Sometimes, the day goes just right. I feel that when everything goes as planned, a beautiful day can slip by even faster then when something goes wrong! These two made special plans to extend their Arizona wedding experience through some adventures in Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Follow along for how we kept the good times rolling through their pre-wedding photos!
Pre-Wedding Photos from Antelope Canyon to Horseshoe Bend
Ivy and Nick traveled from California with plans for a little extra celebration time prior to their wedding day. I’m always happy to join these pre-wedding photography adventures that expand your experience!
This couple wanted to visit the area so badly! They both love to travel and even more so when they get to travel together! It’s a part of their love story that they wanted to mark through creative portrait photography starting in Horseshoe Bend. This along with the Antelope Slot Canyons are some of my favorite photo locations outside of capturing the Grand Canyon.
Ivy and Nick planned a destination wedding in Bali and decided to take these pre-wedding photos after being inspired by the Antelope Canyon photography they had witnessed. With their love for travel they just had to go see it for themselves!
Secret Spots for Arizona Photography
The couple was able to book Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours that takes a small group on through both Secret Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. It’s a three-hour combination tour starting around 3:00 PM for the sunset option. These are private locations at both the bend and the slot canyon and you even have time to explore around on your own!
Only a single Jeep is allowed into the area at a time and the ability to capture photos with your photographer depends upon the size of the tour group (hosts up to 12 people). There’s also a completely private option to do just the Secret Antelope Canyon Tour which allows for more flexibility.
This part of Antelope Canyon is so much more secluded that we can even expect to have it to ourselves like these two did! Book this Arizona elopement photographer to find out more!
A Plan for Adventurous Pre-Wedding Photos
Going on an elopement adventure in Arizona always starts with a plan. This kind of session always takes a little more logistics but is totally doable. While Antelope Canyon Upper and Lower tours no longer allow professional photography, you can still access the canyon from Lake Powell.
If you decide to forgo the tour, one way in is a three-mile paddle by boat or kayak from the Antelope Point Marina. When the water in the lake is low, there is so much more of the slot canyon to explore! Depending on how much experience you have on the water, kayaks are generally easiest for new paddlers.
We can even get some amazing photos of you two snuggling in a canoe as well as in the canyon itself. It can sometimes take a little bit longer to get into the canyon, if the larger boats are already on the water creating a wake. The best time to find the easiest paddling is to go out before 8:00 AM.
At the fastest, it takes one hour but it’s best to plan for four hours total with two for travel and two spent exploring and taking photos. We would start our day meeting at the boat ramp at Lake Powell!
For Horseshoe Bend, it requires a three-quarters-of-a-mile hike, paid parking and most likely being surrounded by other people. For the private tour, the only other people present are those on the tour with you. This is private Navajo Land that cannot be accessed by the general public apart from the tour. It’s the best way to capture pre-wedding photos at such an amazing location!
A Day of Adventure to Jumpstart Your Elopement Day
We entered Ivy and Nick’s session without an agenda or any “must-do” shots so they could easily relax into their time in front of the camera. I provided prompts to help with their movement as well as mixing in more stationary shots. They were so comfortable which gave me the freedom to direct them with ease.
I especially enjoyed featuring the engagement ring that Nick had picked out for Ivy entirely on his own! She is so happy with it and it is more unique and detailed than most rings I have seen. Not quite engagement photos, and not yet wedding portraits, this was just a special something these two wanted to do prior to their wedding. I’m always game for new adventures that make your day (or the days leading up to it) more your own!
Vendors
Destinations | Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Slot Canyons
Photographer | Terri Attridge Photography
Tour Guide | Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours
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