Moab Elopement at Looking Glass Arch and Castle Valley
Some elopement days feel big and bold. Others feel calm and deeply intentional in a way that sneaks up on you. This Moab elopement at Looking Glass Arch was the second kind. Thoughtful, unrushed, and full of moments that felt completely theirs.
They didn’t pack the day with a long list of must-dos. Instead, they chose a few places that felt meaningful and let everything unfold naturally. Red rock views. A quiet first look. Time together without an audience. And later, an unexpected and perfect ending with horses near Castle Valley.
It was a reminder that elopements do not have to be extreme to feel adventurous. Sometimes adventure looks like slowing down and being fully present in a place that already feels wild.
If you’re still exploring what a day like this could look like, I share more ideas and planning tips in my full guide on how to elope in Moab.
A Jeep First Look at Looking Glass Arch
For their first look, they used their Jeep in a way that felt perfectly Moab. They stood on opposite sides, knowing the other was just a few feet away. When they were ready, they walked around to the front and saw each other for the first time.
No dramatic buildup. No staged perfection. Just smiles, laughter, and that steady look couples give each other when the day finally feels real.
First looks like this are one of my favorite ways to begin a Moab elopement. They create a private, grounding moment before heading out into the landscape.
Exploring Looking Glass Arch for Their Moab Elopement
After the first look, we made our way up to Looking Glass Arch. The climb is short but dramatic. With every step, the views expand and the landscape opens wider.
Looking Glass Arch is one of those locations that feels adventurous without being overwhelming. It gives you bold desert energy while still feeling accessible and peaceful.
Standing beneath the arch never gets old. The scale of it. The way the light filters through the sandstone. The way it frames the valley beyond. It feels wild and still at the same time.
They didn’t rush. We wandered. Took photos. Let the desert air settle around us. This part of the day felt very “Moab” in the best way. Red rock, open sky, and space to just be.
As a Moab elopement photographer, I have found that Looking Glass Arch is perfect for couples who want epic scenery without committing to a long or technical hike. It offers impact without pressure.
Slowing Down and Letting the Day Unfold
One of the things I loved most about this elopement was how intentionally the timeline was built.
We weren’t racing from one location to the next. There was room for quiet. Room to breathe. Room to just exist in the moment without feeling like we were chasing light or squeezing something in.
That is something I always encourage couples to think about when planning a Moab elopement. The scenery is incredible, but the experience matters just as much. When you leave space in your day, it feels less like a photoshoot and more like a memory you get to live inside.
After soaking in the arch, we packed up and headed toward Castle Valley for the next chapter.
Quiet Moments with Horses in Castle Valley
Castle Valley feels completely different from the arches. The land opens up into wide terrain with big skies and a softer kind of desert beauty.
At Hauer Ranch, the landscape shifts from bold red rock to peaceful, open ground. The horses move comfortably through the space, completely at home in their surroundings.
Spending time there changed the energy of the day. Everything slowed down. They walked gently through the field, laughed together, brushed warm horse coats, and stood quietly side by side.
It created a beautiful contrast to the earlier climb. The day began with slickrock and arches, then settled into something calm and grounded.
Elopement days can be layered like that. They can hold both adventure and stillness. When you blend those energies, the experience feels balanced and true to who you are.
If you are still narrowing down locations, I share more ceremony ideas and desert backdrops in my guide to the best places to elope in Moab.
Why a Moab Elopement Does Not Have to Be Extreme
Moab has a reputation for big adventure, including skydiving, long hikes, and off-roading deep into the desert.
While all of that can be incredible, your day does not have to look that way.
This Moab elopement at Looking Glass Arch showed that you can keep things simple and still create something unforgettable. Their day included a Jeep first look, a climb up to the arch, and a quiet afternoon in Castle Valley.
That is the beauty of eloping in Moab. You have the freedom to build a day around who you are rather than what a wedding is supposed to be. You can blend exploration with stillness and pair big views with intimate moments.
Planning a Moab Elopement at Looking Glass Arch
If you are dreaming about a Moab elopement at Looking Glass Arch and want a day that feels relaxed, intentional, and fully yours, there are many ways to bring that vision to life.
Choosing locations that match your comfort level, building space between moments, and planning around the season can completely shape how your experience feels.
If you would like hands-on support, you can learn more about working with me as a Moab elopement photographer. I help couples with location ideas, timeline creation, permit guidance, and designing a day that feels natural rather than rushed.
You can also explore my full How to Elope in Moab guide for more detailed planning tips and inspiration.
No matter what your vision looks like, Moab has a way of creating space for connection, which is what makes days like this so meaningful.
