of their wedding rings as the best friends forever rings from Spongebob—which is just too cute.

We explored the salt flats for a little longer, then made our way to the next location. The weather was pretty hot and dry—which is typical for Death Valley, even in mid-December. So, the couple and I stopped to eat, rehydrate, and apply sunscreen. It’s smart to give your body what it needs, even during your wedding day!

I snuck my couple away from the crowds to a private spot where they could read their vows to one another. Isiah and I kept out of earshot, so Emily & Colin could express themselves fully, without an audience. Reading your vows privately was so meaningful to me on my wedding day, that I totally get why couples choose this option. Even so, I kept my lens trained on the two the whole time.

We had one more stop for the day. So, in the twilight, we captured our couple amongst the colorful sands of Death Valley. The ground here is soft, so we were extra careful walking around. This spot was busy, busy with people—but we still got the shots we needed to.

And as soon as the sun set, the whole area was our own. Oddly enough, there were lots of bats in the sky—which was pretty unexpected. But hey, the national park is their home. So you never know what you’ll see.

We bid our couple a thank you, farewell, and congratulations. And with lots of love in their hearts, they drove off into the twilight.

Tips for Eloping at Badwater Basin

Does your imagination run away with you while picturing your perfect Death Valley wedding day? That’s what we love to hear! If you decide to work with Love & Latitudes, you’ll be in good hands. I’ve planned many Death Valley weddings and elopements. And I’m more than happy to help you get the most out of it!

Check out our Death Valley Elopement Guide for everything you need to know.

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