Maddie & Alan

It sometimes takes a village to get married—if that’s what’s important to you.

Maddie & Alan brought their closest family members along for their Saguaro National Park elopement. And that’s what’s so fun about outdoor adventure weddings. You get to enjoy the best of both worlds—the rush of getting hitched in a gorgeous location and the comfort your loved ones provide you two on your special day.

Prepping for the Perfect Tucson Wedding Day

We started the day at Maddie & Alan’s Airbnb. While our bride and groom got ready separately, I had a chance to chat with the family members. Everyone was eager to help out, and the positive energy was simply contagious!

As everyone got themselves wedding-ready, I captured details with my trusty Canon camera. Everything was so cute, from the rings to the heels. They even had trinkets of their two dogs!

Side note: For those of you who didn’t know, pets are restricted in national parks. You must keep your pets in your vehicle, in campgrounds, in parking lots, or on designated trails. This is meant to keep nature wild and your pets safe. So having little odes to your pet, like Maddie & Alan did, is a great way to keep them with you in spirit.

Next up was the first-look photos. Traditionally, this is a photo opportunity for the groom to see his bride fully decked out in her wedding dress. And you better believe Alan was stunned when he saw Maddie in her white dress. But since this couple was so family-focused, we also captured first-look photos with one of Maddie’s brothers. It was beautiful and a such a delightful way to include the family on the fun.

An Intimate Outdoor Wedding

For the actual wedding ceremony, we arrived at Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona. The sky was clear blue and the guests wore their wedding-day best!

Nestled amongst the century-old Saguaro, the couple shared vows, exchanged rings, and said “I do!” What made the moment all the more special was that one of the family members conducted the wedding service. Because no one knows you better than the people closest to you!

Everyone gathered around for their turn at family photos. There was a lot of laughter, a lot of hugging, and little bit of silliness. Exactly what you want from your wedding guests.

Saguaro Elopement Guide

Letting It All Sink in at Tucson Mountain Park

After the ceremony and family photos, our newlyweds swapped their shoes for a slightly more rugged terain. Because the next stop of the day was Tucson Mountain Park.

This is a lovely hiking area, which I why I love taking couples here. It’s easy to visit while treating you to amazing views of mountains, cacti, and (sometimes) even wildlife.

The way the sun hits those rugged peaks in the park is something else! Maddie & Alan held each other close, simply enjoying the first few hours of married life.

The fun didn’t end there, though. We waited for the sun to dip behind the mountains and dusk to begin to take cuddly photos in front of the headlights, complete with a blanket they had bought in town.

Tips for Your Tucson Mountain Park Wedding

Head over heels for a desert wedding day? Think Tucson Mountain Park might be the ideal place for you two to say “I do”? I’m more than happy to help you make it happen!

Here are a few things to know when planning your Tucson Mountain Park wedding day:

Work with your photographer regarding locations, permits, and venues. Tucson has so many beautiful locations, often right next to each other. Things like access and permits will help you decide on the perfect location. Ask your photographer to help you navigate the local restrictions and permitting.
Practice Leave No Trace when getting married outdoors. Keep the natural world happy and healthy by following LNT guidelines: like packing out what you pack in, staying on trails, and respecting the local flora and fauna.
Consider the timing. For example, weekdays are less busy than weekends. As for seasonality, summer can be very hot, spring and early autumn are quite lovely, and winter is more gentle.
Looking for adventure and activities? If so, Tucson is a hot spot for all sorts of adventure and fun! Talk with your photographer about including some fun activities like hiking, horseback riding, biking, and more. Bonus—Tucson is a UNESCO World Heritage site for food!

Ready to take the next step? Book a call with Love & Latitudes, your Tucson wedding photographer!