Western Chic Elopement in Capitol Reef National Park
Celia and Derick met on MySpace a few short months before Celia would graduate from high school. “Yes, we are older than we look,” Celia jokes. “His bio mentioned that he was attending college in the state that I was highly interested in, so I decided to accept his friend request because I had a few questions about the college where he was studying,” the bride shares. While Celia didn’t anticipate she would eventually marry Derick, the two began chatting and immediately clicked. After our years of dating, Derick proposed on Valentine’s Day. Although February 14th is practically synonymous with flowers and candy, Derick surprised Celia with a small pouch which held a box with a diamond ring inside. Like the proposal, their vow exchange was an intimate affair in the heart of red rock country at Capitol Reef National Park.
On April 25th, accompanied by Kayla Bertagnolli Photography, Celia and Derick made a promise to each other in the presence of soaring cliffs, colored canyons, and sweeping vistas. True to her unwavering fashion style, Celia perfectly complemented the impressive landscape in a nontraditional pale blush gown from Leanne Marshall. The bride paired her look with handmade earrings inspired by the high desert and Western boots, both uniquely wild in their own way. Derick, too, appeared dapper in a tailored navy suit from Tailor Cooperative finished
with a bolo tie made of Royston Ribbon turquoise and gold filled accents. Following the ceremony, the couple soaked up the scenery with a picnic featuring dark amber ale beer and sweet fruit pie freshly baked at the Gifford Homestead tucked along the cliffs of the National Park where an orchard of trees grew beside a running stream.
ADVICE TO FUTURE COUPLES FROM CECE & DERICK
“Try your best to communicate face to face if there are any conflicts. If you get nervous about how to say something, think it over and say it out loud when you are alone a few times. Practice what you want to say before the conversation. It is okay if you don’t say it the way you practiced.”
About getting married in Capitol Reef National Park:
Unlike most other parks there's no designated list of approved locations. Instead it's much more general. The park will approve permits for small weddings in locations around picnic areas, campgrounds, and other locations that doesn't disrupt guests or the environment. Capitol Reef is also the fastest National Park in Utah to approve a permit for a wedding. They can usually approve permits within 1 week!
Elopement in Capitol Reef National Park ideas:
Chimney Rock trailhead
Hickman Bridge Arch
Sunset Point
Grand Wash
Capitol Reef describes weddings in the park as "Simple, rustic and No-Frills" so if your dream wedding includes any of the above - this might not be a great fit for you.
This blog is a mix of digital and film photos. Shout out to all of the wonderful people who made this day amazing:
Interested in learning more about eloping in Capitol Reef? You can read my guide here:
We celebrated with homemade Pie from the Gifford Homestead
The homestead sells on average 70K pies per year. They have 5 flavors to choose from:
Apple
Triple Berry
Strawberry Rubarb
Peach
Cherry
Check out my all Polaroid photo Gallery <<HERE>>
Polaroid wedding photographer
We ended the night taking in the sunset at this beautiful location overlooking the Henry Mountains
About the Henry Mountains:
The Henry Mountains are a hidden gem in Utah, offering a unique combination of geological features, wildlife, and outdoor recreation opportunities for those willing to venture off the beaten path. This small mountain range is located in southeastern Utah, near the town of Hanksville. They are part of the Colorado Plateau region and are known for their unique geology, scenic beauty, and diverse wildlife. Fun Fact: The Henry Mountains are known for their diverse wildlife, including a free-ranging herd of bison that was introduced to the area in 1941. This herd is one of the few in the United States that has been continuously free-roaming since its introduction. Other wildlife in the area includes mule deer, elk, pronghorn, and various bird species.
Capitol Reef National Park Elopement Packages
I'll let you in on a little secret... Capitol Reef is a real hidden gem! When it comes to national parks in Utah we're pretty spoiled and although Capitol Reef is often looked over it's one of my personal favorites. If you agree I would love to chat more about your elopement!