Watching two people join their lives together in such a beautiful way never gets old. When this happens on the edge of an overlook in the Grand Canyon, it’s all of my favorite things in one place. Photographing Isaiah and Christine at their Grand Canyon elopement was an honor. The time, the people, and the Moran Point ceremony tied together a beautiful Grand Canyon experience.
An Intimate Elopement with Personal Touches at Moran Point
I really loved how Isaiah and Christine started their day getting ready together at their Moran Point Grand Canyon elopement spot. A small group of friends and family were also present helping them prepare.
A few of these guests surprised Christine with a unique wedding gift personalized to include the couple’s beloved pets. It was a silver bracelet decorated by a charm shaped like their cat and dog (monogrammed with the first letter of each pet’s name). Additionally, other wedding details besides those contributed by the guests’ included pieces from the couple themselves.
The incredibly creative Isaiah made suspenders for his groomsmen having their initials branded on the leather. His suit jacket was also amazingly detailed, adorned with florals and an embroidered wedding date on the lining. Isaiah’s cufflinks were also so unapologetically him showing off the Spiderman symbol!
Moran Point: a South Rim Spot for Grand Canyon Sunset Photos
Moran Point is a Grand Canyon National Park wedding location midway between the south entrance at the Grand Canyon Village and the east entrance at Desert View Drive.
The sunset can be seen over the South Rim most of the year. There is plenty of space to move around and explore for different views. While this Grand Canyon wedding ceremony took place in the fall, the best sunset views can be found in the summer.
If you are a rock scrambler, several shorter secret trails can be found below the rim. This rock feature can be climbed and summited with a Class 2 scramble from ledges on the north facing side.
MORAN POINT PRO TIPS
- Moran Point doesn’t have a restroom so you’ll need to accommodate this in your wedding photography timeline as guests and the wedding party will need to use a restroom elsewhere.
- Dogs are allowed at the site, and it hosts up to 35 guests.
- There is easy parking at the viewpoint. It accommodates a total of 41 parking spots including two accessible and seven for oversized vehicles.
- FUN FACT: The point is named after artist Thomas Moran. His paintings of the park are credited as part of the reason that it gained national park status in 1919.
Bringing Your Loved Ones Along for Your Grand Canyon Elopement
Having met 11 years ago on the track team in college, Isaiah and Christine started out just as teammates. They soon became the best of friends! Considering it neither chance nor convenience that they ended up together, Christine elaborated, “we chose each other seven years ago and we’ve been choosing each other ever since.”
Together they have grown and created a new life as a unit vowing to be each other’s teammates forever. As Isaiah put it, they are one another’s person. He knew for a long time that he was, as he shared, “100% fully in love with her” and he is now “choosing every version of her forever.”
Joining the couple at their Moran Point Grand Canyon wedding was a small group of friends and family composed of their core support system. The group celebrated with the newlyweds during the ceremony followed by champagne and handmade cupcakes after the sunset.
The cakes were made by a Grand Canyon local I’ve worked with before: Alicia Araiza Jones. Sharing these moments together at this incredible place was completely affected not just by the beautiful scenery, but also by the loved ones that surrounded them.
Wedding Vendors
Elopement Spot | Moran Point in Grand Canyon National Park
Photographer | Terri Attridge Photography
Transportation | Above and Beyond Grand Canyon Tours
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