Their personality was in the puppets. This one-of-a-kind elopement experience left me filled with joy having witnessed the couple incorporate every part that makes the two of them one. Find all of the ways that this couple’s personality shined through their Vermilion Cliffs Arizona elopement!
Puppets & Play: Made for a Magical Day
Every element of this elopement in Arizona was handmade by the couple themselves. These two created top hats for their dogs to wear, the wedding bouquet held by the bride and even the floral top hat and flower wreath worn by the couple. Friends joined in during the ceremony and recessional playing live music while one performed the ceremony.
Because they chose the wedding date of 2/22, they decided to wear tutus together for their fun reception and a first dance playing with rainbow streamers! The couple incorporated top hats for their dogs and even had puppets reading parts of the ceremony. Puppetry and making puppets is a huge part of Amanda’s work as an artist that melds together with John’s artsiness as a woodworker.
Vermilion Cliffs Arizona: A Place for Love & Laughter
I don’t know whether this place was made for these two or if Amanda and John were made for this place. Either way, the Vermilion Cliffs were the perfect fit. Not only do the two of them share a connection through puppets and play, but also to the land itself.
The Vermilion Cliffs National Monument has some of the best trails and sights along different plateaus, cliffs and canyons. Elevations are anywhere from 3,100 to 7,100 feet and the area also houses endangered California condors (my favorite!). There is backcountry hiking and primitive camping following along this swirling rock formation known as The Wave. I personally think it looks like bacon!
At this small Vermilion Cliffs Arizona elopement there were so many ties to the land and each individual’s experience of it. Amanda and John’s wedding happened on a friend’s property found down a long dirt road just behind Cliff Dwellers Lodge along the Vermilion Cliffs. The home once belonged to author Edward Abbey!
Every person present was also connected through some sort of Grand Canyon experience. One friend was an old river guide while his wife had worked as a Park Ranger along the North Rim. The groom has been in charge of maintenance on the North Rim for over 20 years. He met his future bride while she worked there seasonally!
Then of course, there was one more Grand Canyon connection–their Arizona elopement photographer!
A Winter Elopement Where We Just Let it Snow
Nothing was going to bring these two down. We knew crazy weather was coming for the Vermilion Cliffs in Arizona but it was never going to stop Amanda and John! The expected winter weather for this Arizona wedding in February was several inches of snow the evening before the wedding.
We all decided to arrive the day before and Amanda rented me a room at the Cliff Dwellers Lodge. The snow made everything look a little better framing the bride like sparkles falling from the sky as she entered for the elopement ceremony. It only snowed a little bit during the ceremony and it created some amazing colors to photograph.
Among many other things, the main theme of this wedding could be summarized in the statement: “All of our friends are here.” A day filled with loved ones and so much personality made for a wedding that focused only on what truly mattered. The people, the pups, the land, the love and what their love makes together.
Got ideas for your own Vermilion Cliffs Arizona adventure? I want to hear them!
Vendors
Destination | Vermillion Cliffs
Photographer | Terri Attridge Photography
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