If there were ever a definition of an adventure elopement, this day would be it. Moab is already one of the most incredible places in the world for couples who want a wedding day filled with energy, connection, and jaw-dropping scenery, but when a couple decides to start their elopement morning by skydiving for the first time ever, you know you’re in for something unforgettable.
Their entire day felt like one big breath of adrenaline mixed with the magic of the Moab desert. From free-falling over the red rock landscape to hiking to Corona Arch for vows at sunset, everything about their elopement felt bold, joyful, and completely them.
As a Moab elopement photographer, days like this make my heart explode a little. The landscape, the light, the freedom to craft a day that feels like an actual adventure it all came together in the best possible way.
Starting the Day With a Skydiving Jump Over the Desert
Most couples ease into their elopement morning with breakfast, coffee, or getting ready. Not these two. They began their day by jumping out of a plane.
Skydiving in Moab is unlike anything else. You’re not just falling through the sky. You’re watching the desert stretch for miles in every direction, the canyons running like lines across the earth, and the sandstone glowing beneath you. It is wild and surreal and the perfect start to an elopement built around adventure.
When they landed, they were buzzing. Laughing. Shaking out the adrenaline. Their energy was contagious. You could feel the excitement radiating off both of them, and I swear they didn’t stop smiling for the next several hours.
It set the tone for everything else that came after.
A Midday Break Before the Evening Adventure
Moab can get pretty hot and sunny, so we built their timeline around the light and the temperature. After skydiving, everyone took a break to rest, hydrate, cool off, and save energy for the evening hike.
This is one of the best things about planning a Moab elopement. You can structure the day however you want. Adventure in the morning, rest in the afternoon, then head back out when the desert light turns soft and warm again.
Once the heat started to settle and the shadows grew longer, we met back up to start the hike to Corona Arch.
Hiking to Corona Arch for the Ceremony
Corona Arch is one of the best trails in Moab for couples who want a true adventure without committing to a long, strenuous route. The hike is just challenging enough to feel fun and memorable, and the views are incredible the entire way.
The trail winds over slickrock, up metal ladders, and along sandstone curves that look like something from another planet. Every bend in the trail reveals something new. Towering cliffs. Red rock bowls. That deep desert silence you can’t find anywhere else.
Hiking with these two was such a joy. They were relaxed, playful, still riding the high from the morning, and genuinely soaking in every second of the experience. We stopped at scenic spots along the way for photos, let them take breaks to breathe it in, and just let the day unfold naturally.
When Corona Arch finally came into view, it was breathtaking as always. This massive, sweeping sandstone arch makes you feel tiny in the best way. It’s one of the most beautiful natural cathedrals in Moab.
Exchanging Vows at Corona Arch
They found a quiet, open spot near the arch, and the ceremony began. No audience. No pressure. Just the two of them in one of the most incredible landscapes on earth.
They read handwritten vows, exchanged rings, held onto each other, and let the desert hold the moment. The light was soft by then, and the arch glowed the warmest shade of orange as the sun started dropping lower in the sky.
It felt peaceful and intimate in a way that only elopements can. There is something truly special about saying vows in a place that makes you feel connected to the land and to each other at the same time.
A Champagne Toast to Celebrate
Right after the ceremony, they popped champagne and toasted to the start of their marriage. The bottle sprayed everywhere, catching the sunlight as it burst in the desert air. They laughed, wiped the spray off each other, and then shared a quiet drink together while the arch towered above them.
It was simple and joyful and perfect.
Sunset at Corona Arch
If you have never stayed at Corona Arch for sunset, it is absolutely worth it. The sandstone glows, the shadows stretch across the canyon, and everything feels peaceful and golden. We spent the rest of the evening exploring the area, climbing around on the rocks, and taking portraits as the light softened into pink and blue.
It was one of those sunsets where you want to stay just a little longer, and then a little longer after that. The kind where you feel lucky to be standing exactly where you are.
Eventually we hiked back out as the sky faded, the trail quiet and still except for the sound of our footsteps on the slickrock. It was the perfect ending to an already incredible day.
Why Moab Is the Perfect Place for an Adventure Elopement
Moab is made for couples who want a wedding day that feels like an experience, not an event. The landscape alone invites adventure, whether that means hiking, climbing, skydiving, off-roading, or simply exploring new places together.
Eloping in Moab gives you the freedom to:
- Plan a day that actually feels like you
- Build in adventure without rushing
- Explore unique trails and arches
- Celebrate in a landscape that feels like nowhere else on earth
- Create a timeline that flows naturally around the desert light
It truly is one of the best places in the world for an adventure elopement.
Planning Your Own Moab Elopement
If you’re dreaming about skydiving on your wedding morning, hiking to an arch for your ceremony, or exploring the desert with the person you love most, Moab might be the perfect place to start your marriage.
As a Moab elopement photographer, I’m here to help with planning, trail suggestions, timelines, permits, weather considerations, and anything else you need to create a day that’s meaningful and fun.
You can explore more elopement resources below:
No matter what your vision looks like, Moab has a way of turning an elopement day into an adventure you’ll never forget.
